Sturbridge Adult Softball League Rules
Version 1.3 - Revised July 2024
1. Pitching:
A. All pitches must be thrown underhand.
B. A pitched ball must be pitched in a way that it reaches the plate at low speed (slow pitch).
C. The pitched ball must arch 3 feet after leaving the pitcher's hand and before it passes any
part of home plate.
2. We'll be using 12" softballs, and we have these available to the teams.
3. Games will run 7 innings, but no new inning will begin after 75 minutes unless the score is tied. If the
event of a tied game, after seven full innings or 75 minutes, a tiebreaker goes into effect. A new inning
will start and each batter will be given one pitch. If it’s a ball, the player walks. If it’s a strike that is not hit
or fouled, the batter is out. Essentially, each batter is starting with a full count.
4. Each batter starts with a 1-1 (one ball, one strike) count. If a batter fouls the ball with two strikes, they
are out.
5. Batting Order Make-Up:
A. When creating a batting order, the line-up must not have more than two men in a row
through a linear lineup (top to bottom). This does not impact the batting order when “turning
over” (restarting with the leadoff batter), meaning there may be possibilities where more than
two men bat in a row.
6. Defense Alignment:
A. When playing defense, there must be at least two women in the infield and one woman in
the outfield at all times.
7. We'll be running these games with four outfielders, for a total of 10 defensive players in the field. If you
are missing players, you can play with as few as 8 in the field. Fewer than 8 is a forfeit.
A. Substitute players:
a. In the event a team may find themselves short the minimum number of qualified
players to start a game, substitute players may be allowed to play.
b. Substitute players must be registered to any of the Sturbridge adult league
teams.
c. Opposing team managers must agree with the use of a substitute player.
d. Substitute players must fill the position of the player of the same gender that
the team is short (female for female and male for male).
e. Substitute players may field any outfield or infield position. Substitute players
are not allowed to field the pitcher's position.
8. Pitchers must wear a fielding mask. Masks are optional for all other positions. Batting helmets are
optional, as this is slow-pitch.
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9. No stealing. Players can lead off the base when the ball crosses home plate, but must immediately
return to their base if the ball isn't hit.
10. No bunting or slashing is allowed.
11. Sliding is permitted at all bases other than home plate. Catchers may not block the plate, and runners
must not run into catchers (see rule 17).
12. No metal cleats are allowed.
13. Infield fly rule will be in effect.
14. We want to set a great example for our kids that will be watching us battle it out. We want to see lots of
fun, some great competition, teamwork, etc., but most importantly -- We want everyone to go home safe
and happy every time they get a chance to take the field. Misconduct of any kind simply won't be
tolerated. Play safe, play smart, have fun. This is a family friendly league.
15. Acceptable bats:
A. Men must use a wooden bat (wooden composite bats are not allowed, ie. Demarini
CornDog slowpitch bat or similar make/style). At the start of the season, the league will
provide each team with (1) wooden bat. Players are allowed to purchase their own bats
if desired.
B. Females are allowed to use wooden, aluminum or composite bats. Aluminum and
composite bats may be purchased by players. League will not provide.
16. Run Limits per Inning:
A. There shall be a run limit in play in all innings except for the last inning, where upon the
batting team scoring their 5th run in an inning, that half inning shall end no matter how
many outs the defense has recorded.
B. If the offensive team has not yet scored their 5th run, and a home run is hit (traditionally,
over the fence) making the total runs scored greater than 5, all the runners on base shall
be counted as runs scored. Upon the batter who was awarded the home run scoring, the
half inning shall end.
C. The called last inning (agreed by the umpire and both teams coaches) shall be unlimited
runs for each team.
17. A walk to a male batter that has a female batter next in the line up shall result in male on 2nd, female
on 1st. Any runners already on base advance accordingly.
18. Scoring Plate will be used at home plate to avoid collisions between catcher and runners. Any plays
that normally require a tag at home will become a force, where the umpire will decide whether the ball
is caught at home before the runner touches the Scoring Plate.
A. A “commitment line” will be marked half way between third base and home plate. Any
runner that advances past the “commitment line” towards home plate is forced to continue
their path to the scoring plate. Runners are allowed to retreat back to third base as long as
they do not cross the “commitment line”
19. Pitchers must pitch from a mound that is 50’-0” from the apex of home plate to align with the 2018
USSSA Slow Pitch section 3.B. In the case of SGSL fields, this will prevent pitchers from landing on
the 43’-0” 14U pitchers stanchions that are in the ground.
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20. Strike mat:
A. A strike is called when a legally pitched ball (refer to rule 1) hits any part of the strike mat,
including the front, rear or side edge, or bounces away. The strike mat is used to determine
balls and strikes at the discretion of the umpire calling balls and strikes. Home plate is not
considered to be a part of the strike mat, thus a pitch hitting home plate will be called a ball.
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Figure 1: USSSA Field Dimensions for reference. (Some limitations may exist preventing all dimensions
shown to be played at SGSL approved fields. ie. base path distances set at 60’-0”)
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Revision Log:
Modification Version Accepted Date Accepted
[Y / N]
Change to rule 15, stating that use of composite bats 1.3 Y 7/10/2024
by female players only. Male players must continue
to use wooden bats (composite wooden bats
(modified wood types or mix composite metal+wood)
are not allowed, ie. Demarini CornDog slowpitch bat
or similar make/style)
Rule 18 amended to include “commitment line” that is 1.3 Y 7/10/2024
marked half way between third base and home plate.
Any runner that advances past the “force line”
towards home plate is forced to continue their path to
the safety home plate. Runners are allowed to retreat
back to third base as long as they do not cross the
“commitment line”
Replacement of term safety bag with Scoring Plate to
align with USSSA language
Added Rule 19 regarding pitchers mound distance 1.3 Y 7/10/2024
moving from 46’-0” to 47’-0”
Addition of Image 1 “Field Dimensions” to show 1.3 Y 7/10/2024
revised 50’-0” pitchers mound and Scoring Plate
Addition of “substitute players” to rule 7 1.3 Y 7/10/2024
Revision of rule 16 - Inning Run Limit 1.3 Y 7/10/2024
Revision of rule 10 to include no slashing 1.3 Y 7/10/2024
Addition of rule 20, “strike mat” 1.3 Y 7/10/2024
Alternate Rules for consideration:
A. In lue of composite bats for females, the 2018 USSSA Rules state that 12” ball to be used by
males, and 11” ball to be substituted when pitching to female batters.
