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North Jersey Coed Softball League Rules

North Jersey Coed 2026 Insurance Certificate

1. League Officials & Umpires

Umpire Coverage

  • Umpires will be scheduled for every game.
  • If an umpire cannot attend or does not arrive, teams may either reschedule the game or umpire the game themselves.
  • If an umpire arrives more than 15 minutes after game time, they will be asked to leave and will not be paid. Teams will then umpire the game themselves.
  • Umpires are asked to contact team captains in advance if they are running late.

    Umpire Responsibilities

Authority & Conduct

  • No arguing, threatening, or excessive questioning of umpires is permitted.
  • First incident during a game: warning.
  • Second incident: player ejection. Player must pay a $100 fine before being allowed to play another game.
  • Second ejection in the same season: removal from the league for the remainder of the season.

Protesting a Game

A protest regarding a rule misinterpretation must be lodged on the field before the next pitch (legal or illegal). If you wait until after the game to log it with the umpire, the protest is automatically invalid. You can submit your protest here by selecting the appropriate situation and then under "desired outcome" select protest. Only a coach is able to initiate a protest and submit the protest form. 

  • Notify the Umpire: The coach must immediately notify the umpire that the game is being played under protest. 
  • The Umpire's Job: The umpire must notify the opposing coach. They should also note the exact game situation in the official scorebook for both teams (the inning, score, number of outs, count on the batter, and which runners are on base).
  • The Game Continues: You do not stop the game to wait for a commissioner's ruling. You play the game out under protest. If the protesting team wins the game anyway, the protest becomes a moot point.
  • Formal Submission: To be officially reviewed, a formal written protest must be submitted to the league within 48 hours of the game. If the league finds the protest to be not enforceable, the team  who is protesting must pay the umpire fee of $70 to reschedule the game. This fee must be paid prior to playoffs in order for the team to be eligible to play. This fee is to limit a team from protesting in the heat of the moment due to emotions. 
  • The  Remedy: If a protest is upheld, the game will be scheduled to be replayed starting from the exact point of the infraction with the identical lineup and game situation.

Roster and Equipment Protests

  • Roster Eligibility: Protests regarding illegal or un-registered players can be made at any point during or after the game if found. If the book can prove this, the game is an auto forfeit even after the game.
  • Illegal Bats: A protest regarding an unapproved or altered bat can be made after a hit however must be done before the next batter takes a pitch.

What Can’t You Protest

The following are decisions that are pure umpire judgment and cannot be protested under any circumstances:

  • Whether a runner was safe or out at a base.
  • Whether a pitched ball was a ball or a strike.
  • Whether a batted ball was fair or foul.
  • Whether a fly ball was caught legally.
  • Whether there was or was not interference or obstruction.
  • Whether a runner did or did not touch a base / leave a base too soon.

If a team tries to protest one of these because the umpire "missed the tag" or "was out of position," the protest is dead on arrival. Refusing to continue play or walking off the field over a judgment call will result in an immediate team forfeit.

    2. General League Rules

    Player Eligibility

    • All players must be 18 years or older by the first game of the season.
    • All players must register individually using the TeamLinkt App and upload a photo of themselves to their player profile and sign the waiver.

    Game Time & Grace Period

    • Scheduled game time: 6:00 PM.
    • Teams have a 15-minute grace period. You cannot be forced to start before 6:15 by the opposing team or umpire if you don't have all of your players. 
    • A minimum of 8 players must be present and ready to play by 6:15 PM to avoid forfeiture at that point. You MUST have AT LEAST 9 players by the end of the 3rd inning for the game to not be considered a forfeit.

    Roster & Lineups

    • A full lineup consists of at least 9 players.
    • Teams may start with 8 players, but an automatic out will be taken at the end of the lineup until the 9th player arrives.
    • Players arriving late may be added to the end of the batting order up to the end of the 3rd inning.
    • After the 3rd inning, no additional players may be added to the batting order, however substitutions are allowed (male-for-male, female-for-female).
    • Players who play in the field MUST also bat. You can however have an EH (extra hitter) that does not have to play the field. First offense is a warning for the team, game results stand. Second offense results in a forfeit of the game, even if this is found after the conclusion of the game. 
    • If a player/players must exit the game for any reason other than injury, you must take an out at each spot in the lineup (even if you still have a full team). In order for there to be no penalty, you must substitute someone of the same sex in for that player who is leaving. If a player leaving results in having less than the minimum required to roster a full team (8M & 2F), you may utilize a substitute player from outside of your team to bring those numbers to 8 male & 2 female players providing they fulfill the requirements of the leagues substitute player policy. 

    Female Participation Requirements

    • A minimum of two (2) females must be on the field and in the batting lineup at all times.
    • If fewer than two females are available:
      • An out will be taken at the end of the batting order until you have two females
      • Only 9 players may be on the field, with at least one female (8 males, 1 female). You must finish a game with at least 9 players for it to count and not be considered a forfeit. 
      • If you do not have any females to start a game, you can start with 8 men in the field however TWO outs will be taken at the end of the lineup. The lineup is NOT limited to only 8 players. If you do not have at least ONE female by the end of the third inning, it is considered a forfeit
    • Pinch runners and substitutes must be female-for-female and male-for-male.

