S4 Softball Moore Park [Fri] Rules

TEAM FORMAT

9-aside

Each team consists of nine (9) players on the field.

Teams must have:

• A minimum of three (3) male players
• A minimum of three (3) female players
• The remaining players may be of any gender, including gender diverse participants.

Teams may play with a minimum of six (6) players for the entire game, provided at least two (2) players are female. Teams meeting this minimum will not be considered a default or forfeit. 

Please refer to the Urban Rec Default, Forfeit & Substitute Policy for minimum player requirements.

SUBSTITUTES

Substitutes are permitted provided they:

• Have created an Urban Rec account, and
• Have signed the most up-to-date Urban Rec waiver.

GAME SPECIFICS

GAME TIME 

• Games are scheduled for 90 minutes.
• Games are normally played over seven (7) innings.
• The League Host may declare the final inning early due to daylight, weather or time restrictions.

FIELD

Games are played on a standard softball diamond featuring:

• Four bases
• A safety base at first base
• Home plate
• A pitching strip

Field dimensions may vary slightly depending on the venue.

STARTING THE GAME

Captains will play Scissors, Paper, Rock before the game.

The winner chooses whether to:

• Bat first, or
• Field first.

SCORING

The objective is to score more runs than your opponent.

A team scores one (1) run each time a runner safely touches:

• First Base
• Second Base
• Third Base
• Home Plate

Only the batting team can score runs.

Each team continues batting until three (3) outs have been recorded before the teams swap roles.

The team with the most runs at the end of the game wins.

RULE SPECIFICS

EQUIPMENT

Urban Rec provides:

• Urban Rec approved softballs
• One heavy bat
• One light bat
• Catcher's helmet
• Runner's helmet
• Official scoresheet

Only Urban Rec approved softballs may be used during league games. These softballs have been selected for player safety and consistency across all Urban Rec leagues.

Players are encouraged to bring:

• Their own softball glove
• Batting gloves
• Their own bat (if preferred)
• Any additional personal protective equipment they wish to wear, such as face guards, shin guards or protective padding.

Metal baseball cleats are not permitted.

SCORING

• Both teams are responsible for accurately completing the scoresheet throughout the game.
• At the conclusion of the match, the completed scoresheet must be provided to the League Host.

BATTING

• The batting team's objective is to score runs by hitting the ball into play and safely advancing around the bases.
• Each batter receives pitches from a teammate on their own team.
• Once the batter hits a fair ball, they become a runner and attempt to safely reach first base.

STRIKES

A batter is out after three (3) strikes.

A strike occurs when:

• The batter swings and misses.
• The batter hits a foul ball.
• The batter fails to hit a fair ball after three legal pitches.

FAIR BALL

• A fair ball is a ball that is hit into the field of play.
• To be considered fair, the ball must travel past the pitcher.

ILLEGAL SWINGS

Batters must take a full swing at the ball.

The following are not permitted:

• Bunt: Holding the bat still and simply allowing the ball to rebound off the bat instead of taking a full swing.
• Drag Bunt: Beginning a normal swing before changing into a bunt while moving towards first base.
• Chop Hit: Swinging sharply downwards to intentionally drive the ball into the ground, making it more difficult for the fielding team.
• Check Swing: Beginning a swing before deliberately stopping part way through instead of completing the swing.

The first illegal swing receives a warning.

Any repeated illegal swing results in the batter being called out.

PITCHING

The pitcher belongs to the batting team and pitches only to their own batters.

The pitcher:

• Must pitch from the designated pitching strip.
• Cannot field the ball.
• Cannot intentionally interfere with play.

If the pitcher touches a live ball or interferes with play:

• The batter is out.
• All runners return to their previous base.

FIELDING

When your team is fielding, your objective is to record three outs before the batting team scores.

A player may be put out by:

Catching a Fly Ball

• If a fielder catches the ball before it touches the ground, the batter is immediately out.

Force Out

• A force out occurs when a runner must advance because another runner is coming behind them.
• If a fielder holding the ball touches the required base before the runner arrives, the runner is out.

Tag Out

• If a runner is not standing on a base, a fielder may tag them while holding the ball.
• The runner is then out.
• Outfielders must remain behind the designated restraining line until the ball has been hit.
• Infielders may position themselves anywhere within the infield.

