NoPro Sports#

Fall Softball Rules#

Updated 8-27-25

Change labels: NEW CHANGE identifies text shown in red in the source PDF. FALL-SPECIFIC RULE identifies text shown in green.

Table of Contents#

1. Forfeits
2. Game Timing
3. Rosters
4. Playoffs
5. Equipment
6. Batting
7. Pitching
8. Fielding
9. Co-ed Requirements
10. Base Running
11. Misc

Sec 1. Forfeits#

a. Start Times#

FALL-SPECIFIC RULE: Games are designed to be played within 1hr 15 mins. Games start at 6:30 pm, 7:45 pm, or 9:00 pm. The lights turn off at 10:20 PM sharp.

Please be on time. Your team and your opponent depend on you to field a full team and have a competitive game.

After the game, please be courteous and efficient when leaving your bench for the next team.

b. Forfeit Penalty#

If your team forfeits a game, the team will be subject to a $50 penalty fee via the team captain, 100% of which must be donated to a nonprofit charity of your choosing. The Team Captain is then responsible for sending a receipt of the donation to the League Manager.

c. Forfeit Expulsion#

Any team that fails to pay the forfeit penalty will not be eligible to return the following season. Any team with 2 or more forfeits will not be eligible to return the following season.

d. Forfeit Scoring#

If a game is forfeited, a final score will be needed, as the number of runs allowed could factor into a playoff tiebreaker.

1. At the time of the forfeit, we will temporarily enter the game only as a W-L for each team, with no score.
2. Then at the end of all regular season games, the winning team's average number of runs scored [PS] will be applied to the score of the forfeited game. The losing team's score will be half of the winning team's score.

Sec 2. Game Timing#

a. No Umpire#

If an umpire doesn't show up, please contact the League Manager immediately. Until they arrive or a solution is reached, the last batter to come up in each half inning will serve as Umpire when that player's team is up at bat.

b. Game Length#

All games will be 7 innings. Regular season games will not go to extra innings, it is possible to end in a tie.

c. Incomplete Regular Season Game#

Games will be called in the event of rain, snow, "acts of God," or if a game is running over the 1 hr 15 min time allotment. This is the Umpire's call to make.

FALL-SPECIFIC RULE: A game may be called if it is running over the 1 hr 15 min time allotment.

1. The losing team needs to have 5 innings of at-bats for the game to be considered official. For example, if the visiting team is losing, the game can be official after completing the top of the 5th inning.
2. If the game is not official, then we will reschedule for another day and start at the point where the game stopped.
   1. Potential "blowouts" might be considered as final by the League Manager, even if fewer than 5 innings were played.

d. Playoff Suspended Play#

If a playoff game is tied and/or can no longer continue according to the judgment of the umpire, the game will be suspended from that exact point in the inning and will continue from that point at a later date.

Sec 3. Rosters#

a. Roster Size#

Teams are allowed a maximum of 25 players on their roster. Rosters are visible to all teams on our website.

Draft note: Reduce to 20? Increase to 30?

b. Registration Deadlines#

Teams will need to register their full roster no later than the start of their 2nd game. Teams can remove players from their roster and add new players if needed before the start of their 2nd game.

Draft note: Create an extended replacement system where teams can replace players withing the first 4 games?

c. Registered Alternates#

If teams have players who can't commit to all the games, we encourage captains to register players as "alternates" and charge them less than their full-time players. This is also a fair way to determine who could receive more playing time in playoffs games. Better attendance in the regular season can be rewarded with more playing time in big games.

Draft notes:

• Captains are required to submit pictures of lineup cards with final score?
• League would require a minimum of XX% participation in regular season games to be eligible for the playoffs?

d. Non-registered Players in Regular Season#

NEW CHANGE: If a team is on the verge of forfeiting, they may use a registered player from the league or a non-registered player WITH the opposing team's manager's approval. We are calling this a non-team player. The league manager must be notified.

That player must bat last, but can play any position in the field.

