The following are the basic C’Ville Social Softball Rules & Regulations. Outside of the rules stated below, C’Ville Social follows the rules of the USA Softball, the National Governing Body (NGB) of Softball in the U.S.

A copy of the USA Softball Rule Book is available at www.teamusa.org/USA-Softball.

 

COED LEAGUE – 60 MIN RULES

Game Time:
  • 60 minute games?(or 7 innings of play?whichever comes first).?No new inning after?50 minutes, finish the current inning. ?If the current inning has not been completed at the end of the 60 minute game time the score will reflect the last total completed inning. 4 innings (3-if the home team is ahead) is an official game.
  • 10 minute grace period is allowable for the 1st game of the night; comes off game time.
  • 1 pitch softball will be used if game is tied and within time limit at the end of 7 innings.
  • Tie ballgames after game time has elapsed will be recorded as ties. (excluding playoffs)

Team Lineup:

  • 10 players in the field (4 female minimum). No more than 6 males in field at any time.
  • 8 or 9 players are acceptable for play (5 or 6 men & 3 women) with a one (1) out assessment that should be placed in the batting lineup prior to the captain?s roster exchange.
  • 16 player maximum batting lineup (no more than 2 males can bat in a row). No player (male or female) can be in the batting lineup more than once (e.g. females batting twice in a lineup to bat more male players is not allowed). Any lineup modifications to the batting lineup (substitutions, additions, insertion of late arrivals, etc.) must be shared with opposing team captain.
  • Everyone in the dugout can bat, regardless if they play in the field (up to the 16 max).
  • Team Captain?s are responsible for roster exchange prior to the start of the game.
  • Legal team has the option to loan a player(s) to the opposing team to avoid a forfeit.
  • Injured players: when a player is injured during game play you may replace them in the lineup (male for male, female for female) if you have extra players not already in the batting lineup, if this is not possible the team is assessed an out at the injured player?s spot in the lineup. Opposing team may also loan a player if they so choose.

Game Play:

  • USA Softball Pitching Requirements with the following exception:
    • Pitcher must deliver the ball with a sensible arc and reach a height of at least 6 feet from the ground, while not exceeding a maximum height of 12 feet from the ground.
    • Pitcher must deliver the ball from the mound or up to 6 feet behind the mound.
  • Batter begins each turn at bat with a 1-1 count. (1 ball & 1 strike)
  • One courtesy foul ball is given to a batter who has two strikes against him or her.? If the next pitch is fouled off that is your courtesy foul.? If the following pitch is a foul, the batter is out.
  • Base on balls or walks equal advancement to 1st base (same for males & females),?EXCEPT with two outs,?when a male player is walked and a female batter is on deck, he is awarded?2nd base and the female?batter has the option to hit or accept a walk to 1st base?prior to her first pitch. When a male is walked and a male batter is on deck he is only awarded 1st base.
  • No base stealing shall take place at any time.
  • One (1) courtesy runner may be used each-inning. (males for males, females for females)
  • Score exchange – Captains responsible for courtesy score exchanges with opponent each-inning
  • No home run limit.
  • Balls that are caught in nets or advance through fence are scored a ground rule double.
  • 15 run slaughter rule after 4 innings (3-if the home team is ahead).

Game Equipment:

  • Bats only on the approved USA Softball bat list are acceptable.
  • Ball acceptable for game play is a 12 inch, .52 COR, 300 compression softball.
  • Each team must provide and hit its own approved softballs for play.
  • No official team uniforms are required, but they are highly recommended.
  • No metal cleats are acceptable at any time.

Sportsmanship, Park Regulations, Alcohol Consumption:

  • Sportsmanship -?Participants of C’Ville Social Softball (players, captains, and spectators)?are expected to maintain a quality level of personal conduct and sportsmanship.? The captain must attempt to control the conduct of?his/her?players during?game play. The?captain may be held responsible for, and therefore may be liable for, the conduct of?his/her players?during?game play.? C’Ville Social will not tolerate misconduct (verbal or physical acts)?which is judged by the umpire?to be detrimental to the game of softball.? Any misconduct calls by the umpire could result in ejection from the game, the season or the league.
  • Alcohol Consumption -?Fairfax County?Park Authority rules state that “Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on park grounds or in Park Authority buildings without a pre-approved permit in accordance with Virginia state law”.? This rule is always covered?in the?C’Ville Social Captain’s meeting?prior to season play.? C’Ville Social does not promote the consumption of alcohol?on park?grounds and?would prefer its teams follow County rules.? So?if you choose to?consume alcohol?at the fields(s) you are doing so at your own risk.
  • C’Ville Social promotes itself as a social sports league and tries to ensure that all of our teams and players have an enjoyable experience during game play, so please keep it clean, keep it fun, play some ball and hit the bar for?drinks?after the game.

