BAT RULES

+ MALE BAT RULES

Official Definition of a legal bat:

Aluminum or metal alloy
Single or Multi-wall
One piece or two piece (the handle can be composite – which may be titled as ‘hybrid’)
Women’s fastpitch bats are also allowed as long as they meet the above criteria
Wood bats are legal, but must be a “softball” bat
Wood baseball bats are not allowed
A softball bat is 34″ long and 2 1/4″ in diameter at the barrel

Illegal bats: What constitutes an “illegal bat”?

Titanium or composite barrel
Any bat that has been tampered with or “enhanced” in anyway, including but not limited to shaving
This includes altering bats that would otherwise conform to the official rules
Baseball bats, whether metal or wood, are NOT allowed

League Bats:

The WSL will not be supplying league bats.

Bat Borrowing:

Players are allowed to borrow bats from other teams/players, with the understanding that the person borrowing said bat will not damage/break it and if so is responsible for replacing it. If a dispute erupts from a broken bat, the owner or the borrower must reach out to the Rules Committee to issue and official ruling.

+ Female Bats

Females are allowed to use composite bats.
The bats must be marked with bright colored tape.

+ League Bats

Question about whether your bat conforms:

Refer to the “Legal Bat List” below
To contact the Bat Subcommittee, you can email them at: wslbatcommittee@gmail.com
To see members of the Bat Subcommittee, as well as the full WSL Organization, click here.

+ Approved Bats

Williamsburg Softball Legal Bat List - 2023 If a bat appears on this list it is legal to use in league play. If a bat does not appear on this list it is not legal to use. If a bat has model number(s) in parentheses only those specific model numbers listed are legal to use. Any bat with composite materials are not legal. All wood softball bats are legal.
If you find a non-composite aluminum bat that is not on this list please e-mail the Manufacturer and Model Number of the bat to WSLCommish@gmail.com

Below are the list of approved bats for the WSL 2023 Season:

Akadema

X919SP

Anderson

Nanotek
Flex
FlexTech
Ignite
KSP
Pyrotech
RocketTech / 2.0
Techwrap / Techzilla
Wraptech

Bombat

Daddario
Johnny Ice/J14

Debeer

Clincher Silver/New York/EST
Icon
Shockwave

Demarini

375
B-52
Black/White/Raw/Steel
Bruiser
Corndog Wood
Defiance
Demolition
Distance (All Models)
Double Wall
F2/F3/F4/SF 5,6,7
Fatboy
Nitro
Rayzr
SF5/SF8
Steel
Ultimate Weapon
Uprising
Venum/Vexxum
Windy City

Dudley

Assault/Assault II

Easton

Black Magic
C-Core
ConneXion CCore/Ti-Core/Z-Core
CV 12
Cyclone
Diamond Pro
Hammer
Havoc
Impact
L7,L8,L9
Power Core Plus (S90)
Rebel
Redline (Sunbelt, SC900)
Reflex Reflex C-Core / Rival
Ronin Alloy
Ronin ATAC Alloy 1 Piece
Salvo Silver Scandium SP12SVM
Salvo Silver Scandium SP12SVS • Salvo Silver Scandium SP15SVS • SP14S /SP16S S50, S300, S500
ST8-ZB ConneXion Z-Core
ST260 Quantum Sc900
ST300 ConneXion (Sc888)
ST-10 ConneXion
Stealth Sc900 (Non-Composite)
SV12
SZ77
Ti-Core
Tri-Shell, Tri-Shell ConneXion
Triple 7
Triple 8
V12 SV1
X-Treme
Z-Core

Grover

Gold
MVP
Platinum / Platinum II
Silver

Kelly

Mach 10
Wraptech

Louisville Slugger

125 Softball
Advanced Player
AI
Air Attack / 3/ II
Air Inertia (All Models)
C405 / C405 Plus / C555
CU31 Alloy
Double Action / Double Threat
Dynasty / XXL
Gamer
Gen 1x
Gold
Grand Slam
Inertia
PowerDome / Gen 1x
Response PowerDome
Response XXL
Samurai
Silver Slugger
Slash
SpringSteel (Black & Red Model)
TPS PowerDome (All Models)
Vapor (SBVA15U)
Warrior PowerDome
Warrior XXL (All Models)
XXL

Miken

Maniac
Vicious
MV-1

Mizuo

Crush (Banzai Aluminum)
Fury (Banzai Aluminum)

Nike

Aero Launch
Air Max Thrust
Air Storm / Air Storm GPT
Battaboom
Black Powder
Bomber Show
Hawk
Ignitor
Kaos
Keystone
Storm
Surge
Venom

One Cryo

Equalizer 1&2

PowerFlite/PowerHouse

Aerodyne
JA-7 ERC
Ozone 1&2
Troy Brumbalow
Xtreme

Rawlings

Ambush SP1AM2
Caliber SPCLBR
Fuel
Paramount
Powerforged
Recon
Steeles
7178
Alien
Blue
C555
Impact 2
Laserflex / 2 Wall
Storm
Triple X
Turbo Flex
XLT / XLTG

String King

Metal Pro

Toledo

Buzzsaw
Inferno-BL / EL
Nitroglycerin

Worth

Blade EST (W8EST2)
Blade W8SB
Clincher
EST / EST MAX (Metal Models)
EST Hybrid (All Models)
Excalibur
Insanity Blue / Gold
Insanity W4SB7
Lithium (SBTST)
Salvo Silver Scandium SP15SVS • Mayhem Single Wall
MG46 (SSBTG) / (SSMG)
Powercell / PowerZone
Prodigy
PST (Metal Models)
Quad EST (All Models)
Revolver / Revolver TST
Silencer
Supercell / VT
UltraFlex
Whiplash W3SB Wicked WWS405 X-Caliber (SBE)

WSL Facebook Rules

+ Click for rules

The WSL Facebook page is the public face of the WSL.

