Piedmont Elementary Catholic Schools Athletic Association
Co-Ed Softball Rules & Regulations
I. PECSAA CoEd Softball Rules and Regulations
A. Each team will consist of five (5) females and five (5) males. At least five (5) females must be on the playing field at all times. If a team only has four (4) females then the team can play with nine (9) total players, five (5) boys and four (4) girls, with a “missing batter out” penalty. This means that where the two (2) boys would be batting back-to-back, because there is no fifth girl to separate them, an out scored in the scorebook where that girl would have batted.
B. All players must be listed on the team roster (line-up cards) before games start.
C. The batting order will alternate male/female in the line-up. If an extra (i.e., additional) batter is desired, then the team must have both an extra male and an extra female batter in order to maintain the alternating male/female line-up. This will make a total of 12 batters in the line-up.
D. Two (2) females and two (2) males will play in the infield, and two (2) females and two (2) males will play in the outfield. If a male pitches, then a female has to catch. Conversely, if a female pitches, then a male has to catch. If there are more than five (5) females playing, then you can have a female pitcher and catcher.
E. Batting helmets are required on batters and base runners.
F. Catchers are required to wear the mask and helmet, however, the chest protector and shin guards are optional. Each school must supply their own equipment.
G. The “20 Run Rule” is in effect after 3 completed innings, and the “10 Run Rule” is in effect after 5 completed innings.
H. The game is over after one hour of play, or seven (7) completed innings, whichever comes first. No new inning will start after 55 minutes.
I. A foul ball on the third strike is an out.
J. Coaches cannot touch a player going around the bases, even after a Home Run. The runner will be out.
K. If any batter is intentionally walked, then the next batter in the line-up is also given a walk.
L. Pitchers must have at least one foot on the pitcher’s rubber when starting their motion and releasing the ball. It can come off the rubber as the ball is released.
M. The pitched ball must be delivered with an arc and reach a height of at least 6 feet from the ground, while not exceeding a maximum of 10 feet from the ground. The pitchers mound will be 45 ft from the plate.
N. If play is on “adult” fields, then there is no limit on the number of “over the fence” homeruns. If play is on “little league” or “student” fields, then only one (1) over the fence home run per person per game is allowed, after that, it is a ground rule double.
O. Worth “Green Dot” 11 inch softballs will be used. The home team provides one new ball per game, and the visitor team provides one good used ball in “playable condition” as determined by the umpire.
P. Sliding is allowed.
Q. Trophies will be awarded to each team at the conclusion of the tournament for first and second place.
R. Any deliberate unnecessary roughness (as judged by the umpire) by any player will results in an out and an ejection from the game.
S. One completed rotation of batters through the line-up per inning maximum. Ten (10) batters is the standard, twelve (12) if extra hitters are used, whichever is most (i.e., if both teams bat 10, then 10 is the max. number of batters per inning. If one team bats 10 and the other bats 12, then 12 is the maximum for both teams).
T. Seeding for the tournament will be based on winning percentage. If there is a tie, then a coin toss will determine seedings. This will keep teams from running up the score.
U. Only official approved Softball bats can be used during batting, no Baseball bats. If a Baseball bat is used, it will result in an out for the batter, and an ejection for both the batter and the Head Coach.
V. There is only a 5 minute “grace” period from the designated starting time to when the game must start. If a team does not have enough players to start, then the game is forfeited.
W. “Pinch Runners” are allowed, however, the pinch runner will be of the same gender as the person coming out, and can be used as substitutes (must bat in the same position as person coming out).
X. Prior to each game the participating teams and coaches will assemble in the infield for a short prayer.
Y. A majority of all members shall be required for adoption of any revision, addition, or deletion to the above listed rules and regulations. Each participating school is entitled to one (1) vote.
II. PECSAA CoEd Softball Tournament Rules
Sportsmanship Trophy – Started in 1999. A school Sportsmanship Trophy will be awarded at the conclusion of the Softball Tournament based on voting from the participating schools.
It is a “two-and-out” tournament (a team has to lose twice to be eliminated). If there are four (4) teams playing, there will be traveling trophies for first place and second place.
If there are five (5) or more teams playing, there will be traveling trophies for first, second, and third place. The seeding for the tournament will be based on the conference won/loss records from the regular season.
In the event of a tie, a coin toss will determine seeding.
Example of Four (4) Team Schedule:
DAY DATE FIELD #1 FIELD #2
(Home vs. Visitors) (Home vs. Visitors)
Sat. 03-18 11:00 AM OLM vs. SPX IHM vs. SLS
12:15 PM SPX vs. IHM SLS vs. OLM
Sat. 03-25 11:00 AM IHM vs. OLM SPX vs. SLS
12:15 PM SLS vs. IHM SPX vs. OLM
Sat. 04-01 11:00 AM OLM vs. SLS IHM vs. SPX
12:15 PM SLS vs. SPX OLM vs. IHM
Sat. 04-08 11:00 AM “A” -1st Place vs. 4th Place “B” - 2nd Place vs. 3rd Place
12:15 PM “C”-Winner “A” vs. Winner “B” "D" - Loser “A" vs Loser "B”
30 minute lunch break – or catch up time.
