Bulletin Board
Subscribe to our NewsletterRules & Regulations (updated 4-7-2025)
Rules & Regulations - updated 4/7/2025)
CAPE CORAL MEN’S 43+ SOFTBALL LEAGUE
THE LEAGUE WILL PLAY UNDER THE OFFICAL ISA/SSUSA RULES & REGULATIONS, UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED BELOW:
2023-2024 SSUSA RULEBOOK https://seniorsoftball.com/?page=7
ISA ADULT RULEBOOK https://playisasports.com/download/isa-adult-rulebook/
· Senior bats are allowed (ALL BATS with a 1.21 bpf or less are allowed) or bats having an ASA 2000, 2004 stamp. Anyone caught using illegal or tampered bats will be automatically ejected from the game and will also be suspended for two additional games for the first offense. A second offense will result in a suspension for the balance of the current season, and they will also be ineligible for the entire next season. A third offense will result in a lifetime ban.
· A 12-inch ball with COR of .44 and a compression rating of no more than 375 psi shall be used.
· Pitch height is 6 feet to 12 feet high. Anything below 6 feet or above 12 feet is to be called “illegal” by the umpire (during the pitch) and is considered a ball – unless the batter swings at it, in which case it is a live pitch.
· No rule changes can be made without a Board meeting, discussion, and ensuing majority vote.
STARTING TIMES: Umpires and Managers will log the official starting time before each game. The scheduled starting times will be determined by the Board. The starting time of the second game will be 5 minutes after the first game ends (if the first game goes over the time limit).
FORFEITS: A team must have at least 6 team players and 3 pool players at game time to play. Less than 6 team players result in a forfeit, as teams are only allowed to pick up 3 pool players and are not allowed to play with 8 total players or less.
POOL PLAYERS:
A) When a team has 7 to 9 team players, they can select up to 3 pool players, but not totaling more than 10 players. When a team has 6 team players, they can select 3 players and play with 9 players.
B) A match system will be used to select pool players. All players will have a draft order number assigned. The pool player(s) selected must have a match with the missing player(s) – same round or lower. For example, if a 4th round player is missing, the pool player can be a 4th round player or lower (IE: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12). Pool players selected can play any position on the field.
C) Managers are allowed to secure a qualified pool player(s) for any game at any time prior to those games being played. Once a player is secured (player is contacted and agrees to play for that team), they cannot be taken by another team (for instance, one with a worse record). Those teams need to find an alternative qualifying player(s). Qualifying pool players may play for multiple teams on the same game night. (IE: qualifying pool player plays for team “A” at 6:45pm, then can play for team “B” at 8:00pm, given that pool player’s assigned draft order number is the same for both games)
D) Pool players must bat at the end of the lineup. If there are multiple pool players on a team, higher round players bat BEFORE lower round players (IE: a 5th round pool player bats BEFORE a 2nd round pool player).
E) Late arriving players will be added to the END of the batting order. A pool player will be replaced in the lineup by the late arriving player that they matched AFTER the pool player has batted ONCE. Late arriving players can play in the field as soon as they arrive. Only Evaluation Pool Players will play for the entire game after late arriving players join the team. If a lower round pool player arrives after the game has started, the pool player may play in the field as soon as they arrive, if pool player arrives late and misses his turn at-bat, then pool player will be added to the end of the batting lineup, regardless of pool player draft order.
EVALUATION POOL PLAYERS: A new player to the league not assigned to a team and designated as an Evaluation Pool Player is given preference in the pool for ONE game. They can match any draft number in that game. After that game, they will be evaluated and given a draft number by majority vote of Board members who viewed their performance. At that point, they become available as a Pool Player, same as any other available player currently playing on a team. If they want to play a second game, they will be treated as any other pool player (with a draft number). Players who are not new to the league may be admitted as a Pool Player during the season with Board approval.
