You must be 17 years of age or older to participate in the MOC Sports Softball Federation. You also agree that you are playing at your OWN RISK! YOU MAY ENCOUNTER PHYSICAL CONTACT WHILE PLAYING THIS GAME.   It will be the intent of the Umpires assigned to your game, to provide a safe level of competition, however injuries may occur.  You will be required to sign a Adult Sports Waiver / Player Code of Conduct form prior to participating. It is the team Manager's responsibility to make sure their players fully understands these rules. Discussion of rules or calls made by Umpires during a game by non-Managers to Game Officials is strictly prohibited.   If a player or players has/have a dispute concerning a Umpire's call/ruling during a game, it must be relayed through the team Manager(s) ONLY.  Umpires and staff members/scorekeepers have full discretion in interpreting and applying rules whether written here or not.  Umpires decisions are final.

Any attempt by a player, who is not a team Manager, to "argue" a call/ruling with a Umpire or MSSF™™ Staff Official in a manner that is not consistent with the Player Code of Conduct will result in an immediate ejection from the game. NO WARNINGS!   NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO PROFANITY ALLOWED BY PLAYERS AND/OR SPECTATORS DURING GAMES.  PLAYERS AND/OR SPECTATORS WHO VIOLATE THIS RULE WILL RUN THE RISK OF BEING REMOVED FROM THE VENUE

Article I: OFFICIAL BAT
Bats may be constructed of wood, alloy, or aluminum material as long as they meet the following guidelines:
A. Must be marked OFFICIAL SOFTBALL, SLOW PITCH, and stamped ASA approved by the manufacturer. NOTE: There is a list of ASA stamped bats that have been banned.

B. Should not be more than 34.0 inches long, nor exceed 38.0 ounces in weight (Minimum weight is 26 ounces).  Bats with (-) BPF ratings will be considered Fast Pitch Bats and disallowed.
C. Should be round within 0.050 inches in diameter.
D. The surface should be smooth and free of any defects, such as cracks or dents and have no exposed rough or sharp edges that could present a hazard.

E. Shall have a safety grip of cork, tape (no smooth plastic tape) or composition material. The grips should be less than 10.0 inches long, and shall not extend more than

    15.0 inches from the small/knob end of the bat.
F. Should have a safety knob.
G. Should not be listed as designed for Fast Pitch.
H. List of NON-APPROVED BATS
 

Article II: OFFICIAL BALL
The MOC Sports Softball Federation Coed Division will use 12" Slow Pitch Softballs.  No ball other than those provided by the MSSF™ shall be used in an official game.

Article III: HELMETS
Please Note: Currently the MSSF™ does not provide helmets for our Slow Pitch Coed Version.
Any player, whether offensive or defensive, may wear a helmet at any time.  MSSF™ coed slow pitch softball does not require the batter, the on-deck batter, or players in the coaching box to wear helmets.  Catchers have the discretion of wearing helmets or not.

Article IV: UNIFORMS
All players on a team should wear uniforms or team shirts that are like in color and style.  Uniform numbers need to remain visible while playing.  Players whose uniforms contain blood must change immediately and only in the events of blood or Fill-In players will a player not be penalized for having a uniform that does not meet those requirements.  Please be mindful of not displaying names and/or logos of any other softball leagues or associations on your uniform.  Sponsors' names and logos are welcome.  Uniforms shall be free of vulgar language, racial, political, and/or sexual overtones, and graphic or sexual images.

A. Headwear: Hats, visors, sunglasses, and headbands are optional for players.  They should also bear in mind the rules regarding logos, images, and language.

B. Jewelry: Any exposed jewelry, which is determined by the umpire to be dangerous, must be removed during the entirety of the game.  Medical alert items such as bracelets and necklaces are not considered jewelry.  These items, if worn, must be taped to the body so the medical alert info remains visible.
C. Shoes: Must be worn by all players.  NO METAL SPIKES ALLOWED

Article V: PLAYERS / ROSTERS (COED SLOW-PITCH) - UNDER REVISIONS
Please note the following rules regarding rosters, positions, forfeits, and substitutions.

