Softball Information

Rule 39 – Courtesy Runners
There has been some confusion as to whether a player entering as a courtesy runner counts as a game played. The answer is YES, entering as a courtesy runner counts as one of the 20 allowable games. No student or team shall participate in more than twenty games of interschool competition during a season, exclusive of the state championship series. Only ten of twenty playing dates may involve school time. A player entering the game as a pinch hitter, pinch runner, or courtesy runner counts as a game played, even if they were in the game for one at bat, one out etc.

Team Huddles between Innings
Team huddles are permitted but must take place with NFHS rules. A team could have a team huddle outside the dugout provided the huddle takes place prior to the defense beginning their infield warm-up. Huddles after the defensive team begins warm-up should take place in the dugout for safety reasons. Team huddles may not delay the start of the inning. At the beginning of each half-inning or when a pitcher relieves another, no more than one minute may be used to deliver no more than five balls to the catcher or to another teammate. The one minute time limit begins from the third out of the previous half inning. The penalty for not being ready for play is a ball awarded to the batter.
During the game team huddles between players on the field are never considered charged conferences. Huddles should be permitted provided they do not violate any game rules. (One minute between innings, 20 seconds pitcher has to pitcher after receiving the ball.)

Masks on Batting Helmets
All softball batting helmets are required to have a NOCSAE approved face mask. The mask must have the NOCSAE approval permanently affixed at the time of manufacture. The batting helmet must have the NOCSAE approved symbol. The mask may not have the symbol, but will have some permanent imprint or lettering on the mask indicating that the mask has been NOCSAE approved.

By KSHSAA Executive Board policy, prior to each interscholastic softball game, each KSHSAA member school participating in softball is to present to the umpires a list of ASA approved bats with the bats their school is going to use in the game that day highlighted.
By KSHSAA Executive Board policy, prior to each interscholastic softball game, each KSHSAA member school participating in softball should present to the umpires a list of non-approved bats. This list shall be printed no later than Monday of the week of competition.
The KSHSAA web site (www.kshsaa.org) has a link, (go to Activities, then Athletic, then softball) installed which will bring up the ASA web site (www.asasoftball.com). The secure a list of approved and non-approved bats, click on the “certified equipment” listing and select “bats”. You may then select either the list of approved bats or non-approved bats.
Umpires are also requested to have with them a list of both the ASA approved bats and weekly updated listing of non-approved bats.
If neither the KSHSAA member school or umpires can present a list of approved and non-approved bats the day of an interscholastic game, the game shall not be played until such list is available. This requirement is for games at all levels of play.
Umpires are to notify the KSHSAA if an KSHSAA member school fails to produce both an ASA approved bat list and a non-approved bat lis

KSHSAA Ejection Policy
If a coach is ejected they are to leave the vicinity of the playing field. The coach may not continue to be in the dug-out or the stands. If it is the first game of a double header, they may return for the second game providing the school and/or league policy provide for their return. The KSHSAA does not prohibit them from returning for the second game.
If a player is ejected, they must stay in the dugout and the coach is to supervise her. If they continue to be a problem, a school administrator or an assistant coach should take the player outside the dugout and away from the vicinity of the field to supervise her. If no administrator is available, the coach would have to escort the player from the dugout and away from the field. If there is no other coach to coach the team, the game would be forfeited.

Called/Suspended Game
By KSHSAA adoption, a game called for any reason, where a winner cannot be determined, or any game called at any time for mechanical failure will be treated as a suspended game. If the game is to be completed it will be continued from the point of suspension, with the lineup and batting order of each team the same as the lineup and batting order at the moment of suspension, subject to the rules of the game. Please refer to the KSHSAA Baseball/Softball manual for additional information.

Game Ending Procedures
The 10 run rule is mandatory for regular season and post season baseball and softball. If the home team is ahead by 10 runs after 4 ½ innings or the visiting team ahead by 10 runs after 5 innings the game shall be called.
The 15 run rule will be used for all regional games. The rule states that if the home team is ahead by 15 runs after 2 ½ innings or the visiting team is ahead by 15 runs after 3 innings, the game may be called. During the regular season, the schools must mutually agree to this rule before it is used.

Umpires Must Check Equipment
Umpires must check all bats and helmets for legality prior to the beginning of a game. The coach should make sure that all bats and helmets are available for inspection prior to the game.

Pre-game Infield warm-up period
During each teams pre-game warm up period on the field the opposing team is to be in the team dug-out, not out on the field of play watching warm-ups. There are some teams that use this as an intimidation tactic. The rule reference is Rule 3-6-6 and 3-6-15.

Rule 3-6-6 “A coach, player, substitute or other bench personnel shall not:
      Art. 6 – Be outside the designated dugout bench or bullpen areas unless they are a batter, runner,
            on-deck batter, in the coach’s box or one of the nine players on defense.
      Art. 15 – Commit any unsporting act to include, but not limited to:
            a. use of words or actions to incite to try to incite spectators to demonstrate.
            b. Use of intimidation and/or deceitful tactics, or baiting or taunting;
            c.   Behavior in any manner not in accordance with the spirit of fair play.

