2025 LEAGUE RULES

LEAGUE WEBSITE 

Throughout the season, a league volunteer maintains a website for up-to-date standings, scores, coaches’ contact information and schedules. Here is the website: www.southorangesoftball.org. 

BAD WEATHER OR POOR FIELD CONDITIONS 

In case of inclement weather, please check here:  http://twitter.com/Sorangerec  before heading to the field.  Note that poor field conditions can cause cancellations even if it’s not raining.  When in doubt, please check the South Orange Baird Twitter.  If there is not a message for THAT DATE, games will be played as scheduled. 

GENERAL LEAGUE INFORMATION

GAME SCHEDULE AND TIMES: Game times will be 90 minutes (except playoffs).  All games will be played at New Waterlands.  Every effort will be made to fairly distribute time slots. 

SCORE REPORTING: Both Team captains must report their weekly scores to Jim Price by email each Monday (jimmyboyprice@verizon.net).  Once all game results are received, scores will be posted and standings will be updated. 

LEAGUE COORDINATOR: The League Coordinator will be on site and reachable by cell phone at all times games are being played. Responsibilities include oversight of play, supervision of umpires, and responding to disputes and questions that arise. 

UMPIRES: One (1) ASA certified umpire will be scheduled for all regular season games (2 in the playoffs). The league coordinator will serve as an “extra umpire” in the event of a “no-show”. 

LOCAL LEAGUE RULES 

League participants are expected to be familiar with ASA Softball rules. An ASA rulebook is provided to each team. This document is NOT a substitute for the rulebook. It is meant to provide league information, to assist with clarification of some rules and provide some local rule modifications. Where no mention is made, ASA Softball rules govern play. 

ROSTERS/TEAMS

1)  The South Orange Softball League is made up of three divisions – A, B and C. Each league will have no more than 8 teams.

2)  Any new team entering the league must enter in B League.

3)  Each team must be registered with the Department of Recreation and league fees paid in full by the League Captain’s meeting held in March each year.

4)  All individual team members must register online as directed by the Director of Recreation.  All players must be registered as rostered players before they are permitted to participate in ANY scheduled game.

5)  Rosters may not exceed 20 players.

6)  All players must wear team uniform shirt with number on back.

7)  All players must carry a photo I.D. and present it upon request of the umpire or league official. Any player unable to produce a photo I.D. upon request will be ejected and the game will be forfeited.

8)  Every team MUST submit a lineup slip/card to the umpire before every game. Lineup slip/card must include first and last name AND player #. If teams do not turn in a lineup card/slip they may not receive credit for their players in that game.

9)  All umpires must turn in all lineup cards to the League Coordinator.

10) Rule change 2023: The minimum qualification for a player to be playoff eligible is now 3 games. This number has been reduced from 6 in order to allow teams more time to compile their roster and reduce the need for captains to reach out to non-rostered players once the playoffs begin. There will be a roster submission form sent out by Week 10 of the season, so that every team that is playoff eligible can submit a list of every player that has (or will) play at least 3 games during the season. That list will be posted on the website before the playoffs begin so that every team will have visibility into the players that are eligible on the teams that they may play against.

11)  Teams may bat their entire roster. If a team bats their entire roster, there is free defensive substitution--players may rotate in and out of defensive positions with the exception of the pitcher.  If a team is batting less than their full lineup, players may re-enter once.

12)  Teams may start a game with 8 players. They can add roster players until they have batted through the lineup. Once the leadoff batter comes to bat again, the lineup is locked.

13)  Teams may use up to 3 non-roster players, up to a total of 10 team players, to avoid forfeit during the regular season. However, non-roster players may not pitch.

14)  Players may not play on, or be on the roster of, more than ONE team in a division. Players MAY be listed on more than one team roster, and may play on more than one team, as long as the teams are in different divisions. For example, Joe Smith may play on an A-Team and a B-Team, but may not play on two A-teams or two B-teams. However, in order to participate in the playoffs, a player MUST be on the team roster AND play in AT LEAST THREE (3) regular season games.

15)  Pitchers may NOT pitch down from one league to a lower level league i.e, A to B or B to C.

The penalty for this is forfeit.    

GAMES 

1)  Each team will be given one dozen new game balls prior to the start of the season. The HOME TEAM is responsible for providing 2 game balls at game-time. (Keep used balls- they might be needed). The League coordinator will have additional game balls if needed. 

2)  Games during the regular season will be 90 minutes in length. No new inning will begin after 90 minutes into the game. (There are no game time limits in the playoffs.) 

3)  Umpires must have a Pre-Game Conference to review any ground rules. Umpires should advise teams when the game is approaching the 90-minute mark. 

4)  There is no “grace period”. Game time is forfeit time. Team captains may agree to wait up to 15 minutes for players to arrive. However, if the game is delayed, the length of game is shortened to accommodate the 90 minute time slot allowed for completion. 

