2026 Rules

Beachwood Men’s Softball League Rules
Revised: May 15, 2026
This league operates under USA Softball rules except where modified by the following
local rules. All players, managers, and commissioners must strictly adhere to these
rules. No individual agreements can override league regulations.

 

1. League Fees

  • Fee: $150 per player
  • Payment Deadline: Sunday, June 7, 2026
  • Enforcement: Any player who has not paid by the deadline is ineligible to play until full payment is received.

2. Game Structure

  • Doubleheaders every Sunday starting at 9:00 AM (unless otherwise instructed)
  • 7 innings per game
  • Forfeit Times:
  • 1st Game: 9:15 AM
  • 2nd Game: 9:30 AM
  • (Unless staggered start then time is 15 min and 30 min after 10:30 start)

3. Team Minimums & Catchers

  • Teams with 9+ players provide their own catcher.
  • If only 8 players are present, the opposing team provides a catcher.
  • 7 players or fewer = Forfeit.

4. Courtesy Runners

  • A courtesy runner may run only once per inning, unless the team bats around and the same courtesy situation repeats.
  • If the courtesy runner is due to bat while still on base, they may be replaced on base without penalty and proceed to bat.
  • If no eligible substitutes are available and the courtesy runner must bat, it results in an automatic out.
  • If a batter is walked and needs a courtesy runner, the batter does not need to touch 1st base.

5. Batting Count

  • Each batter starts at 1–1 count.
  • After two strikes, the batter is allowed only one foul ball; a second foul ball after two strikes = out.

6. Playing Time

  • Every player must field for at least 3 innings per game.
  • No new players may be added after the start of the 5th inning.
  • Pitchers who complete the entire first game are not required to play the field in the second game but must still bat.

7. First Base Safety

  • Batters must run to the orange safety base at first on infield grounders.
  • On obvious extra-base hits (no play at first), the runner may round the white base.

8. Ejections & Discipline

  • Fighting results in review and possible suspension or expulsion.
  • Umpire ejections are final; no appeals allowed.

Ejection Rules:

  • Ejected player:
    • Misses remaining at-bats and is disqualified for the day plus next game.
    • When their next scheduled at-bat arises in the ejection game -*automatic out.
    • In subsequent game(s) missed -* no automatic out.
  • Commissioners may impose additional penalties as needed.

9. Interference Rule

  • Defensive players may not block a base without the ball; umpire discretion applies.

10. Age Limits & Eligibility

  • Minimum age: 25 (or 21 if son of a player) within the calendar year.
  • Family teams allowed for: Father–Son, Brothers, Brothers-In-Law, or Fathers/Sons-In-Law.
  • All new players must verify their age prior to being entered into the draft.

11. No Physical Assistance

  • No physical help (pushes, pulls, or contact) may be given to base runners.
  • Violation = runner out.

12. Early Departure (Injury/Illness)

  • Manager must notify the opposing team if a player leaves early.
  • If player misses their next at-bat, they may not return to that game.
  • No automatic out applies.

13. Replacement Players


A. Mid-Season Replacements

  • In the first half of the season, 1st–2nd round players missing 4+ consecutive weeks may be replaced temporarily by any player the manager selects.
  • Upon the original player’s return, the replacement becomes inactive unless the injury reoccurs.

B. Lower-Round Replacements

  • If a 15th or 16th round player fails to pay fees quits, or is injured prior to thefee deadline date → manager must replace from the undrafted tryout list.
  • Optional: Manager may instead draft a 17th-round replacement, who permanently fills the vacancy.

14. New 2026 Rule — Defensive Position Declaration

  • Before the draft, a player may declare one or more defensive positions (due to injury or personal limitations).
  • Must be approved by commissioners and circulated to all managers.
  • Declared players may only play their approved positions.
  • Playing a non-approved position = forfeit for that game.

15. New 2026 Rule — Batting Position Declaration

  • Before the at-bat, the batter must show which side of the plate he bats from.
  • The batter must stay on that side of the plate unless there is a pitching change during the at-bat.

16. New 2026 Rule - Pitching Rubber "Arc"

  • The pitcher may take a position from the front edge of the pitcher’s plate to 2 feet behind the pitcher’s plate with both feet firmly on the ground.

17. No Sliding

  • Sliding is prohibited.
  • Bases may be overrun in any direction, provided there’s no attempt toward the next base

18. Batter’s Box

  • No formal box, but if a batter steps on or across home plate and makes contact -* out.

19. Bat Regulations

  • Bats must have “ASA” or “USA” certification.
  • Violations may result in immediate eviction and loss of fees.
  • All bats must have tape or rubber grips.

20. Home Plate Rule

  • Runners: Must step on the outside home plate to score.
  • Catchers: Must only touch the inside plate—no exceptions.
  • No tag outs allowed within 25 feet of home; only force-outs at the plate are permitted.
  • Runner failure to tag the correct plate = automatic out; no warnings.

21. Footwear

  • No metal spikes. Violation = ejection.

22. Field Dimensions

  • Pitching arc: 6–12 ft
  • Pitching distance: 50 ft
  • Base Paths: 70 ft
  • Force Line: 25 ft from home toward 3rd.

23. Pitching Screen Rules:

  • Screen placed 20 ft in front of the pitching rubber (30 ft from home plate).
  • Pitcher must release behind and directly over the screen.
  • First pitched ball that hits the screen = dead ball, no penalty.
  • Every additional hit -* counts as a ball.

For batted balls:

  • First ball hitting the screen = dead ball, no penalty.
  • Each following one = foul ball (subject to normal count rules).

24. Umpires

  • The umpires have complete control of the game after the game starts.
  • Umpire judgment calls (legal/illegal pitches, safe/out, fair/foul) may not be appealed.
  • Only managers may discuss situations with an umpire.
  • If scheduled umpire does not appear, a non-playing commissioner will officiate unless an approved substitute is confirmed.

25. Rotating Pitchers

  • Different pitchers may be used between games.
  • A pitcher from Game 1 must play at least 3 innings and bat in Game 2 if not pitching unless pitching requirement fulfilled from rule number 6.

26. Official Game (Weather)

  • Game considered official after the losing team bats 5 full innings.
  • In the event the umpire ends the game before the current inning is completed, the score reverts to the last completed inning.

27. Run Rule

  • 12-run mercy rule after the losing team completes 5 innings of batting.
  • Losing team always receives its final at-bat when rule is triggered.

28. Playoff Seeding

  • Tournament seeding based on overall winning percentage.
  • Tie-breakers:

1. Head-to-head record

2. If 3-way tie → coin toss determines bye

  • Higher seeds = home team advantage throughout.

29. Advertising

  • Website ads: $150 (not tax deductible).

30. Waiver

  • All players must complete a waiver and release upon payment.

*** COMMISSIONERS’ AUTHORITY
ANY RULE, CONTROVERSY, OR SITUATION NOT COVERED ABOVE WILL BE REVIEWED AND DECIDED SOLELY BY THE COMMISSIONERS.

 

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