2:00 PM (open field for winner warm up - “E” - Winner “D” vs. Loser "C") Loser of Game “C”
3:15 PM “F” - Winner “C” vs. Winner “E”
*NOTE: If the winner of the loser’s bracket defeats the winner of the winner’s bracket in Game
“F”, then one additional game, game “G”, will be played on Field #1 at 4:30 PM for the Championship.
Example of Five (5) Team Schedule:
DAY DATE FIELD #1 FIELD #2
Home vs. Visitors Home vs. Visitors
Sat. 04-10 2:00 PM SLS vs. OLG 2:00 PM OLM vs. SPX
3:15 PM SPX vs. SLS 3:15 PM OLM vs. IHM
4:30 PM IHM vs. OLG 4:30 PM SLS vs. OLM
Sat. 04-17 2:00 PM OLG vs. SPX 2:00 PM IHM vs. OLM
3:15 PM OLG vs. SLS 3:00 PM SPX vs. IHM
4:30 PM SLS vs. IHM 4:00 PM OLG vs. OLM
Sat. 04-24 2:00 PM SPX vs. OLM 2:00 PM IHM vs. SLS
3:15 PM IHM vs. SPX 3:15 PM OLM vs. OLG
4:30 PM OLG vs. IHM 4:30 PM SLS vs. SPX
Sat. 05-01 2:00 PM Tournament (two and out)
FIELD #1 FIELD #2
Sat. 05-01 11:00 AM “A” – 4th Place vs. 5th Place “B” - 2nd Place vs. 3rd Place
12:15 PM “C” - Winner “A” vs. 1st “D” - Loser “A” vs. Loser "B" 1st Place Loser Game “B”
30 minute lunch break – or catch up time.
2:00 PM “E” – Winner “C” vs. Winner "B" “F” – Winner Game “D” vs.Loser "C" Winner Game “B” Loser Game “C”
3:15 PM (open field for winner warm-up) "G" -Winner "F" vs. Loser of Game “E”
4:30 PM “H” - Winner Game “E” vs.Winner of Game “G”
A. Each team will consist of five (5) females and five (5) males. At least five (5) females must be on the playing field at all times. If a team only has four (4) females then the team can play with nine (9) total players, five (5) boys and four (4) girls, with a “missing batter out” penalty. This means that where the two (2) boys would be batting back-to-back, because there is no fifth girl to separate them, an out scored in the scorebook where that girl would have batted.
B. All players must be listed on the team roster (line-up cards) before games start.
C. The batting order will alternate male/female in the line-up. If an extra (i.e., additional) batter is desired, then the team must have both an extra male and an extra female batter in order to maintain the alternating male/female line-up. This will make a total of 12 batters in the line-up.
D. Two (2) females and two (2) males will play in the infield, and two (2) females and two (2) males will play in the outfield. If a male pitches, then a female has to catch. Conversely, if a female pitches, then a male has to catch. If there are more than five (5) females playing, then you can have a female pitcher and catcher.
E. Batting helmets are required on batters and base runners.
F. Catchers are required to wear the mask and helmet, however, the chest protector and shin guards are optional. Each school must supply their own equipment.
G. The “20 Run Rule” is in effect after 3 completed innings, and the “10 Run Rule” is in effect after 5 completed innings.
H. The game is over after one hour of play, or seven (7) completed innings, whichever comes first. No new inning will start after 55 minutes.
I. A foul ball on the third strike is an out.
J. Coaches cannot touch a player going around the bases, even after a Home Run. The runner will be out.
K. If any batter is intentionally walked, then the next batter in the line-up is also given a walk.
L. Pitchers must have at least one foot on the pitcher’s rubber when starting their motion and releasing the ball. It can come off the rubber as the ball is released.
M. The pitched ball must be delivered with an arc and reach a height of at least 6 feet from the ground, while not exceeding a maximum of 10 feet from the ground. The pitchers mound will be 45 ft from the plate.
N. If play is on “adult” fields, then there is no limit on the number of “over the fence” homeruns. If play is on “little league” or “student” fields, then only one (1) over the fence home run per person per game is allowed, after that, it is a ground rule double.
O. Worth “Green Dot” 11 inch softballs will be used. The home team provides one new ball per game, and the visitor team provides one good used ball in “playable condition” as determined by the umpire.
