RULES OF PLAY
1. Minor round games will be 70 minutes duration and the game will be called at exactly 70 minutes, or at the completion of the play in progress. If the innings is incomplete this will revert back the previous completed innings unless the team second at bat has gone ahead.
2. The plate umpire in conjunction with the scorers will be the official time keepers.
3. Finals - preliminary and semi finals games will be 70 minutes duration or 5 innings whichever comes first. If the score is tied at the end of time or after 5 completed innings, the tie breaker shall apply until a winning result is achieved.
4. Gold Medal Games will be 90 minutes duration or 7 innings
whichever comes first. If the score is tied at the end of time or after 7 completed innings, the tie breaker shall apply until a winning result is achieved.
5. Speed up rules will apply in all games.
a) Pitchers will be allowed 5 warm up pitches in the first innings only. The catcher may not throw to second base. Any new pitcher entering the game shall be allowed 5 warm up pitches in their first innings.
b) The catcher must be replaced with 2 down and may be replace at any other time. This substitute may be any member of the team listed on the playing card, and they must be ready to take the place of the catcher immediately.
c) Batters must take offensive signals with one foot in the batters box, the umpire will give the batter one warning and any subsequent breaches will result in an automatic strike.
6. Equipment checks will be conducted throughout the competition.
7. Home run cones will be set at 225ft on Diamonds 1 and 3 and at 200ft on Diamonds 4 due to the obstruction of the surrounding trees and footpath. Diamond 2 will only be utilised if required due to rescheduling of games called due to bad weather.
8. Any rules not covered above will be in accordance with the Softball Australia Rulebook.
TECHNICAL RULES
1. Minor round tosses will be done at the Technical Meeting to decide which teams bat and field first.
2. Balls (marked ASSA) will be taken to each game by the plate umpire and are to be returned to the plate umpire at the end of each game.
3. Line up sheets for each team must be in to the scorer on the diamond ten (10) minutes prior to the scheduled start time of each game.
4. Forfeiture during minor rounds will result in forfeiting the right to play in the final/medal rounds.
5. Each player must play a minimum of three (3) games to qualify for the finals. The only exception will be if the player supplies a medical certificate from a registered practitioner or notification in writing from the Masters Games Sports Medic Clinic.
6. Hot weather policy – it the temperature rises to 40 degrees or over at the commencement of the game then the game shall be called a draw. This shall be the decision of the Convener and the TCU. If during a game the temperature rises above 40 degrees and 3 innings have been completed then the game shall be called at the completion of the play in progress and the result shall be in accordance with rule 2 in the Rules of play, if 3 innings have not been completed then the game shall be deemed as a draw.
7. Teams on duty are expected to have on hand a Plate umpire, two base umpires and a scorer, unless otherwise advised.
8. Scorers, please advise the sports coordinator of any home runs hit as a tally will be kept for presentation night. Also clearly note in the score book.
9. At the end of the day teams are required to fold the shade cloth on their dugout for collection by the grounds person.
