Rules

BKS LEAGUE RULES & REGULATIONS

OFFICIAL GUIDELINES FOR SEASON STRUCTURE, GAMEPLAY, AND CONDUCT

Season Structure & Playoff Format

Regular Season: 12 games (6 weeks). Each team plays every other team twice.

Postseason: 5 out of 7 teams qualify. The #4 seed faces #5 in a Wild Card game. Winner advances to Semifinals vs #1; #2 faces #3.

Tiebreaker Procedures

  • Head-to-Head: Primary criteria for advancement.
  • Three-Way Tie: If one team swept the others, they advance. Otherwise, a one-game playoff is held.
  • Seeding: Determined by H2H Run Differential, then Full Season Run Differential, then Strength of Victory.

Game Timing & Forfeits

Start Time: 9:00 AM sharp. No waiting for late players. Second game begins 5 minutes after the first ends.

Arrival Time Penalty Details
By 9:30 AM Loss of 1 Inning and 2 Runs (2-0)
By 9:45 AM Loss of 2 Innings and 4 Runs (4-0)
By 10:00 AM Full Forfeiture (7-0). Counts as 2 losses in standings.

Late Arrivals: 9th/10th players arriving late bat last. If a player leaves with no sub, their spot is an automatic out. Slot breaks require Commissioner approval.

Rainouts: Official after 5 innings. Updates on Instagram/WhatsApp.

Gameplay Rules

ASA Rules apply, with modifications outlined below. All substitutions must be approved by the 3 commissioners.
Base Path Distance
65 FEET
 
Pitching Rubber
46 FEET

Batting & Baserunning

  • Count: 4 Balls, 3 Strikes. No bunting or chopping (Immediate Out).
  • Mercy Rule: 10+ runs after 5 full innings.
  • Pinch Runners: 2 allowed per game (last batted out). Injury subs chosen by opposing team.
  • Leads & Stealing: No leads until release. No stealing.
  • Safety: Courtesy Bag at 1B must be used. No collisions; runners MUST slide.
  • Infield Fly: Batter is out automatically. Runners don't need to tag if dropped.
  • Extra Bases: 2 bases from last occupied base at time of throw.

Pitching Rules

  • Fast pitching allowed. Strictly NO windmill or sidearm.
  • 1 warning per team for illegal pitches, followed by a called "Ball."
  • Pitchers must finish with one foot touching the rubber.

Substitutions & Minimum Playing Time

11-Man Rosters: 10 players in the lineup at once. Captains are responsible for ensuring all 11 players receive playing time.
  • Mandatory Action: Every player must play a minimum of 7 innings in the field (across both games) and 1 at-bat per game.
  • Designated Subs: Teams may designate 2 total players for substitutes throughout the course of the entire season. Subs can only replace these designated players. Pitchers may be replaced without restriction.
  • Roster Shortage: If a team has 9 or less players scheduled to show up, they may acquire an additional sub that does not count towards the 2 designated substitutes.
  • Re-entry: Players must bat in their original spot. Shared batting slots are allowed.

Equipment & Conduct

Mandatory Attire

  • Uniforms: Failure to wear results in an 0-1 count for every at-bat.
  • Cleats: No metal cleats allowed.

Bat Regulations

  • Must be stamped with ASA or USA Softball logo.
  • Strictly Prohibited: Shaved or rolled bats. Penalty: Immediate ejection and potential suspension.

Sportsmanship

  • Only captains may discuss calls with umpires. Verbal/physical abuse = Suspension.
  • Bat Throwing: Automatic 2-game suspension.
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