Centre Region Parks and Recreation Adult Slow Pitch Softball League

Playing Rules and Regulations:
Exceptions to American Softball Association (ASA) 2008 Rules of Softball - SLOW PITCH

1.         No metal spikes allowed.

2.         Uniforms and hats are optional and do not need to match. All other ASA dress requirements still apply.

3.         A game can start and finish with nine (9) players without penalty. Less than nine (9) players is a forfeit. A ten (10) minute grace period will be given to the first game only for the purpose of waiting for a ninth or tenth player. Should a ninth player not arrive within the grace period then the game is a forfeit. Should a tenth player not arrive within the grace period then the team must start and play with nine (9) players without penalty or play under the ASA shorthanded rule which allows a tenth player to enter the game upon arrival but with an out taken in that spot in the batting order in the meantime. The choice must be made and announced to the umpire(s) and the other team prior to the start of the game.

4.         Bats which meet all requirements of Rule 3, section 1, and are not listed in the attached League Bylaws will be considered legal bats. The umpire reserves the exclusive right to interpret the list and determine the legality of the bat on the field during the game.

If a bat is found to be illegal prior to a pitch being thrown, then the bat will be removed and the batter is still eligible. If the bat is found to be illegal after a pitch has been thrown, then that bat is removed and the batter is out and disqualified. If a bat is found to be illegal after it has been used and after at least one pitch has been thrown to the next batter, then the bat is removed but the player who used the bat will not be called out.

5.         The ten (10) run rule will be used instead of twelve (12).

6.         No stealing.

7.         There is no grace period for the 6pm games until May 27.

Ground Rules for each Playing Field:

Out of play lines extend in a straight line from the fence in front of each of the player’s benches to the poles that are situated off of the foul lines for both first (1st) and third (3rd) base. All areas inside those lines, those fences and the backstop will be considered in play except for the specific exceptions noted below:

Orchard Park: Any fair batted ball that:

•          lands inside or bounces into the orange mesh fence surrounding the culvert pipe in center field

•          strikes any person, dog, bicycle etc.... on or around the bicycle/walking path in left field will be ruled a dead ball and all runners including the batter will be awarded three (3) bases from the start of the play.

Spring Creek Park: Any fair batted ball that:

•          lands in, bounces into or rolls into the creek

•          strikes any person, dog, bicycle etc.... in or around the baseball field in left field will be ruled a dead ball and all runners including the batter will be awarded four (4) bases from the start of the play.