A 6 1/2 video that does an excellent job of explaining the most common rules for Palm Creek Softball League.

(29) Palm Creek Softball Rules 2023 - YouTube

 

Palm Creek Softball League follows three documents for Rules of Play: 

1) SSUSA Official Senior Softball - USA Rulebook (2023-2024).  Follow the link below to the SSUSA Rulebook.  Other SSUSA Rule information is provided below.

2) Palm Creek Senior Softball League rules.  These rules are shown below.

3) Softball Rules -  Umpires.  These are rule clarifications provided by the Palm Creek Lead Umpire.

These rules are shown below.

1)  SSUSA Rules

All “Palm Creek Softball League Play Rules” will apply to both the National and American Divisions unless otherwise noted in the rules.  Rules specific to American Division play will also apply to combined National and American Division play. 

After the completion of the season, the League Director will meet with the Club Reps to discuss League Play Rule changes.  The League Director has final say over the League Play Rules.  The League Director will update the League Play Rules and communicate the changes to the Club Reps.

May 6,2023

October 23, 2023

November 13, 2023

PALM CREEK SOFTBALL RULES

The most recent SSUSA Rule Book will be used for all additional rules for the season .

The following rules apply to both the National and American Divisions unless otherwise noted.

a.) Substitutions: (Revised 11/13/2023 and 10/23/23)

If a team’s roster drops to 10 or fewer players in any game due to injury or absence, they may use player(s) from the Substitution List or another team to substitute for their injured/absent player(s). Teams that have injured player who cannot continue for the remainder of the season will be given a replacement player from the Sub list of equal ranking to maintain the team's roster of permanent players to a minimum of 11 or fewer players for active rostered players. The player that is not able to continue to play the remainder of the season will be removed from the team’s roster. A substitute player has to have the same rating or below as the injured/absent player(s) they are replacing,  with the exception that the American Division teams are allowed to replace a player rated a 5 with a player rated a 4.  Teams may not sit a healthy player on their roster in order to use a substitute player. In addition, if a player is injured and can’t continue to play and there is no substitute, that team may use a catcher from the other team to get to 11 players.

b.) Courtesy Runners: (Revised 10/23/23)

Any player on a team’s roster and present for the game may be used as a courtesy runner. A courtesy runner may be used for a base runner before the first pitch to any player (or at any time in the case of an injury), but the courtesy runner may not be used more than once per inning. 

c.) Field specifications:

The Palm Creek softball field has a 275 ft fence and 70 ft bases.

The Robson Ranch softball field has a 300 ft fence and will use 70 ft bases.

d.) Equipment: (Revised 10/23/23)

ASA/USA Softball or USSSA approved 1.20 BPF bats will be used. Senior bats are NOT allowed during the Fall Season. Balls used shall be a 44 cor, 375 compression softballs, 12” balls for male hitters and 11” balls for female hitters.

Senior bats will be allowed for National (B) Division games played at Robson Ranch, and may be used at either Palm Creek or Robson Ranch fields by American Division (C) players who are 80+ years old.  Women in the National League will be allowed to use senior bats at both Palm Creek and Robson Ranch fields.  

All pitchers are REQUIRED to wear a pitcher’s face mask. Pitchers may wear additional protective equipment if they choose to do so.

e.) The batter will start with a 1 ball, 1 strike count. There will be one foul ball “to waste”.

f.) Home Runs:

The League will have a “1 up” home run rule. Any home run hit by a team with a 1 home run advantage will be scored as a walk.

g.) Teams are limited to 5 runs per inning except for the final inning of the game. In the “open” inning each team may score an unlimited number of runs. Games will be 7 innings with a game time limit of will be 60 minutes.  

h.) Mercy Rule:

If a team is ahead by 12 or more runs at any time after 5 innings have been completed, or four and one-half innings if the home team is ahead, the game will be declared over.

i.) Flip Flop Rule

The “flip flop” rule will take effect when the visiting team has a lead of 8 or more runs going into the open inning.

j.) The Sun Rule:

If the Sun is in the batter’s eyes during the 2:00 game, the batter may move the pitcher 6 ft to the left or the right of the pitchers rubber. This must be done before the 1st pitch of the at bat.

