PSSSNL Rules of Play

Rules of Play for the Palm Springs Senior Softball National League
(Revised: October 2022)

The PSSSNL is, first and foremost, a recreational league. The following rules supplement the Senior Softball-USA (SSUSA) National Guidelines and serve to address situations unique to our area and may be adjusted, as needed and by majority approval of the Board, in the interest of fair-play and sportsmanship.

#1 Game Format

Regular season games will start with a 0-0 count and are 7 innings long. If a game is tied after 7 complete innings, the game will be recorded as a tie.

For Winter League: There will be a time limit of 65 minutes, after which the next new inning will be the final “open inning.”

For Summer League: There will be a time limit of 60 minutes, after which the next new inning will be the final “open inning” with a maximum of 6 innings. If a game is tied after 6 complete innings, the game will be recorded as a tie.

Dugout Rule: The team listed last on the league regular season schedule will be the home team and will use the 3rd base dugout.

There is no limit to the total number of runs scored in a game. There is a five (5) runs maximum per inning for each team, except for the final “open inning”.

Mercy Rule: A game will end after the completion of the 5th inning with the visiting team winning by 20 or more runs or if the home team takes a 20-run lead during the 5th inning. A game will end after the completion of the 6th inning with the visiting team winning by 15 or more runs or if the home team takes a 15-run lead during the 6th inning. ~~(11/5/2018)~~

Flip Flop Rule: This rule may be enacted at the discretion of the umpire. If, after the completion of the 6th inning if either team is ahead by 10 or more runs, then they will remain on defense and become the “home team” for the remainder of the game (even if the game goes into the one extra inning). The original home team bats as the visiting team in the top of the 7th. Note: In rare occasions, this rule may result in the home team having “two innings” (I.e. 6 outs) should the visiting team pull ahead.

The pitching distance will be from 50 feet to 56 feet. The pitcher has the option to pitch from anywhere within that range, at any time.

PITCHING SCREEN: The pitching screen may be moved between the outside edges of the pitching rubber. One leg of the pitching screen must remain within the outside edges of the pitching rubber. The pitching screen can be placed no further than five (5) feet in front of the pitching rubber at the front of the “pitchers box.”The pitcher is allowed to pitch from behind the pitching screen.

Upon release of the ball, the pitcher must step completely behind the pitching screen and remain there until the pitched ball is struck by the batter, before becoming a fielder. If the pitcher fails to move completely behind the pitching screen and contacts a batted ball, a “Dead ball!” will be called, the batter awarded a single, and all runners be advanced one base (even if not forced).

League standings on the website are based on a point system: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie and 0 points for a loss.

#2 Rosters

All teams will have a minimum of 9 players.

Team lineups should be handed to the scorekeeper 10 minutes before the scheduled start time. Lineups must include : 1) team name; 2) first and last name of each player; 3) date and time of the game; 4) home or visitor. Summer league games may not have a scorekeeper.

Any manager can execute the trade of players from one team to another if the second manager and all the players involved are agreeable. The trade must be submitted to the Draft Officer and approved by the Board.

Once teams are formed, a player assigned to a team cannot have his/her Line Number changed.

Any manager may send a request to the Draft Officer (using the proper form available on the league web page) to “roster” a player from the Sub List. The players involved must agree to the change and the player being added to the roster must be added to a Line Number equal to or higher than their Sub List Line Number (e.g., a player rated a Line 5 on the Sub List can replaced a rostered player at any Line from 5 up to 1).

#3 Substitutions

Line-for-Line Subbing: Subs must be from the same line (or lower) than the player they are replacing (e.g., a Line 3 can only sub for a Line 3, 2 or 1). The bottom two Lines are interchangeable for subbing. In a 10-player roster season, Lines 9 & 10 are treated equally for subbing. Additionally, all pitchers are allowed to sub for another.

A player’s drafted Line Number can be reevaluated, as necessary, for subbing purposed only by the Board Members (e.g., a player drafted as a Line 5 remains a Line 5 for his team, but could be moved up or down Line(s) for subbing purposes only, as determined by the Board).

A split-line player (i.e., one sharing a Line Number on a team) cannot be a Sub against his or her own rostered team.
1. Both split-line players can play in the same game for their team, provided one of them is replacing a missing player that is rated at least one Line higher.
1. Managers cannot agree to change existing Sub Rules.

Substitution Limitation: Any player, rostered or Sub List, can only play in a maximum of two

(2) games on any scheduled game date. For a rostered player, that means their own team’s game and one subbing game; or, a double-header for their own team.

