Co-ed Slow Pitch Softball Rules

western lutheran athletic league

Est. 1987

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength” -philippians 4:13

Lutheran high westland

Co-Ed SLOW-PITCH SOFTBALL RULES

1. A regulation game shall consist of 7 innings. No new inning shall begin after 1 1/2 hours of play. The umpire and the coaches may determine a shorter period of time.

2. The home team is responsible for supplying a new/good game ball. The boys use a 12-inch softball; the girls also use a 12-inch softball.

3. The pitching distance for girls is 40 feet. The pitching distance for boys is 46 feet. The distance between the bases is 60 feet.

4. The minimum arc of the pitched ball is equal to the height of the batter when he/she uses a normal batting stance. The maximum height of the pitch is 12 feet.

5. No metal cleats are allowed. All-purpose rubber or plastic cleats are acceptable.

6. Catchers should wear a helmet, mask with throat protector, chest protector, and shin guards.

Batters, base runners, and any non-adult coaches should wear batting helmets.

7. Use official softball bats only. Do not use Little League bats.

8. Base runners are not allowed to lead off. Base runners must keep a foot in contact with the base until the pitch crosses home plate. Stealing is not allowed. The ball is dead if the batter doesn't hit the pitch.

9. There is no restriction on the number of foul balls hit by a batter.

10. Base awards for overthrows into a dead ball area can be determined by the location of the runners, including the batter-runner, from either the time of the pitch or the time of the throw.

11. The "time out" called and/or signaled by the umpire suspends play.

12. The home team provides the umpire.

13. Coaches should encourage their batters to hit the ball.

14. Mercy Rule: The half-inning ends on the play during which the fifth run of the half-inning scores (5, 6, 7, or 8 runs can score). Exception: There is no cap on runs scored during the designated last inning of play (04/09/08).

15. FREE SUBSTITUTION (Adopted 03-29-2000): The number of batters in a lineup can match the opposing teams. If Team A has nine players (minimum of eight to start the game) and Team B has fifteen players, the Team B's coach has the option of establishing a lineup of only nine players and using any ten (fast pitch - nine) in the field. Any player may be removed from the field at any time and replaced in the field with another player whose name appears on the team roster. A player substitute in the field does not change the original batting order. Therefore, if Smith starts the game playing at shortstop and batting sixth, and is replaced by Jones in the field during the second and third innings, Smith is still the sixth batter. If Jones bats for Smith in the bottom of the second inning, and Smith plays center field for Johnson in the top of the third, there is no problem. However, if Smith returns to the batting order, Smith can only bat in the sixth place. If Jones returns to the batting lineup later in the game, Jones can only bat in the sixth place.

16. STRIKE MAT: A 21 inches wide by 34 inches long carpet-like mat establishes the strike zone.

The home plate should also be included as part of the strike zone. (Adopted 03-29-00)