1. Team requirement.
   All teams are REQUIRED to supply one umpire per weekend. The captains will submit the names to the commissioner (Joe Godsy). He will pair them, if requested, and assign them to a game. The umpires will either be present for the entire game or will find replacements to finish for them. There will be two umpires per game at all times. This is not negotiable. There is no penalty for a team not supplying an umpire because that is not an option. The captains must submit the names of the umpires for that week to the commissioner BEFORE SATURDAY.
2. Who can be an ump.
   Umpires may be league players or other neutral, rules-informed non-playing persons. All umpires should be knowledgeable of the rules posted here, especially the odd bits that apply specifically to this league. All league players are strongly encouraged to become familiar with the rules. And all are encourage to serve as umps. Captains should bring a copy of the rules to the game.
3. Umps working together.
   Having two umpires is, of course, ideal to ensure that each play can be viewed from multiple angles and to ensure that two minds can collaborate on interpretations of league rules and circumstances on the field. On close or controversial plays, umpires may take time out from the game to consult with each other before making a definitive call on a difficult play.

1. Cleats.
   Metal spikes are not permitted. Only rubber cleats are allowed. A player wearing metal spikes may not play.
2. Other equipments.
   Each team must bring at least one new Clincher softball and some softball bats to each game. The league will provide bases and strike-zone mat.

1. Hitter's League.
   Williamsburg softball has been, and remains, a "hitter's league." The following rules of "balls and strikes with a mat" were adopted to keep it this way.
2. Legal pitch.
   Starting position is facing home plate with at least one foot on the "rubber". When the batter is ready, the pitch must be delivered in one continuous UNDERHAND motion at moderate speed with the top of the arc reaching roughly 5 to 8 feet from the ground. The pitcher may take only one step toward home plate. Illegal pitches will be automatically called BALLS (if the batter does not swing). The umpire closest to home plate has the call on the legality of the pitch.
3. Strike.
   If any portion of the ball from a legal pitch touches the strike-zone mat, it is a strike. (The league will provide the mat, which will sit under home plate and extends 34" toward the catcher.)
4. "Trick" pitches.
   Pitchers may throw knuckleballs, spinning balls, or backhanded pitches. But it is illegal to throw a ball that contains any foreign substances, including clumps of dirt, on the surface of the ball.

1. 3 strikes.
   A batter gets three strikes. If the third swing generates a foul ball, the batter is out. A batter may strike out looking (not swinging) at a 3rd strike.
2. 4 balls
   For every four balls that a batter sees, the first available player furthest from the batter in the lineup is awarded first base (a designated walk). The batter stays at bat, with the number of balls in the count resetting to zero and the number of strikes staying the same. So if you have 3 balls and 2 strikes and the next pitch is a ball, another player takes first base. Your new count is 0 balls and 2 strikes. To figure out which player takes the base, simply look up the lineup card starting with the preceding batter and continuing in reverse order until you find a player not currently on base. There is no limit on how many designated walks a batter can get.
3. Substitute running.
   A batter may request a substitute runner for any reason that prevents the batter from running. That substitute runner must be the last person on the batter's team to make an out immediately before that batter's turn at the plate. The substitute runner must begin on the third base side of home plate, touching the fence behind the catcher.
4. Bunting.
   Bunting of any kind is not permitted. Any attempted bunt, half swing, or down chop intended to cause the effect of a bunt results in an automatic out. Runners may not advance on an illegal bunt.

