HARD Adult Softball League Rules

HAYWARD AREA RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT
OFFICIAL LEAGUE RULES
ADULT FAST-PITCH AND SLOW-PITCH LEAGUE PROGRAMS
www.haywardareasports.com

ALL GAMES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE 2008 A.S.A. OFFICIAL SOFTBALL RULES UNLESS
MODIFIED IN THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL SOFTBALL PLAYING RULES SET BY THE HAYWARD AREA
RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT (H.A.R.D.).

SECTION I - PLAYING RULES

BATS:        The HARD leagues have adopted the ASA Bat Testing and Certification standards to
determine which bats are legal for use. Bats must have the ASA Certification OR Re-Certification
stamp on the barrel. Should specific bats be outlawed for non-compliance with licensing standards,
Managers will be advised. Visit ASA.com for updated bat and equipment certifications.

CLEATS:        No player may wear metal cleats. All-purpose turf shoes are recommended. (Exception:
Fast pitch Adult Leagues)

UNIFORM:          There is no official uniform requirement. It is recommended that players have a
numbered uniform top. Numbers should not be duplicated unless they are distinctive (example: 14
red, 14 blue), or are male and female in Co-ed. Numbers should be at least 4" in size, legible and
permanently affixed to the jersey.

JEWELRY:          Exposed jewelry, which is judged by an umpire to be dangerous and can be
removed without causing damage to the article or the player, must be removed before playing. In
cases where this is not possible, the article must be taped to the wearer so that no part of it is
exposed.

GAME BALL:          Fast-pitch: 12" Worth or Dudley SB12.
Men’s Slow-pitch: 12" Worth or Dudley Synthetic polycore 44 cor.
Women’s Slow-pitch: 11” Worth or Dudley synthetic polycore
Co-ed Slow-pitch: 12" and 11" Worth or Dudley products as detailed above

Team at bat must retrieve any ball that goes beyond the field of play. If ball is not retrieved the team
at bat must provide another ball similar in type and in good condition. The home team will receive one
game ball after the game is played if the game finishes with two (2) used game balls. Co-ed: Home
team will get both an 11” and 12” ball provided game finishes with four (4) used game balls.
.
GAME LENGTH:          Fast-pitch: Game length will be 1 hour and 20 minutes or 7 innings whichever is
reached first. Should time expire in the middle of an inning the inning will be completed. Time limit in
championship play is 1 hour 45 minutes.

Slow-pitch: Game length will be 1 hour and 10 minutes or 7 innings whichever is reached first. Time
limit for championship game play is 1 hour 30 minutes.

All Leagues: Game clock will be started after Ground Rules have been discussed and the home team is
told to take the field. No new inning may start after the time limit has been used.

TIE GAME:        All Leagues: In case of a tie at the end of the regular scheduled game extra innings
will be played if time permits. If game is still tied after time has expired, each team will be awarded
one point.
Fast-pitch: The International Tiebreaker will be used for the two extra innings. Total game length is
still limited to 1 hour and 20 minutes.

GAME TIME:          Fast-pitch: Game times are 7:15 and 8:50 p.m.
Slow-pitch: Game times very depending on number of teams in the league. (See schedule)

GRACE PERIOD:         A ten (10) minute grace period will be granted for all games. All grace period
time will be deducted from the allowed time limit. If either or both teams do not have enough players
to play at game time (see below for legal number of players) the game clock will be started. Play will
begin when both teams have enough players or a forfeit will be declared when ten minutes has
elapsed. There is no team penalty for utilizing the grace period other than the loss of game time

DUGOUTS:          Home Team uses third base dugout; visitor uses first base. Only team manager,
players and coaches are allowed in dugouts. For safety reasons, there are no children or pets allowed
in dugouts at any time.
NUMBER OF
PLAYERS:        Co-ed: Must have at least four (4) women and four (4) men to start a game and shall
bat alternately. In cases where there are more women than men, women may bat consecutively.

Men's and Women's Leagues: Must have at least (8) players to start or finish a game.

