EVENT DETAILS

Senior's 35+

Turkey Shootout - Senior 35+ Playing Rules

From the Rule Book and amended Hawai’i State By-Laws

Unsportsmanlike Conduct and Inappropriate Language 

Any player caught using an “F Bomb” will be subject to immediate removal from the game.  Any “F Bomb” from the dugout will require the removal of the Team Coach if the guilty party cannot be identified by the umpires. Inappropriate gestures or taunting may be the cause for immediate removal from the game.  For any other use of profanity, the game will be stopped, and the offending Team Coach will be warned.  Any further foul language from the offender will be the cause for removal from the game under the “unsportsmanlike conduct” rule.

Foul Language 

In keeping with our “Family” atmosphere, foul language and vulgar music will be dealt with immediately.  NO warning will be given, and an ejection will occur. Further action by the USSSA National Office may also be included. 

City & County of Honolulu LAWS FOR PARK USE:

*No CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL IN GATED AREAS

*NO SMOKING OR VAPING IN GATED AREAS

*FIREWORKS SET OFF IN THE PARKING LOT WILL HAVE THE PERMITS PULLED. 

1. GENERAL

1.1. These rules are sports specific to USSSA Senior Softball & GSL Senior Championship Series. Any rule not covered in these rules, will be covered in the USSSA Slow Pitch Rule Book. Found at http://www.usssa.com/slowpitch/slowpitch-rules-and-legal-info

1.2. These General Rules apply to Men’s & Women’s Senior programs. A separate document will be provided with rules regarding the Mixed Senior program (TBA).

1.3. Current Rules can be found at http://www.usssa.com/slowpitch/seniors/rules

2. EQUIPMENT

2.1. Ball

2.1.1. MEN'S - Any brand USSSA or GSL stamped USSSA Senior Softball, Pro-M, Classic-M balls.

2.2. Bats

2.2.1. Age groups 40+ and Above may use any bat Stamped 1.21 BPF Senior. It does not have to be USSSA stamped until they are available. However, it must be from a USSSA licensed manufacturer. May also use the USSSA 220 or 240 USSSA Stamped bats.

2.2.2. The 35 age group ONLY will be required to use the USSSA 220 or 240 stamped bats including 40+ years old players on a 35 age group roster and 40+ age group teams participating in a 35 age group event.

2.3. Pitching Screen - If used, any brand I-Screen can be used with dimensions up to 7ft height by 4ft wide.

2.4. Safety Base (1st Base) - Size as provided by the park if provided.

2.5. Home Plate Mat - Mat specs are 36? long x 21? wide and will cover or surround a standard 17-inch home plate. Plate and mat are one unit used for the purposes of balls and strikes and the force out at home.

3. TEAM AGE/CLASSIFICATIONS

3.1. Age Divisions - 35+

3.2. Classifications – AA in each age division.

4. PLAYING FIELD

4.1. Base Distance

4.1.1. Bases shall be set at 70 feet. 65 feet is allowed if a park cannot set bases at 70 feet.

4.2. Commitment Line

4.2.1. A minimum six (6) foot commitment line shall be marked across and perpendicular to the foul line and placed thirty feet from home plate. Once a runner has crossed the commitment line he/she cannot return to third base and must continue home, can no longer be tagged out by the defensive player, and the defensive player must touch the Home Plate Mat. The ball remains live.

4.3. Pitching Area

4.3.1. The pitching area is the width of the pitcher’s plate up to six (6) feet behind the back edge of the pitcher’s plate.

4.3.2. Pitcher using a pitching screen must toe the pitching plate when delivering the pitch.

4.4. Scoring Plate/Line

4.4.1. A base runner’s foot down on or down past the scoring line or down on the scoring plate prior to the ball being received by a defensive player touching the Home Plate Mat results in the scoring of a run.

5. PLAYING RULES

5.1. These rules are intended for NIT’s, State Championships and our World Series. Local events (Qualifiers) may have local area specific rules that must be approved by the USSSA Senior Softball National Committee.

5.2. Batter Starts with a 1-1 count. After two strikes, batted ball must be fair. There is no courtesy foul.

5.2.1. Pitching Screen (only when screen is used) - Any batted ball that hits the pitching screen will be treated as a foul ball. If a batter has one strike and hits a batted ball into the pitching screen, the strike total is now two strikes no foul ball to waste as[1]if the batter hit a foul ball. If a batter has two strikes and hits a batted ball into the pitching screen, the batter will be declared dead ball out due to “must be fair after two strikes” rule.

