ASANA Softball Code: 4.11 Official Rules

Updated August 13, 2022

The ASANA Softball World Series utilizes current USA Softball Slow Pitch rules. Any exceptions or rules specific to the ASANA Softball World Series are outlined below.  (W’22)

  • Manager: Each team participating in the ASANA Softball World Series must be represented by its team manager or their representative at the ASANA Softball World Series Manager’s Meeting. Failure to attend this meeting will result in a fine, payable before taking the field. (W’02p)
  • Player Registration: Each eligible playing participant on each team, except for two late registers, shall be required to register with the Director of Softball Field and Team Operations or their designee prior to the start of their team’s final round robin game, and shall be asked to furnish identification at that time. (W’19) The two late register players, must register with the Director of Softball Field and Team Operations or their designee prior to the start of their team’s first elimination game, and shall be asked to furnish identification at that time.
    • Prior to the start of the championship semi-final game and for each game following, each eligible playing participant on each team will be required to present a state issued driver’s license or government issued ID to be validated against the team roster submitted for the World Series and the list of players who have registered with the Director of Softball Field and Team Operations or their designee. (W’19)
    • Protest of player eligibility can be made or appealed at any time. If it is discovered at any time that a player has entered a game without registering, that player will be deemed an illegal player and all USA Softball rules around illegal players will then be enforced. (W’19)
  • Bat Check: Prior to the first World Series game all team bats must be inspected and approved for use by UIC or designated umpire in accordance with USA Softball standards, specifications, and compression testing (if available). If the approval sticker is removed, another must be obtained before play.
    • Any player discovered using an illegal bat that is doctored or loaded by additional weight shall be disqualified from further World Series competition. A team that is discovered to have within its possession or control an illegal bat may be disqualified from further World Series competition. 
    • If an unapproved (non-ASANA stickered) bat is discovered in the batter’s box (no pitch required):
      • The batter and documented team Manager are ejected from that game. They must leave the playing field and dugout but not the complex based on the ejection alone.
      • The current (½) inning is immediately over no matter how many outs are recorded.
      • The entire team will receive a warning and if the team has a second occurrence of an unapproved bat entering the batter’s box the team will be removed from the remainder of the World Series.
      • A $100 fine will be imposed and required to be paid prior to the start of the teams next scheduled game. If the team refuses to pay the fine they will forfeit all future games at a losing score of 0-7.
  • Ball: The Official ASANA Softball World Series ball is the 11” yellow optic - AT1152PS - 52/300 (AD Starr).
  • Official Scorekeeper & Final Scores: 
    • Home team is the Official Scorekeeper.
    • Official Final Scores: Official final scores for seeding will be drawn only from the official game scores sheets. Managers are responsible for verifying the game score at the completion of each game and signing the scorecard confirming this verification. (W’15)
  • Starting Count: All pool and elimination games including Championship and IF games will be played with a 1 ball and 1 strike count with nothing to waste meaning if the batter has two strikes and fouls off another pitch the batter is out.
  • Pitching: The new USA Softball Rule 6: Pitching Regulation (Slow Pitch), Section 3 Legal Delivery Paragraph H WILL NOT BE ADOPTED by ASANA. ASANA will remain using the rule that the ball must be delivered with a perceptible arc and reach a height of at least six (6) feet from the ground while not exceeding a maximum height of twelve (12) from the ground.
  • Stealing: No stealing allowed in any divisions. (W’16)
  • Over the Fence Homerun: Batter and all runners are not required to touch all bases; all are credited with a run. EXCEPTION: On any over-the-fence home run in the D & E division, the batter is called out and the inning is over regardless of the number of outs prior to the over-the-fence home run. (W’16)
    • NOTE: THE D / E DIVISION RULE IS SUSPENDED FOR 2022 PLAY DUE TO THE UPDATED DIVISION STRUCTURE.
  • Game Time: 
    • Start of game time shall be determined by scheduled game time or as announced by Plate Umpire at the start of the game.
    • Pool games are 55 minutes (no new after 50) or a full 7 innings, whichever occurs first and can end in a tie score. 
    • Elimination games up to but not including the games determining 1st, 2nd and 3rd place are 60 minutes (no new after 55) and a winner must be declared (no ties). If at the end of time or 7 innings the game is tied the International TieBreaker rule will be used. 
    • Games determining 1st, 2nd and 3rd place are a full 7 innings and a winner must be declared (no ties). If at the end of 7 innings the game is tied the International TieBreaker rule will be used. If for any reason the games determining 1st, 2nd and 3rd place cannot run a full seven innings (due to park hour limitations, weather, etc.) the Softball Tournament Director and available ASANA Board of Directors along with the UIC will determine format changes and communicate them as quickly as possible to all teams involved. (W’18) (W’13)