We have not made it hidden, or moderated, simply for the purpose of allowing everyone to get involved. Whether you’re a new player, or a gritty veteran, the Facebook page is open to all to talk, to share ideas, laugh and have a good time.

In order to keep it that way, we are instituting rules to ensure that the Facebook page is a safe place for everyone, and in addition to that, we are not held liable for anything bad that is said on the page that can punish the entire league due to the actions of a few persons (idiots).

Following are the rules:

All posts should be fun, smart, creative, or informational in nature. If you are looking for players for a game or a team, feel free to post and make it fun and engaging. If you want to post something funny and non-offensive and good natured, go for it!
Soliciting our players and posting on the page without the express permission from the Commish will result in immediate suspension from the page.
Fighting, arguing, etc…on the page is not allowed. If you have a problem with someone and want to fight, by all means, feel free. But do not do it at the fields, do not fight at any of the bars who sponsor teams or on the Facebook page. Find somewhere else, get their number, and take care of your business personally.
Instigating fights, or arguing, is also not allowed. Challenging people to physical altercations, whether by joking or not, is not allowed. It’s very hard to decipher whether one is challenging someone and it’s a joke or if it’s serious, so it’s best to leave that off of Facebook. Again, get their number and take care of business away from the league.
Sexist, homophobic, racist comments, pretty much any remark that you know you should not be said, should not be said. It’s quite simple.

If a player does break these rules, they are banned from the page and they will be publicly shamed on the Facebook page that they have been banned and why so everyone knows this person is an idiot. If the infraction is egregious enough, said offender can expect a suspension of play as determined by the Rules Committee. If they want to get back on the Facebook page, they must pay $40 to the league and help set up the fields for one Sunday with no compensation. Once completed they are allowed back on the Facebook page. If it happens again, it’s an $80 fine and two Sundays of setting up the fields, and publicly shaming again that they are a total idiot. On the third strike, they are banned from Facebook permanently and publicly shamed that this person spent $120 to get back on the Facebook page only to get blocked and they’re still a complete and utter idiot.

HOF RULES

+ Hall of Fame Committee

Each team will send one person to the Hall of Fame Committee (HOFC). This person must have been in the league ten years or more. If a team doesn’t have a member who has ten years of experience, the team must send the most senior member that is willing to do it. Each team can choose themselves how they pick which person represents them on the Committee. The Commissioner of the league will also have a seat and vote on the Committee. There will also be a non-voting HOFC Chairperson assigned by the Commissioner. This person will be in charge of the logistics of the committee, as well as administer and count the HOFC’s ballots.

+ Nomination and Voting Process

Each team will have the option to nominate up to two people to be in the Hall of Fame. How they do this is up to each individual team—i.e. a vote amongst members, the manager chooses, the HOFC member chooses, etc. They also have the option to not nominate anyone. Anyone is eligible to be nominated in this manner, be it a past or current player, team sponsor, Steve from Turkey’s, etc. The nominee does not have to be from their own team. Each team should include a short pitch that the HOFC may consider when casting their votes.
The Commissioner of the league may also nominate up to three people to the Hall of Fame each year. The Commissioner is bound by the qualifications below when choosing his or her nominations.
The nominees are then shared with the 17 members of the HOFC who will vote by secret ballot. They can vote for up to five of the nominees. Any person receiving 13 (out of the 17 members—over the 75% threshold) votes will be inducted into the HOF.

+ Hall of Fame Qualifications For HOFC to Consider

The HOFC should use the below qualifications to assess nominees, not necessarily in this order. Each inductee should have two or more of these qualities to be included on a HOFC member’s ballot, and as a Commissioner nominee:

On the field prowess
Universal beloved-ness
Contributions and innovations to the play, language, or culture of the WSL

+ Hall of Fame Ceremony and Location

The HOFC will work with the Commissioner’s office and the Social Coordinator to determine the date and structure of the ceremony.
The HOFC will also work on a permanent/semi-permanent home for the HOF, online and physical, as well as what that will look like.

LEAGUE RULES

DOWNLOAD A PFD HERE

+ WSL Home Run Rule

This is the rule for a HR as per the Commissioner:

A home run should be categorized as a ball hit beyond the outfielders without them touching it. If it’s a line drive that cleanly goes through (splits the outfielders), fine. Takes a bad hop and cleanly misses an outfielder, fine. But by no means should a home run be a ball that is dropped, kicked, deflected, thrown all around the field and it should also not involve a play at any base other than home. If the outfielder tries to peg the guy at third and overthrows allowing him to score: not a homer.

+ UMPIRES

Umpires selection: umpires are selected based on knowledge of the rules, temperament, and reliability.
Umpire compensation: Umpires are to be compensated $35 from each team immediately after the game ($70 total).
The scorebook: Umpires are responsible for taking a picture of the line-up book of each team in the game they are umpiring once the game is over and emailing to: wslumps@gmail.com

• Umpires that continue to forget to do this will no longer be allowed to umpire.

• Managers need to be on top of umpires to make sure they send photos of the books. Managers must not pay the umpire until the umpire has taken a photo of the book.

Respect the umpires: Managers and players should not treat umpires with disrespect, yell, curse or threaten umpires. Umpires have a difficult job and should be treated with the same fairness and respect that players give to their own teammates. Managers and players who continuously berate, yell, scream, or threaten umpires will be given a warning and their conduct will be communicated to the Rules Committee, Commissioner and the Heads of the Umpires. Based on the assessment by the Rules Committee, these players and their manager could be suspended or kicked out of the league.
In the event of a conflict: Managers and Umpires will need to confer with each other, the umpire will make the final decision on a ruling. It is the responsibility of the Manager of his/her team to take control of his/her own team and convey the decision.

