University of Delaware Intramural Sports

Softball Rules Clinic

Adam JinesCoordinator of Intramural Sports

CSB 134jines@udel.edu302-831-4267

UD Intramural Employment • Criminal Background Check

– You will receive an email from Axiom– Submit online form immediately

• Pay Roll– Fill out employment packet with Linda Baird CSB 134– You will need:

• Voided Check• Social Security Card• Drivers License

– Direct deposit• Do this IMMEDIATELY• Previous Employees: Check to make sure you are still

in the system and listed as a ref

Scheduling

• Availability Sheet: Must be returned by the end of training to be considered for officiating

• All scheduling is done through email fromjines@udel.edu

• One week notice is needed if you can not work at a specific time or on a specific date

• YOU must find your own substitutes and have them send me an email if you can not ref a shift you are scheduled for

• If you do not show for a shift you will be dismissed

The Ref Dress Code • Look Professional• MUST wear stripes TUCKED IN• Wear sneakers/athletic shoes• Wear shorts or athletic pants• NO jeans, khakis, etc.• NO cell phones, earphones,etc.

Coming to Work

• You must be at the field 10 minutes before game time

• If you are late you may be replaced and then dismissed

• Sign in with the supervisor• Help set up or take down• Be Energetic• Be Confident• Stay on the field

Role of the Supervisor

• Sign in and supervise refs• Handle injuries• Handle argumentative or problem participants• Crowd control• Enforce IM and Facility rules• Collect score sheets• Answer questions• etc. etc. etc.

Injury or Blood

• A player CAN NOT play if there is any visible blood anywhere on them or their clothes/shoes - alert supervisor

• NO blood can be on the equipment or playing area - alert supervisor

• Have injured/bleeding player stay put and get the supervisor

Player Sign In • MUST HAVE UD ID TO PARTICIPATE NO EXCEPTIONS!!!• NO JEWELRY

– Not even taped or covered with a bandage• Proper athletic footwear required• Write # next to name on score sheet• Name must be on the score sheet OR have stamped add slip from office• Supervisor will assess a 5 minute grace period for teams that are late, after

that it is a forfeit

Captain’s Meeting• A Captain’s Meeting will take place before the start of each

game• Includes: refs and at least 1 representative (captain) from

each team• Give a reminder of:

– Sportsmanship statement– Boundary lines – New rules– Anything you feel needs to be reiterated

• Ask for any questions

Score Sheets

• Have players keep score• Check score and player count at half time• Write techs yourself right after called• Circle Winner• Sign Score Sheets

Official’s Softball Training

• Pre-Game Preparation- Check and Clear fields of any hazards - Set-up fields- Teams arrival - Conduct Captain’s Meeting

• Post-Game Duties- Check and Clear fields of any hazards- Tear down fields and collect equipment- Sign any necessary reports

Official’s Softball Training

• Softball Rules• Hand Signals• “Selling the Call”

- Vocal- Confident- Use of Hand Signals

Official Bat– Bat is rounded and smooth and without dents. Free of exposed– rivets, pens, or rough or sharp edges that would present a hazard.– No longer than 34 inches. Diameter 2 ¼ inches.– Weight less than 38 ounces.– Must have a safety grip of tape, cork, or composite materials.– Must have ASA or USA Softball Logo

The Ball– Must have a smooth seams and a flat surface– Stamped core of .44 or less and a compression rating with a– maximum 375 pounds.– Color should be solid white or optic yellow– Must be 12 inches in diameter

Shoes– All players must wear shoes– Must be made of leather, canvas or similar materials– Cleats must be made of soft or hard rubber.– METAL cleats are prohibited.

Equipment

Warm-up• With games being on a 50 minute time frame,

teams will have approximately 5-10 minutes to warm-up. – There is no soft toss allowed against the backstop or

fences

• Between innings, pitchers may have a maximum of 3 warm up pitches– Hustle in between innings, the faster you are ready to

play the more innings there will be.

The Game Teams

– Visiting teams bats first and home team bats last.– The home and away teams will be delineated on the score sheet.– The home team will be listed to the bottom of the score sheet.