GAME TIME & TIE-BREAKER: Games will adhere to a 1 hour and 15 minute time limit. Umpires should set their timer for 1 hour. Once the timer goes off, that inning will be completed and one more inning will be played. The open inning rule for scoring will apply to the last inning. When a game is tied after 7 innings before the time limit, or fewer innings due to the time limit, the teams will play 1 extra inning using the following Texas Tie-Breaker rules:
The last batter of the previous inning is awarded 2B. A courtesy runner is allowed for the Texas Tie-Breaker runner (as one of the two pinch runners allowed in any inning, pool players will not be permitted to courtesy run). Standard batter count applies. 7-run scoring limit applies. If the game is still tied after the extra inning, the game is over and considered a tie game.
INJURED PLAYERS: When a team has only 10 players and a player is injured and cannot continue the game, that team can pick a replacement player. The opposing Manager must approve of the replacement player. Every effort should be made to replace the injured player with a player of equal or lower ability. The replacement player can play ANYWHERE on the field. If an injured player will be out for more than 4 game nights (2 weeks) and his absence brings the team down to 9 available players, he can be replaced with an available Pool Player of equal or lower ability (same round or lower). If this occurs, the injured player MUST be out for a minimum of 4 game nights (2 weeks), even if deemed healthy enough to return earlier. When the injured player returns, the replacement player will return to the pool. A majority vote of the Board will approve Pool Player replacements due to injury.
Preseason Exception. If a team permanently loses a player prior to the first game of the season (player quits or gets seriously injured between draft night and the season opener), and an equal or lesser player is available to become a permanent replacement for the missing player on the team, the Manager can ask the Board for the player to become a permanent replacement on the team without the team being down to only 9 available players. If an injured player decides to return and play during the season, the replacement player will return to the pool. A majority vote of the Board will approve preseason permanent Pool Player replacements (based on whether the request meets the criteria of the replacement player being of equal or lesser value to the missing player).
UNIFORMS: There is a 2-week grace period at the beginning of each season for each team to distribute their uniforms. After 2 weeks, a team may have only ONE player without a uniform without penalty. A second player missing a uniform will result in a 5 run penalty. Three or more players without uniforms will result in a forfeit. Altering a shirt is not permitted. Pool players are exempt from the shirt rule. During cold weather, a jacket may be worn over the uniform shirt. However, the umpire may check during the game to see the shirt.
PLAYERS: All players must bat, unless injured. Managers must ensure that all players in the lineup play at least 2 innings in the field. There must be 9 to 10 players on defense. Teams may have 10 to 12 players on their roster, and all attending players must be in the batting order, unless injured.
COURTESY RUNNERS: Each team is allowed 2 courtesy runners an inning. A player can only run ONCE in an inning as a courtesy runner, and a player cannot run for someone as a courtesy runner if a courtesy runner previously ran for him earlier in the inning. Courtesy runners are allowed at any base. The courtesy runner is in the game when he touches the base. If a courtesy runner is on base when he is due to bat, or if a player runs as a courtesy runner TWICE in an inning (note: it must be appealed to the umpire by the opposing manager for him to be called out), or if a player courtesy runs for someone when a courtesy runner ran for him earlier in the inning (note: it must be appealed to the umpire by the opposing manager for him to be called out), he will be removed from the bases and an out is charged to the team. He will then bat in his normal batting order (if the out charged does not result in the 3rd out of the inning). Anyone on the team roster may be used as a courtesy runner. A pool player may NOT be used as a courtesy runner, but a courtesy runner may be used to run for a pool player.
RUNNERS: A runner that goes into second or third base on a force play must slide or yield.
RUN LIMIT: Each team is allowed to score a maximum of 5 runs in each inning, except for the 7th inning (or final inning of the game if time has expired). The 7th inning (or final inning of the game if time has expired) is an open inning (unlimited runs can be scored) for both teams.
MERCY RULE: There is a mercy rule of 20 runs after 4 completed innings or 15 runs after 5 completed innings. The game is ended once either of those apply, but the home team (if behind) always gets to bat in the bottom of the inning where a mercy rule is in play.