Forfeits, Inclement Weather & Make-Up Games:

  • Forfeit if a team does not have the min. 8 players to start and/or finish a game.
  • If rain ensues prior to or during your game it is up to the umpire to decide whether the conditions are safe and playable.? A rain delay of up to 15 minutes comes off game time.
  • If the umpire calls the game after completing four (4) innings of game play (3-if the home team is ahead) it is a legal game and counts towards your regular season record.? If four (4) innings (or 3-if the home team is ahead) have not been completed prior to the game being called, it would not count and be made up at a later date.
  • Fairfax County Park Authority Field Status Line (703.324.5264)
  • If the games are not canceled by the FCPA prior to game time and rain ensues the umpire at the field or the C’Ville Social League Commissioner can call the game.
  • If a game is cancelled due to inclement weather, make-up games may be scheduled on another day than usual game days (typically Saturday Mornings are make-up game day). Blast emails will be sent to players when games are cancelled and it will be posted on the league schedule on the website.

COED LEAGUE – 75 MIN RULES

Game Time:

  • Single 75 minute game (or 7 innings of play whichever comes first). No new inning after 65 minutes, finish the current inning. If the current inning has not been completed at the end of the 75 minute game time the score will reflect the last total completed inning. 4 innings (3-if the home team is ahead) is an official game.
  • 10 minute grace period is allowable for the 1st game of the night; comes off game time.
  • 1 pitch softball will be used if game is tied and within time limit at the end of 7 innings.
  • Tie ballgames after game time has elapsed will be recorded as ties. (excluding playoffs)

Team Lineup:

  • 10 players in the field (4 female minimum). No more than 6 males in field at any time.
  • 8 or 9 players are acceptable for play (5 or 6 men & 3 women) with a one (1) out assessment that should be placed in the batting lineup prior to the captain?s roster exchange.
  • 16 player maximum batting lineup (no more than 2 males can bat in a row). No player (male or female) can be in the batting lineup more than once (e.g. females batting twice in a lineup to bat more male players is not allowed). Any lineup modifications to the batting lineup (substitutions, additions, insertion of late arrivals, etc.) must be shared with opposing team captain.
  • Everyone in the dugout can bat, regardless if they play in the field (up to the 16 max).
  • Team Captains are responsible for lineup/roster exchange prior to the start of the game.
  • Legal team has the option to loan a player(s) to the opposing team to avoid a forfeit.
  • Injured players: when a player is injured during game play you may replace them in the lineup (male for male, female for female) if you have extra players not already in the batting lineup, if this is not possible the team is assessed an out at the injured player?s spot in the lineup. Opposing team may also loan a player if they so choose.

Game Play:

  • USA Softball Pitching Requirements with the following exception:
    • Pitcher must deliver the ball with a sensible arc and reach a height of at least 6 feet from the ground, while not exceeding a maximum height of 12 feet from the ground.
    • Pitcher must deliver the ball from the mound or up to 6 feet behind the mound.
  • Batter begins each turn at bat with a 1-1 count. (1 ball & 1 strike)
  • One courtesy foul ball is given to a batter who has two strikes against him or her.? If the next pitch is fouled off that is your courtesy foul.? If the following pitch is a foul, the batter is out.
  • Base on balls or walks equal advancement to 1st base (same for males & females),?EXCEPT with two outs,?when a male player is walked and a female batter is on deck, he is awarded?2nd base and the female?batter has the option to hit or accept a walk to 1st base?prior to her first pitch. When a male is walked and a male batter is on deck he is only awarded 1st base.
  • No base stealing shall take place at any time.
  • One (1) courtesy runner may be used each-inning. (males for males, females for females)
  • Score exchange – Captains responsible for courtesy score exchanges with opponent each-inning
  • No home run limit.
  • Balls that are caught in nets or advance through fence are scored a ground rule double.
  • 15 run slaughter rule after 4 innings.

