About

West Roxbury Women's Softball League

We are a Women's Modified Fast Pitch League with ASA umpires. You can find us on Facebook at West Roxbury Women's Softball League.

2025 RULES

1. Rosters

All players must be at least 18 years old. Players must play in at least half of the regular season games to qualify for the playoffs. Rosters must be set by the 5th game of the season and sent to the league commissioner.  Managers will be responsible for updating their roster for playoffs and if a player’s identity is questioned a picture ID must be presented as proof.

2. Fees

The 2025 budget is being finalized. 

The bank charge for any bounced check will be passed on to the person who bounced the check. The amount due will then equal the amount of the original check plus the amount of the bank charge. (League fees do not include the ump fee which is now $30 per team per game.)

3. Insurance:

The league carries liability insurance via USA Softball.

4. Game Rules

• Roster Rules - You may start and play the game with 8 players minimum. Any team that does not have at least 8 players within 15 minutes of the scheduled game start time (6:15 or 8:15) will be required to forfeit. (Forfeiting teams are responsible for the full ump fee.) Teams will not be allowed to continue a game with less than 8 players regardless of injuries or unforeseen problems. Teams may play with 10 players on the field and the 9th and 10th player may be added at any time and must be added to the bottom of the lineup. If you play with 10 batters you must end with 10 batters or the person’s at bat will be recorded as an out (same is true if you bat 11 players). A team may have an extra (11th) player in the lineup. This player may bat anywhere in the lineup (if added after the start they must go to the bottom of the order) and may enter the field at any time. They must remain in the same batting order at all times. The 11th player may be added at any time during the game. Re-entry rule is allowed for all starters. Starter must return in the same spot in the batting order, their field position is not important. *The ump and the other team must be notified before an added or subbed player bats for the first time. *

• Game Suspension - Any games that are stopped by the umpire due to acts of God, darkness or power failures, before they are considered a complete game, will be resumed from the point of stoppage. When the game is resumed, it must start at the point of interruption with the same identical field situation that existed at the time it was halted. Teams must have the same number of players or take an out for the missing player. Re-entry rule does not apply. A game is considered complete if after 4.5 innings the home team is ahead or after 5 complete innings if the home team is losing.

• Game time - For 6pm games, they must begin by 6:15pm and new innings may not start after 7:50pm. For 8pm games, they must begin by 8:15pm and new innings may not start after 9:50pm. The game may continue if it is tied or if it is incomplete (less than 5 innings). The umpires will be enforcing this rule and they are allotted the same leeway for arrival. Games should start as close to the scheduled time as possible and teams should hustle between innings.

• Slaughter Rule - The slaughter rule is 12 runs after the 5th inning. The home team gets to bat last. During the playoffs the game must go the complete 7 innings or 6.5 if the home team is ahead.  

• Run Max per inning - Once 10 runs have been scored in an at bat, the half inning will be over. 

• Courtesy Runner - A courtesy runner is used for players with injuries. In order to have a courtesy runner: 1) tell umpire and other team at the beginning of the game, 2) injury during the game, or 3) catcher and/or pitcher may ask during the game. The courtesy runner must be the last batted out. If a player needs a courtesy runner the player must stop at first after hitting the ball. Once you ask for a courtesy runner, you must take the courtesy runner for the rest of the game. The rules for the courtesy runner will be discussed during the ground rules.

• Tie Breaker - In the event of a tie game during the regular season, the batter who made the last out in the previous inning will be placed on second base to begin the next inning. This will continue until the tie is broken. NO GAMES WILL END IN A TIE (unless due to darkness/acts of god). 

• Bunting Rule - There is no bunting of any kind allowed (this includes slapping). This includes half swings that the umpire calls a bunt. If this occurs, this will be counted as a strike/foul/dead ball.

