Adult Softball Rules

Thank you for choosing Apex Park and Recreation District to play softball. Please make sure you are knowledgeable of the league rules.

Points of Emphasis

• USSSA bats are allowed in all leagues.
• If teams play music, it must be at a level where all players can hear the umpires. The team must turn the music down upon request, and the lyrics must be non-explicit.
• The Harold D. Lutz Sports Complex is a non-alcoholic park. Do not bring alcohol into the park area. Apex Park and Recreation District can lose the permit to play if alcohol is present. Consequences could be ejection, forfeiture of the game, or a fine.

General League Information

Leagues will follow USA Softball (formerly Amateur Softball Association) rules with the exceptions and modifications listed. All decisions made by Apex PRD regarding rule interpretations are final and not subject to protest or league fee refunds. Apex PRD reserves the right to establish guidelines for any and all rules or infractions not covered in the USA or Apex PRD league rules and to refuse participation to an individual or team if they do not obey the rules and regulations and keep within the spirit of sportsmanship.

Games will be played at Harold D. Lutz Sports Complex, 10664 West 58th Avenue, Arvada, CO 80002.

Managers will ensure that all players and spectators are familiar with these rules and regulations. All provisions in the Apex PRD softball rules and code of conduct regarding the behavior and actions of players, managers and spectators apply to the entire ballfield area before, during and after the games.

All league schedules and league rules can be found on TeamSideline.

These leagues are strictly recreational. Have fun.

Registration Information

A $200 deposit is due at the time of registration. The entire league fee is due by the first game. Failure to pay could result in a forfeit.

• Teams not having fees paid by the second game will be charged an additional $50 late fee.
• Teams not having fees paid by the third game may be dropped from the league.

Team Rosters

• To be eligible to participate, a player must sign the team roster, acknowledging the liability waiver and code of conduct. A complete roster is required for all teams. All team managers must submit their team roster via TeamSideline before the first game.
• Rosters are open to additions or drops until the following dates per season. At that point, they will be frozen.
• Spring season: third scheduled week.
• Summer season: sixth scheduled week.
• Fall season: fourth scheduled week.
• Players may not appear on 2 rosters within the same division. Dual registration is permitted; however, they cannot be in the same league. Schedules will not be adjusted in league play, make-up, or playoffs to accommodate players participating in more than one league.
• All players must be 18 years of age.
• Protests of eligible players must be made before a player comes to bat for the first time. Players must have a legally accepted picture ID (i.e., driver’s license) at the complex for all games. In league play, players who are protested for eligibility must be able to produce a picture ID. If no proof of picture ID is presented, the player is ineligible to continue participating in that game. If no proof of ID is presented to league officials within 24 hours, the game is forfeited. If a team is reduced to fewer than eight players because of eligibility, the game is a forfeit.
• Men may only play in men’s or coed leagues. Women may only play in women’s or coed leagues.

Weather Cancellations

The city of Arvada determines field playability. Field condition decisions are made by 1 pm. After 1 pm, cancellations for rain later in the day will come from Apex PRD.

The umpire and field supervisor are empowered to call a game at any time because of darkness, rain, lightning, or any other unsafe conditions that might arise. In this event, if four innings have been played, the games will be considered completed regardless of the score.

Sign up for text messages on TeamSideline. It is the fastest way to get information about the weather.

League Classification

We do our best to appropriately place teams into leagues; however, we reserve the right to place teams and merge leagues as we deem fit. The league supervisors and the athletics department will monitor teams and players, and if it is deemed that a team and players are incorrectly classified, they may move teams or players up or down accordingly in future leagues. To help determine the proper classification for your team, please use the following guidelines:

• Class Upper (2 HRs + 1 up to the max of 3 HRs): Teams play at a high level. At least 75% of players have above-average skills, with the remaining players having average skills. All players have a solid understanding of the game. These teams want to win.
• Class Lower (1 HR + 1 up to the max of 2 HRs): Teams have no more than 50% of players with above-average skills. The remaining players are average or less skilled. Teams want to win but are not competitive enough to play in the upper league.
• Class Open (2 HRs): Teams that sit in the middle. The teams are a little better than the majority of the lower teams, but they have a hard time competing consistently with the upper teams.

Note: Leagues may be combined into an open division (2 HRs), but there are not enough teams to run independently.

Season Formats

• Spring:
  • 6-game season. No tournament.
• Summer:
  • 12-game season plus playoffs for the top four teams. Wednesdays and Thursdays
  • 10-game season plus playoffs for the top four teams. Mondays and Fridays.
  • 16-game season. Double headers each night, plus playoffs for the top four teams.
• Fall:
  • 7-game season plus playoffs for the top four teams.
  • 12-game season. Double headers each night, plus playoffs for the top four teams.

