2009 ODC SOFTBALL -- PIXIE RULES

The current ODC Softball Playing Rules with exceptions noted herein will govern all league play. 
 

1. PLAYING FIELD

 
 

1. The distance between the pitcher’s rubber and home plate shall be thirty-five feet.  Distance between bases shall be sixty (60) feet.

 
 

2. The pitcher’s circle shall be an eight (8) foot radius circle with the pitcher’s rubber squarely in the center.

 
 

3. Chalking requirements: Foul line, pitcher’s circle, batter’s box, and half-way marks between first base and second base, second base and third base, and between third base and home plate. Home team is required to chalk the field.  Visiting team is required to rake the field after the game.

 
 

4. Pixie will use an eleven- (11) inch RIF softball, or other comparable brand, for play.

2. PLAYING RULES

 
 

1. A fully played game in Pixie shall be five (5) innings or one (1) hour and fifteen (15) minutes.  Three (3) outs or five (5) runs scored constitutes an inning.  Play shall continue after the fifth run scores until the pitcher stops play. Only five (5) runs will score.

 
 

2. Three (3) innings constitutes a regulation game.

 
 

3. When a game is called in the middle of an inning, after the third inning, due to inclement weather or any other unforeseen circumstances, the score for the game will be that of the last completed inning of play.  If in the event of a tie game at the end of one (1) hour and fifteen (15) minutes, another inning will be allowed to break the tie.  No new inning shall be started after one (1) hour and fifteen (15) minutes unless tied, but an inning started within that time shall be completed.

 
 

4. Each team using a coach pitcher must designate their coach pitcher and one substitute to the home plate umpire prior to the game.  The coach pitcher may only be substituted at the completion of an at bat.  The designated coach pitcher will pitch only to their team and must be a member of the coaching staff.

 
 

5. Play is initiated by the coach pitching the ball to the catcher.  The batter, will be allowed up to five (5) pitches or three (3) swinging strikes to hit a fair ball.  Should a batter fail to hit a fair ball at the end of five (5) pitches, the batter will be called out.  Should the batter foul off the fifth (5^th) pitch, she will be allowed a sixth (6^th) pitch.  In the event the batter fouls off the sixth (6^th) pitch, she will then be given a seventh (7^th) pitch.  If after the seventh (7^th) pitch the batter has still failed to hit a fair ball, the batter will be called out.

 
 

6. Coach pitcher must pitch with both feet inside the pitching circle at the time of release.  The coach who pitches cannot and must not coach any players other than the player at bat.  Once the batter makes contact with the ball, the base coaches take over.

 
 

 
 

7. Play is stopped when the ball is returned to the pitcher with both feet in the pitcher’s circle.  All base runners who have advanced at least half-way to the next base are entitled to advance to that base, otherwise, the base runner must retum to the last legally-touched base unless forced to advance.  It will be the umpire’s judgment as to whether the pitcher is returning to the pitchers’ circle to stop play, or merely passing through the circle while making a play.

 
 

8. The coach pitcher must try to avoid interfering with the play after the ball has been hit by moving to the foul ball territory away from the play.  If in the judgment of the umpire, the coach pitcher intentionally interferes with the play:

 
 

1. The ball is declared dead.
2. The batter is awarded first base.
3. All other base runners will advance one base, only if forced by the award of first base to

the batter.

4. The batting team will be given an out.
5. No team will be allowed to score because of coach pitchers intentional interference,

should a run be forced home, then that runner will be the one mentioned in rule

Sec. E, #4 above. 
 

If the batted ball strikes the coach pitcher, and in the judgment of the umpire to be unintentional interference: 
 

1. The ball is declared dead.
2. The batter is awarded first base.
3. All other base runners will advance one base, only if forced by the award of first base to the batter.
4. No out will be given.
5. Batting team will be allowed to score if forced.

 
 

9. Once the batter hits a fair ball, and until the ball is declared dead, normal Softball rules apply.

 
 

10. If a batted ball is hit directly to the pitcher in the pitcher’s circle, it may be relayed for additional outs, if in the judgment of the umpire, the pitcher does not hold the ball to stop play.

 
 

11. All base runners must be on the base until the ball has been released from the pitcher's hand.  PENALTY:  Out and the No-Pitch rule applies.

 
 

12. Overthrow Rule:  An overthrow is defined as any ball, which in the opinion of the umpire, is not catchable by the first baseman.   On the first play after the ball is hit, the batter/base runner shall be allowed second base only, provided she makes it.  The ball being in fair or foul territory shall not affect the rule. Another play made on the runner at second base or on any other base runner shall release the runner from this rule.

 
 

13. Player-pitcher shall have at least one foot in the pitcher’s circle directly behind the pitching rubber when the batter bats.

 
 

14. Until the ball is hit, all infielders, other than the catcher, must remain behind an imaginary line thirty five feet (30) from home and first, and home and third, through the center of the pitcher’s circle.  EFFECT OF RULE:  Illegal pitch and runner(s) take next base.

 
 

 
 

15. The defensive player/pitcher may stand in the back half of the pitching circle.  She may not move from the back half of the circle until the bail is hit.  With the exception of the catcher, no defensive player may be closer than thirty-five (30) feet from the batter until the ball has been hit.  The outfielders will remain behind the baseline until the ball has been hit.  Violation of this rule will allow the offensive coach to take the resulting play or advance the batter to first base.  (“Hit ball” means fair or foul.)

 
 

16. Should more than one runner be running to the same base at the time a dead ball has been declared, the rear runner will be sent back to the base she was running from.

 
 

3. GENERAL REMARKS

 
 

1. Before each game, the team coaches will submit the batting order to the scorekeeper.  Each team will bat their entire roster.

 
 

2. A maximum of six - (6) players, including the catcher, are allowed in the infield.  All other players must remain behind the baseline until the ball is hit.

 
 

3. A team may pick up one (1) player in accordance with softball rules when the team has less than nine (9) players from its own team roster.  Pick-up must play right field and bat last.  If a team has less than eight (8) players from its own roster, then that team forfeits the game, unless both coaches agree the game may continue with seven (7) players.

 
 

4. If a girl refuses to bat at her official time, she is out.

 
 

5. Stealing is not allowed.

 
 

6. Bunting is not allowed.

 
 

7. Soccer type kneepads are allowed.

 
 

8. Coaching Positions 
    

1. Before inning positioning coaches allowed.
2. Offensive coach pitcher.
3. Offensive coach first base and third base.
4. Defensive coach outside of both dugouts toward playing field.