Rules and Regulations

Teams

• Membership – Each team must have a captain who is a member of the Villanova University community, i.e. faculty, staff, or alumni.
• Players may participate on one team only.  All players must sign a waiver of liability in order to participate. Captains are responsible for roster accuracy.  The playing of non-roster players will result in a forfeit.  The last day for roster changes is June 9th. 
• Each roster must have a minimum of 12 players.  Eleven team members can play using a short fielder and a designated hitter.  Games may be played with only 8 players on the team.  Failure to have at least 8 players will result in a forfeit.  The 8 player rule does not apply after ejections.  Late players may join the game upon arrival. 

Equipment and Fields

• Metal spikes or cleats are forbidden.  Shoes must be worn at all times.
• The playing fields will be Austin, Mendel and Pike Fields.
• Batter’s Helmets, chest protectors and catcher’s masks will be provided by the University upon request.  Choosing not to use this equipment will put you at greater risk for injury.  We strongly urge you to wear protective equipment. 
• The Softball League will supply bats, bases and softballs.  Each team must supply their own gloves.
• Teams may use their own bats as long as they are on the list of ASA approved bats.  Note that although the list of ASA approved bats includes some double-walled bats, those bats MAY NOT be used.  Please see the attached list of illegal bats. 
• On any field, if the ball enters a tree in fair territory, in the air, through the branches: an automatic double will be awarded.  If the ball hits the tree below the branch line, play continues and the batter may advance as far as possible.  Any ball caught after hitting a tree or any other obstruction in fair territory is not an out, but is in play.  Prior to the game, the officials will establish what fair territory is and what is out of play. 
• If the ball rolls through the outfield fencing on Austin Field, it is a ground rule double.  All base runners will advance two bases.

Games

• Games will be played as scheduled.  There will be no grace period.  Game time is forfeit time.  If your team is not on the field and ready to play at 15 past the hour, your team will be awarded a forfeit.  If possible, rainouts will be rescheduled.  Captains will be notified of rain cancellations via IM hotline.  Forfeits will not be rescheduled. 
• Games are 7 innings.  The 10 run rule will apply after 5 complete innings.  In case of rain, darkness, etc., 4 innings will constitute a completed game.
• The umpire will keep the game moving at all times.  Stalling will not be permitted.

Rules of Play

• All rules are consistent with ASA Softball Rules except where noted below. 
• No bunting. No leading. No stealing of bases.  Any attempted bunt or stolen base will result in an out.  A batter must make contact with the ball before the base runner leaves the bag.
• All batters will begin with a 1/1 count (except during playoffs).
• No passed balls or wild pitches will be called.  On a dropped third strike, the ball is dead and the batter is out. 
• An illegal pitch (an arc less than 6 feet or over 12 feet) results in an automatic ball. The umpire will announce the illegal pitch but the batter still has the option to swing.  If the ball is hit, it is in play.
• The pitcher must have one foot on the mound when addressing the batter. 
• Overthrows INTO OUT OF PLAY AREAS will result in the runner taking the base he/she is headed for, plus one additional base.
• The Ten Run Rule – Any team ahead by ten or more runs after five full innings will be declared the winner.  If the visiting team scores the tenth run at the top of an inning, the home team will be allowed to have their turn at bat. 
• On a third strike foul, the batter is out.
• Blocking the plate.  The catcher must be in the process of making a play.  This is constituted as a throw on the way to the plate, or the catcher having the ball.  Under no circumstance may a player barrel over the catcher. 
• At ANY base including home plate, when there is a PLAY AT THE BASE, and there IS CONTACT between the runner and the defensive player, if the runner does not slide, they will be called out.  All three factors must take place for the out to be called.  There MUST be:
  • A PLAY at the base
  • CONTACT between runner and defensive player and the runner DID NOT SLIDE.
  • If there is a play, is contact and the runner slides = SAFE
  • If there is a play, runner does not slide but there is no contact =SAFE
  • If there is a play, is contact and the runner did not slide = OUT

• There will be a safety bag at first base to avoid collision.
• 11 Players, 10 Fielders may play at a time.  A team is allowed to use an Extra Hitter (EH) to be the eleventh man in the lineup if all of the fielders hit.  If a team elects to use a DH for a fielder, the team forfeits that right to have an EH. 
• All pinch runners must be the last person called out.  Teams will be allowed as many pinch runners as requested.    
• PLEASE NOTE- An infielder is not permitted to intentionally drop a pop up.  If the umpire determines he did this intentionally, the batter is out and the runners return to their base.  Example:  Runner on first, pop up to the second baseman, he lets the ball hit the ground after noticing neither runner is running hard to the base.  He drops the ball so to complete a double play.  This is not allowed.  The batter is out, and the runner returns to the base.  This is different than the Infield Fly Rule.  This is an ASA Rule.

Disputes

• Only the captains may discuss (not argue) with the umpires about plays or players.  Any other player interfering in any manner will be ejected from the game.
• Any intent to protest must be made to the umpire before the game ends.  Protest may be made on rule violations only, not on judgment calls.
• The League Commissioner shall decide any discrepancies.

Conduct

• Any unsportsmanlike conduct, in the interpretation of the umpires, will result in an automatic ejection.
• Any player tossing equipment will be ejected from the game.  This particularly applies to batter tossing bats.
• Any player that is ejected must leave the field immediately and the area within sight and sound of the officials.  Failure to do so may result in a forfeit.
• Any player involved in a fight will be ejected from the game and the league at the discretion of the League Commissioner.  Any player who interferes with the umpires before, during, or after the game will be subject to disciplinary action that may include ejection from the league.
• The use or possession of alcohol or drugs at any game is strictly prohibited.

Other

• Score sheets must be signed, completed and turned into the umpires before both teams leave the field.  The home team is responsible for keeping score. 
• The home team is listed on the schedule.
• Two forfeits by any team will result in a team being left out of playoff contention.
• No new inning will start after 55 minute of play.
• REENTRY Rule – A player can reenter the game after leaving only once per game.

Playoff Rules

• The playoff tournament will be double elimination.  The top 8 seeds will qualify for playoffs.  In the case of a tie for 8^th place, the first tiebreaker is head to head.  The second tiebreaker is run differential between the two teams involved in the tie.  The third tiebreaker is run differential versus all opponents. 
• Playoff games are tentatively scheduled for June 23^rd & 24^th, 2012.  Playoff dates and times are subject to change.   
• Any team using a non-roster player during the playoffs will be eliminated from playoffs.  The League Commissioner will decide upon players eligible for the playoffs.  It is each captain’s responsibility to find out which players are eligible to play before the playoffs begin.  A playoff eligible roster will be available upon request from the League Commissioner.  Four (4) Game Regular Season Minimum for eligibility in playoffs (includes if a game is a forfeit).
• The ten run rule is in effect during the playoffs, except during the semifinals and the final game of the playoffs.
• Batters will NOT start with a 1/1 count for playoffs.  Batters will receive a full count