VIEW, DOWNLOAD AND PRINT RULEBOOKS:
** NEW IN 2021 **
Batters Box: When a batter makes contact with ball, if the umpire determines that their back foot (on the ground or in the air) is beyond the front of home plate, it will result in an automatic out.
In COED League play, until the time that the hitter makes contact with the ball, all outfielders must stay a minimum of 70 feet behind the base-paths when a female is up to bat. It does not matter where the infielders are playing their position, or where the outfield grass meets the infield.
There is no "re-touch" permitted at any base.
In divisions specifically labeled as "Tournament Level" there will be no extra foul, and the mercy rule of 20/15/10 will begin in the 3rd inning. Home run limit will increase to 6.
In COED League play, until the time that the hitter makes contact with the ball, all outfielders must stay a minimum of 70 feet behind the base-paths when a female is up to bat. It does not matter where the infielders are playing their position, or where the outfield grass meets the infield.
There is no "re-touch" permitted at any base.
In divisions specifically labeled as "Tournament Level" there will be no extra foul, and the mercy rule of 20/15/10 will begin in the 3rd inning. Home run limit will increase to 6.
** NEW IN 2020 **
If a foul ball is hit in the air resulting in a strike out, and a fielder catches it, the ball is live and any runners currently on base have the option of tagging up and advancing. It is no longer considered a dead ball.
Click below to view:
EMPIRE SLOWPITCH:
| slowpitch_rulebook_21.pdf |
USSSA RULEBOOK:
EMPIRE MODIFIED:
| modified_rulebook.pdf |
CODE OF CONDUCT:
| empire_code_of_conduct.pdf |
Primary Rule Differences in COED Modified Softball:
1. Catchers are required to wear a face mask with a neck protector at a minimum. Chest protectors and shin guards are also recommended.
2. Pitching rules and technique requirements differ from slowpitch. See the Empire Modified Rulebook below for specifics.
3. At-bats start at a 0-0 count. 4 balls to walk, 3 strikes is an out.
4. Unlimited foul balls.
5. In COED Modified, 6 males and 4 female players are permitted in the field. No more than 2 male batters may hit consecutively.
6. There is a DH in addition to extra hitters. The DH may hit for only 1 designated fielder as they share the place in the lineup.
7. When a male batter is up in coed, a called strike or foul ball at any time in the at-bat eliminates his ability to take 2nd base on a walk. If he walks, he is granted first base. Only on a 4-0 walk, when followed in the lineup by a female, does he take 2nd base and advance the preceding base runners accordingly. If this occurs with 2 outs, the female batter has the option of taking first base.
8. Base runners are permitted to lead upon release of the pitch. They are required to return to the base at a dead ball or before the next pitch in event the pitch was not put into play.
9. The catcher may attempt to pick off a runner who is leading. This is a FORCE PLAY AT ANY BASE. If the pitch was not put into play, the catcher may throw down to the runners base and a force play determines whether the runner retreated in time. Any other baserunners may advance without tagging up.
2. Pitching rules and technique requirements differ from slowpitch. See the Empire Modified Rulebook below for specifics.
3. At-bats start at a 0-0 count. 4 balls to walk, 3 strikes is an out.
4. Unlimited foul balls.
5. In COED Modified, 6 males and 4 female players are permitted in the field. No more than 2 male batters may hit consecutively.
6. There is a DH in addition to extra hitters. The DH may hit for only 1 designated fielder as they share the place in the lineup.
7. When a male batter is up in coed, a called strike or foul ball at any time in the at-bat eliminates his ability to take 2nd base on a walk. If he walks, he is granted first base. Only on a 4-0 walk, when followed in the lineup by a female, does he take 2nd base and advance the preceding base runners accordingly. If this occurs with 2 outs, the female batter has the option of taking first base.
8. Base runners are permitted to lead upon release of the pitch. They are required to return to the base at a dead ball or before the next pitch in event the pitch was not put into play.
9. The catcher may attempt to pick off a runner who is leading. This is a FORCE PLAY AT ANY BASE. If the pitch was not put into play, the catcher may throw down to the runners base and a force play determines whether the runner retreated in time. Any other baserunners may advance without tagging up.