JAM rules for Mixed Softball

© JAM 1996-2024

MIXED SOFTBALL League

Rules and Regulations

There is only one format of Mixed-Gender Outdoor Softball under JAM rules. It is described in its entirety below.

Click here for a score sheet (Adobe PDF version). 

 

JAM is for Everyone – Inclusion Statement

Our program offerings are designed to be inclusive for all members of the JAM community. Our goal is to create a welcoming gender policy that uplifts and supports each player where they are at. To ensure we can offer something for everyone, our programs may be offered in the following formats: Mixed-Gender, Women's, Men's, and Open.

Many of our league rules specify gender-based roster requirements, the goal of which is to ensure that each player has an equal opportunity to be included in gameplay.

Everyone participating in a JAM program is welcome to compete based on their gender identity and gender expression; regardless of their gender assigned at birth. Members whose gender identity does not align with the binary man/woman construct are welcome to play in all our mixed-gender and open programs.

Nonbinary, trans, genderqueer, and all other players who identify as a gender minority can count towards the roster minimums for either men or women in our mixed-gender leagues.

 

Number of Players: A team consists of twelve (12) players with a minimum of eight (8) in the field including a minimum or three (3) men or gender minority players and three (3) women or gender minority players on the field at all times. Maximum number of defensive players is ten (10).

Equipment: The Club Staff will provide balls for each game. No equipment shall be left lying on the field.

Poor Weather Conditions: Games that are forced to be cut short due to dangerous playing conditions (i.e. weather), or are not complete in the 85 minute game time will end with the final score being the score at the end of the previous completed inning as long as 30 minutes or 3 innings have been played. 

Bats: Bats will NOT be provided by Club Staff and teams are responsible for bringing their own. All bats must have a certified ASA stamp on them in order to be used.

Shoes: All players, coaches, and participants must wear shoes. Metal cleats or any type of shoe that has exposed metal on the sole, other than a rivet, may NOT be worn. Any player found wearing metal cleats will immediately be ejected from the game. 

Forfeits: If a team does not have the minimum number of players by game time, a ten (10) minute grace period will be granted. After the grace period is up and a team still does not have the minimum number of players, it will be up to the opposing team’s captain to determine between a forfeit or a regulation game. If a Forfeit is chosen by the opposing team, both teams sign the forfeit agreement as they will get the win 10-0. Then teams may play with any combination of players on the field to promote participation as the score will not count but rather the forfeit will be recorded. If the opposing team doesn’t mind and still wants to play it out as if a regulation game, both captains will still sign the forfeit agreement to indicate that it will be a regulation game and the team that has not met the roster requirement will be required to play with no more than 7 men or gender minority players or 7 women or gender minority players on the field as they will not be able to make up for the missing roster defensive spot.

Game Season: Standings will be calibrated throughout the season.  Standings will be determined based on record, tie breaker are determined via the following order: Head to Head, points scored against, and finally total point’s differential. 

Batting Order (Updated Spring 2024)

Game Clock: A regulation game will consist of either nine (9) innings or 55-minute time limit, whichever comes first. All play will stop 55 minutes from the time your game begins by completing the inning the game is currently in. There is no minimum number of innings for a complete game if the time limit has been satisfied.
The last inning will be announced by the Umpire and Club Staff at the top of the inning.

Rain Delays: If a rainout occurs while a game is in progress, three (3) innings must be completed for the game to count.  

Scoring: Captain of winning team is responsible for signing score sheet and entering the game score after each game, score sheets will be kept in office.  Teams can email office@grssc.com if there are score questions or concerns.

Run Limit Rule:  In lieu of a ‘mercy rule’ there is a 10-run limit per inning. 

Ties: Any games that are tied after the 55 minute time limit has expired will end the game in a tie. There are no extra innings or tie breakers.

1. Pitching:Pitchers may pitch from as close as the front rubber, but may move back to the second or third rubber if available.

