CSCC FAST PITCH SOFTBALL RULES – 2008 

1. The length of the base line shall be 60 feet.  The pitching rubber shall be 38 feet for Junior Varsity and 40 feet for Varsity.
2. Out of bounds shall be defined by the umpire before the beginning of the game.  Any ball hit and caught out of bounds is ruled a dead ball.  On an overthrow that goes out of bounds the runner is entitled to the base they are headed to and the next base.  (Umpires judgment)
3. All teams must provide a new 12 inch ball for every double header and/or each single game.
4. Catchers must be in complete safety gear:  mask, helmet, throat protector, chest protector, and shin guards.
5. The game will be 6 innings long.  The slaughter rules states that if your team is winning by 15 runs in the bottom of the 4th inning the game will be over.
6. Helmets must be worn by the batter and the runners.  The on-deck batter MUST also have a helmet on.
7. The use of an additional batter is allowed.  Once you start a game with 10 batters, you must finish the game with 10 batters.
8. The re-entry rule is in effect for starters only.
9. Pitching shall be fast pitch.  Fast pitch shall be defined as follows: 
   1. There will be no specified arc.
   2. The pitchers must pitch underhand.  There is no restriction on wind up or delivery.
   3. The pitcher must start her wind up with at least one foot on the pitching rubber.
10. The strike zone shall be defined as a rectangle whose upper and lower limits are the batters arm pits and the top of the knees.  The sides shall be as wide as the home plate.
11. There will be no lead-offs.  The runners may leave the base after the ball has passed the batter.
12. There will be no dropped third strike.
13. Runners will be allowed to steal 2nd and 3rd base.  Stealing home will not be allowed.  If an over-throw occurs during an attempt to throw the runner out at 3rd, then the runner may not advance to home plate.  If a runner attempts to steal home, the player must return to third.  The runner can be tagged out whenever they are off a base.
14. The slide rule is in effect when there is a close play at any base.
15. Three strikes shall constitute an out.  There will be an unlimited number of foul balls.
16. Bunting will be allowed. A bunt ruled foul with 2 strikes on the batter is an out.
17. There will be a coin toss at the beginning of each game to determine which team will be the home team.  When double headers are played, the coin toss will determine home team for the first game.  The team that is the home team for the first game will be the visitor for the second game.  When single games are played, the team that wins the coin toss will be the home team for that game.  In the second game between those teams the team that lost the toss will be the home team.
18. All scores must be called into the Hot line within 72 hrs.  If the winning team does not call in their score within the 72 hour limit then the game will be considered a double forfeit.  The Hot line number is (312) 409-4009.  Standings will be posted on the league web site.
19. Rosters must be in before the first game. Please send rosters to the softball chairperson.
20. Playoff info: In case of a tie, the tie breaker will be determined by:
    1. Division Record
    2. Head to head competition
    3. 1 game play-off
21. Games may start on April 14, 2008 and all games must be finished by May 10, 2008.  Any games not finished by May 10th will be recorded as double forfeits.  Play-off quarter finals will take place between May 12th and May 16th at the higher seeds park.  The semi-finals will take place on May 17th at a site TBA and the Championship Game will be held on Sunday May 18th, site TBA. 
22. Rescheduling and season ending rules:
    1. Games not played by the end of the season will be double forfeits.
    2. Games must be rescheduled in 48 hours after cancellation.
    3. $50.00 fine for games rescheduled for inappropriate reasons.
23. The top team will receive team and individual trophies.  Team and individuals awards will be given to the top 2 teams in the league tournament.  All teams make the playoffs with the top teams having a bye in the 1st round.
24. Special playoff rules:
    1. Home team in the playoff games will be determined as follows:

                                                               i.      Quarter finals – Home team will be the higher seeded team.

                                                             ii.      Semi-finals – Home team will be determined by a coin flip.  The higher seeded team will call the flip.

                                                            iii.      Finals – Home team will be determined by a coin flip.  The higher seeded team will call the flip.  (In case of a tie in seeding, the call of the flip will be determined by the Commissioner.)

25. All scores must be reported to the Hot Line 312-409-4009.
26. The umpire fee will be $21.00 per school per game.
27. In case of a rain out, please call Jerry Krusinski, 847-431-1507 Cell. If the weather is questionable or the game is to be played on grass because of wet diamonds, please call Jerry and inform him of this.  (Leave a message if necessary.)
    1. When rescheduling a game – you must give Jerry at least 24 hours to schedule an umpire.
28. If an umpire shows up at a game and it is subsequently rained out before the game starts, the umpire will be paid $10.00.  If the game starts and then is rained out the umpire will receive the full fee.
29. At the first sign of lightning, the game will be suspended.  The game will be continued or terminated at the discretion of the umpire.
30. All players that are eligible to play must play.
31. CSCC demands that all teams abide by the IHSA bat rule and NOCSAE specifications.  Only bats with the ASA 2000 approval stamp may be used.  All batting helmets and catchers helmets must meet NOCSAE specifications.
32. For any rule not stated above, IHSA rules will apply.