2024 Lincoln Softball Regional Coaches Notes 

Division Breakdowns:

•  Division 3C - teams will play three Round Robin games each and final placement determined will be awarded based on record within the division.

• Division 3A/B Red and Blue Pool - teams will play two Round Robin games each within their Pool. 1st Place and 2nd Place teams in each Pool will play in a Gold Medal Game in divisions 3A and 3B respectively. 3rd Place teams will play in a Bronze Medal Game in Division 3B.

•  Division 4A – teams will play three Round Robin games each and final placement determined will be awarded based on record within the division.

•  Division 4B – teams will play three Round Robin games each and final placement determined will be awarded based on record within the division.

•  Division 5 – teams will play two Round Robin games each within their division. 1st Place and 2nd Place teams will play in the division 5 Gold Medal Game. 3rd Place will be awarded the bronze medal.

Rules to Remember:

1. The top team listed first on the schedule is considered the Visiting Team and will take the 1st Base Dugout.

2. All teams must list all players present from their Regional Entry Form on each game score sheet, teams must bat all players (open line-up) and the batting line-up may not be changed during the game.

• Each team is required to play all team members in every game played. Minimum requirement: one defensive inning in the field (3 outs) and one at-bat, unless a team does not get through its entire batting line-up.

3. Roster must contain at least 10 players and a team may start a game with 9. Failure to do so will result in a forfeit. If playing with 9 and a player becomes injured or must be removed from the game for disciplinary reasons, a team may finish a game with 8 players. 

•  If a team starts with only 9 players, each time the 10th batting spot comes up, an automatic out will be recorded.

•  If a team starts with only 9 players and a player is removed from the game for disciplinary reasons, the vacated batting line-up spots will result in outs (one for the missing 10th batter, and one for the vacated batting spot), each time the players’ spots come up in the batting order.  If a player is removed from the game due to injury, his/her vacated line-up spot will be skipped without penalty.

4. For Levels 4 & 5, If the batter has two strikes and fouls a pitch, the at bat will continue until the ball is put in play, the batter swings and misses (resulting in an out) OR the seventh pitch (or attempt for Level 5)  is reached. No balls will be called and the batter cannot be walked. For Level 3, if the batter has 2 strikes and fouls a pitch, they will be out. 

5. The Infield Fly Rule WILL be called in Level 3 and Level 4, per USA Softball rules.

6. All base runners MUST touch home plate for the run to be counted.

7. Substitutes in the field may be made at anytime, but not when the ball is in play.  If the substitution is made during a half inning, coaches must notify the umpire of the substitution and wait for their signal.  If the substitution is made in between innings or half innings, there is NO need to notify the umpire or scorekeeper (open substitutions).

8. 7 Run Rule & Mercy Rule – For All Levels

• There will be a 7-run rule per inning. 

• If a team is ahead by 20 runs or more and 3 or more full innings have been played, the game will end (regardless of the time limit).

1. If the home team is ahead by 20 runs or more and the visiting team has had at least 3 half innings of at bats, the game will end.

2.  If the visiting team is ahead by 20 runs or more and at least 3 full innings have been played, the game will end.

3. If the visiting team has had 3 half innings of at bats and the home team scores enough runs in the bottom half of the inning to lead by more than 20 runs, the game will end when the home team scores the run that puts them ahead by 20 runs.

9.        TIME FRAME and TIES

•   All Levels - no new inning will begin after 60 minutes or after 7 innings (whichever comes first).

1. If the home team is ahead after the 60-minute mark, the bottom half of the inning will not be played.

2.     If the home team is batting (and losing), and the 60-minute mark is reached, the home team will bat until 3 outs have been made, or the home team scores the winning run.

•  Round Robin games will be declared a tie if tied at the end of 3 complete innings and the time limit has elapsed. No Extra Innings will be used. Tie breaker procedures listed in the rules will be used to break ties for placement.

•   All Medal Games, if tied at the end of 3 complete innings or when the time limit has elapsed, will play Extra Innings and use the International Extra Inning Rule of starting any extra inning with a runner on second base. The runner is the last out in the batting order from the previous inning.  

10.     COURTESY RUNNERS

•  Courtesy runners must be declared at the pre-game meeting with the Umpire.

•  The batter needing a courtesy runner must reach base safely on their own accord.

•  The courtesy runner is the last out made by the team that is batting, or the last out of the previous inning, if the player needing a runner is leading off the inning.

11.     Batting out of Order - Batting out of order is an appeal play that may be made by the defensive team only (scorekeepers may not bring this to the attention of the umpire or team). See rules for various outcomes based on timing of appeal.

12.     Level 3 – Sliding IS allowed. Called intentional walks are NOT allowed.

13.     Level 4  Coach’s Pitch

•  7 runs or 3 outs per inning is enforced

• Coach pitches to their own players

1. Any coach who is registered on the Softball Team Entry Form may act as the coach pitcher for that team. An unlimited number of pitchers and substitutions are allowed, however, once a pitcher begins an inning, they must complete the inning, except in the case of injury.

