2016 PAC SOFTBALL LEAGUE RULES AND CLARIFICATIONS


I. EQUIPMENT SUPPLIED BY HOME TEAM
A. Two (2) ASA certified slow pitch/restricted flight 12 inch softballs
B. Home plate, pitching rubber, bases (including double 1st base) and 2 cones
C. Umpire may call forfeit if the home team is not prepared.

II. FIELD
A. In the event of inclement weather on game day, the HOME team is responsible for reporting the condition of the field to the commissioner by 4:00 PM.
1. If the field is unplayable, the game will be moved to another available field. If there are not available fields, the game will be rescheduled.
B. Bases are 65 feet. Unless a tape measure is available, the umpire will the set bases and be the final judge as to the 65 foot distance.
C. Cones will be placed on each foul line approximately 140 feet from home plate.
1. When a woman is batting, 3 outfielders must remain behind the cones.
2. If, the defensive team is in violation, the umpire will issue a warning.
3. A second violation during the same at bat, will result in awarding first base to the female batter.

III. OFFICIAL GAMES
A. Games will begin at 6:15 p.m. during April. Games will begin at 6:30 p.m from May through the end of the July. Forfeit time is 15 minutes after game start time.
B. Official game: A game played 4 complete innings (3.5 if the home team is ahead), and is stopped because of rain, darkness, etc., shall be considered a complete game. In the case of darkness, the umpire will give a warning before the last inning to be completed.
C. Playoffs Exception: During the playoffs, all games must be completed. If a game is stopped by rain, darkness, etc., before the fourth inning, it will be re-played from the beginning. If it is stopped past the fourth inning, it will continue from the spot where it ended.
D. Fourteen Run Rule: If a team is ahead by fourteen (14) runs after five (5) complete innings (4-1/2 if the home team is ahead), the game is OVER. There is no option. After 5 complete innings, if either team goes ahead by 14 runs, the game is over immediately. Home team does not get another chance to hit. This does not apply to playoffs, which will be played to completion
E. Playoffs Exception - none.
F. Forfeits: A game that is forfeited (i.e. a team is a no show, is not prepared or does not have enough players by game start) is a score by rule of 7-0, per ASA Rules.
G. Rescheduling: Coaches have 1 week to reschedule games, if the need arises. The rescheduled must be rescheduled no later than 2 weeks prior to playoffs.

IV. GAME LINEUPS AND SUBSTITUIONS
A. ASA substitution rules apply (See ASA Rule Books)
1. If you substitute for a starter, the starter may return only once.
2. Once a starter has returned, the substitute cannot re-enter the game.
3. If a substitute is entered for a substitute the original starter cannot re-enter the game.
4. The starter must return to their original position in the batting order, not the field position.
B. Reporting changes: All changes relating to substitutions MUST be reported to the umpire AND to the opposing team. Moving defensive players around on the field does not have to be reported to anyone. Penalty will imposed under the Illegal Substitute rule.
C. Three (3) women must be in the lineup at all times.
1. If a team only has 2 women, then they can only field 9 players.
2. The missing woman is placed in the first slot in the batting order, and an automatic out will be recorded whenever this slot in the batting order appears.
3. The missing woman can be placed into the game as soon as she arrives.
4. In case of an injury and no available substitute, the team can continue playing with one less player. The missing player will be counted as an out when it is their time to bat. No team can play with less than nine players--it becomes a forfeit.
5. The penalized team may not use an Extra Hitter at any time, even after the missing player arrives.
D. Women cannot bat back-to-back, unless there are more than 3 women in the lineup. Then only 2 women can bat back-to-back.
E. Contrary to ASA rules, intentionally walking a male batter to get to a female batter is permitted.
F. Extra Hitter: Each team has the option, without permission from the opposing team, of using an 11th batter (EH) at the start of the game. An EH cannot be added during the game. The only player who can be added during the game is the third woman.

V. BATTING VIOLATIONS
A. Third strike rule: Contrary to ASA rules, a foul after 2 strikes will not be an out.
B. Stepping on or across home plate: When swinging the bat and making contact on a fair or foul ball, the batter is out if their foot touches any part of home plate or their entire foot lands in front of or behind home plate. This will be enforced.
C. Thrown bat warning: If a batter throws a bat in a dangerous manner, the umpire will issue a warning to their team. A second warning to that team will be declared out. This pertains to balls hit fair or foul, or on a missed swing.
D. Bats: Bats must comply with the ASA regulations as found in the Official Rules of Softball Participant Manual 2015, page 36. must bear either the ASA approved 2000 certification mark , the ASA 2004 certification mark as shown below, or the ASA 2013 Certification Mark as shown below and must not be listed on an ASA Non-Approved Bat List with Certification Marks.

VI. BASE RUNNING
A. Courtesy Runner: Courtesy runners are permitted for an injured player. The courtesy runner will be a roster player of the same gender who has made the last out in the lineup. Only one injured player from each team may request a courtesy runner during a game. This should be discussed between both teams and the umpire prior to the start of the game.
B. Sliding base rule: When sliding, if a base becomes dislodged, the player must stay in the original spot of the base to be considered safe. If the runner goes after the dislodged base and is tagged with the ball by the defensive player, the runner is out.
VII. Slide or avoid rule.
A. No player can block the plate or a base without the ball. This is a defensive obstruction, and the umpire will call it.
B. When a defensive player has the ball, and the runner remains on their feet and crashes into the defensive player, the runner is out. NOTE: If the act is determined to be flagrant, the offender shall be ejected. An errant throw drawing the defensive player into the path of the runner is not interference.
C. This rule does not eliminate accidental contact with a fielder, as long as the runner is attempting to avoid the fielder while trying to get to the base. The umpire will be the final judge on whether or not the runner was trying to avoid the fielder.

VIII. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY AND EJECTIONS
A. Rosters – Team rosters must be submitted prior to the first game of the season. Any team that does not submit their roster will forfeit their games until the roster has been submitted.
1. Teams should have a minimum of 10 players on their roster.
2. The minimum age for league participation is 18 years old. This will be strictly adhered to.
3. Teams must have at least 3 women on the roster.
4. Teams may have no more than 5 ringers in the lineup at any one time. Teams may check on the validity of the player, and the team using more ringers is subject to a forfeit.
5. Interns are permitted to play on the team and are counted as new employees.
6. Players must play at least 4 league games for during the regular season in order to be eligible for the playoff roster.
7. New employees are the exception, but may be required to show proof of employment.
B. Protests: Teams will be able to protest a roster violation at any time to the umpire, or after the game to the commissioner. The protest will be reviewed in a timely manner. All other rule enforcement is subject to the umpire’s final discretion in accordance with ASA and the rules listed herein.
C. Trash talk. Abusive on continuous "trash talk” will not be tolerated. If the umpire believes this talk has gone too far, both teams will receive a warning to stop. In the umpire's judgment, if anyone continues to be abusive, the offender(s) will be ejected. Additional abuse by the offender will result in a forfeit.
D. Ejections. An ejection by an umpire will carry a one-game suspension for players involved. A second ejection to the same player carries a three-game suspension.

IX. MISCELLANEOUS
A. Fees: all league fees must be paid by game 6 or halfway through the regular season, whichever comes first.