THE MAT: A wooden mat will be used to represent home plate and the mat behind home plate. Dimensions of home plate mat is to be 34.5” long, and 19” wide. When a pitch hits anywhere on the mat (from the air), it is a strike. The league will use a 1-and-1 count on each batter with no courtesy foul after 2 strikes. On a play at home, the catcher is allowed to have his foot anywhere on the wooden mat for a put out.
DRAFT & MANAGER/SPONSOR SLOTTING: The league will hold a player draft to determine teams prior to each season. Both a Manager (or Sponsor) and Co-Manager (if desired) are allowed to be slotted on a team (if the team Sponsor is a player on the team, he is automatically considered to be one of the two Managers on the team). No more than two players are allowed to be slotted on a team. The Board members determine slotting by objectively rating where each Manager/Sponsor (including themselves, if they are a Manager/Sponsor) should be slotted. The overall average for each player will then determine the player’s draft position (fractional totals will be rounded up or down accordingly). Any Managers/Sponsors slotted in the 1st round will have the same process applied to determine where in the 1st round they would be drafted (considered against the other likely 1st round players registered to play that season). That slotting effectively determines their team’s draft position.
ROSTER SIZE: Team rosters will consist of 12 players. Any overage of players registered past a multiple of 12 will result in some players not being drafted onto a team. Those individuals will receive a full refund for their entry fee and have the option of becoming a Pool Player or playing in the 50+ League (if at the qualifying age).
TRADES: Player trades are allowed on draft night ONLY. If a trade is agreed upon on draft night after Managers leave the draft location, the Managers need to notify a Board member of the trade PRIOR TO MIDNIGHT. No trades are allowed after midnight of draft night.
QUITTING: When a player notifies his Manager that he is quitting (or just ceases to show up without notification on an ongoing basis), the Manager may request a replacement player IF it brings his active team roster down to 9 players. A Board member not associated with that team will verify that the player is leaving the league. Any player who quits must wait until the next season to come back and may only return with majority approval of the Board.
NEW PLAYERS: All new players must show their driver’s license for age verification in order to play in the league. Players must turn at least 43 in the year in which they play.
MANAGERS: Each team Manager or his appointed representative will determine the batting order and playing position for each of his players.
CASUAL PROFANITY: Casual profanity pertains to expletives and verbal unsportsmanlike language not necessarily directed at an umpire or opposing players but are most likely uttered out of frustration. Umpire discretion determines the following possible actions:
A) This type of behavior is penalized by “outs” declared against the offending team.
B) The first offense will be an out. Continued offenses will warrant ejection.
C) If the team is at bat and unsportsmanlike words are used, the next batter will be called out.
D) If the act is committed by the defensive team, the first person to bat in the next inning will be called out.
E) The outs will be treated as a dead ball situation.
F) If the violation occurs in the bottom of the last inning, where the fielding team will not bat again, the ejection rule will be applied. If a team has an eligible substitute, they can continue the game with the substitute. The team can also continue with 9 players, with an out being recorded at each ejected player’s at-bat.
G) A game may be ended by a casual profanity out.
H) All other verbal unsportsmanlike language directed at umpires and/or opposing players will warrant ejection.
SMOKING & DRINKING ALCOHOL: Smoking is not allowed on the playing field or in team dugouts. Alcohol is not allowed on the Complex grounds. Consumption of alcoholic beverages on Complex Grounds will result in players being asked to leave the Complex Grounds. Smokers should practice every effort in the use of tobacco products to go beyond the bleachers that are located beyond the dugouts towards the outfield. At no time will the use of illegal drugs be permitted on the Complex Grounds. Players caught using drugs, including marijuana, even for medicinal purposes, will be asked to leave the Complex Grounds.
DISPUTED CALLS: Only the Manager or his designated representative (in his absence) is allowed to question an umpire’s call.