All Leagues: Once the game begins, players may be added to the END of their line-up at any time
during the game without penalty. A Team that loses a player or players during a game, including an
EP or DP, may continue to play WITHOUT PENALTY as long as they have at least eight legal players.
Players lost during play due to injury or ejection may be substituted for (same sex in Co-ed) but
should a team drop below 8 players the game is a forfeit. At no time and under no circumstances can
a batting order spot be simply counted as an out to continue play. In some instances in Co-ed other
players of the opposite sex may have to be dropped from the line-up where players are injured or
ejected and no replacements exist.

CONTINUOUS        All Leagues: Teams will be permitted to use as many Extra Players (EP's) as they
desire, creating
BATTING:        the option of a "continuous" batting order. Please note that this is an OPTION.
Co-ed: Men and women shall always be equal. Exception: When women outnumber men, women
may only bat consecutively.
Fast-pitch: Teams may still use one DP in addition to any EP's.

COURTESY        A courtesy runner shall be allowed once per team per inning for any reason.
Courtesy runners may be
RUNNERS:        any available player (of the same sex in Co-ed). Courtesy runners must be entered
immediately, after the player who is being run for, reaches base. Immediately will be defined as prior
to the first legal or illegal pitch to the next batter.

LINE-UP CARDS:        Game line-up cards including first and last names, numbers and positions are
required five (5) minutes before game time. If either or both lineup cards are not in and legible at
game time, game clock will begin, but play will not be started until lineups are clarified and logged in
by the scorekeeper. When the line-up is written into the official scorebook by the scorekeeper, it will
become the official line-up and will not be changed. Late arriving players may be added to the END of
the lineup only. All available substitutes must be listed on back of the line-up card and additional
available subs may be added at any time.

INFIELD:          Teams will be allowed five (5) minutes infield ONLY IF TIME PERMITS. Teams are
responsible for beginning their own infield if they have not been told to do so. Visiting team should
take the first infield fifteen minutes prior to game time, then Home team. All infield must be
completed five minutes before game time.

STRIKE ZONE:         Slow-Pitch: Any pitched ball landing in strike box directly behind home plate or
hits on lines of strike
box is a strike. Pitched ball hitting any part of home plate or outside of the strike box is a ball. Ball
must be delivered with perceptible arc at least six (6) feet but no more than twelve (12) feet from
the ground. See diagram.

DIAGRAM - H.A.R.D SLOWPITCH STRIKE ZONE

RUN RULE:        Slow-pitch Leagues: Fifteen (15) run rule after 4 innings (3 1/2 if home team is
ahead) & 12 runs after 5 innings is in effect for all games including playoffs.
Youth & Adult Fast Pitch Leagues: Ten (10) run rule after five innings.

COMMIT LINE:        Co-ed & Women’s Leagues: A "commit line" will be drawn 15’ from home plate on
the third base line. A Force play is in effect at home for any player crossing the commit line. No tag
plays allowed at home plate.
DOUBLE
FIRST BASE:        Effective 2005 all league play will be governed by the double first base. Runners
must hit the right side (Orange) base in running out all plays to first base. Penalty: Runners that play
to white base will be ruled out.

RUN LINE:        Co-ed & Women’s Leagues: A line will be drawn perpendicular to the third base foul
line extending from the front left hand corner of home plate to the backstop. Runners may NOT
touch home plate when scoring a run. Instead, they must run to cross this line. Crossing is defined as
stepping on or past this line. A runner who accidentally steps on home plate will not be penalized
unless they interfere with another player. If any contact or interference is observed, runner will be
called out and subject to ejection.

SLIDING:        Co-ed & Women’s Leagues: No sliding or diving allowed. Runner will be called out.
NEW: Co-ed “C’’ leagues, sliding permitted.