• Stealing Rule - You will be called out if you leave a base before the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand. There is no stealing; however, there is the possibility of a delayed steal if a catcher makes an attempt to throw the runner out after a lead (see Pick off play). Pick off play ball is live on catcher’s throw or fake. All runners may advance if they choose and an out requires a tag. The runner does not need to return to the base before advancing. A runner cannot advance when the ball is going back to the pitcher and must return to the base immediately. 

• Sliding Rule - When there is a play at any base the runner MUST slide or give way to the play if the fielder has the ball in hand. There can be NO INTENTIONAL CONTACT for either fielder or runner. A runner will be called out if they do not follow this rule and runner or fielder may be removed from the game. The fielder must give way to the runner if there is no play at the base. Repeat offenses will result in the player or team being banned from the league. 

•PITCHING RULES- See ***USA Modified Pitching Regulations***

Before starting the delivery (pitch), the pitcher shall comply with the following:

A. When taking the pitching position in contact with the pitcher’s plate, the pitcher must have their hands separated and must have the ball in either the glove or the pitching hand.

B. The pitcher shall not be considered in the pitching position unless the catcher is in position to receive the pitch.

C. The pitcher shall take a position with both feet in contact with the pitcher’s plate. Both feet must be on the ground within the 24-inch length of the pitcher’s plate. The shoulders shall be in line with first and thid bases.

D. While on the pitcher’s plate, the pitcher shall take a signal or appear to take a signal with the hands separated. The ball must remain in either the glove or pitching hand.

E. The pitcher shall bring the hands together for not less than one second and not more than 10 seconds before releasing the ball. Both feet must remain in contact with the pitching plate at all times prior to the forward step.

The pitch starts when the hands are separated once they have been placed together.

A. The pitcher shall not make any motion to pitch without immediately delivering the ball to the batter.

B. The pitcher shall not use a pitching motion in which, after bringing the hands together, the pitcher removes one hand from the ball and returns the ball to both hands.

C. The pitcher shall not make a stop or reversal of the forward motion after separating the hands.

D. The pitcher may take the ball behind the back on the back swing.

E. The pitcher shall not use a windmill or slingshot-type pitch or make a complete revolution in the delivery.

F. Position of the ball: (10 Player) The ball must not be outside the pitcher’s wrist on the back swing, at the top of the back swing, on the downward motion, or during the complete delivery.

G. The delivery shall be an underhand motion with the hand below the hip and the pitcher’s palm may be pointing downward.

H. The pitch shall be delivered on the throwing arm side of the body and not behind the back or through the legs.

I. Arm, shoulder, hip: 2 (10 Player) On the forward swing of the pitching arm, the elbow must be locked at the point of release, and the shoulders and driving hip must be squared to home plate when the ball is released.

J. The release of the ball must be on the first forward swing of the pitching arm past the hip. The release must have a complete, smooth follow-through with no abrupt stop of the arm near the hip.

K. In the act of delivering the ball, the pitcher must take one step simultaneous with the release of the ball. The step must be forward and toward the batter within the 24-inch length of the pitcher’s plate. 1 (9 Player) The pivot foot must drag and not lose contact with the ground. Raising the foot off the pitcher's plate and returning it to the plate creates a rocking motion and is an illegal act. 2 (10 Player) The pivot foot must drag and not lose contact with the ground. The stepping foot must be pointed toward home plate and must not touch the ground in front of, or cross over a straight line between the pivot foot and home plate. It is not a step if the pitcher slides the pivot foot across the pitcher’s plate, provided contact is maintained with the plate. Raising the foot off the pitcher's plate and returning it to the plate creates a rocking motion and is illegal.

L. Pushing off with the pivot foot from a place other than the pitcher’s plate is illegal.

M. The pitcher shall not deliberately drop, roll or bounce the ball to prevent the batter from hitting it. Effect - Section 3A-M: Illegal pitch; refer to Rule 6B Section 11 for penalty.

N. The pitcher has 20 seconds to release the next pitch after receiving the ball or after the umpire indicates “play ball”. Effect: A ball on the batter.

