INFORMATION

THE RULES POSTED HERE ARE “ONLY A GUIDE” AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

Senior softball is a game of enjoyment, exercise, fellowship and friendly competition. Negative comments about fellow players, opponents or umpires are not in keeping with the spirit of the sport. Disagreements between managers and players should be expressed with respect and consideration by both parties, preferably in private. No one should be disparaged or criticized in front of teammates and spectators.

UPSTATE SENIOR SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION CODE OF ETHICS - BYLAWS

[ SEE BYLAWS CLICK HERE ]

GENERAL RULES:
Generally a team consists of 11 players. (Picture, Catcher, First Base, Right Short Stop, Second Base, Left Short Stop, Third Base, Left Field, Left Center, Right Center, Right Field)

GAMES:
Practice games are normally 9 innings. Competitive games consists of 7 innings. Normally teams play 2 games back to back with a 15 minute break between games.

EQUIPMENT:
Only rubber spikes or sneakers are allowed. (Rubber spikes will help in grip and cut down on Injury)
SENIOR or ASA Approved bats.

LEGAL PITCHES:
Ball must be pitch at height of 6ft to 12ft from the ground. Under 6ft or over 12ft is an illegal pitch. A pitch that does not meet these standards and is not swung at by the batter will be called a ball. An illegal pitch swung at by the batter is in play.

BALLS & STRIKES:
There are 4 balls for a walk. … 3 strikes for a strikeout. (Unless otherwise agreed upon prior to the start of the game.)

FOUL BALLS:
A batter who hit’s a foul ball after having two strikes is out.

HOME PLATE STRIKE ZONE:
Home plate and a mat behind it will determine the strike zone. (34.5" Long x 19" Wide)

BASE RUNNING: 1st Base:
There are 2 bases at 1st base. The runner is to run to the one on the right (Outside) This is to cut down on collision. You can over run the base. If the 1st basemen has moved into foul territory in order to make the play, the batter-runner may then touch either base. The 1st basemen has only the base inside fair territory to make the play out. (He may not use the base in foul territory to make the out.)

RUNNERS MAY OVERRUN ALL BASES (If agreed by both teams) 6 Feet Either Side to avoid a Collision. However you must touch the base to move on to the next base. When returning to a base, the runner cannot over-run it. A runner may leave his base only when a pitched ball is batted, batter swings, or the ball crosses home plate. A runner leaving the base too soon can be called out. If the ball gets to the base before the runner gets to the “run-by line” or back to the base when caught off base, the runner is out. A fielder never has to actually tag a runner to make an out. NO SLIDING [Unless agreed by both teams] AND NO COLLISIONS. (Were are here to have fun not get hurt) A runner ,running into a fielder will be called out. If a collision is intentional, the runner may be ejected from the game.

2 HOME PLATES:
A runner can only score by running to the Right-Side Home Plate, located eight feet to the right of the Batting Home Plate.
A runner touching the Batting Home Plate may be called out. A catcher can only make a plays at the Batting Home Plate. To score a run, the runner must reach the Right-Side Home Plate before the catcher gets the ball and steps on the Batting Home Plate.

COURTESY RUNNERS:
Batter may request a courtesy runner if they are unable to run due to an injury. (THIS IS FOR INJURED PLAYERS ONLY.) It is not fair to your team mates or the other team to constantly request a fast runner to run for you if you are not injured.

OFFICIAL DIMENSIONS SENIOR SOFTBALL DIAMOND