1ST BASE: When there is a play on a batter/runner at 1st Base, the batter/runner must touch the outside orange base or he will be called out. When the defensive player is on or blocking the outside orange base, the batter/runner does NOT have to touch the outside orange base (he can run past off to the side and still be safe). Sliding into 1st Base by the batter/runner is NOT allowed (if he does, he is out).
3RD BASE: Once a runner’s foot touches or goes beyond the commitment line, the runner may NOT return to 3rd Base. If he crosses back over the commitment line toward 3rd Base, he is out.
HOME PLATE: There will be a second home plate 8 feet from the original home plate. The runner must touch the second home plate. If he touches the original home plate (wooden mat) he will be called out. A runner will also be called out if he touches or crosses any portion of the wooden mat or batter’s box. The ball remains live. The catcher must have his foot on the wooden mat when there is a play at home. The catcher cannot tag the runner after he passes the commitment line. When the catcher blocks or is on the second home plate – even if the throw is off line and brings him to the second home plate - the runner does NOT have to touch the second plate and will be called safe. Any runner that slides at the second home plate will be called out. If BOTH of these occur (catcher blocks the second home plate AND the player slides), whichever the umpire deems occurred first will determine the call. If the catcher was blocking the plate first, the runner is safe (even though he slid). If the player starts his slide before the catcher starts blocking the plate, the runner is out.
RUNNERS ON 1ST OR 3RD BASE: For safety reasons, runners on 1st and 3rd Base are allowed to stand off the base (in foul territory) when a teammate is hitting. The runner is allowed to go off the base as far as he wants. However, that runner MUST go back and touch the base before advancing to the next base. If he doesn’t, the runner is automatically out. The runner is NOT out if he is hit by a batted ball while standing in foul territory (it is just considered a foul ball). Other than that, however, the player is considered “live” when he is standing off the base. For instance, if a 1st or 3rd basemen catches a line drive and tags the base (force out) before the runner gets back to the base, the runner is out. If a 1st or 3rd basemen fields a ground ball and tags the runner (not a force out) before he gets back to the base, he is out. The same applies to any other player catching/fielding a ball and throwing it to the 1st or 3rd basemen to force/tag the runner out before he gets back to the base. As always, base coaches are NOT allowed to touch the runner under any circumstances. If they do, the runner is automatically out.
Definition: A “Rabbit Runner” is a courtesy runner for a batter that has a prosthetic leg or portion of a lower limb, or physically cannot run for himself.
Eligibility: A batter can choose to utilize the “Rabbit Runner” rule but must submit a medical waiver to The Board for approval prior to using the rule. Exception of medical waiver is if the batter has a prosthetic leg or portion of a lower limb.
“Rabbit Runner” Rules:
· A “Rabbit Runner” will start at a point 3 ft. behind the rear back left corner of the catcher's box looking out to the field of play. He may not start to run until the ball is hit by the batter. If he does, he is out, and all other runners return. If the Rabbit Runner rounds first base, and touches 2nd base in a normal play, he is out, and the other base runners advancement will be a timing play. I.E. a runner on third crosses home before the rabbit illegally touches second base and it is not the final out in the inning. The run will be awarded.
· A rabbit runner will be considered in the game as a courtesy runner once a pitch is thrown to the batter, he is announced by the umpire. He may not be used as a courtesy runner for the rest of the inning. The batter, or manager of the team on offense may choose to use a different rabbit runner for an eligible batter in each of his at-bats in a game.
· Likewise, if the batter runs up the line past 10 feet, he will be declared out. This distance will be a discretionary call by the Homeplate umpire and is not challengeable. This will be a delayed dead ball. If the batter runs beyond the 10' line but the defense turns a double play on that hit ball, the double play is called. In other cases, if the batter runs past the 10' line, the batter is called out and any runners are sent back to their previous position on base.
· The player may choose to forgo the rabbit runner option in a game, but will not be allowed to have a rabbit runner for the remainder of the game. He will be able to utilize the rabbit runner option for his next game.
