INTRAMURAL SOFTBALL RULES
Except as designated below, any rule or play interpretation not discussed will be covered by the Amateur Softball Association of America Official Rules of Softball.
Refer to the Intramural Sports Handbook for further information outlining the SDSU Intramural Sports Program.
RULE I PRE-SEASON PROCEDURE
SEC. 1 REGISTRATION
All registration and roster additions will be done through the FusionPlay App. Captains will create an account, choose a league that best fits their team’s playing ability, and enter their teammates information. Teams are placed in leagues on a first come first serve basis.
Free Agent: Free agents register through the FusionPlay App. Free agents are players who do not already have a team to play on. Free agents are not guaranteed a spot on a team if they request to join one.
SEC. 2 PARTICIPATION
Within each division (Men’s, Women’s, and Open), players may only participate with one organization or team in any sport during the same season. Players who participate in the aforementioned leagues can also participate on a Co-Rec team in the same sport in the same season. Greek players may participate in the same sport for another team during the same season as the Greek season.
Men’s Leagues are leagues in which the entire team is made up of those who identify as male.
Women’s Leagues are leagues in which the entire team is made up of those who identify as female.
Open Leagues are leagues in which those who identify as male, female, or another gender identity can participate on the team with no rules limiting number of male or female participants. This is also our most recreational friendly based league meaning that while these leagues are still competitive, we consider them to be our entry level leagues to Intramurals.
Co-Rec Leagues are leagues in which there are specific number requirements for Males and Females on the playing service at a given time along with some specialized rules that are enforced to increase fairness and equality within the game.
Greek Leagues are leagues in which all the members of the team must be current pledges or members of the organization.
SEC. 3 SPORT CLUB ATHLETES
Any individual who is rostered on one of the 22 Sports Club teams is eligible to compete in Intramurals. Teams may have no more than 3 sports club athletes for the same or related sport (e.g. club soccer players may not have more than 3 team members on the same soccer team, etc.). Any team found in violation of this will forfeit any games played where this rule was broken and be asked to remove players from the intramural team roster. Intramural teams are allowed to be composed fully of a sports club team in a none related sport (i.e. the club volleyball team can have a soccer team composed of all club volleyball players).
SEC. 4 FORFEIT FEE PROCEDURE
A team forfeits the game when they do not have the minimum number of players present at game time. The team will be given a loss and charged the forfeit fee ($40 for leagues and $25 for Tournaments). If the team forfeits two or more times in a season, they will be charged for each forfeit and will become ineligible for playoffs.
Default: If you know your team will not be able to meet the minimum number of players required to avoid a forfeit, a team has the option to take a Default. To avoid being charged a forfeit fee, come to the Aztec Recreation Center and fill out a default form. The default form must be filled out 24-48 business hours prior to your scheduled game. You will still be given a loss for the game, but it will not count as a forfeit, therefore the $40 fee will not be assessed. Default requests are accepted over the phone, email or in person.
SEC.5 CAPTAIN’S RESPONSIBILITES
As a team captain, you accept full responsibility for both yourself and your entire team. This includes ensuring that your team is prepared and present for the three scheduled league games when the schedule releases. If the team captain/representative is not able to make it to a game, teams can still play without them and have any other active team member sub in as the captain for the game
Failure to show up for a scheduled game will result in a forfeit fee, which will be strictly enforced. If you become aware that your team cannot attend a game, it is imperative that you notify the Intramural Sports office by emailing imsports@sdsu.edu with at least 24 to 48 hours' notice prior to the scheduled to the scheduled game. This policy applies without exceptions per SEC. 2 above
Team Captains are responsible for keeping their roster up-to-date and for adding players prior to the roster addition deadline. All roster additions must be completed through the registration site. No player will be added once the roster addition deadline has passed (up until the last regular season game). A player must have played in at least one regular-season game to be eligible for the post-season playoff tournament.
Your role as captain is critical to maintaining the integrity and flow of the league. Please take these responsibilities seriously to ensure a positive Intramural Sports experience for all.
RULE II PLAYING PROCEDURES
SEC. 1 Number of Players
Teams shall consist of ten (10) players in the field. A minimum number of eight (8) players must be present to start a game.
SEC. 2 Aztec Recreation Center Membership
Prior to all games, participants must sign a participation agreement. This agreement is located on the reverse of the score sheet. The Team Captain is responsible for monitoring the completion of his/her team’s participation agreement. No player may participate in any Intramural Sports contest without prior purchase of an Aztec Recreation Center membership
ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST PRESENT A PHYSICAL PICTURE I.D. BEFORE PARTICIPATING. NO EXCEPTIONS! NO I.D., NO PLAY!
Acceptable forms of identification include:
Red ID’s or government issued ID’s such as a driver’s license or passport will be accepted.