HOMERUN RULES:     All leagues are allowed unlimited home runs with the following exceptions.
Co-ed Leagues “D”: Any unaided, balls hit over the fence will be ruled an OUT.
Co-ed Leagues “C”: Teams will be allowed two designated home run hitters. A manager may
designate his/her home run hitter on the line-up card or allow the first two home runs designate the
hitters.
Men’s “E” Leagues: Any unaided balls hit over the fence shall be ruled an OUT.

STANDINGS:        League standings will be computed on the basis of 2 points for a win, 1 point for a
tie and 0 for a loss. If there is a tie in the standings tiebreakers will be as follows:

(1) Head to head record between tied teams.
(2) Run differential between tied teams (Team with no head-to-head forfeit automatically     wins tie-
break.)
(3) Least runs allowed versus entire league.
(4) Coin flip

PLAYOFFS:        In leagues that have a full 6 team make-up the top four (4) teams advance to
Playoffs. First Round: 1st Place versus 4th Place, 2nd Place versus 3rd Place. Second Round: Winners
of First Round. Playoff Games will be played under regular league time limits and tiebreaker formats.
Championship games will have no time limit. Exception: Playoff games must continue until a winner
has been determined. Leagues that consist of less than six (6) teams or with seven (7) teams may
not include post-season play. (All teams are guaranteed at least 10 games.)

PROTEST:        Team must notify the umpire they are protesting a game before the next legal or
illegal pitch after the play in question. Protest form must be filed along with a $25.00 protest fee
payable to H.A.R.D. at the District Office at 1099 "E" Street, Hayward by 5:00 p.m. of the second
business day after the game in question. If a game is protested per the above guidelines, H.A.R.D / H.
S.U.A. or representatives of ASA will serve as a protest committee. This committee will review the
written reports and if additional information is required, managers and umpires will be called. All official
rulings will be FINAL. If the protest is upheld, the fee will be refunded. A decision will generally be
made within 14 days.

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY:    During a game, if a team or any league official protests to the umpire-in-chief
that a player is playing under an assumed name, or is a non-rostered player, the player must show
proof (driver's license or other picture I.D. of their name to the Umpire and Official Scorekeeper
before they may continue playing. Failure to show proof before the end of that night’s play will result
in the automatic game forfeiture. Any protest concerning a player who is not believed to be on the
team roster must be made by 5:00 p.m. of the second business day after the game in question was
played. H.A.R.D. Sports office will check score sheets against team’s roster. If an ineligible player
participates the team will forfeit that game. Teams found to be playing with illegal players will be
subject to a $50.00 penalty and a three (3) game suspension of the manager and player(s) should
they be league participants.

Play-off Eligibility: All rostered players shall be eligible for play-off competition provided they have
played in at least three (3) regular season games. Players not meeting this requirement are not
eligible to compete. Rosters will be frozen after week 5 of the regular season. Managers who play
any illegal or non-rostered player(s) during the play-off season will be subject to a one-season
suspension.

H.A.R.D. reserves the right to conduct random I.D. checks at any time.

SECTION II - CONDUCT

GENERAL:        All conduct rules apply before, during and after games. Behavior will be governed by
and conform to the S.A.N.C.R.A Code of Conduct. Any action taken against an entire team (i.e.
suspension, probation, etc.) will be taken against all rostered players on that team.

Player(s) ejected from a game MUST leave the premises. Umpire MUST notify manager of this action
before play is resumed. If a player or players refuse to leave in a reasonable time, the game may be
forfeited.

Any participant that is ejected from a game will be automatically suspended at least through their
team’s next league game, and longer if the act warrants further action. The Sports Supervisor will
determine length of all player/team suspensions. Any person ejected from a game for fighting may be
subject to a suspension of up to one year from date of event. Any participant that is ejected or
reported for misconduct must contact the Sports Office and be given clearance before they are
allowed to resume play in any H.A.R.D. sponsored sports league or tournament. Should a player fail to
honor prescribed suspensions, he/she will be suspended for the remainder of the season or longer as
determined by the Recreation Supervisor. Managers who knowingly allow a suspended player to
participate will also be suspended accordingly.

