B. The league uses various city recreation department fields. We wish to maintain the best possible relationship with these municipalities. Please remember to be considerate of other persons using the facilities and always leave the field clean of litter.

II. DURATION OF GAMES  & COMPLETE GAMES

III. GROUND RULES

IV. UMPIRES

A.  Each captain will be responsible for giving the team lineup to the opposing team's captain at the start of the game. Each team captain is responsible for giving the opposing team's captain updates as to changes made to a team's lineup during a game.

B. There are a maximum of 10 field positions: Pitcher, Catcher, 4 Infielders, 4 Outfielders.

C. All team members who show up for the start of a game must be given the opportunity to play the field at least 4 innings in a 7 inning game. Players are encouraged to report captains who do not play them at least 4 full innings of every 7 inning game. Players should be flexible with respect to the positions available.

D.  A player does not have to play more than 2 innings at catcher, unless they want to.

Fielding

E.  Position of catcher can be played by either a male or female. Among the remaining 9 positions the maximum number of men allowed in the field at any one time is 7.

F.  If a team has less than 9 players in total (and the minimum 7 total required to play) then the opposing team is to provide a non-fielding catcher.

G.  No switching of fielders is permitted during an inning other than for the pitcher or due to injury with the following exception:

(Teams may decide to utilize the following exception in instances where a play at the plate is anticipated)
If the team in the field has less than 9 players at the game, and the opposing team is providing a non-fielding catcher, the fielding team may move a player from one position to the position of catcher. Players may only move at the start of an opposing players at-bat and must stay during the entire at-bat. They may only move to cover the position of catcher. If the team decides to move the player away from catcher after the at-bat, they must return to the position from which they came. The opposing team would then once again provide a non-fielding catcher. All rules regarding the number of women in the field must still be followed at all times. 

Batting

H.  Among batters 1, 2, 3, one must be a woman. If only one woman is present then she bats here.

I.  Among batters 4, 5, 6, one must be a woman.

J.  Batters 7 till the end of the line-up can be in any sequence UNLESS both teams have 3 or more woman present for play. In that event then among batters 7, 8, 9 one must be a woman. If both teams have 4 or more woman present for play, then among batters 10, 11, 12 one must be a woman.

K.  All players who come to a game are to be placed in the continuous batting order.

L.  Players who arrive after the start of the game are placed at the bottom of the batting order, unless such individual is a woman and there are less than 2 women present. If only one women is present, then the late arrival is placed among batters 4. 5. 6 (see above).

Penalties (If less than 2 women present at game)

M.  If less than 2 women are present at the start of a game then the game may still be officially played with the following penalties:

Batting Penalty

If a woman shows up in the middle of an inning, then the penalties are not rescinded for that inning if they have already occurred.

Fielding Penalty

A . If a player has a partial injury such that he/she is able to bat but unable to run, a courtesy runner may be requested. The batter must reach first base before a courtesy runner can be used. The umpire and opposing captain must both be notified prior to the start of the game or when injury occurs about the need for a courtesy runner.

B. If the player requiring a courtesy runner is a woman the last woman to make an out must run. If not available, than any woman on the bench must run. If not available, last man to make an out.

C. If the player requiring a courtesy runner is a man, the last male player to make an out must run.

D. No pinch runners other than courtesy runners are permitted.

E. Players that have requested courtesy runners may not advance beyond first base.

New players may not be added to a team's roster unless authorized by the league committee. One time, intra-league replacement of players may be made if a team has less then nine players. This may only be done with the advance authorization of the committee or by mutual agreement of both captains prior to play. If a team is consistently short players they may request that the committee augment their team with additional players.

VI. PITCHING

A. Pitchers must use a slow-pitch arc not to exceed 12 feet from the ground. (6 ft. minimum arc).

B. The umpire will call balls and strikes.

C. Pitching must be made palm up

D. Base on Balls: An at bat consisting of zero strikes and four consecutive balls pitched to a male batter with a female player on deck, shall be considered an intentional walk and automatically advance the male batter to 2nd base.

