Franklin County Parks & Recreation

Franklin County Parks & Recreation Adult Men’s Softball Rules

No Profanity or Arguing Calls will be tolerated. Our Goal is to be a family oriented atmosphere and fun for everybody.

USSSA RULES AND LEGAL USSSA BATS League will closely follow rules of USSSA and local house rules listed below.

1. No new inning shall start after 50 minutes, 7 innings, or ASA run rule (whichever comes first). USSSA run rule: 20 after 3, 15 after 4, and 10 after 5. The umpire is the official time and the home team will keep the official scorebook.

2. Each Team is responsible for suppling their ball to hit. The balls will be USSSA M Class ball. If you run out of balls during the game it is declared a forfeit, regardless of the score.

3. In case of a tie after 7 innings or after the time limit, Teams will play one more extra inning. The last batted out player will be placed on 2nd base with no outs for both teams at the beginning of the extra inning.

4. Roster/Indemnity Form MUST be completed and turned in before the third game BEGINS. Rosters can consist of up to a maximum of 18 players. Any additions to the roster must be completely finalized prior to the sixth game. All players on the final roster must have played or will play in at least three regular season games to participate in the final tournament.

5. Minimum age limit for adult softball leagues is 18 years old.

6. Players are to be listed on one roster from one team on any league night. Once a player has been listed on a roster; that will be his or her team for the remainder of the season (NO EXCEPTIONS).  Any player found to be listed on two or more rosters within the same division or any other league on the same night after the start of the season will be considered a member of the first team that he/she has played on. No playing or switching teams will be allowed at any time during the season.

7. Home Run (over the fence) limits will be 5 per game. Any homerun (over the fence), after the teams 5 allowed, will be a single.

8. A team can start with at least eight (8) players. However, for teams with only eight or nine players, an out shall be declared when the ninth/tenth position in the lineup is scheduled to bat. The ninth or tenth player can join a game in progress as long as they are on the roster.  Any team with less than eight (8) players at the start of the game will forfeit unless the opposing team agrees to and allows the team to pick up players from other teams so the team can reach the minimum allowed to start the game.  No pickup players are allowed to play as the ninth and tenth participant.

Updated 4/1/16 9. The Maximum number of batters you can bat in a line-up is 12.

10. Line-ups will be submitted to the opposing team 5 minutes prior to game time.  Every lineup card should have first initial and last name.

11. When a player hits a homerun, the batter does not have to touch first base and runners do not have to touch the next base. (Hit and Sit Rule).

12. No player will be allowed to wear metal spikes, work boots, or any other shoes not associated with softball.

13. All exposed jewelry or items that are judged to be hazardous or potentially dangerous by the umpire may not be worn during the game. Violation of this rule could result in an automatic out.

14. If a batter hits the ball and it hits any part of the screen in front of the pitcher, then the batter is awarded a foul/strike.

15. Pitcher cannot be the first person to field a ball except for a pop fly in the infield or a slower roller in front of the net. (This will be a judgement call for the umpire).

16. There will be no fake pitching.

17. Managers and Players have a responsibility to uphold the code of conduct. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.  Any player Ejected from a game must leave the field immediately and suspended the next game from coming to the field until there suspension has been upheld.  If you are ejected 3 times in a season, you will be kicked out of the league for the rest of the season.

18. The Recreation Department reserves the right to modify rules as necessary to carry out the league.

Updated 4/1/16