2025 MARS SOFTBALL CLUB GAME RULES
MARS Softball Club Rules are a supplement to the USA Official Softball Rulebook. All USA rules
apply except as superseded by the MARS Softball Club rules below. A copy of these rules should
be present at the field at all times.
I. MARS Local Rules:
1. All players may bat and fielders may be substituted freely.
2. Players that are late to arrive are added to the bottom of the lineup order and cannot
be inserted into the middle unless a substitution is made. If a substitution is made,
the player being removed from the lineup can only re-enter the game one time if the
player is a starter and in the same position in the batting order that he/she originated.
3. In order to allow for as much participation as possible, a player may leave the game
for an unplanned reason (work, family, injury, etc) and no penalty will be assessed if
the team continues to play with more than 10 players. teams with 10 or fewer
players, refer to the Short Handed Rule.
4. No player who has been removed from the game may re-enter the game at any time.
However, as a courtesy, a player may re-enter the game if the opposing team captain
is notified in advance and agrees to allow the player to re-enter in the same position
that he/she vacated if a player must be absent from the game for a brief duration
(attend to a child, attend to duties related to work, etc.).
5. FIRST RESPONDER EXCEPTION: Redstone Arsenal First Responders required to
respond to an emergency call may leave the line-up without penalty and may re-enter
the game in the same position that he/she vacated if they are able to return.
6. Halo rule/dead ball/time zone.
7. No leading off bases. Player is out if they lead off or step off the base before the
batter hits the ball.
8. No stealing bases. If a runner begins to advance after the ball is hit, and the batter is
out, the runner must tag-up to the base before advancing to the next base.
9. Balls that get tangled up in the OF fence are ground-rule doubles. The outfielders
must wave their hands in the air to alert the umpire.
10. The Home Team is responsible for keeping the book and official score. The umpires
should sign the book to confirm the final score. If the home team does not have
anyone on the team available to keep the book, it’s their responsibility to find
someone to keep the book.
11. The umpires shall perform bat checks.
12. Line up cards should be presented and batting order maintained.
13. The 6:00 PM Home team is supposed to turn off the score controller in the dugout,
put the controller in the cabinet, and turn off the scoreboard. The power to the
scoreboard is on the scoreboard pole.
II. Short-Handed Rule:
Applies only to teams with fewer than 10 players (including bench):
1. The minimum number of players required to start and finish a game is 8.
2. If a team begins play with 8 or 9 players and uses an opponent’s player as an extra
defensive player (usually a catcher), that player must be listed in the batting order and
an out is declared for each turn at bat when the extra defensive player’s position is
scheduled to bat. If an opponent’s player is not used on defense, then an out will not
have to be taken when batting (Exception: Coed division penalties for being short
females still apply).
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3. If a team begins play with 8 players, the team may continue a game with one less
player than it started with whenever a player is forced to leave the game for any reason
other than ejection, provided the opposing team is willing to provide a catcher.
4. When a player who has left the game is scheduled to bat, an out is declared for each
turn at bat, unless injured.
5. An inning or game may NOT end on a third out resulting from walking a batter ahead
of a missing batter.
6. No penalty(s) will be assessed for any player(s) that must leave a game due to injury.
7. No penalty(s) will be assessed if both teams have an equal number of players.
(Exception: Co-ed division penalties for being short of females still apply).
III. Injured Batter:
No Batter will be skipped and continue to participate in the game unless injured.
IV. Courtesy runner:
1. If a courtesy runner is needed due to prior injury before the start of any game, the
opposing team captain and umpire must be notified and the courtesy runner granted
prior to the game start. The umpire can remove the privilege of a courtesy runner at
any time if, in his/her judgment, the courtesy runner is not justified.
2. If a courtesy runner is needed due to injury sustained in the game, the team at bat
must call time and notify the umpire.
3. If no one of the same sex is available on the bench, the closest preceding batter of
the same sex who is not on base will run.
