SEBA Softball Rules (not updated for 2016 yet)
Adopted April 1990
Amended 1997, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008,
2013, 2014
Rules of
Association
The SEBA Softball League, hereafter called
the League, shall be governed by a Board of Managers made up of the manager
from each team and the non-voting (except in the case of a tie) league
Commissioner, who shall act as Chairman, and a non-voting SEBA liaison.
The Board of Managers shall meet as needed
and as called for by the Chairman.
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.
All decisions by the Board of Managers shall
be decided by a simple majority vote of the Board members or their assigns.
In case of a tie vote, the Chairman shall cast the deciding vote.
A quorum shall be more than one-half the
Board members.
The Board of Managers is the sole authority
for changes in rules, schedules, or any other decision affecting play in the
league.
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.
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.
Schedule
The Format and Schedule for both the regular season and any tournament(s)
including number of teams, number of games, and days of the week played, will
be determined by the Board of Managers prior to the season.
The Regular Season Champion will be the team with the highest winning
percentage. In the event of a tie between two teams, the tiebreaker shall be
as follows: 1) Head to Head record, 2) Number of runs scored in head to head
games, 3) coin flip. In the case of a tie between more than two teams the
tiebreaker shall be as follows: 1) Head to Head record against both opponents
combined, 2) Number of runs scored in head to head games combined, 3) coin
flip.
Game Times:
- 5:00-5:15
visiting team has field
- 5:15-5:30
home team has field
- 5:30
game time
- 5:45
forfeit time
The game will begin promptly at "game
time" or whenever both teams have at least the minimum number of players
needed (see League Rules of Play section), whichever is later, up until
"forfeit time"
If at "forfeit time" either team
has fewer than the minimum number of players, needed to start the game (see
League rules of Play section), that team forfeits the game (with the score of
15-0) and the umpire is excused. If neither team has the minimum, the coaches
may decide whether to reschedule the game or have both teams forfeit (with a
score of 0-0).
Roster
Roster Members: Any SEBA member is eligible to play on any team in
the League. The lower age limit is 14, however players may not play an
infield position (except Catcher) until age 16 and over. There is no upper
age limit.
All players must be card-carrying SEBA
members.
Shaone Morrison Rule (a.k.a. - The Mo Rule): 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.
Submission of Rosters: Preliminary and Final rosters with SEBA numbers must
be submitted to the commissioner as determined by the Commissioner and Board
of Managers before the start of the season.
Penalties for Use of Illegal Players: Flagrant abuse of roster rules could result in
forfeiture of games played or other punitive action as determined by the
Board of Managers.
Player Eligibility for Tournament: All players must be on the final roster and play in
at least one-third of the scheduled games rounded down to the nearest whole
number to be eligible to play in the post-season tournament.
Ground Rules
Safety is a primary interest in setting
ground rules for this league. Therefore, the abrogation of these rules by
mutual consent of the managers and/or the umpire will not be tolerated.
Suspended Games: Umpires are encouraged to suspend games when thunder
or lightning are in the area or when it becomes too dark to continue a game
safely. Games suspended will be continued at a later date from the point in
the game when it was suspended. Managers should re-create the lineups as
closely as possible with the players available at the continuation.
Out-of-Play-Line: The lines parallel to the foul lines and extended
from the side fences are to be considered Out-of- Play-Lines. Overthrows are
out of play when they cross these lines either by rolling or on the fly.
Runners get two bases from the last Base attained at the time of the throw. A
thrown ball which is caught in play and then carried out of play is NOT an
overthrow (see Balls Carried Out of Play).
Batted Balls crossing Out-of-Play-Line: A batted ball that is fair but crosses the
Out-of-Play-Line before a fielder fields the ball is considered a
"Ground Rule Double". The Umpire shall call "Dead Ball. Out of
Play" and award the batter 2nd Base. Any runners on base are awarded two
bases from the base they were on when the ball was hit. A batted ball that
crosses the Out-of-Play-Line and is foul is considered out of play. As soon
as the ball crosses the line, the umpire shall call "Out of Play"
and fielders shall not make any attempt to field the ball. The ball is
considered a foul ball strike.
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.
Balls Carried Out of Play: A ball is said to be carried out of play by a
fielder when a fielder in possession and control of the ball steps into an
out of play area. As soon as this occurs, the umpire should call "dead
ball" Any runners should advance to the next base. If the umpire
determines that the ball was carried out of play intentionally by the
fielder, the runners may advance two bases from the last base attained.