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The following rules apply only to American Division play or when American and National Division play is combined:

j.) Will use 65 foot bases

k. ) Pitching Screen:

The pitching screen WILL be used in all games.  The first batted ball hitting the pitching screen in any at bat is a dead ball and each subsequent batted ball hitting the screen in that at bat will be counted as a foul ball.

l.) Encroachment Line:

There will be a 165 ft encroachment line in the outfield.  If a fielder is behind the 165 line (Outfielder), he/she may NOT throw out a batter at 1st base on a batted ball put into play).  Outfielders may NOT go in front of this line until the ball is in play. The infielders and rover may go anywhere they want on the field prior to the ball being in play.

m.) Batting out of order:

The scorekeeper may alert the umpire that a player is batting out-of-order in the American division since lineups are not exchanged. 

Ray Lee    raylee.stl@gmail.com (636-346-6117)

League Director

Softball Rules – Umpires

Pitcher’s Screen

· First Batted Ball is a “Dead” Ball – No Pitch/Previous Strike Count remains the same (Local Rule)

· All additional Batted Balls are “FOUL” Balls – Not an automatic Strike

o Example – Batter has 2 strikes with one of previous swings/pitches resulting in a “Dead” Ball. If the batter has a “Foul to Give” and hits the screen a second time, this is a foul ball (Foul to Give) and not Strike 3. In this scenario if the batter hits the screen again, then it becomes strike 3 as the ball was required to be fair.

· The SSUSA rule book does not address the use of a screen - this was verified with Senior Softball USA

o When the Screen is utilized, it is considered a piece of Safety Equipment

o Pitchers may take a fielding position outside of the screen at their own risk/determination

o Pitcher must toe the rubber when delivering the pitch

§ Lines are placed straight back from the edges of the "front" rubber to a max 10-feet back. A pitcher must have one foot on, or inside the line, which means a pitcher may deliver a pitch outside the screen (not required to pitch directly over screen) as long as the 6-foot/12-foot pitch arc limits are met.

o Pitcher must use a continuous motion once the pitching motion has begun with at least 1 foot in the Pitcher’s Box

o Pitchers may take a fielding position outside of the screen at their own risk

· Pitched ball apex must be between 6 – 12 feet

o Umpire’s Judgement to determine minimum 6-foot and max of 12-foot heights met

§ Note – Umpire’s Cap Brim is the typical indicator for 12 feet height max

§ Umpire’s Call is “Illegal Pitch” for balls outside the 6 – 12-foot arc range

· If the Batter does not Swing – BALL

· If the Batter Swings and Misses – STRIKE

· If the Batter Swings and makes Contact – LIVE Ball

· Safety – Pitchers are required to wear a Face Mask at all times (regardless of whether a Screen is utilized)

 

Batter

· Batter cannot reverse direction between Home Plate and First Base to avoid a Tag

o Reversing direction causes the batter to automatically be OUT

o Batter can stop running without penalty

o Batter is OUT if they exceed the base line limit (e.g. - Return to the Dugout assuming “OUT” at First Base) regardless of the play outcome at First Base

· After a pitch is delivered, if the Batter steps completely out of the Batter’s Box (with one or both feet) and makes contact with the Ball, the Batter is automatically out - DEAD Ball

o This is regardless of whether the ball is Fair or Foul

o Batter is automatically OUT when any part of their foot is touching home plate when the ball is hit

§ Batter's box is 3'-0" wide x 7'-0" long as measured to the outside of any defining line.

· Non-Standard Batter’s Box’s will default to local field rules

· Some portion of both feet of the batter must be on the line or within the batter's box during the pitch

· Once a pitched ball hits the ground it is a Dead Ball

o If the batter swings and misses the ball prior to the ball hitting the ground - STRIKE

o If the batter swings and makes contact with the ball after it hits the ground there is no play – Dead Ball

· Batter cannot “Chop” (Intentional Chopping Motion) or “Bunt” a ball to create artificially high bounce – DEAD Ball and Batter is OUT

· Illegal Bats

o Player Warned and Bat Removed from Play (1st Offense)

o Player Ejection after 1st Warning (2nd Offense)

o Illegal Bat should be controlled by Umpire/Tournament Director for the duration of the game

o Illegal Bat - Physical Characteristics altered

§ Inserting Material inside the Bat (Bat makes noise when being swung)

§ More than 2 Layers of Bat Tape

§ Applying a Foreign Substance to the Barrel of the Bat

 

 

Base Runner

· If a batted ball hits a baserunner in the basepath prior to a fielding attempt - Dead Ball

o Runner that was hit by the ball is Out

o Batter is awarded 1st Base

§ If 1st Base is still occupied by a base runner, that runner is awarded 2nd base, etc.