5)  After 15 minutes, the umpire shall declare a forfeit (double forfeit if neither team has enough players). 

6)  Teams who forfeit two games will be placed on probation and considered for league expulsion at the end of the season by the South Orange Softball Committee. All forfeits must be reported to the Recreation Department within 48 hours. 

7)  There will be a 15 run mercy rule in all divisions. If the home team is winning by this margin after 4 1⁄2 innings, they win. The visiting team wins after leading by 15 runs or more after 5 complete innings. 

8)  Teams MUST keep a scorebook recording stats of BOTH teams. 

9)  A base runner can leave the base after the ball crosses home plate.   A runner on third base may choose to stand a couple steps to the side in the coach's box, in foul territory to avoid being hit with a batted ball.  In order to advance, the runner must go back and touch the base before attempting to score or tag up.

10) Rule change 2025: Can you purposely drop a line drive?

Under Official Baseball Rule 5.09(a)(12), the batter is out, the ball is dead and runner(s) return to their original base(s) when an infielder intentionally drops a fair fly ball or line drive with runners on first, first and second, first and third or bases loaded (with less than two outs.

11) COURTESY RUNNERS - Teams may use three (3) substitute runners and do not need to state a reason. Captains may NOT agree to use more than three runners per game. (It would be wise to save them in case of injury). The courtesy runner will be the last player that was put out (either by batting or by being tagged/forced out on the bases). 

a.     There are unlimited courtesy runners for the Pitcher and Catcher.

b.     If the Pitcher or Catcher are the last player to be put out, they are not required to be a courtesy runner. In this case, the player that was put out prior to the Pitcher or Catcher is eligible to be the courtesy runner.

c.     If there are no outs yet recorded in the game, the last batter in the lineup would be the courtesy runner.

d.     The courtesy runner must be a player that is in the lineup for that game. If a player that is not in the lineup is brought in to run for a player, that is considered a substitution and any player leaving the game is subject to re-entry once, per the ROSTERS/TEAMS rules, section 11.

12) BUNTS - Each team is permitted three (3) bunts per game. There are no (0) bunts in extra innings. If a player attempts to bunt and then swings away, an OUT will be given to the offending team and loss of a bunt. A team warning will be issued. The next player to do this will be ejected as this is a safety issue. Any bunt or bunt attempt, after the team’s 3 bunts have been used, is an out. 

13) SLIDING - Force Slide Rule is in effect. The intent is to avoid contact and injury. 

14)  All players must clear the bench area immediately after the game to allow incoming teams to start on time. 

15)  Games shortened due to rain or 90 minute time limit are official after 4 1/2 innings if the home team is winning. If the home team obtains a lead in the bottom of the 5th, 6th or 7th inning, they are the winner. This bottom frame does not need to be completed in this case. If the away team goes ahead in the top of the inning, the home team must complete the bottom inning for it to be an official inning. 

16)  Games that are NOT official (have not completed the 4 1⁄2 or 5 innings as described above) will be continued at a later date FROM THE POINT WHERE IT STOPPED. The umpire must be given the sheet from each team’s scorebook to be copied and returned before the next game. Sheets must be signed by the umpire for authenticity. 

PITCHING 

Pitching is in accordance with ASA rules with some modifications adopted for the South Orange Softball League as outlined below: 

All pitchers must start with both feet on the rubber. Feet may not be on the side, but must we within the 24 inches of the pitching rubber. 

All motion must be forward. Any step backward is an illegal pitch. 

A&B DIVISIONS: Any stepping backward is illegal. Any backward motion over the head or beyond 11 o’clock is an illegal pitch. If the pitcher bends his elbow, the arm must not be higher than the shoulder level or 9 o’clock. 

C DIVISION: Any backward motion over the pitcher’s shoulder level or 9 o’clock is an illegal pitch. If the pitcher bends his elbow, the arm must not be higher than the shoulder level or 9 o’clock. 

Pitchers may NOT crow hop or leap to the plate. 

The pitcher’s elbow must be locked when coming forward toward the plate. 

The pitcher’s arm and hand must not be more than 6 inches from the hip and body when delivering a pitch. 

EQUIPMENT 

1)  The batter and base runners must wear a helmet. Helmets cannot be cracked or taped. 

2)  Catchers must wear a mask with a throat protector or extended chin. 

3)  Metal spikes are NOT permitted in this league. 

4)  The South Orange Adult Softball League is METAL BAT LEAGUE. All metal bats STAMPED AS ASA APPROVED ARE LEGAL. Bats with composite handles are permitted but the entire barrel of a legal bat must be made of metal. No composite or titanium bats of any kind are allowed. Any use of an illegal or altered bat will result in player ejection from the league and team forfeit of the game. 

5)  If the Double First Base is used, the runner must touch the outer colored portion of the bag. If the throw pulls the defensive player onto the outer portion of the bag, the runner may touch in the inner side of the bag. If the runner misses or steps on the incorrect side of the bag, the defensive player may appeal the play by tagging the runner before he or she returns to the bag or touch either side of the bag. 

