NJ Play Sports General Rules (All Programs) 

General

• The scheduled start time of your game is when the clock will start. 
• We allow a 10 minute grace period. This grace period is for teams still getting ready, teammates running late, etc. "(Please keep in mind that the game clock will be running during the grace period)"
• After 10 minutes the game is officially ruled a forfeit. If the teams still want to play after the grace period is up, the referees and site managers will still run a game, but the game will still count as a forfeit for the standings.
• If an official is late or doesn’t show up, teams have a choice to self-officiate, mutually agree upon an official (team member or spectator), or allow a Site Manager to officiate the game. Games will not be rescheduled and will count as an official game.
• Games are rescheduled or refunded/credited in the event that NJ Play Sports specifically cancels a game. Reschedules and refund/credits do not apply in events outside of NJ Play Sports control (ie: excessive rainouts, forfeits, etc.) 
• All subs must fill out a waiver in order to participate in games. At least 50% of the players on the team must be on the roster. You may have no more than 1 bench player available, if you are inviting subs/guest players to the game. 
• Rosters: Each team can have as many players as they choose as long as they meet the league fee and gender specific qualifications. The roster deadline for every league is the night before the last regular season game. Once the last regular season game is played, no changes may be made to the schedule. 
• *NJ Play Sports does reserve the right to make an exception for extreme cases, in order to avoid forfeits. 
• Roster Checks: Roster checks will be conducted before the start of every game. Substitutes are allowed during the regular season.

 

Forfeits: 

If you know you may not be able to field a full team, please let us know at least 48 hours in advance and we will try our best to reschedule your game and avoid a forfeit: 

● Call: 973-358-5729 

● Email: nj@playsportsco.com 

 

2 Forfeit offenses = elimination from playoffs

3 Forfeit offenses = removal from league

 

 

Sportsmanship: 

NJ Play Sports is a community of social adult sports enthusiasts. We do encourage safe and healthy competition. Overly competitive players who are deemed to be excessively aggressive may be removed from the game and league without refund. 

 

NJ Play Sports has a zero tolerance policy in regards to abuse of any kind. Help us keep our community safe!

 

Summary (Indoor Rules may vary slightly)

• 10 fielders per team (Minimum 3 Women)
• Rosters must consist of at least 13 players 
• All players present are required to kick
• No bunting is allowed, a foul will be called for all balls kicked that do not reach the imaginary line between
• Once a runner crosses the "commit cone" a force play is in effect at home plate. (Runner Runs to safety base and field stands at regular home plate) The runner can still be tagged or pegged out. 
•  
• No subs permitted during playoffs
• Game will consist of 9 innings or 50 minutes whichever comes first (no new innings with start after 50 minutes)
• 1 inning will be played if the score is tied after 9 innings and time permits.
• Tie games at game completion with result in a tie for each team
• Games called after 3 innings will be considered a complete game
• There is a 7 run limit per inning except in the last inning 
• All players must arrive on-time to avoid forfeiture of game(Game time is forfeit time)
• All games are RAIN or SHINE (unless hazardous conditions) 
• Any unsportsmanlike conduct will result in that player/team being suspended/removed from participating in future NJ Play activities, at the discretion of NJ Play officials.

Check In

Players must check-in with the NJ Play Official or site manager at the field prior to the start of your game.

 

Game Cancelations

Leagues may be cancelled due to dangerous weather conditions, facility constraints or other unforeseeable reasons. NJ Play will not cancel games unless absolutely necessary, so you should always assume games are on unless you receive notification. If the games are cancelled, we will notify all players via email.

Start of Game

Referee will have two captains shoot rock/paper/scissors, odds/evens, or coin flip.

