PLAYING FIELD

1. Pitchers Plate
2. Home Plate
3. Strike Zone Mat
4. Bases
5. Commitment Line
6. Scoring Plate
7. Pitching Screen

1. Umpires
2. Players and Replacements
3. Pitch Count
4. Length of Game
5. Five Run Rule

1. Bat Standards
2. Softballs

1. Home Plate and Strike Zone Mat
2. Scoring Plate
3. Courtesy Runners
4. Avoiding Collisions

PLAYING FIELD

1. Pitchers Plate:
   In the best interest of the pitcher's safety, the pitchers plate has been extended back six feet, so the pitcher now has the option of pitching anywhere from 50 ft. to 56 ft. if properly delivered within the area of the 2 ft wide x 6 ft. long rectangular box outlined in chalk immediately behind the pitcher's plate.
2. Home Plate:
   NSS has adopted the SPA extended home plated design that is a white five-sided figure, 21 inches wide across the edge facing the pitcher.
3. Strike Zone Mat:
   A Strike Zone Mat will be used. The mat will be 21 inches wide and 24 inches long measured from the end of the mat to the tip of each side that abuts the backside of home plate. The end of the mat that abuts Home Plate shall have a "V" shaped notch that will conform to the outline of the backside of the plate.
   The Home Plate and Strike Zone Mat may be made of one solid piece of suitable material with home plate clearly marked. Together, Home Plate and the Strike Zone Mat will form a rectangular shape 21 inches x 35 inches.
4. Bases:
   It is mandatory that first base be a safety base, 15 x 30 inches, half white/half orange. The safety base should be positioned so that the white portion is where first base would normally be in fair territory and the orange half should be in foul territory.
5. Commitment Line:
   A three (3) foot Commitment Line shall be marked across and perpendicular to the third base foul line and placed twenty (20) feet from the back left corner of home plate. A straight chalk line shall be marked from the third base Commitment Line to the Scoring Plate.
6. Scoring Plate:
   The back point of the Scoring Plate is located 8 feet diagonally from the left front (3rd base side) of Home Plate.
7. Pitching Screen:
   A pitching screen is available for use, at the pitcher’s request, to help reduce injuries. It will be placed in front of the pitching rubber at a distance not to exceed 10 feet. Any batted ball hitting the screen will be declared a ‘dead ball’ and no pitch will be counted against the hitter. A ball hitting the screen after being touched by a fielder will be counted as a ‘live ball’ and play will continue.
   
   The decision to use the screen must be stated to the umpire and opposing manager prior to each pitcher’s first pitch of the game and that decision will be in force throughout the duration of his pitching in that game.
   
   When used by only one pitcher, the net will be placed in foul territory beyond that pitcher’s dugout when it is his team’s turn to bat. If not used by either team, the net will be removed from the playing field.

1. Umpires:
   The Umpires assigned to work our games are considered representatives of our League and as such are authorized and required to enforce each and every section and part of the Official Rules.
2. Players and Replacements:
   
   • If a team is unable to field a team with at least the minimum number of roster players permitted, by the scheduled start time, that team will suffer a forfeit.
   • Ten defensive players constitute a team. However, a team may start a game with no fewer than nine (9) players.
   • A tenth (10th) player on the roster may be added any time during the game, batting in the last (10th) position. An out is not called for the missing tenth (10th) player.
3. Pitch Count:
   
   • The official count to each batter shall be four (4) balls and three (3) strikes with every batter starting with a 1 and 1 count.
   • If the pitcher desires to walk a batter intentionally, he may do so by notifying the plate umpire who shall award the batter first base.
   • After two strikes, the batter is allowed one courtesy foul ball.
4. Length of Game:
   
   • A regulation game is seven (7) innings. The umpire will keep the official game clock.
   • When 1 hour and 5 minutes has expired, the umpire will immediately stop play and announce to both team managers that we will play the current inning and one more.
   • If the game is tied after 7 innings the international tie breaker rule will be used.
   • If the game is tied, up to 2 additional innings will only be played if time allows. If the game is still tied, the game will be considered a tie game. Each team will be awarded 1/2 win and 1/2 loss in the standings.
5. Five Run Rule:
   Each team may score five (5) runs per inning or up to 5 runs more than their opponent. In the 7th or final inning, the visiting team is limited to scoring ten (10) runs or 10 more than their opponent. No mercy rule will be in affect.

1. Bat Standards:
   Nebraska Senior Softball follows the bat requirements of the Amateur Softball Association. Each bat must bear the official logos of the ASA and BPF.
2. Softballs:
   The official ball to be used shall be of approved slow pitch design, 12-inch circumference, .44 COR, Compression Rating of no more than 525 psi, and yellow optic in color.

1. Home Plate and Strike Zone Mat:
   
   • Legal pitches striking any portion of Home Plate and/or the Strike Zone Mat shall be strikes.
   • A base runner may be retired at Home Plate by the defensive player having possession of the ball while touching Home Plate after the runner has passed the Commitment Line (see below), but does not yet have a foot down on the Scoring Plate.
   • If there is an attempt by the defensive team to tag the runner, the runner is automatically safe.
2. Scoring Plate:
   The offensive team must always touch the Scoring Plate when scoring.
3. Courtesy Runners:
   
   • A courtesy runner may be used for a base runner at any time, but the same courtesy runner may not be used more than once per inning.
   • Each team will be allowed no more than two courtesy runners per inning.
   • A courtesy runner on base when it is his turn to bat will be declared out.. The courtesy runner called out does not lose his turn at bat.
   • Replacement players may not be used as courtesy runners.
4. Avoiding Collisions:
   A runner must make every effort to avoid colliding with opposing players while running the bases. If a runner misses a base to avoid a collision, the runner may not be called out (umpire's judgment).