4. If no one of the same sex is available to the team, either on the bench or in the
game, the courtesy runner will be designated as the player who made the last
recorded out.
5. The final decision on whether a courtesy runner is justified rests with the umpire.
V. Home Run Limits:
The MARS softball league will use a progressive over the fence (OTF) home run rule.
That is, at any given time during the game, teams are allowed a limited number of HRs
more than their opponent. Any HRs in excess of this limit will be counted as an OUT. This
means that a HR hit in the 2nd inning may be an out whereas a HR hit in the 5th inning
may stand. It is up to the teams to clearly mark OTF HRs during each inning. If it is not
clear from looking at the scorebook, whether a HR counts or not, the HR will stand.
Competitive divisions will use a two (2) progressive over the fence home run limit and
recreational divisions will use a one (1) progressive over the fence home run limit.
Any HRs in excess of this limit will be counted as an OUT and runners may not advance.
VI. Strike Zone:
1. The count begins at 1 ball and 1 strike. A player is allowed one foul ball when they
have two strikes against them. The second foul ball with two strikes against them
will be considered a strikeout.
2. The pitching arch is between 6 and 12 feet. That is, the ball must arch at least 6′
above the ground but not more than 12′.
3. The pitcher must have at least one foot on the pitching rubber during delivery.
4. The pitcher must show the ball to the umpire and batter before pitching. No quick
pitches!
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5. If the ball is pitched illegally the umpire shall shout “illegal pitch” at which time the
batter may either swing at the pitch & take the result, or not swing and take an
automatic ball.
6. There are no balks.
7. A batter hit by a pitch does NOT advance to first base.
8. If a batter catches a pitch a strike shall be called.
9. The strike zone is below the front shoulder and above the back knee.
10. Pitchers may wave a batter to first base if they wish to walk the batter intentionally.
11. If a pitch hits ANY part of home plate it is a ball.
VII. First Base/Safety Base
1. The colored/outside safety base is to be used only when the batter is initially running
to first base. It cannot be used by a runner while the batter is at the plate. If a runner
is on the safety base when the ball is hit, the runner will be called out.
2. If the runner intends to stay at first base, the runner must run to the colored/outside
safety base. If the runner goes to the inside base, he or she will be called out.
3. The defensive player may not use the safety base at any time. If the defensive
player is on the safety base when receiving a throw or tags the safety base when
trying to get a runner out, the runner will be called safe.
VIII. Mercy Rule:
1. The Mercy Rule will be in effect for all games, including tournament with the
exception of the Championship game(s) for all divisions.
2. The game will be declared final if either team leads by 10 runs at the completion of
five (5) full innings (4 ½ if the home team is ahead).
IX. Sportsmanship:
The NASA softball league is a recreational league designed to provide a safe, family
atmosphere for the purposes of recreation, fellowship, and to increase the morale &
welfare of Redstone Arsenal employees and their families. Good sportsmanship is
encouraged at all times and inappropriate conduct by teams or individual players will not
be tolerated.
1. Any conduct that is deemed inappropriate by the umpire will result in a warning to the
team captain(s) and/or automatic ejection of the offending player(s) if, in the umpires
judgment, an ejection is warranted at the time of the offense. Any additional
inappropriate conduct will result in automatic ejection from the game and may result in
suspension from subsequent game(s).
2. Any physical contact with a fielder in possession of the ball in an attempt to dislodge
the ball is not allowed. If a runner is unwilling to slide at any base, including home plate,
he must give himself up if the fielder has possession of the ball when the runner is
approaching the base. Intentional collisions at any base will result in the player being
called out, a warning issued to the offending team and / or automatic ejection if, in the
umpires judgment, the contact was reckless or intentional.
3. Verbally or physically distracting a fielder is not allowed (breaking up a double play,
clapping at a fielder trying to catch a ball, yelling at a fielder, etc.). The umpire shall
issue a warning to any player who intentionally distracts or otherwise interferes
(physically or verbally) with a fielder in an attempt to break up a play or cause an error.