• Umpires can consult other non participating umpires on a call where they had a bad angle or are unsure of the rules

Umpires handling difficult players: Umpires have the right to warn and/or eject any player from a game due to behavior, dirty play, aggression, fighting. Umpires will field complaints and identify players that are causing trouble and will communicate to the Commissioner and the Heads of the Umpires. These players and their manager will be given warnings by the Commissioner. If the player continues to be difficult they may be suspended or removed from the league.
Unacceptable player behavior: Using racial slurs, homophobic slurs, threats, throwing bats, etc. is cause for immediate ejection and the player will be required to leave the park. Managers who do not make their players leave will then be suspended.
Fines: Once a player is ejected, they will have to pay a $40 fine to the league to return back the next game they want to play. Any game a player is ejected, he/she loses that game of playoff eligibility.
Multiple suspensions: If a player is suspended more than once, they are out of the league permanently.
Umpire behavior: If you as a manager or player feels that an umpire is either bad, difficult, not performing his/her duties, you have every right to email the head of the umpire crew to let them know of the situation. The email address is wslumps@gmail.com. Please write a detailed email explaining what happened so that it can be discussed and resolved with the umpire.

• Umpires may drink a reasonable amount but must not get drunk. Please note: This is a paid position, so please refrain from getting drunk while umpiring the game.

Umpire assessment: Umpires will be graded at mid-season and at the end of season by managers of the WSL.

• Umpires who have been graded subpar will be asked to improve either their attitude, or knowledge of the rules.

• The umpire(s) who has been graded the BEST (mid-season & end of season) will be given a $60 bonus and will have the opportunity to umpire games in the playoffs. This will of course depend upon availability of ump.

+ EQUIPMENT

Cleats: Metal spikes are not permitted, a player wearing metal spikes will not be allowed to play. Only rubber cleats are allowed. If a player is asked to remove his/her spikes and he/she does not do so and is found to be playing with metal spikes, the player is out of the game and will serve a 1 game suspension.
Game equipment: Each team must bring the following to each game:

At least one new Clincher softball

A scorebook, or a score sheet, to track the game they are playing in. This is so umpires can take a picture of the book to send to the league for tracking. Teams who do not have a book or sheet to be photographed are at risk of having their player(s) not being honored with a game played which will ultimately count against your player’s playoff eligibility.

The league will provide bases, chalk, and paint for the grass.

Returning bases to the shed: After the final game of the day, the home team on each field is responsible for gathering up all the bases, putting them in the bases bags, and bringing them to the shed behind the Turkey’s Nest.
To get the key to the shed: Go into the Turkey’s Nest, ask the bartender for the key to the shed. Go outside and around to the side of the Nest. There is a gate there. Use the key to unlock the gate. Walk into the parking lot area, in the left side corner, there is a shed. Open it by releasing the bungee cord. Place the bags on the TOP SHELF. The bottom shelf is for the kickball league. Close the shed; secure the door with the bungee cord. Lock the gate behind you. Return to the bar and give the key back to the bartender. Say, “Thank you,” get a Big Bud.

+ pitching

1. What is a strike:

Click to see WSL ruling image here.

Starting Position: The pitcher is facing home plate with at least one foot on the “rubber,” or place designated as pitching area (a chalk line). When the batter is ready, the pitch must be delivered in one continuous underhand forward motion. Prior to forward motion, or if the pitcher freezes or pauses, the batter has the right to call timeout. The umpire, however, must grant this timeout. The batter must ask for it loudly, and clearly enough and the umpire must grant it. The pitcher may take one step toward home plate only.
Illegal pitches:

Fast pitch: A pitch that is thrown at a high velocity and has no arc.

Stuttering or pausing during the pitch: If a pitcher pauses, stutters or freezes after his forward motion has begun, this is also considered an illegal pitch.

“Trick” pitches: Pitchers may throw knuckleballs, spinning balls, or backhanded pitches. However, it is illegal to throw a ball that contains any foreign substances, including clumpires of dirt, on the surface of the ball.

Enforcement: If the pitcher delivers an illegal pitch it is the responsibility of the umpire to yell “Illegal Pitch!” and it is immediately a dead ball. No matter if the batter gets a single, a homerun, or swings and misses, the play is dead, it is called a BALL and the pitcher is given a warning.

• There is a “three strike rule” for pitchers who violate the pitching rule. On the third violation, the player can no longer pitch in that game.

• The player is not kicked out of the game; they are just no longer eligible to pitch for the remainder of that game.

+ HITTING

Starting pitching count: at the start of every at bat the batter starts with a 0-0 count
3 strikes: A batter gets three strikes. If a batter has 2 strikes on him/her and they then foul off a pitch, this is considered a third strike and the batter is out. A batter may strike out looking as well as swinging on a 3rd strike.
4 Balls: Four balls is a walk.

If a male batter before a female batter walks on four straight balls, the male batter automatically goes to second base and the female following has the option to take first base or hit.

If the female batter does not opt to take the walk the runners do not advance.

Pinch Runners (formerly Courtesy Runners)

A pinch runner must either be the last batted out or a player on the bench not in the game.

Two pinch runners are allowed per game. If a team already has two pinch runners and then one of their players gets hurt and wants a runner, this is not allowed. The injured player either runs or they are out of the game.

Once the batter reaches base safely, the pinch runner may now enter for the batter.
The player(s) who needs a pinch runner can be designated before the game, or before the player’s at-bat.
If there are no runners who have been designated and a player gets injured and cannot run, this player can now have a pinch runner. Once this player has been announced that he/she needs a pinch runner, the player must always have a pinch runner for the remainder of the game.

From Home Plate: There are no pinch runners allowed from home plate. The batter must make it to first base (or 2nd, 3rd) before he/she can have a pinch runner.

