BGS Women's Softball Rules
Season starts: September 13th- November 8th​
Registration ends: August 23rd
At Ballground Sports, we are dedicated to providing our players with a safe and fair softball experience. That's why we require all players to adhere to our women's softball rules. Please read below to understand our guidelines and ensure the best possible gameplay.
Player/ Team Eligibility
All teams must be registered and confirmed with BGS prior to being placed on schedule. Players are not considered to be registered participants until they have completed the BGS waiver and paid their individual player fees. Fees can be paid online by Venmo, by cash, check or in person on game night. Once a team/player plays a game they are considered registered with BGS and will not receive a refund.
Player's Roster Eligibility
- Players can only be rostered on 1 team.
- All players must be registered and play a minimum of 3 games in order to be eligible for the tournament. (Last game of season)
- All players must be at least 17 years old to play.
- Once a player has signed up played 1 game, they are considered rostered and cannot play for another team (unless it is as a nomad).
NOMAD Rule
- Each team will be given 2 free Nomad positions, when needed, during regular season games.
- A Nomad is only used to avoid a forfeit or to have 10 players
- The game using a Nomad(s) is considered an official game
- The Nomad position may not be used by the same unregistered player more than 2 times. If it is more than the allotted 2 times, the Nomad will be required to sign-up and pay the individual fee or will not play the third game. The player will then be registered and on that teams roster.
- The Nomad position CANNOT be used during tournament play.
- A waiver must be on file for a Nomad to play.
Field
- 60-65 feet between bases
- There will be a safety base for runners to touch at 1st base, defenders must use 1st base to make the play.
Equipment
- Balls 11” stamped classic W
- BGS will supply 3 balls per game, if another ball is throw in, it is up to the pitcher to notice if it is legal.
- NO Metal Cleats!
- Players will be allowed to change
- ASA bats only, will be checked before each game by umpire and or BGS representative.
- Any altered bats will be confiscated until after the game and returned to its owner.
Game Preliminaries
- All BGS rules apply unless amended below.
- Teams can play with 8-10 players in the field.
- Teams are allowed 2 Designated Hitter spots to bat up to 12 players. The (DH)’s may be added after the game starts, but only in the 1st inning and before the spot(s) bats.
- Teams may play with 8 players to avoid a forfeit. The 9th and 10th player may be added when they arrive.
- Injured runners can be replaced with another team member making the last out, with approval from umpire.
Length of Games/ Forfeit
- Games are 7 innings or 50 minutes, unless the run rule comes into effect. In case of inclement weather, a game is considered to be a complete game when 5 innings have been completed.
- If there is a 12-run differential after 5 innings, the game will be called. If the visiting team has a 16+ point lead after 4 innings, the umpire has the discretion to “flip” the game and keep the home team hitting. They are now the visitors.
- There is a maximum of 10 runs per inning allowed, except in the last inning, when it is unlimited.
- The game clock will be 5 minutes after the original scheduled starting time. Teams will then have 10 additional minutes to field a team before a forfeit.
Pitching
- Pitching must be underhand.
- Pitcher must have contact with pitching rubber when ball is released.
- Safety net is in place for the pitcher, net must be touching the pitching rubber.
- Pitch must be within 4ft to 10ft.
Batting
- Batters come to the plate with 1 ball and 1 strike.
- Batters have an extra foul.
- Bunting is NOT allowed.
- Each team will be allowed 2 over the fence home runs. Each one after will be an inning ending out.
- While batting the batting team may only have 2 coaches on the field at any time.
Stealing
- You may steal after the ball has crossed the plate.
- If the batter swings and misses you can NOT steal
- If the umpire feels that you left early, there is NO discussion, you are out.
Outs
- When any ball (foul or fair) is caught.
- Count of 3 strikes or 2 strikes and 2 fouls ( 1 and 1 to start).
- When the base or the runner is tagged with the ball in the glove, or the ball in a hand.
Coaches
- Only 1 male coach will be allowed for each. team, that means dugout and field, and it has to be the same coach the whole game.
- While your team is batting, only the current batter, and the next batter are allowed outside your dugout, the team must be in the dugout or outside the fence. 1st and 3rd coaches must be in their designated area.
Highlights
- All fielders must start even with or behind the pitcher.
- There must be 4 fielders in the outfield grass.
- Catcher must stay 3 ft. behind the batter until the ball is pitched.
- Team captains are responsible for line ups, innings, and scores, on the score sheet. Must be legible and first and last names.
- If teams are tied in the standings, winner will be determined by head-to-head competition, point differential, and a coin flip last.
- If a player or coach or fans or mouthing off, being disrespectful in any way, the umpire has the right to eject the offender, if it continues the team will be ejected and the game
forfeited.
Park Rules
- No alcohol is allowed in the park. Although BGS can have police on site, BGS is not allowed to check cups, however BGS is allowed to check coolers. This is a park rule as well as City of Ball Ground rule. It also voids BGS insurance.
- If there is reason to believe alcohol is on the field, the umpire or a BGS representative will ask the coach to check first, if umpire or BGS representative is pleased we play on. If not, player can be ejected.
- The concession stand has a first aid kit, including ice bags.