LBSL Softball

In-House Rules

Umpire Payment

• All teams must pay the umpire $45 per team prior to the start of the game. Failure to make this payment will result in a forfeit, and the umpire will be paid from the team's deposit.
• Teams are required to refund the $45 deposit before the next week's game. No team will be allowed to play until the deposit is replenished.

Game Equipment and Setup

• Required Equipment: Each team must bring bases, home plate, and a mat. Failure to do so results in a forfeit for both teams if neither team brings the equipment.
• Game Start Time: All games starting at 9 AM will have a 15-minute grace period. If a team has 9 players, the game must start. All 8 AM starts are strict and must begin at 8 AM.

Team Composition

• Minimum Players: Teams must have 9 players to start a game. If a team has only 9 players, they do not need to take an out for the 10th batter.
• Adding Players:
  • If a team chooses to take an out for the 10th batter, they can add the 10th player once they arrive.
  • If the 10th player does not show up, the team must continue taking the out for the rest of the game.
  • Teams that start with 9 players must finish with 9. If a player is removed due to injury and the team cannot field 9 players, the team will forfeit.

Batting and Fielding

• Lineup: Teams can bat up to 14 players, with 10 fielders and 4 extra players (EP).
• Bat Count: Each bat count starts at 1-1. After two strikes, the batter must put the ball in play; any fouls after two strikes result in an out.
• Pitching:
  • Legal pitches must be between 6 to 12 feet high and land on either home plate or the black mat.
  • The pitcher must wear a mask and can stand up to 3 feet behind the pitching mound. The pitcher must be touching the mound when releasing the ball.
  • The pitching mound must be 24 inches long and 6 inches wide. If no mound is available, the umpire can mark a spot 24 inches long and 6 inches wide.

Courtesy Runners

• Courtesy Runners: Each team has 5 courtesy runners per game. The courtesy runner is the last out, not the last batted out.
• Medical Courtesy Runners: Medical courtesy runners are unlimited and will only be given to players on the medical runners list. The medical courtesy runner is the last out, not the last batted out.

Home Runs and Extra Innings

• Home Runs: Each team is allowed 4 home runs per game on fenced fields. Any home runs after the 4th will be an out. No additional home runs are awarded in extra innings.
• Extra Innings: In extra innings, the player preceding the player up to bat will be placed on second base.

Run Rules

• Spring: A 12-run rule is in effect after 5 complete innings. If the home team is winning by 12 or more runs in the bottom of the 5th, the game is over.
• Fall: A 10-run rule is in effect after 5 complete innings. If the home team is winning by 10 or more runs in the bottom of the 5th, the game is over.

Bases and Fielding

• All rosters must be filled out electronically with no more than eighteen players on the roster. Players can be added to your roster at any time, however if you have eighteen players on your roster you must remove a player to add a player. All players on your roster must have 6 games played to be eligible for playoffs.
• Base Setup: Bases are set up at 70 feet. Runners going to first must use the orange bag. If bases are set up at 65 feet and cannot be moved, they will be played at 65 feet.
• No Stealing: Players cannot leave a base until the pitch crosses the plate.
• In the event the plate is unsafe due to moisture, the umpire will allow each team to step on the Black mat unless a play is made at the plate. If a play is being made at the plate, the runner must go to the plate.
• Runners must avoid contact when running to a base with the player making the play, it is not a slide or surrender league. In the event a runner does come in contact with the fielder it will be an out. This will be at the umpire’s discretion. 
• Re-Entry: A player may re-enter a game once and must do so in the same spot in the lineup.

Conduct and Equipment

• Conduct: No player or players are allowed to threaten or touch another player or umpire in an aggressive manner. This will result in an automatic ejection and possible ban from the league. Coaches are responsible for their team, players, and fans.
• Smoking: No smoking on the playing field at any time. This does not include dugouts and sidelines. Note: Bensalem Community Park is a non-smoking park.
• Metal Spikes: No metal spikes allowed. Any player caught wearing metal spikes will be suspended for the duration of that game only.
• Bats: All bats must have a current LBSL sticker. It is the responsibility of each team to check the bats of the other team. Any player caught using an ineligible bat will be out, and the bat will be removed from the game. If another player from that team uses an ineligible bat, that player will be ejected.
• Ejections: Any player ejected from a game will be suspended for 6 games and not allowed to play in the playoffs (excluding the metal spikes rule).

Playoff Eligibility and Rosters

• Eligibility: All players must be on the current roster and must have played in 6 games or more to be eligible for playoffs.
• Rosters: All rosters must be completed electronically and emailed to the league administrator. Only 18 players are allowed on a roster. If you need to add a player and you have 18, you must remove one player before you can add another.

Overthrows

• Overthrows: Two bases will be awarded on an overthrow, from the point of release.