The pinch runner must be of the same gender as the player they are replacing.

If there are no female players available to be a pinch runner for a female, the opposing team is given the right to choose the pinch runner.

If a pinch runner comes in to play the field they are no longer a pinch runner (unless they happen to be the last batted out). If that player is then taken out of the game, they cannot re-enter as a pinch runner.

Bunting/Chopping: Bunting, or “chopping,” of any kind is not permitted. Any attempted bunt, half swing, or chop, intended to cause the effect of a bunt or a chop, results in an automatic out. Runners may not advance.

+ BASE RUNNING

Safety First: The primary goal on the base paths, above all, is to avoid dangerous collisions between runners and fielders.
No Leading Off: There is no leading off. Runners must stay put on their bag until the ball is hit – the batter must make contact with the ball before the runner can take off.

If a runner leaves early, or runs and the batter did not swing, then the runner is given a warning. If the runner does it again, the runner is out.

Then every time any runner on the offending teams leaves the bag early for the duration of the game he/she will be called out.

First Base: Double bases or two bases will be used at first base. The orange base (or the outside base in foul territory) is designated as the “runners base” and the white base (or the inside base in fair territory) is designated as the “fielders base.”

Runners Base vs. Fielders Base: If there is a play at first base, the runner MUST step on the orange base (outside base in foul territory) and the first baseman must step on the white base (inside base in fair territory). Only when the runner is rounding first base or going for multiple bases can he/she use the white base (or the inside base in fair territory).

• If the first baseman steps on the orange base (or the outside base in foul territory) and does not use the white base (or inside base) by the time the runner gets to first base, the runner is safe.

• If a fielder touches the white base and the orange base the runner is out, if the fielder only touches the orange base the runner is safe

First baseman obstructing path to first base: If the first baseman obstructs the base runner headed to first in a way that puts the runner in danger or prevents the runner from reaching the base, the runner is awarded first base. First baseman obstructing path to second base: On a base hit, when there is clearly no play at first base, the first baseman must allow the runner the opportunity to round the base and run for extra bases. It is the responsibility of the first baseman to get out of the runner’s way.

Collisions which result from the first baseman failing to clear the way for the runner when there is no play at first base may result, according to the judgment of the umpire, in the next base being awarded to the runner.

Base runner interfering with first baseman: A base runner heading to first base must run in the runner’s lane on the foul side of the first base line. A base runner, who runs on the infield side of the line and prevents the first baseman (or any other player) from fielding the first base position, is automatically out.

After the runner reaches first base: After passing first base, the runner can turn right into foul territory or left into fair territory and they are not considered “live.” It is only when the runner makes a motion to advance are they considered “live” and can be tagged out.**

Fielder obstructing a runner: If a fielder, not in the act of fielding, obstructs the base path in a manner that causes a collision or severely impedes the runner’s progress around the bases, the umpire should rule the runner automatically safe and award the base they were advancing toward.
Runner obstructing a fielder: If a runner on the base path collides with a fielder who is in the act of fielding, preventing them from completing the play, the runner is out.
Aggressive base running: If a runner aggressively or purposefully initiates, collides or slides with cleats up in a manner in which the umpire determines had an intent to harm or injure anyone in the base path, the runner is out and immediately ejected from the game.
Avoiding collisions on close plays: Runners are strongly encouraged to slide on close plays to avoid obstructing the play of infielders and to avoid collisions, but it is not mandatory.

A base runner who chooses not to slide on a close play must ease gently into the base standing up, or avoid contact with the fielder by going around him/her or simply give themselves up so as to avoid contacting the fielder.

A runner, who goes into a base standing up and makes a hard collision with the fielder, will be ruled out, with the possibility of being ejected from the game.

Runner obstruction: Runners may not hold, hug, slap the ball away, or obstruct the fielder from making a play.
Force out rule: When a player is forced out, they must: peel out of the baseline, slide, or duck, and essentially get out of the way. A runner is not allowed to stand in the base path, wave arms, run into the fielder or interfere with a thrown ball. If the player does not get out of the way and give him/herself up, the player is out and so is the batter who hit the ball. It is a double play. If a runner does not get out of the way, they are at their own risk of being injured by a thrown ball.
Running to home plate: Safety is of crucial importance around home plate. Ideally the runner should slide to avoid a collision. If the runner does not slide, he or she must ease into home plate, or avoid contact with the player covering home, or he/she is automatically out.

Sliding: Controlled feet-first sliding on close plays is strongly encouraged, as it is generally accepted as a safer method than head-first sliding. Sliding is recommended but not mandatory.

Avoiding collisions: avoiding collisions is mandatory. Typically, the on-deck batter has the responsibility to let the runner know whether or not to slide and teams are encouraged to get all players to understand and use this system. But take care not to overcrowd the area around home plate.

No play at home plate: If there is no play at home plate at all and the catcher (or another fielder) is standing on or in front of home plate blocking the path, the runner is awarded the vicinity around home plate and is safe. The runner should not barrel into the catcher or other fielders if they are in the way.

Runners obstructing home plate: Once a runner(s) has scored, it is his/her responsibility to clear the area and allow the defense the opportunity to make a play at home if another runner is attempting to score. If runners are conglomerating around home plate and have obstructed the fielder, and made it impossible for them to make a play at the plate, then the runner scoring is out.

Runner is hit by a batted ball:

If a runner is running around the bases in fair territory and is hit by a batted ball, the runner is out.

If a runner is on ANY base, and is hit by a batted ball, the runner is out. The ball is now dead and no runner may score, nor runners advance.

A runner on 3B may stand in foul territory, off but parallel to the base. The umpire must be notified if the runner intends to stand off the bag.

A runner on 1B may stand on the orange bag and will be considered to be in foul territory.

