WEST HERNANDO ATHLETIC CLUB SENIORS, INC.
SOFTBALL LEAGUE RULES & PROCEDURES
The following WHACS Softball League Rules & Procedures shall be in effect for the 2025-2026 season
and shall remain in effect until properly changed, amended, altered, and/or revised in
accordance with the WHACS By-Laws. All previous editions are voided and are to be considered
obsolete.
WHACS Softball will be governed by a Player Committee, herein referred to as “the Committee or PC”. At least
one member of the Player Committee will be at each official game and will be the on-sight authority, in support
of the Umpire, for all rules interpretations and/or procedural issues.
It is the responsibility of all WHACS Softball League Players to know, adhere to, comply with and support the
NSA and local softball rules. Players and/or individuals violating the provisions of these rules may be subject to
corrective action by an appropriate authority, i.e. the Player Committee, Disciplinary Committee and/or the
WHACS Board of Directors.
I. GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES:
01. National Softball Association (“NSA”) rules will be the primary authority unless pre-empted by a local rule
stated herein. The main purpose of the “rules” is to assure competitive, healthy and consistent play for all
players involved.
02. To participate, a player must be a minimum age of fifty-five (55) prior to, or during, the season.
03. Once the Umpire declares “Play Ball”, only those who have signed the WHACS application and Waiver of
Personal Liability are allowed in a dugout or on the playing field.
04. SEASON FORMAT
⦁ REGULAR SEASON:
⦁ Regular season shall be split into two halves: Fall (Sep-Dec) and Spring (Jan-Apr); producing a first-half and
second-half winning team(s).
⦁ Canceled Games: Time and schedule permitting, canceled games will be made-up with the following
consideration: the Committee will attempt to balance the actual number of games played by each team in each
half. Secondary consideration will be to resolve ties for “First Place”, if necessary.
⦁ PLAYOFFS:
⦁ End of each half ties will be decided by head-to-head competition; if there is still a tie in either half of play, the
Player Committee will determine whether a one game playoff will be used to determine the winning team for
that half of play.
⦁ The winning team of each half will play a best two-of-three playoff to determine the official League Champion.
⦁ Should the same team win both halves, the League Championship playoff will not be necessary.
⦁ A full team, single- or two-game, elimination tournament determined by the Player Committee will follow the
League Championship to conclude the season.
⦁ The use of Pick-Up players, maximum of three (3), will be allowed for post season play.
05. GAME TIMES:
⦁ Regular games shall be played on Monday-Wednesday-Friday (each team plays 2 games/week),
⦁ September thru December (1 st half) – the first game will start at 9:00 AM; the second game at 10:30 AM.
⦁ January thru March game times (2 nd half), due to the weather/cold, will start at 9:30 AM/10:00 AM and 11:00
AM/11:30 AM, as determined by the Player Committee.
06. SPONSOR UNIFORM SHIRTS:

⦁ Players, issued a team Sponsor shirt, must wear it when playing in an official game.
⦁ If a player’s uniform shirt is altered, in any way, the player will be ineligible to play until the uniform shirt
discrepancy is resolved by the Committee.
⦁ If a player doesn’t have his uniform shirt, the on-site Player Committee representative will determine if the
reason he does not have it is acceptable to allow him to play.
07. HOME TEAM FIELD RESPONSIBILITY:
⦁ Home team dugout is on first base side.
⦁ Home team Manager will provide the Umpire with a game ball and a good backup ball.
⦁ After each game, the home team Manager will keep the BEST ball (for backup for the next game) and place
the other used ball in a marked bucket in the shed.
⦁ FIRST game: the HOME team will lay out the bases, line the field, put out the pitching screen and set up
scorer’s table/box to prepare for play.
⦁ SECOND game: the HOME team will put all equipment in the shed in an organized manner, make sure the
shed is locked and the scoreboard is turned off.
08. PLAYER POOL:
⦁ Players, not placed on a team after the Draft or during the season, will be assigned to the Player Pool.
⦁ Anyone refusing to enter the Player Pool shall be entitled to a refund.
⦁ All new WHACS softball applicants will have an evaluation try-out, as determined and performed by the
Player Committee. Each league player will be rated on a scale of “A” (Best), “B” or “C” designation as a
reference for the Player Draft, as well as for substitutional purposes.
⦁ A pool player will remain in the pool until the Player Committee decides when/if he will be placed on a team.
note: if a team loses a Player due to extended injury or other circumstance, the Committee may allow a
replacement to be drawn from the Pool
09. TEAM ROSTERS & PLAYER RE-ASSIGNMENTS:
⦁ A team roster will be a maximum of 13 players.
⦁ Managers may approach the Player Committee about perceived competitive imbalance of their team in
relation to other teams.
⦁ If it is deemed that teams are not competitively balanced, the Committee may reassign Players, as needed,
to rectify the situation.
⦁ the Committee will attempt to gain mutual agreement from the respective Managers and Players involved
before making any change(s).
10. MANAGER’S RESPONSIBILITY:
⦁ Smoking is not allowed in the dugout, near the dugout entrance, on the field or
outside the fence (less than 10’).
⦁ A Manager is responsible for his team’s conduct and has the authority to remove an offending Player from
the game. If removed, that Player’s spot in the batting order becomes an out for the duration of the game.