Individuals attempting to check in with someone else’s ID is subject to suspension per Aztec Recreation Policy. Both the individual attempting to check in and the individual that lended the ID will be suspended from all Aztec Recreation facilities for a minimum of 2 weeks.
SEC. 3 Equipment
Athletic shoes are required at all times. Metal and Molded Cleats are prohibited. Bats and balls will be provided by the Intramural Staff. Only bats clearly marked “Official Softball” are allowed. No double- or triple-walled bats are allowed.
SEC. 4 Team Roster
Rosters are limited to 20 individuals. Teams may add players up to the point that (1) the roster limit has been reached or (2) until the roster addition deadline has passed. A player must have played in at least one regular-season game to be eligible for the post-season playoff tournament. Roster additions can be conducted by the team captain on the registration site. Additions must be done by noon of game day or noon of Friday for a weekend game for those changes to be reflected on the game roster.
All players not listed on the roster are ineligible to participate. Players may only participate on one team within the same league (Open A and Open B are classified as the same league (Open)). The team captain/manager is responsible for monitoring the liability waiver/team roster.
SEC. 5 Starting Time
At least eight (8) players must be ready to start at game time. Game time is forfeit time. Team Managers are encouraged to report early to complete the score sheet. Participants arriving late may be added to the bottom of the line-up.
SEC. 6 Length of Game
A regulation game shall consist of seven innings or 50 minutes, whichever comes first. No new inning may start after 50 minutes. Tie games will remain a tie during the regular season. Extra innings will only take place in the playoffs.
SEC. 7 Mercy Rule
A 12-run rule is in effect for all games, except playoff Championship games. If a team is ahead by 12 or more runs after 4 innings or 45 minutes, the game shall end. In extreme cases if a team is ahead by 15-runs after 3 innings or 30 minutes, the game shall end.
SEC. 8 Home Plate
Home plate will consist of a plate and plate extension. Any legal pitch not swung at that hits any part of the plate or the plate extension will be called a strike. A runner should touch any part of the plate extension when scoring a run, NOT home plate. Failure to do so results in the risk of being called out.
SEC. 9 Pitching
The pitching plate will be located 50 feet from home plate. Pitchers must start with at least one foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate. One foot must remain in contact with the pitcher’s plate until the ball is released.
SEC. 10 Homerun Limit
Each team is allowed 3 home runs per game. After the initial 3 home runs each additional home run will result in an out. All base runners on base at the time of a home run will remain on their base. If the homerun occurs on 2 outs that will count as the 3rd out and end the inning.
Remember all homerun balls must be chased down and returned by the team that hit the homerun.
RULE III THE GAME
SEC. 1 Legal Pitch
A legal pitch is a pitch delivered in a continuous motion and at moderate speed. The ball must be delivered with perceptible arc and reach a height of at least 6 feet from the ground, while not exceeding a maximum height of 12 feet from the ground.
Pitches not meeting these requirements will be called illegal pitches. Illegal pitches remain live and all batters may swing at their own risk. Illegal pitches not swung at will be ruled automatic balls. Arguing the height requirement of pitches with the umpire is considered arguing balls and strikes and is cause for ejection from the game.
SEC. 2 Balls and Strikes
Each batter will start with a 1-1 count. With one strike, a caught foul ball that does not exceed the height of the batter is a strike, NOT an out, but with two strikes it is an out. With two strikes, each batter is allowed one uncaught foul ball. A second uncaught foul ball with two strikes will result in a strikeout. Any caught foul ball that does exceed the height of the batter is an out.
If the pitcher desires to walk a batter intentionally, he/she may do so by notifying the plate umpire who will award the batter first base. If two batters are to be walked intentionally, the second walk may not be administered until the first batter reaches first base.
SEC. 3 Batting Order and Substitutions
Teams may bat an unlimited number of players. If a player is injured and no legal substitute exists, the team will take an out each time it is that player’s turn to bat. All starters may re-enter the game once but only in their original batting position. Substitutes may not re-enter once substituted.
Unless a player is injured and cannot continue, pinch runners will not be allowed under any circumstance. In the event an injured runner is substituted, a player that is not at all a part of the game may take his or her place in the lineup. If there is no such player, a player who only hits will be able to take their place. If there is no extra player to be used, the last recorded out shall pinch run. An injured runner may not re-enter the game if replaced with a pinch runner.
Defensive substitutions are unlimited.
SEC. 4 Bunts
The ball is dead and the batter is out when the batter bunts or chops down the ball at the discretion of the umpire.
SEC. 5 Base Running
NO stealing is allowed whatsoever. Runners may not leave their base until the batter makes contact with the pitch. Violations of this rule will result in a dead ball and the runner being declared out.