VII. BATTING & BASE RUNNING & FIELDING

A. Bunting is not permitted

B. Advancing a base or bases on a passed ball or wild pitch is not permitted.

C. Stealing a base or bases is not permitted.

D. Base runners are not permitted to leave their bases until the ball is hit.

E. Two fouls on the third strike is an out.

F. Metal cleats are not permitted.

G. Three outfielders must stay at least 120 feet from home plate before the start of each pitch. They can’t move until the ball is hit. For enforcement purposes, plastic cones will be placed on the right field and left field foul lines, 60 feet beyond the first and third bases

H. Fielders are not permitted to fake tags. Fielder faking tag may be ejected from the game.

I. Batting Round Rule - This rule is intended to provide for good sportsmanship in the event one team is dominating another in a game. A team may have no more than 17 at bats per inning. After the 17th at bat takes place, in a given half-inning, the team batting will end it's half-inning even if it has incurred less than 3 outs. In the event a team batting has less than the full compliment of 17 players then the team should bat around until the 17th batter has had an at bat. This rule does not apply in the event the batting team is batting in its last and final inning and it is also behind in the score .

VIII. RAINOUTS, FORFEITURES, POSTPONEMENTS, CANCELLATIONS

A. Due to the limited number of days available to make up postponed games we will endeavor to play in mildly inclement weather. We will play in a light drizzle! If unfavorable weather or field conditions appear likely, the team captains will call the Coed Jewish Sports hotline at 781.453.9599 no later than 90 minutes before the scheduled game to hear if the game is to be played. If the game is postponed captains will inform their team. Note that rainouts will not be called even if it is raining, unless conditions on the field are extremely poor. The decision to call a rainout will be made 90 minutes prior to game time if possible.

If players are not contacted by their team captain more than one hour before the start of each game, the players are to assume that the game will be played as scheduled. Players may also call the hotline for an update.

B. A team is considered to have forfeited a game if at least 7 players do not show within 15 minutes after the scheduled start of a game. A team shall also forfeit if none of their woman players show up for play.

C. It is suggested that the teams play an unofficial game even if a game is forfeited at that time.

D. If a game is rained out after play has begun: see "Duration of Games" section II above.

E. If a game is to be rescheduled, team captains must contact Coed Jewish Sports.

IX. INJURY PREVENTION

While all injuries cannot be prevented, the enforcement of certain softball rules and common sense will prevent many injuries. Collisions are to be avoided.

A. The fielder must give the runner a clear path to the base unless the fielder is actively involved in that play. If disputed, umpire's decision is final.

B. At any base, if there is no play, the fielder must get out of the runner's way. No fake tags.

C. If in the umpire's discretion, a base runner approaching home does not make an effort to avoid a collision with the player covering home plate, the runner will be called out. In egregious instances the runner may be ejected from the game. This applies even if the catcher is blocking home plate. Umpire's decision is final! If the runner has to avoid touching home plate in order to avoid a collision with the player covering home, the runner will be declared safe at home if the runner would have "normally" beaten the tag. In this instance, the runner should simply run past the catcher. Umpire's decision is final!

D. In order to prevent collision by runners rounding first base the league shall use two side by side first base bags. One base shall be placed in fair territory and the other next to it in foul territory. Runners to first base should tag the foul base, fielders should tag the fair base and in this manner prevent a collision. In the event of a collision the umpire shall rule the runner safe or out depending on who properly tagged their respective base.

E. All catchers must wear face masks.

F. Only Single Wall, ASA 2004 and ASA 2000 rated bats may be used in the league. As of the Summer 2010 season only Single Wall ASA 2004 bats are allowed with the exception of grandfathered ASA 2000 league bats.

X. ADDITIONAL RULES

A. Suspension Policy

1. Suspension
   
   A) Get umpire input
   B) Get captains input
   C) Call league office
   D) Call players involved, if any
   E) Softball Committee Review
   
   
2. Physical violence = automatic suspension pending further committee review.