The University of Tennessee at Martin

The Office of Campus Recreation

1020 Elam Center

Martin, TN 38238

Intramural Softball Rules 2011

All games will be played on the Elam Center fields located behind the Elam Center.

Intramural sports are offered to UT Martin students and staff on a voluntary basis and each participant is responsible for ensuring that they are physically fit to participate in this sport and are encouraged to check with their family physician or Student Health prior to participation.

The official shall have the power to make decisions on any matters or questions not specifically covered in the rules.  The Intramural Coordinator has the power to decide all other matters.

GAME TIME IS FORFEIT TIME.

Current ASA Softball rules with the following modifications will govern play:  Below are summaries and explanations of selected rules.

  • Eligibility

All Participants are to abide by the intramural eligibility rules stated in the Program Handbook.

  • Player Equipment
    • Players are not allowed to wear metal cleats.
    • Each person is responsible for providing his/her glove.
    • Players may use personal equipment provided the Intramural Supervisor prior to that start of the game approves it.  Teams must use the softballs and bats provided.
  • Captain's Responsibility
    • Inform team of game time, playing field, and specific rule interpretations (i.e.  Flat Pitches, thrown bats, bunts)
    • Record starting line up (player's first and last name) prior to game time.
    • Represent team at all discussions with game officials.
    • Keep control of himself/herself, their team, and their spectators in high stress situations.
  • Protest

Detailed protest procedures are outlined in the Program Handbook.  You MUST follow these to the letter.

  • Rescheduling

Detailed rescheduling procedures are outlined in the Program Handbook.  You must follow these to the letter.

