Senior Softball-USA is dedicated to providing the best umpires in the sport.
Click here to download the 2013 Umpire Regisration Form
State & Regional UICs
Please contact the UIC in your region. If no Region is listed, please call Ross McCulligan at 916-326-5303.
Rick Seifman, Vice President/Umpires - tournsport@aol.com 623-776-3525
John Barner, Florida Regional UIC FL - sportsnut651@comcast.net 352-516-6651
Fredrick Craig, UIC UT - craigfredrick46@yahoo.com 435-862-1068
Cathy Duncan, UIC TN - softball1_38018@yahoo.com 901-604-9396
Larry Haden, Colorado UIC - rebelssports@hotmail.com 303-435-8569
Ron Grassi, Umpire National Director, Northwest UIC - ronmustang65@yahoo.com 253-678-1844
John Lytle, UIC Las Vegas - jlytle43@gmail.com 954-648-5665
Tim McElroy, Mid-Atlantic Regional UIC MD - seniors@potomacsports.org 301-514-2676
Donna McGuire, Central Regional UIC MO - dmcguire@kcstar.com 816-517-2903
Keith Parker, UIC TX - eagleat13@yahoo.com 903-315-6374
Don Reddig, UIC Southern CA - dreddig@verizon.net 760-221-0531
Doug Robbins, UIC Northern CA - dougrobbins2448@yahoo.com 916-802-9422
Tom Bussey, Deputy UIC Northern CA - tombussey6@att.net 916-505-6917
Jim Stellmon, UIC WA - umpsey42@gmail.com 253-535-6216
Buy umpire shirts onlineSSUSA Rules Summary
Download this summary as a PDF
SSUSA Rules Summary
Pitching Arc
• 6 feet to 12 Feet from the ground.
• Illegal Pitches are verbalized and hand signaled in flight.
• Four balls and three strikes used with no foul to give.
Batters and Pitcher boxes
• Batters must start with both feet in the box.
• Before starting the pitch the pitcher must take a position with at least one foot in contact with the Pitcher’s Box.
• Pitcher’s Box is 10 feet long.
• Emphasis on the batters’ box is the front and inside lines.
Count
• Starting count is 0-0
• 4balls, 3 strikes
• No foul to give
Double First Base and Scoring Line
• Must be used.
• Violations are live calls.
• Not appeals.
• A runner's foot must be in contact with the scoring line, or over the scoring line and down to score the run prior to the catcher
catching the ball.
• All plays at home are force outs.
Commitment Line
• When a runner passes the commitment line, they must continue.
• If they retreat back over it, it is a live ball out.
Baserunning
• A runner must make every effort to avoid collisions.
• If in the umpires’ judgment, a runner misses a base avoiding a collision, they may be declared safe.
• A base runner may advance on any third strike which is caught on the field of play. The ball is live.
Courtesy Runners
• Any rostered player may be a courtesy runner that is listed on the lineup card.
• A courtesy runner may be used for a base runner at any time, but the same courtesy runner may notbe used more than once in an
inning. If so, they will be declared out.
• Should a courtesy runner be onbase when it is their turn at bat, an out is declared, the base is vacated, and the person due to bat hits.
• Should a runner be determined to be illegal, an out is declared only after they have touched the base.
Defense
• Teams must meet the minimum for their division. It is either ten or eleven players. Should the team be short-handed one, they may
continue to play. An out will be declared the first time only for that spot.
• If a player is ejected an out will be declared each time his/her turn at bat comes up.
Line Up cards and Game cards
• Proper game cards are critical.
• You will be given a game card that has been filled in with all the information needed for that game.
• It is your responsibility to complete that card fully as the game progresses.
• Total everything at the end and have the coaches sign to verify the results.
• Pregame
◦ Check your card for time limits.
◦ Check your card for an equalizer if used. HRs and runs per inning is always the lower teams.
◦ Be sure the back is filled out with both lineups, number of players and subs
◦ Make sure the pitchers have signed the card if necessary (Shins & Face Protection both)
◦ Your game card is official. Exchanged lineups are a courtesy.
◦ CONFIRM all of this BEFORE you flip the coin.
• During the game
◦ Record all runs each half inning and announce to both sides.
◦ Record all substitutions on the back of the card as they occur.
◦ Track the number of balls hit over the fence, whether they are home run, walks, or outs.
• Postgame
◦ Total and verify the score with both coaches and have them, you and any partner sign the card.
◦ Be sure it is accurate and complete.
◦ Don’t forget to rate the teams.
Flip Flop Rule
• In seeding or pool play both teams must agree to it.
• If used, when the visiting team is ahead by 10 runs, and going into the open inning, the home team hits twice. Should they take a
lead, the visiting team hits.
• In Bracket (tournament) play, it applies with a 10 run lead and is mandatory.
Home Runs / Runs per inning
• Major Plus: 9, walks over the limit, 7 runs per half inning
• Major: 6, walks over the limit, 5 runs per half inning
• AAA: 3, outs over the limit, 5 runs per half inning
• AA: 1 Only, outs over the limit, 5 Runs per half inning
• Note: Any ball hit over the fence must be counted on your card. HR, a walk, or an out. Keep track as you go. A four base award is
not included in home run totals. In either case, all runners are required to touch the next base, including the batter touching first.
Open Inning
• In timed games, must be announced when your clock expires. If not announced, another inning be played.
• Watch your clock.
• Make sure both coaches are informed.
International Tie Breaker Rule
• Each team will start with a runner on second base.
• The runner must be the last person who batted the previous inning, whether they made the third out or not.
• No substitute or courtesy runner may be used until that runner has advanced one base.
• Should the proper runner be unable to continue due to injury, an out is declared, and the next previous out becomes the proper
runner.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, DON’T HESITATE TO ASK, WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU.
Phone: (916) 326-5303
Fax: (916) 326-5304
2701 K Street, Suite 101A
Sacramento, CA 95816
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