Men’s Softball Rules

(Revised 1/30/2026)

IMPORTANT: Remember, everyone is out there for fun and it’s only a game.   No back talking or abuse of the umpires will be tolerated. Please treat them with respect, anyone not doing so will be asked to leave. NO ALCOHOL ON THE FIELDS OR IN THE DUGOUT.  PLEASE BE AWARE OF CITY RULES REGARDING THE FIELD YOU ARE PLAYING ON!

1. EQUIPMENT

1. BATS: Legal bats are as defined by USA Softball. Bats must have an ASA or USA 2004 or 2013 stamp and not be on the banned bat list. Bats not following these rules may not be used for Club Sport play. NO USSSA (Utrip), Fast Pitch or Senior bats allowed in slow-pitch tournaments. This information can be found at https://www.teamusa.org/usa-softball/certified-equipment. It’s the responsibility of the team manager to make sure that any bat(s) that are determined to be illegal are not used for game play.

1. The first time a team comes to the plate with an illegal bat, the batter is considered out. The second time the team uses an illegal bat, the batter is out and ejected with possible league suspension.  
2. Each individual is responsible for using legal bats.
3. TBCS and the umpires reserve the right to disallow a bat should it be thought the bat may have been doctored.  If a bat is used and proven to be doctored (i.e. painted over, "corked", shaved, etc) this will result in the immediate ejection of the person using the bat and the owner of the bat, and the owner/user may possibly be suspended for the remainder of the season or longer, as this is a safety issue.

2. BALLS: Only league provided balls may be used for league play.
3. GLOVES: Players may use any type of softball/baseball glove.  
4. ATTIRE: Shirts and closed toed shoes/cleats must be worn at all times while playing. No metal spikes are allowed. Wearing metal cleats is an ejectable offense.
5. JEWELRY: No jewelry can be worn during the games, for the safety of all players.
6. PITCHING SCREENS: When pitching screens are available, they are considered mandatory.

1. The screen may not be more than 3 feet in front of the pitching rubber and must be within the width of the pitching rubber.
2. The screen can only be moved between half innings, after it has been dislodged, or when a pitching change has been made.
3. The pitcher may release the ball from either side of the screen, but must have at least one foot in contact with the pitching rubber.

1. The pitcher may walk-up for an attempted pitch but must still be in contact with the pitching rubber while releasing the ball.

4. The pitcher is NOT required to get behind the screen after releasing the ball but IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
5. If a batter hits the screen, it is a foul ball the first time (courtesy foul rules apply), and an out the second time per at bat.
6. If the screen is hit with a thrown ball, it will be considered a live ball.
7. The Halo Rule will not apply when a pitching screen is used.
8. If a pitching screen is not available, the Halo Rule will be in effect, and a pitching mask will be encouraged.

1.7        PITCHER PROTECTION: Pitching masks, face guards and/or pitching screens (when available) are highly suggested for all softball leagues.

 2.         PLAYER CONDUCT

2.1        Only the captain is allowed to dispute calls with the umpire.  Any excessive arguing or abuse of the umpire can result in the ejection of the player.

2.2        APPEALED PLAYS:  In an appealed play, only the team captain may appeal the play and must notify the umpire       before the next pitch.

2.3        EJECTIONS & SUSPENSIONS:  Players ejected from any league may be required to serve a one or more game suspension pending league review, including any doubleheaders, and this is the call of TBCS field staff. Physical altercations will not be tolerated and may result in multi-game suspensions or ejection from the league altogether. Verbal abuse of officials or players, fighting, foul language, disruptive behavior and continued rough play could result in suspensions regardless if a player has been ejected.

2.4        FAKE TAGS AND VERBAL/PHYSICAL DISTRACTIONS: No fake tag outs or yelling at a defensive player as they are making a play will not be allowed. Doing so MAY result in the runner being called safe (fake tags) or out (verbal distraction) and possible ejection of the offending player.