· Once the ball is hit, the Rabbit Runner may not run beyond the first base bag unless:
• The batted ball is a 'ground rule double.'
• The batted ball is a 'home run’.
• An infielder throws the ball out of play (advance to the next base plus one).
• An outfielder throws the ball out of play (2 bases from the time of the throw).
· If a batter with a prosthetic leg or portion or a lower limb chooses to forgo the “Rabbit Runner” option and run for himself, it will be considered unsportsmanlike for outfielders to throw that batter out at first base from the outfield. The result of the play will be a “safe” call at first base. Infielders that are playing in the grass may attempt to throw the batter out at first base. If the batter tries to advance to any other base beyond first base, he does so at his own risk of being thrown out by any defensive player, regardless of position, and as per the umpire’s call on the play.
PITCHER’S BOX: The pitcher’s box is 6 feet behind the pitching rubber and the width of the pitching rubber. The pitcher must have 1 foot within the pitcher’s box when he releases the ball.
PITCHER’S SCREEN: Use of the screen is mandatory. It will be placed in front of and slightly toward the glove side of the pitcher, within 1 foot of the pitching rubber. It is considered a strike anytime a batted ball hits the screen.
HOME RUNS: There is a “3 UP” Home Run limit. Any additional Home Runs hit by a team already “3 UP” are considered a Walk (Base on Balls) until the other team hits a Home Run. Once the other team hits a Home Run, the team is considered to be only “2 up” and is allowed to hit another Home Run (putting them “3 UP” again). Simply put, no team is ever allowed to hit more than 3 Home Runs above the other team.
HOME RUNS, HIT & SIT: Whenever a player hits a Home Run, he and any runners already on base can go directly to the bench. They do not have to round the bases or even go to the next base.
INTENTIONAL WALKS: A batter cannot be walked intentionally before the 6th inning unless he has been thrown a strike. If a batter is thrown 3 balls without a strike (4 balls on the batter with the first ball automatically assessed to the batter at the beginning of the at-bat), he has the option to either take the Walk or continue to bat. If 2 additional balls are thrown without a strike, the batter will be awarded a 2-base walk (goes to 2nd base), with all base runners only advancing to the base they are forced. Batters can be intentionally walked by the Pitcher simply pointing at 1st base (no pitches need to be thrown) in the 6th & 7th innings.
WARMUPS: There will be no warmups in the infield (other than the Pitcher) after the 1st inning.
LINEUP CARDS: Teams must exchange starting lineups prior to the game. Lineups must be filled out properly with the player’s last name, first initial, team name, and date. The game will not start until the lineups have been exchanged and given to the umpire.
SCOREBOOKS: The home team will keep the official score book for the game.
RAINOUTS: The rainout number to call is 239-574-0595. Games will be moved to another park, if possible.
RAIN/LIGHTNING DELAYS: Whenever the early game(s) are delayed due to rain or lightning (horn goes off), the game automatically becomes a “one pitch” game when it resumes. “One pitch” means that the batter only receives one pitch (unless the ball is hit into the pitcher’s net, in which case it is a dead ball, and the batter receives another pitch). If the pitch is a called strike, the batter is out on a strikeout. If the pitch is a ball, the batter receives a walk. There is no courtesy foul if the batter swings. “One pitch” also applies to the second game(s) if those games start AFTER 8:30pm. If the second game(s) start BEFORE 8:30pm, they are a regular game (full pitch counts). If there is another rain/lightning delay in the second game(s), those games go to “one pitch” when/if they resume.
PROTESTS: Any protests must be submitted by 4:00pm the day following the game being protested. The protest must be in writing, stating what rule and section from the Official Rules & Regulations is being contested. The protest will not be accepted without a $25.00 cash deposit. This deposit will be returned if the protest is ruled in favor of the protesting team. The written protest and cash deposit must be presented to a Board member by the Manager of the protesting team.
