SOFTBALLCAPTAINS’ MEETING

TTU INTRAMURAL SPORTS OFFICE

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Eligibility › Students

– Undergraduate and graduate students must be currently enrolled at least half time (six hours) to be eligible for participation.

– Alumni, spouses, & other dependents are not eligible and cannot participate in Intramural activities.

– Current varsity athletes cannot compete in their sport or related sport.– Former varsity athletes cannot participate in their sport or related sport for one

calendar year (365 days) after their official affiliation with the University team has ended.

– Professional athletes cannot play their sport or related sport for a period of five years after their retirement.

› Faculty/Staff – Currently employed faculty and staff may participate in IM events.– Adjunct faculty may participate during the semester of employment.– Staff associated with University affiliated organizations may participate.

› Officially University recognized organizations are listed on the Tennessee Tech Student Affairs page.

Registration › Team Captain

– The liaison (i.e. point of contact) between the team and the Intramural Sports Office› Captain’s Responsibilities

– In short, the Captain is responsible for the behavior and actions of the players, the team’s spectators, and himself/herself.

› Mandatory Captain’s Quiz– The Captain’s Quiz should be completed during the captain’s registration process.– The Captain’s Quiz should be completed before the first game– The captain may be barred from participation until the quiz is completed.

› Team Names– Subject to approval by the Intramural Sports Office

› Roster Information– The captain is responsible for an accurate and up-to-date roster.– Roster additions should occur before 2:00 PM on the day of the scheduled contest.– Individuals not listed on the official roster will not be allowed to participate.

Divisions of Competition› Leagues

– Men’s Leagues › Recreational› Collegiate› IFC

– Women’s Leagues › Open › PHC

– Co-Recreational League

Team Availability› You will need to indicate both

your (1) Regular Season & (2) Post-season availability on IMLEAGUES.

› Your availability should be completed at the time of registration.

› Please do not change your availability after the schedule has been published.

› Failure to complete your availability before the publishing of the season schedule may result in game time conflicts.

Policies and Procedures› Eagle Card Policy

– All participants should be prepared to present their Eagle Cards when signing in for each contest.

– If a participant cannot present his or her Eagle Card when asked, he or she cannot play.

– If a participant attempts to sign in using the Eagle Card of another individual, the Eagle Card will be confiscated, and the participant will not be allowed to play.

Policies and Procedures › Proper Attire

– Athletic clothing and shoes are required for participation.› Players cannot play without wearing a shirt, pants, and appropriate

shoes.– All attire and equipment is subject to the approval of

Intramural Sports staff. – Any clothing or equipment that is deemed unsafe or

illegal must be removed prior to competition. – Intramural staff reserves the right to ask participants to

remove or conceal clothing that, in the opinion of IM staff, displays offensive or demeaning language or imagery.

Policies and Procedures › Pets

– Pets are not allowed on the softball fields.– Owners are solely responsible for the behavior

and actions of their pets. – Pets must always be leashed, and all pet

droppings must be picked up immediately. › Rules

– TTU Intramural softball rules are based on the current version of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Softball Rules Book.

– When appropriate, rules are modified and/or created to level the playing field and foster a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.

Defaults, Forfeits, & Grace Periods › Defaults

– An unplayed game without penalty to either team. To receive a default, the team captain must notify (by e-mail or in person) the Intramural Sports Office by 2:00 PM on the day of the contest.

› Forfeits – Two types:

1. Failing to field a team for an intramural contest without contacting the IM Sports Office. 2. Having two players ejected during a single game.

– A single forfeiture renders a team ineligible for the postseason.– Teams may be assessed a $40.00 fee for each forfeit.

› Grace Periods – If at least one team member has signed in at game time, the team will be

granted a five-minute grace period. – At the conclusion of the grace period, the team shall forfeit the match if they

do not have at least five members present.

Sportspersonship Rating System › The sportspersonship rating system serves to

assess a team’s attitude and behavior throughout the regular season and postseason.

› Actions and behaviors before, during, and after the contest are included in a team’s sportspersonship score.

› The team captain is responsible for educating his/her team and spectators about the sportspersonship system.

Sportspersonship System: Ratings & Criteria

Rating Criteria5 - Excellent Players fully cooperate with Intramural Sports staff and opposing team members.

Spectators support their team in a positive manner. Team captain respectively addresses officials. The team is an exemplary model for other teams.

