League Rules

2024 Rules

The Winnetka Women’s 12” Softball League reserves the right to make changes to as necessary during the course of the season and as deemed necessary by the team captains.

All leagues operate under A.S.A. Slow pitch Rules. 

No metal spikes allowed. 

OFFICIAL SCOREBOOK
Each team should purchase a scorebook. The home team’s scorebook will be used for each game and each team will keep score for themselves.

GAME BALL 
The home team must supply two NEW game balls for their game. The home team will receive the game balls after completion of the game.

PLAYERS AND SUBSTITUTES 

  1. A team shall consist of 10-20 women.  All teams must have a minimum of eight players to start and finish a game.  If eight players are not available from the team roster, the team must forfeit.  If a team loses players and is under eight players during the game, the game is considered a forfeit.  

  2. Any of the starting players may be withdrawn from the game and re-entered once after one full inning is played, provided the player occupies the same batting positions in the lineup. 

  3. 10 players on the field.

  4. Extra player (EP)- Extra player is optional, but if used, it must be made prior to the start of the game and listed in the batting order.  EP must remain in the same position in the batting order.  Any 10 of players can play defense.  Only a player who has not been in the game may substitute for the EP.  If the EP is removed from the line-up, his/her position is recorded as an out when that space comes up in the order.

  5. Teams may bat all of the players present and must keep the same line-up the entire game.  If a player is ejected from the game an out will occur each time that player is up to bat.  If a player is injured during the game and stays on the field they must make an attempt to bat.  If they leave the field then the batting order will be skipped with no consequences. 

  6. All roster players must be at least 18 years of age.

  7. No active NCAA softball players may participate in the Winnetka Women’s Softball league.

  8. All team rosters must be submitted to WinnetkaSoftball@gmail.com before the start of the first game. Captains may request a copy of each team's roster.

THE GAME 

  1. Games are 7 innings. Time limit for games is one (1) hour and thirty (30) minutes.  All 2023 games must begin by 7:15 p.m. sharp. Teams may arrive early to warm up. A team will forfeit if they do not have the required eight women at start time.

  2. Base paths are 60 feet and the mound is 40 feet.

  3. A regulation game shall consist of seven innings, weather permitting. In case of rain, a game shall be considered complete after four innings. 

  4. A game tied after seven innings shall continue into extra innings until, one team has scored more runs at the end of a full inning. EXCEPTION: The one (1) hour and thirty (30) minute time limit will continue to be in effect. If a tie game still exists at the time limit and seven innings or less have been played, the teams will play one inning. If the game is tied at the end of the extra inning the game will end in a tie. 

  5. The umpire shall review any ground rules or other rules with each captain before each game. If the captains have any questions, they should ask them at this point.

  6. If a batter has two strikes, she is allowed one “free” foul ball. If the batter has a second foul ball with two strikes, she will be called out.

  7. NO STEEL CLEATS, NO REPLACEABLE CLEATS AND NO BAREFOOT PLAYING ALLOWED! Only plastic molded cleats or gym shoes.

  8. A 7' x 3 ½’ batter’s box will be enforced. 

  9. Slaughter Rule:  If a team is ahead by ten (10) runs after five (5) innings, the winning team will be declared the winner.

  10. BLOOD RULE - Any player who is bleeding must be removed from the game until the bleeding has stopped and all bloodied clothing has been changed. If a runner begins to bleed, a mandatory courtesy runner will be utilized until the bleeding can be stopped, the wound can be dressed, and any bloodied clothing is changed. The courtesy runner shall be the person making the last out. If a fielder begins to bleed, a courtesy fielder will be used until the bleeding has stopped, the wound has been dressed, and any bloodied clothing has been changed. The courtesy fielder can be any player that is not in the batting order at that time. As soon as the fielder is ready, he may enter the game. 

  11. Team standings will be updated and posted at www.WinnetkaSoftball.com

  12. Tiebreakers are as follows:

a. Schedule Strength. – They are equal to the total number of wins of the teams beaten at the end of the season.

b. Head-To-Head competition.

 PITCHING 

  1. One foot must remain in contact with the pitching rubber throughout the delivery of the pitch.

  2. The pitch must remain within the 6-12 foot arc.

  3. Pitch must be delivered slowly or an illegal pitch will be called. 

  4. The strike zone is the front shoulder to the rear knee. 

BATTING

  1. Only official softball bats may be used. Check ASA rule book for exact specifications. 

  2. On a foul ball, "out of play" will be called if the ball is hit beyond the backstop on either side.

  3. A batter will be called out if they step across, on or in front of home plate before they hit the pitch. 

  4. If a batter has two strikes, she is allowed one “free” foul ball. If the batter has a second foul ball with two strikes, she will be called out.

