Hopewell Baptist – Men’s Softball Rules & Regulations
Hopewell Recreation Ministry Leadership reserves the right to make any changes that they deem necessary for the betterment of the league and its play.
Harassment of officials and Hopewell Recreation Ministry Staff will not be tolerated. Questions should be asked by the HEAD COACH ONLY and done in an ORDERLY HUMANE and RESPECTFUL fashion about rule interpretations only. Judgment calls are NOT to be argued. Failure to comply with this rule will result in immediate ejection of the guilty party and possibly forfeiture of the game. NO WARNINGS WILL BE GIVEN!!
1. It is the recommendation that at least half your players are church members from the church they are playing for. Any non-church member needs to be viewed as a mission opportunity and should be actively missioned to.
2. A team roster must be given to the Hopewell Recreation Ministry representative at the first game of the season. A roster must be given to the umpire prior to the start of each game. A player must play at least 2 regular season games to be eligible to play in the tournament. Teams are allowed to pick up players during the regular season to total 10 players. If a team cannot field 8 originally rostered players, they can pick up enough players to total 10, but the game will count as a forfeit.
3. No warning will be issued to any team member using profane language. The person using profanity will immediately be ejected from the game and will not be eligible to play the next game.
4. Each batter starts with a 1-1 count and will have one legal foul.
5. All bats must be USSSA approved with the 2012 stamp. NO SENIOR BATS
6. Ties will be broken using the International Rule. The last out from the previous inning will start at 2nd base in the top and bottom half of the inning. Play continues in the top and bottom half of the inning until 3 outs occur.
7. One courtesy runner is allowed per inning, which must consist of the last out.
8. Each team gets 5 homeruns then the plus one rule applies. Any homerun above the 5 will be classified as an out.
9. The pitch height must be between 6ft to 10ft from the ground.
10. All games will be played on 70ft bases.
11. Each coach will have the option of choosing how many batters will hit but the team must have a minimum of nine players to start the game.
12. Each game will be played on a 50-minute time limit. When time expires you will complete the inning that you are in and then play one more inning.
13. Run limit consists of a team trailing by 20 runs after three innings, 15 after four innings, and 10 after five innings.
14. Only a coach can question an umpire on rule interpretation. Judgment call are NOT to be questioned.
15. The first game of the night will be allotted a five-minute window before having to forfeit and each game after that will be required to start at scheduled game time.
16. If a player is injured during the game and cannot continue, they are not considered an out in the batting order.
17. If a player is ejected from a game their team will play a man down for the rest of the game and they are considered an out in the batting order.
18. If the cage is hit 2 times in the same at bat you are out. If you have 2 strikes and NO good foul and then you hit the cage for the first time, it will be a dead ball.
19. Championship games will play a full 7 innings with no time limit and no run rule.
20. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products including Vapes are not permitted on church property. Any player or spectator suspected of consuming alcohol will be asked
to leave the property immediately and the player will be subject to suspension from the league at the church’s discretion.
21. Hopewell Baptist Church property is a profanity free, tobacco free and alcohol-free facility.