· If a Fielder (excluding the pitcher) makes a play on a batted ball, misses it, and then the ball hits the baserunner in the basepath, it is a live ball and play continues

§ Neither the runner nor the batter is out

· If the ball hits a Runner standing on a base in Fair territory, the Runner is safe

o If the fielder is behind the runner - Dead ball is called and the batter is awarded First Base. All other runners advance one base based upon their relationship to First Base

o If the fielder is in front of the Runner and makes a play on the ball – Live ball and play continues

· First Base Safety Base – If the batted ball results in a play at First Base

o Runner must touch the Orange Safety Base

§ Exception – to avoid a collision with the Fielder

o If the runner does not touch the base, live ball and play continues

§ Fielder must touch the White Base to record an OUT unless making the play from FOUL ground

§ e.g. - Play at 1st base, on the "initial" play/throw to 1st base the fielder must touch white bag and the batter/runner must touch the orange bag. Upon a misplayed ball by the fielder at 1st base, then the fielder would be able to touch either base prior to batter/runner touching either base (to avoid collision).

o When First Base is occupied, then both bases are considered as one base for the runner.

o If after running past First Base, the runner makes any form of an attempt to continue to Second Base, the runner can be tagged out

· Base Path – 6-Foot-wide path between a base and the runner at the time a defensive player is attempting to tag the runner.

o Exceeding that path boundary by the runner results in the runner being OUT (3 Feet to either side of the center line)

· A runner must make every effort to avoid a collision with opposing players

o In the Umpire’s Judgement - If the runner misses a base to avoid a collision with the fielder, the runner will not be called out and will be awarded the base if the fielder bobbles or drops the ball.

o Runner leaves the base early – prior to batter making contact with the ball - Runner is OUT and DEAD Ball

§ This is Not an Appeal Play

§ All other runners return to the base that they were occupying

§ Batter’s “Count” remains the same (No pitch was incurred)

§ If this results in the 3rd Out of the inning – the current batter leads off the next inning

· Offensive Interference by base runner

§ Any action – physical of verbal – that attempts to impede or confuse a defensive player attempting to execute a play – DEAD Ball

§ Runner closest to Home (Lead Runner) is OUT

o Base runner must avoid a fielder making a play

§ If the runner veers off the basepath to avoid a thrown ball and the fielder drops the ball – runner may be deemed SAFE and awarded the base (Umpire’s Judgement)

o Base Runner misses a base – Appeal Play by Defense

 

 

Commit Line

· Commit Line is the Line between Third Base and (30 feet from) Home

o Once the runner TOUCHES/CROSSES the Commit Line, the runner is REQUIRED to go Home (Safety Line) – CANNOT re-cross the Commit Line and return to Third Base

§ If the Runner re-crosses the line – Runner is automatically OUT

· Ball remains LIVE

o The Runner may be tagged by the Fielder until Both Feet are touching/have crossed the Commit Line

§ Once both feet of the Runner are touching the ground, the player must be Forced OUT at Home

§ Tagging the Runner will result in Obstruction and the runner is awarded home plate – Run Scores – Ball remains LIVE

 

Score Line / Home Plate

· Runner must have 1 Foot down on or beyond the Scoring Line

· Runner cannot touch home plate or any part of the Batter’s Box/Mat

o Touching either of them results in the runner being OUT

· Diagonal Line (Optional) is ONLY a Guidance Line for the runner

o Crossing the line to the Left is NOT an Out

 

 

Fielding

· Fielder throwing equipment (e.g. – glove/cap/mask) to stop a FAIR ball in play – Rule 8.4(10)c

o If equipment is thrown to stop a Batted Ball and it contacts the ball, the Umpire will award the batter 3 bases.