2.5        THROWING BATS: Intentionally throwing the bat in anger or frustration after your turn up to bat will result in an automatic out for the batter and  the following batter and may result in player’s ejection, upon umpire's discretion.          

2.6        PROFANITY: Profanity will not be tolerated and may be grounds for players being called out or ejected on the discretion of the umpire. Any music being played (where allowed) should also adhere to the no profanity and be family friendly at a suitable volume.

2.7        Any player or fan is encouraged to root for their own team but rooting against teams or use of disparaging language is discouraged and could result in penalties of players or dismissals of fans.  Any fans of teams may be asked to leave by Club Sport staff. Refusal to leave could result in forfeiture of games.

             2.8        CITY OF TAMPA does not allow amplified sound on its fields. This could lead to a warning or forfeiting of games.

3.          LINEUPS

3.1       BATTING LINEUPS: Lineups must be presented to the umpire before each game by game time.  Once the lineup cards have been submitted to the umpire, they become official and you may add players to the bottom only. All substitutions must be given to the umpire as being made. Women are allowed to play in men’s leagues.  No special coed rules will apply.

3.2        MINIMUM PLAYERS: A minimum of 6 players from the team's roster must be present at game time or the team will forfeit the game.  See also 3.7 below.

3.3        LATE PLAYERS: Any players arriving after the first pitch of the game (not already placed on the line-up card) must be placed at the end of the batting order. If the player bats in any other spot, it is considered an automatic out. Captains must notify umpire of any changes to line-up cards.

3.4        INJURED PLAYERS: If a player is injured during a game, captain must notify umpire to remove injured player from line-up card with no additional penalty.  An injured player that has been removed from line-up cannot return to the game.

3.5       PICKUP PLAYERS: Pickup players are NOT allowed during the playoffs. Any pickup players during the regular season must be signed on a TBCS roster for another team for that particular night/location.

3.51     Pickups must be brought to the attention of the umpire BEFORE the game or may be assessed a 4 run per pick-up player penalty.

3.5.2     Teams may pick up one player at no penalty in order to field up to 10 players. Any pickups in addition to this (still not going over 10 players) will result in a 2 run penalty per player. Pickup player penalty runs are added at the completion of the inning (teams may score 10 runs and THEN be awarded penalty runs).  

3.5.3      If more players from your team show up to allow subs, the free pickup player must be removed from the game. If you fail to report pickup players before they enter game and it is reported or caught before the end of the game it will become a 4 run penalty for EVERY PLAYER picked up (included what would have been a free one), so please remember to report your pickup players to the scoring umpire.

3.5.4     If illegal players are discovered during the game they will be immediately removed and the other team will have the option of taking a forfeit win, or collecting 4 runs per illegal player (players will still be removed from the game)

3.6       ROSTER CHECKS: Captains have the right to ask for a roster check of the opposing team. The request must be made with the coordinator either before or during the game but before the 30 minute mark. Once the game has played more than 30 minutes, no roster checks may be done unless a player shows up late. The requesting team will be roster checked first, then the opposing team. If it is found that the opposing team is playing with an “illegal player”  (i.e. not on that team’s roster or not signed) then staff reserves the right to remove the player and/or forfeit the game. Roster checks may not be done after the game and Club Sport staff decisions are final.

3.7       FORFEITS: Forfeit time is game time. Coordinator along with umps calls game time.

3.7.1         If the opposing team wants to allow more time for players to show up, the clock will start and a max of 10 minutes will be given.

3.7.2         If a team forfeits twice within the season they may not be allowed to play in the playoffs. A forfeit will be counted as a 7-0 win.

3.7.3        If you know in advance that your team is going to forfeit a game, we encourage you to call our office during business hours M-F 9-5 (877-820-2582) or Facebook message TBCS, so we can notify your opponents.

4.  GAME PLAY

4.1        3/2 SOFTBALL. We will be playing 3/2 softball, meaning each batter starts the count with 1 ball & 1 strike.

