Rules & General Guidelines

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Basics

1. All games have a 75-minute time limit or 7 innings.
2. If after five innings, a team is ahead by 15 or more runs, the game ill end once the home team has batted, unless the home team is the team that is ahead. If at any time after 5 innings the score differential becomes 15, the game is concluded immediately.
3. There is a 10-minute grace period after the game start time for a team to field a full team.
4. There is a ten-minute rest period in between all games except for forfeited games, subject to the umpire’s discretion.
5. A team must have at least nine players in order to take the field. Ten players are allowed with four outfielders. If a team starts with nine players, a tenth player may be added as long as the team has not completed its batting order for the first time. If a team starts with ten players, but loses one and must complete play with nine players, an automatic out will occur each time that batter would have been up.
6. Two extra batters are allowed for each team.
7. During regular season, in the D Division, each eligible playing member of a team must play a minimum of two innings per game during a double header and at least one time at bat. Ineligible players that are present must be reported to the umpire prior to the start of a game.
8. The In/Out rule (substitutions): any starting player can exit and re-enter during the same game as long as he/she assumes his/her original place in the batting order.
9. Both teams are required to keep score. The home team’s score will be the official score.
10. Only the manager or the coach represents the team in all discussions with officials and the opposing team.
11. The distance between all bases is 65 feet. The distance between the tip of home plate and the pitcher’s mound is 50 feet.
12. All pitches must have an arc of 6 to 12 feet from the point of release.
13. The Blood Rule: any visible sign of blood must be covered. If there is blood on a player’s jersey, he/she must change it. He/she will also be allowed to wear another player’s jersey or a jersey of the same color.
14. With approval from the opposing team’s manager or coach, courtesy runners may be used for an injured player. The player must be the person who made the last out unless following some other ASA rule.
15. Verbal abuse or swearing at the umpire or opposing players are grounds for ejection from the game.
16. Alcohol and recreational drugs are not allowed at the fields or in the stands.

Batting and Base Running

1. The batter must remain in the batter’s box until the ball passes the plate or is hit.
2. A batter will be called out if he or she steps on home plate while hitting the ball.
3. The throwing of a bat can be grounds for ejection from a game.
4. A foul ball on the third strike is an out.
5. A double bag will be used at first base (one white and one orange). The runner must tage the bag in the foul territory (the orange base) if a play is being made on him or her. If the runner is going for more than one base, he or she can tag either base. Once on first, the runner must be in contact with the bag in fair territory. If a runner runs past first base, he/she may return to either the orange or white base at first base.
6. With the exception of first base, the SCSL uses the “sliding bases” rule.
7. A base runner is allowed to overrun first base only but must turn right, off the playing field into foul territory. If the runner turns left, into fair territory, the umpire may call him or her “in play”, and he or she can be tagged out.
8. Runners cannot overrun second or third base.
9. On a foul or fly ball, a runner may “tag up” after the ball is touched.
10. The infield fly rule applies.
11. The batted ball will be considered in fair play until the umpire calls it foul.
12. Unless a fielder is in the process of going for the ball or making a play, the base runner has the right of way. If the fielder is making a play, the runner must not interfere with the fielder.
13. If there is going to be a close play at home plate, it is recommended, but not required, for a runner to slide into home. If a collision occurs at home plate, the umpire will decide if the base runner should have slid according to the ASA Collision rule in the ASA handbook. Sliding at second and third bases is recommended to prevent injuries if a play is being made on those running to these bases. If a runner causes interference with a play by not sliding, the umpire will call it and the runner will be out.
14. After 7 innings and the game is tied, International rules will be utilized, in accordance with ASA rules. It will continue to be utilized until a winner is determined or the time limit has been reached.