Berks Senior Softball League Rules

1. In order to be eligible for league play, men must achieve an age of 60 years and women must achieve an age of 50 years by December 31 of the year in which they wish to play.

2. A player who cannot attend more than 50% of scheduled games, can elect to be classified as a part time player. A part time player is expected to be available to play 50% of scheduled games. A part time player can elect to play once weekly.

3. New players interested in playing after teams have been determined, are placed on standby and assigned to a team by the League Commissioner or delegate after assessing each team’s player situation and balance and the new player’s skill level.

4. A player must be current with payments owed to the League.

5. Player additions or player transfers between teams must first be approved by the Coaches Oversight Committee.

1. Summer & Fall leagues - Games will be played with 12 players in the field. A team that cannot field 12 players, will play with 11, 10, or 9 players. A team with 8 players or less will forfeit.

Indoor Winter league – Games will be played with 10 players in the field. However, both teams are allowed to field 11 players if BOTH coaches agree to field 11 players on that specific game day. A team that cannot field 10 players, will play with 9 or 8 players. A team with 7 players or less will forfeit.

In all three leagues, teams are encouraged to play an unofficial game(s) when a forfeit occurs.

2. In situations where a team is short players, the opposing team will supply the catcher for both teams. When a team is short two or three players, the opposing team supplies the catcher and the short team plays with fewer fielders. The supplied catcher only bats for his/her team. 

3. All players and substitutes may re-enter the game, at a defensive position, on an unlimited basis. In situations where there are more players than available defensive positions, a coach must continuously rotate those extra players into the game. These extra players must play, defensively, in an equal number of innings as their rotating counterpart, unless the extra player elects to play fewer times at a defensive position. All players must be in the batting line up whether they are playing in the field or not and cannot be taken out once entered unless injury or other valid reason occurs.

4. The batting order for the second game starts with the player who follows the last player that batted in the first game. The batting order cannot be changed in the second game from that used in the first game of the doubleheader. A late arriving player must be placed in the last position of the batting order.

5. No player is allowed to verbally distract, confuse, intimidate another player from completing a play, by shouting or creating any other form of interference.

6. Foul language is prohibited.

7. The use of chewing tobacco or alcohol is prohibited at all fields.

8. Players are requested not to bring guns or other weapons to the field.

9. Metal spiked shoes are prohibited at all fields. Plastic spiked shoes are allowed at Big Show Sports Complex fields and at the indoor field at Hillcrest Field Sports / Exeter Fieldhouse.

1. Strike Plate – The “Batters Home Plate”, referred to as the Strike Plate, consists of a 20” x 36” x 1/2” PVC board which is placed over the inground baseball home plate.

2. First Bases (2) – To minimize collisions at first base, there are two individual white bases. One base is designated for the fielder and is placed in fair territory touching the foul line. The other base is placed in foul territory, two feet away and aligned with the first baseman’s base. The batter runs from home plate to the base in foul territory if there is a play at first base. If there is no play at first and the batter elects to continue to an additional base, the batter will run to the first baseman’s base in order to continue to the next base. The fielder may not block or cause any interference to the baserunner by standing on or near the base if there is no play at the base. This rule applies to all bases.

3. Base Runner’s Home Plate - To minimize collisions at home plate, a “Runner’s Home Plate” is used by the baserunner that is advancing from 3rd base. The Runner’s Home Plate is placed at least 5 ft away from the left side of the Strike Plate and aligned with the 1st Base Foul Line. The distance between the back of the Runner’s Home Plate and the back of 3rd base is 65 ft (outdoor) and 60 ft (indoor). 

4. Batter’s Substitute Runner Plate (Square) – This square plate is used by a Substitute Runner from Home Plate and is placed at least 5 ft away from the right side of the Strike Plate, and is aligned with the 3rd Base Foul Line. The distance between the back of the Substitute Runner’s Home Plate and the back of 1st Base is 65 ft (outdoor) and 60 ft (indoor). 

5. 3rd Base to Home Commitment Line – The “Commitment Line or Marker” is marked or placed, on and perpendicular to, the 3rd base foul line and at a distance of 25 ft from the leading edge of the Runner’s Home Plate. This line represents the “point of no return” for any baserunner attempting to score from 3rd base.

6. First and Third Base Distances - The distance between the Strike Plate and 1st or 3rd base is 65 ft for Summer and Fall Leagues and 60 ft for Winter Indoor League. The   distance is measured from the rear point of the inground home plate to the back of 1st and 3rd bases. 

7. Pitching Rubber or Pitching Line Distance - The distance between the Strike Plate and the Pitching Rubber (turf fields) or Pitching Line (dirt fields) is 50 ft and is measured from the rear point of the inground home plate to the back of the Pitching Rubber or Line.

8. Orange Outfield Cones (2) – These cones are aligned with the 1st Base and 3rd Base Foul Lines and are placed in the outfield, 65 ft from 1st Base and 3rd Base. All outfielders must remain outside of this imaginary boundary until the ball is struck by the batter.

