Suffolk County Co-Ed Softball Association (SCCSA)
​​​​​​​Official 2024 Rulebook

SECTION I
General

1.1    This league will be played following the USA Softball Official Rules. Unless explicated indicated otherwise in this document, all USA Softball Official Rules will be applied. You can view the entire USA Softball Official Rules at https://www.usasoftball.com/official-rulebook/ or download it by clicking HERE. Any rule in this SCCSA Official Rulebook which contradicts the USA Softball Official Rules will take precedent and be enforced.
SECTION II
Umpires and Officiating

2.1    All umpires will either be USSSA or ASA/USA certified or will be independently certified by SCCSA.
2.2    For regular season games, there will be 1 umpire located behind home plate. For playoff games, there will be 1 umpire behind home plate a second umpire behind 2nd base.
2.3    Umpires will have the final say and determination on the field.
2.4    The only members of either team that can speak directly to the umpire are the Managers.
2.5    While playful and respectful banter is encourages, any disrespectful, mean, aggressive or otherwise unsporting conduct towards the umpires will result in an immediately ejection from the game and an immediately evaluation for removal from the SCCSA.
SECTION III
Gameplay

3.1    Each game will be 9 innings.
3.2    Each game will be played on Friday at either 7pm or 8:45pm. Each game will start promptly at the scheduled time. If only one team is ready 10 minutes after the scheduled game time, the ready team may choose to take a forfeit victory. This rule will be strictly enforced.
3.3    Each inning will end after either 3 outs are made or 8 runs is scored, whichever is first.
 
3.3.1    There is no limit to the number of runners either team can score in the top or bottom of the final inning of a game.
3.4    Each game will be a maximum of 90 minutes, with no new inning starting after the 80th minute.
3.5    If a game were to normally end in a tie, the game will continue until either one team is winning after the end of a full inning, or the time limit specified in rule 3.4 is reached. If the time limit is reached and both teams are still tied, the game will end in a tie.
3.6    Games will be played unless cancelled. Cancellations can happen at any time, but SCCSA will make an announcement to cancel a game no later than 90 minutes prior to the start of the game. If no announcement is made by that time, the game is considered to be “on” unless the umpire calls the game for any reason at the field.
3.7    In the event a game must be cancelled, it will be rescheduled the following day, time to be determined.
3.8    Each team is required to keep a proper scorebook, keeping track of the lineup, batting stats for each player and the score of the game. A picture of the scorebook for each game from each team must be submitted to Evan Tabickman by email at Evan@sccsa.org no later than the day after each game.

3.9    The manager of the winning team is responsible for submitting the final score of each game into the Teamlinkt app. Instructions to do so can be found at sccsaleague.com

SECTION IV
Lineups

4.1    Each lineup must consist of a minimum of 9 players and a maximum of 15.
4.2    All players must be registered with SCCSA and wearing their game jerseys and appropriate equipment in order to participate in a game. Any roster changes, fill-ins or otherwise playing for a team you are not registered for, will require explicit approval by either both managers in that game or the commissioner.
4.3    All players must bat if they are playing. Players who are available, but are not in the lineup, may be substituted in at a later time. A player can only be substituted into a game once. Once a player already substituted into a game, leaves a game, they cannot return that game as a batter, fielder or a courtesy runner.
4.4    Each team will have unlimited substitutions, but only one re-entry is allowed per game
4.5    Each team pick their own lineup and can bat as many players as they’d like as long as they alternate between male and female players until alternating is no longer possible.
4.6    Each team must have at least four (4) females in the lineup. If a team does not have four females in the lineup, the empty female spot must be indicated in the lineup in accordance with the rules in Section 4, and that respective spot will be an automatic out for the team when it comes up to bat.
 
