GAME FORMAT

• 7-inning games OR 55-minute time limit

• No new inning after 50 minutes

• 10-minute grace period for first game only

Playoffs

• Playoff rules remain exactly the same as regular-season play

• No changes to time limits or scoring rules

• Games follow the same structure, format, and rulebook as regular-season weeks

• Players must play 3 games with a team to be eligible for playoffs

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INJURIES

• Injured players are removed from the lineup

• If available, an EH or bench player may be substituted

• If the spot cannot be filled, the batting position is dropped for the remainder of the game

• No automatic out will be assessed

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MUSIC

• Music must be family-friendly (radio edits / clean versions only)

• If explicit lyrics are heard, teams will be asked to stop music

• Continued violations result in loss of music privileges

• Music volume must remain low and not interfere with on-field communication

• Team on offense controls music unless otherwise agreed

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PITCHING & STRIKE ZONE

• Pitch arc: 6–12 feet

• Strike zone: mat only (home plate not included)

• No hesitation or fake deliveries

• Illegal pitch = ball

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BATTING

• Start count: 1 ball / 1 strike

• No courtesy foul — foul on 2 strikes = out

• Full swings only (no bunting, chopping, or fake swings)

• Teams must remain behind dugout safety line while batting

• Only batters, on-deck hitters, and base coaches allowed on field

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FOUL BALL POP-UP RULE

• Any foul ball pop-up caught by the catcher is an OUT

• Ball must have clear upward momentum (not a foul tip)

• Umpire has full discretion to determine pop-up vs foul tip

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HOME RUN LIMIT – 3-UP EQUALIZER RULE

• The 3-Up Equalizer Home Run Rule is in effect

• A team may never be more than 3 HRs ahead of the opposing team

• Any HR hit while already +3 HRs is ruled an OUT

• Rule applies in all innings, including the final inning

• The rule does not allow unlimited HRs for the home team

Example:

• Team A: 3 HRs | Team B: 0 HRs → Team A is +3

• Any additional HR by Team A is an OUT unless Team B hits a HR

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PLAYER & ROSTER RULES

• Maximum 20 players per team

• Rosters lock after Week 1 (coaches must submit roster to league admin)

Season Replacement

• If a player quits, becomes injured, or has a life event that removes them from the season, a team may request a permanent replacement

• Replacement must be approved by league director(s)

Pick-Ups (Game Night)

• Players may pick up twice per season per team, unless opposing coach agrees otherwise

• Pick-ups must bat at the end of the lineup

• All pick-ups must be reported before game time

Playoff Substitutes

• Substitutes for playoffs are emergency only

• League admin approval required before game

Sub Limits

• Players may sub for other teams no more than twice per season (does not apply to women in coed league) unless opposing coach agrees

• Subbed players must be registered with another team whenever possible

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 “PICK UP TO TEN” RULE (WITH COED EXCEPTION)

• Teams may only pick up enough players to reach 10 total players.

  • 8 players → may pick up 2

  • 9 players → may pick up 1

  • 10 players → no pick-ups allowed

Coed Exception – Women Minimum

• This rule does NOT limit female pick-ups required to meet the coed minimum.

• Teams must have a minimum of 3 women to play.

• If fewer than 3 women are present, teams may pick up women as needed to reach the minimum, even if doing so causes the total lineup to exceed 10 players.

Example:

• 9 men + 1 woman present → team may pick up 2 women to reach the 3-woman minimum (11 total players allowed).

Limits & Conditions

• The exception applies only to reach the 3-woman minimum, not to add extra depth.

• There is no maximum total lineup size when using this exception, but there is a maximum on male pick-ups under the standard “Pick Up to Ten” rule.

• Once the 3-woman minimum is met, no additional pick-ups are allowed unless otherwise approved.

Lineup Placement

• All pick-ups must bat at the end of the lineup.

• Lineups must still maintain even spacing of female batters (maximum spacing every 4th batter).

• If necessary to maintain proper spacing, male pick-ups may be placed later in the order to allow correct female placement.

COED-SPECIFIC RULES

• 7/3 defensive split minimum (7 men / 3 women).

• Female batters must be evenly spaced, max spacing every 4th batter

Coed Pick-Up Clarification

• The 3-women minimum rule does NOT limit pick-ups

• Teams may roster any number of men (up to 20)

• If fewer than 3 women are available for a game, teams may pick up women as needed to reach the minimum,

• Total players may not exceed 10 after pick-ups

• Females may hit 11-inch women’s slow-pitch softballs

• No commit line or restricted defensive line

• 10-run half-inning limit, does not apply to final inning

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MERCY RULE

• 15+ run lead after 4 innings = game over

• 10+ run lead after 5 innings = game over

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EQUIPMENT

• 44/400 softballs

• ASA/USA or USSSA 240 bats only

• No metal cleats

• Altered or shaved bats = automatic ejection

• Senior bats allowed:

  • Men: 50+

  • Women: 40+

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PITCHER’S NET POLICY

• Net use is optional

• 1st ball hit into net = dead ball + strike

• 2nd ball hit into net = strike and out

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BASE RUNNING

• 2 courtesy runners per inning, anyone can run for anyone.

  • 1 for anyone

  • 1 must be for pitcher

• Must be declared before next at-bat (unless injury)

• No leaving base early

• No fake tags — automatic obstruction

• Safety bag required at 1B on close plays

• Intentional collisions = out or ejection

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CONDUCT & SPORTSMANSHIP

• Respectful behavior required at all times

• No profanity, taunting, or abuse

• No alcohol or drugs on site

• Umpire decisions are final

Ejections

• Minimum 2-game suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct

• Repeat offenders may be banned for season or indefinitely

Physical Altercations

• Any physical altercation will result in a suspension from Cornerstone Park and all affiliated leagues. Plays may be eligible to return at a later date.