Regulation– A regulation game consist of 7 innings or a 50 minute time limit. Teams need

not play seven full innings if the home teams scores more runs before the third out in the last half of the seventh inning

– The run-ahead rule is in force– If the game is tied after time expires. The game shall be called a draw.– If a playoff game is tied after time expires, the teams will continue the game

until a winner is declared.– The supervisor may call the game at any time because of severe rain,

lightning, or other cause that puts players or spectators at danger.

The Game

Forfeited Games– The umpire may declare a forfeited game in the following

cases:• A team doesn’t have the minimum number of players to compete

in a contest.• A team member or spectator physically or verbally attacks an

umpire.• A team doesn’t appear on the field or refuses to begin a game at

the scheduled time.• Following a suspension of play, a team does not resume play after

the umpire declares, “play ball”.• A team doesn’t have enough players to continue after an ejection.

– The score of a forfeit game will be 10-0.

The Game

Mercy Rule – Team ahead by 10 or more runs at the completion of the fourth

inning.– If the visiting team reaches the run-ahead limit in the top half of an

inning, the home team has the opportunity to reduce the deficit below the limit in the bottom half of the inning.

– If the home team reaches mercy rule run limit at the end an inning, the game ends and the home teams is declared the winner.

– If the home team is leading by 10 or more runs to start the third inning and the visiting team doesn’t bring the score differential down below 10 runs during their half of the inning the game is declared a win for the home team without the home team having to bat.

The Game• Only protests based on questions of player eligibility and rule

interpretation will be accepted.• No protests on judgment calls are permitted.• Protests must be made at the time of the incident (report to supervisor)

– Once play is restarted, the situation cannot be protested (unless for player eligibility)

• Upheld protests will be replayed from point of rule infraction– Exception: ineligible players will result in a win by forfeit

• During playoffs, if protest is deemed valid on ineligible player, protesting team advances, but all previous rounds remain the same

Players and SubstitutesTeam

– A team consist of 10 players. A team may start and finish the game with seven players.– A team must have pitcher and a catcher although the other team may supply the catcher if they

agree to do so

Players or Subs– A player or substitute is officially in the game when he or she is entered onto the officials score

sheet.– A substitute may take the place of any player in the batting order of the team.

Substitution procedures– Notify the umpire– If the umpire is not notified, the sub will take effect as follows:

• Batter, when he/she steps into the batter’s box• Fielder, when he/she take a teammates place in the field• Runner, when he/she occupies a base previously occupied by a teammate.• Pitcher, when he/she occupies the pitcher’s place and delivers a practice pitch

– Announced or not, after the substitute enters the game, any play that the substitute makes is legal.

– A substitution can take place during any dead ball situation.

Players and SubstitutesReentry Rule

– All players may withdraw and reenter the game, but they must occupy the same batting position in the lineup.

– Opposing team handles improper reentry with a protest.– An improper reentry becomes a violation after a pitch is made.

• examples– starter who reenters in the wrong batting position in the lineup.– a starter who reenters twice– substitute who reenters the game

– If a player has reentered improperly and the defensive team discovers the violation when the player is playing offensively, the following penalties are applied

• While the batter is batting, the player is replace and the proper batter assumes the accumulated ball and strikes.

• If discovered after the bat is completed and before a pitch to the next batter, the batter is called out. Base runners return to the previous base occupied.

• If discovered after the a pitch has been made to the next batter, all plays that occurred with the improper reentry stands.

Pitching

• Position yourself behind and either slightly to the left or right of the catcher

• Lock into the same position on every pitch. Any deviation will cause inconsistency in your zone.

• Keep your head as steady as possible. Follow the pitched ball, and watch to see it cross the plate area.

Proper Alignment (right handed batter)

catcher

PitchingPitching Arc

– a minimum arc of 6 feet above the ground– a maximum arc of 12 feet above the ground

Strike Zone– Within the legal Arc limits (6ft-12ft above ground at highest point)– Crosses above batters front knee and below batters back shoulder– Crosses above the plate

Illegal Pitch– outside of the designated arc– an illegal pitch counts as a ball for the batter and there is no advance by the base

runner (s)– if the batter strikes an illegal pitch, the pitch and all subsequent action becomes

legal– the pitch is called immediately by the umpire when it becomes illegal with a loud

voice

PitchingSpeed

– must be thrown at a MODERATE SPEED underhand– a warning will be given for excessive speed, should the pitcher continue he/she

will be removed from that position for the remainder of the game.– fast pitches are ruled illegal and is called a ball unless the batter hits it.

