1. A “strike mat” will be used to determine balls and strikes. If the softball touches any part of the mat on a legal pitch (6’-12’ arc), it will be considered a strike. Pitches touching any part of the plate WILL BE considered a strike as well . **IMPORTANT DISTINCTION** The strike mat is only used for calling balls and strikes. The strike mat is not home plate. Therefore, when a runner is trying to score, he or she must touch home plate in order to score. If he/she touches the strike mat and not home plate, and then is tagged, the runner will be out.
NEW RULE: The runner may use the strike mat as home plate when running in to score, but it is preferred that they still touch home plate. If strike mat is dislodged and separeted from home plate, then you must continue to use home plate.

2. Batters are OUT at 2 strikes. 3 outs per inning.

3. All games are seven innings or one hour (warm up time included); the last inning will start 10 - 15 minutes to the hour. The ump will enforce this rule and will make the call at the top of the final inning. If a game is tied at the end of seven innings, extra innings will be played only if there is time. If there is not time (at least 10 minutes left in the hour), the game will end in a tie. Note: Due to differing circumstances in each and every game, some games will finish short of an hour in length, while others might run over the hour mark. Please respect your ump’s call in this matter. He/she must keep all games on time in fairness to teams playing later hours and due to facility permit restrictions.

4. 10 players max, (at least 2 females) in the field at all time. If a team has only 1 female available to play, the team may take the field with up to 8 players (7 males, 1 female) If a team has less than the minimum required number of players it is up to the opponent and/or umpire as to what is allowable.

5. All players in the field must be listed in the batting order. There are no designated hitters allowed. Any attempt at doing so must be brought to the attention of the umpire prior to game time and can only be deemed allowable by the opposing captain.

6. Game mercy rule: 10 runs up after five complete innings.

7. Inning run limit rule: There will be a 7 run limit per inning during innings 1-4. (Exception : unlimited runs may be scored if one of the innings 1-4 is declared the final inning of the game.) Unlimited runs may be scored in innings 5, 6,and 7, or in any extra innings.

8. No leading or stealing allowed. Runners may leave the base once the ball crosses the plane of the plate or is hit by the batter. If a runner leaves early, the ball is dead and the runner is declared out. If this is the 3rd out of the inning the batter will be first up in the next inning.

9. Games start on time!!! Teams must be prepared to play.

Forfeit rule: 10 minutes after game time. If one team has less than the minimum number of players (7 total w/ 1 female) at ten past the designated start time, the team that is short players will forfeit. If however, the opposing team wishes to allow the team to play with less than the minimum amount of required players, the game may be played as an official game. The umpire must be notified by the opposing team that they would like the game to be played as an official game.


10. Base runner to defensive player contact will be closely watched by the ump. Any excessive contact or collision will result in an “out” and/or ejection. This includes contact with the catcher. Sliding is allowed. Any sliding into a base to break up a double play, or any intentional (in the eyes of the monitor) interference with the defensive player will result in the runner and the batter being called out.

11. NO METAL SPIKES ARE ALLOWED.

12. A foul ball above the batter’s head may be caught for an out.

13. All over-thrown balls are deemed out of play when:
· The ball is thrown over the fence
· The ball is thrown beyond the fence
· The ball is thrown beyond the imaginary line extending from the end of the backstop (if there is no fence).
· This imaginary line applies to overthrows and caught fly foul balls.
· If the ball is overthrown and hits the fence behind the 1st or 3rd base lines but does not travel out of play, this is NOT considered out of play and the runner may advance, BUT at his/her own risk.
· On overthrows out of play, the runner is granted the base he/she is going to (at the point of the throw) plus one more base. Note: in cases where a base runner runs past first base, he/she must make a clearly aggressive turn towards second base to be granted 2nd and 3rd in overthrow situations.

14. On an infield fly (any fly ball within the infield with significant arc and deemed an “easy catch”) with less than 2 outs and runners on 1st and 2nd or 1st, 2nd and 3rd, the batter is automatically out and runners can advance (after the catch), BUT at their own risk.

15. All outfielders must remain behind the chalked and/or coned “outfield line” (if applicable - consult with your ump before your game to determine if this rule is enforced at your particular league) when a female is up to bat. In most cases the “outfield line will be determined by where the infield dirt meets the outfield grass. If the “line” is not clearly marked it us up to the umpire’s discretion if an outfielder is too close to the infield. There cannot be more than 7 players on the infield at any one time. Once contact has been made the outfielders may cross the line. If an outfielder crosses the line before contact has been made the female may be awarded first base.

16. In certain facilities a home run rule may apply. (Consult with your ump)

LEAGUE POLICIES

GAMES:

During the regular season games are to be played within time allotted (warm up time is included).


FORFEITS:

If your team forfeits a game during the season, the following rules apply:

First Offense: Loss of game and warning issued.

Second Offense: Loss of game and staff reserves the right to remove team from playoffs.

Third Offense: Removal from the league.


If you know in advance that your team is going to forfeit a game, we encourage you to email us so as to help us schedule your opponent a game.

Teams have until ten minutes past the designated start time to field a full squad (minimum numbers of players required to play according to the rules). Refer to rules regarding guy/girl batting ratio. Anything less then the minimum must be approved by the staff and opposing team.


STANDINGS:

The updated standings will be posted weekly. Rank is based on winning percentage.


Any questions regarding rules, policies, or eligibility must be addressed before the start of the game.

SBS reserves the right to schedule playoff games on days other than your regularly scheduled league day & time.

WAIVERS:

In order to participate in the league, each participant must sign the team waiver. Waivers are provided and must be completed and handed in no later than the first night of play. Players not present the first week of play will still be required to sign a waiver with our staff before participating.

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY:

Only players on the roster may play for a team. If short, teams may pick up another player from another team. If not possible, the next step is to bring in an outside player for a fee of $10/game. Outside player MUST borrow the missing team member's shirt, OR MUST purchase one from SBS at a discounted rate of $15.


SPORTSMANSHIP:

SBS is all about having fun. We hope that all participants keep that in mind when becoming involved. Although the games may become intense, you still can be competitive while maintaining good sportsmanship. With this said, any behavior deemed unacceptable by staff may result in suspension and/or ejection from a game or the league.


STAFF:

To coordinate and run the league, our staff will be available as much as possible to help the league run as smoothly as possible. If you have questions regarding schedules, policies, rule interpretations, directions to the bar, etc. please ask.


LEAGUE CANCELLATION/RAINOUT:

Leagues may be cancelled due to existing weather conditions, dangerous or unplayable field conditions, facility constraints, etc. SBS staff makes every effort to play all scheduled games, thus we will not cancel games until absolutely necessary.

If the game is canceled, SBS staff will change the website immediately. If a game is cancelled on site, SBS staff will attempt to contact those teams still scheduled to play the remainder of the league night. Depending on the time of cancellation, some teams will have to be notified on site. If we do cancel, follow next week’s schedule. The games that are canceled will be made up at the end of the season if time allows. In extreme circumstances, SBS reserves the right to run a shortened season without a refund of schedule matches on days other than our regularly scheduled league day/night.