BSPSL Playing Rules april 2026

BERKELEY PREMIER SENIOR SOFTBALL LEAGUE

PLAYING RULES

 

CONTENTS

 

REVISION DATE:  April 21, 2026

 

 

CODE OF CODUCT                                                                  Page 2

Rule 1 Game Length                                                                   Page 3

Rule 2 Bats                                                                                 Page 3

Rule 3 Game Ball                                                                        Page 3

Rule 4 Batting Practice Screen                                                  Page 3

Rule 5 Forfeit Time                                                                     Page 3

Rule 6 Umpire No Show                                                             Page 3

Rule 7 Extra Hitter                                                                      Page 3,

Rule 8 Infield Warm Up                                                              Page 4

Rule 9 Strike                                                                               Page 4

Rule 10 Commitment Line                                                          Page 4

Rule 11 Number of Players                                                        Page 4

Rule 12 Courtesy Runners                                                         Page 4.

Rule 13 Batter Eligibility                                                              Page 5

Rule 14 Pitching                                                                         Page 5

Rule 15 Sliding or Diving into a Base                                         Page 5

Rule 16 Two Base Rule                                                              Page 5

Rule 17 Double First Base                                                         Page 5

Rule 18 Double Home Plate                                                       Page 5,6

Rule 19 Retouch                                                                         Page 6

Rule 20 Outfield Plays at First Base                                          Page 6

Rule 21 Flip flop Rule                                                                 Page 6

Rule 22 Five Run Rule                                                               Page 6

Rule 23 Homerun Rule                                                               Page 6

Rule 25 Game Scores                                                                Page 6

Rule 26 Protests                                                                         Page 6,7

Rule 27 Pitching Screen                                                             Page 7,8

 

CODE OF CODUCT

 

BERKELEY SENIOR SOFTBALL  

Objective: to promote and ensure an enjoyable, competitive, and safe environment for all players.

These rules, along with those contained in the By-laws of the league must be adhered to and any violation will be considered detrimental to the league and subject to discipline.

  • No participants may harass, belittle, humiliate, threaten or cause embarrassment to another coach, manager, player or umpire associated with our league
  • All participants will accept the decisions of the umpires and their respective managers
  • No participant may taunt or degrade their opposition.
  • All participants must avoid bodily contact that is deemed injurious to others.
  • No participant may direct abusive or profane language to umpires or league officials
  • No participant may commit any act that is construed as unsportsmanlike conduct
  • All participants (coaches, managers, players, umpires and league officials) are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and civilized manner at all times

Any violations to these rules will lead to penalties, as outlined in league By-laws, which would include ejection, suspension and expulsion from the league

 

 

The  playing rules in this manual are specific to the Premier league. Some of the rules in this manual are common in language to the USA rule book; however, all other playing rules not listed in this manual are based on the “USA Official Rules of Softball” book. Umpires, contracted by Berkeley Premier league, are responsible for enforcing the standard USA playing rules not listed in this manual.

 

 

  1. GAME LENGTH
    1. Standard game length is seven (9) innings
    2. Make-up double headers with be 7 inning
    3. Legal game called prior to completing 7 innings 5-1/2 innings if the home team is winning and 5 complete innings if the away team is winning.

 

  1. BATS
    1. Legal Bat
      1. Players between 55 and 70 must use ASA or USA certified bats
      2. Bats manufactured prior to 2020 will have various ASA certified symbols stamped on the bat, it depends on the age of the bat what symbol will be shown. Bats manufactured in 2020 and beyond will be USA certified.
      3. Players aged 70 and older can use Senior or any Association Certified bat.
    2. Condition
      1. Must be free of dents, burrs, cracks, or sharp edges
    3. Illegal bat
      1. A bat that does not meet the requirements of a legal bat.
    4. Altered bat
      1. A bat that has been physically altered e.g., Rolled and or Shaved.

 

  1. GAME BALL

a)  Type

i. 12” slow pitch

ii. .52/300 compression Tattoo AD STARR USAT1252PC (Composite cover)

b)  Required per game

i. Each team will give the umpire one new ball per game

ii. Both  teams are responsible to supply third back-up ball.

 

  1. BATTING PRACTICE

      Teams must use a pitching screen for backing practice. Pitcher must use the pitching screen when delivering a pitch.

 

  1. FORFEIT TIME

Forfeit time is 30 minutes after the scheduled start time. If a team has eight (8) players, the opposing manager can supply a player or a catcher for the team in jeopardy of a forfeit.

 

  1. UMPIRE NO SHOW

      Each manager will agree to use a player from each team to umpire. If teams have limited players the catcher can call balls and strikes.