§ Home Run will be awarded if in the Umpire’s opinion the batted ball would have cleared the fence on the fly.

o If equipment is thrown to stop a Thrown Ball and it contacts the ball, the Umpire will award the runner an additional 2 bases from that point.

· In-Field Fly Rule

o Less than 2 Outs

o Runners on 1st & 2nd Base (OR) Bases Loaded

o Pop-Up must be deemed easily caught by an Infielder in Fair Territory in the Umpire’s Judgement

§ The Ball may be caught by any fielder

o Base runners advance at their own risk

o Umpire Call: “Infield Fly in Effect, Batter is OUT – If Fair”

§ Recommended to announce that In-Field Fly Rule is in effect prior to the Pitch

· Umpire Reminder is Hand to the Chest

· Intentionally Dropped Ball

o If a fielder drops or lets drop an easily caught (ordinary effort) FAIR ball in the Umpire’s Judgement – only 1 Out (Batter) may be recorded and ball is DEAD

· Fake Tag – Obstruction

o When the fielder neither has the ball nor is about to receive the ball and the FAKE tag action impedes the progress of the runner (e.g. – slows or stops), then the runner is awarded the base that they would have reached

 

Unsportsmanlike Conduct – Ejection Criteria

· Reasons for Ejection

o Throwing Bat in Anger

o Violent Swing (in Anger) at a pitched ball that has hit the ground (Dead Ball)

o Verbal Abuse of another individual

§ E.g. - Opposing player/coach/umpire/fan

o Physically assaulting another individual

o Deliberate Attempt to Distract the Batter

o Using an Illegal Bat intentionally

§ Local Rule – Ejection after 1st Warning (2nd Offense)

 

Manager Meeting – Prior to Game

· Pace of Play Reminder – Managers/Coaches Responsibility

o Emphasize Pace of Play is the Teams responsibility

§ Hustle In/Out of Dugout between Innings

§ Players ready to Hit when you are Up to Bat / On-Deck

§ Pinch Runners Identified prior to game and Ready to Run

§ Fielders Ready when Umpire indicates “Balls In/Batter-Up”

· Failure to Comply – NO further Warm-ups

§ Clock Starts on Umpire Signal regardless of player readiness

§ All Gates are to be kept closed unless entering/exiting the field

§ No extraneous equipment allowed on the field – e.g., Bat Warmers/Racks

· Local Rules may allow exceptions

· Exceptions become part of the playing field and the Ball remains LIVE if it contacts these exceptions

o Open Inning is the next Full Inning after Game Clock has expired

§ Next Inning officially begins as soon as the Last Out of the current inning is made

· Umpires are Volunteers – Questioning a Play/Ruling should be done courteously/politely

· Cover Field-Specific Ground Rules – Illegal Bat Warning/Ejection

· Injuries – Play will stop for an injury based upon Umpire’s Judgement of Severity of the injury

o Baserunners will be re-positioned per Umpire decision prior to game resuming

· Umpire is NOT obligated to call time at a player’s request

· Managers/Players should wait until time is called to request base runner substitutions at first base.

 

MISC. Reminders

· Standard Umpire Attire

o Shirt - Blue

o Shorts/Pants - Blue/Black/Gray

o Cap/Hat - Black/Dark Gray or Blue

· Do NOT make the call to quickly – Let the play run its course

o Make sure Ball is Caught securely – Not Dropped or Bobbled

§ Fielder’s Glove/Hand must be OFF the Ground and Securely controlling the ball

o Move (Hustle) to get into a good position to see/make the Call

o Interference is by Offense – Automatic Dead Ball

o Obstruction is by Defense – Live Ball (Judgement by Umpire on Runner Placement)

§ Delayed Call – Umpire Indicator is Arm straight out

· Be emphatic on your call – Strong / Loud / Clear Voice

· Skirmishes – Nip Quickly

o Issue Warning to ALL Players involved immediately

o Call for a Coaches Meeting at Home Plate

 

Local Rules

· Senior Bats allowed for Women and All Players 80+ Years old

o Robson Ranch Saturday League

· Senior Bats allowed for Women

o Palm Creek “B” (National) League

· Pinch Runner allowed from any base PRIOR to first pitch to the next batter

o Palm Creek and Robson Ranch Leagues

 

