2009 INDOOR WINTER SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT GROUND RULES

2008 ASA Softball rules govern 2009 Indoor Winter Softball Tournament Play. Exceptions are established ground rules mandated by limits of play within the Dome.

Designated Warm-up Areas provided.

Team rosters are due 1 hour before your first scheduled game. (Note: we need to input your team data for our computer scoring system.) No player can play on more than one tournament team. Rosters may be added to throughout the tournament.

GAME TIME IS FORFEIT TIME! Completed 10 or 11 player line-up sheet, with player position, first and last name are due 15 minutes prior to scheduled game time. (A 9 player line-up is acceptable as per A.S.A. rules) An 8 player line-up is acceptable with the out penalty applicable when the vacant spots come up in the line-up. Players may be added, up to 10 players (at the bottom of the batting order) at any time during the game.

No infield practice, No batting practice per dome policy.

An umpire’s conference precedes all games. (Meeting to include team representative from each team.) Home or Visitors decided by coin flip.

Each game shall begin with one (1) new restricted flight softball provided by the tournament. Umpires shall dictate rotation or ball in play.

Strike zone will be governed by a mat. 1 Strike, 2 Ball count with 1 courtesy foul. (Second foul ball is recorded as a Strike Out) Pitching arc is 6 ft / 12 ft. Automatic walk when indicated. Runners advance only when forced, as per one or two base rulings. (Courtesy runner allowed one (1) time per inning, designated by player who is recorded as previous out.)

Ground rule single - when ball is hit into the right field stands (not hit over the outfield fence) or bounces over the right outfield fence.

Ground rule single - when a ball becomes entangled in the netting (fielder must raise his hands and allow the Umpire to verify the ball is entangled in the netting). If the fielder takes the ball out of the netting without the Umpire verifying the entanglement, the ball is deemed live and runners may advance at their own risk.

Ground rule double – when the ball bounces over the outfield fence (that is not in the stands) a ground rule double will be awarded to the batter.

Runners advance as forced on ground rule singles and ground rule doubles.

If a batted ball strikes a fixture or the dome in foul territory, it is a foul ball. If a batted ball strikes a fixture or the dome in fair territory, it is a fair ball. In either case, the ball remains live and is subject to being caught for an out. Runners are not protected.

Batters whose batted balls lodge in the ceiling fixtures in fair territory are awarded a ground rule single.

Home run limit is 7 per team, per game. Exceeding this limit shall be recorded as an out. Once a home run is declared by the Umpire, the batter and baserunners will report directly to their dugout.

Batted balls hitting the air exchanger fixture or banners hanging from that fixture (in the outfield) in fair territory (as judged by the Umpire) will be considered a home run and count toward the team’s home run limit of 7 per game, per team.

No stealing bases, leading off or leaving the base before the ball crosses the plate or is hit.

Mercy rule in affect, 15 runs after 5 innings

Recognizable A.S.A. approved bats ONLY. A.S.A illegal bat list is used for the tournament. (See list at scorers table, concession stand or backstop.) Illegal bats, when found, will be confiscated and held by the tournament committee until the owner’s team is eliminated.

No cleated shoes.

No tobacco or alcohol (Smoking outside of dome only as per NMU policy … not in the breezeways)