Managers and umpires are encouraged to discuss these rules prior to starting a game in order to prevent any disputes during the game.

ASA point of emphasis this year:

• No defensive player is allowed to block a base without possession of the ball. Even if the ball is on the way, until the defensive player has possession of the ball, they MUST allow access to the bag. If this obstruction occurs, the umpire will award the runner whatever base he feels the runner should be entitled to.

• No inning will begin within 10 minutes of the start time of the next game. If a game carries past the allotted start time of the next game, the last inning start time for the following game will be adjusted to the time of the first pitch (80 minutes from the time of the 1st pitch).
• Once your game has ended, please clear the bench area immediately so the teams for the next game can get ready to start their game.
• For the 6:00 PM game only there is a 15 minute grace period for starting the game. If either team cannot field at team by 6:15 PM that game will be forfeited (see forfeit rules for making payments to umpires).
• This rule only applies to games on weeknights and not to any makeup games played on the weekend. Any weekend games will be forfeited at the time of the game.
• There is NO grace period for 7:30 or 9:00 PM games.
• Even if the grace period is used for a 6:00 PM game, no inning will be allowed to begin after 7:20. If it is only a 5 inning game, tough luck.

• Applies to both fields:
  • Right field out of bounds is an imaginary line connecting the back stop to both light poles. After the 2nd light pole all space is in play. If a ball is fielded in the open outfield space it may not be thrown between the poles.
  • Left field out of bounds is an imaginary line connecting the backstop to each light pole.
• Dead Ball
  • Any ball that crosses the imaginary lines is considered dead.
    • If a hit ball crosses the line in the air it is a foul ball and out of play.
    • If a hit ball is fair and rolls past the line it is considered a ground rule double.
  • If a live ball is thrown and crosses any of these lines the umpire will award 2 bases to all base runners. The bases awarded are determined by the umpire according to the bases occupied by the runners at the time of the throw.
  • Dead Ball Catch: If a player successfully catches a live ball and carries it beyond the field of play an out is recorded and all base runners will be awarded 1 base. If there are 2 outs at the time of the catch the batter is ruled out, the inning is over, and there is no advancement of the runners.
• Ground Rule Triple:
  • Rule applies to Field 1 only.
  • A triple is awarded to any ball that bounces over, rolls under, or through any portion of the fence that is in play.

• A game is considered a slaughter and is immediately ended when a team is ahead by 12 runs after
  7 innings (6 ½ if the home team is ahead by 12 or more when they come to bat in the bottom half of the 7th inning)

• If a player is ejected from a game or willingly leaves the game and there are no available players to replace that player an out is recorded each time that spot comes through the line-up.
  • Injury Exception: If a player is injured during the course of play and cannot continue that player can be removed from the lineup with no out occurring whether there is a replacement or not.
    • The injured player must be verified by the opposing team prior to his removal from the game/lineup.

• If there are any disputes to these rules that affect the outcome of a game, teams should protest the game with the umpire at the time of the dispute and then contact their league commissioner via email within 24 hours of the protest. There are two ways to contact the league about your protest
  • Contact your league commissioner at the appropriate email address:
    • Acommish@woburnmenssoftball.com
    • Bcommish@woburnmenssoftball.com
  • Call and leave a message on the league hotline at 781-933-3358.