1. Safety first.
   The primary goal on the base paths, above all, is to avoid dangerous collisions between runners and fielders.
2. First base.
   Double bases will be used at first base to permit the base runner to run on the foul side of the first base line, while the first baseman fields his position on the infield side of the base.
3. First baseman obstructing path to first base.
   If the first baseman, in a stationary position, with a play at first base, obstructs the base runner headed to first in a way that puts the runner in danger or prevents the runner from reaching the base, the runner is awarded first base safely.
4. First baseman obstructing path to second base.
   On a base hit, when there is clearly no play at first base, the first basemen must allow the runner the opportunity to round the bag and run for extra bases. It is the responsibility of the first basemen to get out of the runner's way. Collisions that result from the first baseman failing to clear the way for the runner when there is no play at first base may result, according to the judgement of the ump, in an extra base awarded to the runner.
5. Base runner Interfering with first baseman.
   A base runner heading to first should run on the runner's lane on the foul side of the first base line. A base runner who by running on infield side of the line prevents the first baseman from fielding his position is automatically out.
6. Fielder obstructing a runner.
   If a fielder, while NOT in the act of fielding, obstructs the base path in a manner that causes a collision or severely impedes the runner's progress around the bases, the umpire should rule the runner automatically safe and award an extra base if appropriate.
7. Sliding on close plays.
   Runners are strongly encouraged to slide on close plays to avoid obstructing the play of infielders and to avoid collisions with the infielders. A base runner who chooses not to slide on a close play MUST ease gently into the base, avoiding contact with the fielder, or give himself up.
8. Runners interfering with fielders.
   If a runner aggressively or recklessly goes into a base standing up and initiates a collision, or if a runner on the base path collides with a fielder in the act of fielding, preventing him from completing the play, the umpire should call the runner out.
9. Home plate.
   Safety is of crucial importance around home plate. Controlled feet-first sliding on close plays is strongly encouraged, as it is generally accepted as a safer method than head-first sliding. Typically the on-deck batter has the responsibility to let the runner know whether or not to slide. Teams are encourage to get all players to understand and use this system. But take care not to overcrowd the area around home plate.
10. Take out slides.
    Sliding away from the bag or through the bag with the intention of preventing the fielder from completing a play is NOT allowed. The runner is automatically called out. If by such a slide the runner prevents even the merest possibility of a double-play, the other base runner in question is also called out.

1. Shallow outfielder.
   Teams may field only one shallow outfielder, also know as, the rover—but no more than one. There must be at least three outfielders at all times playing at regular depth or deeper. Only the shallow outfielder may encroach for weaker hitters. If the hitting team feels that two or more outfielders are encroaching for weaker hitters, they can appeal to the umpire. The umpire can then make those outfielders step back to regular depth, according to his discretion.
2. Home plate.
   On plays at home plate, the fielder taking the throw should be positioned to the side of home plate in fair territory, giving the runner a clear lane to the plate. The fielder should NOT stand over home plate to make a play, as this will likely lead to collisions. The fielding team should have no more than 2 players near home plate. The fielder backing up the play should be standing near the backstop.
3. Infield fly rule.
   There is no infield fly rule. That said, anyone taking advantage of this fact should be tarred-and-feathered. It's customary for teams NOT to accept the extra out or double play resulting from such a blunder in sportsmanship.

1. In play.
   Everything within the foul lines on each field is in play: rocks, park benches, garbage cans, players from other games, empanada purveyors. If a batted ball hits any of these objects in play and remains playable, fielders must play the ball accordingly.
2. Ground-rule double.
   Play ceases and a ground-rule double is awarded to the batter if a ball hit into fair territory is picked up, thrown, or otherwise intentionally deflected by a bystander, or if a ball becomes completely impossible to play as a result of some impediment or obstruction such as a hole in the ground, fence, rabid animal, etc. Ground-rule doubles will be determined by the umpires. On a ground-rule double, other runners on the base paths advance two bases from their starting points.
3. Out of bounds.
   The ballfields not having any real out-of-play territory, when a ball is thrown by a fielder "out of bounds" (the area extending behind the first base and third base dugout fences), all runners on the base paths may advance a maximum of one base beyond the base toward which they were running. The ball is not considered dead, so the base is not awarded automatically. Runners advance at their own risk.
4. Out of bounds example 1.
   If a batter is running toward first and an errant throw from the infield goes out of bounds beyond first base—regardless of whether the runner may or may not have been safe with a good throw—the batter may attempt to advance to second base. A runner on first may attempt to advance to third and a runner starting on second base may attempt to score. In all cases, the ball is "live" and runners may be tagged out.
5. Out of bounds example 2.
   Likewise, if a runner is headed toward third and an errant throw from either the infield or outfield goes out of bounds beyond third base, that runner may attempt to score, while other runners on the field may attempt to advance one base beyond the base toward which they were running. Again, the ball is "live" and runners may be tagged out.
6. Continuation of out of bounds play.
   If a fielder in trying to make a play during an out-of-bounds situation throws the ball away and out-of-bounds, then the out-of-bounds rule applies again, letting the runners advance one more base at their own risk.