A. A team roster must consist of at least ten (10) players and cannot contain more than thirteen (13) players.
B. At least 8 players should be present in the dugout or team area to start or continue a game.

     1. Line-up cards should reflect an alternating sex batting order.

     2. Line-up cards should be completed and submitted to the official scorer and umpire at least 15 minutes prior to the start of each contest.  All starters will be official

         when the line-card is inspected and approved by the plate umpire. All available substitutes should be listed on the official line-up card, per line-up card instructions.

     3. Eligible roster members can be added as substitutes at any time during the game.

C. A legal team shall consist of the following players playing in the positions as it pertains to our slow pitch coed version. At any given time, a fielding team shall consist of

    five males and five females for a total of ten (10) players.  The positions will be as follows: (C1) Pitcher, (C2) Catcher, (C3) First Baseperson, (C4) Second Baseperson,

    (C5), Third Baseperson, (C6) Short Stop, (C7) Left Fielder, (C8) Left Center Fielder, (C9) Right Fielder, (C10) Right Center Fielder.

      A TEAM MUST HAVE TWO MALES AND A MINIMUM TWO FEMALES IN BOTH THE INFIELD AND THE OUTFIELD AND ONE MALE AND ONE FEMALE AS PITCHER AND

      CATCHER.

D.  Handicapped Teams: A game may commence or end with no more than two less (8) than what's required to begin a contest.

     1. If starting the game shorthanded, the vacant position(s) must be the last position listed in the batting order.  At any time that position is scheduled to bat an out will  

         be recorded. Playing shorthanded with three players in either the in or outfield will require at least one male and one female.

     2. If a team loses a player(s) during a game (not due to ejection) in which a full team was listed and started on the line-up card, the following shall be observed.
           a. A team will not be allowed to bat less than eight players.
           b. A shorthanded team can add a rostered substitute and upon arrival, that player is inserted instantly into the vacant spot.
           c. Any runner or batter leaving the game shall be declared out.
           d. A player scheduled to bat that has left the game will be declared out for each at bat.
           e. Players who have left the game cannot return to the line-up.
           f. The batting order should still alternate between sexes.
           g. A game will be declared a forfeit in the event the required number of eligible players is not available to start or continue a game.

E.   Extra Hitters (EH) are allowed in the MSSF™ and should follow the guidelines and restrictions listed below.

     1. It will be at the Home Team's discretion to use Extra Hitters (EH).  If the Home Team chooses not to use the Extra Hitter option, both teams must observe the

         standard substitution rules.  The Home Team's decision is final.

     2. In order to use the Extra Hitter option, a team must have at least one (1) extra male and (1) extra female for a total of two Extra Hitters.
     3. Teams using the Extra Hitter option must still adhere to the alternating sex rule.
     4. In the event a Home Team has chosen the Extra Hitter option and the visiting team cannot meet the requirements of the Extra Hitter option, the home team will not

         be penalized and may still use their Extra Hitters according to the Extra Hitters rules.
     5. Even if the Home Team has chosen the Extra Hitter option and the visiting team can meet the requirements of the Extra Hitter option, they are not required to use

         Extra Hitters and must observe the standard substitution rules.
     6. A visiting team who has elected to not use the Extra Hitter option at the start of the game must play the entire game without the Extra Hitters.  Additional players may

         enter the game following the standard substitution procedures.
     7. In the event that either team is using the Extra Hitters option and a player has to leave the game for ANY reason, they must either replace that player with a player of

         the same sex or they will record an out for that position in the lineup.  A team may not lose any player in a lineup that contains an Extra Hitter and revert to a

         standard 10 player lineup.
     8. Extra Hitters are required to play at least one (1) full inning and must notify the scorekeeper when they are entering the game.

F.  SUBSTITUTIONS:

The MSSF™ believes that as paying client athletes, a player should be able to play and have as much fun as possible during a game and therefore the League, for now, will be a bit more laid-back with respect to re-entries and substitutions.  However, the following rules will still need to be observed regarding substitutions and re-entry.

     1. Players may be substituted with players listed on the official rosters and line-up card at any time.  The manager must notify the plate umpire and score keeper at the

         time of the entry of the substitute.

