Illegal Player Rules

Criteria For college softball, the definition of an illegal player is a player who competes in the game in a way in which they are not entitled to play: • Player who is not listed on the lineup card/roster. • Starter who has entered or reenter the game to which she is not entitled. • Nonstarter who has entered the

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Player substitution rules

Reporting substitutions Player substitutions Any player may be substituted for at any time when the ball is dead. Any coach may notify the umpire of a substitution; it must be a coach, not a player. Substitutes are considered officially in the game when all of the following is completed: • Reported and accepted by the plate umpire by his/her recording

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College softball roster and lineup requirements

The lineup card requirements are explained in rule 5.7 of the NCAA Softball Rules Book (2020-2021). It must list all eligible players and the starting offensive players in the order in which they are to bat (batting order). The lineup card becomes official when it is reviewed and accepted by the plate umpire at the pregame meeting. Once it is

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Batting cage use during the game

Some teams have been observed using their batting cages during and game and on some occasions the opposing coach has brought this to the attention of the umpires. We have received a rule interpretation from the NCAA Softball Rules Editor about this: Ruling:”There is nothing in the rules addressing batting cage activities during a game because the committee believes it

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Personnel during live ball

Breaking some bad habits that violate the rules Over the last few seasons, the NCAA Softball Rules Committee has noticed an increase for players on some teams to be on the field during a live ball. This may happen after a successful sacrifice fly ball or bunt, an extra base hit, a good defensive play, etc. This led to them

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DP/Flex

For this entire discussion it is assumed that the team starts with the DP/Flex option. To better understand the DP/Flex rule, you must understand these basic concepts: o The DP and Flex are spots in the lineup card, occupied at at specific time by a player. o Do not confuse the DP spot with the player who is acting currently

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Inaccurate Lineup and Unreported/Misreported Players

NCAA has a significant difference in its rules for inaccurate lineup and unreported/misreported players. It is important that college umpires study and understand these rules. To start with, NCAA rules use a phrase which is not found in other rule books – inaccurate lineup. It also differs with the terms used for a substitution which is not reported – most

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Projected Substitutions

The rule that deals with projected substitutions was changed in the 2018-2019 rule book. The new wording now allows substitutes to be reported to the umpire without being required to immediately participate in the game. The rationale and intent of this new wording changes two situations which in the past were considered projected substitutions, but now are not considered projected

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Conferences – the Rules

There are many situations which require a suspension of play during a college softball game. A separate article in the Game Management Corner/General/Managing the game section, entitled Normal Suspensions of Play game situations, covers most of these. This article will focus on charged conferences. The best way to better understand the difference between meetings during the game and charged conferences

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