West Norriton 
Coed Softball

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League Rules


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2013 Rules - West Norriton Coed Softball (with Umpires)

George Gibson
E-mail: ggibson@wnces.com
Cell: (610) 539-1573 (also answers as Twilight Entertainment)
-or -
Pete Marion
E-mail: pmarion517@verizon.net
Cell: 610-316-8912

ASA Coed rules will apply unless otherwise noted.


EQUIPMENT

  1. The home team will provide 2 league issued balls (one new, one in good condition) for each game. 
  2. The home team will provide white throw-down bases, unless the field already has anchored bases, in which case both teams are to utililze those bases.
  3. ASA rule, with 5’ variation: Bases are to be set 65’ apart, unless the field has anchored bases set at another distance.  In that’s the case, use the anchored bases.
  4. The home team is to provide a specially tailored strike zone mat provided by the league. Any legal (6’-12’) pitch hitting the mat will be called a strike.
  5. ASA Rule: The home team will provide a double-first base (of 2 colors).  The white base will be placed in fair territory and the extension (or orange base) will be placed in foul territory.  The first baseman will use the white base, and the batter will run to the extension (or orange base).  Exception: If the throw is coming from foul territory or an errant throw pulls the defense off the white into foul territory, the offense and the defense may use either portion.
  6. Metal spikes are not permitted.  If a player is caught using metal spikes, he/she must remove them at once.  Failure to comply will result in ejection from the game.

Legal Bats

  1. Our league allows only A.S.A. approved single-walled aluminum (barrel) bats that have been approved as of March 20, 2013: (see bat section on this site)
    If a bat is not on the A.S.A. this list and/or is not stamped with the A.S.A certification mark, it cannot - under any circumstances - be used in league play.
  2. ASA Rule 7 Section 6B: When a batter enters the batter’s box with or is discovered using an altered or non-approved bat. EFFECT: The batter is called out and ejected from the game (our league rules provide an automatic one game suspension for players who have been ejected. Suspension will begin immediately).
    Note: Section 6 B-C: If a previous batter has used the same altered or illegal bat and a pitch has been made, the current batter only.
    Penalties are assed only if a batter uses a non-approved bat in a game situation. We strongly suggest that you keep all non-approved bats away from the backstop, benches and fence.
  3. If (in the umpire's judgment) a bat is damaged (flattened or cracked, etc.), the umpire can remove it from the game (no penalty assessed).
  4. Bats may be inspected by team captain and umpire at any time before and during the game.   Captains should carry the league bat list with them at all times.  It is a good idea to highlight their own team’s bats, if they are ever called into question.

UMPIRES

  1. One umpire will be provided for each game. Umpire will make all calls, including balls and strikes and control the game as per ASA and league Code of Conduct.
  2. ASA Rule: Any unnecessary contact or rough play (as deemed by the umpire) can result in ejection and suspension.

ROSTERS

  1. Anyone age 18 and older is eligible.
  2. Rosters must be submitted to the league prior to first game.  Name, address and phone number.  First and last names (but no other info) will be published on the league site. 
  3. Rosters may not be changed after May 12, except for season-ending injuries and special circumstances (as deemed by league).
  4. To be eligible for the playoffs, players must play five of his or her team’s games.
  5. Sign-in sheets must be filled out prior to every game.
  6. Winning team should e-mail score to George Gibson ggibson@wnces.com within 48 hours after completion of game.
  7. ALL teams must e-mail or text a picture of the lineup portion of their scorebook no later than Tuesday.  E-mail to ggibson@wnces.com or text to (610) 539-1573.  No nicknames.  Last initial or name (if more than one player of the same first name)

LINEUP

  1. Each team must be able to take the field with at least 7 players at the scheduled start of the game, otherwise, the umpire can declare a forfeit (7-0).  If each team has at least 7 players at game time, the game should begin immediately, otherwise, the umpire can declare a forfeit.
  2. A minimum of 3 slots in the batting order and 3 positions in the field must be occupied by a girl at all times.  If a team has less than 3 girls, they must take an automatic out in the 3rd, 5th and 8th slots (respectively) in the batting order. 
  3. At least one girl must bat in one of the top six slots in the lineup.  Exception: If a team starts the game with at least two automatic outs, they don’t have to place a girl in one of the top 6 slots (since the automatic outs would come in the 3 and 5 slots).
  4. In the event that a team starts with less than 10 fielders, any players arriving late may be added to the lineup (and fielding team) immediately.  Guys who arrive late will be added to the bottom of the lineup.  Girls who arrive late will be inserted into the lowest slot that is currently an automatic out.  If an extra hitter is added after the game starts he/she will be added to 11th slot.
  5. Each team is allowed an extra hitter (EH).  The extra hitter is only permitted if a team fields 10 players, including 3 girls.  If at any point in the game a team fields less than 10 players, including 3 girls (if someone leaves or gets injured), the EH can no longer be used and the EH slot will be skipped (if the EH is a guy).  The EH may only re-enter the game once their team fields 10 players (including 3 girls). 
  6. Teams may use an additional EH, if it’s a girl.
  7. ASA Rule, variation: Guys cannot be substituted for girls in the lineup.  If a girl has to leave the game for any reason and is not replaced by another girl in the lineup, that spot in the lineup will become an automatic out.  (Example: If you start with 4 girls in the lineup - or have 4 at any point - you must finish with 4 girls, otherwise, an automatic out will be called for that slot[s]).
  8. ASA rule: Any player may be substituted in the lineup and re-entered once, providing players occupy the same batting positions whenever in the line-up.

