City of Lakewood, CO Parks and Recreation Adult Softball Rules and Regulations

1. Games will be regulation seven (7) innings or one (1) hour of play. If a team is ahead by fifteen (15) runs or more at the end of forty-five (45) minutes, provided that both teams have had their opportunity to bat, or by ten (10) runs or more at the end of five (5) innings, then the game will be concluded. IN ALL CASES, THE TEAM THAT IS LEADING SHALL BE THE WINNER.
   
   
2. Forfeit time: Game time is forfeit time. Scheduled game times are as follows: 6:15, 7:15, 8:15 and 9:15 at Lakewood Park ; and at 6:00 and 7:00 at Addenbrooke Park. Sunday Afternoon Co-ed is 11:00, 12:00, 1:00 and 2:00; and Sunday Night is 5:00, 6:00 7:00 and 8:00 at Lakewood Park.
   
   
3. A maximum of ten (10) players shall comprise a team on the field. A team may start with seven (7) players and end with seven (7) players for all games. A grace period of ten (10) minutes for the first game only will be allowed for those teams with less than seven (7) players. However, the game clock, one-hour time limit, begins at 6:15 p.m. Example, if all players are ready to play at 6:25, there is now fifty (50) minutes remaining of game time. If a team cannot start with the minimum or end with the minimum number of players (7), the game will be called a forfeit. Any player(s) placed at the end of the batting order must finish the game barring injury. If a team chooses to use AH's, they must finish with a minimum of ten (10) players.
   1. ADDITIONAL HITTER(S): Men's, Women's and Co-ed Leagues:
      1. An additional hitter(s), referred to as an "AH(s)", may be used by any team.
         1. The maximum number of batters in any line-up, including AH's, is twelve (12).
         2. AH's do not have to be present at game-time, but must be present by his/her first at-bat, or his/her name will be removed from the line-up.
         3. Players arriving late, including those who's names have been removed from the original line-up, may be treated as regular substitutes and enter the game in that manner, or they can be added to the end of the line-up provided legal space (up to twelve (12) hitters) is available.
      2. The "AH(s)" must remain in the same position in the batting order for the entire game.
      3. Any 10 of the 11 or 12 players may take a defense position throughout the game. .
      4. The "AH(s)" may be substituted for at any time, either by a pinch-runner(s) or pinch-hitter(s), who then becomes the "AH(s)."
      5. If the "AH" is used, the team must still have the minimum number of players, that being ten (10), at the completion of the game or the game will be called a forfeit.
      6. AH(s) are allowed in the COED Leagues. The COED teams must use a male "AH" and a female "AH". Not allowed: two (2) male "Ahs" or two female "Ahs" or just one male "AH" or just one female "AH."
   
   
   
4. Managers should turn in their line-ups to the scorekeeper's booth ten (10) minutes before the scheduled game time. Any player who arrives late is placed at the end of the batting order. When turning in line-ups, present them to the press box window. Include on your line-up players first and last names, position, and jersey number. Please write legibly or print.
   
   
5. A field supervisor/scorekeeper will be present at all games. It is the responsibility of the field supervisor/scorekeeper to be the official scorekeeper. He/she will also be the final authority of all decisions. The field supervisor/scorekeeper shall be in charge of all situations if and when the softball coordinator is not present.
   
   
6. Players must be at least sixteen (16) years of age.
   
   
7. The current Amateur Softball Association (ASA) Official Slo-Pitch Softball Rules and Regulations will govern play with the following exceptions:
   1. Four (4) complete innings of play will be considered a game, in case the game is called because of rain or playing conditions.
      
      
   2. The runner is out when he is struck with a fair untouched batted ball while not in contact with a base and before it passes an infielder, excluding the pitcher. When runners are called out for interference, the batter runner is awarded first base and credited with a base hit.
      
      
   3. Sliding is legal.
      
      
   4. The team listed second for each game will be the home team and will use the third base dugout. Note: It is requested that the participating teams provide individuals to shag balls out of play. Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated.
      
      
   5. All teams in the league must have like-colored jerseys with different permanent numbers. Due to certain ordering problems in the past, there will be a two (2) week grace period on jerseys at the beginning of the season. Any further problems concerning jerseys on an individual basis the field supervisor or the softball coordinator and their decision shall be final.
      
      
   6. Pitcher is allowed five (5) warm-up pitches the first inning and one pitch each inning thereafter.
      
      
   7. No on-field warm-ups.
      
      
   8. Tennis shoes, soft rubber cleats or molded type of soccer shoe only; no metal or detachable cleats, or street shoes, cowboy boots or bare feet are allowed.
      
      
   9. Intentional Walk: Catcher will notify the umpire; umpire will award batter first base. This is for league play only.
      
      
   10. Courtesy runners will be allowed. This rule is intended for those who are in real need of assistance.
       
       
   11. Home Run Rule:
       Recreational - Three (3) home runs per team per game.
       Lower Recreational - Two (2) home run per team per game.
       Leisure - One (1) home run per team per game
       After the home run limit has been reached, all other home runs shall be counted as outs. A ball must be hit over the fence on the fly to count as a home run in the home run rule limit.
       