If a runner is in foul territory and not on a base and is hit by a ball, he/she is not out and it is a foul ball.

Runner Dragging the Base: The bases not being stationary does not give the base runner the right to drag the base. If a base runner goes into a base and the base slips, or slides away, as long as the runner is in the general vicinity of where the base should be, then the runner is safe.

If the base runner runs past the base, but uses his foot to grab the base and drag it further than where it should be, then the runner is considered off the base and therefore “live”.

First and Third Base Coaches: There can be a maximum of one first base coach and one third base coach. There cannot be a conglomeration of multiple players and base coaches in fair territory obstructing the path of the runner.
Too many players down the line: The umpire can give a warning when there are too many players gathered either down the first base or third base line in fair territory. On the 2nd warning the umpire can call an immediate out. When not playing, please stay in foul territory, out of the field of play.
Players in foul territory obstructing a player: On a pop up in foul territory where a player is attempting to make a play and is purposefully obstructed by an opposing player, fan or spectator, the umpire has the right to call the batter out.

+ FIELDING

Maximum players in the field: Teams may have a maximum of 10 fielders, 2 of which must be women.
Minimum players in the field: If a team fields less than 10 players (9 or 8), there must be a catcher and at least 1 woman on the field.
Defending home plate: On plays at home plate, the fielder taking the throw should be positioned to the side of home plate, giving the runner a clear lane to the plate.

A line will be drawn in the dirt in front of home plate where the catcher must stand if there is a play at the plate. Drawings TBD.

Impeding home plate: The fielder must not stand on top of home plate, or in front of base blocking the path, to make a play.

The fielding team should have no more than 2 players near home plate. The fielder backing up the play should be standing near the backstop. If the fielding team has a conglomeration of fielders at home, in front of the plate, which prevents the runner from having a clear path to home plate, then the runner is deemed automatically safe.

Woman Line: The outfielders must not play shallower than 100 feet beyond first, second and third base. The area between the bases and the Female Line is designated as the Woman Line Zone.

There must be 4 outfielders when a woman is at the plate. All 4 outfielders must be behind the Woman Line and cannot play in the Woman Line Zone or in the infield.

Creeping past girl line on a pitch: Outfielders cannot creep past (or charge) the girl line and enter the Woman Line Zone when the ball is pitched, they must wait until a woman has hit the ball.

Enforcement: If outfielders are too close, the umpire must order the outfielders to play further back to accommodate the rule. Opposing managers also have the right to request the umpires move outfielders back. The umpire may warn the outfielders and the managers, after multiple warnings, it is up to the umpire’s discretion to allow the girl first base regardless of outcome of her at-bat.

Infield Fly Rule: An infield fly is a fair fly ball in the infield (not including a line drive) or in shallow outfield.

When first and second, or first, second and third bases are occupied and there are less than two outs.

Where the ball can be caught with ordinary effort and the fielder is camped out underneath it

The umpire shall immediately declare “Infield Fly!” loudly enough for everyone to hear, for the benefit of the runners, and the batter is out. The runners may advance, or “tag up” after the ball is caught at their own risk.

6. Fake Tags: Fake, “phantom” tags, are strictly prohibited.

If a fielder does a fake tag, he is immediately given a warning.

On the second offense, the runner is given the next base.

On the next offense, the runner is given the next base and the fielder is out of the game.

Calling Timeout: Fielders can only call timeout when a fielder in the infield has control of the ball.

Fielders can call timeout when runners are on the bases but it should only be granted when runners are safely on their bases.

If runners are moving forward, in a run-down, or advancing, timeout should not be granted until the runners are all on their respective bases.

A player in the outfield with or without the ball, cannot be granted timeout.

+ FAIR/FOUL

In play: Everything within the foul lines on each field is in play: rocks, park benches, garbage cans, players from other games, empanada purveyors and hipsters. If a batted ball hits any of these objects in play and remains playable, fielders must play the ball accordingly.
Interference: Play ceases and bases are awarded to the batter if a ball hit into fair territory is picked up, thrown, or otherwise intentionally deflected by a bystander, or if a ball becomes completely impossible to play as a result of some impediment or obstruction such as a hole in the ground, fence, rabid animal, etc.

Bases awarded: The number of bases awarded is up to the discretion of the umpire, due to how far the ball was hit and how far the batter had run at the time of the obstruction. Other runners on the base paths may advance from their starting points depending upon the number of bases awarded.

If a ball hits a fan, or a player playing on the opposing field, the ball is live. Only if a fan or other player picks up the ball, throws the ball away, keeps it, etc. will the runner be awarded bases.

Tree Balls: If a ball hits the tree, a branch, a twig, a leaf, whether its trajectory is or is not altered and is caught by a fielder, the batter is out.

If a ball hits the tree and lands on the field, it is a live ball.

If a ball hits the tree in fair territory and goes into foul territory, it is still considered a fair ball.

If the ball goes into the tree in foul territory and goes into fair territory, the ball is considered a foul ball.

Out of bounds ball: Any ball thrown beyond the first or third base dugouts that cannot be immediately picked up by a defensive player. When a ball is thrown out of bounds, all runners on the base paths may advance a maximum of one base beyond the base toward which they were running. Runners advance at their own risk because the ball is still live and the base is not awarded automatically.

Example 1: If a runner is running to first and an errant throw goes out of bounds, the runner may attempt to advance to second base only.

Example 2: If a runner is headed toward third and an errant throw goes out of bounds, that runner may attempt to score, while other runners on the bases may attempt to advance one base beyond the base toward which they were running.

Example 3: If a runner on first is not running towards the next base or if they are retreating back to first base, they can only gain the next base.