4.2        HOME AND AWAY: Will be determined by a coin flip (in playoffs higher seed gets choice).

4.3       TIME LIMIT: Games are 55 minutes with a maximum of 7 innings. The inning in progress at the end of 55 minutes will be the last inning and completed. (An inning starts once the third out of the previous inning is called.) NOTE: If the home team is batting with the lead, the score will be final at the time the game is called.  The ump will enforce this rule and will try to keep teams informed of time remaining.                              

4.3.1 Regular season games may end in a tie.

4.3.2 In the case of rain or any other event, the league has the right to call a game final if more than 30 minutes has elapsed. In this instance, the final score will be counted at the end of the last completed inning. Exception: if the home team ties or takes the lead in the bottom of an inning when a game is called, that incomplete inning WILL count.

4.4       COURTESY RUNNERS: Players requesting a courtesy runner must do so BEFORE their at bat.  A player needing a courtesy runner will not be allowed to advance past first base, except for an over the fence home run or a walk (where a male is awarded two bases with a female behind him in the line-up.)

        4.4.1        The courtesy runner will be the last out of that gender, or furthest in the lineup of that gender if no out.

4.4.2     If a courtesy runner is requested and the batter is walked the batter does NOT need to touch 1st base. They may walk straight to the dugout and the courtesy runner can take 1st base.

4.4.2        Once a player asks for a pinch runner, they are required to take a pinch runner for the remainder of the game (aka no picking and choosing when they want one)

4.4.3         If a player is injured during the at bat, and did not request a courtesy runner,  they will be allowed to take a courtesy runner once they reach first base safely.

4.4.3.1         Before their next at bat, the player will be required to declare a courtesy runner or not.

4.4.3.2 If the player denies a courtesy runner and gets reinjured, the player will be required to take a courtesy runner the remainder of the game.

4.5       NO DESIGNATED FIELDERS: Any player playing the field must bat at some point during the game and must be on the batting lineup card while in the field (may share a spot). 2 players sharing a spot in the batting line up MAY play the field at the same time regardless of who is in the batting line up at the time (they must alternate each time their spot comes up in the lineup to hit).

4.6       INTENTIONAL WALKS: Only one intentional walk may be given per game. No pitches have to be thrown. Attempts to walk a player by "intentionally" throwing unhittable pitches (as judged by umpire) will result in a walk with the next batter being given the option to hit or walk.

4.7       10 RUN RULE:. When a team brings in the 10th run of the inning, it is counted and is also the 3rd out. The 10 run rule is not in effect in the last 10 minutes of the game unless the team batting is up 20 or more runs. (This DOES NOT apply during playoffs, see below).

4.8      FOUL BALLS: Once the batter has 2 strikes, they are allowed one courtesy foul. The next foul ball will be considered an out.

4.9        Foul Tip: Catchers may attempt to make the catch on a foul tip. If the catch is made, the batter is out and the ball is live. The height of the ball over the batter’s head no longer applies.

4.10     RUNNERS: Stealing bases and "leading" is not allowed (will result in an out).

4.10.1     SLIDING IS PERMITTED.  If the ball beats a runner to a forced out base in time to peel off, the runner must do so or both runners may be called out.

4.11 NO RETOUCH at 1st or 3rd base. The runner must stay in contact with the base at all times.

4.11.2     To allow for more play time, runners awarded a base for any reason (walk, overthrow, home run, 4-base award, etc.) can go directly to the awarded base without touching any previous bases after being directed by an umpire. If home plate is awarded, the batter/runner may go directly to the dugout.

4.12     HOME RUNS. Each team may hit a total of 5 out of the park home runs, every home run after that will be recorded as an out.

4.12.1         On smaller 250 ft fields or less (i.e. North Shore and ECM #6), there will be a 3 home run total per team.

4.12.2        If an over the fence home run puts a team at the 10 run rule limit, the home run will count towards the team total of home runs (max of 5) and only the 10th run will count.