The runner shall be called out and subsequent violations will result in ejection.
4. No fielder may intentionally block a base or attempt to tag (fake tags) a runner without
having possession of the ball. The umpire shall issue a warning to any player who
intentionally blocks a base or attempts to tag a runner without having possession of
the ball. The runner shall be called safe and any subsequent violations in the same
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game will result in ejection. If, in the umpire’s judgment, a fielder intentionally blocks a
base in an attempt to cause a collision, the fielder will be ejected.
X. Starting Times and Game Times
1. Start Times (Regular Season and Tournament): All first games will start at 5:00 PM,
and forfeit time is 5:05 PM. When two games are played per day, the second game
time and forfeit time are 6:00 PM, or 5 minutes after the completion of the first game,
whichever is later.
2. Game Times (Regular Season and Tournament): All games except for the
Championship will last 7 innings or 60 minutes, whichever occurs first. No new
inning will start 55 minutes after the start of the game. The 6:00 PM game can be
called due to darkness if 5 innings have been completed (4 ½ if the home team is
ahead). Game start times should be noted by the home team. The Championship
game will last 7 innings with no time limit.
3. Tied Games (Regular Season): All games last a maximum of 60 minutes. Once the
game reaches the time of 55 minutes, then the umpire will complete the final inning,
and if the game ends in a tie, then the game is scored as a tie in the standings. If the
game is tied after 7 innings and time still remains on the clock the game will continue
using the “International Tie-Breaker Rule”. Under this rule, each team starts their next
at bat, in the following inning, with the player who completed the last official at bat, as
a base runner on second base. Each subsequent inning will start the same until a
winner has been determined, or time has expired.
4. Suspended Games (Regular Season): All games suspended due to inclement
weather, darkness, or other circumstances beyond the control of either team shall be
replayed from the beginning unless 5 innings have been completed (4 ½ if the home
team is ahead) or the 60-minute time limit has elapsed. By agreement between the
captains, a game score at the time of suspension may be accepted as final even if
fewer innings have been completed. The captains will inform the league
commissioner immediately after suspension of the game if they do not wish to replay
it. Once the commissioner is informed, this decision is final.
5. If a game must be called in the middle of an inning after 5 innings have been
completed (4 ½ if the home team is ahead) but before the time limit has been
reached, the final score will revert back to the last completed inning (or half inning if
the home team is ahead).
6. All forfeited games are scored as 7 – 0 in the standings.
XI. Pick-up/Substitue Players:
In order to allow as much participation as possible and to minimize forfeits, the MARS
softball club does not encourage, but will allow pick-up players to be used in order to field
a team during the regular season only. The use of pick-up players is governed by the
following:
1. Teams must have a minimum of 6 of their own players (listed on their official roster)
or the game will be forfeited. Further, the teams may only add a maximum of 2 pick-
up players per any regular season game, and a lineup maximum of 10 total players
may not be exceeded when pick-up players are used. If the opponent is also short
players, pick up players can only be added to equal the number of players on the
opposing team. For example: if team “A” has 7 regular players with 2 pick-up players
listed in the lineup (to equal 9 total players), and team “B” only has 8 total players,
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only 1 pick-up player is allowed to play with team “A”, creating equal play for each
team and a total of 8 players in both team’s lineups.
2. The game may still be played, but the result will be officially recorded as a forfeit. The
umpire is encouraged to remain and continue to call the game.
3. Teams can only add pick-up players at the beginning of a game and must be listed
on their lineup.
4. The captain of the opposing team must be notified before a pick-up player bats or
plays defense. If notification is not made, the pick-up player will be considered an
illegal player and the game is subject to forfeit.
5. If a player must leave the game early from the opposing team, resulting in fewer
players in their lineup than the team using pick-up players, pick-up players must also
be relinquished until both teams have the same number of players remaining.
