Sebring Senior Softball League (SSSL) games are 8 innings long. Runs are limited to 5 runs per team, per inning, except the 8th inning is an “open” inning, with unlimited scoring. In the event the score is tied after regulation play, extra innings will immediately proceed with a 2 and 2 count, with a foul to give. There will be no Texas tie breaker (a runner will not be placed on second base). SSSL provides all approved balls to be used during games. All players must play at least4 innings per game unless injured.
The SSSL is a recreation league meant for fun and good sportsmanship. There will be no cussing, or using the Lords Name in Vain, aggressive contact or hitting or slapping another player. Aggressive contact with another player will result in automatic suspension. Only managers can address the umpires except for players callng time out. The SSSL will use progressive discipline for all violations of good behavior.
Unlimited courtesy runners are allowed at any time and may be anyone on the roster. A courtesy runner is in the game once the base is touched. A Player can be a courtesy runner only once an inning • A runner may not replace a courtesy runner unless there is an injury. The injured Player must be removed from the line-up and cannot return to the game. Any Player replaced by a courtesy runner may not become a courtesy runner in the same inning. Penalty for use of an ineligible courtesy runner shall be removal of the runner from the base and an out is recorded against the base runner for which the courtesy runner is used. No appeal requirement, the umpires can/will make the call. If a Player is on base as a courtesy runner when it is his time to bat, that player shall be declared out. f this is the first or second out of the inning, the Player will bat in his regular spot. If this is the third out of the inning, the Player will be the first batter in the next innings.
“Rabbit Runner” from home will start at back center post of the backstop directly behind home plate. The rabbit runner may not start to run until the ball is hit by the batter. If the rabbit runner does, the rabbit runner is out, and all other runners return.
(4A). A Rabbit Runner from home is only allowed to run to second base. If the Rabbit Runner rounds second base, towards third base, the runner is NOT CONSIDERED OUT but MUST return to Second Base.
(4B). A rabbit runner will be considered in the game as a courtesy runner once a pitch is thrown to the batter,or announced by the umpire. That player may not be used as a courtesy runner for the rest of the inning.
(4C). If the batter from home, with a Rabbit Runner, runs past a white chalk line drawn 10 feet from home plate across the baseline, the batter will be declared out. This will be a delayed dead ball.
An offensive team may designate up to the 13 Players in the batting order. The offensive team shall have a minimum 10 Players present to start and finish a game.
A defensive team needs at least 10 Players in the field and may play as many as 11 Players. Defensive Players may play anywhere on the playing field in fair territory (except for the catcher). There is no 170-foot outfield rule and all fielders can throw any runner out at any base.
In the event of an injury and the Player is removed from the game and is unable to take his time at bat. If there is no substitute Player to bat in his place, an out will be recorded the first time the injured Player comes up to bat. After that, the line-up will compress and there will be no more outs in that spot. Also, that injured Player is not allowed to play again in that game.
There shall be 4 balls and 3 strikes. In a regular game, each batter starts with a 1 and 1 count. On the first foul ball after reaching a 2-strike count, the batter is out and the ball is declared dead. EXCEPTION: If the foul ball is caught for the first or second out, the ball remains live and the runners may run at their own risk. A foul tip by the batter into the catcher’s glove must go over the batter’s head to record an out.
The pitcher’s plate is located 50 feet from the rear point of home plate. The pitcher must be in contact with the pitcher’s plate at least momentarily before releasing the ball. The pitcher must have one foot on the plate (rubber) when the ball is released.
A strike zone mat will be used. From the top of the plate, including the mat, the area shall measure 19” x 34 1/2”. The pitching arc shall be from 6’ from the ground and 12’ at its highest. If the ball hits any part of the plate, before striking the ground it will be called a strike.
The box measures 8’1” wide by 10’ deep. The catcher must remain within the lines of the box until the pitched ball is batted, touches the ground, mat or reaches the catcher’s box.
The commitment line shall be marked in foul territory thirty feet from home plate and at a 90-degree angle to third base. Once the runner passes the line, that runner may not go back to third base and if that runner does go back to third, that runner is out. Once a runner touches or goes beyond the line, the defense can only get the out by touching home plate, with the ball in hand, before the runner touches the second plate or his foot is down across the scoring line. At no time is the defender to touch the runner after that runner crosses the commitment line.If the runner is tagged after that runner crosses the commitment line, the runner is safe, the run scores and the ball remains live.
Base Stealing is not permitted.