9.      We do not allow a DH. Maximum 12 players in lineup (2 EH’s, as outlined above)

TEN RUN RULE

  1. ASA Rule, variation: If after 5 innings, a team is winning by 15 or more runs (3 ˝ innings if it is the home team), the game is over. 10 runs – 5 innings.
  2. A team may score a maximum of 10 runs per inning, with the exception of the final inning.

PITCHING

  1. ASA Rule: Pitching rubber will be set at 50’ from home plate.
  2. A legal pitch is 6-12' arc, as determined by the umpire.
  3. ASA Rule: Illegal Pitch - If an illegal pitch is called by the umpire, the batter may swing at his/her own discretion.  If the batter does not swing, the ball is dead and no pitch will be called.

BATTING

  1. ASA Rule: No bunting or (intentional) chop hitting.  Batter can be ruled out.
  2. ASA Rule: Each batter, regardless of gender, will start with a 1-1 count.
  3. ASA Rule: Umpires will call (4) balls and (3) strikes.  
  4. Any legal pitch (6’-12’) that hits the mat is a strike (as determined by the umpire).  A pitch that hits the plate is not a strike.
  5. ASA Rule:  A foul ball on the third strike will be considered a strikeout.
  6. ASA Rule: If a team walks a male batter with a female batter coming up next, then the male batter is automatically awarded second base and all forced (by batter) runners advance one base. All other runners not forced shall remain at their bases.  If a guy walks in front of an automatic out, rule does not apply.
  7. Females must always hit, regardless of the situation.  There are no automatic walks.  (In 2011, we used the ASA rule that females got the choice to hit or walk.  Prior to the start of the 2012 season, that part of the ASA coed walk rule was removed from our league rules).
  8. Intentional walk – just announce it – no need to throw pitches.

FIELDING

  1. Orange cones will be placed down each baseline 30 feet past 1rst base and 3rd base to form an imaginary arc.  If there are ten fielders, four fielders must remain at least 30 feet behind the arc until the ball is hit.  If the defensive team can field only nine players, three players must remain behind the line.  (Eight – two behind the line.  Seven – one)
  2. Infielders must remain no closer than even with the bases until the ball is hit.

BASERUNNING

  1. One courtesy (rabbit) runner will be allowed per team per inning. The player to make the last out will be the rabbit runner.  Only guys can run for guys and girls for girls.
    *If a batter who has used a rabbit runner bats more than once in an inning he/she may use a rabbit runner again that inning.  At the start of the games, if no player of the same gender has recorded an out, the player of the same gender listed last in the batting order shall be the courtesy runner.   If that is not possible (bottom of the lineup is batting or on base), use the last person of the same gender who scored.  The     courtesy runner is allowed once the batter safely reaches first base AND the umpire has called time out.

  2. ASA Rule, with interpretation: Runners should slide or get out of the way.   A runner that does not either slide or get out of the way can be called out by the umpire for interference (umpire’s judgment) and all runners return to their bases. Takeout slides or collisions are not permitted.  Slide to the base, not the fielder.  Umpire will differentiate between incidental contact and “rough play.”  Rough play can result in warning, ejection and/or suspension. 

3.      ASA Rule: No leads.  A runner may not leave a base until the pitched ball crosses the front of home plate. If (in the umpire’s judgment) a runner leaves the base prior to the ball crossing the front of home plate, the runner is out.