The team captain will contact the League Manager prior to the game with an explanation of why the player is needed and request for approval.

If a team needs to use a non-registered player to avoid a forfeit, the team captain will contact the League Manager prior to the game with an explanation of why a non-registered player is needed and request for approval.

1. If approved, the League Manager will notify the opposing team's captain prior to the start of the game.

2. If the player is a non-registered player(s) they will need to sign the league waiver before playing.

3. The team will be required to pay a penalty fee of $10 per non-registered player per game. 100% of this fee will be donated to a local non-profit.

   NEW CHANGE: The penalty fee is $10 per non-registered player per game.

   1. A maximum of 2 non-registered players will be allowed per regular season game.
   2. Teams will be given a forfeit loss if it is determined that a non-registered player participated without approval from the League Manager.
   3. If a request for a non-registered player occurs more than twice during the regular season, that team will not be eligible to return the following season.
   4. If a team has enough players to avoid a forfeit after a non-registered player is approved, then that non-registered player is no longer eligible to play.

e. Non-registered Players in Playoffs#

Non-registered or non-team players are not allowed to participate in playoffs under any circumstances.

Sec 4. Playoffs#

a. Qualifying#

There will be a separate playoff series for all three leagues. For each league, all 4 teams will qualify for a single-elimination playoff tournament. The 2 semi-final games will consist of the #4 seed @ the #1 seed and the #3 seed @ the #2 seed. The winners of these 2 games will play each other in the championship game.

NEW CHANGE: The separate playoff series applies to all three leagues.

b. Seeding#

Regular season winning percentage [PCT] will determine playoff seeding. Winning PCT is the number of wins divided by the total number of games played. Ties count as 1/2 of a win.

1. Seeding Tiebreakers
   1. If 2 teams have a tied winning PCT, their head-to-head record determines their seeding.
      1. If 3 or more teams have a tied winning PCT, their head-to-head record determines their seeding only if they have played each other an even number of times.
   2. If head-to-head record ends in a tie or 3 or more tied teams did not play each other an equal number of times, then lowest runs allowed [PSA] from all regular-season games (not from just the games played between the tied teams) determines the seeding.
   3. If [PSA] still does not break the tie, then seeding will be determined by a coin toss.

Sec 5. Equipment#

a. Team Colors#

To improve player safety, all teams are encouraged to wear team colors during game play. There is no penalty for failing to wear team colors. Your team's lack of identity and chemistry will serve as a sufficient penalty.

b. Cleats#

Metal cleats are not allowed.

c. Gloves & Bats#

Players must supply their own gloves and bats. Below is a list of illegal and legal bats.

Managers and Umpires are to report and offenses or suspected use of illegal bats to the League Manager. NoPro will then conduct random inspections of suspected bats insure fair use.

If it is determined that an illegal bat is used, the team will be issued a forfeit loss. A second offense will result in the team's removal from the league.

1. Illegal Bats:
   • Senior League bats
   • Shaved or Rolled bats
   • Baseball bats
2. Legal Bats - must be marked as ASA Approved:
   • Composite bats
   • Aluminum or Metal Alloy bats
   • Wood bats

d. Softballs#

The home team captain is responsible for bringing a new ball to each game. We use 12" Clincher balls. They can be purchased at Paragon Sports near Union Square, a few blocks from our fields at BQ Sports, or online at Dick's Sporting Goods.

e. Bases & Storage#

It will be the home team's responsibility to pick up and drop off the bases. We have 2 sets of bases that are labeled and stored in a locked gate behind the Turkey's Nest. If you do not know the combination, go into the Turkey's Nest, tell the bartender you are with NoPro and ask for help in accessing the shed.