4.6.1    If both teams have the same number of girls in their lineup, rule 4.6 can be waived if both teams agree assuming no other rules in Section 4 are broken.
4.7    Each team is allowed a maximum of two players not on their active roster (“Substitute Player”) to play in each game.
4.7.1    Substitute Players must play the positions of Catcher and Right Field only and must occupy the bottom most legal spots in the lineup, keeping in mind Rule 4.5
4.7.2    Substitute Players are only allowed if the team’s roster is less than 10 total players or less than 4 total females. If one Substitute Player brings the team to 10 total players with 4 total females, they cannot use a second Substitute Player
4.7.3    Any Substitute Players used MUST be active paid players for the current SCCSA season.
4.7.4    Any lineup utilizing substitute players must still create a legal lineup pursuant to Section 4.
4.8    If a player is injured during a game and they are unable to take their next at-bat, they must be substituted out if possible. If a legal substitution is not available, the at-bat will be skipped over and the player is unable to return to the rest of the game. If skipping over the player results in a lineup that is illegal, the skipped at-bat will be an automatic out each time it comes up.
SECTION V
Equipment

5.1    The manager for each team has been provided with balls, mats, plates, first aid kits and facemasks required to be brought to each game. This bag must be returned to SCCSA at the end of the season with all reusable equipment.
5.2    The only balls to be used will be the white deBEER 12” Clincher Gold Balls (Item # W10308)
5.3    Each team must provide one (1) new ball to the umpire prior to the start of the game. The home team’s ball will be used first and switched out to the visiting team’s ball if and when appropriate, at the sole discretion of the umpire.
5.4    All bats must be ASA/USA certified, meaning there must be either an ASA or USA stamp on the bat. All bats must be laid out for presentation to the Umpire and the Umpire will check all bats prior to then start of the game. Any player caught using a non-approved bay will result in an automatic out.
5.4.1    However, not all ASA/USA approved bats are allowed. The small number ofbats with an ASA/USA certification that are still not allowed for play can be found at https://www.evansvillegov.org/egov/documents/1614373253_377.pdf.
5.5    Each catcher and pitcher MUST wear a facemasks at all times on the field. Facemasks for other positions are not required, though it is highly recommended for infielders. If a pitcher wishes to pitch without a facemask, they may do so if, and only if, they sign a waiver. Said waiver will be
 
provided by SCCSA at the player’s request and must be done at least one day prior to pitching the game.
5.6    Metal cleats will not be permitted. Players wearing metal cleats will be required to change their shoes or be removed from the game. Should it be discovered that a player is wearing metal cleats after the player has batted or fielded in the game, their spot in the lineup must be replaced with another player that is not already in the lineup, or their lineup spot will be considered an automatic out for the remainder of the game.

SECTION VI
Batting

6.1    Each at bat will start with a 1-1 count (1 ball, 1 strike).
6.2    Each at bat will end at either 3 strikes or 4 balls.
6.3    All foul tips are consider strikes. You can strike out on a foul tip.
6.4    A foul tip caught by a fielder is an out only if the ball is hit higher than the eyes of the batter. 6.5
SECTION VII
Pitching

7.1    Pitches must be 6’ to 12’ high from the ground.
7.2    The front of the pitching mound will be located 50 feet from the 5th corner of home plate.
7.3    Pitches that are outside of this range will be called “ILLEGAL” by the umpire during the pitch. An illegal pitch may be swung at and the result of that swing (hit, foul tip, strike, etc.) will be enforced. However, if a batter does not swing, an illegal pitch will always be a ball.
7.4    A “strike” is any legal pitch that lands on either the home plate or the strike mat laid down behind home plate. Any other pitch is a “ball”.
SECTION VIII
Fielding

8.1    Each team must field at least 8 players and no more than 10 players.
8.2    Maximum of four infield positions, excluding pitcher and catcher. Generally four outfielders.
8.3    Outfielders must begin each pitch on the grass.
8.4    Outfielders cannot throw out a hitter at first base. An outfielder can throw to an infielder who can then throw out the hitter at first base. Once a hitter becomes a runner and passes first base, he can be thrown out trying to advance to second base or returning to first base.
 
8.5    Each team will be required to field a minimum of four (4) female players. If a team cannot field four (4) females, it loses a fielder for each female it cannot field. For example, if a team can only field two (2) females, then it can only play with 8 fielders instead of 10.

