UNITY ATHLETICS ASSOCIATION

OFFICIAL SOFTBALL LEAGUE RULEBOOK – 2026 SEASON

League Principles, Islamic Values, and Code of Conduct
Equipment and Uniform Requirements
Team Rosters and Player Eligibility
Team Captains and Responsibilities
Substitute Players, Same Day Substitutions, and Replacement Players
Game Structure and Field Rules
Game Format, Timing, and Weather Determinations
Batting Rules
Base Running Rules
Pitching Rules
Scoring, Standings, and Playoff Structure
Umpires, Discipline, and Appeals
Dugout and Bench Conduct
Bat Regulations
Amendments

1. LEAGUE PRINCIPLES, ISLAMIC VALUES, AND CODE OF CONDUCT

1.1 The Unity Athletics Association (UAA) Softball League (the “League”) is established as a Muslim community league. Participation in the League is conditional upon adherence to Islamic principles, including but not limited to respect, humility, patience, honesty, integrity, and brotherhood.

1.2 All players, captains, organizers, and spectators shall conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the values set out in Section 1.1 at all times, whether on or off the field of play.

1.3 Any conduct that is abusive, aggressive, threatening, disrespectful, or otherwise inconsistent with the spirit and purpose of the League is strictly prohibited.

1.4 The use of profanity, in any language, is strictly prohibited under all circumstances.

1.5 Any allegation of profanity may be brought to the attention of the umpire by a team captain. The umpire shall have full discretion to determine whether a violation has occurred and to issue a warning or eject the offending player(s).

1.6 Any player ejected pursuant to this Section shall be subject to automatic review by the UAA Board (the “Board”).

1.7 The Board reserves the right to impose additional disciplinary measures, including but not limited to:
(a) Additional game suspensions;
(b) Monetary fines;
(c) Suspension for the remainder of the season;
(d) Removal from the League.

1.8 Repeat violations of this Section shall result in escalating disciplinary action.

1.9 Smoking or vaping is strictly prohibited within a fifty (50) metre radius of the playing field.

1.10 Any player found in violation of Section 1.9 may be issued a warning. Subsequent violations may result in fines, suspension, or removal from the League.

1.11 Any player found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol during League activities may be immediately removed from the game and may be subject to further disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion.

1.12 All fines collected under these Rules shall be donated to charity at the discretion of the Board.

2. EQUIPMENT AND UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS

2.1 Metal cleats are strictly prohibited. Any player wearing metal cleats shall not be permitted to participate until such equipment is removed.

2.2 Metal jewelry is strictly prohibited during gameplay. Any jewelry deemed unsafe by the umpire must be removed prior to participation.

2.3 All players shall wear their official team jersey for the current season during all games.

2.4 Any player who fails to wear his official jersey may be assessed a fine.

2.5 All fines must be paid prior to the player’s next scheduled game. Failure to pay shall render the player ineligible to participate.

2.6 In the event that a jersey is lost, the player shall immediately notify his team captain, who shall coordinate with the Board to determine a resolution.

3. TEAM ROSTERS AND PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

3.1 Each team shall maintain a roster of players approved by the Board.

3.2 All players must be male and at least sixteen (16) years of age.

3.3 A minimum of eight (8) eligible players must be present at the start of each game.

3.4 A grace period of ten (10) minutes from the scheduled start time shall be permitted.

3.5 If a team fails to field eight (8) eligible players within the grace period, the game shall be declared a forfeit.

3.6 If a team falls below eight (8) eligible players at any point during a game, the game shall be immediately forfeited, regardless of inning or score.

3.7 Teams must provide at least twenty-four (24) hours’ notice if they intend to forfeit a game. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.

4. TEAM CAPTAINS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

4.1 Each team is designated a captain by the Board. In the absence of the designated captain, another player shall be required to act as the captain for that game. The acting captain will have the same responsibilities as the designated captain for the selected game.

4.2 The captain shall:
(a) Serve as the primary point of contact with the Board;
(b) Submit batting lineups 10 minutes prior to the commencement of each game;
(c) Submit substitute requests within prescribed timelines;
(d) Ensure all players are eligible;
(e) Maintain discipline and conduct of team members;
(f) Act as the sole representative in communications with the umpire.

4.3 Only the captain shall be permitted to discuss rule interpretations or decisions with the umpire.

5. SUBSTITUTE PLAYERS, SAME DAY SUBSTITUTIONS, AND REPLACEMENT PLAYERS

5.1 Substitute Players

5.1.1 A team may utilize a maximum of two (2) substitute players from the league-approved substitute list.

5.1.2 Substitute requests must be submitted no later than Friday at 11:59 PM preceding the scheduled game.

5.1.3 Substitute players may only be used where a team has between six (6) and nine (9) regular rostered players available.