Bunts and Altered Swings: A batter that bunts a ball is "out" and must
be called so by the umpire.
A Batted Ball Coming to Rest on the Foul
Line is fair and must
be called so by the umpire.
Leading-Off Base and Stealing: A base runner may not leave the base until the ball
crosses home plate or is hit by the batter. A baserunner
may not steal a base except during an appeal to the umpire. Any baserunner leading-off or stealing is "out" and
must be called so by the umpire.
Reminders
Safety Rules: This is a brief synopsis of the rules regarding
collisions between baserunners and fielders. For
more detail see the Official National
Softball Association (NSA) Softball Rule book.
Rule (1993a): Runners are to avoid
all collisions. When the fielder has the ball, runners either give themselves
up by running out of the way, or they can slide into the base (not through
the base). If the catcher does not have the ball and the runner beats the
throw but misses home trying avoid the fielder, then the runner is safe. This
rule supersedes all "rule book" rules.
A baserunner,
seeing that the fielder has the ball and is going to attempt to make a tag,
must either slide or "give himself/herself up" he may not "run
over" or otherwise, in the judgment of the umpiring, intentionally
collide with the fielder for the purpose of jarring the ball loose. If the
umpire determines that the collision was intentional, the baserunner
will be called out and in some instances maybe ejected from the game.
A fielder may not make a "fake"
tag for the purpose of making a baserunner slow
down, slide, or stop. If he does so, the umpire may award the baserunner additional bases and in some cases (e.g., the baserunner slides and is injured) the fielder may be
ejected from the game. The "fake" tag is considered unsportsmanlike
conduct.
Plays at Home Plate: Perhaps more than at any other base, plays at home
plate should be governed by the Safety Rules. Injuries due to
"unnecessary roughness" WILL NOT be tolerated by the league.
The strike mat is considered to be an extension of the plate for the runner
when there is a play at the plate.
Obstruction: The only times that a fielder has the right to
position himself between a runner and the base to which the runner is going
is when
1.
The fielder has the ball and is prepared to tag the runner
2.
The fielder is fielding a batted ball.
Note that in the second case, the runner is
not required to run in the base path unless an attempt to tag him is being
made. If the runner is able to avoid the fielder he must do so. On the other
hand, a fielder may not station himself in the base path ahead of time,
claiming he is fielding the ball when it is reasonably possible to field the
ball without obstructing the runner.
If, in the judgment of the umpire a
fielder obstructs a baserunner, the umpire
immediately signals "OBSTRUCTION" by extending his left fist
straight out to the side, but no call is made until the play is over. When
the play is over, the umpire may award to any runners any additional bases
that, in the umpire's judgment, they would have obtained had no obstruction
occurred.
For example: the first baseman obstructs the
batter as he rounds first base. The umpire signals "OBSTRUCTION"
The runner continues to run but is tagged out going into third base. The umpire
may overrule the out call and award the runner third (or even home) if in his
opinion the runner would have made it had the obstruction not occurred. If,
however, the runner is thrown out at third and the umpire (even though he has
signaled "OBSTRUCTION" determines that the runner would not
normally have attained third, the umpire may let the out call stand.
Interference: Interference can be thought of as sort of the
opposite of obstruction. There are basically two situations when interference
can be called: when a baserunner intentionally
interferes with a fielder fielding a batted ball, and when a baserunner intentionally positions himself in the
path of a thrown ball.
In both situations, the runner is
immediately called "out" In the both situations, the umpire may
also call other runners "out" if in his opinion they would have
been out had the interference not occurred.
For example. With a runner on first, the
batter hits a ground ball to the shortstop who fields it and throws to the
second baseman for the force at second. The second baseman then throws toward
first to attempt to make the double play. The runner from first, however,
sticks out his hand and knocks the ball down. The umpire may also call the
batter out at first base. In addition, had the runner not actually hit the
ball, but instead only made the second baseman "start" or pause for
an instant, the umpire may still call the batter out at first.
Double First Base: On ground balls hit in the infield where there is a
possible play at first the batter should use the outside (orange colored) bag
when running to first. This is to prevent any collisions between the batter
and first baseman. On balls hit to the outfield the batter should use the
inside bag when rounding first.