4.      Pinch runners are permitted, as per ASA substitution and re-entry rules.

5.      As per ASA rule 8, Section 5G, runners are awarded TWO bases on an overthrow.  Award is governed by positions of runners when the ball left the fielder’s hand (regardless of where the ball is thrown from).  (Please note exceptions in ASA rules)

CODE OF CONDUCT

  1. Unsportsmanlike conduct includes but is not necessarily limited to: fighting, verbal or physical abuse, racial or ethnic slurs, inappropriate comments or behavior that may be construed as sexual harassment, profanity, obscene gestures, flagrant and violent play, taunting, trash talk, baiting, cheating, throwing or abusing equipment, destruction of field or league property, physical intimidation or abuse of an official or opponent.
  2. Threats or fighting or harassment/intimidation may result in (at least) a one year suspension.
  3. If a player or captain is ejected by the umpire, he/she will automatically serve at least a 1 (one) game suspension.  Suspension will begin the following game.  If a player or captain is ejected in the first game of a doubleheader, he/she will not be permitted to play in the second game.
  4. An ejected player or captain must leave the field and premises immediately.
  5. Suspended players/captains are not permitted on any league fields or premises for the length of the suspension.
  6. Two suspensions in one season or any egregious offenses will be dealt with by the league committee.  Committee members whose team is involved in the offense may not be involved in the ruling.
  7. Teams that are ejected from the league will forfeit their league fee.  The league will not foot the bill for a team that can’t comply with the code of conduct.

FIELD GROUND RULES

BURNSIDE FIELD
Any ball hit over the wall in right field or past and to the right of the wall is a ground rule double.
Any ball hit off the wall in right field is a ground rule double.
 
STEWART   MIDDLE SCHOOL
Any ball hit into the right field parking lot or driveway is a ground rule double, provided (in the umpire’s judgement) the fielder makes an attempt at it.
Any ball hit into the overhanging trees is a dead ball (no pitch).
Any ball hit in the air to the left of the gray door on the building is a homerun.  A ball that hits the gray door is a ground rule double.

NORRISTOWN HIGH SCHOOL
Any ball hit into the trees in the air is a homerun.
Any ball hit into the trees on a bounce is a ground rule double, provided (in the umpire’s judgement) the fielder makes an attempt at it.

NORRISTOWN STATE HOSPITAL
Any ball hitting the tree in right field is a ground rule double.

HEELS FIELD – PATTY SIMON - EAST NORRITON FIELD
3 homerun rules
Each team may hit up to 3 over-the-fence homeruns.  Any ball hit over the fence after 3 is an out.  Inside-the-park homeruns do not count against the limit.


Do not practice on fields after a game has been rained out or canceled!

2013 Rule Changes

ADDED

  1. Rosters - In order to be eligible for the playoffs, players must play 5 of its team’s regular season games.
  2. ALL teams must e-mail or text a picture of the lineup portion of their scorebook no later than Tuesday.  E-mail to ggibson@wnces.com or text to (610) 539-1573
  3. Rosters must be completely filled out prior to first game. First and last name, address.  First and last names (but no other info) will be published on the site.
  4. Rosters may not be changed after game 5, except for season-ending injuries and special circumstances (as deemed by league)
  5. Bat List (see Legal Bats)
  6. Intentional walk – just call it – no need to throw pitches.
  7. Additional EH, if it’s a female. Please note that as before, only females can pinch hit for females. If a female has to leave the game for any reason and cannot be replaced, her spot in the lineup becomes and automatic out.
  8. If a team begins the game short of players, arriving players may be inserted into the game immediately – lowest slot in the batting order (or into the lowest automatic out slot if it’s a girl).

ALTERED
We will also be expanding our mercy rule. a. 15 runs after 4 innings b. 10 runs after 5 innings (already in place)

REMOVED
None

CLARIFICATIONS

  1. Bases are still 65’ apart, unless the field has anchored bases set at another distance, in which the case, use the anchored bases.
    *Heels Field is the only field that has increased the base lengths to 70’ because a new ASA rule went into effect for men’s leagues this year.  Next year, the rule will be extended to all adult ASA leagues.  This rule was created by ASA in response to the high performance bats that are being manufactured.  It will put a little defense back in the game.  Fielders will move back a little, which will be safer for them.
  2. Re-entry Rule- Any player may be substituted in the lineup and re-entered once, providing players occupy the same batting positions whenever in the line-up, provided it fits within the guidelines of our league rules.
    *This has always been an ASA rule, but not everyone knows about it.    As stated before, guys cannot replace girls.
  3. Overthrow Rule:  The common misconception is that everyone is entitled to one base on an overthrow.  It’s actually two bases, as governed by the position of the runner when the ball left the fielder’s hand (regardless of where the throw came from).  (Rule 8G).  Baseball uses the same rule.  The reason this is confused is because the overthrow often occurs on a throw to first.  The batter has not yet reached first at the time of the overthrow, so he is awarded two bases – first and second.
  4. Do not practice on fields after a game has been rained out or canceled.

 

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