CO-ED INTRAMURAL SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL RULES

TEAMS
Participants must all be Newberry College student, faculty or staff members.

Newberry College baseball/softball players may not participate. Red-shirt freshmen may participate as long as they are inactive for the school team.

All teams must consist of a minimum of 10 players.

Teams must start the game with at least 8 players and at most 10 players on the field.

You may bat all players on your team but may not add additional players to your batting order after you have gone completely through it.

Each participant may only play on one team.

RULES
Metal cleats are not allowed (only rubber).

Only bats made specifically for softball may be used (no baseball bats).

Base stealing is not allowed. Runners can leave their bases when a pitched ball has reached home plate or is hit. If the batter does not hit the pitch, base runners must return to their bases immediately.

Bunting or chopping down on the ball is not allowed, and will result in a dead ball with the batter being called out.

Players start with a one strike and one ball count when at bat.

A fouled third strike is an out.

No intentional walking.

The pitcher must deliver the ball in a continuous, underhand motion on the first forward swing of the pitching arm past the hip (no windmill).

The pitch must have a minimum arc of 6 ft. from the ground. The maximum allowable arc is 12 ft. from the ground. If the pitch does not meet these requirements, an illegal pitch shall be called.

A dropped third strike by the catcher allows the hitter the opportunity to try and advance to first base (as long as it is not occupied) before being tagged or thrown out.

The batter is out immediately when the umpire declares a fair infield fly with base runners on first and second or on first, second, and third with less than two outs. This is called the infield fly rule. The ball remains live and runners may advance at their own risk.

Runners are limited to one extra base on a ball that is thrown out of play. The runner advances at their own risk and may advance further then the extra base if the fielders makes a play on them.

If a base runner is hit with a live batted ball and they are not on a base, they are out.

If a base runner is hit by a ball that has been thrown by a fielder, the ball is live and the base runner is NOT out.

GAMES
The game will consist of 7 innings. In the event of rain or darkness, 5 innings or 4 1/2 if the home team is ahead, will constitute a game. A 15-run rule will be in effect after 3 innings and a 10-run rule after 5 innings.
A new inning may NOT be started, unless the score is tied, after 50 minutes have elapsed from when the game began. The Intramural Supervisor will keep the official game time.

The umpire has full authority on game decisions once the game begins.

Umpires may forfeit the game at any time if a player's conduct is believed to be abusive.

Only the team captain may speak to the umpires.

Once the schedule is made out, games will not be changed to other days. If your team is scheduled on a day when they cannot play, it is your responsibility to contact the director of intramurals at least 24 hours in advance. If a change cannot occur, your team will forfeit.
All teams must be ready at their designated game time, if not, a forfeit will be awarded. A forfeit will result in a 7-0 score for the team that is present.

In the case of inclement weather or bad field conditions, all team captains will be contacted by phone to cancel or reschedule. Unless you hear from the director of intramurals, assume that all games are to be played.