5.2.2. Illegal Pitches – Umpires shall verbally and visual call illegal pitches.

5.3. Game Time Limits 50 minutes + 1 inning time limit will be in effect for all games. After 50 minutes the teams will be allowed 1 more complete the inning they are in and play one more inning with the exception of a mercy is declared. If tied, the game will continue until a winner is determined.

5.3.4. Home Team when Seeding into Bracket Play (NIT, State Championship & World Series ONLY) - When pool play is used to seed teams into bracket play, in each Winner bracket game ONLY, the highest seeded team from pool play will be the home team with the exception of the Championship and IF games (see 5.3.5. & 5.3.6.). Loser bracket games will determine Home Team with a double coin-toss.

5.3.5. Championship Game - In the championship game, the team from the winner’s bracket will be the home team.

5.3.6. IF Game - In an If Game is needed, home team will be determined by a double coin-toss.

5.4. Home Plate Mat will be used. It is a strike if the ball lands on the Home Plate Mat.

5.5. Courtesy Runner (Unlimited) - Any legal player on the team’s roster can be a courtesy runner, but only once per inning.

5.6. Run Limit Per Inning

5.6.1. AA=5

5.6.2. Last inning, unlimited runs are allowed

5.7. Reentry Rule - A starting player removed from the lineup may reenter the game one time. A substitute may not reenter the game after being removed.

5.8. Mercy Rule – (ALL DIVISIONS) If a team is behind 20 runs after four innings prior to the open inning, the game will be declared a mercy/completed game with no open inning and the team in the lead declared the winner.

5.9. Flip Flop Rule - The flip-flop rule will be invoked in any game when there is a 10-run differential in favor of the visiting team at the start of the "open inning." If the visiting team is ahead by ten or more runs, the home team will remain at bat and start a new at-bats (beginning their seventh or last inning at-bats), meaning all runners on base will return to the dugout. It will be an open inning. If the home team fails to tie or go ahead of the visiting team, the game ends and the visiting team wins. If the home team ties or goes ahead, the visiting team takes its turn at bat. If the game is declared a completed game due to a mercy, flip-flop rule will not apply since there will be no open inning.

5.10. 1st Base Safety Base will be used when available and provided by the park.

5.10.1. On a force out the defender is required to tag the white base. The runner is required to tag the Safety Base.

5.10.2. Blocking the runner’s path to the Safety Base is considered obstruction and the runner is awarded the base.

5.10.3. If a ball deflects foul on the 1st base side the Safety Base and Regular Base, the rule will be reversed, and previous rules will apply. The runner is required to tag the Regular Base and the defensive player will be required to tag the Safety Base.

5.11. Sliding or Diving

5.11.1. Players may not slide or dive into the Home Plate Mat or Scoring Plate/Line. If they do, they are called out.

5.11.2. Sliding or Diving into 1st base, 2nd base or 3rd base base is NOT an out.

5.12. Commitment Line will be used. See Rule 4.2.

5.13. Scoring Plate or Line will be used. See Rule 4.4.

5.14. Pitching Rules

5.14.1. Pitching arch will be a minimum of (six) 6 ft and a maximum of ten (10) ft from the ground. No faking of pitch will be allowed.

5.14.2. Pitcher may pitch up to 6 ft behind the pitching plate and must keep one foot within the width of the pitching plate, behind the front edge of the plate and within the 6 ft limit behind the plate.

5.14.3. A pitcher’s area will be utilized.

5.14.4. If no pitching screen is used, pitchers are encouraged to wear a protective face mask that covers, at a minimum, the area of the face from above the eyes to the lower part of the chin while pitching. All pitchers must wear the mask consistent with the manufacturer's intended usage of their product.

5.14.5. A pitching screen will be team optional. Team must furnish their own screen only if the event director cannot provide a pitching screen.

5.14.6. If pitching screen is used - Pitcher using a pitching screen must toe the pitching plate when delivering the pitch.

5.14.7. If pitching screen is used – The pitcher can’t touch the batted ball until another defensive player touches the ball first. Once another defensive player touches the batted ball, the pitcher may engage on defense.

5.14.8. If pitching screen is used - If the pitcher interferes with the batted ball, dead ball will be called, the batter will be awarded first base and runners will advance to the next base.

5.14.9. If pitching screen is used - Any batted ball hitting the screen will be a dead ball foul.

5.14.10. If pitching screen is used - Screen may not be moved once the first pitch of the inning is thrown. Pitching Screen placement may be no more than 3 feet toward Home Plate Mat from the pitcher's plate and must cover at least half the pitcher's plate “left to right” or “right to left”.

