SLOWPITCH SOFTBALL – 2023 METRO LEAGUE RULES 1) SAFETY EQUIPMENT: - Batting helmets must be worn by batter, batter on deck, runners, and any student occupying a coaching box.
- A Chest protector, NOCSAE Catchers Helmet, knee/shin guards are required for the catcher. (NOCSAE Stamp)
- All bats used must bear the NFHS rulebook certification marks.
2) An unrestricted flight “optic yellow” 44 -12” ball 375 Max Compression, will be used in Metro League Slowpitch. 3) Whenever possible, the use of double bases at 1st base is strongly encouraged and recommended. 4) Standard pitching distance is 46’. NFHS Mandated 5) Home team is designated as official scorer and must have a hard copy scorebook. The visiting team shall be responsible for verifying the score after each inning. 6) Teams may use one Extra Player (EP) per game provided it is made known and indicated in the lineup before the game starts. The (EP) must remain in the same position in the batting lineup for the duration of the game. The (EP) may play defense at anytime without status being affected. The (EP) cannot be added later in the game. 7) A team must have ten players to start a game but can finish with 9 players. If a team cannot start with ten players it will count as a forfeit. Teams may decide to scrimmage, but Umpires are not allowed and the scrimmage will count towards one of your 20 regular contests. 8) If a player is injured, they will be removed from lineup without penalty. If the team has no available sub, there will be a recorded out where the injured player was in the lineup. 9) 5 run limit per inning for the first 3 innings only. (Regular Season Only) 10) With doubleheader games, there will be a one hour and 15-minute drop dead time limit per game. Game reverts back to last completed inning if the home team is behind. Days with a single game will be played without a time limit. 11) *Mercy Rule: 10 run lead after 5 innings and the game is over. 12) A fouled third strike will be an out. (NFHS 7-4-6) 1) SCHEDULING: - Games postponed because of inclement weather shall be rescheduled for the first open date. The only valid reasons for not rescheduling at the first possible date is unavailability of umpires, transportation, or facilities. Saturday may be used as a make-up date if both schools agree.
- All contests that are halted because of inclement weather before they are considered completed will be replayed from the beginning. A completed game is 4.5 innings if the home team is leading and 5 innings if the visiting team is leading unless there is a time limit, the game will be completed when the time is up.
- If a contest is tied after 5 innings or more, and is called, it will be continued from the point of suspension when the same two teams meet again, or on the first playable date if they aren’t scheduled to meet again.
- Mandatory 15 minute warm up per team.
- Batter on deck may use either warm-up batting circle (unless it is a safety issue).
- Tie-Breaker Procedure: Games can end in a tie
2) METRO LEAGUE PLAYOFF - Playoff games do not count in regular season max. Please see Metro Tournament bracket for tournament information
SLOWPITCH SOFTBALL – 2023 METRO LEAGUE RULES 1) SAFETY EQUIPMENT: - Batting helmets must be worn by batter, batter on deck, runners, and any student occupying a coaching box.
- A Chest protector, NOCSAE Catchers Helmet, knee/shin guards are required for the catcher. (NOCSAE Stamp)
- All bats used must bear the NFHS rulebook certification marks.
2) An unrestricted flight “optic yellow” 44 -12” ball 375 Max Compression, will be used in Metro League Slowpitch. 3) Whenever possible, the use of double bases at 1st base is strongly encouraged and recommended. 4) Standard pitching distance is 46’. NFHS Mandated 5) Home team is designated as official scorer and must have a hard copy scorebook. The visiting team shall be responsible for verifying the score after each inning. 6) Teams may use one Extra Player (EP) per game provided it is made known and indicated in the lineup before the game starts. The (EP) must remain in the same position in the batting lineup for the duration of the game. The (EP) may play defense at anytime without status being affected. The (EP) cannot be added later in the game. 7) A team must have ten players to start a game but can finish with 9 players. If a team cannot start with ten players it will count as a forfeit. Teams may decide to scrimmage, but Umpires are not allowed and the scrimmage will count towards one of your 20 regular contests. 8) If a player is injured, they will be removed from lineup without penalty. If the team has no available sub, there will be a recorded out where the injured player was in the lineup. 9) 5 run limit per inning for the first 3 innings only. (Regular Season Only) 10) With doubleheader games, there will be a one hour and 15-minute drop dead time limit per game. Game reverts back to last completed inning if the home team is behind. Days with a single game will be played without a time limit. 11) *Mercy Rule: 10 run lead after 5 innings and the game is over. 12) A fouled third strike will be an out. (NFHS 7-4-6) 1) SCHEDULING: - Games postponed because of inclement weather shall be rescheduled for the first open date. The only valid reasons for not rescheduling at the first possible date is unavailability of umpires, transportation, or facilities. Saturday may be used as a make-up date if both schools agree.
- All contests that are halted because of inclement weather before they are considered completed will be replayed from the beginning. A completed game is 4.5 innings if the home team is leading and 5 innings if the visiting team is leading unless there is a time limit, the game will be completed when the time is up.
- If a contest is tied after 5 innings or more, and is called, it will be continued from the point of suspension when the same two teams meet again, or on the first playable date if they aren’t scheduled to meet again.
- Mandatory 15 minute warm up per team.
- Batter on deck may use either warm-up batting circle (unless it is a safety issue).
- Tie-Breaker Procedure: Games can end in a tie
2) METRO LEAGUE PLAYOFF - Playoff games do not count in regular season max. Please see Metro Tournament bracket for tournament information
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Metro Championship Final