Ground Rules D.I.S.L.
1. Game Start Times, all games to start at scheduled times below, unless a previous game goes into extra innings.
a. 6:15 pm hard start, no forfeit time
b. 7:20 pm hard start, no forfeit time
c. 8:30 pm hard start, no forfeit time
2. All batters will start with a 1-1 count
3. A third strike foul rule will be in effect.
4. Mat only strike, plate is a ball
5. Any ball that is hit in the infield the batter runner must touch the orange bag. Any batter runner that steps on the white bag will be called out. If a ball is hit into the outfield the batter runner will use the white bag. In event to avoid contact the batter runner can use the white bag but this will be let up to the discretion of the umpire.
6. Bats can be aluminum, but it must meet the established criteria that is published on the web site. No composite barrel will be allowed. If a player steps into the box with an illegal bat the batter will be called out and will be ejected from the game. All bats must be approved ASA/USA bats and must be approved by D.I.S.L. No triple wall, titanium, or 100% composite bats are allowed. The player that is ejected will be ejected that game and one additional game.
7. A twelve-run rule will be in effect after 5 innings unless the home team is winning by twelve runs after four and one-half innings. The twelve runs will be on a sudden death rule, which means any team’s that reaches twelve runs after four and one-half innings will be declared the winner of that game.
8. The pro nine softball with a 44 core and 375 compression will be the official softball of D.I.S.L.
9. A team may start with 9 players. A coach must declare that they will be playing the entire game with only 9 players, in that case, an automatic out is not incurred. If the coach states that a 10th player is arriving late, the team will incur an automatic out, in the assigned batting position, until the player arrives.
10. Lineups will be locked ten minutes prior to the start of the assigned time, once handed in only changes that can be made are subs. If lineups are not handed in to the scorekeeper the first batter in the line up will be declared out.
11. Team uniforms please refer to Article XIII in the Bylaws.
12. The player coach that takes the ground rules at home plate prior to the start of the game, will be the only person that the umpire will discuss any discrepancy during the game for that team.
13. A limit of seven home runs during a game, any additional home runs will be declared an out. Please note below the home run rule for each field:
- Field 2 over the fence
b. Field 3 hits the light pole over the white line or over the fence
c. Field 4 over any fence
14. The height of the pitch will be a six to twelve-foot arc.
15. Any protests will be followed by the bylaw article XIII- Appeals Committee.
16. There will be only three pinch runners a game.
17. If the pinch runner is on base when he is supposed to be at bat, he will be out (unless you have only used one of your three eligible runners in that case you may use it as a second runner on the same person as a result you forfeit running for a second person)
18. On an infield fly ball (if fair) the batter will be declared out and runners may advance at their own risk.
19. A ball hitting a runner after it is batted (unless the runner maintains a body part on the base or is behind a fielder in the baseline) the runner will be called out.
20. A player may be substituted for another eligible player on the roster; please note all players or substitutes must be on the team’s roster prior to any game played. Any protested player must present an I.D. to the official of the game. If the protested player does not present an I.D. to the official they will be declared ineligible.
22. Any player that is rostered to more than one team they can only play for the team they take the field for first, this will be for the entire season including playoffs.
21. A player may reenter the game, but it must be in the same order of batting that he was originally in and the player that was a substitute for his spot is unable to play for the rest of the game
23. Bunting and stealing are not permitted
24. No alcohol or ineligible substance is permitted on the field of play that includes the benches, teams maybe subjected to a fine or player ejection.
25. Player eligibility for playoffs will be 5 games with at least one at bat during the game played during the regular season.
26. When a ball is in play and is overthrown out of play the batter runner at the time of the pitch will be awarded two bases all other runner(s) shall be awarded two bases that will be governed by the position of the runner(s) when the ball left the fielders hand.
27. No infield practice will be allowed after the first inning, or any following game start time.
28. Runner must not leave the base until the ball has been struck
29. Any runner leaving the base without the ball being put into play by the batter, that runner will be called out
30. Members of the batting team shall not interfere with a player attempting to field a foul ball
31. Pitchers must have one foot on the mound at the time of the pitch. The pitcher may leap forwards but it must be all one motion with the pitch
32. Pitchers must use one fluid motion when delivering a pitch
33. Intentional walks may be made by informing the plate umpire (no pitches are necessary)
34. Batters must have one foot in the batter's box when the ball is hit (if there is no batter box marked out refer to the umpire on location)
35. Infielders are recommended to wear a masks but are not forced to
36. A batter stepping on the plate at any time during his swing will result in an out and a dead ball rule will be unforced
37. If a runner contacts a fielder in the baseline the infielder is considered an obstruction and as a result the runner will be awarded the next base from the point of contact unless the runner returns to the previous base.
38. Base are 70’ in a diamond pattern
39. No artificial noisemakers are allowed
40. If a play is close then the base runner must slide or avoid, except for running to first base
41. If a runner contacts a fielder in the base line, the fielder is considered an obstruction and as a result the runner will be awarded the next base from contact with the infielder
42. If there is a tie in the standings the tiebreaker will be as follows: Head to Head record, Run Differential, Runs Allowed, Head to Head Run Differential
