USSSA So. Cal Seniors 50 and Up

Official Rules

Please keep in mind that some rules may differ from USSSA National rules. The rules that we have at our Southern California tournaments are strictly for So. Cal.

Pitching: 6'-12' arch, 6’ behind pitching plate. We encourage pitchers to wear protective gear, but it is not mandatory.

Batter Count: 1-1 count with one to waste.

Run Limit Per Inning: 5-run (Major/AAA/AA) or 7-run (Major Plus)

HOME RUN LIMITS:

AA – 4, AAA – 6, MAJOR – 8, MAJOR PLUS – 10 Each division gets a DHH (Designated Homerun Hitter) that will be able to hit a homerun with every bat that does not go towards the team's homeruns. If the DHH is walked, he/she would be awarded 2 bases no matter the batter count. There is no additional homerun to be carried down!!!!!

Retouch rule: Retouch rule is in effect. Runners at first or third may stay just off the bag before the pitch. On a ground ball, they can continue to the next bag without re-touching. On a caught fly ball, the runner must re-touch before advancing.

Balls: The tournament Director will be supplying a certain amount of 44/375 balls that are to be used. There will be additional softballs for sale.

Bats: Senior softball and Usssa stamped bats are approved for use. No ASA or USA bats. If an umpire has any suspicions that a bat is illegal he/ she has the authority to remove the bat from play.

Game Time Limits: Games are 60 mins then open inning. Only Championship games will be played for 65 minutes then open inning. During pool play, games can end in a tie. Each team receives half a win and loss. During bracket play Extra innings will begin with a 5-run (Major/AAA/AA) or 7-run (Major Plus) run limit with 1 out. Runner on 2nd cannot be substituted or run for until the next batter completes their at-bat.

Flip-flop rule: The flip-flop rule will be invoked in any game when there is a 10-run (Major/AAA/AA) / 12-run (Major Plus) differential in favor of the visiting team at the start of the "OPEN INNING”.

Mercy Rule: 20 runs after 4 innings, 15 runs after 5 innings. (Keep in mind that Usssa National rules do not have a mercy rule).

Pitching Screen: Pitcher’s screens are optional, and the team must provide them. Pitchers using a pitching screen must toe the pitching plate when delivering the pitch. The pitching screen must toe the pitcher's plate from the middle of the pitcher’s plate to the opposite side of the pitcher's release hand. The pitcher can’t touch the batted ball until another defensive player touches the ball first with the exception of a pop fly (umpire judgment). Once another defensive player touches the batted ball, the pitcher may engage on defense. If the pitcher interferes with the batted ball, dead ball will be called, the batter will be awarded first base and runners will advance to the next base.

Homeruns If A Equalizer Is At Play: If there is an equalizer, the team receiving the equalizer would play the homeruns of the opposing team and the team giving the equalizer is automatically home. If the game is played equally then the home runs would be of the team with the lesser rating and a coin flip will determine home unless the game is in bracket play, then the home team is higher seed.

Home Team: Coin flip in pool play. Higher seed through playoffs and championships. EXCEPTION: If games are coin flips.