Game Equipment:

  • Bats only on the approved USA Softball bat list are acceptable.
  • Ball acceptable for game play is a 12 inch, .52 COR, 300 compression softball.
  • Each team must provide and hit its own approved softballs for play.
  • No official team uniforms are required, but they are highly recommended.
  • No metal cleats are acceptable at any time.

Sportsmanship, Park Regulations, Alcohol Consumption:

  • Sportsmanship -?Participants of C’Ville Social Softball (players, captains, and spectators)?are expected to maintain a quality level of personal conduct and sportsmanship.? The captain must attempt to control the conduct of?his/her?players during?game play. The?captain may be held responsible for, and therefore may be liable for, the conduct of?his/her players?during?game play.? C’Ville Social will not tolerate misconduct (verbal or physical acts)?which is judged by the umpire?to be detrimental to the game of softball.? Any misconduct calls by the umpire could result in ejection from the game, the season or the league.
  • Alcohol Consumption -?Fairfax County?Park Authority rules state that “Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on park grounds or in Park Authority buildings without a pre-approved permit in accordance with Virginia state law”.? This rule is always covered?in the?C’Ville Social Captain’s meeting?prior to season play.? C’Ville Social does not promote the consumption of alcohol?on park?grounds and?would prefer its teams follow County rules.? So?if you choose to?consume alcohol?at the fields(s) you are doing so at your own risk.
  • C’Ville Social promotes itself as a social sports league and tries to ensure that all of our teams and players have an enjoyable experience during game play, so please keep it clean, keep it fun, play some ball and hit the bar for?drinks?after the game.

Forfeits, Inclement Weather & Make-Up Games:

  • Forfeit if a team does not have the min. 8 players to start and/or finish a game.
  • If rain ensues prior to or during your game it is up to the umpire to decide whether the conditions are safe and playable.? A rain delay of up to 15 minutes comes off game time.
  • If the umpire calls the game after completing four (4) innings of game play (3-if the home team is ahead) it is a legal game and counts towards your regular season record.? If four (4) innings (or 3-if the home team is ahead) have not been completed prior to the game being called it would not count and be made up at a later date.
  • Fairfax County Park Authority Field Status Line (703.324.5264)
  • If the games are not canceled by the FCPA prior to game time and rain ensues the umpire at the field or the C’Ville Social League Commissioner can call the game.
  • If a game is cancelled due to inclement weather, make-up games may be scheduled on another day than usual game days (typically Saturday Mornings are make-up game day). Blast emails will be sent to players when games are cancelled and it will be posted on the league schedule on the website.

MEN’S LEAGUE RULES

Game Time:

  • 60 minute games?(or 7 innings of play?whichever comes first).?No new inning after?50 minutes, finish the current inning.?If the current inning has not been completed at the end of the 60 minute game time the score will reflect the last total completed inning. 4 innings (3-if the home team is ahead) is an official game.
  • 10 minute grace period is allowable for the 1st game of the night; comes off game time.
  • 1 pitch softball will be used if game is tied and within time limit at the end of 7 innings.
  • Tie ballgames after game time has elapsed will be recorded as ties. (excluding playoffs)

Team Lineup:?

  • 10 player maximum in the field (8 player minimum).
  • 16 player maximum batting lineup. Everyone in the dugout can bat, regardless if they play in the field (up to the 16 max). No player can be in the lineup more than once. Any lineup modifications to the batting lineup (substitutions, additions, insertion of late arrivals, etc.) must be shared with the opposing team captain.
  • Team Captain?s are responsible for lineup/roster exchange prior to the start of the game.
  • Legal team has the option to loan a player(s) to the opposing team to avoid a forfeit.
  • Injured players: when a player is injured during game play you may replace them in the lineup if you have extra players not already in the batting lineup, if this is not possible the team is assessed an out at the injured player?s spot in the lineup. Opposing team may also loan a player if they so choose.

