2023 co-ed softball tournament rules

Please note: Rules may be changed on amount of teams and/or weather conditions

Team Requirements

• Team members must be 18 years of age or older (2023 and prior graduates are eligible)
• 10 players must play in the field.
• The maximum number of men in the field is 6. Teams can be the following
  • 6 men and 4 women
  • 5 men and 5 women
• The 10 defensive players can be in any position defensively but at least 4 players must be behind the 150’ line.
• All team members need to have a waiver filled out prior to playing.
  • DOWNLOAD A WAIVER HERE
  • Once your waiver is turned in at the registration tent, you will receive a wristband that needs to be on in order to play for both days. If you need a new wristband for day two, please go to the registration tent to get one.
• All teams need to be ready to play 30 minutes prior to game time.

Batting

• Batter will start with a 2 and 2 count
• Batting line-ups can be 10, 11, or 12 players
• The maximum number of men in the batting order is 6
• The minimum number of women in the batting order is 4
• Batting orders can never have 3 men bat in a row. (This includes when the line-up turns over from the last batter to the first)
• Designated Hitter (DH)
  • We are going to allow a DH for a player in the field. The DH will not have to play in the field. In essence, 2 players are acting as 1. Must be a male player for male player and a female player for female player.  Player A is the hitting half and player B is the fielding half. These 2 players cannot both be in the field together, nor can the “fielder” bat for a different person in the line-up. They can switch between themselves (hitter can become fielder and vice versa).
• A male batter receiving a base on balls is awarded first base. If a male is batting behind him play resumes as normal. If the next batter is a female, she may choose to also take a base on balls thus advancing the runners.

Scores

• Each team will be responsible for maintaining a scorebook
• Final scores are to be reported to Mike Makowiec or committee member (T-shirts).

Game Rules

• If a player is injured, it must be reported to a committee member (special shirts) or tent where T-shirts are being sold.
• 12” softball will be used
• Plate and mat are both a strike
• '6 to 12' arc for pitching
• "Mercy run rule" 20 after 3 innings, 15 after 4 innings, 10 after 5 innings. Home team does not have to bat after 5 innings for the mercy rule to be in effect. (example: In the 6th and 7th inning if the visitor team goes ahead by 10 runs the game is over. The home team will not have an opportunity to bat.) Mercy rule stays in effect for all games, even championship.
• If a courtesy runner is needed, the person who made the last out on the team may pinch run once the batter has reached the base. Man for Man, Women for Woman. If a courtesy runner is stuck on base and his turn to bat comes up, he will continue as the runner and his at bat will be declared an out – strikeout in the scorebook. (Courtesy runners are at the player’s discretion—example: Player A asks for a runner in the 1^st Player A gets on base again in the 3^rd inning and decides to run for himself. This is legal. He then gets on base again in the 6^th inning and asks for a runner. This is still legal.)
• No Stealing.
• No leading off. Runners must wait until the ball is hit.
• Scoring rule---Runners must cross the scoring line instead of touching home plate for their run to count. All plays at the plate will be a force out with the defensive player needing to have possession of the ball while touching home plate. If the defensive player tries to tag the runner instead of touching the plate, the runner will be safe.
  • This rule is a safety rule that is designed to avoid collisions at home plate. It is not designed to punish a team on a technicality for inadvertently touching home plate or the mat when scoring a run when there is no play on the runner. If there is a play at home plate the rule will be enforced as stated. However, if there is no play at home plate and the player touches the plate or the mat instead of crossing the line, their team will receive a warning. Further violations will result in the run not counting---they will not be charged with an out.
• There will be a commit line between third and home. Once a runner crosses this line they have committed to go home (no going back to third) and the force out/scoring line comes into play.
• Each team will need to keep score. Any discrepancies need to be addressed to the home plate umpire. Each team captain and the umpire needs to sign the scorebook. Scorebooks will be provided.
• A batter is allowed 1 foul ball. A second foul ball will result in the batter being called out.
• 150’ line---players must stay behind this line until the ball is hit. If a team violates this rule the batter has the option to accept the outcome of the play or he/she may choose a do-over.
• No metal cleats
• All bats must be ASA approved for the 2023 season.  Any illegal bat used will result in an out and the batter will be ejected.  A second incident will result in ejection from the tournament.  (We know shaved bats and rolled bats are out there.  We are asking, for sake of safety, that you leave them home so you aren't tempted to use them.  We have considered providing bats that players have to use.  We would prefer not to have to do this.)
• Each team will be allowed to hit 1 homerun (over the fence) per inning. Any additional balls traveling over the fence will count as outs with no runner advancement.
• All other rules will follow the 2023 ASA Men’s slow pitch rulebook.
• Any rules not covered or protests will be handled by the tournament director

Other Rules

• Elkland Ballpark rules will be enforced. $3.00 entry fee per day (players, seniors 62 and over, Children under 12, and military are free)
• The Ballpark has a 2 day beer license for the tournament so no outside alcohol is allowed in the park.
• Behavior: No profanity. Continuous arguing with umpire or physical contact with umpire or any other player will result in ejection from game. Any second incident will result in ejection from the tournament.
• Substitution of a BAM Committee member is at the discretion of the committee.
• This year’s ball will again be a 12” clincher

Payouts

Based on a 10-team double elimination tournament with a consolation bracket for the first 4 teams with 2 losses

• 1^st place – tee shirts, and $500
• 2^nd place – $400
• 3^rd Place – $300 each
• 4^th place – $200
• Consolation bracket winner - $100