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT - EJECTIONS – PENALTIES 

1)  Physical contact with an umpire or verbally assaulting an ump will be an automatic ejection and possible hearing. 

2)  Arguing balls and strikes is not permitted. Teams will receive one (1) warning. The next player or coach to argue balls and strikes WILL BE ejected/disqualified for the rest of the game. 

3)  Any conduct that jeopardizes the safety of any player, coach or umpire will result in automatic ejection. 

4)  Unsportsmanlike conduct, including but not necessarily limited to, sliding to upend or injure a fielder, faking a tag to fool a runner, arguing umpire calls, foul and abusive language, throwing equipment or fighting, is grounds for ejection. It is at the umpire’s discretion to issue a warning (instead of ejection) for the first offense. A second offense WILL result in a player ejection. 

5)  Players or coaches may be ejected and disqualified for multiple games for severe misconduct. The umpire must put in writing any and all severe misconduct by any player or coach to be turned into the league coordinator or the Recreation Department within 36 hours (by Tuesday, 12pm). 

6)  If a player or coach is ejected, they must leave the field and may not interact with the team. The ejected player/coach may not participate in ANY division for the remainder of the day. 

7)  Repetitive misconduct by players or coaches may lead to indefinite suspension pending review by the league coordinator and the Recreation Department. 

8)  Any player or coach has the right to challenge and ask for a hearing with the League Coordinator and Recreation Director for an ejection. The challenge must be in writing within 48 hours of the incident. 

PLAYOFFS 

1)  GAME BALLS FOR PLAYOFFS will be provided by the League Coordinator. 

2)  ALL players participating in the playoffs must be on the team roster and play in AT LEAST THREE (3) regular season games. Pick-up players are not eligible to participate in the playoffs. 

The mimimum qualification for a player to be playoff eligible is now 3 games. This number has been reduced in 2023 from 6 in order to allow teams more time to compile their roster and reduce the need for captains to reach out to non-rostered players once the playoffs begin. There will be a roster submission form sent out by Week 10 of the season, so that every team that is playoff eligible can submit a list of every player that has (or will) play at least 3 games during the season. That list will be posted on the website before the playoffs begin so that every team will have visibility into the players that are eligible on the teams that they may play against.

3)  The top FOUR teams in all divisions make the playoffs. 

4)  TIE BREAKERS - All tie-breaking situations will be determined in the following order: 

-  Head-to-head in the regular season 

-  Runs allowed against each other in head-to-head game/s 

-  Most runs scored against the rest of the league for the season 

-  Fewest runs allowed against the rest of the league for the season 

-  Coin flip 

5)  All umpires must turn in all lineup cards to the League Coordinator. 

6)  All playoff games have NO TIME LIMIT. 

7)  All playoff games will have two (2) umpires. 

8)  Team trophies will be awarded for 1st and 2nd place. 

9)  At the end of each season, league divisions will be adjusted as follows: 

a.  A League – TWO teams will move down to B League at the end of the season. These will be the 2 teams with the worst records (lowest in the standings at the end of the season). 

b. B League – TWO teams will move up to A League and TWO teams will move down to C League. The teams that move up will be 1) the B League Champion and 2) the team with the best record. If these are the same, the team with the NEXT best record will move up. 

c. C League – TWO teams will move up to the B League. The teams that move up will be 1) the C League Champion and 2) the team with the best record. If these are the same, the team with the NEXT best record will move up. 

PROTESTS 

1)  Protests may ONLY be filed when a team believes that the rules of the game were not followed or improperly enforced. Judgment calls by an umpire may NOT be protested. 

2)  Protests MUST be indicated at the time the event occurs on the field. The team filing the protest MUST have the umpire sign the book at the time the protest is filed with the umpire. 

3)  Play does NOT stop. The game MUST be played to its conclusion. 

4)  The umpire MUST be informed of any protest BEFORE anyone leaves the field. 

5)  The umpire MUST inform both teams that the game is under protest. 

6)  The team filing the protest MUST file the protest IN WRITING with the Director of Recreation within 36 hours (by Tuesday at 12:00 noon). The written protest must include team names, player names and numbers, what occurred and what the umpire did/did not do. 

MISSION STATEMENT 

The South Orange Recreation Sunday Softball League is for adults to play softball and have fun while sharing the company of others who enjoy the sport as they do. Games are played to win and championships are celebrated in a family friendly environment where the joy of play and competitive sport can be shared with fans of all ages. This is accomplished through fair play, honesty, fun, pulled hamstrings, sore bodies, aching backs and legs, and lots of tall stories on Monday morning. 

VILLAGE ORDINANCES 

South Orange Village Ordinance Section 110-27-2 prohibits smoking in any park or recreation area within 25 feet of active recreation areas, fields or events. 

South Orange Village Ordinance Section 110-11 prohibits alcohol in any park or recreation area.