Safely retrieved ball: A safely retrieved ball is any ball a defensive player can pick up without intentional intervention by a bystander or player who is not also playing defense. This includes a ball that hit a tree, pole or garbage can and bounced back. If a fielder safely retrieves the out of bounds ball while the runners are advancing, then the fielder can throw and/or tag the runner(s), and the runner(s) is out.
Illegally retrieved ball: If a fielder retrieves a ball that is tossed, or handed to them by a bystander, a spectator, the hotdog lady, or anyone, the ball is dead and the fielder cannot get the runner(s) out.

+ lineups

Trading lineups: It is not mandatory, but if requested, teams may trade line-ups before the start of their games if opposing manager’s request. No questions asked.
Batting line-up options:

A 10, 11 or 12-player line-up: A team may use a 10, 11 or 12 player line-up.

At least 2 of those players must be women.
Example: 10 men, 2 women.

Maximum line-up: 13 player line-up: A team can also use a 13 player line up.

At least 3 of the players in the batting order must be women, 2 women are required to play in the field.
Example: 10 men, 3 women.

Minimum line-up: A team must use a minimum line-up of 10 players.

2 of those 10 players MUST be women.
If they can only bat 9, the 10th slot is an automatic out, if they can only bat 8, the 9th and 10th slots are automatic outs. A team with only 7 players must forfeit the game.

1-woman line-up: A team that has only 1 woman may only use a “10” player line-up where one position in the batting order is an automatic out.

They cannot bat 11 men and 1 woman.
Example: 8 men, 1 woman and the last slot (10th) is an automatic out.

Batting Through a Lineup: After a team goes through their lineup once, their lineup is set.

Example 1: If a team is batting 10, and their 11th player shows up and they have already gone through their 10-player line up once, the player being added must take the slot of a player in the line-up. They cannot be tacked onto the end of the line up.
Example 2: If a team bats through their lineup and one of their player (or players) leave during the game and there is NO replacement for that slot. Then each time that slot comes to bat and there is no hitter, it is an automatic out.
Example 3: If a team is waiting for their 11th player and has 10 players, they can have an 11 player line up and take the 11th slot as an out if the player doesn’t show up in time for his/her at-bat. However, if this player never shows up, that 11th slot will always be an out for the duration of the game.

Forfeits

Not enough players: A team that cannot field 8 players forfeits by a score of 10-0.
No women players: A team that cannot field 1 woman forfeits by a score of 10-0.

Grace period for 11am games: Games scheduled to start at 11am must start by 11:20 to allow for all of the days other games to be played.
Grace period after 11am game: Teams have a grace period of 15 minutes after game-time to get all their players to the field or to pick up Guest players if they have less than 10 players. If a team has 10 players, and they are waiting for their 11th (or 12th) they cannot delay a game waiting for additional players. Once teams have a minimum of 10 players, the game starts.
DH rule: Any team may elect to use the Designated Hitter Rule or not.

A DH cannot play in the field.
Once the player has been selected as the DH they can only DH for that entire game and must remain in the same slot in the batting order.
A DH may be designated to bat for any player in the lineup.
The player selected as DH must be announced to the opposing team and the umpire so everyone is aware.
Women can DH for men.
Men can DH for women as long as there are 2 women hitting in the lineup.
A DH can be removed and replaced with another DH. But the previous DH is out of the game and cannot come in as a position player. If a player is DHing for a player in the field that comes out of the game, the DH can continue to hit for the new player that comes in. If the newly entered player wants to hit, then the DH comes out of the game and cannot re-enter the game, they are out of the game A position player who has a DH can hit if the DH is injured and there are no other bench players.

Extra hitter: Teams may use a maximum of 2 extra hitters (EHs) when they have 2 women in the lineup. Teams can also add a third woman to the lineup as an EH (see Batting line-up options).

An EH can also come in to play the field at any time.

If a team only has 1 woman in the line-up, they are not allowed to use any EH’s.

Pinch Hitter: Pinch hitters are allowed but only batters of the same sex can pinch hit for him/her.

Example: A male batter can only pinch hit for a male, and a woman can only pinch hit for a woman.

Men’s re-entry rule: Once removed from the game there is no re-entry for men.

a) Example: If a manager brings in a pinch-hitter (Player B) for a batter (Player A), then Player A cannot re-enter the game.
b) Injured Player: In the event of a player being substituted in, and then becoming injured and needing to exit the game, the player must be verified to be injured by the umpire and can then be swapped out without the risk of their slot now being empty.

Women re-entry rule: Women may enter, or rotate, within the women’s spots in the batting order or in the field as many times as they like.

Example: If a team has 4 women, but are batting 2 in the line-up, those 4 women can rotate within those two slots in the batting line-up as many times as they want. If Woman 1 and Woman 2 are hitting in the 10th and 11th spot respectively, then Woman 3 and Woman 4 can hit in the 10th and 11th spots as well.
If one of the women wants to move up (or down in the order) the batting order must go around one time through before the woman can be put into a different hitting slot.

Announcing a sub: If a team is subbing in a hitter or fielder, it must be announced to the umpire and opposing manager.

Writing a player in score book who did not play:

4 Game suspension for the manager.
Player who was added is ineligible for the playoffs.
Managers bringing players into the game should be diligent in announcing to both the umpire and the opposing manager that this player is in.
Managers must be diligent in keeping track of opposing manager’s scoresheet to ensure that only players in the lineup actually played in the game.

+ GUEST PLAYERS

Guest Players: Teams may recruit guest players from other WSL rosters in order to avoid forfeiting, playing with less than 10 players, or the requisite number of women. If a team has 10 healthy rostered players (with a minimum of 2 women) present they cannot pick up any additional guest players.

If a team has zero women, then the first two guest players they pickup must be women.
If a team has one woman, then the first player they pick up must be a woman.
If a team has two women, they can pick up enough male players to make it to 10.
If a team has three women, for a total of 10 players, they cannot pick up another male. They play with their total of 10 players.