Subbing Protocol: A manager can “lock up” a Sub for long term during the regular season. It is up to the Sub to not agree to play for two managers in the same game and to limit their play to only two (2) games on any one game date.

If a player arrives late for the game and a Sub is playing in his/her place, the late player must sit out the first three (3) full innings of the game UNLESS the opposing manager agrees to let the original player enter earlier and the Sub agrees to be removed.

Short Player Rule: All missing players are to be replaced using the Substitution Rules above. A manager can elect to have the other team supply a catcher, but an out will be declared every time the last spot in the order is due to bat. If/when a qualified Sub becomes available, he/she may enter the game immediately and be placed in the last spot in the batting order.

Wrong Line Player Rule: If correct Line players are not available, a “wrong Line player” may play catcher, first base or pitcher. The “wrong Line player” will not be allowed to bat or be a courtesy runner and the team will take an out every time the last spot in the order is scheduled to bat. If/when a qualified Sub becomes available, he/she may enter the game immediately and be placed in the last spot in the batting order.

Anyone registered to play in the American League who is rated at Line 5 and BELOW in the concurrent American League season will be permitted to play and substitute in our National League after evaluation and upon approval by our National League Rating Committee.

INJURY: a team will not be assessed an automatic out for any player who has to be removed from the lineup due to injury sustained during the game in progress. That player (or a legal Sub) may re-enter (enter) the game at any time thereafter.

If a legal Sub is present at the field, the umpire will allow a reasonable delay in resuming the game to allow the Sub to properly warm up and enter the game to replace the injured player.

#4 Courtesy Runners

Unlimited courtesy runners are permitted, but a runner can only courtesy run once per inning. The original runner must touch the base before leaving the field of play, as the courtesy runner enters.

A courtesy runner may not run for an existing courtesy runner.

A runner who is being replaced with a courtesy runner may not then be used as a courtesy runner for the remainder of the inning.

Note: A violation to any of A, B, or C above is an automatic out on appeal.

All courtesy runners are to announce their entrance into the game to the umpire.

#5 Base Running

The objective of the league is to avoid injury to all players. If any contact or collision between a runner and fielder occurs, the offending player may be called out and/or ejected at the discretion of the umpire.

There is no “Run-By Rule.” Runners may slide into a base, except at home plate where tagging is not permitted between the Commitment Line and the alternate home plate (see 1. below).

The Commitment Line and second home plate will still be used as per the SSUSA Rule Book, where all plays at home plate are force plays, with no tag outs allowed between the Commitment Line and the alternate home plate.

Runners are responsible for avoiding ALL contact or collisions, but runners must be given an open path to a ~~run-by the~~ base by any defensive fielder not holding the ball, otherwise the umpire will call obstruction.

When a defensive player has legal possession of a base (by having his/her foot in contact with it) and a play is being made at the base, it shall be the runner’s obligation to avoid touching the defensive player. Whether or not the runner intended to touch the defensive player is not relevant. The amount of contact made is also not relevant. Such runner will be declared out and no advancement of other runners will be allowed (unless forced by the batter-runner reaching the base). It such runner has already been declared out despite having made subsequent contact, the preceding runner shall also be declared out and no other runners may advance.

A base runner may change directions as often as desired, however if there is a play or an attempt to put the runner out, the runner may change direction only once.

Safety Lead: A runner may opt to move to foul ground a distance off 1st or 3rd base for safety reasons. The runner must retouch the base before advancing on a fair batted ball. The runner must get the umpire’s attention before moving to foul ground.

#6 Homeruns Over-The-Fence – “Two-Up Rule”

A team may not hit more than two (2) over-the-fence homeruns than the opposing team. Any homerun over-the-fence that puts a team three or more over-the-fence homeruns ahead of the opposing team is treated as an “Out!” The player who hit such a homerun would be not be given credit for a homerun in the league statistics, but an “at bat” (due to the “Out!”) will be recorded in the player’s stats. (Example: both teams have hit two over-the-fence homeruns. Team A may hit their 3rd and 4th homeruns over-the-fence to go “two up.” Team B could then hit four homeruns over-the-fence to go “two up” (6-4) on Team A … and so on.) (3/17/2020 – To go into effect for the 2020- 21 Winter League and beyond)

“Hit & Sit Rule:” On an over-the-fence homerun, the batter and all runners are not obligated to advance to any base. All runs count immediately.

#7 Intentional Walks

A. Each player may be either intentionally walked or walked with 4 straight balls (and no strikes) only once per game. If this occurs again in subsequent at bats, each time the batter will be awarded second base. All runners who are “forced” will advance as well. (e.g. The batter must see 8 balls with no strikes in 2 at bats for this rule to go into effect. If just one strike is called, the rule is no longer applicable). The scorekeeper must designate each at bat with “IW” when this occurs for tracking purposes.

