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IM Rules: Softball

Revised: Spring 2022

General

  • All teams and players are subject to IM Rules and Policies.
  • In general, a combination of high school and college rules will be used in addition to the rules stated below.
  • An umpire will be provided for each game by the IM Office.
  • Only the team captain/manager should speak with umpires regarding calls, questions, or clarifications.

 

Game Locations & Ground Rules

  • Stagg Field (turf): Entrance at E 56th St. & S Maryland Ave.
  • Campus South Field (turf): Entrance on S Woodlawn Ave. (between 60th & 61st)
    • Restrictions:
      • Dogs/pets are prohibited at both locations.
      • Bicycles must be parked at designated areas and are not allowed on the field or track areas.
      • Food, including gum and seeds, is prohibited at both locations.
      • Alcohol/smoking is strictly prohibited at both locations.      

 

Equipment

  • Bats, balls, and bases will all be provided.
  • Players should bring their own glove.
  • Team members should all wear the same color shirts. 
  • All players must wear appropriate footwear.
    • Tennis shoes, turf shoes or plastic/rubber cleats are all acceptable.
    • Metal cleats, bare feet, or stockinged feet are not permitted.
  • Jewelry, including earrings, and other items which may be considered dangerous will not be permitted. 

 

Players

  • A team consists of ten (10) players in the field.
    • Coed = at least 4 female-identifying players in the field (when playing with 10 players)
  • A team may start and play with as few as seven (7) players.
    • Coed = at least 3 female-identifying players in the field (when playing with 9 or less players)
  • Regardless of the number of players, each team must have a pitcher and catcher in the field.
  • No more than 6 players (including the pitcher and catcher) may play on the infield.
  • No player may be in front of the pitcher prior to the ball being hit. 
  • All players present should be included in the batting order (not limited to those in the field).

Roster Submission

  • Team managers/captains are responsible for inputting their rosters on IMLeagues. 
  • Players must be listed on the online/printed roster to play.
  • All players must check in with the IM Official or Supervisor prior to game time.
  • Roster additions are unlimited and can be made throughout the regular season. 
  • Rosters will lock at the conclusion of the regular season. 
  • Only players on the official online roster on IMLeagues will be permitted to compete in the playoffs.

 

General Rules

  • A game consists of seven (7) innings or 1 hour, whichever comes first. 
    • A new inning will not begin after the hour time limit has expired. 
    • If a full inning is not able to be played, the score will revert back to the last full inning completed.
  • Teams must be on the field by game time.
    • This means arriving early to stretch and check in.
    • A 5-minute grace period will be given if needed.  After 5-minutes, a forfeit will be awarded.
      • If a team has the required minimum number of players, the game begins on time.
      • Teams that forfeit are subject to being removed from the league and a deduction from their deposit.
  • Team captains Rock/Paper/Scissor to determine home/away. 
  • During the regular season, extra innings will be played if time allows.
  • During playoffs, extra innings will be played until a winner is determined.

Pitching, Balls & Strikes

  • Each batter begins with a 1 ball and 1 strike count.
  • 3 foul balls = OUT
  • The strike zone is wide.  If the ball is hittable, SWING AWAY!  Players should NOT be looking to walk.
  • Slow Pitch – pitchers are to lob the ball over the plate.  Pitches should have approximately a 6-12 inch arc above the ground.

Batting

  • All players present should be included in the batting order (not limited to only the players in the field).
  • The batting order must be set prior to starting play and the same order kept throughout the game. 
    • Late arrivals can be added to the end of the order.
  • Coed teams should not have more than 2 consecutive male-identifying batters in the order (other players may be inserted into the lineup to ensure this).
  • Bunting is NOT allowed.
  • Players throwing the bat after hitting the ball may be called out after a warning has been given to both teams. 
  • Infield Fly Rule:
    • An infield fly can only occur with less than 2 outs and runners on 1st and 2nd or 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. 
    • If a high fly ball is hit in the infield (fair territory) that can easily lead to a double play, an infield fly can be called.
    • The batter is automatically out.  Tagging up still applies if the ball is caught.   

Base Running

  • No leading-off or stealing bases. A runner cannot leave a base until the batter makes contact with the ball.
  • A runner is out if they are off the base in fair territory and struck by a batted ball.
  • Safety Base (First Base) - Two bases will be placed at first base to avoid collisions.
    • The hitter/runner must use the outside base (foul territory)
    • The fielder must use the inside base (fair territory)
  • Base runners are responsible for avoiding all collisions with fielders and will be called out if this occurs.
  • Fielders may not be in the base path or on a base unless they are attempting to make a play.   
  • No Sliding.  Violation of this rule will result in the runner being called out.
  • If the runner makes contact with a base and the base slides the runner is "safe" if it occurred before the tag or put-out.
  • Once the pitcher has the ball back in the general vicinity of the "mound" baserunners that are in between bases may proceed (at their own risk) to the next base but no further.  Baserunners on a base when the pitcher receives the ball must stay at that base.

Fielding

  • Throw Out of Play/Dead Ball
    • Runners are awarded an additional base on throws that go out of play.
    • The additional base is awarded from the base the runner had obtained (on or passed) when the ball was thrown.
    • A thrown ball is deemed out of play when it goes over/beyond a fence or significantly out of play.

Tiebreakers

For playoff advancement and seeding, the following tiebreakers will be used:

1: Winning Percentage
2: Head-to-Head
3: Runs Against (Average per Game)
4: Record vs. Common Opponents
5: Record vs. Other Playoff Teams
6: Coin Flip