P. Sliding is allowed.
Q. Trophies will be awarded to each team at the conclusion of the tournament for first and second place.
R. Any deliberate unnecessary roughness (as judged by the umpire) by any player will results in an out and an ejection from the game.
S. One completed rotation of batters through the line-up per inning maximum. Ten (10) batters is the standard, twelve (12) if extra hitters are used, whichever is most (i.e., if both teams bat 10, then 10 is the max. number of batters per inning. If one team bats 10 and the other bats 12, then 12 is the maximum for both teams).
T. Seeding for the tournament will be based on winning percentage. If there is a tie, then a coin toss will determine seedings. This will keep teams from running up the score.
U. Only official approved Softball bats can be used during batting, no Baseball bats. If a Baseball bat is used, it will result in an out for the batter, and an ejection for both the batter and the Head Coach.
V. There is only a 5 minute “grace” period from the designated starting time to when the game must start. If a team does not have enough players to start, then the game is forfeited.
W. “Pinch Runners” are allowed, however, the pinch runner will be of the same gender as the person coming out, and can be used as substitutes (must bat in the same position as person coming out).
X. Prior to each game the participating teams and coaches will assemble in the infield for a short prayer.
Y. A majority of all members shall be required for adoption of any revision, addition, or deletion to the above listed rules and regulations. Each participating school is entitled to one (1) vote.
II. PECSAA CoEd Softball Tournament Rules
Sportsmanship Trophy – Started in 1999. A school Sportsmanship Trophy will be awarded at the conclusion of the Softball Tournament based on voting from the participating schools.
It is a “two-and-out” tournament (a team has to lose twice to be eliminated). If there are four (4) teams playing, there will be traveling trophies for first place and second place.
If there are five (5) or more teams playing, there will be traveling trophies for first, second, and third place. The seeding for the tournament will be based on the conference won/loss records from the regular season.
In the event of a tie, a coin toss will determine seeding.
Example of Four (4) Team Schedule:
DAY DATE FIELD #1 FIELD #2
(Home vs. Visitors) (Home vs. Visitors)
Sat. 03-18 11:00 AM OLM vs. SPX IHM vs. SLS
12:15 PM SPX vs. IHM SLS vs. OLM
Sat. 03-25 11:00 AM IHM vs. OLM SPX vs. SLS
12:15 PM SLS vs. IHM SPX vs. OLM
Sat. 04-01 11:00 AM OLM vs. SLS IHM vs. SPX
12:15 PM SLS vs. SPX OLM vs. IHM
Sat. 04-08 11:00 AM “A” -1st Place vs. 4th Place “B” - 2nd Place vs. 3rd Place
12:15 PM “C”-Winner “A” vs. Winner “B” "D" - Loser “A" vs Loser "B”
30 minute lunch break – or catch up time.
2:00 PM (open field for winner warm up - “E” - Winner “D” vs. Loser "C") Loser of Game “C”
3:15 PM “F” - Winner “C” vs. Winner “E”
*NOTE: If the winner of the loser’s bracket defeats the winner of the winner’s bracket in Game
“F”, then one additional game, game “G”, will be played on Field #1 at 4:30 PM for the Championship.
Example of Five (5) Team Schedule:
DAY DATE FIELD #1 FIELD #2
Home vs. Visitors Home vs. Visitors
Sat. 04-10 2:00 PM SLS vs. OLG 2:00 PM OLM vs. SPX
3:15 PM SPX vs. SLS 3:15 PM OLM vs. IHM
4:30 PM IHM vs. OLG 4:30 PM SLS vs. OLM
Sat. 04-17 2:00 PM OLG vs. SPX 2:00 PM IHM vs. OLM
3:15 PM OLG vs. SLS 3:00 PM SPX vs. IHM
4:30 PM SLS vs. IHM 4:00 PM OLG vs. OLM
Sat. 04-24 2:00 PM SPX vs. OLM 2:00 PM IHM vs. SLS
3:15 PM IHM vs. SPX 3:15 PM OLM vs. OLG
4:30 PM OLG vs. IHM 4:30 PM SLS vs. SPX
Sat. 05-01 2:00 PM Tournament (two and out)
FIELD #1 FIELD #2
Sat. 05-01 11:00 AM “A” – 4th Place vs. 5th Place “B” - 2nd Place vs. 3rd Place
12:15 PM “C” - Winner “A” vs. 1st “D” - Loser “A” vs. Loser "B" 1st Place Loser Game “B”
30 minute lunch break – or catch up time.
2:00 PM “E” – Winner “C” vs. Winner "B" “F” – Winner Game “D” vs.Loser "C" Winner Game “B” Loser Game “C”
3:15 PM (open field for winner warm-up) "G" -Winner "F" vs. Loser of Game “E”
4:30 PM “H” - Winner Game “E” vs.Winner of Game “G”
