SOFTBALL FAQ

How much does it cost to join VOlO DC Softball?

Registration dues vary by location and night. Most leagues range in cost from $45 – $69. This fee covers insurance, permit costs, referees, equipment, player t-shirts, parties, prizes, recruiting, and helps pay for free kids leagues.

Is this a competitive league?

Volo City  is a social sports company! While we do offer some competitive leagues (these are typically noted as competitive in their title) most of our leagues are social leagues. Dependent on league size we may offer A Division and B Division. A Division is slightly more competitive while B Division is slightly less competitive. Check each league for further details.

What’s a VOLO CITY DC Softball night like?

Tons of fun! On game night you’ll want to arrive 10-15 minutes before your game to meet your teammates and get ready to play. After your game ends head to our sponsor bar for drink specials and getting to know your fellow softball players!

How big is a team?

The minimum number for a Softball team is 15 players. If you do not reach team status fear not, we will merge you with other groups to hit the minimum.  Merged teams are generally larger to protect against forfeits. Want a larger or smaller team? You can register as a prepaid team to have as many or as few players on your roster.

Are there gender requirements?

Yes! Each team can have a maximum of 7 males on the field. You can have 10 females on the field (with no guys) You can also not have more then 3 males bat in a row.

I love softball so much, how else can I play?

We love to hear that, and guess what? You are in luck!  We have a variety of different weekday and weekend leagues as well as tournaments and other fun events to get your softball fix.  Check out our Tournament’s page to see all the upcoming fun including our Volo City Softball 2019 City Championships.

CoEd Rules

10 v 10

• Max. 7 males, 10 max. on the field
• 6 players, 1 female minimum to start game
• NO ump fees
• Bats provided at ALL locations- First Come, First Serve (wooden bats only at McHenry Row)
• Bats must be ASA, USSA or NSA certified
• Gloves ARE NOT PROVIDED. Please bring your own
• No more than 3 males can bat in a row
  • Females can bat multiple times within the batting order to have 3-1 ratio but MUST bat in order in regards to other females
  • **Walking a male is 2 bases ONLY if a female is behind him (new for spring)**

Basic Rules

• AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH GAME both teams MUST submit a written list of their batting order to the ump
• NO bunting – bunts are a foul ball (at the ref’s discretion)
• 2 fouls in an out
• Ball should be thrown between 6 ft. (min) to 16 ft. (max) measured from the ground
• If the ball is between the 6’ to 16’ range and hits home plate or the strike mat, then it is a strike
• 65 foot base paths on all fields
• ALL pitches MUST be thrown underhand

Batting

• ALL batters WILL START WITH A 1-1 COUNT
• Sliding is ALLOWED
  • Any slide that results in excessive contact with the defensive player will result in the runner being called out (at the ref’s discretion)

• No more than 3 males can bat in a row
  • Females can bat multiple times within the batting order to have 3-1 ratio but MUST bat in order in regards to other females
• If a male batter walks, followed by a female batter with 2 outs in an inning, the female batter will have the option to hit or walk

Innings

• 6 innings in a game
  • UNLESS we reach the 50 minute warning: then both teams will be warned and the start the of next inning will be the FINAL inning
  • In the final inning, the losing team bats first
  • Weekend Leagues Only – 7 innings or one hour, whichever comes first
• Mercy Rule – lessens the chance of having blowouts early in the games (boring for everyone)
  • Max. 6 runs can be scored per inning (EXCEPT the last inning – no limit)
  • Games CAN end in a tie during the regular season
  • ONLY happens if there is a 10 run lead or more after 5 full innings
• Tie Breaker Rule (Only applies to playoffs and tournaments)
  • An extra inning will be played in the event of a tie game
  • If the game is still tied after that extra inning then the team that reached the furthest base wins

Base Running

• NO stealing
  • Runner CANNOT leave his/her base until the pitched ball is hit

• NO pick off attempts
• Ball is DEAD on a pitch once it hits the ground (or a player)
• Overthrow rule:  If the ball is deemed out of play or unplayable, ALL runners are awarded 1 base from the base LAST possessed upon release of the throw
• If the ball is OVERTHROWN and REMAINS in play, the game continues

*Teams without the minimum players will forfeit after 10 minutes from their designated start time*

**All teams make the playoffs at the end of the season (unless you forfeit 2x)**

Men’s Rules

9 v 9

• 6 players minimum to start game
• NO ump fees
• Bats provided at ALL locations – First Come, First Served (wooden bats only at McHenry Row)
• Bats must be ASA, USSA or NSA certified
• Gloves ARE NOT PROVIDED. Please bring your own
• Walks are 1 base

Basic Rules

• AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH GAME both teams MUST submit a written list of their batting order to the ump
• NO bunting – bunts are a foul ball (at the ref’s discretion)
  2 fouls in an out
• Ball should be thrown between 6 ft. (min) to 16 ft. (max) measured from the ground
• If the ball is between the 6’ to 16’ range and hits home plate or the strike mat, then it is a strike

Batting

• ALL batters WILL START WITH A 1-1 COUNT
• Sliding is ALLOWED, Any slide that results in excessive contact with the defensive player will result in the runner being called out (at the ref’s discretion)

Innings

• 6 innings in a game
• UNLESS we reach the 50 minute warning: then both teams will be warned and the start the of next inning will be the FINAL inning
• In the final inning, the losing team bats first
• Weekend Leagues Only – 7 innings or one hour, whichever comes first
• Mercy Rule – lessens the chance of having blowouts early in the games (boring for everyone)
• Max. 6 runs can be scored per inning (EXCEPT the last inning – no limit)
• Games CAN end in a tie during the regular season
• ONLY happens if there is a 10 run lead or more after 5 full innings
• Tie Breaker Rule (Only applies to playoffs and tournaments)
• An extra inning will be played in the event of a tie game
• If the game is still tied after that extra inning then the team that reached the furthest base wins
• Base Running NO stealing, CANNOT leave his/her base until the pitched ball is hit.  NO pick off attempts
• Ball is DEAD on a pitch once it hits the ground (or a player)
• Overthrow rule:  If the ball is deemed out of play or unplayable, ALL runners are awarded 1 base from the base LAST possessed upon release of the throw, If the ball is OVERTHROWN and REMAINS in play, the game continues

*Teams without the min players forfeit after 10 minutes from start time*
**All teams make the playoffs at the end of the season (unless you forfeit 2x)**