11. UMPIRE’S RESPONSIBILITY:
⦁ Profanity, from any player will not be tolerated in the dugout, on the field or outside the fence (within 10’).
⦁ Teams will receive one warning, per game, before being ejected (see 12, below).
note: ONLY the Pitcher, Catcher and Batter can question a pitch call. All others will be subject to
immediate ejection from the game at the Umpire’s discretion.
12. EJECTIONS & SUSPENSIONS:
⦁ Any player ejected will be immediately removed from the game and must vacate the vicinity of the ball field.
⦁ The ejected player’s spot in the batting order will be an out for the remainder of the game.

⦁ Teams with less than 11 players will not be able to pick up a replacement player and, therefore, must play
“short-handed” for the completion of the game.
⦁ The ejected player will be suspended for his team’s next scheduled game, as a minimum, pending further
action by the Player Committee and/or Disciplinary Committee.
⦁ Fighting, with contact, will result in an immediate and automatic suspension of the player(s) involved. The
length of the suspension will be determined by the Disciplinary Committee
⦁ The resulting suspensions will run through any playoffs and/or tournaments and will extend into the start of
the next regular and/or summer season, if necessary.
⦁ It is the Committee’s discretion to suspend player(s) based on the seriousness of the offense.
⦁ Offending Player(s) may not appeal this suspension, nor be at the field while suspended.
note: a Player, Manager or Coach ejected for a 2 nd time in the same season, as described above, will be further
suspended by the Committee for one (1) year from the date of the 2 nd infraction.
13. QUITTING A TEAM:
⦁ A player quitting his team once the season has started, without a legitimate reason (as determined by the
Player and/or Disciplinary Committee), will be suspended for one (1) year from the date of the action.
⦁ The manager shall notify the Player Committee of any player quitting his team for appropriate action.
⦁ There will be no refund of dues.
14. PLAYER CONDUCT:
⦁ The Player and/or Disciplinary Committee has the authority to suspend a player for disrupting the team or for
conduct detrimental to the league. Suspension shall be for the remainder of the game being played, plus a
minimum of the next two (2) games that his team plays. The affected player(s) will be notified of the
Committee’s decision as to the exact length of the suspension.
⦁ Player(s) involved may appeal their suspension, except in the case of “fighting” (see 12e). The appeal must
be submitted to the Player Committee, in writing, at their team’s next scheduled game.
15. PROTESTS:
⦁ Protests must be declared at the time of a possible NSA or local rules/procedure infraction. The Umpire or
scorekeeper will annotate the game scoresheet accordingly, noting the inning in which the alleged infraction
occurred. It is hoped that any dispute can be resolved without the need for a formal protest.
⦁ Protests (with a $15 Protest Fee) must be submitted by the protesting Manager to the Player Committee, in
writing, within 72 hours of the occurrence.
⦁ The written protest must explain and cite, in detail, what rule(s)/procedure(s) were violated or not adhered to.
⦁ The Player Committee will base its decision on its interpretation of NSA, and/or local rules and procedures
herein. A response will be made to the protesting Manager within 48 hours.
⦁ The Player Committee’s ruling will be final.
⦁ If the protest is upheld, the fee will be returned to the protesting Manager.
II PLAYING THE GAME:
01. THE BALL (COR / COMPRESSION):
⦁ The League will use a 44/375 softball approved for use by the Player Committee.
note: Approved Bats – any tape, except electrical, can be used on the bat handle.
02. HOME PLATE(s):
⦁ Home plate has been widened to 19” by 35”,
⦁ A second (safety) plate shall be placed eight feet (8’) from the main home plate. A baserunner must touch the
safety plate to score a run.
⦁ Plays at home are simple force plays. The runner must touch the second home plate before
the catcher, with the ball, touches the main plate.
⦁ Catcher may use the entire main home plate for plays at home.

