This League is sponsored by the Holmdel Softball Association, a non-profit group dedicated to the encouragement of the sport of softball. When your team participates in a sponsored league you are a member of the association.

All ASA rules will be enforced including those regarding player behavior. When an individual is ejected, he or she must leave the field and stands immediately and before play resumes. Each team is responsible for its spectators, and is responsible for controlling them or requiring them to leave. "Out of sight out of mind" is the rule of thumb.

Most of the rules listed here are right from the ASA rule book, and are only put here because they are "different" from regular softball. Some rules listed are "local" variations, and are marked by **. Local rules override the ASA book in case of conflict.

1. 5 males and 5 females playing at all times (except see 6 - 8 below).
2. Ball for males only is 12 inch COR 47. Ball for females only is 11 inch COR 47. **If the wrong ball is deliberately pitched to the batter, the pitcher will be warned the first time and may be removed from the pitching position on a subsequent occurrence. If it is discovered that the wrong ball has been pitched to a batter prior to a subsequent legal or illegal pitch, or before the defense has left the field ending the inning, if it is a male batter it will be declared "No Pitch", or if it is a female batter she will be given the choice of a declared "No Pitch" or accepting the play (including a ball or strike, walk, hit, out, etc.).
3. 65 feet bases, 50 feet pitching distance. ASA rules apply to use of Double first base.
4. Batting order must alternate gender (except see 6-8 below).
5. Defensive positioning must be a minimum of 2 females in the outfield, 2 females in the infield, and 1 female pitcher-catcher. Females not in position at start of pitcher motion is an illegal pitch.
6. 2 extra players (EP's) are optional (1 male & 1 female), only if 10 other players (5 male & 5 female) are in the batting lineup. **1 extra player is optional, if FEMALE and no fewer than 4 males are in the batting lineup. INTERPRETATION: You may play with 9 players (see # 7); 10 players (5 men & 5 women, or 4 men & 6 women); 11 players (5 men & 6 women); or 12 players (6 & 6).
7. **Teams may start a game with 9 players. If a player arrives before the batting order has been completed once, he/she may be put last or next to last (to preserve alternate gender batting). When the missing player is scheduled to bat, an out will be recorded for that spot.
8. A Team may continue to play with 9 players, provided that the missing player had to leave the game for any reason other than ejection, AND there are at least 9 players, of which at least 4 are females. Each time the missing player would have batted, an out is recorded.
9. When a male batter receives a base on balls, he is awarded 2nd base, and he must touch 1st bast on the way to second. If there are no outs or 1 out, the following female batter MUST bat. If there are 2 outs, the following female batter has the choice of batting or walking.
10. No metal spikes or dangerous equipment are permitted. It is the responsibility of the players to bring dangerous equipment and situations to the umpire's attention. If the umpire declares that something is disqualified it is final; however, failure to disqualify something should not be construed to mean that it is certified safe.
11. Base runners must legally slide, avoid, or give up when played upon at any base. A legal slide is defined as hip and/or leg on the ground with both feet low and aimed at the base or away from the defending player. Pop-up or roll-into are grounds for ejection. Contact between players must be free of avoidable collision, attempts to dislodge a ball, attempts to breakup a possible double play, or inappropriate sexist behavior. In each case, the umpire is required to declare a dead ball and call the offending player out. The double play will be declared if the umpire judges an attempt was made to break it up.
12. **15 run rule: The game is ended at the END of the 5th or any subsequent inning when one team is ahead by 15 or more runs, except that the game is ended at the end of the FIRST HALF of the 5th or any subsequent inning if the home team is ahead by 15 or more runs.
13. **No alcoholic beverages may be consumed by players or substitutes before during or after any game at the field. No smoking is allowed on the field by players, coaches, or guests.
14. Batted foul ball not caught is a strike including the third strike.
15. ASA uniform regulations require that teams have a minimum of like appearing shirts.
16. **A thrown bat striking any defensive player may be ruled interference on the umpires judgement whether or not the struck player was making a play. The ball is dead, batter is out, all runners returned to last base touched. If the batter throws the bat on the third strike and interference is ruled, the base runner nearest home may be declared out. If the thrown bat prevents a play on another runner, that runner may also be declared out. The umpire may warn both teams that subsequent thrown bats may result in an out and ejection of the offender.
17. **Teams are encouraged to play a practice game, following COED rules as nearly as possible, in the event of a team failing to satisfy minimum player rules.
18. Jewelry, DEEMED TO BE UNSAFE BY THE UMPIRE MUST BE REMOVED OR THAT INDIVIDUAL WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GAME.

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