Hyde Park Viking Softball
Rules and Guidelines
Equipment
Wood bats only. No composite or other type of non-wood bats.
Games
All games are Thursday.
New for 2026: The schedule for 2026 consists of 9 regular season games, with everyone hopefully playing each other 3 times. There is a 2-week buffer in July that make-up game can be played. The season ends at the end of July at the latest, with the championship game on the final night. If there are no cancellations in the regular season, the championship will be mid July. (Look at the schedule.)
The offical 'home team' dugout is the 3rd base side.
Games are 7 innings scheduled for 90 minutes.
Game is official after 5 innings, or 4 ½ if the home team in winning. If the game is called while in progress, prior to becoming official, the entire game will be cancelled. If the game is a playoff, it will begin from the 1st inning the next week (a new game will be played).
In the event of a cancelation mid-inning, after the game is official, the outcome might revert to previous inning if the home team is losing at the time of the cancelation. For instance, if it's the 6th inning, and the visiting team gains the lead in the top of the 6th and it starts pouring and the home team has not had an opportunity to complete bottom of the 6th inning, then the final after 5 innings is the official outcome.
In the event of a cancelation mid-inning, after the game is official, the outcome might revert to previous inning if the home team is losing at the time of the cancelation. For instance, if it's the 6th inning, and the visiting team gains the lead in the top of the 6th and it starts pouring and the home team has not had an opportunity to complete bottom of the 6th inning, then the final after 5 innings is the official outcome.
Out of play:
Field #1 - An imaginary line from the end corner of the 3rd base dugout/fence, to the first light pole, then to the second light pole in left field out of play (it's not a straight line). A ball that is fielded in play and momentum takes the fielder past the imaginary line is a live ball (no catch and carry).
Field #2 - Same as Field #1 on the 3rd base / left field side. On the first base/right field side a ball into the long grass/bush or down the hill is out of play.
A fair ball hit into the bushes/trees/down the hill in territory in the outfield and declared uplayable, the umprire will award bases based on his discretion as to their position on base at the time the ball is declared dead. Bases awarded may be more that 2. (No automatic doubles or limiting runners on base with a one base advancement, for example.)
Field #1 - An imaginary line from the end corner of the 3rd base dugout/fence, to the first light pole, then to the second light pole in left field out of play (it's not a straight line). A ball that is fielded in play and momentum takes the fielder past the imaginary line is a live ball (no catch and carry).
Field #2 - Same as Field #1 on the 3rd base / left field side. On the first base/right field side a ball into the long grass/bush or down the hill is out of play.
A fair ball hit into the bushes/trees/down the hill in territory in the outfield and declared uplayable, the umprire will award bases based on his discretion as to their position on base at the time the ball is declared dead. Bases awarded may be more that 2. (No automatic doubles or limiting runners on base with a one base advancement, for example.)
Leading is allowed after the pitcher releases the ball on a pitch. Pickoff attempts (generally by the catcher) are a 'force play' rather than a tag. All runners may advance, after tagging up, if the ball is thrown wildly on a 'pickoff.' No straight stealing.
Extra inning starts with a runner on 2nd base. The last player who made an out is that runner, unless that player is one that is usually pinched-run for, then it's player who made previous out.
Pinch runner substitutions are permissible. The last player who made an out can pinch run for a baserunner.
Unless the batting order has more than 10 batters, players who play the field should also bat in the game. Similarly, a player may DH if there are enough players to field all positions.
Use of a defensive over-shift will be ridiculed by the commish.
Rosters
New for 2026: The final regular season standings will determine the championship matchup. In the spirit of fairness, the following applies to fill-in players: Seven (7) players from the team are needed to start a game. You can borrow players to get to 9, but cannot add players to get to 10. Borrower player(s) cannot pitch or play shortstop, and must bat at the end of a lineup. The opposing team’s manager can veto a fill-in prospect. Teams that are short of 7 players can still play with more fill-ins. The official game result will be a win for the opposing team and scored 1-0.
No fill-ins in the playoffs. See playoff eligibility below
Playoffs
Playoff eligibility - players must have played in 3 of the regular season games to be eligible for the playoffs.
New for 2026: Playoff format - The regular season will count in 2026. The final regular season will determine the championship matchup. A single game matchup of 1st vs 2nd on the last day of the season. A consolation game between 3rd and 4th will also be scheduled.
Decorum
No heckling the umps. There are no scholarships available or scouts at these games. No six figure contracts are on the line. See the last rule.
Umpire Release of Liability. The Hyde Park Viking Softball League of Milton, MA (the League), and its players, managers, coaches, and other participants hereby releases any umpire from any and all liability, claims, demands, and actions whatsoever arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury that may be sustained by participants in the League while performing his/her duties as an umpire for the League.
Have fun, damn it.
Last updated: 13-Feb-2026