⦁ A base line may be drawn from third base to the second home plate.
⦁ A “Commitment Line” shall be drawn, perpendicular to the foul line, 20’ from the second
home plate.
⦁ If a runner touches, or passes, the designated Commit Line, he must proceed to the second home plate.
03. PLAYS AT FIRST & THIRD BASES:
⦁ First base consists of a white (inner) base, in play, and an orange (outer) base, placed outside the foul line.
⦁ If an initial play can be made at 1 st base: the batter/runner must touch the orange/outer base (to be safe) and
any fielder must touch the white base (for the batter/runner to be out). The batter/runner is out if he touches the
white/inner base and safe if the fielder touches the orange/outer base.
⦁ If an initial play cannot be made at/to first base, the batter/runner may touch the white bag and round it to
advance at his discretion.
 Third base will also have a white (inner) bag as well as an orange (outer) safety plate placed four (4)
feet from the left baseline. The purpose is to enhance baserunner safety and is optional to use. If the
baserunner does opt to do so, he must return to the safety plate on any play at 3 rd base which dictates
it, i.e. sacrifice fly, rundown or tag play.
04. GAME DURATION:
⦁ Games shall be seven (7) innings, unless affected by weather conditions or other events beyond our control.
⦁ Catchup will be allowed in the 6 th inning with the 7 th inning being unlimited (“open”) runs.
⦁ EXTRA INNINGS:
⦁ If game is tied after seven (7) innings, the last official batter of the previous inning will occupy second base.
⦁ The last batter from the previous inning must touch second base prior to time being called to request his
designated courtesy runner.
05. LINEUP CARDS:
⦁ Managers shall provide their game line-up card to the official scorer at least ten (10) minutes prior to game
time.
⦁ Official scorer will then pass the line-ups to the opposing managers.
note: A Player not present at the field at gametime will NOT be entered on the lineup card.
06. REPLACEMENT PLAYERS:
⦁ GENERAL:
⦁ A Team short of players can pick up a maximum of three (3) replacements to field a full team of 11 players.
⦁ Replacements, assigned the night before, must play a minimum of three (3) innings unless the replacement
player chooses not to. All replacement players shall be added to the bottom of the original lineup.
⦁ Late arriving players:
If his team is playing 11 players - the late-arriving player must sit until his replacement plays three (3) innings
and can assume his replacement’s position in the lineup.
If a team is playing with less than 11 players, the late arriving player(s) goes into the bottom of the original
lineup.
⦁ RESPONSIBILITIES OF PLAYERS & MANAGERS:
⦁ Players must notify their manager at least one day (if possible) before any game they will miss to enable the
manager to secure a replacement, if needed.
⦁ Managers MUST notify the designated Player Committee member of the need for a replacement(s) ONLY if a
full team (11) cannot be fielded.

⦁ The Player Committee assigner will attempt to satisfy the manager’s needs with an equal player ability rating
to those missing, starting with the highest rating player needed. The important issue is supplying enough
players to put the team at full strength in number to be competitive.
.
⦁ PLAYER POOL(s) MANAGEMENT:
⦁ The players in the Main Pool (if available) MUST be used before soliciting replacements from the Volunteer
Pool. Should no Main Pool players be available upon attempted contact by the PC assigner, needed
replacements will be drawn from the Voluntary Pool (see below).