       
   12. The use of any bat that is not ASA APPROVED will not be allowed. Anyone found in violation of this rule will be ejected from the game and suspended for the next scheduled game.
   
   
   
8. Team roster is due in the Charles Whitlock Recreation Center office before start of league play. Team rosters must be kept up-to-date. Any player participating in a game must be on your roster. New players can be added to your roster any time prior to your game time. Teams using ineligible players will automatically forfeit all games in which said player participated. All players are required to have some form of identification with their pictures on it at all games. If the opposing manager and/or the Softball Coordinators/Scorekeeper suspects that an ineligible player is being used, that player's I.D. will be checked. If in fact that player is ineligible, or no I.D. is produced, an immediate forfeit shall be called. All team rosters will be frozen three (3) weeks prior to the completion of league play.
   
   
9. Awards will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. Finishes, first through third place, will be determined by the following formula. Individual awards for the 1st place team only.
   1. Best win/loss record.
   2. Should there be a tie, finishes will be determined by head-to-head competition.
   3. Should there still be a tie, run-score difference will then be used.
   4. If tie still exists an additional trophy will be awarded.
   
   
   
10. Continuous unsportsmanlike conduct and non-adherence to the player's Code of Conduct may result in team or individuals suspension or withdrawal from the league.
    
    
11. Each team is allowed one batboy and one scorekeeper on the bench.
    
    
12. Any player playing under an assumed name shall be suspended from league play. Team for which said player is participating shall forfeit all games in which that player has participated.
    
    
13. Managers must "hustle their team on and off between innings. The umpire will issue a warning and he can call the game a forfeit if a team employs tactics to delay the game.
    
    
14. In case of rain or doubt about playing conditions, call 303-987-7076. As a convenience most make-up games will be scheduled at the completion of league play. Make-ups may be scheduled on weekends or weekdays indifferent to your regular day of play. Managers will be responsible for calling the weather line in case of inclement weather; then they are responsible for calling team members.
    
    
15. In case of dispute, the umpires are instructed to talk to only the managers. All others will return to their playing positions or the player's bench. ANYONE violating this regulation shall be removed from the game. Prolonged arguments will not be allowed. Umpires are instructed to notify managers that they have the right to file a protest and then call "play ball" and the game shall then proceed.
    1. Protest
       1. Protest must be made to the umpire and the official scorekeeper before the next pitch.
       2. When a protest occurs on the final play of the game, protest must be filed immediately with the home plate umpire and the official scorekeeper.
       3. Protests must be put in writing within 24 hours from termination of the game with the Lakewood Community Resources Department (Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excluded.) All protests must be accompanied by $50 protest fee.
       4. NO PROTEST WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE LAKEWOOD COMMUNITY RESOURCES DEPARTMENT if the above rules are not adhered to.
    
    
    
16. Any player ordered out of the game by an umpire, for any reason, shall leave the field immediately. He/she may remain in the stands and be SILENT. Any outburst, heckling, or threats will call for action by the softball supervisor.
    
    
17. FORFEIT RULE. If a team receives two or more forfeits, they will not be asked back the following year as a returning team, unless otherwise approved by the athletic coordinator. If a team wishes to play again next year, they must go through the new team application procedure. Due to some players having to travel some distance to get to the games, we ask teams if they are going to forfeit, please call us so we can call the other team to let them know not to come. Thank you.
    
    
18. ORANGE SAFETY BASE: When the softball is hit in such a manner that there is going to be a play at first base by/an infielder, the batter-runner must run to the orange base, or he/she will be automatically called out by either the base umpire or home plate umpire.
    
    
19. A player may play in more than one league, but cannot play on more than one team in the same league. Player mobility in classifications shall be restricted, i.e., a player may play in different league as long as there is no more than a change of two classifications from the classification that the player plays in. Examples:
    1. An "upper rec" player may also play in "rec" leagues as well as in "lower rec" leagues.
       
       
    2. A "rec player may also play in "upper rec" leagues as well as in "lower rec" and "leisure" leagues.
       
       
    3. A "lower rec" player may also play in "upper rec" and "rec" leagues as well as in "leisure" leagues.
       
       
    4. A "leisure" player may also play in "rec" and "lower rec" leagues.
    
    
    
20. JEWELRY: No jewelry of any type is allowed. Plate umpire at the pre-game conference will give warning. Any player entering the batter's box with jewelry will have 15 seconds to remove all jewelry. Umpire will start strike count immediately after the 15 seconds with a strike coming every 10 seconds.
    
    
21. FAKE TAG RULE: Automatic ejection for a fake tag.
    
    
22. No player may consume alcohol while the game is in progress, either on or off the playing field, whether actively involved or as a substitute. Plate umpire at the pre-game conference will give warning. Any player, whether in the game or not, who consumes an alcoholic beverage after the warning will be immediately suspended for the remainder of that particular game and for the next two league games.
    
    
23. Elasticity - League Director: Any enforcement procedures, which are not stated herein, may be provided by the director as is necessary to provide for the recreational enjoyment of players, coaches and spectators.