Intramural Softball Rules

Intercollegiate Player Rule

It is at the discretion of each intercollegiate player’s coach to grant their athletes permission to play any intramural sport.  If permission is granted, only 1 “like-sport” intercollegiate athlete per intramural team is permitted.  For instance, if the baseball coach permits his players to play fall intramural softball, only one intercollegiate baseball player per IM team is allowed.

General

1. Each player who participates in the intramural program must assume the risk of injury. Players should have personal accident insurance to cover injuries and accidents. It is the team captain’s responsibility to inform all teammates of this. Concerning ambulance service – it is the injured person’s responsibility to cover all ambulance transportation costs to the hospital. Police Services and the IM Sports Assistant on duty will determine proper immediate care.
2. Intramural programs are available to all student, faculty, and staff of Penn State Harrisburg. Alumni who have graduated within the past year AND are non-affiliate members of the CUB Fitness Facility are also eligible.
3. Team players must be registered on a roster or assigned to a roster by the Intramural Sports Director. Rosters should be comprised of 12-15 players keeping in mind the female ratio as described in Rule #1 under the GAME heading. No new players may be added after the team has played its first game. A player is eligible to play for only one IM team in the league. A forfeiture of the game will result if an ineligible player participates in any part of that game.
4. Absolutely NO alcoholic beverages are permitted at any activity sponsored by the Intramural Sports Department. If a player or team violates this rule, the player or team will be suspended from the league for the balance of the season. If it is determined by the umpire that a player is under the influence of alcohol/drugs, the player will be immediately referred to the IM Sports Assistant on duty.
5. Shoes with metal spikes are not permitted.
6. Only authorized bats and balls are permitted for play. These will be supplied by the IM Sports Department.
7. Helmets and face masks are provided and can be used at the discretion of the participants.
8. When possible, two umpires will be assigned for each game.
9. Because of the tight schedule, umpires have been instructed to speed up the game as much as possible. Warm-ups and throwing the ball will not be permitted after the first inning.
10. Games may be called due to inclement weather conditions. This decision will be made by the IM Sport Director who will notify all team captains. When possible, captains will be notified of game postponements by 5:30 PM. All postponed games will be rescheduled if possible.
11. Scores and league standings will be kept current and posted on the IM Sports bulletin board in the Capital Union Building.

Game

1. All teams are co-ed with 2 females on the field at a time with a total of 10 players on the field.  If a team does not have 2 females on the field, then that team will play with 10 males minus however many females (1 or 2) are missing and that number (1 or 2) in the line-up is automatically out.
2. If a team does not have at least 7 players ready to play within 5 minutes of the scheduled game time, forfeiture will be called.  If neither team has enough players within 5 minutes of the scheduled game time, a double forfeiture will be declared.
3. The game will be 7 innings or 1 hour whichever comes first. If the score is tied at the end of 7 innings, extra innings will be played only if the one-hour time limit has not expired.  ALL games will be considered over at the end of one hour. It is up to the discretion of the umpires whether or not to start another inning when approaching the one hour time limit.  If the score is tied at the end of the one hour time limit, it will be considered a tie.
4. Mercy Rule — If at the end of the 3rd inning, a team falls behind by 15 runs, the game will be over. If at the end of the 4th inning, a team is behind by 10 runs, the game will be over.
5. The IM Assistant will keep score. Teams will enter their lineups in the provided scorebook. The home plate umpire will also keep score and will verify the score at the end of every ½ inning.
6. BATTING OPTIONS:Two options exist for batting players. These options can be used at the discretion of each team. Option #2 is intended to provide more opportunities for game participation.
   • OPTION #1 – When batting the same 10 players that are also in the field, but extra players are sitting the bench when the bench sitter subs in for another player, he/she assumes that player’s position in the batting line-up.  Subs can only enter the game when taking the field.
   • OPTION #2 – Although only 10 people can be in the field, teams may choose to bat those ten players PLUS one or 2 extra players who are not in the field, but are sitting the bench. However, if a team has less than 2 girls playing, the team can only bat a total of 12 batters. If the team has the required 2 females, then the team can bat as many players as they choose.  Those extra players who are in the batting lineup MUST bat in the same lineup position all of the time during that game. Should one of those extra batters sub in for another player, the order of the batting lineup REMAINS THE SAME AS IT WAS WHEN THE GAME STARTED. The extra batter/sub does not assume the batting position of the player he/she subbed in for. He/She must bat in his/her original position. Likewise, the original player who is being subbed for remains in the same spot in the batting order where he/she started the game. Even though this player is no longer in the field, he/she continues to bat in the same spot in the lineup.
7. When a female batter is batting, the defense will line up as follows:
   • There will be a line in the outfield (150 feet from home plate) and the left fielder, left-center fielder, right-center fielder, and right fielder must be behind that line until the ball is hit.
   • All infielders must be three feet outside of the base path and cannot advance any closer until the ball is hit.
   • If there is a violation of this rule the batter will be awarded first base, and all base runners will advance one base.
8. Pitching – The ball must be delivered with a perceptible arc of at least 3 feet from the time it leaves the pitcher’s hand until it reaches home plate. The pitched ball shall not reach a height of more than 12 feet at its highest point above the ground.
9. There can be unlimited substitutions after a complete inning.
10. No bunting or stealing is permitted. Base runners may not lead off until the batter swings at the ball. Lead offs occurring before the batter swings constitute an out.
11. No pinch hitters are permitted. Pinch runners are permitted only if the batter is visibly handicapped.
12. Four Foul Balls – Any batter who fouls off 4 pitches will be declared out and recorded as a strikeout. Also – if a batter has 2 strikes and fouls off 2 pitches, he/she will be declared out and it will be recorded as a strikeout.
13. Infield Fly Rule – When there are 1 or 2 outs and runners are on base, if the batter hits an infield fly ball (not a line drive) which could be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, it is an automatic out.  Runners may advance at their own risk. 
14. Play Appeals – Appeals must be made before the next pitch is made.
15. If, at the end of regular season play, there is a place standing tie between 2 or more teams, the tie will be broken using run totals from head-to-head games.
16. Anything not included in these local rules will be covered by the “Amateur Softball Association Slow-Pitch Rules.”
17. The top 4 teams will make the single elimination playoffs.

Sportsmanship

A team sportsmanship award will be given to all members of the team which demonstrates ideal sportsmanship throughout the season.  This award will be determined by the umpires, IM Assistants, and the IM Coordinator.  Criteria are:

• Abiding by the rules of the game
• Playing a fair game by employing honesty and integrity
• Accepting the judgment call of the officials and IM Assistant
• Respecting the efforts of the opposing team
• Treating teammates with respect and encouragement
• Refraining from use of foul language
• Ending the game smoothly by shaking hands

With the above criteria in mind, the following rules shall be observed:

1. Team Captains are responsible for the language and conduct of their teammates and should take such steps as necessary to correct any undesirable situations. Sportsmanship will also be monitored by the IM Sports Assistant on duty.
2. Unreasonable arguing and unsportmanslike conduct with an umpire will not be tolerated. If it is necessary to discuss a rule interpretation with the umpires, this must be done by the team captain only.
3. Any time that a player has been ejected from a game, it will be reported by the umpire to the IM Sports Assistant on duty. The IM Sports Director and Assistant will determine what action will be taken.
4. Protests – A protest will not be accepted based on the umpire’s judgment in calling plays. If the protest is based on the misinterpretation or application of a playing rule, the protest must be filed with the IM Sports Assistant the night of the game. All protests must be written using the required form. The IM Sports Director and Assistant will make a determination on the protest the following day.

Rev. 8/21/08