4 - Good Winning Team of a Forfeited Game. Team members verbally complain about some calls or show some dissent. Their actions may warrant a conduct penalty (i.e. yellow card, technical foul, or unsportsmanlike

conduct penalty), but they do not receive a penalty.3 - Average Both Teams for a Defaulted Game.

Team constantly complains to IM staff or the opposing team. The team captain exhibits no control over his/her team, spectators, and himself/herself.

Their actions result in a conduct penalty (i.e. yellow card, technical foul, or unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.)

Teams that receive a conduct penalty cannot receive higher than a “3” rating. The team that has one ejection or two conduct penalties will not receive higher than a “3” rating.

2 – Below Average Team constantly complains to IM and the opposing team. The team captain exercises no control over anyone. Teams that receive one ejection and one conduct warning or three conduct warnings shall forfeit the

contest and receive a rating of “2.”1 - Unacceptable A Team Forfeits a Game.

The entire team and spectators are non-cooperative. The team captain is combative and unhelpful. The team that receives two ejections or four conduct warnings during a game shall forfeit the game

and may forfeit the entire season.

Rating Criteria

5 - Excellent Players fully cooperate with Intramural Sports staff and opposing team members. Spectators support their team in a positive manner. Team captain respectively addresses officials. The team is an exemplary model for other teams.

4 - Good

Winning Team of a Forfeited Game. Winning Team for a Defaulted Game. Team members verbally complain about some calls or show some dissent. Their actions may warrant a conduct penalty (i.e. yellow card, technical foul, or unsportsmanlike

conduct penalty), but they do not receive a penalty.

3 - Average

Defaulting Team for a Defaulted Game. Team constantly complains to IM staff or the opposing team. The team captain exhibits no control

over his/her team, spectators, and himself/herself. Their actions result in a conduct penalty (i.e. yellow card, technical foul, or unsportsmanlike conduct

penalty.) Teams that receive a conduct penalty cannot receive higher than a “3” rating. The team that has one ejection or two conduct penalties will not receive higher than a “3” rating.

2 – Below Average Team constantly complains to IM and the opposing team. The team captain exercises no control over anyone. Teams that receive one ejection and one conduct warning or three conduct warnings shall forfeit the

contest and receive a rating of “2.”

1 - Unacceptable

A Team Forfeits a Game. The entire team and spectators are non-cooperative. The team captain is combative and unhelpful. The team that receives two ejections or four conduct warnings during a game shall forfeit the game

and may forfeit the entire season.

Postseason Eligibility› The league will consist of a pool play

section followed by a postseason tournament.

› Team records, results, and overall sportsmanship rating will be considered final at noon (12:00 PM) on the day following the end of the regular season.

› Team captains should notify the IM Sports Office of any errors before the deadline.

› Please note that postseason eligibility and inclusion is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. weather, time constraints etc.).

Postseason Eligibility › To be eligible for the postseason, each

team must satisfy the following criteria: – Zero forfeits– An average sportspersonship rating of a

3.0 or better› Once a team meets all of the above

requirements, postseason qualifications will vary by division.

› For the IFC and PHC divisions, all teams will be advanced to the postseason tournament.

Postseason Eligibility › For the Men’s and Women’s Open divisions,

the top team(s) in each pool shall automatically advance to the postseason tournament.

› The following criteria will determine pool rank: 1. Win/Loss Record 2. Head-to-Head Match Up 3. Point Differential4. Sportspersonship Rating 5. Coin Toss

All Points Competition › Divisions

– IFC– PHC– Men’s Open– Women’s Open– Individual (Men’s & Women’s)

› IFC, PHC, Men’s Open, & Women’s Open Divisions– Points are award based on participation,

performance, and sportspersonship.› Individual Division

– The male and female participant of the year will be selected based on participation, sportspersonship, team/individual success, and overall enthusiasm and passion for TTU Intramural Sports.

SOFTBALL BASICS

Player Equipment› Athletic Clothing

– Clothing should allow freedom of movement.

– Please remember to wear appropriate clothing.

› Hats– Any headwear with knots, hard plastic or

metal hair control devices, and plastic visors are prohibited.

› No Jewelry!– Watches, earrings, rings, and necklaces can

result in injuries to players.– Religious and medical jewelry is allowed. It

needs to be taped to the body or placed inside the shirt or jersey.

Player Equipment› Athletic Shoes

– Shoes must be worn at all times!– No vibrams– Molded rubber cleats, screw-in cleats, and

molded rubber cleats with metal tips are allowed.

– No spiked cleats or screw-in metal cleats.