Equipment Bins: After the game, the bases and any other balls, bats,
bases, etc. that came out of the equipment bin should be returned to the
equipment bin.
Trash: Please place all trash in trash cans after game.
Rainouts: All effort should be made to play the games when
they are originally scheduled. Please do not be too hasty in
"calling" a game. If a game is "called", it should be
reschedule as soon as possible. It is advised that you check with the
Commissioner for available dates for make-ups. When a new date is agreed
upon, you must inform the Commissioner and the team that is to provide the
umpire. In some cases, when necessary, the Commissioner may make a new
umpiring assignment.
Setting up the field: The home team shall be responsible for setting up
and cleaning up the field before and after each game. The duties include
setting out the bases and strike mat as well as making sure that there is
enough dirt around the bases. After the game, the duties include placing the
bases and strike mat back into the Equipment bin and placing the base plugs
back into the slots in the infield, and hand dragging the infield.
League Rules of
Play
The Official National Softball Association (NSA) "General Slowpitch Softball Playing Rules" shall be the
guideline for any situation not specifically covered herein.
The No-Contest Rule: The game is over if one team has a lead of 15 or
more runs after 5 innings (4 innings if the home team is leading). The umpire
is excused, and any further play is regarded as practice.
The No-Contest Rule addendum (2013): If a team is ahead by 15 or more runs before 5
innings have been played, the team that is ahead is limited to scoring 10
additional runs per inning until such time as the team that is behind is able
to come within 15 runs later in the game.
Minimum Arc on Pitches: All pitches must attain a minimum height of 6' from
the ground. The umpire does not call the pitch illegal until after the
catcher has the ball. (From currently adopted rule book. Amended '93)
Maximum Arc on Pitches: The maximum arc on pitches is 10' from the ground.
Strike Mat: A strike mat will be used to determine balls and
strikes. Any pitched ball that touches any part of the strike mat is a
strike; otherwise, the pitch is a ball. Catchers must therefore allow pitches
to hit the mat in order to obtain a strike call. The plate is not considered
part of the strike mat.
Third Strike Rule: After a batter has two strikes, any ball not fairly
hit is considered the third strike and is recorded as a strikeout unless the
game is being played as a fast play game. (See Fast Game Play)
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.
Bats: 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 https://www.playnsa.com/PrintableBatList.aspx.
If a dispute occurs that requires the intervention of the commissioner, the
list on the web site will supersede any list printed and displayed at the
softball fields.
No metal spikes allowed.
Minimum Playing Time: Any player on a team's roster who arrives at a game
before the beginning of the game, and wants to play, shall have the
opportunity of 2 at-bats or 1 at- bat and 3 innings in the field. Exceptions
may occur if the bottom of the 7th inning is not played or if the No-Contest
rule is invoked.
Minimum Number of Players Needed to Start
a Game: A team must have a minimum
of eight (8) players. No players will be provided by the opposing team to
make the minimum of eight. The game will begin at the later of "game
time" (see Schedule section) or when both teams have at least eight
players. If a team has fewer than eight players at the "forfeit
time" (see Schedule section), they must forfeit the game. If it appears
that either of the teams is stalling in order to allow more players to arrive
before starting the game, the umpire shall begin calling "balls"
(if the team in the field is stalling) or "strikes" (if the team at
bat is stalling) every 15 seconds until the team stalling takes a position
ready to play. If both teams are stalling, the umpire will alternate calls of
"balls" and "strikes" beginning with "strikes."
If a team falls below eight players due to
injury or any other reason, they may be replaced first by any normal
substitution, then by any roster member present (whether he/she has been in
the game yet or not). If no other roster members are available, the team must
forfeit.
Maximum Number of Players in the Lineup: A lineup may consist of up to twelve (12) players,
10 defensive positions plus 2 additional offensive positions. At any time
during the game, any 10 of the up to 12 players may take defensive positions
(including switching in the middle of an inning) without change to the
lineup.
If a lineup becomes smaller due to injury or
any other reason the player may be replaced first by any normal substitution,
then by any roster member present (whether he/she has been in the game yet or
not). If no substitutes are available, the position in the batting order is
skipped; there is no penalty.
