Rules

Ipswich Ladies League Softball Rules

League Rules

• • This is a recreational league. Having fun takes precedence over wins and losses. There are no trophies or umpires!

  • Be kind. No drama. We will not tolerate poor behavior on or off the field. Offenders will first be given a warning, then will be asked to leave the league with no refund.

  • To automatically make a team from year to year, you need attend at least 50% of the previous years’ games.

  • Teams will self govern, meaning there is no coach.  There will be an appointed coordinator for each team who will work together to ensure the field is playable, there is adequate equipment and that players are keeping it fun first! 

  • Any issues that may arise will be discussed by the coordinators to come up with a reasonable solution.

  • We strongly encourage teams to rotate positions each inning. This is for fun, again there are no trophies!

  • All players must be at least 21 years old, must register online, and pay the applicable fee.

  • The field is open at 6:00pm for warm ups for all teams.

  • Games consists of 1hr 10min games (final inning will be determined by both teams)

  • First game 6:30pm - 7:40pm.

  • Second game 7:50pm - 9:00pm.

  • Weather cancellations are determined by the field checker who will call cancellations by 4:00.

  • We don't reschedule rainouts due to limited field access.
    
    

Game Rules

• • Each team will field 10 players, 4 of whom will be outfielders. Teams can play a minimum of 8 players. If a team has a less than 8 players, that team will forfeit and can play a modified game or pull from another team.

  • Pitchers will pitch from a minimum of 40 feet with an arc between 3 and 10 feet.

  • A batter hit by a pitch directly or indirectly from the ground gets awarded first base, unless the batter would prefer to continue hitting.

  • No walks or strikeouts. We want everyone to hit so swing away!

  • Each batter will get 5 "hittable" pitches determined by the pitcher/catcher to put the ball into play otherwise, it will be an automatic out. We want to keep the game moving. 

  • Batting order consists of all players present and able to play. 

  • Every player must play at least 1 inning on the field.

  • Teams may score no more than 6 runs per inning, except the final inning (agreed upon last inning), during which both teams may score an unlimited number of runs to determine the winner.

  • A batter must make it to first base before a pinch runner is assigned. The pinch runner is the last batter out. If it is the start of the inning, then the last batter from the previous inning is the pinch runner.

  • Runners can leave the base only when the ball makes contact with the bat.

  • Stealing, leading, or intentional bunts are not allowed. 

  • Sliding or diving into a base will result in the runner being called out.

  • Tagging up is allowed. To tag up, the runner must touch/be on their original base and can only run to the next base once the ball has been caught in the outfield.  If you tag up, the defensive team must tag you as you run to the next base to be considered out. If you were to leave your base before the ball was caught, the defensive team only needs to tag your original base for you to be out.

  • Tagging up is not required and is up to the runner.

  • Runners can’t advance on any ball that goes behind the catcher unless it is a live play at home plate.

  • There is no “in-field fly rule”.

  • An overthrow out of play (over the fence, past the dugout) will result in the runner being awarded one base.

  • A fielder may not obstruct the runner unless in the act of making a play or the runner is awarded the next base.

  • The batter and/or runner will be called out if they interfere with a defensive player making a play. The runner must run a straight path from one base to the next.

  • You must run straight through first base or turn right. If you turn left, you are in play and can be tagged out.

  • The base coaches are responsible for making the safe/out calls. The first base coach is focusing on home and 1st and the 3rd base coach should focus on 2nd and 3rd.

  • The catcher calls fair or foul on batted balls. It is a foul ball if the ball stops or is picked up outside the first or third infield baseline before crossing the base. A ball that stops or is picked up on the 1st or 3rd baseline before it crosses a baseline is fair. A ball that hits a base is fair, no matter where it lands. 

  • A ball is fair if it is hit outside of the outfield baseline as long as it passed 1st or 3rd base in fair territory.

  • The catcher may catch a foul ball, which constitutes an out. To be considered a foul ball, the ball must go above shoulder height of the batter.

  • Catchers and batters should keep the plate and baseline clean of bats whenever possible.

  • The league requires that all bats be single wall, balanced barrel USA/ASA certified. Baseball bats will not be allowed. The league will provide bats for teams to share. A player may bring their own bat that meets these criteria. A player’s bat brought to the field will be shared between the two teams.
    
    
    

HAVE FUN & PLAY BALL!