Winning captain selects if they would like to take the field first or kick first

Clock Time

A game consists of 9 innings or 50 minutes, whichever comes first

Fielding

Positions: Pitcher, Catcher, First Base, Second Base, Third Base, Shortstop and 4 Outfielders

Outfielders must start each pitch approximately 10 yards from the infield

Infielders must start each pitch behind the imaginary line from 1st and 3rd base

Catcher must be approximately 3 feet behind home plate

Intentionally dropping the ball to induce a double play will result in each player, including the kicker to advance to the next base (one base from the start of the pitch)

Catchers are required if a team has 9 or more players present

Runner interference is called when a fielder intentionally or unintentionally blocks a runner's path.  The result will be the running obtaining the base they were approaching

Runners will be called safe if they are avoiding a collision due to a fielder covering the base or in the base path.

Pitching

Strike zone is the plate plus 3 feet (Designated by rubber mats)

No Overhand/Sidearm pitching, the ball must be rolled underhand

Walk: 4 Balls; Out: 3 Strikes (including foul on 3rd strike)

Intentional Walk to any batter will result in an automatic bases clearing Home Run. **Intentional walk described as any 4-0 count**

Kicking

A line-up card with first and last name must be presented to referee and other team captain prior to the start of the game

All players present must kick

No more than 3 men may kick back to back in the kicking line-up

The ball must reach home plate before it is kicked

No bunting is allowed, a foul will be called for all balls kicked that do not reach the imaginary line between 1st and 3rd

Base Running 

Runners must run in the base paths, running out of the base paths (other than to avoid contact with another player) will result in an out

The runner must try to avoid contact at all times, runners will be out for failure to avoid contact

Force plays and tag ups follow softball/baseball rules

Hitting the runner, below the shoulders, with a thrown ball will result in the runner being out

All throws must remain under the runners shoulders

No leading or stealing, the runner must remain on the base until the ball is kicked

The runner will be awarded the base they are traveling toward if they are hit above the shoulders 

If the runner is sliding into a base and is hit above the shoulders they may still be called out if the umpire deems the throw to be unintentional 

Intentional use of head or neck to block the ball will result in an out

Tie goes to the runner

Once a runner crosses the "commit cone" a force play is in effect at home plate (runner runs to safety base and fielder stands at regular home plate). The runner can still be tagged or pegged out. 

Foul Ball

Ball that lands in foul territory

Ball that lands in fair territory but goes into foul territory before passing 1st or 3rd without touching a player

A kick made prior to the ball crossing home plate

Ball

A ball rolled outside of the strike zone

Catcher's Interference : Catcher not beginning play approximately 3 feet behind 

Illegal Pitch: Pitcher crossing the mound prior to pitching

Out

Three strikes including a foul ball after two strikes

Catching a kicked ball in the air

Foul balls can be caught in the air for an out

The runner is touched by the ball, thrown or tagged, anytime not on base

The reaching a base before the runner when the runner is forced to that base

Runners taking leads before the pitch

 

End of Play

When the pitcher has possession of the ball in the pitching area

If a runner is not on base they may advance to the next bag or retreat to the previous bag

 

Standings/Ranking

• Ranking Points (Win: 3, Tie:1, Loss: 0)
• Win Percentage 
• Head to Head
• Points Against
• Power Index (Strength of Schedule Metric)
• If none of the above tie breakers resolve seeding issues there will a coin toss to break the tie

Player Protests 

In the event that a team feels that the referee or site management does not acknowledge or incorrectly assumes a written rule in the NJ Play Rule Book the captain can protest said rule. The captain is protesting the fact that the rule exists or is different from what the referee is applying to the game. They are NOT protesting the interpretation of said rule or protesting any judgment calls on the field.

When a team protests a rule they must declare they are officially protesting the rule, the game will pause while the site manager and/or team captain confirm the rule exists or that the rule is being read correctly. If the rule exists or was being read incorrectly this is considered a successful protest (see below). If the rule does not exist or was being read and applied correctly on the field, this is considered a failed protest (see below).

 

Successful Protests:

Protest must take place on site before the next play begins, no alterations to the game can take place after the next play begins.

Play will continue using the accurate rule

Failed Protests:

Softball/Kickball: An out will be recorded at the teams next at bat