 

  1.  EXTRA HITTERS AND TWO HEADED  COIN

       Teams can use unlimited extra hitters in the lineup. Teams can also use the two-headed coin concept

       Two headed coin concept definition: Two players will occupy the same slot in the batting order and will be allowed to play defense at the same time.

 

      

  1. INFIELD WARM UP

Infield practice can only start after the maintenance crew has completed manicuring and lining the infield.

 

  1. STRIKE
    1. Strike Zone Wooden Board
      1. 22” wide x 36” long x 3/4” thick
    2. Strike
      1. A legal pitch that hits any part of the wooden board.
      2. A pitch that is swung on and missed
      3. A foul ball.
    3. Foul Ball
      1. A batter is out when he hits a foul ball after two strikes.
      2. A foul ball with two strikes if caught is a live ball, runners can advance with the liability of being out.

 

  1. COMMITMENT LINE

A line will be drawn 35 feet from home plate perpendicular to the third base line. 

       Once a runner's foot touches the ground on or past this line, the runner is committed to advancing to the scoring line or scoring plate and can be called out by a force at the original home plate.  Once both of his feet have touched or crossed the line, he may no longer be tagged out. EFFECT: If tagged once both feet have touched/crossed the line, the runner will be called safe, the ball remains live and the runner is not required to touch the scoring plate or cross the scoring line. NOTE: If a runner re-crosses the commitment line for any reason in an attempt to return to third base, he will be declared out and the ball remains live.

 

  1. NUMBER OF PLAYERS

Games must start with a minimum of 8 players. If additional players arrive, they can be inserted into the lineup at any time. Late arriving players must be inserted at the bottom of the lineup. If a team has ten players all ten must be in the lineup, if eleven, all eleven must be in the lineup.

 

  1. COURTESY RUNNERS:

An unlimited number of courtesy runners may be used each inning and may be any player on the roster even if the courtesy runner is not in the current batting order.

  1. An individual player can be used as a courtesy runner only once per inning unless the same batter gets on base more than once in the same inning.
  2. A player who is replaced by a courtesy runner cannot himself become a courtesy runner later in the same inning but can courtesy run in subsequent innings.
  3. The runner becomes a legal courtesy runner once a pitch is delivered, legal or illegal.
  4. If a courtesy runner is on base and that runner is required to bat, the runner will be declared out as a runner, removed from the base, and must come to bat.
  5. If courtesy runner is out because of a turn at bat and is the third out of the inning, that player becomes the lead off batter the next inning.
  6. If a batter requiring a courtesy runner is walked, the batter doesn't have to go to first base, the courtesy runner can go immediately to first base after the umpire has ruled ball four.

 

  1.  BATTER ELIGEBILITY

       If a player cannot bat for any reason and a substitute is not available, an out will be recorded.. After an out has been recorded for the absentee batter all other subsequent at bats will not be recorded as an out, the next batter in the order will bat.

 

  1.  PITCHING

a) Pitcher can deliver a pitch from the pitching plate or any distance five (5) feet behind the pitching plate (Maximum of 55 feet).

b) Pitcher must wear a face mask, shin guards are optional

              

    

15. SLIDING OR DIVING INTO A BASE

A runner or batter-runner can slide into any base. A runner who does not slide should attempt to veer out of the way of an infielder in order to avoid a collision. Exception to veering: A batter-runner can use either first base to prevent colliding with a defensive player at first base, e.g., if the first baseman is fielding an errant throw and is forced to the safety base in foul territory the batter-runner must use the white base in fair territory. Umpire will determine if runner interference, defensive obstruction or incidental contact occurred when there is contact between the runner and fielder. If a runner interferes with the fielder and is ejected by the umpire for dangerous play, that player’s action will be reviewed by the league commissioner to determine if further disciplinary action should be taken. Note: Running through second and/or third base is at the runner’s risk to be tagged out.

 

16. TWO BASE RULE          

Batter-runner and runners are limited to two bases per ball in play. Base runners going beyond the two base limit can be forced or tagged out by a defensive player. If batter-runner or runner going beyond the two base limit reaches the next base he is automatically out.

EXCEPTION: An additional base will be awarded if a live ball goes into dead ball territory.

 

17. DOUBLE FIRST BASE

  1. Play being made on a batter-runner
    1. Prior to the batter-runner reaching first base, the defense must use the white portion (first base in fair territory) and the batter-runner the contrasting color base (first base in foul territory). Effect the batter-runner using the incorrect base will be called out, the ball is still a live ball.
    2. Once the batter-runner reaches first base safely and becomes a runner, the runner can use either the base in fair or foul territory to start.

 

18. DOUBLE HOME PLATE

A second home plate shall be placed eight (8) feet from the back tip of home plate on an extended line from first base. This base will be used for runners to use scoring a run. Exemption: At Veterans Park fields, the scoring plate will be placed two (2) feet closer to 3rd base as a safety precaution.