    Substitute Players

    • Teams short on players may borrow players only to reach the minimum needed to avoid a forfeit (8 males / 2 females).
    • Borrowed players may not exceed what is necessary to meet minimum requirements OR it will result in a forfeit.
    • Examples:
      • 7 men and 2 women → may borrow 1 male.
      • 12 men and 1 woman → may borrow 1 female.
    • You may utilize any currently registered player that is rostered on another team. If bringing in a substitute from outside of the league, they must register in the TeamLinkt One app prior to game time via the sub registration form, sign the online waiver and pay a $10 substitute fee. If they are not registered with a signed waiver, they cannot play. Team’s substitute fees must be paid in order to play. If a sub did not sign up, sign the waiver and pay the $10 fee however still played in a game, that game will result in a forfeit. 

    Sportsmanship & Conduct

    • Derogatory, inappropriate, or offensive language toward opponents is prohibited.
    • Umpires may eject players at their discretion.
    • Any player who is obnoxiously intoxicated or slurring speech will be ejected and removed from their team indefinitely.
    • Two behavioral incidents by the same team in a season will result in team removal from the league.
    • An ejected player:
      • Is suspended for the next gameday and MUST pay a $100 fine before being able to return to play.
      • If ejected during playoffs, they are done for the season.
    • Any player that was completely removed from a team or the league for behavioral reasons in a prior season is not eligible to return the following season. 

    3. Safety Rules

    No Contact Rule

    Runners must always avoid contact. It’s not the defenders’ job to get out of your way
    • Sliding is not required, but plowing through a defender is prohibited.
    • Intentional contact or failure to avoid contact will result in automatic ejection.

    Safety Base (First Base)

    • The safety base is located in foul territory.
    • If a batted ball hits the safety base, it is a foul ball.
    • Runners must use the safety base when running through first base.

    Catcher Positioning

    • Catchers may not stand in the baseline without possession of the ball.
    • If a catcher blocks the runner without the ball, the runner automatically scores, and no play is allowed at the plate.

    4. Equipment Rules

    League & Personal Bats

    • League bats are available for use.
    • Teams may supply personal bats provided they are slowpitch ASA / USA / USSSA approved and accessible to both teams.
    • The league is not responsible for damage to personal bats.

    Altered Bat Policy, Player Safety, & Testing Procedures

    Modified bats (rolled or shaved) significantly increase ball-exit speed, posing a severe safety risk to players on the field. Because player safety is the league’s highest priority, violations of this policy are treated with the utmost seriousness.

    Challenges to a bat's legality are handled based on who initiates the challenge:

    • Umpire-Initiated Challenges: Umpires reserve the right to challenge a bat's legality mid-game if they suspect an issue. Any hits or runs resulting from that specific at-bat will be nullified, runners will return to their previous bases, and the batter will replay the turn at-bat with a different bat. The team in question must immediately surrender the challenged bat to the umpire, who will hand it over to the league for inspection.
    • Coach-Initiated Challenges: An opposing coach may also challenge the legality of a bat. However, to maintain the flow of the game and prevent strategic disruptions, any hits and runs resulting from a coach's challenge will stand on the board. The challenged bat must still be surrendered immediately to the umpire to be handed over to the league for official testing.

    Mandatory Cooperation & Penalties

    • If a player or team refuses to surrender the bat: Due to the serious nature of this safety violation, failure to comply with either an umpire or coach challenge will result in an immediate, indefinite league suspension for the entire team.
    • If the bat is found to be altered: The bat's owner will receive an indefinite suspension, the game will be retroactively recorded as a forfeit (if the offending team won), and the head coach will be suspended for the next two games. The bat will be returned to the owner at the conclusion of the compression testing. 

    Balls

    • Only league-provided Champro Slow Pitch Softballs may be used.
    • Specs: 300 compression, .52 COR (restricted flight).

    Strike Mat

    • A league-provided strike mat must be used for all games at all fields.
    • The home team is responsible for providing it.

    Equipment

    • Each team should have a set of bases/safety base from the previous season. If for some reason they do not, we will provide them at an additional cost. The home team is to provide a full set of bases (including a double safety base) at Kitattinny JV Field and Swartswood Field. A single safety base is needed at Frankford School. Branchville does not require any bases. 

    Damage to League Equipment

    • Intentional damage to league equipment must be paid for by the player responsible.
    • If unpaid, the cost falls to the team.
    • Accidental damage must be reported to the league immediately.

