RFL 2025 SOFTBALL RULES                               

 SAFETY

  The RFL is a non-contact league.

  Any player under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be permitted to play. Please also be advised that city by-laws    prohibit the consumption of alcohol in the parks. Fines can be as much as $1,000 and the potential loss of our permits      to play in these parks.

  Smoking is not permitted on the field or in any of the dugouts.

  Safety equipment such as pitching nets are made available by the league. Their use is mandatory.

  It is recommended that all players wear cleats (not metal). 

  Safety bases will be used at first base and there will be a “veer off” line from the commit line towards home plate. This      is to reduce the possibility of collisions. Their use is explained in the rules section.

  GENERAL

1. Any player that cannot attend a game must notify their coach as much in advance as possible, so that a spare can be called, if needed.
2. Only coaches & co-coaches may discuss calls with the umpire.
3. There will be a maximum of 5 runs per inning with the exception of the last (7^th) inning which will be “open” (unlimited runs).  If tied after the 7^th inning, the game will stand as a tie.  Extra innings are only played during playoffs. 
4. In the event of rain or other unplayable conditions, 5 complete innings will constitute an official game.  The decision whether to continue playing or not will be made by the umpire (or both coaches in the absence of an umpire).  In the event that a game cannot continue, for whatever reason, while in the 6^th or 7^th inning, the score will revert back to the last full inning completed.
5. Players must play both offense & defense, (defined as a regular turn in the batting order and a minimum of 3 defensive innings) OR they may pitch only.  If a player chooses to pitch only, they may not enter the game as a regular player.
6. If a player cannot play due to injury, but still wants to participate, it is allowable for them to coach a base or even pitch as long as doing so does not present any safety concerns.  In such matters the umpire (or both coaches in the absence of an umpire) will grant permission or not.
7. A late player may be inserted into the game defensively at any time.
8. Any situation arising during a game, which is not specifically covered by league rules or standard softball rules will be determined at the discretion of the umpire (or both coaches in the absence of an umpire).  As this is a friendship league, all decisions (right or wrong) by the umpire(s) are final.
9.  

*** GAMES CANNOT BE PROTESTED ***

 

10. The “HOME” team will always occupy the bench along the first base line.
11. If a player is injured during a live play, the umpire will call time and the ball is dead. The umpire will place runners or batter as they deem appropriate.

  BATTING

12. The batting order is a fixed order – there can be no more than 3 men in a row.
13. If a team has fewer than three women in the batting order, the spot where the third woman would normally hit will be counted as an automatic out.
14. Any player who shows up after the start of the game is to be added to the bottom of the lineup and in compliance with rule #12
15. Pitchers pitch to their own team.
16. Batters will receive a maximum of three (3) pitches per at bat. The pitching net is being used therefore any ball that hits the net is a dead ball and the batter will receive another pitch. If the ball goes past the net without contact and comes back and  touches the net, it will be in play.
17. Any batted ball that hits/touches the pitcher is a dead ball and the batter is out.
18. Bunting is not permitted.  Batters are required to take “full swings”. If in the opinion of the umpire a batter has not taken a full swing, he may call the ball dead and issue a strike to the batter.
19. Any foul tip caught by the catcher is an “out”.
20. The “infield fly rule” will apply when there are less than two outs, with runners at first & second or the bases are loaded.  When applicable, the umpire will yell “infield fly”.  The batter will be automatically out and the ball will be dead. The infield fly rule only applies on a fair ball. The umpire also has the discretion to call an infield fly on a line drive that he feels was intentionally dropped or missed by a defensive infielder in order to get a double play.
21. Any player found to be using an illegal bat will forfeit the game for their team.  It is the responsibility of the coaches to ensure their players use only legal bats stamped ASA or USSSA approved.
22. Any bat that is thrown (intentionally or not) the batter at the plate will be called out by the umpire. Runners do not advance and the play is dead.
23. For any batted ball that hits a fielder and goes out of the field of play, a double will be awarded. Runners move up two bases at the time of the pitch. Example: If a batted ball is hit to the outfield and the ball goes off the fielder out of bounds they will be awarded a double.
24. If the fielder intentionally throws the ball out of play, the batter is awarded 4 bases.