No Pitch - declared when:– pitcher pitches during the suspension of play– runner is called out for leaving the base early.– pitcher makes a quick return pitch– ball slips from the pitcher’s hand during his/her wind-up or backswing– pitcher pitches before the base runner (s) retouch base after a foul ball has been

declared, and the ball is dead.– a player, captain, or coach calls time– repeated offense by the team warned shall result in the offender being removed

from the game

Pitching

Pitching Motion– pitcher’s pivot foot must remain in contact with the pitching

rubber until the pitched ball leaves the pitcher’s hand– once a pitcher begins the pitch, there shall be no stop of the

forward motion– If the pitcher elects to take a step during a pitch, it must be

toward home plate, and simultaneous with the release of the ball

– pitcher shall not use a multi-color, white, or gray glove, nor shall s/he wear on his/her pitching wrist or forearm a sweatband, bracelet, or other similar type item.

Fielding

Fair ball– fielder touches a ball before it reaches first or third base and

knocks it fouls– ball hits the ground and bounces over a base and lands in foul

territory– a fly ball is judged according to the relative position of the ball

and the foul line, including the foul pole, NOT the fielders position

Positioning– teams must have a minimum of 7 and maximum of 10 fielders.– fielders can be arranged in any manner that the captain would

like.

FieldingCatch

– is completed when the ball is in the grasp of the fielder’s hands or glove– the fielder shall hold the ball long enough to prove that s/he has complete control of the

ball and that his/her release of the ball is voluntary and intentional.– if the player drops the ball while in the act of throwing, it is a valid catch.

Interference– an offensive player or team member that impedes, hinders, or confuses a defensive player

who is attempting to make a play.• Examples

– physical contact, verbal distraction, visual distraction, or any other kind of distraction that might hinder a fielder who is attempting to make a play.

– defensive players must have an unhindered opportunity to field or throw the ball anywhere on the field.

Bench Interference– Members of the team at bat shall not interfere with a player attempting to field a foul fly

ball.– The effect of this play is that the ball is dead, the batter is out and the base runner (s) must

return to the base legally held at the time of the pitch.

Fielding

Illegal Catch– when a fielder contacts or catches a fair batted or

thrown ball with his cap, mask, glove or any part of his uniform while it is detached from its proper place on his/her person

– the base runners shall be entitled to 3 bases on a batted ball, or 2 bases on a thrown ball.

– In either case the base runner (s) may advance further on their own risk.

Fielding

Catches– A player may reach over the out of play line to attempt to make a

catch. He/she must be completely in foul territory when in contact with the ball or it is considered a dead ball

Carried by player out of play– When a legally caught ball is playable in playable territory is carried by

a fielder unintentionally into out-of-play territory:• the ball is dead; the batter is out; and all runners advance one base beyond

the base last occupied at the time of the pitch.

Loss of Possession– If a fielder loses possession of the ball when attempting to make a tag

and the ball then goes into dead territory or becomes blocked• all runners are awarded one base from the base that they had touched last

when the ball entered dead ball territory.

FieldingAppeals

– must be made before the next pitch, legal or illegal– following a dead ball, the pitcher must stand within 8 feet radius of the

pitching mound with the ball.– the umpire shall recognize the pitcher when he has the ball and the pitcher

will announce the appeal.– the ball does not have to leave the eight-foot radius and runners cannot leave

their bases. The ball remains dead.– 3 Examples of an appeal play

• Fielding team thought the base runner missed second base. Before the next pitch the fielding team requests to appeal the play by notifying the umpire and then throwing the ball to second base. If the umpire thought the runner touched the base he will be called safe if he missed the base the umpire will call him out.

• Leaving a base on a caught fly ball prior to ball being touched• Batting out of order

– The umpire will not call the base runner out unless an appeal has been made

Fielding

• An infield fly will be declared when runners are on 1st & 2nd or 1st, 2nd, & 3rd with less than 2 outs and a pop fly is hit in the infield

• Batter is automatically declared out (whether ball is caught or not)

• Baserunners may advance at their own risk– Like a fly ball

BattingStarting Pitch Count

– batters begin each at-bat with a 1 ball and 1 strike count.