LEGAL!

ILLEGAL!

The Game› Players

– A maximum of twelve players may be added to the batting order.

– Seven players are required to start the game.

– A maximum of ten players may take the field.› When there are ten players, four

players must play the outfield.› The pitcher and catcher positions

must be filled at all times.

The Game: Equipment› The Intramural Sports Office will

provide the ball and balls for each contest.

› Personal bats must be presented for inspection.– We reserve the right to declare any bat

illegal.– The owner must allow the opposing team

the opportunity to use the bat. If the owner refuses, the bat cannot be used.

› Players in the field must wear gloves.› The catcher must wear a helmet and

facemask.

The Game: Team Areas› Team Dugouts & Supporters

– Players› Players that are not fielding, batting,

or coaching are asked to remain in or near their teams dugout.

› A maximum of two coaches (1st Base & 3rd Base) are allowed on the field.

– Supporters› Supporters must remain off the

playing field and outside of the backstop.

› Supporters should not kick or violently shake and grab the fence.

The Game: Timing› Fifty Minute (50:00) Time Limit

– Regular season games may end in a tie.

– At the expiration of the fifty-minute time limit, an inning in progress shall be completed if the home team does not have the lead.

› During the postseason, extra innings shall be played until the score is no longer tied at the conclusion of an inning.

The Game: Scoring› Home Run Rule

– Participants in the IFC and Men’s Divisions will be allowed five (5) home runs per game. Any home runs in excess of five (5) shall result in an automatic OUT.

› Mercy Rule– Please refer to the table

for related point differentials and number of completed innings.

Point Differential Innings Completed

20 Runs 3 Innings

15 Runs 4 Innings

10 Runs 5 Innings

LIVE BALL VS. DEAD BALL

Live Ball› The ball is live in the following

situations:– The ball has left the pitcher’s hand– The ball is in playable territory– Ground ball that passes 1st or 3rd

Base in fair territory– Ground ball that hits or bounces

over 1st or 3rd Base– Thrown ball hits an offensive player

unintentionally.– Thrown ball or fair ball hits an

umpire.– Thrown ball hits a coach.

Infield Fly Rule› An infield fly occurs when all of the

following conditions are satisfied:– A fair fly ball (not including a line drive) which

can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort.

– Less than two OUTs.– Runners on 1st and 2nd base or there are

runners on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Bases (Bases loaded).

› When all three conditions are met, the umpire will declare an infield fly and rule the batter out immediately.

› The successful or unsuccessful catch attempt by an infield does not factor into the umpire’s decision.

› If the fly ball is caught by the infielder, the base runners must tag up.

Dead Ball› The ball is dead in the following

situations:– Foul Ball

› Batted ball that passes 1st or 3rd base in foul territory

› The ball is touched on or over foul territory between 1st Base & Home Plate or 3rd Base and Home Plate

› The ball contacts a person, umpire or object on or over foul territory.

› The ball contacts the batter or bat twice while the batter is still located in the batter’s box.

› A tipped pitch less than six feet from the ground is caught by the catcher.

– Result› Less than two Strikes: Strike› Two Strikes + two consecutive Foul Balls: The

batter is OUT.

Dead Ball› The ball is dead in the

following situations:– The batter steps outside of

the batter’s box before attempting to hit the ball.› The batter is OUT.

– The batter steps on Home Plate while making contact.› The batter is OUT.

– Runner leads the base before the ball is contacted.› The runner is OUT.

Dead Ball: Out of Play› Defense throws the ball into an Out of

Play area.– The dugouts are considered out of play.– A fielder cannot intentionally throw the ball

into an Out of Play area to stop runners.› A fielder enters an Out of Play area

while attempting to play a batted or retrieve an errant throw.

› A fair ball ricochets off a defender or runner on base into an Out of Play area.

› When the ball legally becomes Out of Play, each runner will be awarded the closest base plus an additional base (1+1).

PITCHING

Pitching› Preliminary

– The pitcher must start with both feet on the ground and one foot or both feet touching the pitching rubber.

– As the pitcher releases the ball in an underhand motion, his or her foot or feet must remain in contact with the pitching rubber.

– Walking pitches are illegal.› Legal Delivery

– After beginning the pitching motion, the pitch must be delivered immediately and with a continuous motion.

– The pitcher cannot deliver a pitch between the legs or behind the back.