5.1.4 Substitute players shall be subject to the following positional and lineup restrictions:

(a) Where a team has nine (9) regular players and utilizes one (1) substitute, the substitute shall:

Play the catcher position; and
Bat last in the lineup.

(b) Where a team has eight (8) regular players and utilizes two (2) substitutes, the substitutes shall:

Play catcher and right field; and
Occupy the final positions in the batting order.

(c) Where a team has seven (7) regular players and utilizes two (2) substitutes, the substitutes shall:

Play first base and right field; and
The opposing team shall provide a catcher who shall not be considered an active player and whose sole function shall be to return balls to the pitcher.

(d) Where a team has six (6) regular players and utilizes two (2) substitutes, the provisions of Section 5.1.4(c) shall apply.

5.1.5 Substitute players must bat last and may not occupy any other position in the batting order.

5.2 Same Day Substitutions (SDS)

5.2.1 A team that is short of players on the day of the game may request a Same Day Substitution.

5.2.2 All such requests must be made through the organizers. Teams are strictly prohibited from directly recruiting substitute players.

5.2.3 Approval of Same Day Substitutions shall be at the sole and absolute discretion of the organizers and shall not create precedent.

5.3 Replacement Players

5.3.1 Replacement players may only be assigned where:
(a) A rostered player is unable to continue for the remainder of the season, including playoffs; and
(b) The team’s active roster falls below twelve (12) players.

5.3.2 The Board shall make reasonable efforts to assign a replacement player of comparable skill level.

5.3.3 A replaced player shall not be eligible to participate for the remainder of the season or playoffs.

5.3.4 Replacement players must meet the following participation thresholds to be eligible for playoffs:
(a) Where more than half the season remains: participation in at least sixty percent (60%) of games;
(b) Where more than half the season has elapsed: participation in at least fifty percent (50%) of remaining games.

6. GAME STRUCTURE AND FIELD RULES

6.1 Each team shall field ten (10) defensive players.

6.2 Teams may position up to five (5) players within the infield.

6.3 The infield fly rule shall be in effect and shall be applied at the discretion of the umpire.

6.4 Any overthrow that results in the ball leaving the field of play shall result in the automatic award of one (1) additional base to all runners.

6.5 Field dimensions shall be:
(a) Sixty-five (65) feet between bases;
(b) Ninety (90) feet from home plate to second base;
(c) Pitching distance between fifty (50) and sixty (60) feet;
(d) Commitment line at twenty-eight (28) feet from home plate;
(e) Strike mat measuring two (2) feet by three (3) feet.

6.6 Foul territory and out-of-play boundaries shall be determined by the umpire and shall be final.

7. GAME FORMAT, TIMING, AND WEATHER DETERMINATIONS

7.1 Each game shall consist of a maximum of seven (7) innings.

7.2 A maximum of five (5) runs may be scored per inning, except for the final inning, which shall be open. Umpire can call an earlier inning an open inning if time is running short.

7.3 No new inning shall begin after one (1) hour and fifteen (15) minutes from the scheduled start time.

7.4 If time expires during an inning, that inning shall be declared the final inning and shall be played as an open inning.

7.5 A game shall be deemed official upon completion of:
(a) Three (3) innings; or
(b) Two and one-half (2.5) innings where the home team is leading.

7.6 A grace period of ten (10) minutes shall be observed prior to declaring a forfeit.

7.7 Weather Determinations

7.7.1 The umpire shall have authority to determine whether a game may proceed due to weather or field conditions.

7.7.2 In the absence of an umpire, such determination shall be made by the organizers.

7.7.3 Regular season games affected by weather shall not be replayed.

7.7.4 Incomplete playoff games affected by weather shall be rescheduled.

8. BATTING RULES

8.1 All at-bats shall begin with a zero (0) balls and zero (0) strikes count.

8.2 A batter shall be awarded first base upon receiving four (4) balls.

8.3 A foul ball on a third strike shall be considered an out.

8.4 A pitch shall be considered a strike only where a batter swings and fails to make contact, or:
(a) The pitch has an arc between six (6) and twelve (12) feet; and
(b) The ball makes contact with the strike mat.

8.5 The determination of a legal pitch shall be at the sole discretion of the umpire.

8.6 Any ball making contact with the strike mat or home plate shall be ruled a foul ball.

8.7 A batter shall not switch sides after the first pitch has been delivered.

8.8 Any fair contact shall be considered a live ball regardless of distance traveled.

8.9 A batter shall be declared out if he reaches first base while in possession of the bat.

8.10 Batting lineups must be submitted 10 minutes prior to the start of the game.

8.11 No player may be added to the batting lineup after:
(a) The completion of the first inning; or
(b) Ten (10) minutes after the scheduled start time,
whichever occurs first.