#8 Rovers and Outfielders

All outfielders must start play on the grass prior to the pitch to any batter and are not permitted to throw out the batter-runner at firstbase, unless the batter-runner round first toward second.

If a batted ball touches the grass, whether directly or deflected by an infielder, the batter-runner cannot be thrown out at firstbase (and this includes the tail end of a doubleplay or tripleplay), unless the batter-runner rounds first toward second. Once the batted ball touches the grass, the batter will be credited with a single, even if a runner is forced out at another base, as all other bases are still in play. (3/17/2020)

#9 Field Set-Up

A line will be drawn from the intersection of the commitment line and the 3rd base foul line to the alternate home plate. All runners are to avoid running into the resulting triangle (i.e., to the left of that line) or they risk being called out by the umpire on a play at home.

A field designation will be made in an arc 160 feet from home plate from the left field foul line to the right field foul line. Any batted or thrown ball that strikes a 160-foot marker cone will be live and in play. All four outfielders must remain behind this arc line until the ball is hit by the batter. All infielders must start on the infield dirt. In an 11-roster season, the rover can be anywhere. A violation of this positioning will result in the batter and all runners being awarded one base, unless each has advanced one base, in which case the play proceeds without reference to the violation.
- Exception: the cones can be ignored when “5 is on 3 and less than 2 out” or when the “potential winning run is on 3rd in the bottom of the 7th or in the bottom of any extra inning.” All four outfielders must remain on the grass until the ball has been batted.

#10 Sportsmanship

The guiding principles for PSSSNL member conduct are to enjoy the game while playing safely and showing respect for the rules, umpires, teammates, opponents, spectators, property and equipment. All members are expected to adhere to the following specific provisions:

Judgment calls by the umpire should not be argued.
1. In the event of the interpretation of a rule by an umpire, only the manager should approach the umpire and limit his remarks to the specific rule in question.
1. Any of the following actions are contrary to the spirit and intent of these rules and are grounds for ejection from the game by the umpire:

Use of profane, abusive, argumentative or threatening language.
1. Laying hands on or striking an umpire, player or spectator.
1. Consuming alcohol or being intoxicated on the field.
1. Reckless play or conduct resulting in body contact that exposes others to possible injury.
1. Smoking on the field or the players bench.
1. Delaying a game with stalling tactics.
1. Umpire shall warn one or both of the managers to have the player or players stop the

unwarranted and unwanted verbal communication.

If the offending player continues to“chirp away”verbally after being told to stop, the umpire may eject the player for the balance of the game.
- If the player is ejected, that player can be replaced by a player on the same line or lower (e.g., a Line 2 can replace a Line 1; a Line 3 can replace a Line 1; etc.) and he/she will be suspended from 1 to 4 games depending on the severity of their actions as voted by the Board. The player who was ejected may not remain on the field (dugout included) during the day(s) of his/her suspension. Any team that allows a suspended player into the dugout will forfeit that game. Repeat offenders will be removed from league play for the season.

#11 Blood Rule

A player who is bleeding excessively shall be prohibited by the umpire from participating further in the game until appropriate treatment can be administered.

#14 End-Of-Season Playoffs

One League Champion will be determined at the conclusion of each season via season playoffs, to be structured by the Board of Directors based on the number of teams.

Teams will be seeded by their regular season record, from best record (being the top seed) to worst record (being the bottom seed). For seasons containing an odd number of teams, the team finishing regular season play with the best record will automatically receive a “BYE” in the first round of the season playoffs.

In the event of regular season ties (in standings points) for any of the seeds in A or B above, the following tie-breakers will be used for the tied teams:

Head-to-head record among the tied teams (the better getting the higher seed).
1. Runs allowed (the fewer runs allowed getting the higher seed).
1. Run differential (the larger run differential getting the higher seed).
1. Total runs scored (the greater runs scored getting the higher seed).

V. President coin flip!

Subbing for Playoffs: Up to one week before the start of season playoffs, the lower position (in standings) manager has priority on any Sub. The manager must inform any affected manager that he/she has taken his/her Sub on or before 6 PM the Wednesday before the Tournament’s opening games (even if that Sub had played for the affected team much of the regular season). All other player substitution rules apply.

In addition to using the International Tie Breaker (as in Rule §1.A above), all games in the Tournament will be played to completion (i.e., no time limit and no ties), with each extra inning being an “open inning.”

