MSA League Rules - adopted 1-16-08

1. Official USSSA Slow Pitch Rules will prevail, except where provisions have been made satisfy local conditions of play as needed. USSSA rule are specific to co-ed rules do not apply

2. Players

1. A team must have eight (8) of its own players to start and finish a game.
2. All players must be officially registered with MSA and have paid in full. A neutral catcher may be used if a team can not field more than eight (8) players.
3. This catcher may not be involved in any play and cannot make any outs.
4. No automatic out for a player who cannot continue.
5. If a player is ejected from a game for any reason, when it comes to their time to bat it will be an automatic out.
6. A courtesy runner will be the last out made. A player can only be a courtesy runner once per inning.
7. A substitute player may be used in the Adult League, ONLY if the opposing team coach Approves and the player is officially registered with MSA and have paid in full.

3. Games

1. All games will start promptly at their schedules time.
2. Players have one (1) minute to change fields. Batters have ten (10) seconds to enter the batter's box and pitchers have fifteen (15) seconds to release the pitch.
3. Games ending in a tie will at the end of the hour and fifteen minutes of play will proceed one extra inning or until such time as the umpire has determined that the game should be called because of darkness or unsuitable field conditions.
4. If the umpire calls a game it will be counted if it makes it to the fifth inning.
5. The infield fly rule will be in effect for the Senior and Adult leagues only.

4. Uniforms

The official uniform shall consist of shirt and matching hat supplied by MSA. Both must be worn for all games with player number visible at all times.

5. Equipment

1. All game balls shall be eleven (11") inch softballs and will be provided by MSA. The umpire shall supply one new game ball and the visiting team shall supply one used ball.
2. All bats up to 2.25" diameter at the barrel must have grip or tape.
3. Rubber spikes or tennis shoes may be worn. NO METAL SPIKES.
4. All batters and base runners under 18 must wear a batting helmet. MANDATORY.
5. Catcher under 18 must wear a catcher's mask and helmet. MANDATORY.
6. Bases shall be sixty (60') feet apart. The distance from home plate to the pitching rubber shall be forty (40') feet.

6. Mercy Rule

1. If the run difference is 15 after 5 completed innings.
2. Only 8 runs in one inning with no continuous runs to count.

7. Offense

All players on a team roster must bat in a continuous order. Coaches must submit their batting order to the score keeper on the opposing team five (5) minutes prior to the game. Late players will be permitted to play, but they must be inserted at the end of the batting order.

1. The infield fly rule will be in effect for the Senior and Adult leagues only.
2. The 2+2 rule shall be in effect: Two (2) foul balls after two (2) strikes, the batter is out.
3. Eight (8) runs shall be the maximum allowed to score per inning. EXCEPT FOR THE LAST INNING AND BOTH COACHES SHOULD KNOW IT'S THE LAST INNING.

8. Defense

Eleven (11) players shall be permitted to play defense. Defensive changes shall be unlimited. EVERY PLAYER MUST SIT OUT ONCE BEFORE ANY PLAYER MAY SIT TWICE!

9. Pitching

1. No glove shall be worn on pitching hand.
2. Only definite underhand motion is permitted in the delivery of the pitch.
3. The ball must be pitched underhand at a slow speed.
4. The pitched ball must ark at least 3 feet after leaving the pitchers hand and before it passes any part of home plate.
5. The pitched ball shall not rise higher than 10'.

10. Disputes

1. Any disputes will be handled by the League Commissioner.
2. In the event that the League Commissioner is involved in the dispute or on the team of the dispute, the League President or Vice President will handle the problem.
3. Anyone with a valid complaint may put it in writing and submit it to the MSA board of Directors.