Rules of Play

We are a senior slow–pitch softball league. Teams consist of 11 fielders and an unlimited number of batters. The length of the game is 7 innings. Up to 2 innings may be played if there is a tie at the end of 7 innings. We have rules that limit the number of runs that a team can score. There are special rules that are designed for safety and to accommodate players who, for injuries or other reasons have limited mobility, such as:

The runner must avoid making contact with a fielder (the runner does not have to touch the base in order to be called safe).

The runner must not slide or dive into a base. Because of this, the runner is allowed to overrun the base (as at first base).

There is a scoring plate that is placed 8 feet from home plate. The runner must use the scoring plate; the fielder must use home plate.

The fielder may touch the base in order to put the runner out (even when the runner is not forced to run).

Any base runner may be replaced by another player. The substitution may be made at the beginning of the at–bat or at any base, during a dead ball.

We use a protective screen for the pitcher.

A team that cannot field 11 players, but has at least 9, may borrow up to 2 players from other league rosters in order to field 11 players.