Campus Recreation
Students playing intramural basketball in the Student Recreation Center.

Softball Rules

All Montclair State University School Policies are in effect, including Student Code of Conduct.
All Montclair State University Department of Campus Recreation “Intramurals 101” policies are in effect.

PLAYERS AND ELIGIBILITY

  1. We offer 4 Leagues: Men’s, Women’s, Greek, and Open. Our Open League is an all-inclusive league. Open teams have no restrictions based on a player’s sex, gender identity, or gender expression.
  2. Players must arrive 15 minutes prior to their scheduled game time to sign in with the Intramural Director and Scorekeeper
  3. All players must sign their team’s waiver prior to playing in their first game. Players can be added up until a team’s final regular season game. No new players may be added during the playoffs
  4. All players on a team’s roster must sign up on www.IMLeagues.com and make their payment in the Student Recreation Center Main Office before they can play.
  5. A maximum of two Club Sports Baseball/Softball players combined are permitted on a team’s roster.
  6. A team’s game-time roster must consist of six (6) to twelve (12) players.

THE FIELD

  1. All games will be played on Dioguardi Field 
  2. Only players and staff will be permitted on the field. All spectators must remain in the bleachers on either side of the field.

EQUIPMENT

  1. Intramural Sports will provide all necessary equipment required to play. Participants are permitted to utilize their own bat or glove that must first be approved by the Intramural Director.
  2. All games will use restricted flight balls
  3. Players are permitted to wear non-metal, molded cleats. All players wishing to wear cleats must first have them inspected by the Intramural Director.

GAME PLAY

  1. Games will be played up to six (6) full innings. The first half of the inning is called the “top” of the inning, and the second half is the “bottom” of the inning.
  2. The Away team bats first in the top of the inning, followed by the home team in the bottom. Teams will alternate between fielding and batting each half inning.
  3. Forfeit rule:
    1. After 2 minutes, if one team is ready and other is not, it is 1-0 in favor of team ready
    2. After 5 minutes, 2-0
    3. After 10 minutes, 3-0 and forfeit win

BATTING

  1. All players must bat AND field. (If a team consists of 11 or 12 players the extra batters must play the field at least 1 inning in order to bat) All batters must hit in at least 1 inning in order to play the field.
  2. Each team pitches to themselves. Batters get a maximum of 3 pitches. If a batter has not successfully hit the ball after 3 pitches, they are out, NO EXCEPTIONS. 
  3. The space for home plate shall be designated as the corner of the soccer field nearest the main gate. The soccer end line will serve as the first base line, while the touch (side) line will serve as the third base line.
    1. Bases will be 60 feet apart
  4. The pitcher for the batting team is not allowed to field a live ball. Any live ball touching the self-pitcher will be considered a dead ball. If, in the opinion of the umpire, the pitcher could not avoid being hit, then the batter is granted ONE MORE PITCH and all runners return to their original base. If, in the opinion of the umpire, the self-pitcher purposely touched the ball to disrupt the fielding team, the batter is out, all runners return to their base, and the pitcher can be ejected.
  5. A pitcher may in no way purposely or accidentally attempt to obstruct the fielding team in any matter regardless of whether or not he/she actually touches the ball. This includes but is not limited to a pitcher pretending to field the ball in order to obstruct the other team.
  6. On a close play at second, third, and home, where the ball is within a couple of feet or arrives at the same time as the runner, the runner MUST slide. This is essential to avoid major injuries. If they do not slide and purposely run directly into the defender, the base runner will be called out.
    1. A defender covering a base, however, may not block a base or a base path. Defenders are encouraged to hold the inside of the base and allow the runner to pass on the outside. A blocked basepath will result in the runner being ruled safe and the defender may be ejected for multiple instances of blocking the base path.
  7. There is no stealing or leading.
  8. During a foul ball, if the ball is caught, runners may advance just like a fly out. The runners MUST tag up before the take off running once the ball is caught.
  9. Bunting is not allowed, the ball must roll past the pitcher, and the batter must take a full swing at the ball. A short hit ball will be determined foul by the official and/or director.
  10. The Batting team MUST provide a catcher unless the fielding team chooses to provide one. If the ball is put in play, the batting team (who provides the catcher) does have to cover home plate. If a ball is foul tipped and the batting team’s catcher catches it, the batter is NOT out.
  11. Any ball on the fly caught is an automatic out, regardless if passed the 30-yard mark.

Fielding

  1. The Infield Fly Ball Rule will be in effect less than two outs (Ball is hit up into the air and stays within the infield will be an automatic out and runners may not tag up to advance bases)
  2. The team in the field must have a minimum of 6 on the field and is allowed a maximum of 10 on the field. All players must play in the field at least one inning in order to hit.
  3.  If your team does not provide a catcher, the batting team will be required provide one, however, when the ball is put into play the fielding team is required to cover home plate.

MERCY RULE & EXTRA INNINGS

  1. There are NO extra innings in the regular season.  Extra innings will ONLY be played in the playoffs.
  2. Both teams will be given the opportunity to bat in each inning. If a team leads after an extra inning has been played, it shall be declared a victory in their favor. Extra innings will be played until a winner can be declared.

*All rules are subject to change at a moment’s notice and are at the discretion of the Intramural Sports Director. If any participant argues with an official or Director, they may be ejected from the game and/or the field space. If any issues occur, Campus Police may be called.*