Section 5.13 – Softball State Championship Rules – boys and girls
Amended November 2017
5.13.1 Refer to General State Championship Rules.
5.13.2 Uniforms
Players are to wear association uniforms that are numbered without duplication. Players cannot take the diamond with a shirt that is not numbered, unless agreed upon at the Managers' Pre-Championship Meeting.
5.13.3 Conduct of competition
(a) Where less than twelve (12) teams are present, a full round robin will be played. The period of play shall be a regulation game with a maximum time of one (1) hour and fifteen (15) minutes. The game will be extended by a time equivalent to any ‘time off’ requested by a Coach in the last five (5) minutes of the game.
(b) Where 12 or 13 teams are present, a full round robin will be played. The period of play shall be a regulation game with a maximum time of one (1) hour. The game will be extended by a time equivalent to any ‘time off requested by a Coach in the last five (5) minutes of the game.
(c) (i) Where a complete round robin is played and two teams or more finish in equal first place they will be declared joint premiers.
(ii) Where two teams or more finish level on points for second or lower places, places shall be determined by:
The result of the game between the two teams will determine the higher placing.
If the game was a draw, the higher placed team will be determined on the least number of runs scored against them throughout the round.
If the runs against were equal, the higher placed team will be determined on percentages.
(iii) In the event of three or more teams finishing level on points for second or lower places, the placings will be determined on percentages in the games involving only those teams.
5.13.4
(a) The host association shall supply bases, home plate, pitchers plates and shelters.
(b) Safety bases are to be used.
(c) Each team will supply its own gloves, mitts, catchers protective equipment, bats, batters helmets and score books.
(d) All batters, base runners and junior base coaches (under 18) must wear helmets.
(e) Catchers are to wear helmets, face masks with throat protectors, body protectors and leggings. While catchers are taking warm up pitches from the pitching plate or in the warm-up area, he/she must have on all the above protective equipment. Any other member of a team, including officials, must wear a helmet, mask and throat protector while receiving warm up pitches from the pitcher’s plate.
(f) All players must wear shinpads.
(g) It is recommended that players wear mouth guards especially infield players.
5.13.5 Match balls
The official match ball to be used at the New South Wales Primary Schools Sports Association Championships will be an 11 inch leather ball. Match balls will be supplied by the New South Wales Primary Schools Sports Association.
5.13.6
(a) A team at bat may declare its innings at NSWPSSA Softball Championships.
(b) The 'Run Ahead' rule does not apply at NSWPSSA Softball Championships.
(c) The 'Intentional Walk' rule does not apply at NSWPSSA Softball Championships.
5.13.7 Match rules
Match rules shall be in accordance with the official rules of the Australian Softball Federation except:
(a)
(i) Pitching distance for the Girls Championship shall be 11.58 metres (38').
(ii) Pitching distance for the Boys Championship shall be 12.19 metres (40')
(b)
(i) The period of play shall be regulation game with a maximum time of one (1) hour and fifteen (15) minutes for Round Robins involving less than 12 teams. The game will be extended by a time equivalent to any ‘time off’ requested by a Coach in the last five (5) minutes of the game.
(ii) The period of play shall be regulation game with a maximum time of one (1) hour for Round Robins involving 12 or 13 teams. The game will be extended by a time equivalent to any ‘time off’ requested by a Coach in the last five (5) minutes of the game
(c) Catcher Speed Up Rule
When the batting side has two (2) out and the catcher is on base, the batting team may elect to have a runner replace the catcher. The replacement runner cannot be one of the next five (5) batters in the line-up.
(d) The batting line up will include all 12 players, with unlimited interchanges when fielding. If a player is injured, ill or removed they are withdrawn from the batting line up without penalty.
Exception: When injury, illness or removal results in a team having less than nine (9) players, the game will continue. When the absent player is due to bat it is an automatic out.
(e) If a batter gets hit by a pitched ball, not struck at, and cannot run then a team member who is not one of the next 5 to bat can run for the injured batter.
(f) If a batter gets injured striking at a pitched ball and cannot complete their turn at bat then their turned will be cancelled.
(g) If a runner is injured whilst on base and cannot run then a team member who is not one of the next 5 to bat can run for the injured player.
(h) A DP (Designated Player) will not be used and substitution rules will not apply.
(i) A team at bat may declare its innings at NSWPSSA Softball Championships.
(j) The 'Run Ahead' rule does not apply at NSWPSSA Softball Championships.
(k) The 'Intentional Walk' rule does not apply at NSWPSSA Softball Championships.
(l) If a batter’s stance puts them in a position considered dangerous by the Umpire, then the Umpire may approach the coach to voice their concerns.
(m) The Point score for all games shall be:
Win - 4 points
Draw - 2 points
Loss - 1 point
5.13.8 Protests
All protests involving game rules are to be settled by the Umpire in Chief. Protests relating to the scoring of runs in a game must be lodged within (10) ten minutes of the completion of the game in question.
5.13.9 Judicial committee
Judicial Committee of three (3) shall be formed at the Managers’ Pre-Championship meeting to deal with any player reported by an umpire.
5.13.10 Blood bin
The ‘Blood Bin and Spitting Policy’ of Softball NSW will apply in all NSWPSSA fixtures.
5.13.11 Inclement weather
In the case of inclement weather, a legal game is when there has been an equal number of innings completed by both teams after half of the allocated game time.
5.13.12 Coaching
Coaching by a team official, who must be a teacher, currently employed, permanent or temporary, by the New South Wales Department of Education, Catholic Education or Independent School systems or a team member, may take place from the particular area known as the coach's box.
5.13.13 Selection committee
The Selection Committee shall be made up of the State Coach, State Convener and a coach/manager representing each of the pools elected at the Managers’ Pre-Championship Meeting. All other association coaches/managers will be consulted throughout the selection process.