NASL - Rules of Play

Rules of Play

Download PDF of the NASL Rules (77 k)

We urge you to read the rules and note the 2001 changes. In order to be able to clarify playing situations at any time, the team reps should have a copy of the rules with them during every game.

Batting Helmets are mandatory.

NOTSO AMAZON SOFTBALL LEAGUE RULES & REGULATIONS

1.	Game Length These rules are a summary of those which differ from the Canadian Softball Rules (CSR). In cases of conflict between these and CSR, these rules will govern. A complete game consists of 7 innings. a) CALLED GAMES A game may be called before 7 innings due to darkness, rain or limitations on schedule time. The game is not considered legitimate unless five complete innings have been played or four and on half innings have been played with the home team winning. Last inning may be declared at 1 1/4 hours of play, at the umpire’s discretion, to ensure that games finish on schedule. b) EXTRA INNINGS If a game is tied after 7 complete innings, an extra inning will be played only if the umpire deems there is sufficient time available.
2.	Pitching a) NASL PITCHING RULE No windmill pitching is allowed. Any windmill pitches thrown will be counted as a ball. A player may indicate to the umpire that the pitch is too fast at any time. The umpire must then indicate to the pitcher to slow the pitch down. If the umpire in her sole discretion determines that any subsequent pitch (at any turn at bat) is too fast, the pitch will be called a ball. If a pitch is hit into fair territory by the batter, it may not be considered “fast”. b) STRIKE A strike occurs when, in the opinion of the umpire, the ball passes through an imaginary column rising from home plate between the batters knees and her armpits when she is in her normal batting stance. A strike is also called if the batter swings at the ball and misses, or if the batter hits the ball foul and it is not caught by a defensive player while the ball is in the air. An uncaught foul ball does not count as a strike (or a ball) if the batter has two strikes against her. c) BALL A ball is called if the pitch, in the opinion of the umpire, does not pass through the strike zone.
3.	Hitting and Base Running a) OUT OF PLAY As each ball field varies, “out of play” territory will be defined by the umpire before the start of each game. Generally, “out of play” will be defined as 10' outside the foul line. b) HITTING If a batter throws her bat, as determined by the umpire, the batter is out. c) GETTING TO FIRST BASE A batter who hits a fair ball may run towards first base. She is out if the ball is caught by a defensive player before it touches the ground, or if the ball is thrown to first and controlled by a defensive player touching the white first base bag before the batter touches the orange first base bag. A batter who hits a foul ball may run towards first base. When the umpire calls the ball foul, the batter shall return to the plate, and the foul ball will count as a strike, except in the following cases: if the ball rises higher than ten feet and is caught in the air, the batter is out, if the batter has two strikes and subsequent foul ball is caught by the catcher, the batter is out regardless of the height of the ball, if the batter attempts to bunt with two strikes and the ball goes foul, the batter is out. If the batter strikes out on the last strike and the catcher drops the ball and first base is not occupied by a runner, the batter may attempt to run to first base. She will be out if tagged by the ball or thrown out at first. d) STEAL A base runner may attempt to run to the next base after any pitch. If the base runner leaves the base before the ball crosses the plate, she is out. A steal occurs when the runner successfully reaches the next base without being tagged out. A runner may steal only one base for each time the defensive team throws the ball (the pitch is one throw). A player may not attempt to steal a base if the pitcher has control of the ball within the ten foot radius of the pitcher’s mound. If at the time the ball is returned to the pitcher’s mound, the base runner is between bases, she has the option of advancing or retreating. She is at risk of being tagged out. A base runner is out in the following circumstances: If she runs more than three feet on either side of the baseline in an attempt to avoid a tag, If she advances past another base runner ahead of her on the base paths and touches the next base before or at the same time as that base runner touches it, If she is touched by anyone on her team with the exception of the runner immediately following her, If she interferes with a defensive player who is attempting to field the ball, If, while not touching the base, she is hit by a batted ball before it is touched by a defensive player If she advances to Second, Third or Home having failed to touch any previous base; provided that the defensive team must throw the ball to that base and appeal to the umpire before the next pitch.
4.	Substitutions Each player must play a defensive position for at least three innings. Field substitutions may be made at any time during the game. All players present on a team bat in the order set down on the score sheet at the start of the game. If a player arrives late, she is placed at the end of the batting order, regardless of the inning.
5.	Unregistered Players No team shall use any player not registered on their team. If an unregistered player plays in a game, the team shall default that game.
6.	Game Times Umpires will give a five-minute warning before the beginning of the game. At that time, both teams shall bring their lineups to the plate umpire to be checked. Games will start when scheduled. If a team does not have seven or more players, the team shall default that game. The team must have eight or more players by the start of the third inning or shall default that game. One out is given up each for each player that team is short of nine players, unless the opposing team waives these outs.
7.	Score Sheets Each Team Rep will provide two score sheets for each team. At the end of the game, all score sheets must be signed by the umpire. Scores must be phoned in within two days of the game by e-mailing info@notsoamazon.com. If the score is not sent in, the game will be considered a default.
8.	Playoff Eligibility Players must play in a minimum of 60% of the regular season games to be eligible to play in the playoffs.
9.	Points In the league standings, a win will count for three points, a tie for two points, a loss for one point and a default for zero.
10.	Equipment All league games shall be played with a regulation twelve inch softball. Metal cleats shall not be used by any player.
11.	Mercy Rule In order to ensure a more balanced and exciting game, a maximum of six runs can be scored by a team in one inning. Once six runs have been scored, the inning will be over and the opposing team will be at bat. If a player is still “at bat” while the sixth run is scored she will be the first “at bat” in the next inning. The last full inning of play will not have a limit on the number of runs that can be scored.
12.	Balls on the Field Between Innings No balls are permitted on the field between innings. The pitcher will be allowed 3 warm up pitches prior to taking the mound.
13.	Protests Protests must be reported to the umpire at the time of the incident. The umpires ruling is final unless she suggests submitting a written protest to the collective. The protest must be given to the collective within 48 hours of the incident. The collective will deal with the matter within 2 weeks of receiving the protest.
14.	Consumption of Alcohol or Illegal Substances Consumption of alcohol and/or drugs at the park is strictly prohibited. Please respect this rule in order not to jeopardize the league park permits.