Weekly Information

	Rule 39 – Courtesy Runners There has been some confusion as to whether a player entering as a courtesy runner counts as a game played. The answer is YES, entering as a courtesy runner counts as one of the 20 allowable games. No student or team shall participate in more than twenty games of interschool competition during a season, exclusive of the state championship series. Only ten of twenty playing dates may involve school time. A player entering the game as a pinch hitter, pinch runner, or courtesy runner counts as a game played, even if they were in the game for one at bat, one out etc. Team Huddles between Innings Team huddles are permitted but must take place with NFHS rules. A team could have a team huddle outside the dugout provided the huddle takes place prior to the defense beginning their infield warm-up. Huddles after the defensive team begins warm-up should take place in the dugout for safety reasons. Team huddles may not delay the start of the inning. At the beginning of each half-inning or when a pitcher relieves another, no more than one minute may be used to deliver no more than five balls to the catcher or to another teammate. The one minute time limit begins from the third out of the previous half inning. The penalty for not being ready for play is a ball awarded to the batter. During the game team huddles between players on the field are never considered charged conferences. Huddles should be permitted provided they do not violate any game rules. (One minute between innings, 20 seconds pitcher has to pitcher after receiving the ball.) Masks on Batting Helmets All softball batting helmets are required to have a NOCSAE approved face mask. The mask must have the NOCSAE approval permanently affixed at the time of manufacture. The batting helmet must have the NOCSAE approved symbol. The mask may not have the symbol, but will have some permanent imprint or lettering on the mask indicating that the mask has been NOCSAE approved. Approved Bat List Procedure By KSHSAA Executive Board policy, prior to each interscholastic softball game, each KSHSAA member school participating in softball is to present to the umpires a list of ASA approved bats with the bats their school is going to use in the game that day highlighted. By KSHSAA Executive Board policy, prior to each interscholastic softball game, each KSHSAA member school participating in softball should present to the umpires a list of non-approved bats. This list shall be printed no later than Monday of the week of competition. The KSHSAA web site (www.kshsaa.org) has a link, (go to Activities, then Athletic, then softball) installed which will bring up the ASA web site (www.asasoftball.com). The secure a list of approved and non-approved bats, click on the “certified equipment” listing and select “bats”. You may then select either the list of approved bats or non-approved bats. Umpires are also requested to have with them a list of both the ASA approved bats and weekly updated listing of non-approved bats. If neither the KSHSAA member school or umpires can present a list of approved and non-approved bats the day of an interscholastic game, the game shall not be played until such list is available. This requirement is for games at all levels of play. Umpires are to notify the KSHSAA if an KSHSAA member school fails to produce both an ASA approved bat list and a non-approved bat lis KSHSAA Ejection Policy If a coach is ejected they are to leave the vicinity of the playing field. The coach may not continue to be in the dug-out or the stands. If it is the first game of a double header, they may return for the second game providing the school and/or league policy provide for their return. The KSHSAA does not prohibit them from returning for the second game. If a player is ejected, they must stay in the dugout and the coach is to supervise her. If they continue to be a problem, a school administrator or an assistant coach should take the player outside the dugout and away from the vicinity of the field to supervise her. If no administrator is available, the coach would have to escort the player from the dugout and away from the field. If there is no other coach to coach the team, the game would be forfeited. Called/Suspended Game By KSHSAA adoption, a game called for any reason, where a winner cannot be determined, or any game called at any time for mechanical failure will be treated as a suspended game. If the game is to be completed it will be continued from the point of suspension, with the lineup and batting order of each team the same as the lineup and batting order at the moment of suspension, subject to the rules of the game. Please refer to the KSHSAA Baseball/Softball manual for additional information. Game Ending Procedures The 10 run rule is mandatory for regular season and post season baseball and softball. If the home team is ahead by 10 runs after 4 ½ innings or the visiting team ahead by 10 runs after 5 innings the game shall be called. The 15 run rule will be used for all regional games. The rule states that if the home team is ahead by 15 runs after 2 ½ innings or the visiting team is ahead by 15 runs after 3 innings, the game may be called. During the regular season, the schools must mutually agree to this rule before it is used. Umpires Must Check Equipment Umpires must check all bats and helmets for legality prior to the beginning of a game. The coach should make sure that all bats and helmets are available for inspection prior to the game. Pre-game Infield warm-up period During each teams pre-game warm up period on the field the opposing team is to be in the team dug-out, not out on the field of play watching warm-ups. There are some teams that use this as an intimidation tactic. The rule reference is Rule 3-6-6 and 3-6-15. Rule 3-6-6 “A coach, player, substitute or other bench personnel shall not: Art. 6 – Be outside the designated dugout bench or bullpen areas unless they are a batter, runner, on-deck batter, in the coach’s box or one of the nine players on defense. Art. 15 – Commit any unsporting act to include, but not limited to: a. use of words or actions to incite to try to incite spectators to demonstrate. b. Use of intimidation and/or deceitful tactics, or baiting or taunting; c. Behavior in any manner not in accordance with the spirit of fair play.