Sec 6. Batting#

a. Mercy Rule#

A mercy rule will go into effect if the score differential reaches 20 runs after the 5th inning. The official game will be over. Free play may continue afterwards.

b. Gender Ratio#

No more than 3 men may bat in a row.

c. Everyone Bats#

Everyone on the team will bat in a consistent order through the entire game, regardless if they are playing the field in that specific inning.

d. Pinch Hitters#

No pinch hitters are allowed.

e. Starting Count#

FALL-SPECIFIC RULE: Batters start with a 1-1 count.

f. Foul-outs#

Batter will be ruled out on the 2nd ball hit foul with 2 strikes.

g. Bunting#

Bunting and/or chopping at the ball is not permitted. Bunting and/or chopping must be deliberate or intentional to be called.

h. Intentional Walking#

Intentional walking is highly discouraged in the spirit of the league. However, if it does occur...

1. If a man batting before a woman or non-cis male walks on the first 3 pitches (starting with a 1-1 count), that man automatically goes to second base, and that man automatically goes to second base, and the woman or non-cis male player has the following option to take first base or hit.

   FALL-SPECIFIC RULE: This applies after 3 pitches, starting with a 1-1 count. The man automatically goes to second base, and the woman or non-cis male player may take first base or hit.

2. All runners already on base must be forced to advance 1 base.

i. Players Leaving Early#

Our rules differ from standard USA Softball and other McCarren leagues, in that all registered players must be in the batting order regardless if they are playing the field. Therefore...

1. If a player voluntarily leaves or is ejected before the game is over, the team must take an out when that player would have come up in the lineup. Team captains are expected to comply with this rule under the honor system.
2. If a player leaves the game because of an in-game injury, the player would be skip over the player in the lineup and they would not have to take an out.
   1. If a team is unable to enforce the gender ratio because of an in-game injury, the team can move up a player of the gender needed in the lineup to accommodate the ratio.

j. Players Arriving Late#

If a registered player arrives late after a game has started, they can be inserted into the batting order as close to the end as possible while maintaining the 3:1 gender ratio. They can enter the game at any point.

Sec 7. Pitching#

a. Pitch Height#

A legal pitch in an underhand lob with an arch of at least 4 feet and no more than 8 feet.

b. Strike Zone#

Strikes are pitched balls that land in a box defined by the umpire behind home plate. This box is approximately 18'' from the corners of the plate, and exactly as wide as the plate.

c. Trick Pitches#

Pitchers may throw knuckle balls, spinning balls, or backhanded pitches. However, it is illegal to throw a ball that contains any foreign substances.

Sec 8. Fielding#

a. Dead Balls#

Dead ball territory is determined by the umpire and is communicated to both captains upon reviewing the ground rules prior to the game.

b. Catching Foul Balls#

Any foul ball that is caught in the air outside of the field of play, but not within the fenced area of each dugout as defined in the ground rules, will result in an out.

c. Courtesy Line#

FALL-SPECIFIC RULE: Regardless of batter's gender, outfielders are not permitted to stand within 25 feet in front of the grass/dirt line before the ball is hit. If someone is in violation of this rule, it is up to the umpire's discretion to allow the batter to take first base regardless of the outcome of their at-bat.

d. Interference#

If a batted ball comes within contact of an object, pedestrian, or player on the opposing field, the ball will be played as is. If a batted ball is impeded upon (picked up, thrown, kicked) by a pedestrian or player on the opposite field, the play will stop, and the runners will advance at the judgment of the umpire.

e. Tree Balls#

If a ball hits the tree -- whether its trajectory is or is not altered -- and the ball 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. A ball that hits the tree will be determined fair or foul based on its trajectory before hitting the tree:

1. If the ball is hit into fair territory but then goes into foul territory after hitting the tree, the ball is considered fair.
2. If the ball is hit into foul territory but then goes into fair territory after hitting the tree, the ball is considered foul.

f. Infield Fly#

The infield fly rule will be enforced. An infield fly is a fair fly ball in the infield (not including a line drive) that can be caught with ordinary effort, where the fielder is camped out underneath it, when first and second, or first, second, and third bases are occupied, with fewer than 2 outs. The umpire will 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 at their own risk. If the ball was caught and the runner(s) decide to run, they must tag up first.