4.12.3        On an over the fence home run,  base runners and batter do not need to advance any bases.

4.13        RETRIEVING BALLS OUT OF PLAY: If players refuse to make an attempt to retrieve their balls, the umpires are given the right to call balls/strikes/outs on the offending teams if balls are not brought back into play in a timely manner potentially causing a delay in the game.

4.14      ORANGE BAG: While running to first base if there is a possible play at first (e.g. ball is still in the infield) the runner must touch the orange (outside bag) or will be called out by the umpire (defense must touch only the white bag). Once the runner has touched the orange bag the entire bag is considered ONE bag for both offense and defense and can be used for the runner to stand on or tag up, as well as the defense to tag the bag on runners returning to first base.

4.15     HALO RULE: If a pitching screen is not available, halo rule will be used in order to provide a safer environment to players. If a batter hits a ball sharply through the pitching “halo”) the umpire will signal a dead ball out (pitchers may not attempt to convert a double play as it is an immediate dead ball out).

4.15.1 The halo is designated by a chalk line, or if lines do not exist, then extending 2 feet beyond the pitching rubber on both sides, and one foot above the pitcher’s head, regardless if the pitcher is in this area).

4.15.2  If the same batter hits through the “halo” later in the game they may be subject to ejection (and possible suspension).  

4.15.3  Arguing of this rule by either side will not be tolerated as this is a judgment call by the umpire and excessive arguing is grounds for player ejection.

4.16     POSITION OF FIELDERS: A defensive player may not impede a runner’s progress by standing in the baseline, unless the defensive player is fielding a batted ball. In this instance the defensive player has the right to field it and the runner must avoid contact with the fielder.  A defensive player may not block a base unless they have possession of the ball. Defensive players must catch the ball, block the base, then make the tag- in this order. Blocking of the bag without the ball shall result in an obstruction call, a warning to the offending player, and the runner will be awarded the base. In games where an orange "extra base" is being used at first base players must step on the orange base when overrunning first base, or when there is a legitimate play at first base (ball still in the infield).  Players stepping on the white base in these instances may be called out.  Balls that have gotten past the infielders and have reached the outfield will allow the runner to touch the white base in an attempt to advance to second base.  When in doubt runners should touch the orange base to avoid being called out.

        4.16.1 A defensive player may not block a base unless they have possession of the ball. Defensive players must catch the ball, block the base, then make the tag- in this order. Blocking of the bag without the ball shall result in an obstruction call, a warning to the offending player, and the runner will be awarded the base.

        4.16.2  If a player is standing on a base, and does not move, and the ball makes contact with the player, the ball is live and the player is safe while on the bag. If the player standing on the bag purposely moves to make contact with the ball, while on the base, the player will be called out.  

4.17         Pitching mat: “strike mat” will be used to determine balls and strikes. If the softball touches any part of the mat on a legal pitch (6’-10’ arc), it will be considered a strike.
4.18         During play- A second home plate(SHP) will be added. The SHP will be adjacent to the 3rd base side of the original home plate.

        4.18.1         ALL plays at home will be considered a force play

        4.18.2        Defensive players can only touch the original home plate/ mat (the whole mat will count).
        4.18.3        Runners must touch the SHP .If a runner touches the original home plate, they will be deemed out. If the defender tags the runner instead of stepping on the mat the runner will be deemed safe.

4.19        Running to home: A commitment line between 3rd and home (~20 feet from home) once a runner passes the line, they must continue to the SHP if they turn around they will be called out (unless runner is returning to tag up). Runners may not slide into the second home plate.

        4.19.1         If they slide, they will be called out.

4.20         FORFEITS: Forfeit time is game time. Umpire and/or staff calls game time. A forfeit win will be counted as a 7-0 win. If a team forfeits any pool play games after their first game, ALL games that team was scheduled for (including games previously played), will be recorded as a 7-0 loss.