SEC. 6 Door Frame Rule
Every pitcher is entitled to an imaginary ‘door frame’. After pitching to the batter, the pitcher is protected by a frame around their general area. If the ball is hit up the middle, in the air, or on a hard-hit ground, within the pitchers designated “safe area” (the door frame), the ball will be ruled dead, the batter will be out and all runners return to their previous base.
SEC. 7 Infield Fly Rule
An infield fly is a fair ball (not including a line drive) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort with runners on first and second or first, second, and third and less than two outs.
On an apparent infield fly, the umpire will immediately call “infield fly, the batter is out” for the benefit of the runners. If the ball is near the foul line, the umpire shall declare, “infield fly, if fair”. Runners may advance at their own risk.
SEC. 8 Overthrows
When the ball is in play and is overthrown into a dead ball area, all runners are awarded a base and 1. The award will be governed by the position of the runners at the time of the throw. If two runners are between the same base, the award is based upon the position of the lead runner.
SEC. 9 Catch and Carry
When a live ball is unintentionally carried by a fielder from live ball territory into dead ball territory, the ball is dead and each runner is awarded one base from the last base touched at the time the fielder entered dead ball territory.
If, in the judgment of the umpire, a fielder intentionally carries, kicks, pushes or throws a live ball from playable territory into dead ball territory, the ball is dead and each runner is awarded two bases from the last base touched at the time the fielder entered or the ball was kicked, pushed or thrown into dead ball territory.
RULE IV GAME SITUATIONS
SEC. 1 Appeal Play
An appeal play is a play on which an umpire may not make a decision until requested by a manager, coach or player. The appeal may not be made after the next legal or illegal pitch, after the pitcher and all infielders have left fair territory or after the umpires have left the field of play.
Appeals are either live ball appeals (taking the ball to the base or tagging the runner) or dead ball appeals (orally appealing to an umpire once all runners have completed their advancement and time has been called).
SEC. 2 Batter’s Box
There is no definitive batter’s box, however, any exaggerated effort which results in a player hitting the ball while obviously out of the batter’s box will result in a dead ball and the batter being declared out. A batter who steps on or across home plate while making contact with the ball will be declared out. In all instances, the umpire’s judgment is final and may not be appealed.
SEC. 3 Sliding
Sliding or diving toward bases is permitted. All sliding or diving must be done in an attempt to avoid a tag. No sliding will be allowed at home plate. Penalty: The runner is out.
SEC. 4 Base Running
Base runners are not allowed to attempt to “break-up” a double play. Penalty: Umpire will declare interference and call one or more runners out.
Runners are entitled to advance without liability to be put out when a fielder not in possession of the ball, not in the act of fielding a batted ball or not about to receive a thrown ball impedes the progress of a runner or batter-runner who is legally running the bases.
If the runner is put out prior to reaching the base which would have been reached had there not been obstruction, the ball is dead and the obstructed runner and each other runner affected by the obstruction will always be awarded the base or bases they would have reached, in the umpire’s judgment, had there not been obstruction. An obstructed runner may not be called out between the two bases where obstructed unless properly appealed for missing a base, leaving a base before a fly ball was touched, for an act of interference or for passing another runner.
If the obstructed runner is put out after passing the base which would have been reached had there not been obstruction, the obstructed runner is out. The ball remains alive.
SEC. 5 Intentional/Malicious Contact
The runner is out when a defensive player has the ball or is about to receive the ball and the runner remains on his feet and deliberately or maliciously crashes into the defensive player.
With less than two outs, if the runner deliberately crashes into a fielder holding the ball before he is put out, and in the umpires judgment, it was an attempt to break up an obvious double-play, the immediate succeeding runner will also be declared out. If the deliberate crash occurs after the runner was called out, the runner closest to home plate will be declared out.
In all instances, if the act is determined to be malicious, the offender shall be ejected.
RULE V ADDITIONAL RULES
SEC. 1 Forfeits
Game time = forfeit time. If a team does not meet the minimum number of players required for a game, they will forfeit that contest. The score for that game will be recorded as 7 to 0 in favor of the winning team.
SEC. 2 No Designated Catchers
There are no designated catchers. All teams must supply their own catcher. If a team is short players, they must play short-handed in the field.
SEC. 3 Over-running First Base
To be in jeopardy of being put out, the batter-runner crossing first base must make an effort to advance towards second (e.g. a feint towards second base is considered an effort). Merely turning to the left in returning to first base does not necessarily constitute an effort.
SEC. 4 Dugouts/Fans
All spectators must remain in the stands and are not permitted on the field or in the dugouts. All offensive players and coaches must remain in the dugout with the exception of the batter, on-deck batter, and base coaches. The actions of a team’s spectators may carry negative consequences for that team, including but not limited to: poor sportsmanship rating, forfeiture of game or removal from league altogether.