2. Batters will get a max of 7 pitches. Umpires will call strikes (swinging strikes and foul balls only, NO called strikes if batter does not swing) and a player can strike out. If after the 7th pitch, the athlete has failed to reach base(strikes out, doesn’t swing at the seventh pitch or fouls off the seventh pitch),  he/she will be called out. Batters can not be walked. If the batter has two strikes and fouls off the third pitch, he/she shall be declared out on the 7th pitch.

3. The pitching coach must not interfere with a live ball and cannot coach base runners from the mound.

§  The pitching coach must make every effort to move out of the way of the defensive players attempting to field the ball or make a play. If the coach interferes with the defender making the play or touches the ball, the ball will become dead and the batter will be called out.

•   The defensive pitcher must keep at least one entire foot within the 8ft. radius of the pitcher’s mound until the ball becomes live.

•  NO SLIDING ALLOWED - penalty is an automatic out.

• Coaches may assist their athletes to positions on the field but must remain off the playing field during play.

14. Level 5 Tee Ball

•   Coaches are allow to assist players to their positions prior to the start of the inning. 

•  A “neutral zone” will be marked in arc of 46’ from home plate. Any batted ball that does not cross this line and is not touched by a defensive player will be designated a foul ball.

•   A coaches’ circle will be located 10’ beyond second base and made with a 6’ diameter. One coach from the defensive team may be allowed to stand in this circle while his team is on the field. (If a live ball is touched by the coach in circle, then ball is declared dead). Also, he/she must make a reasonable attempt to avoid any ball that is thrown in his/her direction.

•   The defensive pitcher must keep at least one entire foot within the 8ft. radius of the pitcher’s mound until the ball becomes live.

•   When batting, a tee will be placed directly on home plate, a coach from the batting team will adjust the tee to fit the batter. 

•   If the batter misses the ball and tee completely, the attempt shall be ruled a strike. If the batter swings and hits the tee but not the ball regardless of the motion of the ball and the ball moves in a forward motion, the attempt ball will be called a foul.  If the batter has 2 strikes and fouls off the third attempt, the at bat will continue until the ball is put in play, the batter swings and misses (resulting in an out), or the seventh attempt is reached. 

•  All defensive players must stand behind the neutral zone before the ball is hit. They may come into the neutral zone after the ball is hit to field it. It they touch a ball within the neutral zone, the ball becomes live. If the ball stops in the neutral zone, untouched by a defensive player, the ball will be called a foul ball.

Coaches & their Responsibilities

14. Coaches shall remain within the designated “coaches’ areas” or in the dugout while the game is in progress. Coaches are not allowed on the field during the game. For the issue of safety, coaches must wear closed-toe shoes. 

15. In Levels 4 & 5, coaches are allowed to assist players to their positions prior to the start of the inning. However, coaches cannot coach baserunners from the mound (Level 4).

16. If a coach touches a runner while the ball is still in play, that runner will be declared out. Coaches are required to stay within the boundaries of the designated coaches’ boxes while their team is batting and in the dugout while their team is on defense. 

17. No individuals other than registered athletes and game officials are allowed on the field during competition. The only exceptions are registered Level 4 & 5 coaches for the purposes described in #13 and #14 above.

Other Notes:

1.        Athlete & Coach Code of Conduct will be enforced (athletes or coaches will may be warned once and ejected from the game or entire tournament) - No cursing, alcohol or smoking allowed. 

2.        Game times are subject to change- check posted schedules upon your arrival for any updates/adjustments

3.        Umpires have final call on the field

•   Protests are only rule interpretations and implementation issues. 

4.        Copies of line-up cards will be provided at the tournament in your team packet (1 for each game).

• Must give completed score sheets to scorekeeper at your field 5 minutes prior to game time.

•   Line-up cards will be on triplicate forms. Submit score sheets in-tact, the scorekeepers will review and distribute copies to both teams.  

5.        All registered Athletes & Coaches must wear their wristbands issued in the their team packet for the day.

6.        Water: Igloo coolers in each dugout.  Athletes should refill bottles to stay hydrated.

7.        Shade is somewhat limited- teams are allowed to bring pop up tents if preferred

8.        There will be a concession stand open during the competition.

9.        PARK and SONC RULES 

•   NO ALCOHOL - No person shall bring into any community park, or possess or consume in any community park, any alcoholic beverage.   This includes the picnic and parking lot areas.  Any offending individuals are subject to removal from the facility.

•   DOGS & OTHER PETS – No dogs or other pets are allowed inside the softball field areas with the exception of service animals.  

•   NO SMOKING is allowed on the park grounds.

•   No BBQ’s are allowed inside the park. 

•  No seeds or anything else with shells are allowed in the park.

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