  BASE RUNNING

25. When a safety base is present at first base, the batter/runner must touch the orange portion of the bag when there is a play or the possibility of a play at first base.  Similarly, the first base person must play only the white portion of the bag.  If no safety base is present, the batter may pass beside first base without having to touch it.
26. If there is no play at first base, the batter may use the white portion of the bag as he/she rounds first. 
27. Sliding or diving into a base is permitted at 2^nd and 3^rd base only. You may slide or dive back to 1^st base, if necessary, once you have rounded the base.
28. Pinch runners may be used; however, the batter must announce that they need one prior to batting:  A pinch runner can be taken from home or once they make it to the base of their ability and stop there (with the exception of a home run).  Once a player uses a pinch runner they must continue to do so for the balance of the game.  The next at bat the only option for the player is to take a pinch runner from home plate.  E.g  once a player takes a pinch runner from home they must continue to do that during the game.
29. A pinch runner will be the last man or woman (as applicable) who was out in the previous inning who is available (meaning that they are on the bench).  If that person cannot pinch run, the next available players will be selected.
30. A pinch runner must stop at first base.
31. If a player is not able to pinch run, due to being injured, then they will have to use a pinch runner themselves for the balance of the game.  However a player with limited mobility will not be forced to pinch run for another player.
32. No stealing bases or leading is permitted.  Base runners can only advance once the ball has been hit.  Any base runner with their foot off the base prior to the bat making contact with the ball will be called out, play is dead – pitch does not count.
33. Tagging up on any fly ball is permitted.
34. The issue of whether a base runner breaks their baseline to avoid being tagged out will be at the discretion of the umpire.
35. A base runner is out if they are hit by a fair batted ball while anywhere on the bases, with the exception of being in foul territory at first or third base. The ball is dead and the batter is given first base with all other base runners returning to their original base. (No run can score on this type of play.)
36. When a defensive player is attempting to field a ball, they have the right of way, and it is the responsibility of the base runner(s) to avoid them.  Failure to do so will result in the base runner(s) being called out for interference, dead ball.
37. A “commit line” will be drawn between third base and home plate.  Once a base runner crosses or touches the commit line, they are “committed” to going home and cannot return to third base, except to tag up, if necessary.
38. After crossing the “commit” line, base runners are to “veer” off/away from home plate to avoid contact with the catcher.  A base runner that touches home plate will be called out.
39. “Out or safe” at home will be determined as follows:  For the base runner to be “out”, the catcher on the 1^st play (or other defensive player on the 2^nd play) must have control of the ball and be touching home plate, before the base runner crosses the extension of the first base line, otherwise the base runner is safe. Crossing the line is defined as “breaking the plane”.
40. A base runner cannot be tagged out once past the commit line.  If the catcher (or other defensive player) touches the base runner, they will be called safe.
41. Once the catcher has control of the ball at home plate, the play is dead and no further play can begin.  Runners already in motion towards a base may continue but must stop at the next base.