Courtesy Runners– not allowed– If a player becomes injured and can not finish the game - the substitution rule is used.

Batting Lineup– must be completed prior to the start of the game– teams must have a minimum of 7 players to start the game– batting lineups can have up to 10 players

Co-Rec Batting Lineup– the batting lineup must alternate genders– more females than males, two males cannot bat back-to-back without taking an

automatic out– in the case of an injured female player who cannot finish, the team must substitute a

female in her spot or take an out for the injured female’s spot.

BattingOut of order

– batting out of order is an appeal play that may be made by the defensive team only while the ball is dead

– incorrect batter is at bat, the correct batter takes his/her place and assumes any balls and strikes currently on the batter

– after the incorrect batter has batted and before the next pitch to another batter, the player who should have batted is out.

• Any advance or score made as a result is nullified• The next batter is the player whose name follows that of the player called out for failing to bat.• If the batter declared out under these circumstances is the third out, the correct batter in the next inning

shall be the player who would have come to bat had the player been put out by an ordinary play.

– after the first pitch to the next batter, the turn at bat of the incorrect batter is legal, all runs scored and bases run are legal, and the next batter in order shall be the one whose name follows that of the incorrect batter. No one is called out for failure to bat.

– Players who have not batted and who have not been called out have lost their turn to bat and do not bat until their names are reached in the batting order as listed on the official score sheet.

– No base runner is removed from base in order to bat in his or her proper position. That player simply misses his or her turn at bat, with no penalty. The batter following the correct batter becomes the legal batter.

Batting

Batter Interference– The batter shall not hinder the catcher from fielding or

throwingthe ball the ball by stepping out of the batter’s box, or intentionally hinder the catcher while standing within the batter’s box.

– The effect of this play is that the ball is dead and the base runner(s) must return to the last occupied base that in the judgment of the umpire was touched at the time of the interference.

– With less than two outs and a runner on third base, if the batter interferes with a play being made at home plate, the batter is not out because the runner is out.

BattingThe umpire calls a strike:

– the ball is dead and base runners return to their bases without liability to be out.– for each foul tip. The second foul ball after the batter has 2 strikes on the count, shall be

called an out. Any foul tip hit above the batter’s head and is caught is an out.– for each foul ball not legally caught on the fly.– for each pitched ball that is swung at and missed.– when any part of the batter’s person is hit with his/her own batted ball when s/he is in

the batter’s box.

The Umpire calls a ball:– the ball is dead and the base runners return to their bases without liability to be called

out.– For each pitched ball which does not cross over home plate between the batter’s front

knee and back shoulder.– For each pitch that strikes the ground before reaching home plate, or touches home plate

and is not struck by the batter.– For each illegally pitched ball that the batter does not swing at.– When a delivered ball by the pitcher hits the batter outside the strike zone.

Batting

Walks– When a person walks, he/she automatically advance to first

base– The next batter must bat

Co-Rec Walks– when a male walks, he/she automatically advances to

second base and the female who follows him has the option to take first base automatically or to bat

– all other base runners advance accordingly– a run can be forced in– the next batter must bat

BattingBatter’s Box

– there is no chalked or painted batter’s box.– player steps within bat distance of the plate, he/she is considered in the batter’s box.– pitcher may pitch as soon as he/she wants to when the batter is in the box provided

the batter did not ask for time.– if the batter asks for time, the pitcher must wait until the home plate umpire signals

play ball.• Note: Out of the batter’s box - If a player makes contact with the ball while his/her foot are

either on or directly in front of home plate, he/she is automatically out. Home plate umpires should use the sides of the plate as an indicator to have imaginary lines forward and backward from the plate for this judgment.

Swing– Batters may chop at the ball as long as it is a full swing motion.– A bunt is not consider a full swing and will result in the batter being called out, if the

ball is put into play.– If foul, a strike is called and a warning is given to the batter.

Batting

Catcher’s Obstruction– Catcher’s obstruction is a delayed dead ball call.– is canceled when the batter hits the ball and reaches first base

safely and all other runners have advanced at least one base.– If the batter-runner does not reach first base or if another

runner does not advance at least one base, the manager of the team at bat has the option of accepting the result of the play of having the batter placed at first base and having other runners advance only if forced.

