League Rules
Softball - 3-Pitch

Softball (3-Pitch) Rules

1. Official Game = 7 innings or 1 hour 30 minutes.
2. Min. number of players on the field = 7; Max. number of players on the field = 9 (excluding pitcher).
3. Teams must have at 3 players of each gender. Teams may decide to waive minimum player requirements if both teams agree. If both teams agree to play, IT COUNTS.
4. If the game does not begin 15 minutes after the scheduled start time due to lack of players from one team then the other team wins the game by default.
5. There must be a minimum of 1 woman at bat for every 2 men at bat (even if a woman bats twice in the same order).
6. 6 run maximum per inning, no maximum in 7th inning.
7. No stealing or lead-offs - on a swing and miss, no more than one step is allowed.
8. No sliding under any circumstances.
9. Team captains should flip a coin to determine which team takes the field first.
10. The team at bat should provide a first base and third base umpire to call outs. In addition, the catcher should call fair/foul balls as they have the best view. The pitcher is responsible for calling outs at 2nd base and home plate.
11. Same team pitches to their own players. A maximum of 3 pitches per batter.
12. There is no minimum distance for a batted ball to count as live (e.g. if a batted ball does not reach the pitcher, it is still a live ball)
13. If a batted ball hits the pitcher, it is counted as a strike. The only exception is on the third strike. A batter can not strike out by hitting pitcher.
14. There can only be four players defending in the infield (1st baseman, 2nd baseman, 3rd baseman and Shortstop). Any rovers must play in the outfield, and cannot enter the infield until the ball has been hit.
15. To avoid collisions, runners must tag the safety base at first base, and cannot touch the home plate (runners must run past home plate). To get a runner out at home plate, the catcher must have the ball and one foot on home plate before the runner crosses the extended line passing from the 1st base line past home plate.
16. Fielders cannot block the base path from oncoming runners. If a fielder is in the base path and not making a play on the ball, the runner will automatically be rewarded the next base.
17. A commitment line must be marked halfway between 3rd base and home plate. Once the base runner has passed the line he or she must continue on to home.
18. Remember the point of the game is to have fun. If there are any questions as to the rules, please work them out between the team captains in the spirit of good sportsmanship.
19. There is absolutely no tolerance for rough or abusive play. Any players exhibiting these characteristics will be reprimanded and may be asked to leave the league.