8.12 A player who bats out of order shall be declared out once a pitch has been thrown.

8.13 A player who leaves the batter’s box during his at-bat for non-injury reasons shall be declared out.

8.14 A player who is injured and unable to continue shall be removed from the lineup without penalty and shall not be counted as an out.

8.15 An injured player shall not be permitted to re-enter the game.

9. BASE RUNNING RULES

9.1 Leading off bases is strictly prohibited.

9.2 A runner may step off the base only after:
(a) The ball is struck by the bat;
(b) The ball makes contact with the ground; or
(c) The ball crosses home plate.

9.3 Sliding is permitted at all bases except first base and home plate.

9.3.1 Umpire judgement in effect for 9.1 to 9.3.

9.4 Commitment Line and Scoring

9.4.1 Once a runner crosses the commitment line, he must proceed directly toward home plate.

9.4.2 A runner who crosses the commitment line may not return to third base.

9.4.3 Runners shall not be tagged out at home plate.

9.4.4 A run shall be scored when a runner crosses the designated scoring line.

9.4.5 A runner who touches home plate while attempting to score shall be declared out.

9.5 Courtesy Runners

9.5.1 Each team shall be permitted a maximum of five (5) courtesy runners per game.

9.5.2 The courtesy runner must be the most recent player recorded as an out.

9.5.3 Each team may designate two (2) players who are not eligible to serve as courtesy runners for the season.

9.5.4 In the case of an injured player requiring unlimited courtesy runners:
(a) The team shall be limited to four (4) courtesy runners for all other players;
(b) The injured player must stop at first base unless the hit results in a home run;
(c) Any attempt by the injured player to advance beyond first base shall result in the player being declared out.

10. PITCHING RULES

10.1 Pitching distance shall be between fifty (50) and sixty (60) feet.

10.2 Each pitch must have an arc between six (6) and twelve (12) feet.

10.3 The pitcher must maintain a pivot foot that remains stationary during the pitching motion.

10.4 The pitcher must be aligned with home plate at the time of release.

10.5 The pitcher may stand up to ten (10) feet behind the pitching rubber.

10.6 The pitcher must make a reasonable attempt to deliver hittable pitches.

10.7 Delivery of intentionally unhittable pitches may result in a warning.

10.8 A second violation may result in the ejection of the pitcher and further disciplinary action.

11. SCORING, STANDINGS, AND PLAYOFF STRUCTURE

11.1 Teams shall be awarded:
(a) Two (2) points for a win;
(b) One (1) point for a tie;
(c) Zero (0) points for a loss.

11.2 Tie-breaking criteria shall be applied in the following order:
(a) Total points;
(b) Number of wins;
(c) Run differential;
(d) Head-to-head results;
(e) Runs scored.

11.3 A forfeited game shall be recorded as a 10–0 loss.

11.4 Playoffs

11.4.1 Tie games shall not be permitted during playoffs.

11.4.2 In the event of a tie at the conclusion of regulation innings, additional innings shall be played until a winner is determined.

12. UMPIRES, DISCIPLINE, AND APPEALS

12.1 The umpire shall have full authority over the game and all participants.

12.2 The umpire’s decisions during the game shall be final.

12.3 Only team captains may communicate with the umpire regarding decisions.

12.4 Each team shall be permitted two (2) appeals per game.

12.5 A second appeal shall only be granted if the first appeal is successful.

12.6 Any player ejected shall:
(a) Receive a minimum one (1) game suspension;
(b) Be recorded as an out in the batting lineup;
(c) Leave the park immediately.

12.7 Failure to leave the park shall result in team forfeiture and additional disciplinary action.

12.8 Suspended players shall not be permitted to attend games.

12.9 Any complaint must be reported prior to the conclusion of the game.

12.10 The Board shall review all appeals and may conduct hearings. Failure to attend a scheduled hearing may result in dismissal of the appeal.

13. DUGOUT AND BENCH CONDUCT

13.1 All players and team personnel in the dugout are subject to League rules.

13.2 No interference with live play is permitted.

13.3 Disruptive or disrespectful behavior is prohibited.

13.4 Teams are responsible for cleaning their dugout area following each game. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.

14. BAT REGULATIONS

14.1 Only bats approved by ASA or USSSA (1.2 certification) shall be permitted.

14.2 All bats must display the appropriate certification stamp.

14.3 Any bat found to be altered shall be confiscated and result in suspension.

14.4 A player who refuses to submit a bat for inspection shall receive an automatic three (3) year suspension with no right of appeal.

14.5 Bats that were previously approved but subsequently banned shall not be permitted.

15. AMENDMENTS

15.1 The UAA Board reserves the right to amend, modify, or update these Rules at any time without prior notice.

15.2 All amendments shall take effect immediately upon communication to team captains or publication by the League.

Rules