VOLUNTEER POOL.
⦁ Each Manager will provide, with the Committee’s help, a minimum of three (3) volunteers to create a
Volunteer Pool: one “A”, one “B” & one “C” rated player.
The players in the Volunteer Pool are only to be used after the Main Pool has been expended. Volunteer Pool
players will generally come from the 2 teams not playing that specific day.
⦁ If a team does not supply the 3 individually rated volunteers, that Manager will not receive an equivalent
replacement if/when a player is needed. For instance: a team supplies only a “B” and a “C”: the requesting
Manager will not receive any “A” replacements from the Volunteer Pool.
⦁ When a team needs a replacement, the Player Committee rep will attempt to select a replacement player
based on the missing player’s “rating”.
⦁ If an equivalent player cannot be secured, then the Player Committee rep will move down a “rating level” until
a replacement can be made.
07. GAME TIME REPLACEMENT:
⦁ If a team loses a player during the game (injury or other justified reason) they can not pick up a replacement,
if they can still field 11. However, that player’s turn at bat will not count as an out,
⦁ If a team cannot continue to field 11; the Committee will attempt to replace the lost
player with a replacement of equal ability.
08. LINEUPS:
⦁ Manager must bat all his players who are present, in uniform, for the game. However, a Player may choose
to “sit out” a game, but will not be in the lineup nor can he be added during the game unless replacing an
injured player to maintain the team at 11 players.
⦁ Player/Managers are considered players and must bat in all team games, unless injured. He may not be
entered during the remainder of the game unless to maintain 11 players.
⦁ Each player in the original lineup desiring to play in the field (defense), shall be afforded the opportunity to
play a minimum of three (3) innings, optional and not necessarily consecutive. Players may play any defensive
position as instructed by the Manager.
⦁ When the game is shortened due to weather or the run rule, the minimum defensive play requirement is
waived.
09. PITCHING & THE PITCHING SCREEN:
⦁ Each batter will start out with a 1 ball - 1 strike count.
⦁ Pitched ball must arc between 6 feet and 12 feet.
⦁ Umpire will say (the word) “BALL”, loud enough for the batter to hear, as soon as the ball’s arc peaks beyond
the maximum height (12 foot), or below the minimum level (6 foot). This will give the batter adequate time to
decide to swing, or not to swing, at the pitch.
⦁ A Pitching Screen will be used in all games:
Once the ball has been released, the pitcher must move behind the screen for safety reasons. If the pitcher
does not get behind the screen, the Umpire will call a ball. If the ball is hit, the Umpire will declare a “dead ball”

and the batter will be awarded 1 st base without an out being called. A runner on 1 st base will move up one base,
as will other baserunners. If there is no runner on first, any other runners do not move up.
⦁ Upon release of the pitch, the pitcher can field a batted ball hit anywhere near his position.
A batted ball, which hits the screen directly off the bat, shall be declared a foul ball and treated as any other
foul ball. However, a batted ball hitting the screen on a 3 rd strike will result in an out.
All batted balls, no matter the pitch count, are considered in-play and runners may advance at their own risk.

10. COURTESY RUNNERS:
⦁ A team may use a maximum of four (4) courtesy runners per game. A courtesy runner may run ONLY for
the batter designated on the original lineup card.
If fewer than 4 courtesy runners are listed on the original lineup card, an additional courtesy runner cannot be
added during the game, except in the case of an injury.
Further, an injured player can receive a courtesy runner, but one of the original four (4) designated courtesy
runners must be removed from the designated runner list.
⦁ If the courtesy runner comes to bat while on base, the courtesy runner’s spot in the batting order becomes an
“out” and the next batter listed in the original batting order comes to bat. (Effectively, the original player’s
"courtesy runner" remains on base, without penalty.)
11. FIVE-RUN RULE:
⦁ The 5-Run Rule will be used, i.e. a team may score a maximum of 5 runs per inning during the first 6 full
innings of play, unless the catchup rule comes into play.
⦁ Catch-Up, to even the score, is allowed in the 6 th inning, only.
⦁ 5-Run Rule is waived from the 7th inning, including any extra innings played.
12. ON-DECK BATTER:
⦁ Manager must ensure the next scheduled batter is in, or moving toward, the designated on-deck circle when
the current batter is in the batter’s box. It is not required to have 2 batters on-deck at any one time.
⦁ Umpire, at his discretion, will not allow a pitch to be thrown if the next scheduled batter is not in, or near, the
on-deck circle.
13.BASES-ON-BALLS & INTENTIONAL WALKS:
The premise of this rule is to ensure every batter is given the opportunity to swing at a minimum
of one (1) pitched strike per official at-bat. A batter is allowed the option of not taking 1 st base on a 4 th ball if he
has not been thrown a strike.
A walked batter can, without going to, or touching 1 st base, have his courtesy runner replace him.
Intentional Walk:
⦁ A batter may be intentionally walked only under one of the following conditions:
After receiving a second strike, either called or swung at; or,
Once per game, the opposing team may intentionally walk any batter. regardless of any strike
limitation.
14. DEFENSIVE PLAY:
* All outfielders are not allowed to initially position themselves on any portion of the infield. They
MUST be on the outfield grass. However, once the ball is hit, they can move anywhere to field the ball and
make a play.
An outfielder CAN NOT throw a batter/runner out at 1 st base, either himself or through another fielder, once the
ball hits the outfield grass.

2025-26 WHACS Softball Rules & Procedures
Player Committee
6/1/25