Team Uniform, Equipment and Miscellaneous Rules

• Teams are required to have numbered shirts for the summer and fall seasons. Enforcement of the jersey rule is made by the opposing manager only to the umpire before the said player steps in the batter’s box for the first time; otherwise, the player will be eligible.
• Footwear: Shoes are to be molding soles only and cover toes and heels. No steel cleats will be allowed. No detachable cleats or shoes made of hard plastic or polyurethane are allowed. No flip-flops, sandals or Crocs.
• Blood rule: A player, coach, or umpire who is bleeding or has blood on their uniform must get it cleaned or covered up before continuing.
• Jewelry: Removal is strongly recommended. If staff deems jewelry to be a safety hazard to themselves or others, players will be asked to remove it (e.g., ear gauges, hoop earrings, spiked piercings). Players will be given the opportunity to remove them before being called out. Refusal to remove an item will result in an ejection.
• Dugout: Only players and coaches are allowed in the dugout. Managers are expected to keep all kids, dogs, and other people out of the dugout.
• Field of play: No warming up on the infield.
• On-deck circle: Only the on-deck batter can be out of the dugout when the team is on offense. All other players must be in the dugout or outside the fence area.
• Batboy or girl: Only one is allowed in the dugout. They must be at least 10 years old and wear a helmet.
• Bats: Bats allowed for use in league play must be Amateur Softball Association (ASA), USA, and USSSA Softball bats are legal.
  • Some ASA bats have been deemed illegal. Review the current USA Softball Bat Rules.
  • Pictures of illegal ASA bats are provided at the field.
  • The umpire will inspect the bats before the first pitch.
  • The certification stamp must be legible; otherwise, the bat will be deemed illegal.
  • Bats that are altered or dented, bats made of titanium and wood baseball bats are illegal.
  • Any use of an illegal bat shall result in an out.
  • It is the responsibility of the players who arrive after the game has begun to have their bats inspected before using them.

Game Regulations

• Games are 55 minutes long. The clock will start after the coaches meeting at home plate. An inning will be completed if the visiting team is losing when time expires.
• The home team will be determined by the second team listed on the schedule.
• A new inning begins when the third out is made in the previous inning.
• 6:15 pm games will have a 10-minute grace period for the first game, with the game clock starting at game time.
• All other games shall have a 5-minute grace period, with the game clock starting at the scheduled game time
• Games will be considered a complete game, and no new inning may start:
  • At the completion of seven innings and, the game is not tied.
  • At the completion of 55 minutes and, the game is not tied. Finish a full inning.
• Run Spread (Mercy Rule): Games will be called complete if:
  • The losing team has batted four times and is 15 runs or more behind
  • The losing team has batted five times and is 10 runs or more behind.
• Teams must have 8 players to start and finish the game. They may finish with fewer players than they started with.
  • If there is an injury, their spot in the batting order will just be skipped, and no out is recorded.
  • If there is an ejection without a sub, an out will be recorded in that spot of the lineup.
• Picking up players the night of the game: With the permission of the other team, players may be picked up to prevent forfeiture. Once a team gives permission for the opposing team to pick up players, they are committed to the result of the game and cannot protest.
• Additional Player
  • A team may insert additional players into its lineup of up to 14 players.
  • The batting order must remain consistent; however, any 10 players can play defensive positions.
  • Any player in the lineup must be present at the beginning of the game. If the lineup has fewer than 10 players at the beginning of the game, you can add additional players up to 10 when players arrive. Any other players arriving after the start of the game will become substitutes.
    • Any player withdrawn from the game for a substitute may re-enter the game once for the same player that they were pulled for.
    • They must bat in the same place in the batting order from the beginning of the game.
  • Pitching Arc is 6 ft to 10 ft from the ground. No fake pitches, quick pitches, or herky-jerky motions are allowed in any league. The pitcher must present the ball and release it while having one foot touching the mound.
  • Batter’s Count: Each batter will start with one ball and one strike count when they step into the batter’s box. There will be one courtesy foul ball on two strikes. The strike mat will not be used.
  • Home Run (HR): “Hit and Sit” on home runs hit over the fence. All runners may clear the bases. All runs will count.
  • Home runs must be retrieved by the team that hit the ball by the end of the inning. The game clock will not stop if the umpire runs out of balls.
  • The first HR after a team’s allotted HR will be considered an out.
  • If a team hits a second HR over the allotted HRs, it will end the inning.
  • Infractions do not reset.
  • Double First Base: When a ball is hit in such a manner that there is going to be a play at first base, the batter must run to the orange base, and the defender must use the white base. If the runner hits the white base, they will be called out. If the fielder hits the orange base, the runner will be called safe. The orange base is only live the first time the runner runs past the base.
  • Courtesy Runner: With the agreement of the opposing manager, the team may use a courtesy runner. The preceding batter, who is not a base runner, will be the courtesy runner. Courtesy runners must be the same gender as the runner they are replacing. If the courtesy runner is on base when their spot in the lineup comes up to bat, an out will be recorded at the plate.
  • Base Running: With the various skill levels in our league, we cannot enforce a “slide rule.” However, it is mandatory that the runner gets down, gets out of the way, or gives themselves up. Intent will be a judgment call from the umpire and staff. Although wild overthrows are part of the game and accidents happen, this rule is in place to prevent injuries and collisions.
  • Fielders: Do not block the base. Stay to the side of the base. Runners have the right of way to the base. Being safe is more important than getting the out.
  • Extra Inning Play: All tied games at the end of regulation game time will go to a one-pitch per batter inning.
    • In the first extra inning, the last batter from regulation play will start on second base.
    • If games go into extra innings, the last batter of the previous inning will start on third base.
    • Each batter will only get one pitch to hit. If the ball isn’t hit in play, the result of the pitch is:
      • Ball = walk
      • Strike = out
      • Foul = out

