SMAC Softball League - League Rules

The profanity rule is in effect. The umpire will give both teams a warning on the first offense. After that warning, any infraction of the profanity rule will result in the offending player being ejected from the game.
If a player is ejected from the game, he/she must leave the park within 5 minutes. An ejected player not leaving the park will result in a forfeit for their team.
No jewelry permitted while playing or you will be automatically out.
All score sheets are to be completely filled out (date, team names and score) signed by the umpire and handed in to the umpire at the end of each game.
A defensive line consisting of an arch of 150' from home plate shall be used. No outfielder (minimum of 4) is allowed in front of the line until the ball is hit, if this is violated the offense has the option of taking the result of the play or an award of one base to the batter and all base runners. No outfielder may make a force out on the batter, base runner at first base.
The score sheet from both teams must be filled in completely and handed in to the umpire at the end of each game.
All players are required to wear their team shirts.
Absolutely no contesting calls- Umpires decision is final.
Distance from the pitcher's mound to the plate is 50'.
ILLEGAL PITCH RULE:

The arc of the ball must be between 6' and 12'; anything outside of these requirements will be called an illegal pitch by the umpire.

The umpire will signal and say "Illegal pitch." If the ball is swung at, the play will stand. If the ball is not swung at a ball will be added to the count.

A "commitment" line will be drawn 20' from the front left corner of home plate.
A safe line will be drawn from the front left corner of home plate to the screen.

If the runner touches the commit line he/she must continue onto home plate. Returning to third base after having touched the "commitment" line will result in the runner being called out.

The runner can only cross the safe line and may not touch home plate or the mat. Touching either the home plate or the mat will result in the runner being called out.

Because of the above rule, all plays at home will be a force play ( the runner cannot be tagged between home and the "commitment" line).

Defensive team player may only stand on the plate portion and not the mat to record the out.

There will be a double base at first (white/orange). The white portion shall be completely in fair territory; the orange portion shall be completely in foul territory.

If there is no play at first base the runner can use either portion of the double base.

If there is a play at first base, the defensive player must only play the white portion of the double base, and the runner must use only the orange portion of the double base

A fly ball, not a line drive, which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort when 1st and 2nd or 1st, 2nd and 3rd are occupied with less than two outs.

All teams must have a minimum of seven of their own players and will be allowed to pick up three substitute players (from league players only).

If a team starts a game with three women and one gets hurt and cannot continue, that team is then allowed to play with two women. The team will then play with 9 defenders and take an automatic out in the batting order. This rule applies for both the regular season and the playoffs.

Effective in playoffs only: Minimum of nine roster players. Picking up substitutions will not be permitted.

The batting order will consist of no more than two men in a row, unless mathematically impossible. In which case the captain will even it out as best as possible.
Anticipation steps are permitted. The runner cannot leave the base until the ball crosses the plate, hits the ground or is hit. (two to three steps maximum.)
Sliding is only permitted at 2nd or 3rd base. NO SLIDING AT HOME PLATE OR FIRST BASE.
Courtesy runners are allowed for a batter (last out, same sex) from the back of the screen if the batter is hurt and playing a position, which requires limited running. (ie; 1st, catcher or pitcher.) The captain and the player will be ejected from the game if this rule is not followed.
Excessive force used at any base will result in an automatic out or ejection from the game based on the umpire's discretion.
A mercy rule or 7 runs per inning is in effect EXCEPT for the final inning.
Unlimited courtesy runners. (Last out, same sex) courtesy runners are not permitted to leave the base to bat, their spot in the batting order is skipped and the next batter comes to the plate without a penalty.
All regular season games that end in a tie will stay as a tie.
A game is considered "regulation" if the team scoring fewer runs has completed five innings at bat.

If a game is not regulation (must be called due to playing conditions), every effort will be made by the executive committee to reschedule all games affected.

If a male batter is walked intentionally he will be awarded first and second bases and the next batter must bat.