     2. Players are officially in the game when the plate umpire and scorekeeper is notified.  A player will not be in violation of being unreported until a pitch, legal or illegal,

         or a play has been made.

     3. There will be no limit on re-entries.  A player may also re-enter at another position than originally played.  However, a re-entered player must remain in the same

               batting position in the batting order. Players will not be allowed to re-enter to fill holes left by ejections or other rules violations.

     4. A player can re-enter at another fielding position and will bat in the substitutes current position, as long as the substitution does not violate the alternating sex batting

         order.

     5. Protests regarding illegal re-entries and illegal substitutions will be governed by and subject to penalties as appropriate as listed in the 4-6C (1-9) of the ASA 2009

         Participant Manual: Official Rules of Softball.
G. Fill-In Players:
As we look to continue to grow the MSSF™, we're definitely not in the business of turning people away from having some good 'ol MOC Sports' fun!  Not too mention, we want teams to be able to field the proper number of players to avoid the risk of forfeiting.  Therefore, the MSSF™ will offer a player Fill-In option for players who are not officially listed on team rosters.
The following conditions will govern Fill-In players.
     1. A Fill-In player will only be allowed to play in the event a team does not have the required number of males or females to start and finish a game as detailed by the

         rules. (i.e. if you have five (5) officially rostered females or males available to play, you cannot use a Fill-In player as a substitute.)
     2. A Player Liability / Code of Conduct Form (PW-1) must be completed and signed prior to participating.
     3. There will be an $5.00 (per day) Fill-In player participation fee for each Fill-In player.  This fee will need to be submitted prior to participating.
     4. At any given point in the season, a Fill-In player may only play 3-games max.
     5. NO STATS or individual player profiles will be kept for Fill-In players.  Of course their stats will count in the game, but will not be recorded on the website.
     6. Fill-In players are not eligible to win any prizes or receive any performance based incentives or rewards.
     7. Fill-In players may not be officially registered on other teams, so no you can't use their girls!
     8. We will not impose a cap on the number of Fill-In players used in a game, if it means saving a forfeit.
     9. In the event a Fill-In player is required for the playoffs (to eliminate a forfeit), yet to maintain the fairness and integrity of the game the following conditions

               apply:
          a) A Player Liability / Code of Conduct Form (PW-1) must be completed and signed prior to participating.
          b) there is a $12.00 (per day) Fill-In player participation fee required.
          c) Only one (1) male and (1) female MAX, may be used as Fill-Ins during the playoffs.  Teams will not be allowed to use more than two Fill-In players of the same or

              opposite sex during the playoffs.
Article VI: RULES OF THE GAME
A. A 1 hour and 05 minute time limit will be in effect for all games.  The timer will begin with the first pitch.
     1. No NEW inning will start if there are 5 minutes or less left on the timer and a winner will be declared based on A3, C and D below.
     2. In the event, a team has begun their half of the inning and the time expires, that team will be permitted to complete their at-bat.
     3. If the timer runs our prior to the seventh inning and the home team has completed their at-bat, the team with the most runs will win.

B. Home team will bat last in the inning.

C. A regulation game will consist of seven innings or at the conclusion of the 1 hour and 10 minute time limit.  The team with more runs scored at the conclusion of the seven innings or at the conclusion of the time limit will be declared the winner. If trailing at the conclusion of the time limit, a home team will be given it's bottom half of the inning. 

D.  An umpire can call a game prior to seven innings being played (considered a regulation game won or lost if five or more 'complete' innings have been played) if the     

     following conditions apply:
     1.  Inclement weather or darkness that places participants safety in danger.  Games called due to these conditions (under five complete innings played) will be resumed

          at the MSSF™'s earliest convenience and shall resume where they were stopped.  NOTE: Umpires also hold the authority to delay or 'suspend' games in progress due

          to inclement weather, by observing the following:
          a. Regardless of inning, 2 or fewer runs separate the teams at the time of the delay.
          b. A trailing team is in the middle of their bat.
          c.  Suspension and delays will not be inning specific (i.e. called FINAL) unless the run-ahead rules below pertain,
     2.  RUN-AHEAD RULES:
          a. 20 after three innings
          b. 15 after four innings
          c. 10 after five innings

     3.  Any team or player who violates consistently the Player Code of Conduct, refuses to leave the field after an ejection, or a team is unable to satisfy the minimum

          player requirements due to injury.  This is by far not an exhaustive list and the MSSF™ will also abide by those forfeited games guidelines as referenced 5-1(4) (A-K) 

          of the ASA 2009 Participant Manual: Official Rules of Softball.