ANY PARTICIPANT EXERCISING ANY DEGREE OF PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH A LEAGUE OFFICIAL
(UMPIRE, SCOREKEEPER, FIELD ATTENDANT OR H.A.R.D. EMPLOYEE) WILL BE SUBJECT TO SEVERE
DISCIPLINARY ACTION up to and including expulsion from any and all future participation in a H.A.R.D.
sponsored league or tournament. Team managers are responsible for the conduct of all players,
coaches and spectators at any H.A.R.D event and will be held responsible for their conduct.

All suspensions will include any and all H.A.R.D. sponsored sports leagues and tournaments and are in
effect for each and every team that person plays on. Player or team removed from the league loses
the right to a refund of any fees paid.

A player/team has the right of written appeal within seven (7) days of any disciplinary action. H.A.R.D.
will appoint a committee to hear the appeal within seven (7) days. Committee ruling will be FINAL.
Player is ineligible to participate until appeal is heard.

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT-        Any players, coaches, managers, spectators or other team
members making disparaging or insulting remarks to or about opposing players, coaches, managers,
officials or spectators, by using expletives that may be heard by those on the field, in the stands or
surrounding areas of the playing field, or commit any other acts that are considered unsportsmanlike
will be subject to the following rules and conditions. These acts will be defined as an Unsportsmanlike
Conduct Violation.

Umpires that witness unsportsmanlike conduct may wish to administer warnings to the respective
managers that the issues must be immediately remedied or specific sanctions and actions may be
taken. Depending on the severity of the unsportsmanlike conduct, game officials may impose
ejections, game delays and even cancel or forfeit the game.

If there is an unsportsmanlike violation assessed against the defense, then the team at bat shall be
awarded an extra out during their turn at bat. This shall be accomplished by subtracting one out from
the number that exists at the time the penalty is imposed. If no outs exist at the time then the
offensive team's first out shall not be recorded.

If there is an unsportsmanlike violation assessed against the team at bat, then an extra out is
recorded against that team. The next batter is not affected - he or she shall take his or her time at
bat. If the offensive team commits the violation in the process of making its last out of the inning,
then the team coming to bat will be awarded an extra out.

ALCOHOL:        No alcohol is allowed to be possessed at any H.A.R.D. softball facility during league
play, tournament play or practice unless purchased at a District Contracted Concession stand and
consumed in the designated spectator areas. At no time is alcohol allowed on the playing field,
dugouts or in any adjoining parking lots or park space. Alcohol is never allowed anywhere on school
property, i.e. Bret Harte Field. UMPIRES AND H.A.R.D. EMPLOYEES HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO
REPORT AND, IF NECESSARY, REMOVE FROM THE PREMISES ANY PLAYER, MANAGER, COACH OR
SPECTATOR WHO IS BELIEVED TO BE IN VIOLATION OF THIS POLICY.

A team whose players, manager, or coaches violates this policy or display behavior consistent with
being intoxicated shall be subject to immediate ejection should the violation(s) occur during their
scheduled game. A second team violation will result in the forfeiture of that team's next league game
and a one-year probation. A third violation will result in the entire team roster being suspended from
further play in ANY H.A.R.D. sponsored activity for one (1) year from the date of the third violation.
Individuals who are ejected for intoxicated conduct will be subject to a two (2) game suspension and
in the case of a second offense the individual shall be suspended for the remainder of the season.

PARTICIPANT INDEBTEDNESS:        Any player, coach, manager or team that incurs any
indebtedness to a team, sponsor, Hayward Softball Umpires' Association or the Hayward Area
Recreation and Park District (i.e. owes money, does not return uniforms, equipment, etc.) and does
not correct this indebtedness to the satisfaction of all parties after 30 days of notification will be
suspended from further play from ANY or Hayward Area Recreation and Park District activity until such
time that the indebtedness is corrected to the satisfaction of all parties involved.