BASE RUNNING

  1. No leadoffs will be allowed, runners can leave the base once the ball crosses the plate.

  2. Courtesy Runner: Any player requesting a courtesy runner must be identified before the game starts. The courtesy runner must be the player making the last out before the player requesting the courtesy runner.

  3. If a player has the ball at ANY base, the runner must attempt to avoid contact or give herself up, or be called out.  At no time is the runner allowed to barrel into a fielder with or without the ball. This is grounds for immediate ejection.

RULE PROTESTS
Teams may protest rule interpretations only.  Judgment calls cannot be protested.  The team captain must inform the umpire of their intent to protest prior to the next pitch.  If possible, the protest will be settled immediately.  If not, the protesting team must explain in detail the events and the rule that was violated.  If a team does not follow the procedure above, the protest will not be considered. 

ELIGIBILITY PROTESTS
Eligibility protests may be made at any time prior to the end of the game.  Eligibility protests should be made as soon as the ineligible player is discovered. 

APPEAL PLAY 
An appeal play is one in which an umpire cannot make a decision until requested to do so. (Examples- missing a base, leaving too soon on a caught fly ball.)  The appeal may be verbal or non-verbal, may be made when the ball is live or dead, and must be made before the next pitch.

INFIELD FLY
An infield fly is a fair fly ball which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort with runners on 1st and 2nd or with the bases loaded before two outs.  The pitcher, catcher and any outfielder who positions themselves in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders.  The ball is live and runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught or tag up, and advance after the ball is touched.  The ball does not have to be caught to be considered an infield fly situation.  Any infield fly is the discretion of the umpire.

INTERFERENCE
An act of an offensive player (batter, base runner, on-deck batter, coach, or teammate) which impedes hinders or confuses a defensive player.  Defensive players must be given the opportunity to field the ball anywhere on the playing field.

OBSTRUCTION
The act of a fielder while not in possession of the ball or not in the act of fielding a batted or thrown ball, which impedes the progress of a base runner who is legally running the bases.  The obstructed runner and any other runners affected by the obstruction will be awarded the base(s) they would have reached had the obstruction not occurred.

OVERTHROW
If a ball is thrown out of play, time will be called.  The umpire shall award the base runners one base from the base last touched when the throw was made.

RAINOUT INFORMATION
Team captains will make all decisions regarding rainouts prior to game time.  Should inclement weather arise on game days, talk to your captain.   If inclement weather occurs after this time, please report to the fields and the umpire will make the final decision.  Make up games will be scheduled on a case-by-case decision.

FORFEITS
If at any time a team does not have at least eight players, the game will be forfeited.  The umpire’s decision is final on all forfeits.  Ten minutes after the original game time is forfeit time.  Any game in which ineligible players take part will be an automatic forfeit.  If you know that you have to forfeit, please call the captain of the other team to let her know.

STANDINGS
It is the responsibility of each team’s Captain to verify and initial game results at the conclusion of each game with Lowey Sichol who manages the league and website. League standings and game results will be posted on www.WinnetkaSoftball.com each week.  Each team Captain is responsible to check these results for accuracy.  No questioning of recorded game results will be considered after the end-of-season tournament brackets have been released.  All tournament games will be played the same as the regular season.  TOURNAMENT GAMES WILL HAVE MANDATORY ROSTER CHECKS. 

TEAM CONDUCT
Any team or individual exhibiting unsportsmanlike conduct towards members of another team, any umpire, or any fan before, during or after the game risks forfeiture of the game.  The league reserves the right to forfeit any game following complaints by the umpire’s association or team captain representative. Any team or individual which the league feels does not display the high degree of sportsmanship will be suspended or expelled and will possibly lose their right to participate in the Winnetka Women’s 12” Softball Program.  Any player ejected from the game by an umpire will be suspended from the next two scheduled games.  Any player who threatens, pushes, strikes, an official, umpire or another player in any manner will be issued an automatic 1 year suspension.  Ejected players must leave the park grounds immediately.  Team forfeiture will result from non-compliance.

SCHEDULES
The Winnetka Women’s 12” Softball League reserves the right to change all softball schedules, with proper notice either in writing or by phone. 

CAPTAINS RESPONSIBILITIES
All captains are expected to inform their players concerning all rules and regulations.  Captains will inform all   players of scheduled games, schedule changes, make-up games and standings. After a rainout, Captains are responsible for knowing when the makeup is.  Captains also must check the score of games periodically to insure accuracy and to check and initial the final score.  Captains are responsible for their team members as well as team spectators.

NOTE: All questions regarding the rules should be directed to WinnetkaSoftball@gmail.com