Major Fun League Softball
[Revised 3/07]

Each team has a 5 minute grace period after its scheduled game time to field a minimum of 7 players including at least 2-3 females for co-ed league. Otherwise, the opposing team's captain may either decide to play, permit borrowed players and/or "ghost outs" or to take win by forfeit.

If raining prior to first pitch, game will be postponed and rescheduled: call 703-851-3332 to confirm. If raining prior to completion of third inning, game will be suspended and rescheduled for completion. If raining after completion of third inning, game will be stopped and current score recorded as final. If game tied, however, extra innings will occur.

Game will consist of nine innings with three outs per inning and three strikes per out, including foul balls. Each ½ inning will terminate once batting team either takes five run lead or scores five additional runs if already leading by five or more at start of ½ inning. Exception: all base runners scoring on final hit will be recorded. Upon expiration of forty minutes, current inning to be completed with final chance provided to trailing team. If score tied after completion of nine innings or completion of final inning under time limit, teams will play extra innings until winner determined.

Final standings will be based on team record with top team per conference qualifying for championship game, following playoff semi-finals.

Should any two teams have same record, following tie-breaking system will be employed: 1. Record in head-to-head competition; 2. Runs differential for season; 3. Coin toss.

Player trades must be approved by all players involved, by captains for both teams and by league commissioner. Extra players may also be added to team roster during season. All such roster moves must be completed by game 3.

Each team will provide batting order to umpire prior to first pitch with all players batting throughout game regardless of fielding substitutions. Batting out of order will result in forfeit by offending team. Visiting team will bat first; team with weaker record will serve as visiting team. Regulation softballs, softball bats, catcher's mask, and softball gloves required. Batting team will supply its own pitcher and catcher if either fielding team limited to 7 players (4 infielders and 3 outfielders). Max. 10 players permitted for fielding team (4 infielders, 4 outfielders, 1 pitcher and 1 catcher) w/free substitutions permitted.

Pitcher must throw underhand to strike zone from pitching rubber at slow-medium speed without wind-up or extreme arch. Batter awarded one base once four balls recorded in strike count or if pitcher announces "intentional walk". Out is recorded once third strike thrown. Out is also recorded on third swing, including foul balls. Bunting permitted, but out recorded if ball rolls foul.

Upon making contact with ball, batter must run bases before ball fielded and appropriate base stepped on by fielder. Ball overthrown by fielding team, rolling out of play from outfield or otherwise interfered with results in dead ball, and base runner(s) automatically advance one base. Fielder does not have to tag base runner for out to be recorded. Out is also recorded if base runner leaves base before ball crosses home plate. Tagging up and sliding are permitted.

Take out slides and/or contact between base runner and fielder will result in automatic out, dead ball and game ejection of base runner. Two such game ejections during season will result in league ejection for offending player with forfeiture of all league fees. Blocking of baseline/homeplate prohibited, and base runner automatically awarded appropriate base.

A batter hit by pitch results in one base for batter and warning to pitcher with second hit batter resulting in game ejection of pitcher. Two such game ejections during season will result in league ejection for pitcher with forfeiture of all league fees.

Unsportsmanlike conduct, including but not limited to slamming/throwing equipment, taunting, and profanity toward teammates, opponents, spectators or umpire will result in game ejection. Failure to vacate area of play will result in warning and then game forfeit. 2 such game ejections and/or suspensions on same team during game will result in forfeit for offending team, and 2 such game ejections and/or suspensions during season will result in league ejection for offending player with forfeiture of all league fees.

Fighting will result in either: game ejection for all players involved and continuation of game, termination of game with current score recorded as final, or termination of game with instigator's team losing by forfeit, all at umpire's discretion. Furthermore, league commissioner reserves right to permanently eject all such players from league with forfeiture of league fees.

Arguing with umpire or challenging any call will result in warning followed by game ejection for offending player, then warning and game forfeit if conduct persists.

Alcoholic beverages and beverage coolers are prohibited and consumption/possession by any players, coaches or spectators will result in game forfeit by offending team. Teams are also responsible for disposing of all litter.

All other rules follow judgment of umpire and/or league commissioner under M.L.B. guidelines.