NIST
NIST

Commish:
Doug Meier
douglas.meier@nist.gov

Assistant Commish:
Dinis Camara
dinis.camara@nist.gov

  Last updated:
  March 23, 2010

      SEBA Softball Proposed Rule Changes

2008

  • Original Rule:
    • The Encroachment Line is an arc inscribed in the outfield which is 155 ft from the point of home plate. No more than 7 defensive players, including the catcher, may be within the line at the time the ball is pitched. If more than the maximum number of defensive players is within the line at the time of the pitch and the ball is hit fairly, the batter may elect to take either the result of the hit or an automatic walk.
  • Proposed Rule Change:
    • The Encroachment Line is an arc inscribed in the outfield which is 165 ft from the point of home plate. No more than 6 defensive players, including the catcher, may be within the line at the time the ball is pitched. If 6 defensive players are inside the line, one must be the pitcher and one must be the catcher. If more than the maximum number of defensive players is within the line at the time when the ball crosses the plate and the ball is hit, the batter may elect to take either the result of the hit or an automatic walk.
  • Voting Results:
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Approved
5-1


  • Original Rule:
    • A commissioner will be elected by the Board of Managers at the beginning of each season. Any SEBA member is eligible to run for commissioner.
  • Proposed Rule Change:
    • A commissioner will be elected by the Board of Managers at the beginning of each season. Any SEBA member is eligible to run for commissioner. If the elected commissioner is also a coach, then the coaching duties should be passed off to someone else on the team.
  • Voting Results:
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Approved
4-0


  • Original Rule:
    • N/A
  • Proposed Rule Change:
    • An assistant commissioner may be elected by the Board of Managers at the beginning of each season. Any SEBA member is eligible to run for assistant commissioner.
  • Voting Results:
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Approved
4-0


  • Original Rule:
    • (under Starting a Game at Less Than Maximum Strength) Any team with less than 10 players and more than the minimum number of players will be provided a catcher from the other team for the sole purpose of throwing the ball back to the pitcher after each pitch. The complimentary catcher shall have no other responsibilities for the opposing team and may function in a full capacity for his/her own team.
  • Proposed Rule Change:
    • Any team with less than 9 players and more than the minimum number of players will be provided a catcher from the other team for the sole purpose of throwing the ball back to the pitcher after each pitch. The complimentary catcher shall have no other responsibilities for the opposing team and may function in a full capacity for his/her own team.
  • Voting Results:
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Approved
4-0

2007

  • Original Rule:
    • Bats: It shall be illegal for any player to use a multi-walled bat during a game. It is the responsibility of the each manager to make sure that illegal bats are not being used by his/her team. Legal bats shall consist of single-walled bats that meet the 1.2 BPF (Bat Performance Factor). It is the umpires' duty to enforce this rule. If umpire determines a bat to be illegal prior to a batter getting a hit then the batter is given opportunity to change to a legal bat. If illegal bat is used and a hit occurs with the bat then batter is considered out. Any runners on base must return to base they were at prior to hit. If it is unclear whether a bat is legal/illegal then the bat in questioned shall be considered illegal until final ruling by commissioner prior to next game.
  • Proposed Rule Change:
    • A legal bat is one that has been approved by the National Softball Association (NSA). It shall be illegal for any player to use a bat that has not been approved by the NSA. It is the responsibility of the each manager to make sure that illegal bats are not being used by his/her team. It is the umpires' duty to enforce this rule. If umpire determines a bat to be illegal prior to a batter getting a hit then the batter is given opportunity to change to a legal bat. If illegal bat is used and a hit occurs with the bat then batter is considered out. Any runners on base must return to base they were at prior to hit. If it is unclear whether a bat is legal/illegal then the bat in questioned shall be considered illegal until final ruling by commissioner prior to next game. The list of approved bats is located on the NSA web site at http://www.playnsa.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=8. If a dispute occurs that requires the intervention of the commissioner, the list on the web site will supercede any list printed and displayed at the softball fields.
  • Voting Results:
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Approved
4-1


  • Original Rule:
    • N/A
  • Proposed Rule Change:
    • Each team shall be allowed to allow one professional athlete, who would otherwise not be eligible under league rules, to play one regular season game per year. The athlete can be from any of the following leagues: ATP, LPGA, MLB, MLS, NASCAR, NBA, NFL, NHL, PBA, PGA, WNBA or WTA. If a team uses this exemption, they must notify 1) the opposing coach before the game and 2) the commissioner within 2 days following the completion of the game.
  • Voting Results:
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Approved
5-0

2006

  • Original Rule:
    • N/A
  • Proposed Rule Change:
    • The rules shall be reviewed each year and may only be revised before the start of the regular season. If the rules need to be amended during the season due to a special situation, then a unanimous decision is required for the vote to be approved.
  • Voting Results:
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Approved
4-0


  • Original Rule:
    • Final Rosters: The final roster is due before the first game of the second half of the season. After that time, the Commissioner will allow or disallow any roster changes pending notification and ratification of the Board of Managers.
  • Proposed Rule Change:
    • Deletion of Rule
  • Voting Results:
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Approved
4-0


  • Original Rule:
    • Fair balls: Balls that are fair but hit deer, geese, trees, etc. remain in play but are not outs if caught before hitting the ground.
  • Proposed Rule Change:
    • Fair balls: Balls that are fair but hit deer, geese, etc. shall be declared a dead ball and not count. All runners shall return to the base they were on before the pitch and the batter shall receive another pitch with the previous count. Balls that are fair but hit trees remain in play but are not outs if caught before hitting the ground.
  • Voting Results:
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Approved
4-0


  • Original Rule:
    • The lower age limit is 16.
  • Proposed Rule Change:
    • The lower age limit is 14, however players may not play an infield position (except Catcher) until age 16.
  • Voting Results:
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Final
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Approved
4-0