Sec 9. Co-ed Requirements#

There should be 10 players on the field, at least 4 of whom must be of a different gender. If a team has less than 4 of a different gender, they can begin play, but they must follow the system below:

Only 3 different gendered#

FIELDING: There must be 6 males and 3 females in the field, with a catcher of any gender.

BATTING: The team will play with a maximum of 9 males in the batting order. Otherwise, it would not be possible to enforce the rule about the batting order gender ratio.

Each team can bat any number of men as long as they maintain gender 3:1 ratio, this could mean females batting more often in the lineup.

NEW CHANGE: If a team has 6 males and 3 females, they will need take an automatic out after the last batter of the lineup.

Only 2 different gendered#

FIELDING: There must be 6 males and 2 different gendered in the field, with a catcher borrowed from the opposing team. This catcher cannot cover plays at home.

BATTING: The team will play with a maximum of 6 males in the batting order; otherwise, it would not be possible to enforce the rule about the batting order gender ratio.

Once a third different gendered arrives, 3 men can be added to the batting order, as a maximum of 9 men is now allowed. This 2-different gendered system is designed to avoid delaying the start of the game and assumes that late female players are still planning on showing up.

Any fewer than 3 different gendered by the top of the 3rd inning will result in a forfeit. Free play may continue afterwards.

If a team is playing with 3 different gendered, and one gets hurt after the 3rd inning and can no longer play, the game will be allowed to continue following the 'only 2 different gendered' structure listed above.

Sec 10. Base Running#

a. Courtesy Runners#

NEW CHANGE: Each team is allowed 2 courtesy runners in a game. The batter-runner must reach base safely and then the last batted out (regardless of gender) will be the courtesy runner. Teams should inform the umpire the players are getting a courtesy runner before the game starts. In the case of an injury, the umpire may grant a 3rd courtesy runner to a team.

b. Stealing/Leading Off#

There is no stealing or leading off any base. Baserunners can only leave once the batter has made contact with the pitch.

c. Sliding#

Sliding is allowed at the runner's discretion. In most cases it is safer to slide into a base than run upright and collide into the defender.

d. Aggressive Base Running#

If a runner aggressively or purposefully initiates, collides, intention to harm, slides with cleats up with intent to injure, harms anyone in the base path, the runner is out and immediately ejected from the game.

e. Runner Obstruction#

Intentional contact by a baserunner in an attempt to dislodge the ball or take a defender out of a play is prohibited. The baserunner will be out.

d. Overthrows#

If a ball is thrown out of play (dead ball territory as determined in the ground rules), there will be 2 bases awarded from position of the runner at the point of release of the throw of the last base occupied. It doesn't matter if it's from infield or outfield.

Example: No one is on base, batter hits the ball to the Shortstop, the Shortstop overthrows the First Basemen, and ball goes out of play. The batter is awarded 2 bases from the time of the throw (1st base and 2nd base). The batter is now on 2nd base.

Sec 11. Misc#

a. Rainouts Notifications#

If the field is unplayable due to weather, we will send your captain a cancellation email no later than 90 minutes before the start of a game, and post updates on our social media.

b. Alcohol Policy#

Alcohol is prohibited on the premises of any of our fields.

c. Refund Policy#

All registration fees are final. When you register, we account for your place on evenly distributed teams and lock other interested parties out.

d. USA Softball#

If there is an instance where we do not have a rule in place, we default to the official USA Softball Rulebook: usasoftball.com/official-rulebook

e. "Horse in centerfield" Rule#

It's impossible to have a pre-determined rule for every possible scenario of what could occur in a game. For example, if a team is having a horse playing in centerfield, or swinging a tree trunk for a bat, or playing without wearing any pants -- technically we don't have a rule in place against this, but that doesn't make it ok. So, moving forward, we need all captains to acknowledge this "horse rule" -- if there isn't an exact rule in place, be understanding and agree to what is fair and ethical.