G.  Forfeited games will be recorded with the score of 7-0 in favor of the team not at fault.

H.  CONFERENCES:
     1. Offensive Conference: Only one conference between team representative and batter or runner per inning.  Conferences shall not exceed more than 20 Seconds.
     2. Defensive Conference: Only three defensive conferences per team representative and defensive players in a seven inning game.

I.   PITCHING

      1.  The pitcher must start with both feet on the ground and with one or both feet in contact with the pitcher's plate. 

     2.  The pitcher must be at a full and complete stop with the ball in front of the body.  The body should also face the batter.  This position must be maintained at least one second before starting delivery.

     3.  Catcher must be in catching position for pitcher to be considered in pitching position.

     4.  No simulation of a legal pitch while not in contact with the pitcher's plate.
     5.  The pitch starts when the pitcher makes any motion after the required one second stop.

     6.  The pitcher must not make any motion to pitch without immediately delivering the ball to the batter.

     7.  The delivery should be a continuous motion.
     8.  Using an underhand motion the pitcher must deliver the ball toward home plate on the first forward swing.

     9.  One foot must remain in contact with the pitcher's plate at all times during the pitch. 
    10.  No pitching behind the back or between the legs, etc.

    11.  Pitches should be of slow-moderate speed.  The plate umpire will warn a pitcher who delivers with excessive speed and any repeated acts the pitcher shall be

           removed from the pitching position for the remainder of the game.

    12.  Visible and unquestionable arc (at least 6 ft. from the ground, not to exceed 12 feet) is required of all pitches.

    13.  Pitchers have 10 seconds to release the next pitch after receiving the ball or after the umpire indicates play ball.
    14.  Quick pitching is not permitted.  A batter must have taken position in the batters box to receive a pitch.
    15.  An illegal pitch that is not swung on by the batter will be a ball called on the batter.

    16.  If a batter swings at or makes contact with any illegal pitch, the illegal pitch is nullified and all play stands.
    17.  Warm-up Pitches will be permitted at the start of each inning and when one pitcher relieves another.  No more than one minute will be devoted to warming-up and  

           pitchers will only be allowed to deliver three (3) warm-up pitches.  Additional pitches will result in balls on the runner in the amount of the excess warm-up pitches.  A

           pitcher who re-enters the game in the same inning will not be allowed any warm-up pitches.

    18.  No Pitches will be declared in the following...
          a. A pitch during the suspension of play
          b. A runner is called out for leaving a base before the ball

          c. A pitch is delivered before a runner has retouched their base after being legally off that base.

          d. The ball slips from the pitcher's hand during the delivery or the back swing.

          e. Opposing players, managers, or fans may employ word or phrases or commit any act for the obvious purpose of trying to make the pitcher commit an illegal pitch. 

              These actions are subject to ejections.
    19. It goes without saying no foreign substances are allowed in the MSSF™.

J. CATCHING: The catcher must remain within the line of the catcher's box until the pitched ball is batted, touches the ground, plate, batter, or reaches the catcher's box.    

K: ON-DECK BATTER:

     1.  Shall take position nearest the offensive team area.

     2.  May loosen up with a maximum of two officials softball bats and any attachments must be approved by the MSSF™.
     3.  The on-deck batter may leave the circle.

          a. When they become the batter

          b. When directing runner advancing from third to home

     4.  The on-deck batter may not interfere with any defensive player's opportunity to make an out.

L.  BATTING ORDER:

     1.  The approved line-up card and batting order must be followed throughout the game, unless a player is replaced by a substitute, who must take the place of the 

          removed player in the batting order.

     2.  The batting order for coed shall alternate between the sexes.  All players will play using the 12" softball.

     3.  If a third out in an inning is made before the current batter has completed their at-bat, that player will be the first batter in the next inning.

