Crush Social Sports uses standard ASA rules with a few modifications. Those are provided below. Please review these prior to the season.

Due to town and/or county guidelines, alcohol is not permitted at any field at any time. Please review the Ocean County Park & Facility Guidelines.

TEAM ROSTER

There is no limit to the number of players a team can have on its roster or bat, but no more than 10 can be on the field at any time, and at least 3 must be female. If a team only has 2 females, they must play short in the field, and take an automatic out when that female was supposed to bat. If a team only has 1 female, they must play short in the field and take an automatic out when the 2nd and 3rd female was supposed to bat. If a team has 0 females, they must forfeit. If a team has less than 6 players present from their official roster, they must forfeit.

If a team does not meet the requirements above, a legal game can be played if both teams agree on rule adjustments before the game. Possible rule adjustments: Females bat extra through the lineup. Require a male catcher. etc.

EQUIPMENT

Crush Social Sports will provide balls, bases, a strike mat, a catcher's mask, and commit line markers. Players/teams are responsible for providing their own gloves and bats.

• ALL bats must have an "ASA approved" stamp. Fast pitch bats are not permitted.
  
• Metal cleats are not permitted.
  
• Catchers masks are recommended but not mandatory.

CAPTAIN'S MEETING

Prior to the start of the game, the team captains will meet with the umpire to review field-specific rules (e.g., foul lines, areas out of play, home run limits, etc.) and game-specific conditions (rule adjustments, subs, etc.). The captains and the umpire/league manager should agree upon any deviations from the official Crush rules during this meeting.

PITCHING & STRIKE ZONE

A single step may be taken when pitching from the pitcher's line. The arc on underhand pitches must be between six feet and twelve feet above the ground. A pitch outside of this arc will be ruled as an illegal pitch and called a ball. However, if the batter swings and misses, then it will be treated as a legal pitch and called a strike. If the batter swings and connects, then it will be treated as a legal pitch and ruled a live ball. The umpire will attempt to call "illegal pitch" as early as possible, however the umpire reserves the right to call an illegal pitch even after the ball hits the plate/strike mat, or the ground. A strike mat will be used to determine the strike zone for balls and strikes. If the softball touches any part of the strike mat or home plate on a legal pitch (6' - 12' arc) it will be considered a strike. Any other pitch that hits the ground will be called a ball.

• All batters start with one ball and one strike.
  
• Foul balls count as a strike regardless of the pitch count (i.e., you can stroke out on a foul ball).
  
• Four balls is a walk (i.e., three pitched ball plus the ball batter starts with).

FIELDING POSITIONS

Teams may field a maximum of 10 players and a minimum of 7 players. If a team cannot field at least 7 players, they must forfeit the game unless an adjustment is agreed upon before the start of the game. No more than 7 males may be on the field at any time, and no fewer than 3 females may be on the field at any time. If a team does not have enough players, then they must play short. If a team is playing with fewer than 10 fielders, they may only have 3 outfielders. A team must always field a pitcher and a catcher.

OUTFIELDERS & CO-ED LINE

If the defense is fielding 10 players, 4 of those players must be outfielders. These outfielders may be positioned in two configurations: 3 deep outfielders (LF, CF, RF) and 1 short fielder, or 4 deep outfielders (LF, LCF, RCF, RF). No outfielder is allowed to come within 10 feet of the infield dirt until the ball is hit.

If a batter hits the ball into the outfield, the outfielder may not attempt to throw the runner out at first base.

BATTING ORDER & GENDER RULE

The batting order may not have more than three males batting between every female. All players shall bat, and there are no substitutions and no pinch hitters allowed. If a player does not bat, then he or she is ineligible to play the field.

BUNTING

Intentional bunting is not allowed. Violation of this rule will result in the player being called out.

FLY BALLS

An infield fly rule is in effect if there are fewer than 2 outs with runners on first and second or the bases are loaded and there is a pop fly that the umpire judges could be caught easily by an infielder in fair territory. An infield fly call will result in the batter being called out. Play is considered dead and runners may not advance.

BASE RUNNING & SAFETY BASES

There is no leading off or stealing of bases. Base runners must use the safety base at first base and at home plate. The normal base and plate are for the fielders. The safety base at first base is the bag that is located in foul territory. The safety base at home plate is the plate off to the right of the strike mat as you are heading toward home plate from third base. Any runner who tags home plate instead of the safety base will be called out.

Crush Social Sports is non-contact, all players must make every effort to avoid unnecessary contact at all times. Runners must give themselves up, get out of the way, or slide when a play is being made at a base. A runner who moves more than 2 steps out of the base path to avoid a tag shall be called out. Runners must avoid fielders attempting to field a hit. If a fielder is blocking the base/in the base path while waiting to receive a throw, fielder interference will be called and the runner will be safe.

SLIDING

Sliding is allowed, but not at all bases. Runners may slide feet first into second or third base. Runners may not slide into first base or the safety base at home plate. Runners may not slide head--�?????�????�???�??�?�­first into any base on the field. If a runner's momentum has caused him or her to overrun a base, he or she may dive back in a head first manner to regain possession of that base. Violation of these rules will result in the player being called out.

COMMIT RULE

A commit line exists approximately halfway between third base and home plate. The boundary will be marked by a line in the sand or a colored cone or disc on the ground. As a runner approaches home plate, if he or she crosses the commit line, then he or she cannot return to third base. If there is a fly ball and a runner crosses the commit line before a fielder plays the ball, he or she will be called out if the ball is caught because he or she cannot tag up at third base.

INJURED RUNNER

Injured players may receive a pinch runner once they safely reach a base. They must bat for themselves and run to first base. If a male player is injured, then the last male out will become the pinch runner. If a female player is injured, then the last female out becomes the pinch runner.

SCORING

The play at home is always a force play regardless of the position of other runners. The fielding team must tag home plate before the runner tags the safety base. Runners must always use the safety base at home plate or they will be called out. There is a seven run limit per team per inning?except in the seventh inning.

PLAYOFFS

To determine the standings at the end of the regular season, the tie--breakers are as follows:

• Head-to-head matchups
  
• Highest point differential
  
• Strength of victory against common opponents
  
• Strength of schedule
  

NON-ROSTER SUBS

If a team will be short-handed, non-roster subs can be used but must register online before the game and sign the waiver. You can register to sub here. The sub must bring proof of registration to the game. Failure to follow the sub registration process may result in the disqualification of subs and forfeiture of the game.

No non-roster subs will be allowed during playoffs.

A team may play with a maximum of 4 subs. You may NOT have more than 10 players on the line-up card if you are using subs except when needed to satisfy the gender rule.

WEATHER

We will send an email to everyone as early as possible if games are canceled, we will do our best to update you at least 1 hour prior to your game time. We will try to make up games with double headers or by extending the season. Crush Social Sports reserves the right to shorten a season due to excessive rain-outs. We will try to make up each game to the best of our ability.

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