    5. Game Play Rules

    Pitching

    • Count starts at 1–1.
    • Pitching style: Slow-pitch, high-arc.
    • Legal pitch height: 6 to 12 feet.
    • The arc must generally pass over the batter’s head.
    • A strike includes:
      • A pitch hitting the plate or strike mat
    • Repeated illegal pitches may be objected to if the batter does not swing.
    • Any pitch that is bowled or rolled results in a balk, advancing all runners one base.

    Bunting & Stealing

    • Bunting and stealing are not allowed.

    Foul Tip

    • Any contact followed by a clean catch by the catcher is an out (does not have to pop up over their head).
    • If the ball first hits the cage, it is only a strike.

    Infield Fly Rule

    • With runners on base in force-out situations and fewer than two outs, an infield pop-up is an automatic out, even if dropped.

    Intentional/Non Intentional Walks

    • ANY walking of a male batter with a female batter on deck results in the female having the option to bat or take an automatic walk

    Overthrows

    • Outfield throw out of play: runners advance two bases from last base touched from time ball is released from outfielders hand
    • Infield throw out of play: runners advance one base from last base touched from time ball is realsed from infielders hand

    Designated Runners

    • Each team may designate two players (one male, one female) for the game that will receive a pinch runner if they get on base 
    • Pinch runners MUST be the last batted out
    • Pinch runners must be male-for-male and female-for-female

    Fifth Infielder

    • Teams may use a fifth infielder only for male batters.

    Courtesy Runners

    • Allowed only for players who are physically unable to run in the event of an injury.
    • Courtesy runner must also be the last recorded out of the same sex.

    No Creep Rule (Female Batters)

    • Outfielders must remain at least 50 feet from the bases when a female is batting.
    • Violation results in a base hit once the first pitch is thrown, regardless of swing.

    6. Mercy Rule

    • 20-run rule after 4 innings.
    • 15-run rule after 5 innings.
    • Teams may continue playing for fun by mutual agreement, but the score will stop at the appropriate differential.

    7. Scores, Scheduling & Administration

    Scorekeeping & Reporting

    • Both teams must maintain a neat scorebook.
    • Teams must sign each other’s scorebook after the game.
    • You must upload YOUR teams scorebook page only to the TeamLinkt App.
    • Scores should be submitted the same day but it is not mandatory.
    • Scorebook uploads close weekly every Sunday evening
    • Failure to upload scorebooks WILL result in a loss of player eligibility

    Forfeits (recorded as 7-0 wins)

    • The league MUST be informed of any forfeit by 4:30pm at the LATEST on gameday. If done any later than 4:30pm, the team forfeiting must pay a $100 fine (here) to the league to cover umpire & admin fees for that game before they are eligible for their next game. If the forfeit is done less than 1/2hr before the start of the game, the fee is doubled to $200. 
    • Teams may forfeit no more than two games and remain playoff-eligible (unless they are brand new to the league).
    • Games will result in a forfeit (even retroactively) if more than two rules have been broken.

    Rescheduled Games

    • Rescheduling of games may only happen based on weather or field conditions
    • Admins will handle all reschedules of games for the league based on field availability
    • If you cannot field a team for the makeup game, it results in a forfeit

    Field Changes

    • Fields may only be changed due to unsafe field conditions caused by weather only – not because a better field is available

    Field Cleanup

    • Each team is responsible for removing all trash from their dugout and sideline after games.

    Team Availability

    • Preferred game days must be submitted at the captains meeting.
    • Preferred game days are not guaranteed however we will accommodate as best we can.

    8. Playoffs

    Eligibility

    • Players must participate in at least 8 regular-season games to be playoff-eligible. For the game to count, a player must get up to bat once and play an inning on defense once. You cannot be an EH for a single inning and leave for it to count. 

    Seeding Tiebreakers

    1. Head-to-head record
    2. Fewest runs against
    3. Most runs scored

    Injury Exceptions

    • Serious injuries (surgery or broken bone) must be reported immediately.
    • Player must provide medical clearance to return.
    • If fewer than seven games remain, the player must appear in at least half of the remaining games to qualify for playoffs.

    League Communication Policy & Penalty Structure

    To keep league operations running efficiently, the following penalty structure is now in effect for bypassing official communication channels (using personal/business text or calls instead of the league phone line or website form):

    • 1st Offense (Official Warning): A formal reminder sent to the Team Captain outlining the correct communication channels.
    • 2nd Offense (Administrative Penalty): A $25 fine credited to the league's operational fund.
    • 3rd Offense (Game-Day Impact): Suspension of the offending coach or player for the upcoming game, or automatic forfeiture of home-team distinction (team automatically becomes the visitor).
    • Repeated Offenses (Severe Sanctions): Up to discretion of commissioner. 


    Note to Captains: You are responsible for your roster. If an individual player contacts the league directly instead of going through you or the official channels, the infraction and penalty will apply to your team.

    Please note that North Jersey Coed Sports follows ASA Softball rules and regulations. Our local league rules are intended to override specific ASA rules where applicable. If a situation is not specifically addressed in our local rules,  it automatically defaults to the official ASA rules.