  • Game Time
    • Seven (7) innings will constitute a regulation game.
    • Should a game in progress be called off due to inclement weather, four (4) innings will constitute a complete game.
    • Games are limited to 50 minutes.  If time expires while an inning is in progress, the full inning will be completed.  No inning can begin after 50 minutes.
  • Win, Default, Forfeit, Double Forfeit and Inclement Weather
    • The team with the most runs at the end of regulation time will be declared the winner.  If time expires before a winner is declared, additional innings will be played (refer to rule Tie Game)
    • League games cancelled due to inclement weather will be played at a later date provided that space and time is available.  If space and time is not available the result will be a double win.  Teams and captains are responsible for checking the intramural display case outside Rec Check along with the web-site for rescheduled game times.
    • Teams unable to play a league game will receive a default recorded as a loss, instead of a forfeit, provided they notify the Office of Campus Recreation 24 hours prior to game time.
    • Teams failing to report to play at the scheduled time will forfeit to their opponent.  A game may start with a minimum of 8 players.  Game time is forfeit time. 
    • A double forfeit will result when neither team is ready to start play at the scheduled game time.
    • In the event of inclement weather four (4) innings will constitute a complete game.  If games are cancelled due to inclement weather, the games for that evening will be rescheduled.
  • Suspension of Time
    • Umpires will not call time at the request of players, coaches or managers until all action in progress by either team has been completed.
    • An umpire may suspend play when, in his/her judgment, conditions justify such action.
    • In case of injury, time will not be called until all plays in progress have been completed and runners are held at their bases.
  • Players and Substitutes
    • Each team provides their own pitcher, who will pitch to his/her own team.
    • Teams may bat as many players as they wish.  However, if a team begins a game batting 12 people, they must end the game batting 12 people.  The hitters within the line up may substitute into the field at any position at any time.  However, once replaced, that player may not play in the field again.  Exception Pitcher.  The batting order must remain constant at all times.
    • If a player is ejected for any reason by an umpire he/she cannot be replaced in the batting order or within the field.  When his/her turn comes up within the batting order it is an out.
  • Pinch-Runners
    • Teams may use Pinch Runners in any game.  After they have used the person substituted for may re-enter.  Pinch Runners must be people on the team roster but not in the batting order or playing in the field.  A person who runs for another player can do so only once per game.
  • Tie Game
    • If time expires while an inning is in progress, time will be extended to complete the full inning.
    • If the score is tied at the end of seven full innings, or after time has expired, additional innings will be played in order to determine a winner.
  • Pitching
    • Two-Pitch Softball: The batter will receive a maximum of 2 pitches.  If the first pitch is hit into foul territory and legally caught by a fielder is out.  On the second pitch, the batter is out if he/she hits a foul ball, swings and misses, or fails to swing.
    • The pitcher is allowed 5 warm up pitches at the start of the game.  Every inning there after, new and returning pitchers are allowed 2 warm up pitches.
    • The pitcher must deliver the ball in the underhand motion.
    • A legal pitch must have a minimum arc of 6 feet and a maximum arc of 12 feet.
    • The pitcher must have one foot in contact with the rubber during the delivery.
    • If the pitcher interferes anyway with play, including verbally, the batter is out and the base-runners may not advance (i.e., a batted ball that strikes a batter)
    • There is no limit on substitutions for the pitcher.
    • The pitcher must be in the batting line up.
  • The Batter
    • The batter must have both feet completely within the lines of the batter's box prior to the start of the pitch (he/she may touch the lines, but no part of the foot may be outside the lines.)
    • During the swing, the batter must keep one foot in contact with the batter's box.
    • Bunting or chopping at the ball is illegal; the ball is dead and the batter is out.  Runners may not advance.
    • Thrown bat: First offense - the batter is out.  Base runners may not advance.  Second offense - the player is ejected.  Base runners may not advance.
  • Specific Rules
    • Infield Fly Rule: An infield fly is any ball, that in the official's judgment can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort when there are runners on 1st and 2nd base or with bases loaded with less than 2 outs (usually a pop up).  The batter is out.  The base runners may advance at their own risk.
    • (Mercy Rule)  If after the 5th inning either team is ahead by 10 runs or more the game is called.
    • (Mercy Rule)  If after the 3rd inning either team is ahead by 15 or more runs the game is called.
    • (Interference)  If the ball strikes the person or clothing of the umpire or a base-runner on fair ground the following will apply:
  • If the ball hits the umpire or base runner after touching a fielder the ball is in play.
  • If the ball hits the umpire or base runner after passing a fielder other than the pitcher the ball is in play.
  • If the ball hits the umpire or base runner before passing a fielder without being touched, the ball is dead.
  • If the base runner is hit, he/she is out and the batter is entitled to first base without liability to be put out.  Base-runners not forced by the batter-runner must return to the base they had reached prior to the interference.
  • Considering the pitch to your own team rule, if a bated ball hits any part of the pitcher, the batter is automatically out.
  • Base-runners & Awarding Bases
    • Base runners must stay in contact with the base until the pitched ball is contacted with the bat.
    • If the player leaves the base without the ball being contacted he is out.
    • Any ball overthrown into the out of play area, beyond the fences, runners receive the base they were approaching plus the next base.
  • Appeal Play
    • To indicate an appeal play the player making the appeal must have possession of the ball.  The umpire will make a ruling.  The ruling is final.
  • Ejection of Players
    • A player or a coach who has been ejected from the game is restricted to the bench unless the act is determined to be flagrant, when the player or coach must then leave the grounds.  Once ejected the player or coach may not participate, physically or verbally in the game.
    • Any Player or coach ejected from a game may not participate in another game until he/she has met with the Intramural Coordinator or the Director of Campus Recreation.  The action taken will be determined at this meeting and depends on the severity of the act committed.
    • All cases of Physical Abuse and Disorderly conduct will be forwarded to the Office of Student Affairs for review.  Participants whose cases are under review will be suspended from further play until the case is resolved.

There will be a 5 over-the-fence home run limit       for each team for each game.  Any home run       over the limit will result in an out.

Summary of Jack and Jill Rules

    • A team shall consist of 10 players (five females and five males).  A game may start with as few as 7 players (four females and 3 males).
    • Defensive positioning shall include 2 males and 2 females in the outfield, 2 males and 2 females in the infield and 1 female and 1 male in the pitcher-catcher positions.
  • Base-running Regulations
    • Sliding is legal
    • Courtesy Runners are illegal
  • Batting Regulations

3.1 The batting order shall alternate between the sexes.