STATEN ISLAND CYO SOFTBALL RULES (As Amended April 2017)
With the exception of the rules stated herein as approved by the Staten Island CYO, the 2017 ASA Rule Book (Modified Pitch) will be the guiding principle in all rule interpretations.
The umpire is in charge of the game. He/she has the authority to “call” a game for rain, unsportsmanlike conduct or any other reason he/she deems necessary.
There are 1 age Division: Varsity (8th grade and below). A younger player may play in an upper Division but an older player may not be play in a lower Division.
Equipment – Every team must have the following equipment
a) A complete set of bases, including home plate, and a safety base orange in color.
b) A portable pitcher's rubber.
c) A new ball for each game.
Varsity-12 inch Dudley Ball
d) At least five helmets. The on deck batter and all base runners must wear a helmet. A defensive player may also wear a helmet. All helmets must be equipped with a securely fastened face mask/guard.
e) Complete set of catcher’s equipment, including a helmet type catcher’s mask with attached throat protector, shin guards and chest protector. Teams and/or players supply their own bats and gloves.
***Aluminum or wood bats are allowed. Bats may not be more than 2-1/4 inches in diameter.
Line-ups must be presented to the opposing coach before the game.
No new inning may start after 1 hour and 45 minutes of the scheduled game time. If a game is tied after 1 hour and 45 minutes, and both teams have had the same number of at bats, one additional inning may be played provided that such inning does not exceed 15 minutes. (2 hours total after scheduled game time. If home team has not batted in new inning score reverts back to previous inning. 1 ½ hour no new inning during regular season. If score is still tied, it is scored a tie in the standings. This is not considered a suspended game.
Ten players constitute a full team. The tenth player must play the outfield, five infielders are not allowed. For a game to be official, each team must field a minimum of 8 players.
A team that does not have a minimum of 8 players at game time will be given a 10 minute grace period at the start of the game. After 10 minutes, if a team cannot field a minimum of 8 players the game is considered a forfeit. If both teams do not have a minimum of 8 players the game will be considered a double forfeit. The forfeiting team is responsible for both umpire fees. In the case of a double forfeit, each team will be responsible for the regular fee. **Note: The same time limits and qualifications as stated in Rule 7 above still apply, regardless of when the game actually starts.
A 9th or 10th player arriving after the start of the game must be added to the bottom of the existing batting order but must play the field before taking a turn at bat. If the player’s team is in the field when the player arrives the player may go right onto the field.
OPTIONAL “EXTRA PLAYER”- A team may utilize an optional 11-person batting order (a.k.a. – “EP”) so long as it is made known to the umpire and opposing coach prior to the start of the game. The EP may bat anywhere in the batting order but must remain in the same position in the batting order for the entire game and be listed in the regular batting order in the score book. Any 10 players may play defense on a rotating basis but those 10 must play the entire ½ inning. Defensive positions may be changed but the EP must remain in the same position in the batting order. The EP may be substituted for at any time but only with a player who has not yet been in the game. The starting EP may re-enter the game only once.
Gidget ( 1 ½ hour) , Debs play 6 innings or one hour and forty-five minutes, whichever comes first, with 3 innings or more constituting an official game. All Varsity divisions play 7 innings or one hour and forty-five minutes, whichever comes first, with 4 full innings constituting an official game. If a game is called for rain, thunder, darkness or any act of nature before it is considered official it will be considered suspended and will be resumed from the point of suspension at the discretion of CYO Officials. Umpires must sign both scorebooks at the point of suspension to validate line-ups. When game is resumed, it is resumed from the point of suspension. The line-up in effect at the point of suspension is the official line-up. The game is a continuation, not a new game, thus, all playing rules apply as if the game had not been suspended.
MERCY RULE - When a team is ahead by 10 runs or more after 3 innings (Gidget and Debs) or 4 innings (Varsity) the losing team may concede the game. When a team is ahead by 15 runs or more after 3 innings (Gidget and Debs) or 4 innings (Varsity) the game is over.
Pitching Rules:
A. Pitching Distance (from back corner of home plate to front of pitching rubber):
Gidgets - 35 ft.
Debs 40 ft
Varsity 43 ft.
*** At the umpire’s discretion, the pitching distance in all Gidget Divisions may be shortened to 33 ft. and to 36 ft. in the Debs C Division so that pitcher may reach home plate. Both teams must be allowed the same courtesy.
Varsity Softball : A player may pitch in a maximum of twelve (12) innings in a day. If a player pitches in seven (7) or more innings in a day, one calendar day of rest is mandatory. Delivery of a single pitch constitutes having pitched in an inning.
B. Base Distance:
Debs and Varsity 60 feet.
C. A pitcher will be allowed a maximum of 8 initial warm-up pitches at the beginning of the game and a maximum of 3 warm-up pitches between innings.
D. Any Pitcher, who hits 3 batters in an inning, or 4 batters in one game, must be removed from mound and is not allowed to pitch the rest of the game. **Note: A batter who is hit by a pitch must make an attempt to get out of the way of the ball to be awarded first base. (See Rule 26)
E. Modified pitching (a.k.a. - underhand pitching) is allowed in all Divisions. Pitcher must start with two feet on the rubber. Only one forward step is allowed. The pitcher may rock backwards, but NO backward step is allowed.
F. Windmill Pitching will be allowed in all divisions, Pitcher must start with two feet on the rubber. Only one forward step is allowed. The pitcher may rock backwards, but NO backward step is allowed.