EJECTION/SUSPENSION FROM OTHER LEAGUES: Any person or team ejected, suspended, sanctioned, or barred from participation in any other league or sanctioning body shall be likewise suspended from participation in all City of Cape Coral leagues until the suspension from the other league expires.
A) This rule goes into effect immediately upon receipt by the league of a written or verbal notice of suspension by the suspending league.
B) Any person or team playing in the league while suspended from another league is an illegal person or team, subjecting games played to possible forfeit. This is true only after the league has been notified of the suspension by the suspending league.
C) No team or player will receive a refund of league fees paid for any games not played due to suspensions.
D) When one player is ejected for any reason, that player will be removed from the game and suspended for the next game played (minimum). The City can increase the suspension depending on the umpire’s report. An out is declared anytime the ejected player is up to bat in the game he was ejected from. If 2 players on the same team are ejected, the game will end in forfeit. The 2 players will be suspended for the next game played (minimum). The City can increase the suspension depending on the umpire’s report.
SUSPENSIONS OR EXPULSIONS FROM THE CITY LEAGUE: Any unsportsmanlike conduct which threatens any player, coach, employee, or umpire may result in ejection, suspension, or expulsion from the city league. For example:
A) Throwing a bat or making verbal threats
B) Profane language
C) Intoxication
D) Physical contact with an umpire
E) Physical altercation/fighting with another player or spectator
LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP: Upon completion of the regular season, there will be a 4-team playoff for the Championship. First round playoff seeding is determined by divisional standings: 1st place vs 4th place, 2nd place vs 3rd place. The higher seeded team will always be awarded “the home team” for the playoff games and the championship game. The winners of each game will play for the Championship. In case of regular season tie records, the following tiebreakers will be used to determine seeding (in order):
1) Head-to-head results
2) Least amount of runs scored against
3) Most runs scored
The Board reserves the right to change the playoff structure (number of teams in the playoffs, possible 1st round byes) via majority vote, based on the total number of teams that exist in a given season (which may dictate playoff structure alteration).
The regular season match system will NOT be used to pick up pool players during the playoffs. An “average of players missing” system will be utilized. For a 12-player roster, at least 3 players from the original team roster need to be missing in order to pick up a pool player(s). For an 11-player roster, at least 2 players need to be missing in order to pick up a pool player(s). Teams are allowed to pick up a pool player(s) with draft spots equal to or higher than the average of the draft spots of the missing players. For instance, if 3 players are missing from the original 12-player roster, and their draft spots are 2, 4 & 12, the team is allowed to pick up a player at a draft spot equal to or lower than the average of those spots: (2 + 4 + 12) / 3 = 6. In this example a team can pick up a player from round 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12). If the average of the players missing results in a fraction (IE: 6.33), the number is ALWAYS rounded UP to the next round number (so 6.33 would round up to 7). If a team needs to pick up 2 players, the draft spots of the 2 players need to average (or be higher than) the average number of the draft spots of the missing players. For instance, if 4 players are missing from the original 12-player roster (so 2 pool players are needed), and their draft spots are 1, 5, 8 & 11, the average is 6.25 (which rounds up to 7). The team can pick up any 2 players whose draft spots average 7 or higher (IE: a 6 & 8, a 5 & 9, a 4 & 10, etc.). Pool players can be Pool Players or players from teams eliminated from the playoffs (including players on teams eliminated in the first round of the playoffs). If multiple playoff teams need pool players, the lowest seeded team(s) picks their player(s) first – unless the player(s) were secured by the team prior to playoff night. All playoff teams need to field at least 10 players.
The first round of the playoffs (early games) are subject to the standard, regular season time limit. There is no time limit in the Championship game (late game).
The Board will decide on any and all situations that may arise that are not covered in the SSUSA or ISA Rules & Regulations and/or League Rules.
PLAYER ASSISTANCE: Any player needing financial assistance to play in the league can receive assistance via majority vote of the Board.
