Big Sur Softball Rules
League Rules:
All teams must submit a signed waiver for each player on its roster.
Each player must be at least 16 years of age. Players under 18 years of age are required to have a parent sign a waiver before they are permitted to play.
A player must have participated in at least Half of the regular season to be eligible to play in the playoffs.
A player may not play for more than one team in a given season unless he or she receives the permission of all team captains.
To avoid a forfeit, a team must field seven players, and one must play catcher.
The distance between the bases is 60 feet.
The coaches have the option of calling a game if one team has a 15-run lead after five innings.
Umpires are empowered to remove any player or spectator for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Rules of Play:
A game will consist of nine innings with a time limit of one hour from the starting time. The final inning of the first game must begin before the end of the hour. Umpires will give a one-inning warning before calling a game because of darkness.
All games start punctually with a five-minute grace period. A team unable to field seven players will forfeit the game. The only exception will be for emergency services. Games not played due to emergencies will be rescheduled.
Before the start of a game, each team must post a batting order.
A player or captain may pitch without batting.
All players not pitching, batting, fielding or coaching will remain out of the field of play.
When the pitcher is hit with a batted ball, the batter is out.
Each batter is allowed two pitches.
No bunting is allowed. A batter must take a full swing, or the pitch will be called a strike.
The batter's back foot must remain behind the front of home plate. Violators will have a strike called on them.
A batted ball hit over the dike in right-center field is live.
A batted ball landing in fair territory that goes out of play is a double (except when going into the parking lot in left field).
A batted ball that goes under the fence or hits the top of the fence and goes over, even if it was touched by a player, is a double.
A batted ball that hits any tree in deep left field or left center field is live and in play.
A ground ball that lands in fair territory before hitting a tree on the left field or right field line is a double.
A batted ball hitting the tree on the left field line or a tree in right field, or going over the right field fence, is a single.
A batted ball going between the tree trunks in right field is a single.
Only one tree ball to each side is allowed per inning.
The infield fly rule is in effect. Umpires will call the rule when the ball is in the air.
A runner who leaves a base before the bat makes contact with the ball is out.
A runner that passes the half-way line between third base and home is committed and can't return to third.
Runners touching home plate will be called out. Catchers may use a tag to tag a runner out between third base and home plate. There is a commitment line between third base and home plate, upon crossing this line a runner is committed to attempting to score and a force out becomes available at home plate.
A fielder may not occupy the base line without the ball. If he or she does, all runners advance.
A runner hit by a batted ball is out and the batter is awarded first base.
A thrown ball going out of play is dead. Runners are awarded an extra base.
Play is live until the ball is returned to the pitcher by an infielder.
A batter overrunning first base must use the orange section of the base, and the first baseman must use the white section of the bag.
If a runner is replaced on the base paths and doesn't return to the field the next inning, they are out of the game.
Runners who are replaced on the base paths must be replaced by the batter who made the last out. A runner can only be replaced twice on the bases before they must leave the game.
If a base is significantly displaced due to sliding, the runner may not be tagged out.
If a defender throws a glove at a ball, the batter is awarded a home run.
If a spectator touches the ball, the play is dead.
There will be a safety line at 35 feet from the back of home plate. If the pitcher's front foot crosses the line the pitch will be called dead and a strike.
There is an optional A/B batter rule for each team's lineup. You are allowed a maximum of 3 A/B slots in your lineup, which can be at any spot in your line up i.e 3a & 3B. All players are eligible to play the field regardless of batting order. Please see additional pages for more information on A/B batting.
No player can be removed from the lineup, unless by injury. If a player does not bat in their order they will be counted as an out. With the exception of the A/B batters which can be removed at any point in the game.
Equipment Rules:
All players must use single billet (one solid piece) wood bats. Wood composite (baum bats or similar) are illegal for use. Bamboo bats are illegal for use. Any wood bat with a BBCOR. Cert stamps are illegal for use.
No metal cleats are allowed.
State Park Rules
On game days or practice days, all players must stop at the entry kiosk and show a valid player's pass to the ranger on duty and thereafter display the pass on his/her dashboard. Alternately, on game days only, spectators may stop at the kiosk and receive a free day pass after identifying themselves as spectators. The pass also must be displayed on his/her dashboard. Violators may be cited by state park rangers.
The road along the third base line is off-limits to player and spectator traffic before, during or after a game. Parking is available in the left field parking lot.
Players and fans alike must abide by all the state park rules while in the park for softball games.
Revised April 2026