# GSFC Mixed League Softball Rules clarifications - 2006 Season

These co-ed rules are an addendum to the official ASA rules adopted by
all Goddard Leagues. These special rules may be waived if both team
captains agree to the exceptions. Refer to the ASA rule book for
standard softball rules.

1- The preferred male/female distribution is 5 women and 5 men,
alternating male/female for both defensive positions and batting order.
See acceptable alternatives below. In the event that insufficient
players are available, the deficient team will forfeit, but may continue
to play an informal game with the approval of the opposing team captain.

2- Fielders should alternate male/female in the infield and outfield.
It's acceptable to have 2 or more women adjacent in the field, but not 2
or more men. Infield players are considered separate from outfield
players. For example, men are allowed to play at both the third base and
left field positions. The pitcher and catcher are considered separately.
(See rule 3 below).

3- Pitchers can be male or female, but the spirit of the co-ed rules is
that a woman should pitch if available. If a female pitcher is replaced
by a male, a female player must be placed elsewhere in the field. The
catcher can be either male or female, independent of which sex is
pitching. In all cases, there is a maximum of 5 male players on the
field. If a team only has 4 women, they must play with a total of 9
players. If there is a male pitcher and catcher, 4 female players must
appear elsewhere in the field.

4- Batting order should strictly alternate male/female, with the only
exception being the end of the batting order when the last batter and
the first batter in the line-up may be male. If there are more of one
sex than the other, separate line-ups for men and women are suggested
with players in the smaller line-up batting more frequently. A complete
team (including the \"bench\") may bat, as long as alternating
male/female batters are maintained. All defensive players (those playing
in the field) must bat.

6- The batting team customarily supplies an umpire, but an independent
umpire is strongly encouraged, as it makes the calls much more
consistent. Walking is allowed, but is discouraged, as is striking out
looking. This is subject to the individual umpire and teams discretion.
Many umpires generally have a larger strike zone for the men than the
women, but it depends on the skill of the individual batter. Calling
balls and strikes is subjective, and the umpire's ruling will stand. The
opposing team captain may request a different umpire at any time.

> Balls/Strikes.
>
> The 'At Bat', starts with a count of 0 balls/0 strikes.
>
> Walks and Strikeouts.
>
> Maximum of 10 Balls/Strikes pitched.
>
> Any combination of balls and strikes (Foul Balls, + Called or Swinging
> Strikes, + Called Balls) totaling 10 - Batter gets 1st base.
>
> 3^rd^ Swinging Strike -- Batter is out.
>
> *Note: The intent is to have the game more active, with more base
> runners, and will allow for inconsistencies and inexperience of the
> pitchers as well as batters. Rule can be amended per each team's
> captains at beginning of play.*

7- Men must bat opposite handed. (That is right-handers must bat lefty,
and lefty's must bat right-handed). In the event that a male batter is
switch hitter, the opposing team's captain may determine whether the
batter hits left or right handed.

8- No sliding is allowed by any player, neither feet first nor head
first. The sliding player is automatically out. Sliding is defined as
going down on the hip or chest as the runner approaches a base. If in
the judgment of the umpire, the slide was an attempt to break up a
double play, then both base runners are out.

9- Base runners approaching first base after a hit must touch the ORANGE
bag. This is a safety measure to prevent collisions with the first
baseman. If the base runner safely reaches first base, the white bag is
used, and the orange bag is considered non-existent.

10- There is a 10-run per inning mercy rule, where an inning will end
when the batting team has accumulated 10 runs. There are no game-ending
mercy rules.

11- Outfielders must be positioned no closer than 20 feet from the
infield/outfield grassline when the ball crosses home plate on a pitch.
Infielders must be positioned within the grassline when the ball crosses
home plate.

> *Note: Teams need to be made aware of the rule. It's important that
> everyone gets to play.*