Rules

1. A team’s roster must be filled out completely in print, and include each players’ name, address, and phone number.
2.  The completed Team Roster must be submitted by the roster deadlines May 18 and June 15.
3. The number of players listed on the roster shall not exceed 24. Only 24 players may play for a team during the course of the Regular and Playoff Seasons.
4. See “Policies – Roster and Roster Additions.” 

1. No new inning will begin after 75 minutes from the scheduled start time of the game.
   1. The Umpire will note the official start time of each game on the Scorecard.
   2. TIME EXCEPTION: During the Weekday and Weekend Playoff Tournament games, the time limit will not be in effect.
2. Game time is forfeit time.
   1. A team must be at the scheduled playing site ready to play at the scheduled starting time.
   2. Should a team not be present at the scheduled playing site and at the scheduled play time, that team will forfeit the game.
   3. EXCEPTION: A team may waive the right to forfeit and wait for the opposing team to arrive, for up to ten minutes.
   4. See “Policies – Forfeits”  
   5. The 75 minute rule will begin at the official start time of the game. 

1. Fields 4 & 5: A ball hitting the fence that runs between the two fields will be considered “live” and in play.
2. A ball going into the “dugout/team bench” area (the area lined around the team bench area) or hitting a player and/or equipment in the team bench area will be considered a dead ball immediately and the overthrow rule will be in effect.
3. Players may stand on the home-run fence when attempting to catch a ball. As long as the defensive player has not stepped outside the playing area (other side of the fence) the catch is good. If they player catches the ball before he/she touches the ground outside the playing area the catch is legal, but if he/she catches the ball after he/she touches the ground outside the playing area, it is not a catch.
4. The home team will occupy the third base bench area, and the away team will occupy the first base bench area. 

1. An official team consists of ten players.
2. Nine players are required to start and continue a game.
   1. A team that starts a game with nine players may add a tenth player at any time; however, the player must be added to the end of the batting order.
   2. If a team only has nine players to start a game, an out will not be assessed for the “missing” player.
   3. If at any time during the game a player is removed from the game, and not replaced, an out will be assessed each time that player should have batted.
   4. If, for any reason, a team goes below the nine required players, the game will be ended and a forfeit will be called.
   5. See “Co-Rec Modifications” for regulations pertaining to Co-Rec play.
   6. Any substitutions made after the start of the game must follow ASA Rules. 

1. Team uniforms are optional.
2. Metal spikes/cleats are not allowed. If a player continues to wear metal cleats after being warned not to by the umpire, the player shall be ejected.
3. Only ASA approved bats will be allowed. The ASA Non-Approved Bat List shall be used to determine if a make/model of bat is illegal. Players must challenge the use of an illegal bat with the Umpire on their game. Bats also must be free of burrs, dents, and visible cracks, per ASA rules.
4. Players are not allowed to wear jewelry while participating in a game. Jewelry must be removed prior to participating. Jewelry includes but is not limited to: watches, rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces.
5. Game balls and catcher’s masks will be provided by the Department of Recreational Sports.
   1. Michigan Classics will exhaust its supply of softballs. The 2011 ASA specifications will be used when ordering new balls. 
   2. The Co-Recreational Thursday “Ski Club” league shall alternate men’s ball (12”) and women’s ball (11”) based on the gender of the batter.
   3. All other Co-Recreational leagues shall play with the 12” ball for all batters. 

1. Any number (up to 24) of players may be included in a team’s batting order.
2. When a player bats it establishes their position in the line-up for the entire game.
3. The batter shall enter the box with a 0-0 count.
4. If, for any reason, a player must leave the batting line-up, the substitute must be a person who has not yet batted. If no qualified substitute is available, an out shall be declared each time the vacated position in the batting order comes up.
5. A player may leave and return to the line-up only once, provided that the player returns to the same spot in the batting order.
6. Players arriving after the start of the game are to be added to the end of the batting order.

Homeruns 

1. ​There will be no limitations on the number of over-the-fence home runs.
2. On any fair batted ball hit over the fence for a home run or on a four base award, the batter and all runners are credited with a run. The batter and any runners on base are not required to run the bases.

Bat-Around Option 

1. ​The Umpire must be notified prior to the game starting, that the Bat-Around Option is to be used.
2. Each eligible player, on the team choosing to use the option, will be in the batting order.
3. Players arriving after the start of the game are to be added to the end of the batting order.
4. Only ten players may play while on defense. Players may be substituted freely; however, only ten players may be on the field.
5. NOTE: Refer to Co-Rec Rules Modifications for Bat-Around Option requirements during Co-Rec play.
6. See “Co-Rec Modifications” for Co-Rec play. 

1. Tie Games
   1. Regular Season games – at the completion of the 75 minute time limit, tie games will be considered and recorded as “ties” for both teams.
   2. Weekday & Weekend Tournament games – because the 75 minute time limit is not in effect, additional innings shall be played to determine a winning team.
2.  Mercy / Run Ahead Rule
   1. 20 runs after three innings;
   2. 15 runs after four innings; and
   3. 10 after five innings.
3. The Home team shall keep the official score.
   1. The Home team will be the first team listed on the schedule unless otherwise noted.
   2. During the Weekday Tournaments, the Home team shall be determined by league standings.
   3. During the Weekend Tournament, the Home team shall be determined by a coin toss. 

1. One player may utilize a courtesy runner per inning.
   1. The courtesy runner may enter the game after the batter/runner or runner reaches base safely and time is called by the umpire.
   2. The courtesy runner must be the player in the batting order who is the furthest from batting who is not on base when the courtesy runner is used.
   3. See “Co-Rec Modifications” for Co-Rec play.
2. If any other player is not able to run/bat, normal substitution rules will be followed. 

1. Playing Line-up
   1. Co-Rec teams ordinarily consist of five men and five women.
      1. Four men and four women are required to start and continue a game.
      2. If a team starts with eight players, ninth and tenth players may be added only at the end of the batting order.
   2. The following are the only legal combinations of males/females: 
   • 4 Males & 4 Females
   • 4 Males & 5 Females
   • 4 Males & 6 Females
   • 5 Males & 6 Females
     • Playing Requirement:  OUT in-between #5 and Male #1 batters
   • 5 Males & 5 Females
   • 5 Males & 6 Females
   • 5 Males & 7 Females
     • Must maintain 5 Males and 5 Females
   • 6 Males & 5 Females
     • OUT in-between Male #6 and Male #1 batters 
   • 6 Males & 6 Females
   • 6 Males & 7 Females
   • 6 Males & 8 Females
     • Must maintain 5 males and 5 females when fielding
   • 7 Males & 8 Females
     • OUT in-between Male #7 and Male #1 batters  
   • 7 Males & 7 Females
   • Please note:  This pattern shall continue up to 12 males and 12 females.
   3. If a player is removed and not replaced, for any reason at any time, an OUT will be assessed each time that payer should have batted.
   4. If for any reason a team goes below the eight required players, the game will be ended and a forfeit will be called.