Link to SSUSA Rule book - Official Senior Softball USA Rulebook (2023-24) Link to Softball rules synopsis - www.seniorsoftball.com

Softball Rules – Umpires

 

Pitcher’s Screen

· First Batted Ball is a “Dead” Ball – No Pitch/Previous Strike Count remains the same

· All additional Batted Balls are “FOUL” Balls – Not an automatic Strike

o Example – Batter has 2 strikes with one of previous swings/pitches resulting in a “Dead” Ball. If the batter has a “Foul to Give” and hits the screen a second time, this is a foul ball (Foul to Give) and not Strike 3. In this scenario if the batter hits the screen again, then it becomes strike 3 as the ball was required to be fair.

· The SSUSA rule book does not address the use of a screen - this was verified with Senior Softball USA

o There is NO specific mention of "pitcher must throw over the screen"

o When the Screen is utilized, it is considered a piece of Safety Equipment

o Pitcher must toe the rubber when delivering the pitch

§ Lines are placed straight back from the edges of the "front" rubber to a max 10-feet back. A pitcher must have one foot on, or inside the line, which means a pitcher may deliver a pitch outside the screen (not required to pitch directly over screen) as long as the 6-foot/12-foot pitch arc limits are met.

o Pitcher may position himself for fielding outside of the screen at his own risk/determination

· Pitched ball apex must be between 6 – 12 feet

o Umpire’s judgement to determine minimum 6-foot and max of 12-foot heights

o Pitcher must use a continuous motion once the pitching motion has begun with at least 1 foot in the Pitcher’s Box

· Safety – Pitchers are required to wear a Face Mask at all times (regardless of whether a Screen is utilized)

 

 

Batter

· Batter cannot reverse direction between Home Plate and First Base to avoid a Tag

o Reversing direction causes the batter to automatically be out

o Batter can stop running without penalty

· If the Batter steps completely out of the Batter’s Box (1 foot) and makes contact with the Ball, the Batter is automatically out and Dead Ball incurs

o This is regardless of whether the ball is Fair or Foul

o Batter is automatically OUT when any part of their foot is touching home plate when the ball is hit

§ Batter's box is 3'-0" wide x 7'-0" long as measured to the outside of any defining line.

· Non-Standard Batter’s Box’s will default to local field rules

· Some portion of both feet of the batter must be on the line or within the batter's box during the pitch

· Once a pitched ball hits the ground it is a Dead Ball

o If the batter swings and misses the ball it is a strike

o If the batter swings and makes contact with the ball after it hits the ground there is no play – Dead Ball

· Bat cannot “Chop” (Intentional Chopping Motion) or “Bunt” a ball to create artificially high bounce – Dead Ball and Batter is OUT

· Illegal Bats – Physical Characteristics altered

o Inserting Material inside the bat (Bat makes noise when being swung)

o More than 2 Layers of Bat Tape

o Applying a Foreign Substance to the Barrel of the Bat

 

 

Base Runner

· If a batted ball hits a baserunner in the basepath prior to a fielding attempt, a Dead Ball is called

o Runner that was hit by the ball is Out

o Batter is awarded 1st Base

§ If 1st Base is still occupied by a base runner, that runner is awarded 2nd base, etc.

· If a Fielder (excluding the pitcher) makes a play on a batted ball and it goes past him and then hits the baserunner in the basepath, it is a live ball and play continues.

o Neither the runner nor the batter is out

· If the ball hits a Runner standing on a base in Fair territory, the Runner is safe

o If the fielder is behind the runner - Dead ball is called and the batter is awarded First Base. All other runners advance based upon their relationship to First Base

o If the fielder is in front of the Runner and makes a play on the ball – Live ball and play continues

· First Base Safety Base – If the batted ball results in a play at First Base

o Runner must touch the Orange Safety Base

§ Exception – to avoid a collision with the Fielder

o If the runner does not touch the base, live ball and play continues

§ Fielder must touch the White Base to record an OUT unless making the play from FOUL ground

o When First Base is occupied, the both bases are considered as one base for the runner.

o If after running past First Base, the runner makes any form of an attempt to continue to Second Base, the runner can be tagged out

