Pembroke Women’s Softball League

2008 Rules

1. Game time is 6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays (as well as the 2 Thursday games). There is a 15 minute grace period for the start of the game.

2. Games can begin when there is a minimum of 8 players present. If a team only has 7 players by the expiration of the grace period that team must forfeit the game. There must be 8 players for the entire game.

3. Games are called at the umpire’s discretion. Only Team Captains are allowed to dispute a call or talk about a situation with the umpires.

4. If we are unable to complete an inning due to weather or darkness the score will revert back to the last completed inning. Therefore each team will have equal time at bat.

5. Five (5) innings must be completed to be considered a game.

6. Players must be 18 years old.

7. Only women who have paid their registration fee and signed their registration form will be allowed to play. If a violation occurs it will result in an automatic forfeit of the game.

8. The pitch for this league is MODIFIED FAST PITCH/NO WINDMILL. It is required that the pitcher set with both feet on the rubber, one step forward is allowed before release of the pitch. It is not required by the league that a team must alternate pitchers but in the spirit of good sportsmanship it is promoted if possible.

9. No Bunting, Chopping or Stealing is allowed. Sliding is optional to the individual player.

10. Base runners must remain on base until the ball is hit. NO LEADING.

11. Being hit by a ball:

1. Any batter, while in the batters box, is hit with a pitched ball, is entitled to a walk to first base.
2. If a batter, while in the batters box, swings at a pitch and makes contact with the ball but is hit with the ball while still in the batters box, is considered a foul ball.
3. If a batter hits the ball, and while running to first base touches the ball with any part of her body, then the runner is out, and the ball is called dead at that point. No runners may advance.
4. If any runner, while running to any base or home plate is struck by a thrown ball, the play continues as if the runner was never hit. All runners may keep going at their own risk. If the ball goes out of bounds due to a struck player, all runners will advance 1 base.
5. If a runner is hit with any batted ball, the runner is out, and the ball becomes dead, and all other runners will advance one base and the batter is granted first base.
6. If any fielding player impedes the progress of any runner due to interference, then all runners will advance 2 bases, the one she is going to plus one.

12. A base runner who runs out of the baseline will be automatically called out.

13. If a batter steps on home plate while hitting a ball, they are automatically out.

14. A batter who is hit by a pitch will automatically be granted first base. The ball is dead once it hits the batter. (See Rule 11 for specific situations)

15. The Infield Fly Rule is in effect.

16. If a team has batted out of order, it must be appealed by the opposing team by the next pitch. If the appeal is granted the out of order batter is out.

17. A substitute runner for an injured batter may be used after the runner has successfully reached first base. The substitute must be the batter who made the previous out.

18. Each player who is present for a game must play at least three (3) innings unless injured or sick. Players must be present by the completion of three (3) innings in order to play in the game. If a player leaves mid-game there will be an out assessed every time it is her turn at bat (this does not apply to leaving the game due to an injury).

19. Catcher’s equipment and batting helmets are included with team gear. It is recommended that this equipment be used. Catchers MASKS ARE MANDATORY and must be worn by all catchers behind the plate.

20. The league encourages families to attend games, however, no children, husbands or any other spectators are allowed on the field during the game.

21. No alcohol is allowed on the field before or during a game. This applies to players drinking before/during the game. At umpires discretion, player may be ejected.

22. No foul language will be tolerated. The umpire can eject any player or spectator who is not conducting themselves in an appropriate manner.

23. The Slaughter rule is defined as follows: A team that has a 10 run lead by the bottom of the 5th inning automatically wins the game. If both teams choose to continue to play they may do so for recreational purposes only and it is up to the umpire if they choose to remain to call the game for no additional fee.

24. In the event of a tie at the completion of 7 innings, the teams will Play 1 additional inning. If the game is still tied at the end of 8 innings or the game can’t continue due to weather or darkness, the score at the end of the 7th inning will be used in the end for statistics to determine team standings. Each Team Captain has a copy of the procedure to determine team standings.

25. In the event of a rain out: (This does not apply to the Championship game)

1. A board member will notify the captains by 4:00 p.m. if a game has been canceled due to rain. It is the TEAM CAPTAINS responsibility to notify their players.
2. If a Tuesday night game is cancelled the make up game is the following Thursday (two nights later) unless there is already a scheduled game then it would be the next available Thursday night. If one of the Thursday night games is cancelled the make up is scheduled for the next available Thursday night. It is the Team Captains responsibility to let their players know of this and to let the Board know at pembrokewomenssoftball@yahoo.com, if they will have enough players for the make up game. If the Board does not receive confirmation, the game will go on as scheduled and any team that does not have the minimum number of players to allow the game to be played will forfeit that game and it WILL NOT be rescheduled.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: In the event of a rain out the Championship game must be played on the following Thursday. If either team finds itself with an inadequate number of players the game must be forfeited.

26. If any situation arises that has not been covered by these rules the umpire has the authority to make the call/ruling. After the game the teams involved can bring the situation to the board for clarification.