1. Pitches shall be underhand and must travel between 6 – 12 feet of arch for the pitch to be considered legal.
2. Strikes shall count for any pitch that land on the plate or plate extension.
2. Hitting:
   1. Each person will start with a count of one ball and one strike (1-1). This is to speed up batting order and play more innings.
   2. After two (2) strikes, the batter is allowed one courtesy foul ball, any foul ball after that is an out. 
   3. The plate and strike mat will be used to determine strikes. A pitch must be between 6 ft. and 12 ft. high in order to be considered a strike. (Umpires judgment)
   4. NO BUNTING ALLOWED!
3. Foul/Fair Territory:
   1. Foul/Fair balls are called based upon the Officials judgment of where the ball is in relation to the foul line when the ball is either touched, caught, or hits the ground. People and equipment are NOT an extension of the ground. 
   2. If a player makes contact with the ball over fair territory it is a FAIR ball regardless of where it lands. If a player makes contact with the ball over foul territory it is foul regardless of where it lands.
   3. If a ground ball hits in fair territory and crosses over the base in fair territory but lands foul, it is still a FAIR ball. Bases are considered to be fair territory, thus if the ball hits the base it is a FAIR ball. 
   4. A ball leaving the field of play by a throw from a defensive player is an automatic advancement of one base. Explanation: If an infield player makes a throw and it leaves the field of play, it is where the runner was at the time of the release of the ball by a fielding player. If the runner was standing on second at the time of the release it’s an advance to third. If the runner was at least halfway to the next base it is an advancement of that base plus an advancement of the next base. 
   5. Any throw from the outfield and leaves the field of play is a two base advancement from where the runner started at all times. 
4. Base Running:
   1. When a force play is being made at first base, base runners MUST tag the orange safety base. If the base runner fails to tag the orange safety bag that runner is out. This extra base is for your safety and should be used. As a fielder you must use the white field base to make a force out. (Again for everyone’s safety!)
   2. Sliding is allowed only by using your feet. There will be no head first sliding to avoid injury. When sliding with your feet first, the runner/batter must do so in the correct manner, to avoid hurting themselves or any intent to injure the defensive player attempting to make a play on base including the catcher at home plate.
   3. THE LEAGUE IS NON-CONTACT AND ALL PLAYERS MUST AVOID UNNECESSARY CONTACT AT ALL TIMES. RUNNERS MUST GIVE THEMSELVES UP AND/OR GET OUT OF THE WAY.
   4. Obstruction – Defensive fielder who is not in possession of the ball or in the act of fielding a batted ball shall not at any time flagrantly impede any runner and/or batter. If this happens, the runner is automatically safe at the base in which they were heading. It is the responsibility of the fielding umpire to take notice if a defensive player has impeded a runner/batter of reaching the base. If the umpire is unable to make the call, both team captains must discuss the play and make a call, or ask the opinion of a GRSSC staff member.
   5. Interference – The act of an offensive player or team member that impedes, hinders, or confuses a defensive player reasonably attempting to execute a play. If this happens, the runner who interfered is automatically out.  
   6. Base Path – A base runner is out when the player runs more than three feet from a direct line between that base and the next base in regular or reverse order to avoid being touched by the ball in the hand of a fielder. When a play, such as a rundown, is made on a runner who has “rounded” a base, and that runner is outside of a direct line between bases, the runner establishes their baseline as a direct line between the player and the next base in regular or reverse order. 
   7. Courtesy Runners – A courtesy runner may be used only if someone is injured.
   8. Stealing is not permitted.
   9. Leading off is not permitted.
5. Infield Fly Rule: An infield fly is a fair ball, not including a line drive, which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort when 1^st and 2^nd OR 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd bases are occupied with less than two (2) outs. Any fielder can catch an infield fly. When it seems apparent that a batted ball will be an infield fly, the official shall immediately declare “Infield Fly – Batter is Out” to aid the runners. If the ball is near the foul lines, the umpire shall declare “Infield Fly – Batter is Out, If Fair”. The ball is alive and runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught, or re-touch and advance after a fielder touches the ball. If the hit ball becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any other foul ball. 
6. Umpires:
7. There will be 1 Umpire (hired by Club Staff and is trained and certified) for each game, one speaking captain will be provided by each team.  Speaking captains cannot be switched out during a game.  Each team captain will receive 1 clipboard with score sheets at the beginning of the season.  At the end of a game, one completed score sheet must be turned in, signed off by both team captains. It is imperative that you and your team have a thorough understanding of the rules!  The social aspect – Umpire will rule with the social spirit of the Club in mind.
8. Only Umpires have jurisdiction over play, but the Club Staff trumps everyone and everything ;-)

Umpire Judgment: There shall be no appeal of any decision of any Umpire on the grounds that the player was not correct in their decision that a batted ball was fair or foul, a base runner was out or safe, a pitched ball was a ball or a strike, or any other play involving accuracy of judgment. Any argument is grounds for a player or coach to be ejected from the game. No decision of an Umpire shall be reversed.

1. If an ejection occurs, it will be up to the Umpire as to allow the player to remain with the team inside the dugout (i.e., to keep score or to cheer on their fellow team mates). If the player is told by the Umpire to leave the field or complex they must do so or a suspension can occur for that player and a team forfeit of that game will take place.
2. We are in the public eye every time we step on the field, therefore we will not tolerate any fighting or physical contact made in a way that endangers the players on the field and people off the field. Fighting will result in an immediate ejection of that current league and possible termination from all future leagues!
3. If an altercation occurs on the field of play, the players are asked to remain at their respected positions while the official sorts out the problem on the field. Base runners should also remain on their respected bases. If a player on the team who is not involved in the play enters the field of play and does not return to their position or dugout, they will be asked to return once; if this player does not comply you will be ejected from the game and possible future games and leagues. 
4. These are steps we can use to ensure the safety of the players on and off the field and to keep this a fun and social for everyone to enjoy. 

Recommendations:

1. Please arrive at least fifteen to twenty minutes prior to your game time to warm up and prepare yourself to take the field at your scheduled game time.

Playoffs Eligibility and Tiebreak

There must be a winner in a playoff match. In the event that the match ends in a tie, teams will partake in the following tie-breaker until a winner is determined:

For playoffs, if a game is tied after 55 minutes, teams will utilize the following format: The visiting team will start the inning by placing the last out from the previous inning on second base with one (1) out. Once 3 outs have been reached, the home team will then place their last out from the previous inning on second base, also with one (1) out, and proceed to bat until 3 outs is reached. Teams will take turns doing this until the score is settled upon the completion of a full inning. This format is continued until the tie is broken.

Rough Play

Any rough or physical play will result in immediate expulsion from further league play and may result in a lifetime league expulsion. Please see the JAM policy sheet for our official policy on this subject. It is recognized that incidental contact between players is inevitable; however, all players should go out of their way to avoid creating an unsafe play.  This rule supersedes all others. 

 

Alcohol

There are absolutely no alcoholic beverages permitted on JAM property. Any offenders will be asked to leave the league without refund. No exceptions.