SECTION III - ADMINISTRATIVE

ROSTERS:          There is a minimum of twelve (12) players or maximum of eighteen (18) players on
a team’s roster. Teams wishing to carry more than said maximums may appeal to the Sports
Supervisor for additional roster space. Players who have participated with a team in a league game will
not be allowed to transfer to another team in the league for that season unless approved by written
appeal.

Youth Leagues: Submitted rosters may be copies of ASA league or tournament rosters provided a
local ASA Youth Commissioner or other representative signs them. Proof of age (Birth Certificates) are
not required, but should be secured and held by the team manager or representatives and available
at league games to verify ages should a protest be lodged.

MINIMUM AGE:        All league players must be at least 18 years of age.
Youth Fast-Pitch leagues: ASA age criteria shall be used for rostered players.
Men’s Masters 35 & 45: Players must be of legal age on February 15 of playing year.
Industrial Co-ed: Players must be company employees, contractors, sub-contractors, consultants and
their spouses or immediate family members over the age of 18 years.

INSURANCE:          The Hayward Area Recreation and Park District and South County Softball
Association do not carry insurance coverage for injuries occurring to the participants or spectators of
any athletic contests. The entry fees to the various sports leagues are for the purpose of offsetting
the costs of officials, fields, equipment and awards. Any and all teams may obtain liability and/or
accident insurance through the Amateur Softball Association's insurance carrier, Bollinger. Call the H.A.
R.D. Sports Office for further information.

NUMBER OF TEAMS     Players may play on no more than two (2) teams in each of the following
divisions and may only play one (1) classification up or down: Men's Slow-pitch, Men's Fast-pitch and
Co-ed Slow-pitch. Players may not play on more than one (1) team in the same league. Players
violating this rule will be automatically suspended for three (3) games in each of their leagues and
dropped from rosters in order to comply with the rule. It is the manager's responsibility to inform all
players of this rule and penalty.

ROSTER CHANGES:       Rosters are frozen after the midway point in each league season.
Any team wishing to make additions after the start of the second half of the league must receive
permission for an Emergency Add. Roster changes will be accepted by mail or in person at the H.A.R.
D. District Office, 1099 "E" Street, Hayward. All roster changes must be on the official H.A.R.D.
Roster Change Form. Player(s) being added must sign roster change form. Roster changes must be
received no later than 5:00 p.m. of the day prior to that player's first game for player to be eligible. H.
A.R.D. office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Changes may also be faxed to
(510) 317-2302.

EMERGENCY ADD:    Any roster addition after the roster freeze date will be considered an
"Emergency Add". A $25.00 service charge per player will be due for any player added under this
rule. All Emergency Adds are conditional upon approval by the Sports Supervisor or Sports
Coordinator. Players added under this provision must still meet all other eligibility requirements as
specified under "Number of Teams" section.

FASTPITCH PITCHERS:   A pitcher that has been rated in one classification cannot drop to the next
lowest classified level without prior league approval. Pitchers wishing to pitch on two teams may not
pitch in a lower classification than which they are rated. Violators will be subject to the penalties
described in the “Number of Teams” section.

FORFEITS: Teams that forfeit a game due to shortage of players may submit for a hardship and may
be allowed additional adds to field a team. Teams that forfeit two games in a season for any reason
are automatically placed on probation for one (1) year. Teams that forfeit 3 games in a season for any
reason may be dropped from the league and lose all entry fees paid and status as a "returning team"
for any subsequent league play. Due to insurance restrictions, umpires CANNOT and WILL NOT
officiate any "practice" games under forfeit circumstances.

SECTION IV - SPORTS STAFF

SPORTS OFFICE STAFF:
Noel Munivez, Recreation Coordinator II
Rod Shinko, Recreation Specialist
Kristy McCaffery, Recreation Specialist
Anthony Solis, Recreation Specialist

H.A.R.D. OFFICE:         1099 "E" Street, Hayward, CA. 94541
Phone: (510) 317-2314, 317-2303; Fax: (510) 317-2302; E-mail: adultsports@haywardrec.org

Softball League Rules

Official HARD Rules