SECTION IX
Base Running

9.1    There is no leading.
9.2    There is no stealing.
9.3    Each team is allowed an unlimited number courtesy runners.
9.4    Courtesy runners must be an active player in the lineup.
9.5    All courtesy runners must be the last batted out who can run for themselves and who is the same gender as the runner needing the courtesy. If there is no last batted out, then the player in the lineup closest to the bottom that is the same gender as the runner is need of the courtesy is the runner.
9.6    If a courtesy runner is on base when his or her at bat comes up, they may get a courtesy runner themselves to take their at bat provided the other rules in this Section 9 are followed.
9.7    Runners must slide or give themselves up to AVOID CONTACT. Intentional contact with a fielder will NOT BE TOLERATED and will result in an ejection with potential additional
penalties assessed by the SCCSA. Intent will be determined solely at the umpire’s discretion.
9.8    Hitters running to first base MUST step on the outside (generally orange) bag. If the hitter touches the inside (generally white) bag, they will be automatically called out. If a hitter touches the outside first base bag and proceeds to turn towards second base, they must reach second base or return to the inside first base to be safe. At all times, the fielders only bag is the inside bag.
9.8.1    If a runner approaches first with the intent to turn towards second base, they may use the white bag. However, if the umpire determines that was not the runner’s intention, or that the play was so close that it should not have been the runner’s intention, the umpire, at its discretion, may call the runner out.
9.9    Each field will have on it a COMMIT LINE in between third and home plate. Once a runner crosses or touches any part of this line, he/she is committed to running home and cannot return to third base. This makes all plays at home a force play, there are NO TAGS.
9.10    A second home plate will be placed behind the right-handed batter’s box (hereinafter the “Alternative Home Plate”). This Alternative Home Plate is designated for runners running from third to home. Runners coming home to score MUST touch the Alternative Home Plate. If a runner touches the traditional home plate, they are automatically called out.
9.10.1    The fielder can only get a runner out at home by catching the ball and touching the traditional home plate before the runner touches the Alternative Home Plate. If the fielder attempts to tag the runner beyond the commit line, the runner will automatically score.
 
SECTION X
Playoffs

10.1    At the end of the regular season, the teams will be ranked based on their regular season standings in preparation for an end of season Playoff bracket.

10.2    The rules for each playoff game will be the same as the regular season except for the following

10.2.1    No game can end in a tie. In the event of a tie, extra innings will be played until a winner is decided after the bottom of an inning.

10.2.2. No Substitute Players are allowed in the playoffs without the consent of the opposing team. In the event a team cannot field a legal team without the use of Substitute Players, they will forfeit the game.

10.3    The playoff bracket will consist of all eight teams, with the #2 hosting the #7 seed, the #1 seed hosting the #8 seed and so on. Both games will be played on the same night, but the #1 seed will get to choose whether it plays at the 7pm or 8:30pm time slot. That decision must be made at least 6 days before the game takes place.
10.3.1    The loser of each game will be eliminated from the playoffs. The winners of each game will play in the following week in a best of three championship series starting at 7:00pm.

SECTION XI
Sportsmanship and Conduct
11.1    Every player and manager of this league is required to sign and return the code of conduct of this league. If any player or manager, at any time, feels that they are being threatened, bullied or otherwise made intentionally uncomfortable as a result of the actions of another player or manager, please notify either your manager or an SCCSA representative immediately. The contact information for each SCCSA representative is listed in Section XIII of this rulebook.

SECTION XII
Disciplinary Action
12.1    During a game, the umpire has full discretion to enforce the rules as he or she interprets them. Any decision made by the umpire will be enforced for that game.

12.2    If a player is ejected from the game, they must remove themselves from the premises immediately. They cannot stay at the field in any capacity once ejected. If a player fails to remove himself or herself from the premise after being ejected, his team will forfeit the game.
 
12.3    After any incident that happens during a game, SCCSA will meet and discuss the need, if any, for additional disciplinary action. This will include, if necessary, a full investigation including reports from players, managers and the umpire that was at the field during the incident. After an investigation is completed, SCCSA will make a determination as to any supplemental disciplinary action to be taken.

SECTION XIII
Contact and Report
13.1    If any player feels that anything section of this Rulebook has been violated, please report it to your manager immediately. Managers should discuss any rule violations or challenges with the umpire at the field, and the umpire will make a final ruling. After the game, if a manager feels the ruling was dealt with improperly or incorrectly, or that the rule otherwise needs to be expanded or clarified, they should contact the Commissioners, Michael Poropat at Mike@sccsa.org or Evan Tabickman at Evan@sccsa.org.

13.2    SCCSA Contact list

Mike Poropat, Commissioner 954-464-4371
Mike@sccsa.org

Evan Tabickman, Vice-Commissioner 917-683-2264
Evan@sccsa.org
John Pizzarelli, 631-579-3069
John@sccsa.org

Last updated: 4/30/2024. © Suffolk County Co-Ed Softball Association, Inc. 2024. All rights reserved.