· Base Path – 6-Foot-wide path between a base and the runner at the time a defensive player is attempting to tag the runner.

o Exceeding that path boundary by the runner results in the runner being OUT (3 Feet to either side of the center line)

· A runner must make every effort to avoid a collision with opposing players

o In the Umpire’s Opinion - If the runner misses a base to avoid a collision the runner will not be called out

Runner leaves the base early – prior to batter making contact with the ball - Runner is OUT and DEAD Ball

§ All other runners return to the base that they were occupying

§ Batter’s “Count” remains the same (No pitch was incurred)

· Offensive Interference by base runner

o Any action – physical of verbal – that impedes or confuses a defensive player attempting to execute a play

o Base runner must avoid a fielder making a play

§ If the runner veers off the basepath to avoid a thrown ball and the fielder drops the ball – runner is awarded the base

 

 

Commit Line

· Commit Line is the Line between Third Base and (30 feet from) Home

o Once the runner TOUCHES/CROSSES the Commit Line, the runner is required to go Home – CANNOT re-cross line and return to Third Base

§ If the Runner re-crosses the line – Runner is automatically OUT

· Ball remains LIVE

o The Runner must be tagged by the Fielder until Both Feet are touching the ground beyond the Commit Line

§ Once both feet of the Runner are touching the ground, the player must be Forced OUT at Home

§ Tagging the Runner will result in interference and the runner is awarded home – Run Scores

 

Fielding

· Fielder throwing equipment (e.g. – glove/cap/mask) to stop a FAIR ball in play – Rule 8.4(10)c

o If equipment is thrown to stop a Batted Ball and it contacts the ball, the Umpire will award the batter 3 bases.

§ Home Run will be awarded if in the Umpire’s opinion the batted ball would have cleared the fence on the fly.

o If equipment is thrown to stop a Thrown Ball and it contacts the ball, the Umpire will award the runner an additional 2 bases from that point.

· In-Field Fly Rule

o Less than 2 Outs

o Runners on 1st & 2nd Base (OR) Bases Loaded

o Pop-Up must be deemed easily caught by an Infielder in Fair Territory in the Umpire’s Determination

§ The Ball may be caught by any fielder

o Base runners advance at their own risk

o Umpire Call: “Infield Fly in Effect, Batter is OUT – If Fair”

· Intentionally Dropped Ball

o If a fielder drops or let’s drop an easily caught (ordinary effort) FAIR ball in the Umpire’s Opinion – only 1 out may be recorded and ball is DEAD

· Fake Tag – Obstruction

o When the fielder neither has the ball or is about to receive the ball and the FAKE tag action impedes the progress of the runner (e.g. – slows or stops), then the runner is awarded the base that they would have reached

 

Unsportsmanlike Conduct – Ejection Criteria

· Reasons for Ejection

o Throwing Bat in Anger

o Violent Swing (in Anger) at a pitched ball that has hit the ground (Dead Ball)

o Verbal Abuse of another individual

§ E.g. - Opposing player/coach/umpire/fan

o Physically assaulting another individual

o Deliberate Attempt to Distract the Batter

o Using an Illegal Bat intentionally

§ Local Rule – Ejection after 1st Warning (2nd Offense)

 

Manager Meeting – Prior to Game

· Pace of Play Reminder – Managers/Coaches Responsibility

o Managers notified game will START On-Time

§ Emphasize Pace of Play is THEIR responsibility

· Hustle In/Out of Dugout between Innings

· Players ready to Hit when you are Up to Bat / On-Deck

· Pinch Runners Identified prior to game and Ready to Run

· Fielders Ready when Umpire indicates “Balls In/Batter-Up”

o Failure to Comply – NO further Warm-ups

§ Clock Starts on Umpire Signal regardless of player readiness

· Umpires are Volunteers – Questioning a Play/Ruling should be done courteously/politely

· Cover Field-Specific Ground Rules – Illegal Bat Warning/Ejection

· Injuries – Play will stop for an injury based upon Umpire’s Discretion of Severity

o Baserunners will be re-positioned per Umpire decision prior to game resuming

· Do NOT make the call to quickly – Let the play run its course

· Umpire is NOT obligated to call time at a player’s request