G. If, in an umpire’s judgment, an illegal pitch has been delivered, a ball will be awarded to the batter. A pitcher who throws more than 5 illegal pitches in one game may be subject to being removed from the mound by the umpire. That pitcher may not pitch for the remainder of the game.
Protesting a game:
A manager/coach may only protest a game based on an umpire’s interpretation of a rule. A game cannot be protested on the basis of an umpire’s judgment call (i.e. – ball / strike call, safe / out call).
The umpire must sign both scorebooks at the point of protest. If the scorebook is not signed by the umpire the protest will not be recognized.
CYO Officials must be notified of a protest by both teams within 24 hours. If CYO is not notified in 24 hours the protest will not be recognized.
Recognized protests will be heard at a time and place to be determined by CYO officials. If a manager/coach cannot make the protest meeting he/she may send a team representative who shall have the authority to speak for the team, or the manager/coach may submit a written statement. Decisions of CYO Officials regarding the outcome of all protests are binding on both teams and are not subject to appeal.
A manager/coach is only allowed one visit to the mound per inning. The pitcher must be removed from the mound on the second visit and cannot return to the mound for the remainder of the game. **Note: Tending to an injured pitcher is not considered a “trip” to the mound.
Teams may have adult coaches on the bases, but they are not allowed to argue an umpire's decision. The HEAD COACH is the only one who can DISCUSS a call with the umpire. Players may also coach the bases, but they must wear a helmet.
If a base coach touches a runner while the ball is in play the runner will be called out.
Any player who throws or flings a bat, batting helmet or any other equipment, will receive a warning from the umpire that any further conduct of the same nature could result in that player being called out or ejected from the game.
Any player who curses or who verbally abuses an umpire, coach, or opposing player will be ejected from the game and may, at the discretion of CYO Officials, be suspended from future games. This rule also applies to coaches, parents or any other unruly spectators. The umpire shall have complete authority to request that any unruly parents, coaches or spectators leave the proximity of the playing field. If such request is not honored the umpire may declare the game a forfeit.
Any player, parent, coach, or spectator who physically attacks an umpire, or another player, parent, coach, or spectator will be ejected from the game and may, at the discretion of CYO Officials, be suspended from future games. The umpire shall have complete authority to request that any unruly parents, coaches or spectators leave the proximity of the playing field. If such request is not honored the umpire may declare the game a forfeit.
There are no leads allowed off the bases. A base-runner who leaves a base too early will receive a warning from the umpire. Any future occurrences could result in that player being called out. If a player leaves the base to early on a batted ball the play will continue. At the end of the play the umpire will call the base-runner out. The batter-runner is not penalized.
A) Stealing is allowed in Debs and Varsity Divisions only when the ball passes the batter. Debs can steal third base only .Varsity can steal second,third,home ( they can leave base only after pitch is released). ** no advance on dropped 3rd strike(CYO RULE)
B) Sacrifice Flies are only allowed in the Debs & Varsity Divisions.
Bunting is allowed in all Divisions.
Intentional walks are allowed in all Divisions. Pitches need be thrown except in Gidgets Division.
A batter who is hit by a pitch must make an attempt to get out of the way of the ball to be awarded first base.
The infield fly rule is only in effect in the Debs and Varsity Divisions.
A re-entry rule will be in effect in all Divisions. A player starting the game may re-enter the game once. He/she must re-enter the game in the original batting spot. A sub cannot re-enter a game.
A substitute runner for the catcher may be utilized in all Divisions regardless of the number of outs. The substitute should be the batter who made the last out. If a player becomes injured, and there are no substitute players left on the bench, a player who has been removed from the game may re-enter the game in the injured player’s batting position. If no players are available, an out will be assessed when the injured player’s position in the batting order comes to bat.
NO CONTACT RULE: A base-runner must either give him/her up or make some attempt to avoid contact with a fielder who has clear possession of the ball. If, in an umpire’s judgment, a base-runner deliberately runs into a defensive player in an attempt to jar a ball loose, the umpire may issue a warning or if deemed serious enough, eject the player from the game.
Coaches will be responsible for making sure that their respective players remove all jewelry (e.g. – watches, bracelets, chains, earrings, barrettes, etc.) that may interfere with the course of play, or pose potential injury, prior to the start of the game. The player's safety is of utmost importance. Umpire will notify coach and jewelry must be removed.
BLOOD RULE: A player, coach or umpire who is bleeding or who has blood on his/her uniform shall be prohibited from starting or participating in a game until appropriate treatment is administered. If medical care or treatment is administered in a reasonable length of time, the individual will not have to leave the game. The length of time that is considered reasonable is left to the umpire's discretion.
All coaches must remain in the dugout when their team is on the field playing. With the approval of the umpire and the opposing coach, one Gidget coach may be on the field of play to assist in the instruction of the players. However, that coach is not to field any thrown or batted ball or interfere with the course of play in anyway.
Coaches are responsible for making sure that no parents or other spectators stand behind the backstop or dugout fences. The umpire shall have complete authority to suspend or “call” the game if parents or other spectators refuse to vacate such areas.
A) If in the judgment of the umpire, a fielder intentionally carries, kicks, pushes, or throws a “live ball” from playable territory into dead ball territory; the ball is “dead”, and all runners will be awarded two bases from the last base touched when the ball entered the dead ball territory.
B) If a fielder, intentionally or unintentionally, carries a live ball into dead ball territory, all runners will be awarded two bases from the last base touched when the fielder entered the dead ball territory.
