Strike Softball

Strike softball Rules of Play

1. Equipment Setup

Team captains are responsible for bringing the equipment bag comprising of softballs, base mats and a catcher's mask. This will be provided to teams on the first game of the season. It is the teams' responsibility to bring their own gloves and bats to all games as well as any extra softballs if the original three are lost. Both captains will need to bring their bases to every game so that the extras can be used as safety-bases at 1st base and home as well as the commitment line between 3rd base and home plate.

Balls - 12" softballs are the only balls permitted during play

Bases - Softball bases should be placed roughly 65 feet apart, or whatever works best given the size of the diamond. Both teams should agree on the placement of the bases before the game begins

Bats - All bats must be softball and not baseball bats

Masks - one catchers mask will be provided to each team. If players wish to wear helmets while playing they may do so but they will not be provided by the league


Cleats - no metal cleats to be worn


2. Game Time/Defaults

a. Games are a maximum of seven innings in length with a time limit of 85 minutes. Games must finish by the end of the permit time. Regardless of when your game begins your game will always end by the allotted permit time. Teams are responsible for keeping track of time and score.  

Games that are forced to be cut short due to weather, will end with the final score as the score at the end of the previous inning so long as 3 innings have been played.

b. Teams are comprised of 9 players. A default will occur if any team cannot field a minimum of 7 players by 15 minutes after the official start time. Teams must have at least 5 people from their own team playing for the game to count. If any team has 5 or more subs during the game then a default will occur. A defaulted game will result in a 10-0 win for the non-defaulting team. If both teams default then the score should be inputted as a 5-5 draw.

c. Captains may agree to waive the rules regarding minimum people but this should be decided before the game starts. IF IT IS AGREED THAT THE GAME COUNTS, IT COUNTS!

3. Scoring/Winning

a. Regular season games can end in a tie

b. During playoffs there must be a winner. If a game is tied after 7 innings, or 10 minutes before the end of the game (whichever comes first), proceed to the following:
The visiting team puts their last out from the previous inning on second base with one out. Once three outs are recorded, the home team repeats these steps. Teams continue until the tie is broken at the end of an inning.

4. Uniforms

Teams will be allocated a colour at the beginning of the season and must wear their team colours to every game.


5. Batting Order

Batting order should be created prior to the start of the game with ALL players batting. If a player arrives late, they should be inserted into the batting order as soon as they are ready to play. 

Batting order must remain the same throughout the game.


6. General Rules

The following general softball rules should be followed during games:

  • No sliding whatsoever. If a player slides they are automatically out.
  • 1st base and home plate will comprise of two bases side by side. One base is for the first baseperson and the catcher to touch and a separate base for the runner to step on.  If the runner steps on the base that is designated for the catcher, the runner is out and the run does not count. 
  • To get a player out at first base you can either touch the base with the ball in hand, or tag the baserunner on their way to the base. To get a player out at home, you must touch the base with the ball in hand, no tagging, therefore the catcher must stand on home plate for plays at home.  There is no force out (touching the base) at 2nd or 3rd base unless the bases before them are full (e.g runner on 2nd must run to third since runner at 1st base is coming to 2nd). At 2nd and 3rd base, players must be tagged to be called out.
  • When running to 1st base, a player can run through the base into foul territory and cannot be tagged. However, if they continue to run the bases and start towards 2nd base, they can be tagged out.
  • The batting team is also the pitching team. Any player can pitch, and  teams can switch pitchers an unlimited number of times throughout the game.
  • Captains should agree on the pitching distance prior to the game, as well as any other field limits (e.g. agreeing where foul territory starts). 
  • Each batter received 3 pitches. Regardless of whether the ball is a foul, strike, ball or wild pitch, it counts. The only exception is if the batter hits the ball and it touches the pitcher. In this instance, the play is called back and the pitch is retaken.
  • Bunting is not allowed, therefore any hits that do not travel past the pitcher do not count.
  • A maximum of eight runs can be scored in one inning, with the exception of the final inning of the game.
  • Baserunners cannot steal bases or start running before a pitch is thrown. They must be touching the base until the batter makes contact with the ball. 
  • Foul ball calls should be made by the catcher.  Please make sure to play fair and help each other out with close calls.
  • If a baserunner is hit by a batted ball, that player is deemed out, regardless of whether they are running or are on a bad. This rule does not apply if it deflects off an infielder and onto a baserunner. 
  • The home team will be listed on the schedule, this team will bat second.  In the Playoffs, the home team will be the higher-placed team in the regular season standings.
  • An outfielder may not move into the way of the basepaths to purposefully obstruct a runner. In this instance the player will advance to the base they are running towards and will not be considered out.