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.
2019 RULES
1. Rosters
All players must register on the website in order to play. Players may not be added after June 15, 2019. 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. 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 deposit for the 2019 season is $150 per team due on April 18, 2019. This includes the lights fee, softballs and league expenses. The remaining balance will be finalized and due in June. 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. 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.
• 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).
• 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/fielder will be removed from the game. The fielder must give way to the runner if there is no play at the base and the runner will not be called out if there is contact. Repeat offenses will result in the player or team being banned from the league.
• Pitching - Pitching guidelines will follow the ASA modified pitch rules. In addition, the following rules apply. There are three major parts to a modified fast pitch delivery: the starting position, the backswing up to the top of the windup, and the forward swing down to and through the release.
o STARTING POSITION
The pitcher MUST:
• Start with both feet on the rubber, have their hips and shoulders fully square to home plate, pause while holding the ball in front of the body. (The ASA requires a 1-to-10 second pause before the pitch. However precedent is for only a brief but distinct pause. The intent of rule is to prevent the pitcher from gaining unfair momentum for the pitch, or "quick-pitching" a batter.)
• Hold the ball in the pitching hand.
o BACKSWING
The pitcher MUST:
• Start the backswing directly out of the paused position and move the pitching hand backwards to start the delivery.
The pitcher MAY:
• Use a “rocker” motion to start the windup.
• Take the ball behind the back, outwards (within reason), bring the arm above the shoulder line, but not anymore forward, like towards the head or further.
• Slide or drag the pivot foot, so long as it remains in constant contact with the pitching rubber.
The pitcher MAY NOT:
• Step backwards or sideways off the rubber.
• Use a “windmill” motion. (In a windmill motion, the backswing and delivery are in one continuous circular motion.)
• Use an obvious "slingshot" motion - bending the elbow AND rotating the body significantly towards first or third base. (The intent of the rule is to prevent a pitcher from using significant forward motion of the hands to gain momentum for the backswing. Many pitchers have a small forward hitch in their hands prior to the backward motion. This is OK.) All pitchers bend their elbows and turn their bodies to some extent. In an illegal slingshot, these movements are very pronounced so as to allow the pitcher to "whip" the ball around.
o DELIVERY
The pitcher MUST:
• Deliver the ball in a full underhand motion. (Sidearm pitches are illegal.)
• Release the pitch on the first forward movement past the hip.
• Roughly square the shoulders to home plate at the point of release. (No pitcher squares the shoulders fully at the time of release, owing to the effects of the stride. The intent of rule is to eliminate cross-body slingshot deliveries.)
The pitcher MAY:
• Take one forward step. The foot must come down within the 24’’ width of the pitching rubber.
• Throw any legal softball pitch such as a curve ball, drop ball, slider, knuckle ball, etc. (Needless to say, spitballs, foreign substances, 'scuff balls', and the like are illegal.)
• Point the palm downward upon release.
The pitcher MAY NOT:
• Have the ball significantly outside the wrist during the downswing and release. (Sidearm pitches are illegal.)
• Let the back foot or pivot foot leave the ground through any part of the pitch delivery.
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 or forfeit the game.
8. 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.
9. Ground Rules
Ground rules will be reviewed at the beginning of each game, this includes the courtesy runner rules and notice.
10. 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 may not use illegal bats. A list of illegal bats can be found at www.ASASoftball.com. 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).
11. 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.
12. Rainouts
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 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. Playoffs
The top 4 teams will qualify for playoffs. In the event of a tie in the final standings, tiebreakers will be determined as follows: Head to Head competition, fewest runs scored against. If still tied, a one game playoff will be held. Playoff structure will be a one game playoff 4 v. 1 and 3 v. 2, the winners will then play a best of 3 series.
Modified Fast Pitch League 18+