Qualified Guest Players: The league respectfully asks captains recruiting “guests” to find players whose talents do not greatly exceed that of the average player. Each “guest” must be approved to play by the opposing team’s captain. Harassment from the team that is short players, due to the opposing manager not approving the guest, is not permitted.
Where to play Guest Players: Guest players must bat at the end of the lineup and play catcher or positions approved by the opposing manager.
New Players: Any new player, who was not on a roster opening day, must be immediately added to a roster in order to play. New players are only allowed up until Week 12.

Once a new player joins a team the manager must inform wslstats@gmail.com and add them to their team roster or they cannot play.
Any changes to the current roster must be made by 8p on Saturday for a Sunday game.

Protests: If a team plays an unrostered player, the opposing team can protest the game

If the protest is made mid game, and the player(s) in question is not on the roster, the player(s) must exit the game. The game will remain as played up until that point.
If the protest is made after the game, the protest must be emailed to the rules committee (wslrules@gmail.com) by midnight the following day (Monday). The first protest will result in a warning and any after that will result in a forfeit by the offending team.

+ ROSTERS

Roster size & submission: Rosters must be submitted before Week 1 of the season and again before Week 12 to Justin: wslstatinfo@gmail.com.

Week 1: Each team has a 25 person roster but a manager can make changes at will, by emailing wslstatinfo@gmail.com

Teams who do not submit their rosters by Week 2 will not accumulate games played for those first 2 weeks and subsequent weeks until the roster is turned in. These missing games will not be added to their player’s eligibility at all for the season and will be considered lost. If a team does not turn in a roster for the first 4 weeks the team will be in danger of not being asked back the following season.

Week 12: Team rosters are considered locked at Week 12. No changes can be made to the roster after Week 12. Only players on the roster at this point can be eligible for playoffs
Any player who plays in a WSL game must be on a current roster. Changes to the current roster must be made by 8p on Saturday for a Sunday game.
Once a player is dropped from a roster, they cannot be added back to the same team roster later in the season

Game Qualification: For a game to count towards playoff eligibility, a player must play a full inning in the field, pinch run until the inning ends or take a full at bat which ends in an out, walk or hit.
Playoff eligibility for men: Men must appear in at least 8 games to be playoff eligible. There are no exceptions for special circumstances.
Playoff eligibility women: Women will need to play a minimum of 6 games in order to qualify for the playoffs. There are no exceptions for special circumstances.
Grandfather Rule: There is no Grandfather rule. It does not matter if a player was in the league for the past 10 years, ALL players must play the minimum requirements (8 for men, 6 for women) to qualify for playoffs for that season. No exceptions.
Players switching teams: Players are allowed to leave one team and join another at any time during the season.

Men: A player switching teams can qualify for playoffs if he plays in a minimum of six games for the team he switches to, for a total of 9 games for the entire season between both teams.
Women: A player switching teams can qualify for playoffs if she plays in a minimum of three games for the team she switches to, for a total of 6 games for the entire season between both teams.

Playoff Rosters: After each game, the umpire of the game will take a photograph of your score book and will email it to wslumps@gmail.com

The league will be tracking the games played for all teams. At the end of the regular season, Justin will email each team their playoff rosters. These are the players who are eligible to play in the playoffs for your team.
It is the manager’s responsibility to:

Keep score of the game with a score book or score sheet. If the umpire has nothing to take a picture of, the manager is in danger of having player(s) lose playoff eligibility due to the league’s inability to track games.

Use legible handwriting. If the league cannot read the writing, they are in danger of having player(s) lose playoff eligibility due to poor penmanship.

If there are multiple players on your team with the same first name, a nickname, last name or initial should be added to identify each individual.

Ensure the umpire takes a picture of your score sheet at the end of every game.

+ schedule

Regular Season Schedule: Schedule is posted on the website. It has been made as fair as possible with every team playing in each of the 4 time slots; 11, 1, 3, 5. Each team will play a minimum of 3 games per slot and some a maximum of 6 games per slot.
Rain out/make up: Rain outs will be played at the end of the year and/or double header weekends throughout the season. It is not easy rescheduling games, all efforts will be made to ensure everyone is treated fairly so please work with each other and show patience.
What Constitutes an Official Game?: In the event of rain, snow, or other weather event that stops the game, we use the MLB Rule you can see here. Essentially, the HOME TEAM needs to have 5 at-bats for the game to be considered official. If the home team is winning in the bottom of the 5th and weather stops the game, the game can be considered over as they do not need their final at-bats.
What if the game is suspended and less than 5 innings have been played?: In the event of rain or another weather event that stops a game after it has begun, but they have yet to complete 5 innings, the teams can decide to either:

Start the game over from the beginning 0-0 at a later date or
Pick up from where the game left off at a later date.
Both teams need to agree. If the teams cannot agree to one of those two options, the Commissioner will have final say.

Postponements: There are NO postponements allowed. Teams can request to make a same day reschedule of their time slot, however, they must work with ALL teams who are affected to make the change. This is not the Commissioner’s responsibility.
Bench: Home team will always use 1B dugout, away game will always use the 3B dugout

+ playoffs

Playoff Format: All teams under the current format make the playoffs. Teams are seeded by record. Ties will be settled by the following criteria: head-to-head, runs allowed, and finally a coin flip.
Seeding Discrepancies: If by chance there are discrepancies, and teams cannot be clearly seeded, the Rules Committee will be asked to make a final judgment on seeding.
Two umpires for all playoff games: Due to the importance of the playoffs, there will be two umpires to ensure that each play can be viewed from multiple angles and to ensure that two minds can collaborate on interpretations of league rules and circumstances on the field. On close or controversial plays, umpires may take time out from the game to consult with each other before making a definitive call on a difficult play.

