Co-Ed Softball

Three forfeitures by any one team will result in disqualification from the league and league playoffs, thus meaning it is wise to notify us of any times you definitely cannot make before the season begins. If unable to make a scheduled game time, a team may avoid adding a forfeit to their total by notifying the student intramural director at least five (5) hours before the game is scheduled to begin. This will result in only a loss, rather than a forfeit. Notification can be done on AIM @ BUIntramurals

- Rules and Regulations -

1. Each game is either 7 innings or one hour, which ever occurs first, unless one team is leading by 20 runs after the 4th inning or 15 runs after the 5th.  
2. Games that end in a tie during regular season shall be recorded as such. Extra innings shall only be played if time allows.
3. GRACE PERIOD:
   • Teams are allowed a maximum ten (10) minute late grace period.

Teams and Players

1. There is no minimum number of players.  Everyone present may bat but only ten players may be on the field for defense. Players may sub for one another at anytime.
2. Each team must bat in the same order for the entire game.
3. If additional players arrive after the game begins, these players may be placed at the end of the batting order.

Equipment

1. Teams must use the intramural game balls provided.
2. Players may not wear metal cleats or use baseball bats. Any player stepping into the batter's box with either is out. If it occurs a second time, the player with the illegal equipment is ejected.
3. A player who throws a bat is automatically out and any baserunners may NOT advance.
4. Bats will be available to check out. Teams may use their own bat; however.
5. No Titanium bats are allowed.
6. Participants are encouraged to wear athletic clothing. Clothing that restricts the natural movement of the participant (i.e. blue jeans) are prohibited.

The Field

1. The bases are 70' apart. The pitching mound is 46' from home plate. (Take one step back from the 1st-3rd base diagonal.)

The Pitch

1. The pitching arch is between 6 and 12 feet. That is, the ball must arch at least 6' above the ground but not more than 12'.
2. The pitcher must have at least one foot on the pitching rubber during delivery.
3. The pitcher must show the ball to the umpire and batter before pitching. No quick pitches!
4. If the ball is pitched illegally the umpire shall shout "illegal pitch" at which time the batter may either swing at the pitch & take the result, or not swing and take an automatic ball.
5. There are no balks.
6. A batter hit by a pitch does NOT advance to first base.
7. If a batter catches a pitch a strike shall be called.
8. A game shall be declared completed if "called" after the bottom of the fourth inning (or beyond) for inclement weather.
9. Pitchers are allowed a maximum of three warm-up pitches in one minute between innings.

Interference

1. If a player on the offensive team (fans, coaches, batter or baserunners) interferes with the fielding team making a play on the ball in either fair or foul territory, the player closest to home is out and all other baserunners must return to the base they last obtained. If the interference breaks up a potential double play, that baserunner and the baserunner closest to home are both out.
2. If a baserunner is hit by a batted ball which has not passed a fielder other than the pitcher, the baserunner is out and all other runners must return to the base last obtained. (A baserunner hit by a batted ball while standing on the base is not out. The ball is fair and play shall continue.)
3. Bunting is ALLOWED, to encourage the use of a catcher.

Baserunners/Batters

1. If a base dislodges, runners do not have to follow the base. They must go to the area when the base last was legally.
2. Two runners may not occupy the same base. The runner first legally holding the base is entitled to it unless forced to advance.
3. A runner leaving a base before the ball crossed home plate or is batted is out. (Dead ball)
4. If a runner passes another runner, the runner is out but the ball is still in play.
5. No runner may return to touch a missed base after a subsequent runner has scored.
6. Awarded bases must be touched in proper order.
7. A baserunner is out if assisted by anyone other than another baserunner.
8. A baserunner to 1st base is out if running inside the baseline and is hit by a thrown ball.
9. A baserunner is NOT out if he/she runs out of the baseline to avoid interference with a fielder attempting to field the ball.
10. A baserunner is not out if hit by a batted ball that touched or went through a fielder.
11. A baserunner is OUT if he/she does not slide and makes more than incidental contact with a fielder. If the fielder was attempting a double-play, the runner closest to home is out also.
12. A baserunner running more than 3' outside the baseline to avoid a tag is out.
13. There are no pinch runners. If a player is on base and cannot continue an out will be called.

Balls Out of Play

1. If a ball is thrown or carried out of play, each runner is awarded one base past the base they are currently on or going to.  This includes hitting a tree over the stone wall, but does not include if the ball hits the stone wall.  It also includes all balls in the parking lot.

Infield Fly Rule

1. If a batter pops up the ball to an infielder with runners on first and second or first, second and third with less than two outs, the batter is automatically out and runners may advance at their own risk .

Appeals and Protests

1. Teams may appeal a runner leaving the base too soon on a tag play and a runner missing the base. The team appealing must notify the umpire and then throw the ball to the base. The umpire then signals, "Out" or "Safe."
2. Judgement calls (out or safe, balls and strikes, fair or foul, etc.) cannot be protested. An enforcement protest must be filed before the next pitch occurs. The umpire must send for a supervisor. In the meantime, the umpire must record the score, the inning, the # outs, the count, runners' positions, who is batting on the scorecard. The supervisor will try to settle the protest on the spot. If unable to do so, the protest will be settled in the office.

ALL OTHER RULES ARE AS DETERMINED BY THE INTRAMURAL DIRECTOR OR SUPERVISOR ON DUTY THAT DAY.