SOFTBALL RULES

 

// QUICK LINKS

Player Eligibility // Game Play // Golden Rule // General Policies

 

// PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

1. All Players must be at least 21 years of age and have current, adequate health insurance.
2. All players must be properly registered on a team during the season for which they are playing.
   1. If a player is registered on more than one team within the league, they may only play for one team in the playoffs.
   2. All players must agree to the Fray Liability Waiver as described in the Fray Terms and Conditions section of Player Registration.
3. Any use of an ineligible player will result in a forfeit.

// GAME PLAY

1. A pitch must have a slow pitch arch at least 6 ft. and no higher than 12 ft. off the ground at its highest point to be considered a legal pitch.
   1. A “strike mat” may be used to determine a sure strike. If in use, a strike will be called if the softball touches any part of the mat OR home plate on a legal pitch with a 6’-12’ arc.
2. All thrown balls are deemed out of play when:
   1. The ball is thrown over or beyond the fence/road / safe area of play.
   2. The ball is thrown beyond the imaginary line extending from the end of the backstop (if there is no fence). This imaginary line applies to overthrows and caught-fly foul balls.
   3. If the ball is overthrown and hits the fence behind the 1st or 3rd base lines, this is NOT considered out of play and runners may advance at their own risk.
   4. On overthrows out of play, the runner is granted the base they were going to (at the point of the throw) plus one more. Note: in cases where a base runner runs past the first base, they must make a clearly aggressive turn towards the second base to be granted 2nd and 3rd in overthrow situations.
3. All players in the field must be listed in the batting order. Teams may bat more than ten (10) players. Players are not required to play in the field to bat. 
   1. Batting order must consist of a 2-1 ratio. For every 2 men that bat in a row, a woman must bat next. No more than 2 men may bat in a row.
      1. Women can bat multiple times in the lineup to achieve this ratio. If a woman is batting more than once in a lineup, their rotation must stay in order. All women must evenly rotate through the women’s batting positions.
   2. All batters will start with a one-ball, one-strike count.
   3. If a man is walked with two (2) outs and a woman follows him in the batting order, the woman has the choice to take a walk or bat. The host is not responsible for notifying the batter.
   4. A batter with two (2) strikes is allowed one (1) courtesy foul ball. On the 2nd foul after the batter has two (2) strikes, the batter will be called out.
4. Outfield Encroachment Line: Outfielders may not play closer than 150 feet from home plate. This line is to encourage fair play and will be set up by your umpire and marked by cones down the foul lines and/or across the field.
5. Game mercy rule: If a team is 12 runs up after five complete innings, the losing team may opt to end the game. If the losing team chooses to continue playing, the game will end exactly when time expires, even if time expires in the middle of an inning.
6. Inning run limit rule: There will be a seven (7) run limit per inning for innings 1-5. Unlimited runs may be scored in innings 6 and 7 and the final inning of the game.
   1. If a team hits a home run and the 7th run is on base, then all runs, including the home run hitter, count. Ex: A team has 6 runs and 2 runners are on base when the batter hits a home run. All 3 runs (2 runners and 1 hitter) count.
7. Home run limit rule: Each team is allowed 2 out-of-the-park home runs per game. Any subsequent home run after the limit is reached is an automatic out. If both teams hit their 2 allotted home runs, each team shall receive 1 additional home run. If both teams hit their 3rd home run, both teams shall be awarded 1 additional home run. This shall continue throughout the game, with no team allowed to score more than 1 home run more than their opponent. 
8. No lead-offs or stealing. Runners can leave the base once the ball is hit by the batter. If a runner leaves early, the ball is dead and the runner is declared out. If this is the 3rd out of the inning, the batter up to bat will be first up in the next inning
9. On an infield fly (any fly ball within the infield with significant arc and deemed an “easy catch”) with less than 2 outs and runners on 1st and 2nd or 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, the batter is automatically out, and runners can advance at their own risk.
10.  If a Batter hits a line drive and HITS the Pitcher with the ball, the Batter is out, and all runners must return to their previously occupied base. 
11.  Any excessive contact or collision will result in an “out” and/or ejection. This includes contact with the catcher. Sliding is allowed. If an offensive player intentionally interferes with a defensive player, the offensive player will be declared out. 
    1. There may be a safety home plate to prevent contact. The defensive player must play the ball on the safety home plate, which is located in front of the offensive or normal home plate. The runner will run through the offensive home plate. 
       1. There is no contact and/or tagging of the runner at home plate. If contact is made, the runner is automatically declared safe. 
       2. Any runner that touches the safety home plate will automatically be declared out.
    2. Commit line: When a runner passes the “commit line” (the halfway point between third and home, which will be at the discretion of the host), they are required to continue running through the home plate and may not return to 3rd base.

// GOLDEN RULE

 

First and foremost, all Fray leagues are 50% Social and 50% Sport. While we have staff // officials, we expect individuals to respect the league’s culture of fair and fun play. Foul language and rough play will not be tolerated. Individuals who cannot adhere to our fair play and sportinglike standards may be asked to leave the league. We want everyone to have fun and be social while enjoying a great sport. We will do whatever we can to make sure all players are having fun!