XII. Co-Ed Recreational Rules
1. All coed division teams must play with a minimum of two females at all times (fielding
and hitting). A team may play short or without females but will be penalized as stated.
a. One female short: Offensively – the team playing short will list her in the
batting order and will take an out each time she would come up to bat. The
batting order may only have ten positions, with one being the automatic out.
Defensively – the team will play with 9 players on the field.
b. Two females short: Offensively – the team will list both females in the lineup
and will take an out each time they would come up to bat. The batting order
may only have ten positions, with two being the automatic outs. Defensively –
they will play with 8 players in the field.
c. A “dead player” (a player with no defensive responsibilities) may not be used
in place of the missing female fielder (e.g., a team short one female may not
use a “dead player” as a catcher, allowing the team to play with all other
defensive positions filled.
2. An inning or game may NOT end on a third out resulting from walking a male batter
ahead of a missing female batter.
3. If a male batter is walked ahead of a female batter, the male batter may advance to
second base. All base runners that are forced to advance shall be advanced one
base. Other runners may not advance. The female batter then has the option of
walking to first base or taking her turn at bat.
4. An 11-inch 52 COR/300 lbs. compression USA-approved softball will be used during
a female’s turn at bat. It is the responsibility of the batting team to ensure the ball is
put into play before the female at-bat. The batter may elect to use the 12-inch ball.
The result of any play using the incorrect ball will count unless time has been granted
by the umpire prior to the pitch being thrown.
5. A maximum of six (6) players are allowed in front of the outfield restriction line (170-
foot arc from home plate) before a ball is hit by a FEMALE player. All other players
(normally the outfielders) will not be allowed to cross the outfield restriction line until
after the ball is hit. If a player crosses the arc to make a play before the ball was hit
and an out occurs during the play, the umpire shall call an outfield line rule violation
upon appeal by the batting team. The out is not recorded and the female batter will
be awarded first base. All base runners that are forced to advance shall be advanced
one base. Other runners may not advance. If the out occurred as a result of a runner
attempting to advance more than what the rule allows safely during the play, there
will be no violation called. If an out does not occur then play proceeds without
reference to the violation.
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XIIa. Open Recreational Rules – Female Players
1. An 11-inch 52 COR/300 lbs. compression USA-approved softball will be used during
a female’s turn at bat. It is the responsibility of the batting team to ensure the ball is
put into play before the female at-bat. The batter may elect to use the 12-inch ball.
The result of any play using the incorrect ball will count unless time has been granted
by the umpire prior to the pitch being thrown.
2. A maximum of six (6) players are allowed in front of the outfield restriction line (170-
foot arc from home plate) before a ball is hit by a FEMALE player. All other players
(normally the outfielders) will not be allowed to cross the outfield restriction line until
after the ball is hit. If a player crosses the arc to make a play before the ball was hit
and an out occurs during the play, the umpire shall call an outfield line rule violation
upon appeal by the batting team. The out is not recorded and the female batter will
be awarded first base. All base runners that are forced to advance shall be advanced
one base. Other runners may not advance. If the out occurred as a result of a runner
attempting to advance more than what the rule allows safely during the play, there
will be no violation called. If an out does not occur then play proceeds without
reference to the violation.
XIIb. Co-Ed Competitive Rules
1. All coed competitive division teams must play with a minimum of two females in the
field and one female in the batting order. A team may play short or without
females but will be penalized as stated.
a. One female batting/fielding: Defensively – the team will play with 9 players on
the field.
b. No females batting/fielding: Offensively – the team will list one female in the
lineup and will take an out each time she would come up to bat. The batting
order may only have ten positions, with one being the automatic out.
Defensively – they will play with 8 players in the field.
c. A “dead player” (a player with no defensive responsibilities) may not be used
in place of the missing female fielder (e.g., a team short one female may not
use a “dead player” as a catcher, allowing the team to play with all other
defensive positions filled.
2. All other co-ed rules (walks, 11” ball, outfield line) are the same as the co-ed
recreational rules.