    • All games must be completed except as indicated below: (W’12)
      • In the event of rain or any other cause, which interrupts a game, the game must be resumed at the exact point where it was stopped.
      • The format of the World Series will be revised as needed if weather, facility issues and the like become an issue. The ASANA Board of Directors and the Umpire in Charge will determine any format changes, which could result in shorter games, reduced pitch counts and the like. These format changes will take place at the top of the following inning.
      • The Softball Tournament Director and/or ASANA Board of Directors will communicate this to all teams within a reasonable time frame by a method decided in advance and communicated to all at the Manager's meeting.
      • In the event the World Series cannot be completed as scheduled, the ASANA Board of Directors shall ascertain the procedure to determine the final standings.
  • Player Uniforms
    • Jerseys:
      • Players competing in the ASANA Softball World Series championships must wear uniform shirts (tees, tanks, and/or jerseys) of the same color. No ragged cut off sleeves allowed. (S’97p)(W’16)
      • Each shirt/jersey must have a number clearly visible at least 3 inches in height.  (W’19)
      • No taped or handwritten numbers will be allowed. They must be professionally printed. (W’13)
    • Pants / Shorts:
      • All players’ pants must be of the same color and all players’ shorts must be of the same color, but the pants need not be of the same color as the shorts color. (W’93p) 95% of each player’s pants or shorts must be of matching color and similar athletic style. (W’02p) 
      • The color of players’ sliding shorts is irrelevant. 
      • No cargo shorts or cargo pants allowed. (W’93p)(W’16)
  • Headgear and Jewelry: All headgear is optional and may or may not be worn at the individual player’s discretion. For purposes of this section, headgear may be headbands, caps, visors, or any combination thereof, without regard to color. (W’93p) Bandanas, handkerchiefs or do-rags are allowed to be worn during play but may not be tied around the neck area. Sunglasses may be worn atop of the head or ball cap or visor as a known risk to the player. Wearing hats backwards is allowed. Jewelry is allowed at the discretion of the umpire. If it is deemed unsafe, taping will be allowed or removal will be required. (W’13)
  • Cleats: No metal cleats shall be worn by any player, coach or umpire. (W’86p) (W’97p) (W’99p)  
  • Coaching Attire: Coaches must be neatly attired, dressed uniformly and in accordance with the color code of the team. (W’86p) (S’91p)(W’99p)
  • Disputed Play: In case of disputed play or decision, team managers or captains may consult game officials. The other players, coaches, or sponsor may not participate in the discussion. (p) 
  • Forfeits: Scheduled game time is forfeit time. 
    • Late arriving players are not allowed to be entered on said line up except in the situation of the USA Softball short handed rule. (W’16)
    • Forfeits in the ASANA Softball World Series will not be allowed unless there are extenuating circumstances, which are approved by the ASANA Board of Directors. USA Softball rules will be followed otherwise.
      • Both written and verbal notification of forfeit situations must occur immediately by the team designee to the Softball Tournament Director and/or a member of the ASANA Board of Directors so an assessment of the situation and resolution can occur immediately.
      • The Softball Tournament Director and/or a member of the ASANA Board of Directors will notify the team within a reasonable period of time of their decision either verbally or in writing.
      • If the forfeit is approved, the forfeiting team will be given a loss with a score of 0-7, the winning team will be awarded the win with a score of 7-0, as dictated by USA Softball. If the forfeit is denied the team will have to immediately notify the Softball Tournament Director or a member of the ASANA Board of Directors of their decision to play or be removed from the World Series at that time.
        • The seeding or bracket placement for all teams affected will be updated accordingly. Approved forfeits will simply be recorded as a win/loss accordingly and standings will reflect these games as decided.
    • All decisions on forfeits are final. No appeals will be allowed.
  • Senior 50+ Allowances:  The Senior 50+ division is allowed two courtesy runners per inning. Current USA Softball rules for runner assignment are to be used. Senior division play will incorporate a chalked line at home plate that runs from the plate towards the fence/backstop. This line is where the runner must cross in order to score. All plays at home are a force play and any runner that steps on home is out. This is not an appeal play; they will be called out by the umpire. (W’15) (W’17)
  • World Series Awards will be provided in the following manner: (p)
    • Team trophies shall be presented to the top three teams.
    • Individual awards shall be made to each individual on the championship team whose name appears on the official competition roster, including additional players, and managerial and coaching staff who are present. Additional individual awards may be given.
    • The cost of all awards listed above shall be borne by ASANA. Any participation awards borne by the host association must obtain prior ASANA approval. (W’09)
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