BASE RUNNING

After hitting a fair ball, the batter becomes a runner and attempts to safely reach first base.

Runners may continue advancing until the defence stops play.

Players must not:

• Steal bases.
• Lead off before the ball is hit.
• Slide into any base.

Sliding is prohibited for player safety. Any player who deliberately slides will be called out.

TAGGING UP

If a fly ball is caught, runners must first return and touch the base they occupied before attempting to advance.

This is known as tagging up.

If a runner fails to tag up, the defence may record an additional out by throwing the ball to the original base before the runner returns.

OVERTHROWS

If a thrown ball travels out of play:

• Runners are awarded the base they were advancing towards, plus one additional base.

Only runners who were already attempting to advance are awarded extra bases.

BALL HITS A RUNNER

If a runner is struck by a fair batted ball while off their base:

• The runner is out.
• The ball remains live.

If the runner is standing safely on a base, or is in foul territory when struck:

• The ball is dead.
• The runner is not out.

If a runner is struck by a thrown ball:

• Play continues.
• The runner is not out.

ADDITIONAL URBAN REC RULES

BEGINNER PITCHING

• If both teams agree, the batting team's pitcher may move closer to home plate for beginner batters.
• This rule is designed to help new players enjoy the game and should only be used where both teams are comfortable.

COURTESY RUNNER

If a player is able to bat but is unable to run due to injury, pregnancy or another physical limitation, both teams may agree to use a Courtesy Runner.
Under this rule:

• The player completes their at-bat as normal.
• Once they safely reach base, another player from their team runs on their behalf.
• Where practical, the Courtesy Runner should be the last player who was recorded out.
• If this is not practical, both teams may agree on another runner.
• This rule exists to encourage participation and should always be used in the spirit of fairness.

BATTING ORDER

• Teams should complete their batting order on the scoresheet before the game begins.
• Where possible, the batting order should alternate between male and female players throughout the lineup.
• The batting order remains the same for the duration of the game unless a substitution is made.
• Substitute players assume the batting position of the player they replace.
• Late arriving players should be added to the bottom of the batting order.

MERCY RULE

A maximum of seven (7) runs may be scored in any inning.

Exception: If the final inning begins with one team trailing by ten (10) or more runs, the run cap no longer applies.

ENDING THE GAME

Games normally conclude after seven innings.

The League Host may shorten or end the game early due to:

• Time
• Weather
• Safety
• Fading daylight

If scores are level at the end of the game, the result is a draw.

Extra innings may only be played where time and conditions allow.

SELF-SCORING & SELF-OFFICIATING

Some Urban Rec sports rely on self-scoring and self-officiating.

League Hosts may be overseeing multiple courts and may not be able to watch every play or remain courtside for the entire game. Players are therefore expected to:

• Keep track of their own score.
• Make honest calls during play.
• Resolve minor disputes between teams where possible.
• Submit the final score to the League Host at the end of the game.

League Hosts will watch and assist where possible and have the final say on disputed calls or situations that cannot be resolved between players.

Urban Rec relies on player honesty, good sportsmanship and fair play.

HOST DISCRETION

Not every situation can be covered by the rulebook. League Hosts may intervene where an action is technically legal but clearly unsafe, unfair or against the spirit of the game.

FUN FIRST POLICY

All Urban Rec leagues are Fun First, regardless of skill level.

League Hosts aim to create a safe, welcoming and enjoyable environment by:

• Coaching where needed.
• Explaining rules to newer players.
• Making calls appropriate to the level of play.
• Encouraging communication and sportsmanship.

Urban Rec expects a degree of self-officiation. Respect, good vibes and camaraderie go a long way.

DISCIPLINE

League Hosts have final say on all unresolved issues.

If a player is acting disrespectfully or outside the spirit of the game, the Host may:

• Ask the player to sub off and take a break
• Issue further warnings
• Ask the player to leave the court if behaviour continues

We’re here for good times, not bad attitudes. Play fair.

INCLUSION

Urban Rec is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for all participants.

• Gender diverse, transgender and non-binary players are welcome
• Participants of all sexualities, cultures and backgrounds are supported

Urban Rec has zero tolerance for bullying, discrimination or sexual harassment.