M.  BATTING POSITION:
     1.  Prior to the pitch, the batter should have both feet completely within the lines of the batter's box.  A batter may touch the lines, but no part of the foot may be

          outside the lines prior to a pitch.

     2.  The batter should take position within 10 seconds of being instructed to do so by the umpire.  Failure could result in a no-pitch strike called.
     3.  The batter cannot step in front of the catcher to the other batter's box while pitcher is receiving signals.

     4.  After the ball is live, the batter may not step out of the box to stop play.

N.  STEALING:
     1.  A runner may advance with the liability of being put out after a pitch has crossed the strike zone, when a batter has swung and hit or missed a pitch that has crossed

          the strike zone, or in the event of a wild pitch that has passed the catcher.
     2.  A runner attempting to steal may not leave the bag until the ball has crossed the strike zone, either caught or missed by the catcher, or has hit the ground or the

          plate.
     3.  Only 2 steals will be allowed per inning.  Passed Balls and wild pitches will not count toward a team's steal limit.
M.  Bunting is legal.  Bunting foul will result in a strike being called.  A batter that bunts foul after a second strike is out.  NO FAKE BUNTS.  If a batter shows a bunt, they must bunt for that pitch.

N.  A defensive team may intentionally walk a batter by notifying the the plate umpire who will award the batter first base.  No pitches need to be thrown once an

                intentional walk is announced and awarded.  Only 3 intentional walks per game will be permitted.

O.  Infield fly rule is enforced.

P.  Bases must be touched in legal order.

Q.  Sliding is legal.
R.  After a live ball, time will be called by the Umpire once the ball has been returned to the pitcher and at the Umpire's Discretion. Once time is called, all action (i,e.

     advancement of bases) ceases.

S.  Contact at Home Plate We understand that there will be contact at home plate.  As many girls are playing the position of catcher, we will not allow runners to 'charge'

     with lowered shoulders into catchers...ESPECIALLY GIRL CATCHERS.  Any player 'charging' home plate, as defined by the lowering of the head or shoulders, to knock a

     ball loose from a catcher will be recorded as an automatic out and will be ejected!  There will be no penalties assessed for legal slides that result in contact with girl or

     guys catchers.  If a guy, deliberately 'charges' a female catcher that player will be automatically out and will be suspended for the remainder of the season without

     refund.
T.  All other Batter/Runner rules will be governed by Rule 8 Sections 1-10 of the ASA 2009 Participant Manual: Official Rules of Softball as they pertain to the MSSF™

     modified rules.

U.  PINCH RUNNERS: Pinch Runners are allowed in the MSSF™ once a batter has reached base, if that player is injured or at risk of injury.  The pinch runner must be the last player out of the same sex.  Example:  Male Player 1 grounds out to Short. Female Player 1 Bats - Results unimportant. Male Player 2 can bat, but will need a pinch runner.  If Male Player 2 reaches base, only MALE PLAYER 1 can be used as a pinch runner.
V.  SHORTHANDED BATTING LINEUPS: Outs related to shorthanded rosters will be credited in the following manner..
          A. If you are missing a female in your batting order and are forced to bat two males back-to-back, you will receive an automatic out where the female should have   
                batted.
          B. If you are missing a female and a male in your batting order (only 8 fielded players) you will not receive an out as long as you maintain the alternating sex order.
          C. If you are missing a male in your batting order and are forced to bat two females back-to-back, a team will not receive an automatic out where the male should
               have batted. 

Please note:  There are many general knowledge rules of the game that were not listed in this version of the MSSF™ rulebook.  In the event of misinterpretations or clarifications being needed regarding the rules or actions of play not listed, the MSSF™ will adhere strictly to the rules as written in the ASA 2009 Participant Manual: Official Rules of Softball.  If a proper ruling cannot be determined based on the combination of MSSF™ rules and the ASA rules, the MSSF™ has the the authority to make a final ruling that is fair to both teams and maintains the integrity of the game.

©2003- 2010   MOC SPORTS SOFTBALL FEDERATION (MSSF™) & MOC SPORTS, l.l.C.   ALL RIGHTS RESERVED