Softball Rules

These are the general rules for RecLeaguer hosted recreation softball games. Individual event organizers may tailor the game rules to their events.

Equipment

Players should bring their own glove for fielding. We also recommend wearing rubber baseball, softball or soccer cleats for outdoor fields - no metal cleats are allowed. Players are also strongly encouraged to wear a softball mask in the infield. Players may bring their own bats. Check with the umpire or event organizer to verify your bat is allowed to be used, but generally ASA and USSSA marked bats are allowed.

Sportmanship

Recreational softball is meant to be enjoyable for everyone. Physical altercations, threatening behavior, vulgar or offensive language is not tolerated and may result in ejection, suspension or permanent banning from all RecLeaguer games. Be kind.

Players

All players must be registered with RecLeaguer, including any substitute players used to fill out a game roster. No walk-ons.

Balls & Strikes

All batters will begin with a one (1) ball and one (1) strike count. One (1) courtesy foul is allowed after the second strike.

Home Runs

On fields with fences, one home run leaving the field of play per inning will be counted. Successive home runs that leave the field of play will be counted as outs.

Seven run rule

If, in any inning, a team scores seven (7) runs they will be considered to have completed their hitting portion of the inning.

Base Running

All base runners should run to the safety base at first base - the orange base outside the base line. Under no circumstances should players collide with a fielder at a base.

Scoring / Plays at Home Plate

In the interest of player safety, once a base runner crosses the Commitment Line (half the distance between 3rd base & home plate) they must continue through to home. The act of crossing the Safety Line (a straight line from home plate to backstop) will now act as home plate, whereas any player running home that touches home plate will be considered out. Also, all plays at home plate will be force outs (i.e. once a player crosses the Commitment Line they can be forced out at home). Fielder may still tag runners if not standing on home plate.

Courtesy Runners

Any player from the runner's team may run for them. If that runner is still on base when their turn to hit comes up, their at-bat will be forfeited and the team will be issued an out.

Infielders

In social or casual games, infielders should not "shift". There should be a maximum of 2 infielders on either side of second base prior to the ball being hit and infielders must stay behind or even with the base line until the ball is hit.

Outfielders

In social or casual games, outfielders should not "shift" and should remain at a minimum distance of 160 feet from home plate until the ball is hit. There should be a maximum of 2 outfielders on either side of second base prior to the ball being hit.