Pitching: Illegal Pitches› Illegal Pitches

– Higher than twelve (12) feet– Lower than six (6) feet– Fake or non-continuous pitch– Walking start– One foot does not remain in contact

with the pitching rubber› When the pitch does not fall within

the height range (six to twelve feet), the plate umpire will declare the pitch illegal.– The batter may choose to swing or not

swing› No Swing: Ball› Swing: The batter take the result of the play.

6 FT

12 FT

BATTING

Batting› Balls & Strikes

– The batter will a 1-1 (balls-strikes) count.

› Foul Balls– When the batter has two strikes, the

batter can hit one legal foul ball. – A batter will be declared OUT if he or

she hits a second foul ball.› Bunting & Chopping

– Bunting and Chopping are not allowed.– Batters must a full swing at the ball.– Batters that perform a bunt or chop

will be declared OUT.

Batting Order› The team captain must provide the

batting order to the scorekeeper before the start of the game.

› Players are required to bat in the order listed on the official scoresheet.

› After one full rotation, the batting order is set, and no new players may be added.– The team captain may add up to twelve

players before the order is set.– Exception: A team has less than ten

players. The team may add up to ten players to avoid automatic OUTs.

Batting Order› Substitutions

– Once the batting has been set for a team with at least ten players, additional players may enter the game via the traditional substitution method.

– The team captain needs to notify the scorekeeper regarding any substitutions.

– When a player is replaced, that players may re-enter the game after one full rotation and at the same spot on the batting order.

Traditional Substitution Method› Note that the batting order has

been locked or there are twelve players batting.

› A player may be replaced TWICE during the same game.

› Once a player is replaced twice, that player can no longer participate for the duration of the contest.

› The substitute and re-entering player must always enter at the same spot on the batting order.

Batting Order ExamplePlayer 1 Player 11 Player 1 Player 11

Player 12Player 2Player 3Player 4Player 5Player 6Player 7Player 8Player 9

Player 10

BASE RUNNING

Base Running› The runner must advance or return to a base

in legal order.– Advancing: 1st Base 2nd Base 3rd Base Home

Plate– The base runner may only return to the last Base

touched› A player is entitled to a Base until:

– He or she legally touches the next base in the sequence.

– A batter becomes a base runner, and the player is forced to advance.

› The runner must remain within three (3) feet of the base line when advancing or returning to a Base.– EXCEPTION: The runner is avoiding contact with a

fielder without the ball.– EXCEPTION: Runner is rounding 1st Base or 3rd

Base.

Base Running› Players may overrun 1st Base without

the chance of begin tagged out.– If the player is attempting to run to 2nd

Base, he or she may be tagged out.– Players may be tagged out.

› Stealing is not permitted.– Stealing is attempting to advance before

a legal or illegal pitch has been contacted.

– Players that are stealing should declared OUT immediately.

› When sliding, players may slide head first or feet first. – When sliding feet first, cleats must be

kept close to the ground.

Base Running› Tagging Up

– When a fielder catches a fly ball, the runners may advance at their own risk.› They must be in contact with the Base

when the ball is caught.› The runner may declared OUT in two ways:

– Tag: The runner advances after touching the base.

– Force Out: The runner fails to touch the base as the ball is caught, and the defense may touch the last base the runner occupied.

› Courtesy Runner– An injured player may be replaced by

the last person who recorded an OUT.– The request must be made during a

dead and before the first pitch.

Base Running› Appealing

– The defense may appeal the following:› Missing a Base› Leaving a Base early› Batting Out-of-Order› Attempting to advance to 2nd Base after

making the turn at 1st Base– Live Ball Appeal

› The fielder touches the player or Base with the ball in possession.

› If the runner has left the field, the fielder may identify the person to the umpire.

– Dead Ball Appeal› The team captain or fielder present an

appeal to the Plate Umpire.

Obstruction vs. Interference

DEFENSIVE OBSTRUCTION› A defensive player or team member

hinders or prevents a batter from striking at or hitting a pitched ball.

› Example:– A fielder who is not in possession of the ball

impedes the progress of a runner or batter-runner who is legally running the bases.

› Result: – Delayed Dead Ball – Runner is safe at the next legal Base to which

they were advancing.– Once the runner legally advances to that

Base, the interference protection they may advance at their risk

OFFENSIVE INTERFERENCE› An act by the offensive players or others that

interferes with a fielder’s opportunity to make a play on a batted or thrown ball

› Example:– When not in contact with a base, a runner is hit by a

fair batted ball.– A runner (who has already been tagged OUT or forced

OUT) fails to move out of the way of a throw to a base (i.e. 6-4-3 Double Play).