Collaboration is encouraged. If an umpire makes a call that one of the managers feels incorrect, they have every right to request the umpires to collaborate. From this collaboration, umpires can either reverse the call, or stick with the original ruling.

Choosing Umpires for semi-finals and championship: Each team in the semi-finals and the championship will have the right to choose 1 umpire from the pool of qualified and highly rated umpires. Managers can have a civilized discussion about who they are choosing with each other, however, each manager still has the right to stick with whom they chose. If there are disputes, they may be settled with the Commissioner.
Home/Away: The higher ranked team in the divisional playoffs is deemed the home team. Championship home/away will be determined by head-to-head record from the regular season, with the winner being the home team.

+ CODE OF CONDUCT BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE GAME

Code of behavior: Everyone involved with the league is expected to behave with respect toward each other and others around the park. Show good sportsmanship, don’t let disagreements and arguments are bound to happen. Don’t let them simmer; don’t let them boil over. Act like an adult and get over it. It’s softball. Foul, abusive, or threatening language directed at anyone, be they umpires, opponents, teammates, or spectators, is totally unacceptable.

Throwing of equipment, primarily bats, is strictly prohibited. Putting other players in danger is absolutely against the rules. There is no warning for throwing bats; the player is immediately out of the game.
Racial/Sexual/Homophobic slurs will not be tolerated.
Facebook violation rules also apply to playing games. If a player violates the Code of Conduct on Facebook, they are at risk of being suspended for games.
If a player is suspended, they must pay a fine of $40 before returning to the league.

Violation of the code: An umpire can eject from the game a person who continually violates the code of behavior or plays in a manner that is a danger to other players and spectators. A person ejected from the game must take off his jersey and leave the park. If an ejected player does not leave the park, it is a 10-0 forfeit and the player is banned from the league. If the ejected player does not leave the park, the manager gets a 1 game suspension. If the player has 2 ejections (overall) the player is banned from the league. Ultimately the decision to ban/suspend players & managers involved will rest with the Rules Committee. Remember that such childish behavior puts the league’s playing permit in jeopardy. Any game a player is ejected, he/she loses that game of playoff eligibility.
Removing a Team from the WSL: A team can be removed by the Commissioner without having to call a vote from managers, Rules Committee, etc…without any warning if it is deemed that the team is detrimental to the league, its permits, safety or to the community. No team, or player, is bigger than the league. The Commissioner can decide if he wants to return the team fee or not. If teams sign up for the WSL, it is their choice, therefore they are under the rules of the league.
Players of Teams who have been Removed from the league: a) In the event of a team getting removed from the league, all players on their roster will also be suspended from the league for the remainder of the summer and fall season, no exception. b) All players will also be removed from the league Facebook page. c) If the player wants to return to the league the following year, they will have to petition the Commissioner and the Commissioner will then bring it to the Rules Committee to rule whether this person is allowed back in the league or not.
Managers Veto Rule: 2/3 Team veto – 12 teams would have to vote down a rule put in place by the Rules Committee and/or the Commissioner.

+ Cleaning up

To keep in good standing with the Parks Department, we need to keep the fields and its surroundings clean BEFORE and AFTER each game. This means that teams playing at 1pm may need to do some cleaning before doing warm ups and batting practice. It may not sound fair but that’s the way it is. As permit holders, we are responsible for the entire field once we are there. Teams playing the late games must do the same after their games.

+ THE GOLDEN RULE(S)

Remember, this league was, is, and forever will be, at its heart, laid-back and fun. Rules and regulations notwithstanding, let’s remember not to take things too seriously. Be fair. Be mindful. Be nice. Teams are, as always, advised to invite their opponent out for drinks after each game, and, as always, the point of this all is for everyone to have a good time.
Play ball.

WEBSITE RULES

+ CLICK FOR WSL WEBSITE RULES

This league was, is, and forever will be, at its heart, laid-back and fun. Therefore, the website will follow the same creed. It’s about fun, hanging out, softball, networking, having a good time, competition, but at the end of the day, this is beer league softball. Let’s remember not to take things too seriously.
Once the games are over, please email your scores and a picture of your game book to wslstatinfo@gmail.com and we will put them up ASAP, meaning by Monday evening at the latest. We plan on keeping the site as up-to-date and as accurate as possible in regards to scores, standings, etc…
Managers (or team “source”): Please email your top five game highlights to wsleditorial@gmail.com, whether they are statistical or fun moments. Bullet form is preferred, as it’s fast & easy for content to be sent to the website team, but if you want to write a full story recap, please know we may only use a portion since we’re factoring in the other team. Please also make sure you mention as many different players as possible. Deadline to send recaps are Monday evenings as recaps are scheduled to post on Tuesdays. If we don’t have the required content, we WILL get creative.
Video: We are more than happy to post videos taken throughout season. If you film something, do try to get the film subject’s consent before sending to us at wsleditorial@gmail.com, that way we don’t have to go through the process of spicing up the footage just to have to take it down. If filming on an iPhone, make sure you’re holding it horizontally to avoid those stupid black bars on the sides of the video.
There is now an Events page. If you have an event you want everyone to know about, again, email it to wsleditorial@gmail.com and we’ll get it up as soon as possible.
Each team has their own profile page. It will need an image that will be your logo. You can email me any .jpeg or .bmp file. Each team’s manager and co-manager’s email address needs to be up there so other managers can just go to the site if they need to get hold of the other team. If you want any additional pictures to put up, send them our way. If you have a motto, team saying, slogan, etc… send them to me and I’ll get them up.
The website is about interacting and sharing and having a hub where everyone can go to. Let’s make it fun!

Any other website question, suggestion, complaint, NOT RELATED TO THE ACTUAL GAME ON THE FIELD, you can write to:wsleditorial@gmail.com

RULES