General Rules
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SHU Division I softball and baseball players are not eligible.
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SHU Club softball/baseball members are restricted to two members per team.
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All team members must sign the team liability waiver prior to entering the game.
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Captains are responsible for making sure their teammates sign the waiver and are eligible
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Metal cleats are illegal in all leagues.
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GAME TIME IS FORFEIT TIME! Teams must be ready to play at scheduled times with a minimum of 8 players. Penalty: Forfeit.
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Home team is determined by a pre-game coin toss.
Equipment
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Bats, bases, softballs and catchers masks will be provided.
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Only official softball bats may be used – no baseball bats.
Pitching
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Teams pitch to themselves.
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Each batter receives four pitches.
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If a fair ball has not been hit within 4 pitches, the player strikes out.
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The fielding team may place a team member next to the pitcher to play defense. If the pitcher is hit by a fair ball with the attempt to get out of the way, it will be considered a bad hop and play will continue. If the pitcher obstructs play on purpose, the offensive team receives an out.
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The pitcher must hit; when it is his/her time, a new pitcher may enter the game.
Play
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Game length is 7 innings or 50 minutes, whichever comes first.
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5 innings (4 1/2 if the home team is ahead) is an official game.
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If a game is postponed while in progress, it will be resumed at the point from which it was stopped.
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No new inning will be started after 50 minutes.
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During the regular season, there will be no extra inning play.
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Everyone playing the field must be in the batting order.
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If a team begins with only 8 players they may add players at the bottom of the batting order up until all players in the line-up have batted once.
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Any of the starting players may be substituted or replaced and re-entered, provided players occupy the original batting line up.
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Courtesy runners will be allowed for injured players. All courtesy runners must be the last player to have made an out. In coed play, the courtesy runner must be of the same gender.
Mercy Rule - A game can be called if a team is leading by 15+ runs after five innings (4 1/2 innings if home team is ahead) or any complete inning thereafter.
CO-ED MODIFICATIONS
1. The batting order must alternate males with females only when 2 co-ed teams play each other or a co-ed team plays an all female team. If a co-ed team plays an all male team, there are no lineup restrictions.
2. Females crossing home plate count at 2 points; males count as 1