› Result: – Immediate Dead Ball– Runner who committed the interference is OUT.

› If the interference resulted in the batter-runner or another runner becoming Safe or scoring, the batter-runner or runner shall be OUT as well.

– All other runners must return to the last base touched when the interference occurred.

FIELDING

Fielding› When attempting to catch fly

balls, fielders must:– Secure the ball in their glove or

hand before the ball touches the ground or fence

– A trapped ball is not a legal catch of a fly ball.

› When the fielder is transferring the ball from the glove to the hand and drops the ball, the catch shall still be considered good, and the batter/runner shall be declared OUT.

Force Out vs. Tag Out

FORCE OUT› A runner must advance to the next

legal base.› The fielders may tag the base before

the runner touches the base.› Situations

– Fair ball– Runner fails to tag up on a caught fly ball.

TAG OUT› A runner does not have to advance to

the next legal base.– The defense must tag the runner with the

ball in their hand or glove– The tag must occur before the runner arrives

at their previous base or the next legal base.› Situations

– Fair ball– Rundown

CO-RECREATIONALMODIFICATIONS

Team CompositionPlease refer to the following table for legal team

ratios.Number of players Male to Female Ratio

Twelve Players 6:6Eleven Players 6:5 or 5:6

Ten Players 5:5Nine Players 5:4, 4:5, 6:3, 3:6Eight Players 4:4, 5:3, 3:5Seven Players 4:3, 3:4

**You must have at least three males or three females to field a team.**

**You may have more males than females.**

Offense: Pitching & Batting› Pitching

– Each Team shall provide a pitcher for their team.› Teams shall self-pitch.› The pitcher may bat as normal. It is not required.› When the pitcher has to bat, he or she may be replaced

by a teammate not on base at that time.– Each batter shall receive a maximum of three

pitches.› Illegal pitches shall count as one of the three pitches.

– If the batter fails to hit a fair ball after three pitches, the batter is OUT.

– If a fair-batted ball contacts the offensive pitcher, the batter is OUT.

› Male Batter Restrictions– Male batters must hit with their non-dominant hand

(Glove hand).– Male batters that bat with their dominant hand will

be declared OUT.

Offense: Batting Order› Alternating Lineup

– The batting order must alternate between male and female batters.

– If a team is playing with an uneven number of players, players will need to bat more than once throughout the batting order to be able to alternate male and female.

Male #1Female #1Male #2Female #2Male # 3Female #3Male #4Female #1Male #5Female #2

Batting order for a team with five males and three

females

Offense: Automatic OUTs› Excessive Home Runs

– When the male batters for a team hit five home runs, each subsequent home run will result in an automatic OUT.

› Batting Order– When the team bats out of order, the

batter shall be declared OUT.› Ejections

– When a player is ejected, he or she may be replaced by an eligible substitute. If there are no eligible substitutes available, an automatic OUT will occur each time the vacant positon is required to bat.

– The eligible substitute must be the same gender as the ejected individual.

Defense› Fielding Positions

– Each team may field all ten positions by rule.– Each team shall provide a defensive pitcher and a catcher. – The defensive catcher should not obstruct the actions of

the offensive pitcher.– No more than five players of each gender may play in the

field at a time. – The pitcher and catcher combination must include a male

and female. – There is no restriction on the number of males or females

in the infield or outfield. › Restriction Line

– Cones will designate the outfielder restriction line, separating the infield from the outfield.

– Outfielders must remain behind the line until the ball has been hit.

– If an outfielder illegally enters the infield before the ball is hit, the batting team has the following two options:

› Take the result of the play.› The current batter is awarded First Base, and, if applicable, all base

runners will advance by rule.

Defensive Restriction Line

Scoring Modifications› Runner Restrictions

– Once a runner’s foot touches on or past the Commit line, the runner must continue towards the Scoring Plate.

– The runner must use the Scoring Plate. – If the runner attempts to return to 3rd Base, the

runner is automatically OUT, and the ball remains live.

› Catcher Restrictions– After the runner is “committed,” it is a Force OUT

for the catcher.› The catcher may not attempt a Tag OUT. › If a tag is applied, the runner is Safe.

– The catcher must tag or touch the Defensive Plate.

– If the catcher obstructs the runner in his/her path to the Scoring Plate, the runner shall be declared Safe.

Commit

Line Scoring

Plate

Defensive Plate