 

  1.    Runner will be out if a member of the defensive team possesses the ball while in contact with the strike board prior to the runner touching the scoring plate.
  2.    Runners shall not be called out for contact with the catcher unless in the umpire’s judgment the runner deliberately contacted the catcher. There is no tag play at home and if the fielder makes a tag on the runner who has passed the Commitment Line, the umpire shall call the runner safe, the runner does not have to touch the scoring plate the ball remains live.
  3.   Runner touching or passing over any part of the strike board will be declared out.

 

19. RETOUCH

  1. First Base
    1. Batter-Runner who is safe at first base has the option to start from either the fair or foul first base bag or opt to stand in foul territory off either bag. The runner is obligated to notify the umpire by verbalizing “retouch.”  Umpire will acknowledge acceptance of the request.
    2. Third Base - Same as First Base
    3. Effect:  If the runner fails to notify the umpire for “retouch” and or fails to touch the base on a fair hit ball the runner is automatically out and the ball is live.

 

20. OUTFIELD PLAYS AT FIRST BASE

   Any defender, determined by the umpire to be an outfielder, will be prohibited from throwing a batter-runner out at first base. Exclusion: the extra fielder(s) that are not considered a regular outfielder.

 

21.  FLIP FLOP RULE

There is no mercy rule. After six (6) innings, if the home team is losing by ten (10) or more runs, the flip flop rule will come into effect.

 

22.  FIVE RUN RULE

Maximum runs scored by either team in the first inning is five (5). “Catch up plus 5” will be in effect for innings 2 – 6. No run limitation (open) for the 7th and extra innings.

 

23.  HOMERUN RULE

Homerun Limit: Limit is 2 homeruns with 2 up.

Veterans field- ball hit over small fence in right and right center fields and into the netting is a homerun.

 

25. GAME SCORES

The winning manager must notify the Director of League Administration or designated assistant web administrators, via email, text, or phone call, within 24 hours after the game has been completed.

 

26. PROTESTS

Note:  The rule posted in this manual is from the Premier League Policy Manual Policy Rule III-F

1. A protest will only be official is there is a violation of a playing rule.

Team protesting must make the call prior to the next pitch legal or illegal.

  1. The following is required when a playing rule is being protested:
  2.  The date, time, and venue of the game
  3.  The name of the umpires and score keepers
  4.  The USA rule (ask umpire) and/or the Premier league rule under

which the protest is being made

  1.  The information, details, and conditions relevant to the decision to
  2. protest
  3.  All essential facts concerning the matter protested

2. Team protesting must file the protest to the Commissioner within 48

hours from the time the game was completed.

3. The Commissioner, upon receiving the written protest, will contact the

Umpires Association and discuss the protest. The Umpire Association will

give their recommendation. If the commissioner is not in agreement

with the Umpires Association ruling, then the board of directors will be

asked to convene and vote on the protest ruling.

 

27. PITCHING SCREEN

1.  Must use the league approved the pitching screen.only

2. Placement - Five feet in front of and centered within the 24 inches of the pitching plate

3. Pitching Box - The width of the approved pitching screen and extends five feet back from the front of the pitching plate

4. Pitchers requirements - Pitcher must have at least one foot within the pitching box to start the pitch motion

5.  Pitcher's defense - Pitchers cannot field a batted ball, exceptions

 a A popup can be caught by the Pitcher

b Penalty for Pitcher illegally touching a batted ball that is not a pop-up

i. Dead ball, batter-runner is awarded first base and any runner that is forced advances one base

 

6. Rules regarding that impact play involving the pitching screen

a. If a batter has two strikes and bats the ball into the pitching screen, it will be a third strike, and the batter is out.

b. If the umpire declares an infield fly and the ball strikes the pitching screen, it will be a foul ball / dead ball.

c. If the umpire declares an infield fly and the fielder drops the ball but comes in contact with the pitching screen, it will remain a live ball.

d. If a batted ball glances off the screen and is caught by a fielder before it hits the ground, it is a dead ball.

7. If a fielded ball is thrown and makes contact with the pitching screen, it will be declared a live ball.

a. Exemption: If the thrown ball becomes lodged in the pitching screen the batter and base runners will be awarded two bases from point of play origin. (Batter goes to 2nd base, runner on first is awarded 3rd base, runners on 2nd and 3rd base score).

            Notes:

1.  The umpire will measure and draw a line 5’ (five feet) in front of the pitching rubber before the start of the game and will refresh it as needed.

2. For safety reasons, the pitcher is suggested to tuck behind the pitching screen after a pitched ball has left the pitcher’s hand.   NOTE:  There is no penalty if the pitcher does not tuck. 

 

 

 

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