– If a batter attempts to hit the ball after stepping out of the box, the obstruction takes precedence and is enforced. The batter must have an opportunity to hit the ball.

Base Running

Scoring Runs– A run is score each time a runner touches 1,2,3rd

and home in succession.– A team does not score a run if the 3rd out of an

inning results in the following:• A force out• Runner is put out by a tag or a live ball appeal before

the lead runner touches home plate.• A preceding runner is declared out on appeal.

Base Running

Base possession– Two base runners may not occupy the same base

simultaneously– The effect is that the runner who first legally

occupied the base shall be entitled to it– The other base runner may be put out by being

touched with the ball.

Base RunningObstruction

– When a fielder interferes with a base runner from making a base, unless the fielder is trying to field a batted ball or has the ball ready to touch the base runner. The umpire signals obstruction when the following occurs:

• If a play is begin made on the obstructed runner, or if the batter/runner is obstructed before s/he touches first base, the ball is dead and all runners shall advance one base, without liability to be out, to the base that they would have reached, in the umpire’s judgment, if there had been no obstruction.

• The obstructed runner shall be awarded at least one base beyond the base s/he had legally touched before the obstruction. Any preceding runners, forced to advance by the award of the bases as the penalty for obstruction, shall advance without liability to be put out.

• If no play is being made on the obstructed runner, the play shall proceed until no further action is possible. The umpire shall then call “time” and impose such penalties, if any, as in his/her judgment will nullify the act of obstruction.

• Base runner cannot intentionally charge the catcher at home plate to break up a play. Base runner is automatically out.

Base Running

Out of Play / Overthrow– When the ball is in play and is overthrown into dead ball territory/out

of play, the ball is dead and each base runner is awarded 2 bases from the time of the throw.

– When a first throw is made by an infielder, the umpire awarding bases is governed by the position of each runner at the time the ball was delivered by the pitcher.

– When the throw is made by an outfielder or is in result of any succeeding play or attempted play, the bases awarded shall be governed by the position of each runner and the last base s/he has touched at the time of the throw.

• If all runners, including the batter/runner have advanced at least one base when an infielder makes a wild throw on the first play after the pitch, the award shall be governed by the position of the runners when the wild throw was made.

Base RunningGround Rule Bases

– When a fair-batted ball goes out of play without touching another player (i d i.e. deeply hit ball, hooking line drive), all runners advance to the base that he/she is going to at the time that the ball goes out of play.

– The same applies for any physical object (pedestrian, bird/animal, etc) that is in fair territory. All runners on base advance accordingly.

Returning to base– Base runner(s) must return to his/her base under the following circumstances:

• When a batter or base runner is called out for interference. Other base runner(s) shall return to the last base, which was in the judgment of the umpire legally touched by him/her at the time of the interference.

Base stealing– Under no conditions is a runner permitted to steal a base when a pitched ball is not

batted.– Base runner (s) may leave their base when a pitched ball is batted or reaches home

plate, but they must return to that base immediately after each pitch not hit by the batter.

Base RunningAutomatic Outs

– Player runs outside the 3-foot line and in the opinion of the umpire, interferes with the fielder taking a throw at first base or does so in an effort to avoid being touched by a fielder with the ball. However, a player may run outside the 3-foot line to avoid a fielder attempting to field a batted ball.

– When s/he interferes with a fielder attempting to field a batted ball or intentionally interferes with a thrown ball.

• Note: If this interference, in the opinion of the umpire, is an obvious attempt to prevent a double play, the immediate succeeding runner shall also be called out.

– When s/he interferes with a play at home plate in an attempt to prevent an obvious play at the plate. The runner is also out.

– When the batter/runner legally overruns first base, and in the umpires opinion, attempts to run to second base and is legally touched while off the base.

– When a base runner is struck with a fair-batted ball while off the base and before it passes an infielder excluding the pitcher.

– When the base runner fails to keep contact with the base to which s/he is entitled, until a legally pitched ball reached home plate.

– When the batter fully steps in front of the plate and attempts to contacts the ball.