O. If the ball slips from the pitcher's hand during the delivery Effect:1 The ball remains live.2 A ball on the batter.3 Runners may advance at their own risk.

o OTHER PITCHING RULES

§ If pitcher is removed, the new pitcher must complete pitching to at least one batter.

§ If the batter is hit with a pitch, the batter is awarded first base.

§ The batter must make a clear attempt to avoid being hit; otherwise the pitch will be counted as a ball.

5. Schedules

Schedules will be given out prior to the start of the season and will be strictly adhered to. If games are postponed, they will be rescheduled if possible, usually at least one week later. Teams must produce enough players for the rescheduled game or forfeit the game.

6. Umpires

It is required to give the umpires a fifteen minute grace period. In the event an umpire does not arrive teams are advised to select a neutral person agreeable to both teams to officiate. This neutral person will be paid the regular umpire’s fee. In the event of a rainout BEFORE PLAY HAS BEGUN, umpires shall be paid half the amount. Teams must designate a coach prior to each game and that is the person who is required to speak with the umpire regarding ground rules and any questions regarding plays, rules, etc. during the game. This is to be the only person who approaches the umpire and the person may be different at every game. It is up to the teams to decide.

7. Ground Rules

Ground rules will be reviewed at the beginning of each game, this includes the courtesy runner rules and notice. 

8. Equipment

All batters and runners must wear helmets with ear covers; there are no exceptions to this rule. All catchers must wear full gear, including throat protector. This is mandatory. No metal cleats are allowed. Both teams must supply the umpire with a new game ball before each game. Home team is responsible for providing the bases for the game. Scorebooks will be provided to each team. All teams must use a safety base at first base. Teams must use approved USA or ASA bats. If a team uses an illegal bat, the first offense will require the bat being removed from the game. Consequences for repeat offenses by the same team will be determined by the league’s commissioner(s).

9. Scores

It is the responsibility of the home team to report the score of the game. Scores need to be posted to the website within 48 hours of the game.

10. Rainouts

SMUA instituted a 50% game fee charge for games canceled less than 2 hours before the scheduled game time due to weather and the same 50% game fee charge if a game is canceled for a reason other than weather less than 24 hours before the scheduled game time. Games will be cancelled as early as the weather permits or approximately by 4pm for 6pm games and 6pm for 8pm games. Home teams are responsible for checking the fields/making the call and must contact the league commissioner(s) in order to cancel. If the game is not postponed before game time, you must have a team at the field and be ready to play. If it is not playable, the umpire will make the call at the field and a half fee must be paid. (If the game begins- even one pitch- and is then postponed, a full fee must be paid. When the game is resumed, another full game fee must be paid.) Teams will split this cost.

11. Forfeits

Any team that forfeits more than 2 games will be ineligible for the playoffs. If a team forfeits a game, the forfeiting team will be held responsible to pay the full umpire fee for the game. If the team receiving the forfeit has to pay the umpire fee, the league will reimburse the team and collect the amount from the forfeiting team.

12. Misconduct

All members of the league are expected to be courteous and exhibit good sportsmanship at all times. Any team member including coaches/managers, striking an umpire or any other member of the league will be banned from the league. Any player, coach or manager that is ejected from the game by an umpire will be subject to an AUTOMATIC SUSPENSION of 1 game to be served the game IMMEDIATELY following the ejection. Anyone ejected from the game must leave the area including the playing area and parking lot. Any ejected player, coach or manager may not be anywhere in the vicinity of playing field during the suspension.

Furthermore, if you witness any poor sportsmanship, managers need to bring it to the attention of the umpire to address it during the game. If the behavior continues, please report it to the league commissioner. Poor sportsmanship reports will result in a team warning. If there is a second report, your team will forfeit that game regardless of the score. A third report would result in league expulsion.

13. Playoffs

2025 playoffs will be a double elimination tournament where every team has a minimum of two games. There will be a winner’s bracket and a loser’s bracket culminating in one winner. Structure will be adjusted if needed, managers will confer on format.