SSUSA Rules of Emphasis for PSSSNL

Illegal Pitch: A delivered pitch that does not have a 6 to 12 foot arc will be declared “Illegal.” A “Ball” will be awarded to the batter, unless the batter swings at it, in which case the play will stand. (There is no option for the batter if he/she swings at an illegal pitch.)

Runner Leaving Early: A runner will be called “Out!” for leaving his/her base before the pitched ball reaches home plate or before the pitched ball touches the ground before reaching home plate, or is batted. No pitch shall be declared, the ball is dead, and all subsequent action on that pitch is nullified. In other words, a runner will *not* be declared out if the pitched ball hits the ground (always a dead ball in slow pitch) or hits the mat for a “Strike” (even if the batter swings and misses).

Infield Fly: When runners are on 1st & 2nd or bases loaded and less than 2 out. When the ball reaches its peak and any infielder can catch the ball with “ordinary effort”, the umpire is to call “Infield Fly, batter is out” (and add, “If fair” if near the foul line). “Any infielder” includes the pitcher and catcher, as well as any outfielder that has come into the infield where an infielder could have caught the ball. This “Infield Fly” rule is to *protect* the offense from an easy double play, not to give the defense an easy out. It can be called (corrected) even after the ball hits the ground (technically up until the next pitch to the next batter!).

Appeals (MABL) made by the offended team (live action or dead ball) include:

Missed base by a runner(s) or wrong part of double first base on a play
1. Attempting to run to 2nd after overrunning 1st base
1. Batting out of order
1. Leaving base too soon on a caught fly ball or pop up

Double First Base: If there is a play at 1st the batter-runner must use the orange portion or else he is out on appeal (to umpire before runner returns to 1st), while the defensive player must use just the white portion to record an out. On a hit or when there is no play to 1st base, the batter- runner can use either the white or orange base. (If a throw to first is coming from foul ground, then the fielder and runner are encouraged to switch bases.)

Home Plate Mat: If a runner touches the home plate mat instead of the alternate home plate, then that runner is to be declared “Out!” and the ball remains alive.

Commitment Line: If a runner passes or touches the commitment line, then that runner *must* go to the alternate home plate. If the runner heads back toward 3rd, then the runner is declared “Out!” and the ball remains alive. A runner cannot be tagged “Out” between the commitment line and the alternate home plate. It is always a force play for the defense at home plate.

Overthrow to dead ball territory: Runner(s) are always awarded two bases from where they were at the time of the throw (based on the position of the lead runner).

Obstruction: This is when the defensive player, without the ball, impedes the runner in his base path The umpire is to call “Obstruction” (stick out left arm parallel to the ground) and award the runner any base or bases he/she would have had had there been no obstruction. The runner is *not* protected beyond the “protected” base caused by the obstruction. If there is play on an obstructed runner, then the umpire is to immediately call “Dead Ball” and award the proper base(s).

Interference: This is when the offense interferes with the defensive player’s ability to field a ball or make a play. The umpire is to immediately call “Dead Ball! Interference!” when interference occurs. If the interference is caused by a retired runner, then the runner closest to home is also declared out!

Coaches Interference: If any base coach aides any runner by touching him or runs down the baseline in order to confuse the defense, that runner is to be declared “Out” and the ball remains alive.

Runner Aided: A runner can only be aided (or touched) by another runner during a live ball with no penalty, as long as the trailing runner does not pass the preceding runner (just an arm or leg in front is not considered passing). Any runner passing another runner is to be declared “Out” and the ball remains alive.

Runner hit by batted ball: If a runner is hit with a batted ball while in contact with a base, that runner is *not* out. The ball is dead if the fielders are behind the runner (most likely in slow pitch), award the batter a single, and move any forced runners one base, otherwise the ball remains alive. If a runner is hit by a batted ball while off the base, the runner is “Out!” if there is a fielder behind the runner or if any other fielder could have made a play on the ball, otherwise the ball remains alive.

Legal Catch: A catch is a legally caught ball, which occurs when the fielder catches a batted, pitched or thrown ball with the hand(s) or glove.

In establishing a valid catch, the fielder shall hold the ball long enough to prove complete control of it and/or that the release of the ball is voluntary and intentional. If a player drops the ball after reaching into the glove to remove it or while in the act of throwing, it is a valid catch.
1. If the ball is merely held in the fielder’s arm(s) or prevented from dropping to the ground by some part of the fielder’s body, equipment or clothing, the catch is not completed until the ball is in the grasp of the fielder’s hand(s) or glove.

Rules of Play for the Palm Springs Senior Softball National League (Revised: October 2022)