Base RunningBase runner (s) are not Out:

– When a base runner runs behind the fielder and outside the baseline in order to avoid interfering with the fielder attempting to field the ball in the base path.

– When a base runner does not run in a direct line to the base providing the fielder in the direct line does not have the ball in his/her possession.

– When a base runner is hit with a fair-batted ball that has passed through an infielder, excluding the pitcher, and in the umpire’s opinion, no other infielder had a chance to play the ball. Also, when the fair-batted ball hits the base runner, after any fielder touches it.

– When the base runner is not given sufficient time to return to a base, s/he shall not be called out for being off base before the pitcher releases the ball. S/he may advance as though s/he had left the base legally.

– When hit by a batted ball when touching their base, unless they intentionally interfere with the ball or a fielder attempting to make a play.

– When a base runner slides into a base and dislodges it from its proper position, the base is considered to have followed the runner. A base runner having made such a base safely shall not be called out for being off the base. S/he may return to that base without liability to be put out when the base has been replaced. A runner forfeits this exemption if s/he attempts to advance beyond the dislodged base before it is again in its proper position.

Two-Person Umpire System: The Plate Umpire• Will call all balls and strikes.

• Will call all balls fair or foul. If fair, will only make the signal for a fair ball; if uncaught, give signal and verbally call, “Foul.”

• Will give a verbal call and signal on all caught balls (if there are runners on base)

• Will have all plays at home plate and some plays at third base.

• Will call illegal pitches.

• Will trail batter-runner to assist with swiped tags or a pulled foot at first base - with no runners in scoring position (when assistance is requested by the base umpire).

• Will communicate with fellow umpire throughout the play since the plate umpire has the best view of all plays on the field.

• On routine fly balls to the outfield, (with no runners on 1B) he/she will go to the center of the infield / work outside pitching circle, to get a good angle for catch or no catch call. (Never move in a straight line in the direction of the batted ball to make a call).

• With runners in scoring position, the PLATE UMPIRE will stay in foul territory to make the call on a fly ball.

Tag-Up Responsibilities of The Plate Umpire

• Plate Umpire Has All Fly Ball

Catches

• Plate Umpire Has Tag-ups of

The Lead Runner

• Plate Has Safe/Out Calls at 3rd

Base and Home Plate

• Plate…1st/3rd side on rundowns

Two-Person Umpire System: The Base Umpire

• Will watch all runners tag first and second.• Will assist home plate umpire in calling illegal pitches.• Will make sure runners take proper lead-offs.• Will have second-base side of rundowns between first and third, and will cover

third base in rundowns between third and home plate.• Will immediately call “Dead Ball” when batter’s bat contacts the ball a

second time or batter runs into the batted ball. (Whether fair or foul is the plate umpire’s call).

• Must see all runners touch first and second bases.

• Will take a lone runner to third base and make the call unless the plate umpire communicates to the base umpire to hold at second base.

Tag-up Responsibilities of Base Umpire:

• Base Umpire Has Tag-ups of

Trail Runner(s)

• Base Umpire Takes Lone Runner

to 3rd base

• Base Umpire Has Plays at 1st

and 2nd bases

Making Call Between

Home Plate and First Base:

• If the Catcher / Fielder Makes A Play on Batter/Runner (first 30 feet) - Plate Umpire Makes The Call

• If A Fielder Makes A Play on Batter/Runner (second half of base path between home and first base) - Base Umpire Makes The Call

• Umpires Must Communicate/Know Coverage Responsibilities

90 Degree Theory(Black –One Base at First; Red/Blue-Double 1st Base…)

INSIDE-OUT THEORY

Ref Tricks• Sell the call – Be Confident• Stay FOCUSED mentally and physically throughout the game.• Take your timeDon’t guess a player out or safe – call what you see after the play is

completed. “No ball” by infielder, there is no call by the umpire.• Talk slow and low• Do not say too much• Confer with your partner• NEVER change a call for a player• Do not argue or get upset• Be in control of the Field• Give an inch, they’ll take a mile• Have fun

Information

• UD IM Office: 302-831-2539• Adam Jines jines@udel.edu• Coordinator of Intramurals• KBOA Certified Official

At Home Resources• Delaware Intramural Site Ref Corner:

http://www.udel.edu/recreation/programs/intramural/refcorner/