  DEFENSE

42. The minimum legal line-up to start a game is 8 players (max 7 men & min 1 woman) otherwise the game is forfeited.
43. The rover position is optional when playing with only eight players. All 8 regular infield and outfield positions must be filled. Outfielders cannot play in rover position to compensate for the lack of rover.  Outfielders must play 20 feet behind the rovers.
44. Defensively each team may field a maximum of 8 men.  Each team can have 3 or 4 women for a total of 11 or 12 players on the field.
45. Rovers cannot play closer than the edge of the grass or other agreed upon ground rules depending on the park.
46. Infielders are permitted to play 1 step inside the base line.
47. When a female is at bat, infielders must wait for contact before moving in to field the ball.
48. Defensive players cannot change positions during an inning unless due to injury.
49. The play is ended when the defensive team throws the ball back to the pitcher, which must be done by an infielder.  In the spirit of fair play the pitcher cannot refuse to catch the ball from an infielder but is not obligated to catch a ball thrown from the outfielders/rovers. I.e.: the outfielders & rovers must throw the ball to an infielder before it can be thrown to the pitcher to end the play.
50. In the event of a bad or questionable throw to the pitcher, the umpire will make the decision as to the “intent” of the defensive player. I.e.: were they trying to end the play or were they trying to make a play somewhere and the throw was simply off line.
51. Whenever defensive players are not involved in a play, they must yield the right of way to the base runners.  Failure to do so will result in a call of obstruction and the base runner(s) will be placed on the bases at the judgment of the umpire once the play is called dead.
52. To avoid base runners sliding unnecessarily and risking injury, deception plays will not be tolerated on the part of the defensive team and the umpire may award additional bases at their discretion.
53. For any ball thrown out of play and/or into the dugout, two (2) bases will be awarded to all base runners.  The umpire will determine the placement of the base runner(s) based on their position(s) at the time the ball left the hand of the defensive player.
54. Any ball thrown into or touching the pitching net during a defensive play is a live ball.
55. A request for an appeal must be done before the next pitch or before a team leaves the field.
56. A batted ball that hits the front of the net is a dead ball. Pitch does not count.
57. A batted ball that passes the net and rolls back into the net is a live ball.

  DISCIPLINE

Any and all unsportsmanlike conduct will receive a warning from the umpire – any repetition or continued behavior in the same game will be an automatic ejection from the game

If you are ejected from a game by the umpire you will be suspended from league play according to the terms stated below.

All suspensions will be handed out by the committee after review.

Suspension terms are as follows: 3 games for a first offence, 5 games for a second offence, and expulsion from the league in its entirety for life for a third offence.

If a player from the spare list is ejected from a game by the umpire they will be suspended from league play for the season.

Umpires, coaches and players are expected to report any unsportsmanlike conduct that they have witnessed or been victim of - to the committee.

Please report all complaints via email to: rflsoftball@hotmail.com (Complaints by phone will not be accepted) 

 

  LEAGUE/COACHES RULES

1. Coaches are to ensure that playing time is rotated fairly between all players, i.e.: all players are to take their turn(s) on the “sit out” list regardless of their caliber.  This applies during playoffs as well.
2. Coaches are to ensure that their players respect their positions on the field and allow their teammates (regardless of caliber) to play their positions.
3. Coaches are to promote sportsmanship and control their players should they get out of hand.
4. If a coach is short players during the regular season, he/she may call spares, at their discretion (no maximum). During playoffs, spares must be called to fill the roster to 12 players. Three players must be women.
5. Players rated 4 or higher can only be replaced by a spare of equal or lesser caliber; otherwise the opposing coach will have the right to disallow the substitution.  Players rated 5 or lower may be replaced by a spare of plus 1 caliber. It is the responsibility of the coach using a spare to inform the opposing coach before the start of the game of the spare(s) being used and who they are replacing.  Coaches should ensure they have a copy of the spare list and the league evaluations with them at all games.
6. A woman can replace a man with a rating of hers less 1 (eg. Man rating is 2 – woman replacing could be a 1)
7. Coaches may call spares from either the official league spare list or from other teams, as long as the calibers match. Players on the spares list cannot be used during playoffs.
8. All decisions involving teams such as adding or switching players will be made by the extended committee (including the coaches).
9. In the event of a serious injury, any regular season game will be called.  If 5 innings have not been completed, the game will be rescheduled in its entirety, otherwise General rule #4 will apply. A playoff game that is halted for whatever reason will be continued from where it left off.
10. In the spirit of this league, any league rule may be overridden by the agreement of both coaches for a particular game and situation.  This, in no way, binds the league or even the 2 coaches to override the rule again in a similar situation.
11. It is the responsibility of the coaches to notify the committee whenever they have an attendance problem or a player missing due to a prolonged injury or extended vacation, so that we may try to replace such player, if need be. This applies to all calibers, weak or strong!
12. If teams are tied after the regular season, the winner will be determined by: team with more wins throughout the season will be the winner. If this is tied, then it will go to head to head wins between the teams. If teams are still tied it will be determined by runs against. If there is still a tie, a coin toss will determine the winner.