2008 Lawyers' League Softball Rules

1. Rosters: Rosters are restricted to lawyers, payroll employees, spouses of employees, and children/immediate family members of lawyers. ("Significant others" of lawyers are eligible.)
1. Lawyers: Each team is required to play at least five (5) lawyers in the field at all times. If a team has fewer than five lawyers in the field, it must play shorthanded. Law clerks qualify as "lawyers" but may not comprise more than two of the "5 lawyer requirement". (Note: Teams must provide a catcher.)
2. Women: Each team is required to play a minimum of three (3) women in the field at all times. If a team has fewer than three women in the field, it must play shorthanded. (Note: Teams must provide a catcher.)
3. Children: Children of lawyers are only allowed to play if their attorney-parent is playing in the game. A single week absence of the attorney- parent does not necessarily require enforcement of this rule.
4. Automatic out: If you are short either an attorney or woman, then the 10th position in the batting lineup is an automatic out. No more than one automatic out per batting lineup shall be penalized no matter the number of lawyers or women absent.
   Example 1 - A lawyer is absent. Team plays shorthanded one player and takes an auto out on 10th position.
   Example 2 - A lawyer and woman are absent. Team plays shorthanded two players but takes only one auto out in the 10th position.
2. Batting order: All players must be listed in the batting order at the beginning of the game and must remain in the same position in the batting order throughout the game regardless of their position in the field. At least five (5) lawyers and three (3) women must be placed in the first ten positions of the batting order. Late arrivals may be added to the end of the batting order, no matter what inning they arrive.
3. Substitutions: Players may be freely substituted in the field as many times as they please. (e.g. A player may start at first base, sit out the second inning, play left field in the third inning, sit out the fourth and fifth innings, and return to first base in the sixth inning. However, this player must remain in the same position in the batting order throughout the game.) A player may leave the game at any time between innings, but is not allowed to return to the game, and all incoming late arrivals must be added to the end of the batting order. (e.g. A player may leave the game after the completion of the 3rd inning and a new player may take their place but must be added to the end of the batting order. If the departing player was an attorney/woman in the first 10 batting positions then that team would be in violation of rule #2 and would be required to take an automatic out in the 10 spot of their lineup.)
4. The strike zone is identified by the mat behind home plate. If the ball strikes any part of the mat, it is a strike. If it misses the mat, it is a ball. Balls and strikes will be called by the home-base umpire. Three strikes is an out; four balls is a walk. Unless both teams agree to the contrary, the default rule is that walks will be called.
5. Pitches: An illegal pitch is counted as a ball. A legal pitch is accomplished when the ball is pitched underhand to the batter at a moderate speed with a perceptible arch of not less than three feet (as measured from the time the ball leaves the pitcher's hand until it reaches the plate) and with an arch of not more than twelve feet from the ground.
6. Pinch runners are only allowed if a batter is too injured/ill to run. The pinch runner must start from the approximate point of where the umpire stands. The pinch runner shall be the player who made the last out for the team at bat.
7. Metal cleats are not allowed.
   No bunting, intentional walks, or base stealing is allowed.
   The same ball must be used by both teams when batting.
   Teams should provide their own umpires. Teams failing to provide umpires may be penalized.
   Each team must provide a catcher.
   Distance between bases is 60 feet.
   Dimensions of the strike zone carpet behind home plate are 17" x 36".
   Run rule: any team with a 15 run lead after the fifth inning shall be declared the winner.
   Games cannot end in a tie score. Game must continue for additional innings until the tie is broken.
   Teams are requested to provide bases for each game and two (2) orange cones to mark the foul ball lines in the outfield.
8. Infield fly rule is not in effect. Due to the fact that an umpire is required to make the call whether the ball is "catchable" and we don't have a neutral umpire (except in the championship), the rule can't be enforced.
9. Games start at 6:30 p.m. Games shall consist of seven innings. If a game starts later than 6:30 p.m. then teams are permitted to play a five-inning game by agreement. If a team is not prepared to start the game by 6:50 p.m., the opposing team may demand a forfeit of the game (i.e. 20 minute grace period).
10. Darkness rule: Games that become dangerous due to impending darkness shall terminate at the conclusion of the last complete inning at the discretion of the umpire with the leading team declared the winner. If darkness is likely to affect a game's conclusion prior to seven innings (or extra innings in the event of a tie), then the team captains should consult with the umpire so everyone is aware the game may be called early.
11. Game cancellations due to inclement weather will be decided by 4:30 p.m. on game day.