// SHIRT NOTICE

During week 2 of the season, all players will be given JAX Fray shirts for their team that are required to be worn for the duration of the season. Failure to wear the JAX Fray team shirt for a game will result in a player not being able to play in that week’s game. Wearing the designated season’s team shirt will be required during both the regular season and playoffs in order to participate in the game. 

// GENERAL POLICIES

Fray is proud to relieve captains of the burden of paying for full teams. We accept individual player payments and allow prepayment for additional players and/or full teams. We are also proud to welcome those who do not have a full team (small groups and free agents) to participate in our league.

Because our mission is to make fun possible, these policies make it easier for people to get involved with and build community through social sports. 

All registrations are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Any roster that does not reach our official size (based on each sport) is eligible to receive free agents and/or small groups. Rosters made up of primarily free agents and/or a collection of small groups may have more players than the standard roster size. This policy is in place to help ensure free agent teams can consistently field a team each week.

// Roster Size Chart

Sport	Promotion Size	Official Size	Max Roster Size	Woman Minimum
Softball	12	14	16	3

// Teams & Substitutions

1. A maximum of 10 players can be on the field (CoEd – 3 must be a woman). There are no fielding position requirements of any players based on gender.
   1. Teams must have the required minimum of 7 players to start the game. If a team is playing with seven (7) players, no more than five (5) men are allowed on the field at one time.
   2. If a team is playing eight (8) players, no more than six (6) men are allowed on the field at one time.
   3. If a team is playing with nine (9) players, no more than seven (7) men are allowed on the field at one time.
2. Teams have until 10 minutes past the designated start time to field the minimum number of players. The 10-minute grace period is considered part of the overall game time. If a team is unable to reach the minimum number of players, the game will be deemed a forfeit.
   1. Teams may play a “legal game” with less than the required minimum number of players with the opposing team’s consent. Teams who agree to play under these conditions will lose the option of receiving a forfeit win and the outcome of the game will stand as is. Team’s must notify the Host before the start of the game.
3. Substitute players (players not on the roster) may be used at any time in the regular season. Substitutes are not permitted during playoffs.
   1. All substitutes must be a registered player on another team and/or in another Fray league that is currently in play.
   2. Teams may use additional substitute players above the player minimum with the opposing team’s consent. Teams who agree to play under these conditions must notify the Host before the start of the game and the outcome of the game will stand as is. 
4. Teams must designate a captain before the start of the game. They are the only team member allowed to discuss calls with hosts. Judgment calls by an umpire may not be disputed. 

// Game Duration

1. All games are six (6) innings or fifty-five (55) minutes, with no new inning started once fifty (50) minutes have elapsed. The host will announce the time remaining at the end of each inning and when the time has expired. 
2. Regular Season Games can end in ties. Playoff games will continue until a winner is decided.

// Equipment, Uniforms & Facility Use

1. All field equipment, including bases and balls for each game, will be provided. For wooden bat leagues, Fray will supply the wooden bats. 
2. Gloves and metal bats are not supplied, and players must bring their own. Both ASA and USSSA bats are allowed. Senior bats are not permitted.
   1. Any equipment in question should be brought to the attention of the host. The host will make all final decisions regarding equipment discrepancies.
3. Players should make every effort to wear the official Fray division shirt.
4. Metal spikes are not permitted.
5. All Pitchers are highly encouraged to wear a mask. Pitchers must supply their own masks.
6. If an individual or team violates the facility’s Code of Conduct, they may be asked to leave, and a refund will not be issued.

// Playoffs & Standings

1. Playoffs are determined after the regular season has concluded and are based on scheduling and other league logistics. Playoffs are not guaranteed.
2. Standings are sorted based on the teams’ Win-Loss-Tie record. If there is a tie in the standings, we sort based on the following information in order until the tie is resolved:
   1. Head-to-head matchups
   2. Score differential
   3. Points For
   4. Points Against
   5. Coin Flip

// Forfeits

1. Teams have until 10 minutes past the designated start time to field the minimum number of players. The 10-minute grace period is considered part of the overall game time. The game will be deemed a forfeit if a team cannot reach the minimum number of players.
   1. First Forfeit – Loss of game and warning issued
   2. Second Forfeit – Loss of game, and Fray reserves the right to remove the team from the playoffs.
   3. Third Forfeit – Loss of game and removal from the league with no refund
2. In the case of a forfeit, the final score is recorded as 7-0.

// Weather Cancellations

1. 1. One week is built into the end of each season
   2. All players will be notified via email if games are canceled
   3. If more than one weather cancellation occurs, Fray will try to find another week, if possible, to make up the games, but it is not guaranteed.
   4. Should inclement weather or other factors limit the normal scheduled game duration and three (3) complete innings have been played, the game shall count as the full game.