Sunday Family Softball Rules

1. No alcoholic beverages may be brought into the complexes.

2. No profanity. If an official hears it, the player is ejected.

3. Do not argue with officials. Only managers may address calls, and once the decision is explained, the discussion is over. Arguing balls and strikes results in automatic ejection.

4. No harassment of opponents. Positive cheering for your own team is encouraged.

5. Fighting or shoving results in immediate ejection from the premises and possible season-long suspension.

6. Sliding is allowed at all bases but not recommended for players who do not know how to slide safely.

7. No bunting.

8. No lead-offs or stealing.

9. Outfielders may not enter the commit area before the ball is hit.

10. No new inning after 1 hour 5 minutes or after 7 innings. A 15-run lead after 5 innings ends the game.

11. No steel cleats.  NO EXCEPTIONS!

12. Teams may start with 9 players and must add a 10th as soon as possible.

13. A commit line will be used at home plate. Do not touch home plate to avoid collisions; doing so results in an out.

14. Only rostered players may be in the dugout. No spectators or bat kids.

15. Teams have two weeks from league start to add players. An add-on form must be submitted to the Golden Eagle Facility Coordinator before the player becomes eligible.

16. Minimum player age is 14. Players under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign the roster.

17. Game times: 5:20, 6:30, 7:40, and 8:50 p.m.

     i. If a team cannot field enough players at game time, the clock starts and the ready team is awarded 2 runs.
     ii. After 5 minutes, if the team still cannot field a lineup, the game is forfeited.
     iii. If both teams are short, the same timing applies but no runs are awarded. After 5 minutes, if neither team can field 9 players, it is a double forfeit.
     iv. If games run late, the umpire’s “field ready” call becomes the new official start time.

18. All games use a yellow 12" softball. Each team must provide one new ball to the umpire each game.

19. Up to two extra hitters may be added to the lineup: the first must be female, the second male.

20. If a male is walked and a female follow:

     i. With fewer than 2 outs: the female must bat; the males goes to second.
    ii. With 2 outs: the female may choose to walk or hit; the male still goes to second.

21. Teams must have at least 3 female players. If fewer than 3, the opposing team receives 2 runs per inning. Fewer than 2 females results in a forfeit.

22. Unlimited free substitutions are allowed. Defensive-only changes do not affect the batting order. No defensive changes may be made during an inning except for injury.

23. No required batting order or defensive positions by gender. The City of Sparks recommends an adult pitcher for safety.

24. League follows City of Sparks coed rules except where modified by these rules.

25. All other rules follow the City of Sparks league rules and the 2026 USA Softball Rule Book.

26. Use of an illegal bat listed on the ASA banned bat list or altered bat results in:

     i. Immediate ejection
     ii. Minimum 30-day suspension from all USA Softball play
     iii. 2-game suspension for the coach/manager
     iv.  If no substitute is available, the game is forfeited
     v. Altered bats carry a 2-year suspension

27. All batters start with a 1 and 1 count.  This means that the batter will have 1 ball and 1 strike when they enter the batter's box.  No extra foul on 2 strikes.

28. Pitchers may pitch from the pitching rubber or up to 6 feet behind it. All other pitching rules apply. 2

29. Pitching arc must be between 6 and 10 feet.

30. Base distance is 70 feet per USA Softball rules.

31. Games may go up to two extra innings if time remains.
     i. If time expires or 9 innings are completed, the game ends in a tie.
     ii. Mercy Rule: 15-run lead after 5 innings
     iii. If the home team trails by 10 or 11 runs entering the 7th, the flip-flop rule applies.