2024 PSA Men’s Softball - League Rules

All Palmer Softball Association (PSA) leagues are play at your own risk.  Please pay particular to attention to your children while at the park to ensure their safety. Also make sure that dugouts, bathrooms and other areas around the park are always cleaned up.

Uniforms

Matching shirts are not required for all teams.  No metal spikes (immediate ejection).

Equipment

The league balls are optic yellow, synthetic 12-inch Tattoo 52/300 softballs.  24 balls will be provided for each team by the league prior to the first game for each team.

Community bat rule – All bats must be kept up inside the dugout by the field entrance and must remain there for the entire game unless removed by an umpire.  Each team must have a minimum of 4 bats for use each night. Any player can swing any bat in play. League is not responsible for broken or damaged bats. Please respect other player’s equipment.  Excessively throwing any bat will result in a $25 fine paid to bat owner and a suspension (please see suspensions section for more info). 

Players are allowed to use any bat that is certified playable by USA/ASA and/or USSSA softball (bats under 25 oz. and fast pitch bats are not legal). If at any time a bat is added to the non-legal list it will be banned from our league at that time. Wood bats are also legal.

Any player caught using an illegal bat based on the above bat list, will be ejected from that game immediately. That player will be an out each time they come up in the batting order if they cannot be replaced with an extra player. (See Alerted Bat/Ball Rule section below).

Game Play

Safety base – There is an orange safety base attached to the normal white first base.  When there is a play at first base on a hit ball the batter/runner must hit the orange safety base only. If the runner hits the inside white base, they will be called out immediately (only if there is a play at first) unless a defensive player prevented them from being able to touch the orange base. The runner does not have to hit the orange safety base on extra base hits or when returning to first base on any play.

Home Run Rule – 4 per game. All homeruns after the limit are outs. No touch home runs.

Mercy Rule – 20 after 3; 15 after 4 & 10 after 5. Home team gets to bat if needed.

Count – 1-1 count to start; a mat will be used. Arc 6' - 10'.  A foul ball with 2 strikes will be recorded as an out. The pitcher’s foot must be in contact with pitching rubber.  Any pitch thrown with pitcher not in contact with pitching rubber will automatically be called an illegal pitch as soon as pitch is released.

Umpires will call pitches a ball (illegal) that do not reach at least 6 feet from the ground or when higher than 10 feet from the ground after the pitch hits the ground. Umpires still can call a pitch illegal after the pitch hits the ground.

Courtesy Runners – Can use for one player per inning (anyone on the team is eligible to run). If the player who used a courtesy runner needs another one in the same inning, they can use anyone on their team (does not need to be the same runner as used previously). If the courtesy runner’s spot in the order comes up to bat and there is not a pinch runner, it will be an out. Also the pitcher can always have a courtesy runner if the choose.

Lineup - 12 batter maximum.  The number of players you start with, you must finish with unless injury.

Game times – League scheduled game times will be 6:15, 7:15, 8:15 and 9:15 PM (if necessary) Mondays through Wednesdays.  There is a no grace period for any games unless the umpire rules special circumstances.

Safety – Insurance covers coaches, sponsors, umpires and township from being sued for batted or thrown balls and injuries during or between games under the rules of ASA and Palmer Softball. NO KIDS UNDER 12 YEARS OLD IN THE DUGOUT. ALL PLAYERS, COACHES AND FANS IN DUGOUT ARE THERE AT THEIR OWN RISK. Additional team insurance is available (ask President or Commissioner).

Time limits - Games will have an hour and 15 minute time limit unless there are 4 games a night on a given field. In that case the time limit will be 1 hour per game. No inning will begin after the set time limit (unless the game is tied; see below).

Extra innings (also tied games after time limit) - When the visiting team starts the 8th inning or additional inning played because of a tie in a time limit situation, the last out of the previous inning will start on 2nd base. This will continue with the home team in the bottom of the eighth and continue for any innings for the rest of the game. Only 1 extra inning will be played (if tied, game will still be over; unless it is a playoff game).

Scores – Games need to be posted/checked by both teams win or lose immediately after games on www.leaguelineup.com/palmer. Instructions are on the Welcome page.

Rainouts/Cancelations – League officials and umpires will determine if the games will be canceled. Cancelations will be posted on Facebook (Palmer Softball League) as soon as they are canceled. 

If games are not canceled before 5pm then it is the umpire’s decision to determine if the fields are playable. If games are canceled they are not to be used by any teams on that day. 

In the event a team uses the fields after the games have been canceled, they will be fined $50 and will forfeit their next two league games. 

Forfeits – If a team forfeits 4 games without calling by 4pm on game day (or previous night for Sunday league) they may be kicked out of the league with no refund of league dues. Board decision.

• Notification prior to 24 hours in advance of scheduled game, forfeiting team pays scheduled umpire for their cost of the game ($20 per game).
• Within 24 hours of scheduled game forfeiting team pays full cost of both teams ($40 per game). If a team forfeits at the field and an exhibition game is not played that team pays umpires for both teams.
• Team does not have enough players at field and an exhibition game is played (both teams pay umpire $20); Umpire can make decision to have a scrimmage between teams not to interfere with next scheduled start time on field.
• If a team notifies the league to forfeit a game(s) prior to the game(s) scheduled date, that game(s) will remain a forfeit even if the games are canceled (for any reason) for the scheduled night. For example, if your team notifies the league that they must forfeit for a scheduled Monday night doubleheader and then that Monday night is rained out. The forfeited games will not be rescheduled.

Age limit – All players must be at least 18 years of age before December 31^st to be eligible to play without a parental waiver.  Players at least 16 years of age can play with a signed parental waiver as long as they are approved by the Umpire, Commissioner or President.

Suspensions – Suspensions will be handed out based on severity deemed by the umpire and PSA Board of Directors; The PSA Board of Directors will vote on all suspensions (if ejected you will receive a minimum 1 game suspension; not counting the game you were ejected from).  Fighting with other players or threatening of umpires can result in an immediate 4 game or season long suspension based on severity.  The PSA Board of Directors has the right to levy any suspension deemed appropriate at any time to protect the integrity and safety of the league, its players and fans. This can include suspending players from play in all leagues not just the league the infraction occurred.

Foul Language - Foul language will not be tolerated and could result in an automatic ejection.

Alcohol Consumption- Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at the field and can only legally be consumed under the pavilion.  Should an issue arise the league assumes no responsibility and will not be held liable.

League Format

Regular Season - Each team will be scheduled a minimum 1 doubleheader per week and play at least 20 games including playoffs. Players are not allowed to play on multiple teams in the Men's league even if the teams are in different divisions.

Playoffs- Will be played after the season is completed in a double-elimination or best out of three format.  Each player must play a minimum number of 10 games to be eligible. This may be adjusted by the commissioner based on not completed games.

Awards - Plaques awarded for playoff champions.  

Altered Bat/Ball Rule- The Umpire, League Commissioners and/or League President will have the authority to inspect the bat or ball and to suspend the suspected player(s) if it is found to be illegal.