2008 SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT RULES
1. This tournament will be conducted in accordance with Softball Players Association (SPA) rules (Rule 1 – Rule 11), except as modified herein. For a copy of these rules, please write or call: Softball Players Association
12316-A N May Ave
PO Box 271
Oklahoma City, OK 73120
(405) 463-3317
2. Commitment line: A 3-foot long, 3-inch wide commitment line shall be marked perpendicular to the foul line and placed 20-feet from home plate. Once a runner’s foot touches the ground on or past the commitment line, the runner may not return to third base; the runner must continue toward the scoring plate. Violations will result in an out.
3. Scoring plate: A scoring plate shall be placed 8 feet from the back tip of home plate on an extended line from first base. A line shall be drawn from third base to the scoring plate. The scoring plate is for use by the offensive player only.
4. All plays at the plate shall be force plays. A defender shall record an out at the plate by having possession of the ball and tagging home plate prior to the runner touching the scoring plate. If a defender attempts to tag an offensive player at the scoring plate the runner shall be called safe. A runner who attempts to score by touching other than the scoring plate shall be called out. Players who violate this rule are subject to ejection from the game.
5. Strike zone mat: A strike zone mat will be used. The mat shall be made of rubber or similar material and shall measure 21 inches wide and 28 inches long with a V-shape at one end that fits against the back of home plate. Together the strike zone mat and home plate shall form a rectangular shape 21 inches by 35 inches. A legal pitch not swung at that strikes any part of the strike zone mat or home plate shall be called a strike by the umpire.
6. Pitcher’s Box: The pitcher’s box shall be a box the width of the pitching rubber, extending from the front (home plate) side of the pitcher’s six feet towards second base. The pitcher may deliver a pitch from anywhere inside the box. All pitches must begin with both of the pitcher’s feet located inside the box.
7. Double bag/mat: A double bag/mat, twice the size of a standard base shall be placed at first base, the double portion of the bag or mat being in foul territory. For the purposes of plays at first base, the entire bag shall be considered to be in fair territory.
8. Runner’s line: A runner’s line measuring 3-inches wide and 30-feet long shall be marked parallel to, and 3 feet away from, the first-base foul line in foul territory, extending from first base back toward home plate. Runners shall stay between this line and the foul line while running to first base. Failure to do so will result in the runner being declared out.
9. Metal cleats: Metal cleats will not be permitted. Players found wearing metal cleats in a game will be ejected from the game, and, if on base, a “dead ball out” will be called. If there are less than three outs, any players on base must return to the base occupied at the time the ejected player came to bat.
10. Players and substitutes: SPA rules for re-entry and extra player (EP) will apply. Extra players may play defense at any time provided the total number of defensive players on the field at any time does not exceed the total allowed for that age division.
• Men in age divisions 50+, 55+, 60+ and 65+: Ten defensive players shall constitute a team. A team must have a minimum of nine players at the beginning and end of a game. For any team playing with nine players, an out will be recorded when the 10th position in the batting order appears. A 10th player may be added as he/she shows up for play; however, he/she must be listed as the 10th offensive player and bat after the other nine players. If EPs are used, a team must start and end a game with 11 players, including the EP. In addition, for teams using EPs, 10 players must play defense.
• Men in age divisions 70+, 75+ and women in age divisions 50+, 55+, 60+, 65+, 70+: Eleven defensive players shall constitute a team. A team must have a minimum of 10 players at the beginning and end of a game. An 11th player may be added as he/she shows up to play; however, he/she must be listed as the 11th offensive player and bat after the other 10 players. Teams in these divisions may use up to two EPs. If EPs are used, teams must start and end a game with 11 players plus the number of EPs used. In addition, for teams using EPs, 11 players must play defense.
• Women in age division 75+: Twelve (12) players constitute a team. A team must have a minimum of 11 players to start the game. Until the 12th position is filled, an out will be recorded each time that position in the batting order appears. A twelfth (12th) player listed on the roster may be added any time during the game, batting in the last (12th) position of the lineup card. Players may leave and re-enter the game unlimited times without penalty, but batting order must remain the same. A team can bat up to 20 players, but all players must be listed on the roster and lineup card.
11. Line-up cards: Official line-up cards must be presented to the opposing manager and scorekeeper 10 minutes prior to game time. Tournament line up cards will be furnished to all team managers.
12. Runs per inning: For all games, there shall be a seven run per inning rule, with unlimited runs allowed in the seventh or final inning.
13. Mercy rule: A mercy rule will be in effect for all games. The rule shall be 20 runs after four innings and 15 runs after five innings, ending the game.
14. Homerun rule: All teams except those in the Platinum division will play under the 1-homerun +1-up single rule. Teams in the Platinum division will play under the 3-homerun +1-up single rule. The first ball hit over the fence will count as a home run. Subsequent balls hit over the fence by the same team will count as singles until the opposing team has hit a ball over the fence (homerun). Baserunners may only advance one base per single over the fence. This rule shall continue throughout the entire game.
15. Games against a higher rated opponent: This rule applies only to the men’s skill categories. When a team is playing an opponent with a higher classification as determined by tournament officials the lower classified team shall be given 5 runs added to their score at the beginning of the game at the discretion of the softball sport director.
16. Time limit: The length of a game will be seven innings or one hour and fifteen minutes. After one hour the umpire shall announce that teams will finish the current inning and play one more. This last inning shall be played with unlimited runs allowed in accordance with Rule 12. Tie games after seven innings or at the end of regulation time will continue until one team is ahead after the completion of any subsequent inning using the International tie-breaker rule.
17. Women age divisions 65+, 70+, 75+ can run through 2nd and 3rd base without the possibility of being tagged out unless an attempt is made or a turn toward the next base is indicated.
18. Courtesy runner: A player may only be used as a courtesy runner once per inning (except
Women 65+, 70+, 75+ which may have a courtesy runner as many times as needed and players can be a courtesy runner as many times as needed per inning). A courtesy runner may not be replaced by another courtesy runner except for injury causing removal of the original courtesy runner permanently from the game. A courtesy runner on base when it is his/her turn at bat will be declared out as the runner. Another courtesy runner may not be used to circumvent this rule.
19. Sliding or diving: A player may slide or dive into any base and when returning to any base. Runners shall be called out for contact with a defensive player if, in the umpire’s judgment, the contact was deliberate or the runner could reasonably have been expected to minimize or avoid contact under the circumstances and failed to do so.
20. Runner hit by fair ball: A runner is not out when he/she is hit with a fair, untouched, batted ball that has passed an infielder, excluding the pitcher, and, in the judgment of the umpire, no other infielder had a chance to make an out.
21. Team clothing must be of like design and color. Jerseys must have a number on the back.
22. The men’s divisions will play 12-inch slow pitch (.44 cor and .375 compression). The women’s divisions will play 11-inch slow pitch (.47 cor and .500 compression).
23. All bats with a BPF of 1.20 or less will be legal for play except those bats listed on the most current SPA banned bat list.