SOFTBALL, SLOWPITCH - Intramurals

Rules:

1. Competition. Competition will be between companies in designated leagues by regiments. The Slow Pitch league will utilize a 14" ball and will comply with the official Slow Pitch Softball Rule Book.

2. Team. Each team shall consist of 10 Midshipmen .

3. Squad. Each squad will consist of a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 16 midshipmen. Everyone who signs up and their name appears on the company roster must show up for every competition scheduled. Rosters will be checked for attendance and anyone not attending will be considered UA from a military obligation unless on a chit or excused. All Squad members present for each scheduled contest must participate in at least one complete inning.

4. Equipment. The following guidance on equipment is provided.

a. Catcher's Mask. The Physical Education Department currently issues two types of masks for intramural softball. One is a lightweight metal bar type with all protective bars 1/8" thick. This mask has padding at the top and bottom where the mask touches the forehead and chin. The second type mask has bars 3/4" thick with padding all around the inside.

b. Shoes. Shoes are required . NO METAL SPIKES OR CLEATS MAY BE WORN. No shoes which have removable cleats may be worn .

c. It is the responsibility of the Midshipman Supervisor of softball to ensure that protective equipment is worn and that it is properly fitted.

5. Rules. Official American Softball Rules will govern all competition with the following exceptions:

a. A base runner is entitled, to advance one base beyond the one to which he/she is going, when an overthrow, wild pitch, or passed ball at home plate goes under, over, behind, through, or lodges in the backstop.

b. Three or mor complete innings will constitute an official game. If it is impossible to complete three innings in the time allotted, the game will be rescheduled by the Intramural Office and will be continued with the score of the last completed inning. If three innings have not been completed, but the team last at bat has scored a greater number of runs in two innings than their opponents have in three, the game will be considered official.

c. All regulation games played which end in a tie and cannot be continued because of time will be scored as tie games.

d. If a game, at the end of seven innings, end in a tie, teams will continue to play in accordance with paragraph c. of this section.

e. No inning will be started after 1745 and all contests will terminate at 1800 regardless of the score. If an inning has not been completed by 1800, the score will revert to the last complete inning.

f. A player who has been removed from the game may re-enter once but not in the inning in which he/she was removed. A player who re-enters the game must take the place in the batting order of the player whom he/she replaced.

g. It is the responsibility of the runner to return to his/her base between pitches. The pitcher is not required to "look the runner back." There is no stealing.

h. A 3rd strike foul ball is an automatic out.

I. After three complete innings have been played, and the participation rules have been complied with, a score differential of 15 or more runs at the end of a complete inning will automatically terminate the contest. If participation requirements have not been met at the time the 15 run differential is attained, the team (or teams) requiring squad members to participate must insert these players at the beginning of the next inning. After these team members have played one complete inning, the 15 run differential rule again becomes valid. (Known as "Slaughter Rule")

6. Ground Rules. (NEW RULES DENOTED WITH ASTERISKS ***)

** *** a. Any ball which goes into the water within the fair ball lines, whether in the air or on the ground, will be considered a double only. NO MIDSHIPMAN IS TO GO INTO THE WATER TO RETRIEVE A SOFTBALL. (SAFETY PRECAUTION)

b. Any ball which strikes or comes to rest against an obstruction in fair territory (i.e, light poles, buildings, debris, etc.), will be considered a fair and playable ball which entitles the runner to advance as many bases as possible with liability to be put out.

c. Any fair ball that leaves the immediate playing field and in the determination of the officials, is out of play will result in all base runners advancing one base beyond the one to which they were going.

d. The batter is out on a fly near the "out of play line" if the fielder catches the ball without crossing the line or after making the catch the fielder's momentum carries him/her beyond the line.

e. Any ball which is hit fair and proceeds past first or third base on the ground and then curves into foul territory and crosses an "out of play line" (between adjacent playing fields) will allow base runners one additional base beyond the base they were proceeding to when the ball crossed the "out of play line."

*****f. No sliding allowed. If a player slides into a base, intentionally, he/she is automatically out.

*****g. Fake Tags will not be allowed. This impedes the progress of the runner. If these occurs, a warning is given, and if a 2nd attempt is made the player is removed from the game.

*****h. Bunting is not allowed in slo-pitch softball.

*****I. The umpire will warn the pitcher who delivers a ball with excessive speed while pitching. The ball must reach between a 6' - 12' arc from the ground.

*****j. It is not a strike, if the pitched ball hits home plate.

*****k. Mouth guards are optional in softball.

*****l. Referees: There will be two referees at each contest. A home plate umpire and a base umpire. If no (o) referees show up, your game is not to be played. The officiating company will be penalized (-15) and UA by their Company Officers. An attempt to reschedule the game will be made. If not, they go down as ties. So tell your referees to get to the games.

*****m. Who is not eligible to play?

1. Varsity baseball players -They must not be on the roster for an entire year before they can play intramurals.

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