A second home plate, or line, shall be placed adjacent to the left rear corner of the right-handed batter’s box and in line with the first base. A runner is called out if that runner touches the original home plate and not the extra plate. The runner is called out if that runner slides into the second plate. If the runner is called out, the ball remains live •
A safety base is mandatory for first base. The safety base shall be placed so that the white portion is where the first base normally would be and the colored base is located in foul territory next to the white base. A batter/runner shall only touch the colored base on the initial play, unless the throw forces the runner to run inside to avoid a collision. Then that play is up to the umpire to make the correct call. If there is a question of touching the wrong base intentionally, the umpire will call the batter/runner out and a live ball will continue. In the case of a bobbled ball, the appeal can be made to the umpires. • If the ball is hit to the outfield either bag can be touched. If the ball is hit to the infield, only the colored base can be touched unless there is a throw that takes the runner offline. If a runner slides into the safety base, that runner is called out, unless the slide is an attempt to avoid a collision with the defensive player. A batter/runner that does not discard the bat before reaching first base shall be called out. If a batter/runner walks, the ball is dead and the batter/runner who carries the bat to first is not out. A runner at first base may use the colored bag (in the case of a left-handed batter).
NO Mercy/Run Rule: After 6 innings the teams can flip-flop if both coaches agree.
Players ejected by an umpire shall sit out a minimum of that game and one more and may be suspended pending Board action. All ejections are subject to Board review and possible further action. If there is no player to replace the ejected player, an out will be recorded every time his position in the batting order comes up.
(A) Procedure: Any Player or manager of the two teams playing may ask the home plate umpire for time out but only a manager may ask an umpire to clarify and explain the rule in question.
(B) Umpire Judgement: Decisions may not be appealed on calls involving • Balls and Strikes • Safe or Out • Fair or Foul ball:•EXCEPTION: In the event of a possible pulled foot, bobbled ball or missed base, a manager may ask the umpire to explain the play. • The decision after the explanation is final.
(C) Protests • All disputes during play must be resolved at the point of the protest by the umpire.• An appeal of the umpire’s decision may be made to the Commissioner, who will make a final decision. All decisions may be subject to review by the Board of Directors.
A home run over the fence and leaves the field of play allows the hitter to “hit and sit” and is also dead ball. There is no “four base error”. If the batter-runner carries the bat to the 1st base bag, it is not an out.
All bats must be approved by the Board of Directors. Bats may not be altered in any way from the manufacturer’s design. A safety grip on the end of the bat, or tape is legal. Bats that are worn, but still retain the legal markings, are legal. Cracked or damaged bats and bats that cannot be identified (make-model) are illegal. Once a bat is removed from play, by an umpire, it cannot be brought back into play. The Player that uses an illegal bat will be treated with the same penalty as if using an altered bat . (which is the bat is taken out of play and the Rules Commissioner will determine the penalty).
The pitching screen must be placed in front of the pitching plate no more than 4’ in front of the plate and must cover a minimum of one half of the pitching plate. The pitcher may release the ball from either side of the screen but must have at least one foot in contact with the plate itself. Before releasing the ball, and in contact with the plate, the pitcher must pause at least one second before the pitcher may release the ball or it is an illegal pitch. If the batter hits the screen with a batted ball, that pitch is a strike and a dead ball. After the pitcher releases the ball, the pitcher must immediately move behind the screen. The pitcher may field the ball as soon as the ball is hit. If the umpire rules that the pitcher did not get behind the screen, the pitcher will receive a warning. If it happens a second time, the pitcher is removed as pitcher and cannot return in that position for the remained of the game. The pitcher may play any other position • If a ball is released by the pitcher and the pitcher is ruled not behind the screen and the batted ball is touched/caught by the pitcher, the umpire will rule the play dead, the batter will be awarded first base and any forced runners will move up one base.
Any live ball thrown from any fielder that hits either side of the screen will remain in play.
(1.) When a runner is called out for an illegal slide/interference at second base, or any other base, that person is out and the person closest to home is also out. (Example) If the bases are loaded and there is an illegal slide/interference at second base, the batter runner is out at second and the runner going to the plate is also out. (Example) If there are runners at first and second and the runner is called out at second for illegal slide/interference, the runner going to third is also out because that runner is the closest to the plate. Any other runner goes back to the base they were at prior to the pitch.
(2.) This rule is to penalize, to the hilt, anyone who commits an illegal slide/interference at any base. It is a safety issue (ie veering or sliding at a close call at 2nd base is mandatory).
In the event of inclement weather, 5 innings is an official game (4-1/2 innings if the home team is ahead). All other games will be continued at the next available date.