RULE VI COREC RULES
SEC. 1 Team
Teams shall consist of ten (10) players (5 men and 5 women). Teams playing with less than (10) must have at least four (4) women playing. A game may begin with as few as eight (8) players, dropping below eight (8) players is a forfeit. If a team only has four females present at gametime, they are only allowed to play with nine players total. A team is always allowed to play more women than men. Players coming late may be inserted in the lineup upon their arrival.
SEC. 2 Batting Order
The batting order must alternate gender. Men and women courtesy runners must replace men and women respectively.
SEC. 3 Walks
If a male batter is walked on 3 straight balls or if the male is automatically walked by the other teams coach or captain, the male batter is awarded second base and the following female batter has the option to bat or take 1st base.
SEC. 4 Positions
There are no stipulations on where males and females are placed when in the field.
RULE VII UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT
SEC. 1 Player Conduct
Actions that are potentially dangerous to participants, spectators, game Officials or Supervisors and/or conduct that is detrimental to the mission of the Intramural Sports Program will not be tolerated.
No player(s) may physically intimidate or verbally abuse Intramural Sports Staff. Violations of this nature are considered unsportsmanlike conduct and at the discretion of the game Official or Supervisor may result in an ejection. Any player ejected from a contest may not participate in his/her team’s next two full games.
SEC. 2 Aggressive Acts
Acts of aggression or physical violence will not be tolerated. These include but are not limited to throwing a punch, kicking an individual or any other aggressive act. Any player guilty of such an act immediately before, during or after an Intramural Sports contest shall be expelled from further participation in Intramural Sports for one calendar year (365 days).
SEC. 3 Leaving the Bench Area or Defensive Position to Participate in an Altercation
A player, coach or bench personnel shall be ejected if he/she leaves the bench or coaching area to participate in an altercation. In addition, any player who leaves his position to participate in an altercation, regardless of his/her intentions, shall be ejected. The penalty is an automatic two-game suspension.
In all cases, the Intramural Sports Handbook’s policies on “Fighting,” “Fighting with Intramural Sports / Campus Recreation Staff,” and “Team Disturbances” shall take precedence.
SEC. 4 Sportsmanship Ratings
In order for a team to advance into the playoffs, it must receive an average sportsmanship rating of 3.5 or better during the regular season. During the playoffs a team must receive a sportsmanship rating of 3.5 or better EACH GAME to advance to the next round. Teams that fail to earn a 3.5 or better sportsmanship despite winning their game will result in that team automatically forfeiting their next round.
Sportsmanship ratings will be based on the following criteria and are given after each Intramural contest:
5 points: Team displays excellent sportsmanship while treating opponent with respect. Players demonstrate excellent sportsmanship at all times. Team respects Intramural Sports Officials and Supervisors and accepts their decisions without gesture or argument. Maintains an attitude of complete cooperation with staff. Players always display self-control.
4 points: Team displays good sportsmanship. Team plays hard but within the
rules. Team respects Intramural Sports Staff and generally accepts their decisions without gesture or argument. Mostly cooperative with game Officials and opponent. Team Captain able to control his/her players.
3 points: Team competes without incident; wins without boasting, loses without excuses, and does not display any poor conduct. Neither cooperative nor disruptive towards staff. Team Captain unable to control all players on his/her team.
2 points: Team has a player or coach who is ejected for abusive language or remarks. There is persistent questioning of game Officials’ judgment in the game and/or repeated arguing. Spectators, clearly related to the team, fail to cooperate with the Intramural Sports Staff.
1 point: Team has a representative (player or coach) who is ejected for fighting.
Players are so antagonistic that the game cannot be played with proper order and control. Representatives of the team display uncooperative nature to Intramural Sports Staff. Players disregard warnings of unnecessary roughness by game Officials.
RULE VII BLOOD RULE
Whenever a participant suffers a laceration or wound where bleeding occurs, the player must leave the game and take necessary action(s) to stop the bleeding and prevent it from occurring again before re-entering the game. If a participant’s uniform becomes stained with blood, it must be removed before re-entering. The participant may use another number without penalty.
A team may call a thirty-second time-out if it wishes to keep the player in the game, otherwise the player must be removed and he/she may not re-enter until the next dead-ball after the situation has been corrected. The Intramural Staff on duty shall have final approval on any situation relating to blood.
RULE VIII INSURANCE
Participation in the Intramural Sports Program is completely voluntary. All participants run the risk of possible injury due to the inherent risks involved in the sport of basketball. Individuals are strongly encouraged to have a physical examination and purchase health and accident insurance prior to participation.
THE AZTEC RECREATION CENTER HAS NO INSURANCE FOR ITS PARTICIPANTS. INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATE AT THEIR OWN RISK.
In the case of an injury during a scheduled contest, participants should immediately notify a staff member, game official, or site supervisor.
Updated: August 2025