9. Overthrown Balls (All fields except Big Show 4) – All overthrown balls from fair to foul territory are ruled “LIVE BALL”. A baserunner is limited to ONE extra base but must reach that base safely.

10. Overthrown Balls (Big Show 4) – All overthrown balls from fair territory to foul territory and from fair territory to behind the catcher are ruled “DEAD BALL”. Baserunner(s) are awarded ONE free extra base.

1. The pitcher cannot pitch a ball higher than 11 ft nor lower than 6 ft or it will be considered illegal and therefore a ball. All pitching screen side panels have white strips of tape placed at a measured height of 6 ft to assist in determining an illegal low pitch. The home plate umpire must call the pitch illegal in order for it to be illegal. If the batter hits an illegal pitch, it is considered a live ball. The pitcher must release the ball while one foot is in contact with the pitching rubber or pitching line.

2. A strike is called when a legally pitched ball hits the Strike Plate. 

3. When a pitcher walks 3 batters in the same inning, a pitcher change must occur, unless the opposing coach waives the rule. A pitcher that has been removed from an inning may re-enter the game as a pitcher in a later inning.

4. A batter can only be walked once per game, intentionally or unintentionally. When a previously walked batter receives a ball 4 count, the batter does not walk, the ball/strike count is reset to zero, and the pitcher is assessed a walk against his 3 walks per inning rule. Each team is limited to one intentional walk per game.

5. The use of a protective pitcher screen is mandatory. The screen must be positioned a maximum distance of 1 ft to the left of a right-handed pitcher’s centerline or a maximum distance of 1 ft to the right of a left-handed pitcher’s centerline, and 6 ft forward of the Pitching Rubber (turf fields) or Pitching Line (dirt fields).

6. A batted ball that hits the screen is considered a “dead ball”. A thrown ball that hits the screen is considered a “live ball”

1. When a play occurs at home plate, the catcher must touch the Strike Plate, while maintaining control of the caught ball, in order for the baserunner to be considered out. The catcher cannot cause an out by touching the Runner’s Home Plate. If the catcher incorrectly touches the Runner’s Home Plate, the play is still live and the catcher can then cause an out by correctly touching the Strike Plate before the runner touches Runner’s Home Plate. A catcher cannot “tag” a runner once the runner passes the 25 ft Commitment Line, the runner is the safe if a tag occurs. A runner attempting to score from third base cannot reverse their direction after crossing the Commitment Line.

1. Each coach is encouraged to keep team stats that include at a minimum, At Bats, Runs, Hits, and Home Runs.

2. A batter safely reaching first base is scored as a hit unless an out is made by a fielder’s choice. In situations where an obvious base hit results in a force out at 2rd, 3rd, or Home due to a very slow base runner (judgement call), the batter’s AB should be scored as a hit. For example, a line drive single to the left fielder who then creates a force out at second base due to a slow base runner from

first base.

3. A maximum of 5 runs are scored per inning until the last inning is reached. At that point, run scoring is unlimited. The exception to the 5 run rule is a homerun that is driven out of play. In this situation, all runs are counted.

4. A game that is tied after regulation can be extended to extra innings, if time allows and if both coaches agree to extended play. If not, the game ends in a tie. All extra innings start with a baserunner on 2nd base. This baserunner is the player who made the last out in the previous inning.

1. All leagues - A batter starts with a count of no balls and no strikes.

2. A strike is called when a legally pitched ball strikes any part of the “Strike Plate” with or without a batter’s swing.

3. All leagues – The batter’s first foul ball after a two-strike count is ruled a strikeout.

4. Winter indoor ceiling rule - When a ball hits any part of the ceiling in fair territory (entire white area of ceiling, except area directly above and right of first base foul line) or any light fixture, the ball is considered “live” and in play. If a batted ball strikes any part of the ceiling or side wall in foul territory, including the white area directly above and right of the first base foul line, the ball is immediately ruled a “dead foul ball” which cannot be caught for an out. When a ball is hit over the netting in right field (area between right field foul line and first orange pole), the hit is ruled a single. When a ball is hit over the netting in right center field (area between first and second orange poles) the hit is ruled a double. When a ball is hit over the netting in left center field (area left of second orange pole), the hit is ruled a home run. When a ball strikes the left field or left center field “home- run zone” (white vertical section between blue wall and white ceiling) on the fly, the hit is ruled a home run.

1. Substitute runners from home plate are allowed when an injury, health condition, or permanent restriction exists that may result in further injury to the batter. A Substitute Runner from home plate must continue as a substitute after they reach base. A Substitute Runner that starts from home plate cannot advance past 2nd base on a batted ball unless the ball is driven over the outfield fence. A Substitute Runner must start behind the Substitute Runner Plate located on the right side of the Batter’s Box and is aligned with the Third Base Foul Line. A Substitute Runner is automatically ruled out if they are on base when it is their turn to bat. The use of a Substitute Runner for any player on any base is allowed, at the coach’s discretion, as a tactical base running strategy. The use of a player as a Substitute Runner is limited to twice per game.