5.14.11. If pitching screen is used (EXCEPTIONS) - (EXCEPTION) A new pitcher enters the game. (EXCEPTION) The screen is hit by a batted ball and it moves and needs to be readjusted. (EXCEPTION) The screen is moved inadvertently by a defensive player during a play and needs to be readjusted.

5.15. Safety Equipment

5.15.1. All players, including pitchers, are encouraged to wear the recommended additional protective safety gear, comprised of head gear (NOCSAE approved), heart/chest protection and shin guards. Players are not required to wear the recommended protective gear.

5.15.2. USSSA makes NO warranty as to the protective qualities of any mandated or recommended safety equipment when used in softball, which may have inherent risks as an impact sport. USSSA does not make any specific claims as to any safety equipment's performance and will not accept any liability for personal injury. Players can still suffer serious injury while wearing any type of protective gear.

5.16. Defensive Players 5.16.1. Age 70+ will be allowed to have eleven (11) players on defense.

5.17. Extra Players in Batting Lineup

5.17.1. Teams have unlimited batters, but cannot drop below the number on the starting batting order except as noted at 5.17.2. & 5.17.3. below. All players must be listed on the lineup sheet before the game begins.

5.17.2. Should an offensive player become injured, causing the team to drop below the original batting lineup, the team will not be forced to forfeit the game, and an out will be declared only the first time that position comes to bat.

5.17.3. If a player is ejected, an out will be recorded each time his position comes up to bat.

6. HOME RUN RULES

*AA=DHH+4 HR’s

6.2. Homeruns over the limit are an out.

7. DESIGNATED HOME RUN HITTER RULE

7.1. A team has the right to designate a batter in the lineup that can hit as many home runs as they can without any of his home runs counting towards the team limit allowed. If the HR batter is walked intentionally or unintentionally, the next batter that hits a home run will not count against the team's total until the HR batter comes up to bat again.

7.2. If a DHH is substituted or removed from the game for any reason, the team loses the DHH. The DHH spot will be reinstated for the game if the DHH returns to the lineup.  

10. ROSTER GUIDELINES

10.1. The age a player attains on his birthday in any particular year is considered to be his age for that entire calendar year.

10.2. A player must meet the minimum age of the group in which he competes, but may play in any younger age group(s).

10.9. After the USSSA Senior World Series, a team may use players that qualify for an age group the next calendar year

General Rules

2023 Turkey Shoot Out

No drinking of alcohol or smoking/vaping in the City & County fields. Anyone caught will be suspended for a year from the date of suspension throughout USSSA Nation wide.

Batter

Initially, the batter has 10 seconds to enter the batter’s box after the pitcher has the ball and the umpire signals, “PLAY BALL”.  A strike will be called for every delay over 10 seconds.

If the batter refuses to take his position in the batter’s box, delays longer than 10 seconds during his time at bat or both feet leave the batter’s box after taking position in the box, the umpire shall call a strike on the batter. The ball is dead, no runners may advance. After the penalty, the batter may take his proper position and the regular ball and strike count shall continue. If the batter delays and a second strike is called, the batter shall be declared out.

If the batter intentionally leaves the batter’s box and delays play, and none of the exceptions apply, the umpire shall award a strike without the pitcher having to deliver the pitch.

The batter shall remain in the batter’s box between pitches with these exceptions:

1. When the ball is batted fair or foul.

2. When forced out of the box by a pitch. Any pitch that causes the batter to move their feet.

3. On a wild pitch or passed ball.

4. When a play or appeal is attempted.

5. In the judgment of the umpire(s), weather conditions or play, warrant an exception.

6. When TIME is called, or a substitution is made.

Umpire may warn a batter for violation of one of the exceptions.

If the batter leaves the batter’s box and delays play, for any other reason

than 1-6 above:

1. The ball is dead.

2. Call a strike.

3. Any number of strikes can be made with each batter.

Pitchers

Must toe the rubber

Substitutions

All substitutions must be announced to the home plate umpire and be recorded.  Any unannounced substitutions that have been appealed by the opposing manager/team will result in the ejection of the illegal player. A new substitute may then be allowed to take the place of the illegal substitute. An illegal substitute appeal must be done before a pitch is delivered.

Bat Testing

All bats used for USSSA tournament play must have the new USSSA bat logo. No engraved/scribed logos will be allowed. The 240 stamps and must pass compression.