4.21         RAINOUTS: If all teams have completed two pool play games at the time of a rainout (three games if playing five pool play games), the champion will be determined by record and run differential.  Should less than two games be completed by all teams (three games if playing five pool play games), a makeup date may be scheduled to replay or finish the tournament.

5.  PLAYOFFS

5.1       FORMAT: Tournament is single elimination with seeding based on regular season standings. All teams make the tournament.

5.2        SEEDING: Tournament seeding will be based on the following criteria (based on won-lost percentage where applicable): 1) winning percentage, 2) head-to-head play with two teams tied (if 3 or more teams are tied then it will go to the next tiebreaker), 3)  overall run differential 4) most runs scored  5) coin flip

5.3       EXTRA INNINGS: There will be extra innings during tournament games where play ends in a tie. Extra innings will start with a runner on second base (base runner is the one who made the last out in the previous inning).

5.4        UNLIMITED RUNS: There is no 10 run per inning rule.  A team may score an unlimited number of runs per inning.

5.5        MERCY RULE: 20 runs after 3 innings, 15 runs after 4 and 10 after 5.  (Does not apply for championship game)

5.6        TIMED GAMES: All games (including Finals) will be 55 minutes in length (or 7 innings).  Games are still subject to rainout rule.

5.7        ELIGIBLE PLAYERS: All players, including added players, must sign the roster waiver BEFORE the final game of the season in order to be eligible to play in the tournament. If a player is not signed in on the roster by then, they are not eligible for the tournament. Playing with ineligible players may result in a forfeit. This call will be made by TBCS staff.  It is the responsibility of the team captains to make sure all players in their line-up card are eligible players for all games.

6.    ROSTER MANAGEMENT

6.1      All players must be at least 18 and signed onto a roster/waiver for that night and location.

6.2        Only players that have signed the roster/waiver are allowed in playoffs.  Teams may add players to their roster up until their last regular season game.

        6.2.1        Players may not appear on more than 2 official rosters per night unless approved by the Club Sport office.

        6.2.2        Players on multiple teams can only play for one team per time slot (i.e. if any conflicts exist they can only play for one, no jumping back and forth)

6.3         Once a player has signed the team’s roster they CANNOT be replaced or removed. Captains must get permission from TBCS office staff for exceptions.

6.4        Teams that made a team payment are covered up to a certain number of players (14) and any player after that number is an additional $10 per player

6.5        In leagues that allow individual registrations (FREE AGENTS), team rosters will be capped at 14 players.  If a team is short of 14 players, players may add to the team at a prorated cost (please contact the office to add/pay for pro-rated player additions).

6.5.1        Any team that has registered individuals (free agents) must get permission from TBCS office staff to add more than the roster maximum.

6.5.2        Club Sport has the right to fill any INDY team with players until you reach the advertised maximum number of 14 players. If you wish to have less you may buy extra roster spots.

6.6        REFUNDS: TBCS is not responsible for any refunds at any time during the season. If a party cannot continue the season, it is the responsibility of that party to replace themselves on the roster if they so choose. Also they must notify the TBCS office of the change.

7.    MISCELLANEOUS

1. No jewelry can be worn during the games (for safety of all players)
2. No alcohol is allowed on the fields or in the dugouts
3. All teams are responsible for their own trash
4. Club Sport reserves the right to adjust and/or insert rules due to game day time restrictions or to ensure fair play.
5. Club Sport officials reserve the right to wear recording devices for their games officiated but do not have to provide the recordings. Any recording of play (by officials, staff, players or spectators) will only be reviewed by Club Sport at their discretion and may or may not be used to review disciplinary actions.
6. Most importantly, HAVE FUN!
7. Eddie C. Moore ONLY: We have a strict time with lights. We will not start a new inning after scheduled end time and will not allow play 10 minutes after scheduled end time. Lights are scheduled to turn off 15 minutes after scheduled end time.

If you are having difficulty interpreting the rules, please ASK! If a rule is not stated above, please refer to USA Softball Rules.