1. Maximum players in the field.
   Teams may have a maximum of 10 players in the field. This constitutes a full infield plus four outfielders, with the fourth outfielder being a "rover."
2. Choices of batting lineups.
   There are two options for creating batting lineups: the 9/10-person and the 11/12-person batting lineups. Teams cannot change their choice of batting lineups or how many players are in the lineup once the game has begun. Take note. Different substitution rules apply to each.
3. 9/10-person batting lineup.
   In a 9/10-person batting lineup, a player being subbed out may re-enter the game, but only after the sub has played both an inning in the field and has come to the plate at least once. The returning player must go back to his previous spot in the batting order. No double switches are allowed. In other words, if a player begins the game hitting 5th and comes out for a few innings, when that player returns it must be to the 5th spot in the batting order.
4. 11/12-person batting lineup.
   In an 11/12-person batting lineup, any 10 of the players in the lineup can take the field at any given inning. But any player being subbed out cannot re-enter the game.
5. Pinch-hitting.
   Pinch-hitting is not permitted. Players must play in the field before they can come to the plate for the first time. The umpire can make an exception due to injury.
6. Team with fewer than 10 players
   A team must field a minimum of 9 players in order to play. No exceptions allowed.
7. Minimum 2 women.
   A team must have a minimum of 2 women in the field (and batting lineup). A team fielding only 1 woman may still play—but that team can only put 9 players (8 guys, 1 girl) in the field and must bat 10 players in the lineup, with the 10th spot always an automatic out. If a second women shows up during the game, she is allowed to take the field and bat 10th in the lineup.
8. Temporary "guest" players.
   A team short on players for a game (less than the minimum 9) may ask players from other teams ("guests") to play for them for the game in question only. In this case:
1. A team may use a maximum of 2 "guests" and only enough to reach the minimum of 9 players. (In other words, a team with only 8 players may only ask for the services of 1 guest. A team with only 7 players may only ask for 2. A team with only 6 players must forfeit the game.)
2. The league respectfully asks captains recruiting "guests" to find players whose talents do not greatly exceed those of the players on their regular rosters. To that end, each "guest" must be approved to play by the opposing team's captain.
3. Teams may use "guest" players to reach a 10-person lineup only if the 10th player added would be the team's 2nd woman player. In other words, a 2nd woman player may be added as a "guest" in any circumstance.

1. Trading lineups.
   Teams are required to trade lineups before the start of their games.
2. Playoff eligibility.
   To be playoff-eligible, players must have appeared in at least six of a team's regular season games. The league can make exceptions for injuries or special circumstances (for example, in the case of players who have historically been part of a team but were unavailable for some reason during some part of the season). Teams should enter the playoffs with roughly the same roster that played during the regular season. Generally speaking, last minute playoff substitutions ("ringers") are not permitted.
3. Roster submission.
   Coaches are encouraged to submit team rosters to the Williamsburg Softball League website (www.williamsburgsoftball.com) to foster familiarity throughout the league with each team's players.

1. Top eight teams qualify.
   The top eight teams in the league will qualify for the playoffs. The two division winners will be ranked #1 and #2 (the team with the better record will be ranked #1). The rest of the teams will be ranked between #3 and #8 in order of record, regardless of division. Ties will be settled by the following criteria, in order of use: head-to-head record, division record, runs against, and finally a coin flip.
2. First two rounds.
   The first two rounds of playoffs will be played as follows:
   1. The winner of the game between teams #1 and #8 will play the winner of the game between teams #4 and #5. The winner of that game will earn a spot in the championship.
   2. The winner of the game between teams #2 and #7 will play the winner of the game between teams #3 and #6. The winner of that game will also earn a spot in the championship.
3. Home field advantage.
   The higher ranked team in playoff and championship games is deemed the home team.

1. Code of behavior
   Everyone involved with the league are expected to behave with respect toward each other and others around the park. Show good sportsmanship. Disagreements and arguments are bound to happen. Don't let them simmer; don't let them boil over. Act like an adult and get over it. It's softball. Foul, abusive, or threatening language directed at anyone, be they umpires, opponents, teammates, or spectators, is totally unacceptable.
2. Violation of the code
   An umpire can eject from the game a person who continually violates the code of behavior or plays in a manner that is a danger to other players and spectators. A person ejected from the game must take off his jersey and leave the park. Not doing so will result in the team forfeiting the game with a score of 15-0. Remember that such childish behavior puts the league's playing permit in jeopardy.
3. Cleaning up
   To keep in good standing with the Parks Department, we need keep the fields and its surroundings clean BEFORE and AFTER each game. This means that teams playing at noon may need to do some cleaning before doing warm ups and batting practice. It may not sound fair but that's the way it is. As permit holders, we are responsible for all that's on the field once we are there. Teams playing the late games must do the same after their games. The league will provide garbage bags at the beginning of the day.

1. Remember, this league was, is, and forever will be, at its heart, laid-back and fun. Rules and regulations notwithstanding, let's remember not to take things too seriously. Be fair. Be mindful. Be nice. Teams are, as always, advised to invite their opponent out for drinks after each game, and, as always, the point of this all is for everyone to have a good time.
2. Play ball.