XIII. Equipment:
1. A 12”, 52 COR/300 lbs. compression USA-approved softball will be used (with the
exception of the female ball used in co-ed play). The umpire will inspect and approve all
game balls, if necessary. The league will provide a new game ball and the home team
will provide an approved used ball as a backup.
Only USA certified slow pitch softball bats are allowed to be used during the game. No fast pitch
bats, baseball bats, senior softball bats, or non-USA approved bats may be used in regular
season or tournament play.
a. The opposing team must appeal to the umpire when they believe an illegal bat
has been used. If the umpire determines the bat is illegal, the result of the play
shall be an out, and the runners shall return to the base they started from on that
play.
b. If a bat already declared illegal is used again in the same game, the player using
the bat shall be ejected from the game.
c. Bats declared illegal by the umpire must be removed from the dugout.
d. Legacy ASA-stamped bats may still be used.
2. The catcher and pitcher are encouraged, but not required to wear a helmet and/or face
mask.
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3. NO METAL SPIKES OR CLEATS. Players found with metal spikes or cleats, even in the
dugout prior to taking the field, will be ejected from the game. Repeat offenders will be
suspended for the season. Non-metallic cleats may be used. However, if no cleats,
running/tennis shoes are acceptable.
XIV. Lightning and Adverse Weather Policy:
1. The MARS softball Club will observe all MSFC weather and safety policies and
procedures, without exception.
a. At the NASA Fields, games will be paused or postponed (or suspended in the
tournament if play cannot resume) when the MSFC lightning warning
announcement has been made or thunder is heard by a player or official.
Lightning monitoring apps will be used during inclement weather and play will be
paused when lightning is within 6 miles of the field. Play may resume 30 minutes
after the pause if no more strikes are detected, the captains agree, and time
allows. In general, this means the early game will be postponed on days where
two games have been scheduled to allow the late game to start on time if
possible, but the late game may pause and resume.
b. At the Army Fields, games will be paused or postponed (or suspended in the
tournament if play cannot resume) when thunder is heard by a player or official.
Monitoring procedures will be the same as at the NASA fields.
XV. Protests:
The protesting team’s manager must present the protest in writing to his division
commissioner no later than 2:00 PM of the first working day following the protested
game. For protests involving the enforcement of a rule related to game play, the home
plate umpire must also be notified at the end of the game. For protests involving player
participation in the game (pick-up players, eligible players, etc.), the home plate umpire
DOES NOT need to be notified. The Rules Committee will then hand down a decision as
determined by the President, at least one Vice President, and Division Commissioner. All
decisions by the Rules Committee are final.
XVI. Restrictions for players participating in multiple MARS Divisions
1. The league offers competitive and recreational divisions with co-ed and non co-ed
(open) options.
2. Players will be allowed to participate in a maximum of two (2) Divisions and listed on
two (2) rosters within the league governed by the following restrictions:
a. Only three (3) male players from a competitive division will be allowed to play
with a recreational team during any game; with a maximum of six (6)
competitive players (male or female) listed on any recreational roster.
i. If more than three (3) male competitive players are present for a
recreational game, they may be freely substituted in the field and in
the batting order with another competitive player, assuming the
integrity of the batting order is maintained. The player being removed
from the lineup can only re-enter the batting order in the spot he
originated. Both players cannot be in the batting order or on the field
at the same time.
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ii. If more than three (3) male competitive players are in the lineup of a
recreational game, the game may still be played but the result will be
recorded as a forfeit by the violating team.
b. Recreational – There are NO restrictions to the number of players from a
recreational division participating in games within another recreational
division. Players may be listed on a maximum of two (2) rosters within the
league.
c. Competitive – There are NO restrictions to the number of players from a
competitive division participating in games within another competitive
division. Players may be listed on a maximum of two (2) rosters within the
league.
d. Females will be allowed to participate within any two (2) divisions but may be
listed on a maximum of two (2) rosters within the league.
These Rules Supersede all Previous MARS Softball Club Rules