Starting a Game at Less Than Maximum
Strength: If a team starts a game
with less than 10 players, they may, as more players arrive, add them to the
lineup at any time (including into defensive positions in the middle of an
inning). If enough players are present, the team must have at least 10
players in the lineup. If enough players become available to include any DH
positions, they must be immediately added to the lineup or the team forfeits
the right to those positions. Any players added are placed at the bottom of
the batting order.
For example. A team starts the game with
eight players. Part way through the first inning, while the team is in the
field, another players arrives. The player must be added to the bottom of the
batting order and may immediately take a position in the field. A short while
later, two more players arrive. The manager must put one of them in the
lineup right away. The second player need not be added to the lineup
immediately, however, if he is not, the team may not use a DH for the
remainder of the game. If he is also added, if a fourth player arrives, the
manager also has the option of adding this player to the lineup as a second
DH.
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.
Re-Entry Rule: Starters who have been replaced in the lineup by
substitutes may re-enter the game in any position in the lineup provided that
that position has appeared at the plate since the starter left the game. A
player may only re-enter the game once. Substitutes that are subsequently
replaced by yet another substitute, may not re-enter the game except as noted
in the rules regarding injuries and minimum number of players.
Umpiring Assignments: The team scheduled to umpire a game must provide at
least two (2) umpires who should arrive prior to "game time".
Penalty for Forfeits and Missed Umpiring
Assignments: This league depends on
the cooperation of all its teams and players. One of the reasons that the
league has continued to survive after many years in a basically unchanged
format is that it has continued to have enough conscientious participants
available to perform the sometimes unenviable task of umpiring a game. In
order for the league to continue this level of participation must not wane.
In the long run, then, the penalty for not providing an umpire could well be
the collapse of the league. In light of that, the short term penalties must
necessarily be as severe: any combination of missed umpiring assignments and
forfeits adding up to 3, will automatically eliminate a team from the
post-season tournament. A team thus determined ineligible may make an appeal
through the Commissioner to the Board of Managers.
An excessive number of forfeits and missed
umpiring assignments could result in the elimination of the team, as an
entity, from the league.
Suspension: When a player is ejected from a game for any reason,
it is the umpire's responsibility to notify, in writing, the Commissioner
including the date, the name of the player, the team for which he plays, the
name of the opposing team, and the incident for which the player was ejected.
The Board shall review all ejections as soon as possible to determine if any
other punitive action is warranted. The person that was ejected has the right
to appear at, and bring witnesses to, the review in his own behalf. The
player may continue to play until a decision is reached by the Board.
Protests: Protests are not generally allowed. Protests are
handled by a "Protest Board" consisting of the Managers of the
teams not involved. The Protest Board reserves the right to correct the
umpire's mistake and at its discretion may order the game to be continued
from the point of the mistake.
If a protest is going to be made, the
following steps must be adhered to:
- The
protest must be made to the umpire by the acting team manager.
- It
must be made clear to the umpire and the opposing team that the
remainder of the game is being played under protest.
- The
situation in the game just prior to the disputed call and the incident
prompting the protest should be documented before continuing the game
and should be signed by the umpire and the opposing team manager.
- A copy
of the situation and a written protest should be submitted to the
Commissioner by the end of the next working day.
The judgment of the Protest Board will be
binding upon all the teams involved in the protest. A protest will be said to
be disallowed if not more than one-half the Protest Board members are in
favor of allowing the protest. The remedy will be determined by the Protest
Board and must be approved by more than one-half the Protest Board members.
Team Ineligibility for Tournament: See Penalty for Forfeits and Missed Umpiring
Assignments (above).
Fast Game Play
In the case of limited time to play a game,
the managers of the involved teams may choose to use one of the two Fast Game
Play Options.
1 and 1 Count: Each batter starts their at bat with 1 ball and 1
strike. After reaching two (2) strikes, the batter is allowed one foul ball
per at bat called a courtesy foul. After this, the Third Strike
Rule applies. All other rules apply as normal.
1 Pitch: Each batter starts their at bat with a full count (3
balls, 2 strikes) and receives one pitch. The Third Strike Rule is
in effect. All other rules apply as normal.
Tournament Game
Play
Weekday Games: Weekday games shall be governed by the normal game
rules.
Saturday Games: Saturday games shall be played under normal rules,
except in that no inning may start more than 1 hour after the first pitch of
the game. The 1 hour count should be paused in the event of an uncontrollable
delay to the game (e.g. rain, injury), but should be restarted as soon as the
game resumes.