All teams will be allowed to check 20 bats total (meaning 15 pass and 5 don’t, that’s the total).  The manager is required to make sure all bats being tested comply with these standers. A manager’s signature may be required once bats have been tested.   All bats that fail compression check will be kept by the tournament director until the team has been eliminated from the tournament.

A manager must let the tournament officials know that a player will be arriving late so that they may hold a spot for him to have his bat tested when he arrives.

Code of Conduct

Unsportsmanlike Conduct and Inappropriate Language

Any player caught using an “F Bomb” will be subject to immediate removal from the game.  Any “F Bomb” from the dugout will require the removal of the Team Coach if the guilty party cannot be identified by the umpires. Inappropriate gestures or taunting may be the cause for immediate removal from the game.  For any other use of profanity, the game will be stopped, and the offending Team Coach will be warned.  Any further foul language from the offender will be the cause for removal from the game under the “unsportsmanlike conduct” rule.

Foul Language

In keeping with our “Family” atmosphere, foul language and vulgar music will be dealt with immediately.  NO warning will be given and an ejection will occur. Further action by the USSSA National Office may also be included.

Threatening Remarks

Threatening players, coaches, sponsors, umpires, fans or making disparaging remarks toward anyone connected with USSSA will be reason for immediate ejection and may also include further action by the USSSA National Office.

Damaging Equipment

Damaging equipment, water coolers, bat buckets, or outward displays of uncontrolled anger will be grounds for immediate ejection.  Offending player/Team will be responsible to pay for any damaged item.

Fighting

Fighting of any kind is not allowed in USSSA/GSL. All penalties will be assessed by TD and UIC and a representative from USSSA National Headquarters.  For severe fighting further sanctions may be handed down from USSSA National office.

Ejections and Disqualifications

In the event a player, coach or manager is ejected from a game, he or she must leave sight and sound of the playing field immediately.  The Tournament Director, UIC and Umpire(s) directly involved in the situation will determine how long the player, coach or manager must sit out.  Their decision is final and non-appealable.  All ejections will be sent to the Hawai’i State Director for further review, with possibly providing a suspension and/or probation.

Game playing times

50 mins PLUS One inning.

There will be NO grace time added prior to game start time * Teams must have line ups in and be ready for play 30 mins before scheduled game time * GAMES WILL START EARLY!

Except amended by the Hawaii State By-Laws Tournament rules, all rules of United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA/GSL) will be used.

Rosters must be filled out and approved Online @ usssa.com by thursday before the event.

There may be an emergency add-on at the State director’s approval. Each player must sign/approve the roster ONLINE to be eligible to play.

SD/TD Can ask at any time for a player’s ID with or without a protest.

No Forfeit rule: At game-time, the game will start with as few as 9 players present. If there is less than 10, there will be an automatic out for the missing player.

A $100 protest fee must be filed with each protest. A protest is for a player NOT a team protest. Example: 1 Non-roster = $100.00 Protest 5 player = $500.00 (This will be refunded if the protest is upheld). Protest will be handled on the spot, and the game will not continue until the protest has been settled.

All decisions are final

If a player’s identity is questioned, that player must present a valid official license or photo identification to the tournament director within 5 minutes of the request or that player will be ruled Illegal.

All teams are responsible for their spectators. Coaches/Teams may be ejected for poor spectator behavior.

Men’s, Women’s & Mixed Run rules- Run’s after 3 innings. 20 Runs after 4 innings. 15 Runs after 5 innings.

* With FLIP FLOP.

Tournament Director will supply:

3 Men’s balls per Men’s team

3 Women’s balls per Women’s team

3 Men’s balls & 3 Women’s ball per Mixed teams

Any Pro M, Classic M or Women’s Classic W USSSA Stamped ball.

Extra balls will be available at event, cost $6.00 per ball.

Courtesy Runner for pitcher is optional and may be anyone on the roster.

Pitching Arc: 3’ from release and max 10’ from ground (USSSA)

Home-Run Rule:

Mixed and Men’s: 8 Home Runs, all others are outs.

Women’s: Unlimited

ALL TEAM MUST TURN IN A LINE UP CARD.

Umpire will keep score.

Home team is required to have a score book, if there is a question, Umpire /Director will ask for score book. If home team does not have a book, TD/umpire will go to the visiting team’s book for a decision. If no book is present, TD/Umpire will make the decision.

The team batting is responsible for retrieving balls which go out of play, including homeruns and foul balls.

PLAY USSSA!