LEAGUE PLAY RULES

Revised Fall 2005

1. USSSA rules apply unless otherwise stated.

2. Games are 7 innings or 55 minutes.  Games are considered official after 3 1/2 innings of play, with home team leading, or after 40 minutes.

3. .44 or .47 core USSSA stamped balls ONLY!  Depends on which night/league you play.

4. Official Softball bats ONLY - Not to exceed 1.20 BPF.  Bats not allowed in USSSA play are the Miken Ultra I/II.

5. If a game is tied after 7 innings or 55 minutes, the game will go into extra innings. Extra innings will be played 1 pitch with last out of the previous inning going to second base.

6. All batters will start with a 1-1 count with 1 extra foul ball after 2 strikes.

7. Courtesy runners: 1 per inning per team.

8. New rule regarding swinging bunts per USSSA interpretation is as follows:  Swinging at/hitting a ball in a manner to intentionally tap the ball slowly into fair territory will result in a dead-ball out.

9. Rosters will be due before the start of the 3rd week.  All players must be at least 18 years of age.

10: MEN:

  • 10 Players on the field; Can bat 11 (USSSA)
  • Must have 9 players to start game. 
  • Can start with 9 and go up to 10
  • 10th Player must bat in the 10th spot

11. Home-Run Rule: MEN

  • Comp. Div. 3 & 1 up. (Not to exceed 5 home-runs)
  • Int. Div. 2 & 1 up. (Not to exceed 4 home-runs)
  • Rec. Div. 1 & 1 up. (Not to exceed 3 home-runs)
  • 1 up rule cannot be used to win a ball game
  • For all home-runs hit over fence the batter MUST run all the bases.

12. COED:

  • Must have 9 players to start game (Can start with 5 men and 4 women).  Must have 1-male and 1-female Pitching or catching. Must have 1 Female in the outfield.
  • 5 men and 5 women on the field or 6 men's and 4 women on the field.
  • Can bat 6 men and 6 women
  • Can bat 6 men and 5 women or 6 women and 5 men
  • In the event of 6 men and 5 women; or 6 women and 5 men; or 5 men and 4 women: Women must be rotated in the batting order, or an out will be given.
  • Must alternate sexes in the batting order.
  • Courtesy runners: 1 per inning per gender per team.
  • Can play any position with the exception of same sex battery (pitcher/catcher).
  • There is NO coed line in USSSA.

13. Home-Run Rule: COED

  • 1 & 1 up. (Not to exceed 3 home-runs)
  • 1 up rule cannot be used to win a ball game
  • For all home-runs hit over fence the batter MUST run all the bases.

14. Run Rule:

  • 15 after 3
  • 12 after 4
  • 10 after 5
  • Flip-flop rule is in effect for all innings where a run-rule is possible

15. Home team is responsible for keeping the game book. In case of a score discrepancy, and no book is kept, the umpires score stands.

16. Females may not play in the men's league.

17. All participants must be 18 years of age or older.

18. No visible jewelry is to be worn.  Necklaces may be tucked in.

19. Blood rule is in effect at all times.

20. No canned/bottled beer or hard liquor allowed in the park at any time. Umpires and Houston Sportsplex staff have the right to eject any person or persons without warning.

21. No pets of any type except for guide dogs allowed inside the park.

22. No outside food or drink allowed.

23. Any foul language offensive to other players, spectators and especially umpires will not be tolerated. Umpires have the authority to eject any person or persons from the game and from the park.