League Tie Breakers

1. Any team with a forfeit will be dropped from the tie.
2. Head-to-head.
3. Head-to-head differential.
4. Runs against.
5. Coin flip.

Coed Rules

Teams must start and finish with 8 players. There must be 4 males and 4 females to play with 8. Teams can play with 9 players. It can be either 4 males and 5 females or 5 males and 4 females.

• Defensive Positions: There is no restriction on where players play. There is no male dominance rule. Anyone can make any play.
• Outfield “Coed Line:” All outfielders must stay behind the 200’ line when females are up to bat.
• Penalty: If a player crosses the line before the ball is hit and fields the ball, the umpire shall signal a delayed dead ball. The offense has the option to take the result of the play or choose to award the batter first base with all other runners advancing one base.
• Batting Order: Lineups must alternate genders. Every player is allowed to bat. Teams can make a male lineup and a female lineup. If there is an odd number in one of the genders, a player might not bat behind the same opposite gender, but will continue to bat behind the same gender.
• Male Batter Walks: For any walk to a male batter, intentional or not, the male batter will automatically advance to second base, and the next female will bat. Exception: with two outs, the female batter has the option to walk or bat.

Forfeit Procedure

• Teams may not take the field and play defense if they have fewer than 8 players (4 men and 4 women for coed leagues). If the eighth player does not arrive once the home team comes to bat, the game will be declared a forfeit.
• If both teams have fewer than 8 players, a double forfeit will be
• The score of a forfeited game will be 7-0. In the event a double forfeit occurs, each team will be credited with a loss, with the score being recorded as 0-0.
• If a team needs to forfeit, managers must contact the recreation coordinator by 4 pm on the scheduled game day. If notified properly, no forfeit fee may be charged to the team.
  • A forfeit will result in a $25 fine issued to the team. All fines must be paid before the team is able to play their next game.
  • A no-call/no-show will result in a $50 fine issued to the team. All fines must be paid before the team can play their next game.
  • If a team has 2 no-calls/no-shows in the same season, it may be removed from the league, and no refunds will be provided.

Participant Code of Conduct

• No player, coach, manager, or spectator shall at any time lay a hand upon, push, shove, strike, threaten to strike, or verbally threaten an official, staff member, another player, another coach, another manager, or another spectator.
  • Penalty: Legal action may be taken, or the individual will be suspended from all sports for a minimum of 1 full year.
• Individuals involved in a physical altercation with another player, coach, manager, or spectator will be:
  • Ejected from that game.
  • Suspended for a minimum of 3 games (possible suspension for the remainder of the year or longer).
  • Be placed on probation.
• Individuals verbally abusing or exhibiting unsportsmanlike behavior towards an official, staff member, player, coach, manager, or spectator will be:
  • Ejected from that game.
  • Suspended for a minimum of 1 game.
  • Be placed on probation.
• Officials are empowered to warn, eject, and recommend suspensions for players, coaches, managers or spectators for any misconduct or rule violation.
• If at any point the officials deem the game unsafe due to unsportsmanlike behavior, the officials are empowered to end the game immediately. This could result in a single team forfeiting the game, or if both teams are at fault, both teams may be assigned a forfeit.
• Any team that has two or more team members (players, coaches, managers, or spectators) ejected from the game will be penalized with a forfeit.
• All suspensions carry an automatic probation period. Once a player, coach, manager, spectator, or team has been placed on probation, their conduct will be evaluated throughout the remainder of the season. Further conduct violations will result in a minimum suspension extending through the remainder of the season and forfeiting all fees paid to date.
• Teams are responsible for the conduct of their players and spectators before, during, and after the game. All spectators and participants must conform to all city, school district, and Apex Park and Recreation District regulations. Improper behavior will not be tolerated.
  • Penalty: Forfeiture of the game, possible arrest and prosecution, forfeiture of remaining games, and loss of refund of fees.
• Apex Park and Recreation District staff have “elastic power” in determining suspensions, penalties or rule interpretations.
• Officials will have the authority to penalize for unsportsmanlike behavior.
  • This is a judgment call by the officials and cannot be protested.