1. A batter is required to touch only first base when a homerun is driven over the outfield fence. 

2. Run through zones at 2nd and 3rd base have been eliminated. Baserunners must run to and stop on the base.

3. A baserunner that over-runs 2nd or 3rd base is out if the fielder tags the base or baserunner while in possession of the ball.

4. No rundowns. If a baserunner rounds a base and then decides not to advance to the next base, they must return to the previous base. The baserunner cannot advance a second time to the next base unless a throwing error occurs. If the baserunner then attempts to advance due to a loose ball from a throwing error, the baserunner must continue fully to the next base, baserunner is prohibited from reversing direction a second time.

5. A baserunner advancing from 3rd base to home cannot reverse direction after passing the 25 ft Commitment Line. If this occurs, baserunner is out and ball remains “live”.

6. A baserunner is not allowed to steal a base.

7. A baserunner is allowed to step toward the next base as soon as the pitched ball crosses the front of the Strike Plate. The base runner is NOT REQUIRED to remain on the base until the batter makes contact with the pitched ball.

8. Baserunners advancing from 3rd base must touch the Runner’s Home Plate. Touching the Strike Plate in error will be scored as an out and the ball remains “live”.

9. If a baserunner collides with a fielder attempting to make a play at any base or infield position, the runner is out. If a baserunner and a fielder collide at or near a base, when there is no play at the base, the contact is considered fielder interference if the baserunner has stayed in the base path. The runner then advances one additional base or more if the umpire deems the runner would have reached an additional base. For example, if the first baseman interferes and impedes the baserunner’s advancement to 2nd base, the baserunner would then be awarded 2nd base unless, in the opinion of the umpire, the baserunner would have also safely reached 3rd base or perhaps even home. If the baserunner has run outside of the base path, the contact is considered baserunner interference and the baserunner is out.

Bats approved for league play must have ASA, Senior Softball USA, or USA Softball certification, or the bat must have a BPF of 1.21 or less.  If a bat is marked otherwise, it may be legal if it can be determined that the BPF is 1.21 or less.

1. Approved game ball for the summer/fall outdoor leagues - A.D. Starr Tattoo / 52 COR 300 compression / Poly core.

2. Approved game ball for the winter indoor league - Dudley SB12 / 44 COR 375 compression / Cork center.

3. The home team must supply one new game ball and one good used ball as backup when a double header is played.

1. Summer & Fall Leagues – Two 6 inning games will be played unless shortened by weather or by agreement of both coaches.

2. Winter Indoor League – One game consisting of 6 innings or 75 minutes, whichever occurs first, will be played.

3. When inclement weather shortens a game, the game is considered official if 4 innings have been completed or 3 ½ completed innings if the home team is leading. In a situation where both coaches have agreed to play a shorter game, for example a 5 inning game vs a 6 inning game, and weather has then shortened the game further, the game is then official after the completion of 3 innings.

4. An incomplete game will resume at the point of suspension.

5. A maximum of 5 runs may be scored per inning, except for the final inning, which has an unlimited run rule.

6. Innings 1 through 4 will be played two innings at a time before sides change. When three outs or five runs are achieved, the bases are cleared and a new inning starts. Play reverts to one inning at a time after the 4th inning is completed.

7. When a 10 run lead is achieved prior to the start of the last inning, the game is considered official and the team ahead by 10 runs is considered the winner.

1. Each team must supply a home plate umpire when it is their turn at bat. The home plate umpire keeps track of balls & strikes, calls all plays at home, declares balls fair or foul and announces pitches too high and too low before and after the ball strikes the plate.

2. The first base coach is responsible for calls on all plays made at first base. The third base coach is responsible for all calls made at third and second base.

3. Umpires are required to make a call immediately, forcefully and without hesitation, so as not to be influenced by others voicing their opinion of the play. An umpire is allowed and encouraged to confer with the other two umpires when his/her view of a play is blocked and therefore might result in an incorrect call. 

4. If it is determined that a call was made incorrectly, and both coaches agree that the person is acting in bad faith, then the person in question cannot continue to be used as an umpire for the balance of the game.

5. Should a play occur that is not covered by the rules, each coach must first discuss the situation to attempt at arriving at a resolution. If a resolution is not achieved, then a flip of a coin is acceptable.

6. If a play in question favors one team, the other team's coach can reverse the call "if" the call is against their own team.

1. The Oversight Committee shall be comprised of team coaches.

2. The responsibility of the Oversight Committee is to ensure the rules are followed, to process issues received from players and coaches, to keep financial records, and to communicate all matters pertinent to coaches of each team.