Game Play:

  • USA Softball Pitching Requirements with the following exception:
    • Pitcher must deliver the ball with a sensible arc and reach a height of at least 6 feet from the ground, while not exceeding a maximum height of 12 feet from the ground.
    • Pitcher must deliver the ball from the mound or up to 6 feet behind the mound.
  • Batter begins each turn at bat with a 1-1 count. (1 ball & 1 strike)
  • One courtesy foul ball is given to a batter who has two strikes against him.? If the next pitch is fouled off that is your courtesy foul.? If the following pitch is a foul, the batter is out.
  • Base on balls or walks equal advancement to 1st base.
  • No base stealing shall take place at any time.
  • One (1) courtesy runner may be used each-inning.
  • Score exchange – Captains responsible for courtesy score exchanges with opponent each-inning
  • Five (5) Home Run Limit. After a team has hit five (5) Home Runs, all subsequent Home Runs will be scored as a double
  • Balls that are caught in nets or advance through fence are scored a ground rule double.
  • 15 run slaughter rule after 4 innings (3-if the home team is ahead).

Game Equipment:

  • Bats only on the approved USA Softball bat list are acceptable.
  • Ball acceptable for game play is a 12 inch, .52 COR, 300 compression softball.
  • Each team must provide and hit its own approved softballs for play.
  • No official team uniforms are required, but they are highly recommended.
  • No metal cleats are acceptable at any time.

Sportsmanship, Park Regulations, Alcohol Consumption:

  • Sportsmanship -?Participants of C’Ville Social Softball (players, captains, and spectators)?are expected to maintain a quality level of personal conduct and sportsmanship.? The captain must attempt to control the conduct of?his/her?players during?game play. The?captain may be held responsible for, and therefore may be liable for, the conduct of?his/her players?during?game play.? C’Ville Social will not tolerate misconduct (verbal or physical acts)?which is judged by the umpire?to be detrimental to the game of softball.? Any misconduct calls by the umpire could result in ejection from the game, the season or the league.
  • Alcohol Consumption -?Fairfax County?Park Authority rules state that “Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on park grounds or in Park Authority buildings without a pre-approved permit in accordance with Virginia state law”.? This rule is always covered?in the?C’Ville Social Captain’s meeting?prior to season play.? C’Ville Social does not promote the consumption of alcohol?on park?grounds and?would prefer its teams follow County rules.? So?if you choose to?consume alcohol?at the fields(s) you are doing so at your own risk.
  • C’Ville Social promotes itself as a social sports league and tries to ensure that all of our teams and players have an enjoyable experience during game play, so please keep it clean, keep it fun, play some ball and hit the bar for?drinks?after the game.

Forfeits, Inclement Weather & Make-Up Games:

  • Forfeit if a team does not have the min. 8 players to start and/or finish a game.
  • If rain ensues prior to or during your game it is up to the umpire to decide whether the conditions are safe and playable.? A rain delay of up to 15 minutes comes off game time.
  • If the umpire calls the game after completing four (4) innings of game play (3-if the home team is ahead) it is a legal game and counts towards your regular season record.? If four (4) innings (or 3-if the home team is ahead) have not been completed prior to the game being called it would not count and be made up at a later date.
  • Fairfax County Park Authority Field Status Line (703.324.5264)
  • If the games are not canceled by the FCPA prior to game time and rain ensues the umpire at the field or the C’Ville Social League Commissioner can call the game
  • If a game is cancelled due to inclement weather, make-up games may be scheduled on another day than usual game days (typically Saturday Mornings are make-up game day). Blast emails will be sent to players when games are cancelled and it will be posted on the league schedule on the website.

Below are the instructions to follow when setting your batting line-ups and keeping score of your games:

1. Batting line-ups should be set prior to the start of the game. ?Line-ups should be set similar to that of a baseball game batting line-up where the batting order remains consistent throughout the game with the males and females are batting in the same spots in the order they were given before the start of the game. ?After you have completed setting your line-up you must share it with the opposing team captain so they can add it to their score book.

2. Line-up modifications – Any modifications to the batting line-up (substitutions, additions, insertion of late arrivals, etc) should be shared with the opposing captain so they are aware of the changes and can continue to maintain their score book accordingly. This will ensure that there are no issues when the score exchanges occur.

3. Score exchanges – Courtesy score exchanges should occur each 1/2 inning so both teams are on the same page and have the same score throughout the game.

These guidelines will help make your job as captains much easier and will assist in resolving any scoring issues that may arise during game play. Please remember to maintain these common courtesies and acts of good sportsmanship as it creates a better overall game experience for everyone.