Riverdale Sandlot follows all the standard softball rules that USA Softball follows, but with the following exceptions/emphasis:
Games are 7-innings each unless it is established otherwise before play begins. Slow-moving games may be shortened to 6-innings mid-game.
This is slow-pitch softball. Pitches must have an arc to them and should be thrown with the goal of the hitter making contact. However, pitchers are welcome to get creative with their delivery (assuming they are legal) and can put some spin on the ball if they’d like. But pitches must be completely under-hand. As your arm comes forward, your elbow must remain directly under your shoulder.
Games should only be played with clincher softballs which will be provided by Riverdale Sandlot. They look like this. Nobody should be playing with the hard softballs. Those are designed for fast-pitch. You can warm up with a hard softball of course, but once games start, please ensure you are using one of the league provided clinchers.
Batting helmets are not required (and won’t be provided). If you would like to wear a helmet, please bring your own.
10 players will be on the field at a time as each team will have 4 outfielders.
You must use a softball bat. No baseball bats. Riverdale Sandlot provides bats if you don’t have your own.
Just like in any other rec league, players can play various positions and switch back and forth. Pitchers (or anyone else for that matter) can be removed from the game and come back into the game later on.
Batters who are injured are allowed to have pinch runners. However, the batter must run to first base themselves on their own batted balls. You cannot have someone stand at home plate and run for you once you make contact. The pinch runner can only take effect once the next batter comes to the plate. If you feel you are physically unable to get from home plate to first base in any capacity on a batted ball, then you are likely too injured to play at all.
Bunting is not allowed. Players must take a full swing. No purposeful half swings or check swings.
There are no walks. We want to encourage balls in play. Nothing is more boring than a hitter trying to draw a walk in slow-pitch softball. So go up there and swing the bat! You can strikeout. (Note that the USA Softball manual linked above counts the strike zone for slow pitch as anywhere over the plate from a batter’s back shoulder to a batter’s knees). Hitters should be honest about called strikes. If you watch a ball sail right down the middle (or anywhere within the strike zone) and you don’t swing at it for whatever reason, it should be ruled a strike. Pitches that hit home plate are balls.
Counts start at 0-0 and batters get an unlimited number of swings and foul balls.
If a batter is hit by a pitch, it will just count as a ball or no pitch. The at-bat will continue and the batter will not take first base.
If a player fouls a ball backwards and it is caught by the catcher, the batted ball must have traveled above the batter’s head to be considered an out. Otherwise, it will just be a foul ball. This will be the case regardless of how many strikes there are on the hitter.
There is no leading or stealing. Runners must remain on the base until a batter makes contact with the ball.
Tagging up is allowed from any base at anytime with less than 2 outs.
Balls thrown to first base or third base that go past the dugout fencing closest to the field will be a dead ball. All runners on base will then advance one base. If a ball hits the fencing and remains in the field of play, it is still a live ball and runners can advance at their own discretion, but are not guaranteed an additional base. It is always one base on balls that go past the dugout fencing closest to fair territory. Whether the throw comes from the infield, the outfield, or the moon. One base only.
Fly balls or pop ups are always in-play as long as the ball doesn’t hit any obstruction (such as a tree or any fencing). There is no “out of play” for balls hit in the air. They can be caught in any location and the batter will be out. Balls cannot be caught off a tree. If the ball hits a tree or any other obstruction surrounding the field, it is a foul ball. Even if a ball just grazes one singular tree leaf, this will be considered a foul ball even if the ball is caught.
The infield fly rule will take effect when applicable. For those who don’t know the rule: There needs to be a force at third base and less than two outs. If there is a pop up in fair territory and an infielder can make a play on the ball with ordinary effort (including on balls that reach the outfield grass), the infield fly rule is enforced and the batter is immediately out. Runners can advance at their own discretion as soon as an infield fly is called. (The batter is still out even if the ball is not caught).
Lineups will feature your entire team roster. If you have a 20-person lineup, you will bat in order without skipping anyone. Even if you have players sitting out in the field for an inning, they will still bat at their spot in the order.
There will be a 10-run mercy rule per inning. All games will be completed regardless of the score, but if your team scores 10 runs in an inning, it will end, and the fielding team will come to bat. You can score more than 10 runs in an inning if you get more runs as a result of a particular at-bat. (For example, if your team has scored 9 runs in the inning, and you have runners on second and third, and a base hit scores both runners, both runs will count). In the final inning, there is no mercy rule, even for the team that is ahead.
Runners and fielders should make their best effort to avoid collisions and dirty slides if there is a play at a base. Fielders should leave a lane to allow runners access to the base. Runners should slide or adjust their bodies accordingly if a fielder is blocking their path. Runners also should not make an attempt to jar a ball loose by barreling into a fielder.
This league has no umpires. It is possible that we may have someone volunteer to be an umpire. Otherwise, games will be self-umpired. The honor system will be in place for called strikes and for plays at the bases. If teams/players cannot come to an agreement on a call, rock-paper-scissors will determine the call. It will be a best-of-one. We don’t want to stand around waiting for you to do a best of three or best of five.
Players who don’t want to play the field, can be a DH (Designated Hitter) as long as your team has enough other players to play in the field. However, everyone on the roster is required to bat when their spot comes up in the lineup. The only exception to this is if a player gets injured and is physically unable to bat.
All players must adhere to our Code of Conduct.