Served as runner from the plate for batter. Later same inning, tried to sub as courtesy runner at 1st base, was told not allowed to run twice same inning. We play under ssusa rules. What's up? Tku geo

9 ball ... If you "..Served as runner from the plate for batter..", you are NOT playing under SSUSA rules ... Please see the very first sentence of SSUSA Rulebook §8.4(1) on page 46 ... "Each batter must reach first base without the aid of a courtesy runner" is fairly specific and unambiguous ...

Hey Dave..seems we do operate league play under ssusa rules, but have modified certain provisions to accommodate the infamous "runner from the plate" for the guys who can still play,but have difficulty running. The designated runner cannot progress past 1st base on any base hit,with all other baserunners advancing as they can. I now have to check our local rules. Tku geo

9 ball Our 59+ senior league has allowed courtesy runners from home plate for a few years. Once you run for someone from home, that counts as the one time your are able to run per inning.
There are some other stipulations using one.
1. The home plate courtesy runner must start 5 feet further back from the extension of the 3rd base would line into foul territory.
2. It's only natural for the batter to also run, so as not to cause confusion to fielders fielding the ball, the batter will be called out if he reaches the double runners lane going to first base.
3. Up to last year, so teams wouldn't take advantage using the runner from home, only those players who had a Dr. signed medical note could get a runner from home. This was found to be too tedious to control so this year, each team is allowed up to 3 people they must designate before the game to have said runner and a fourth can be named any time during the game.
The rule isn't perfect but it allows more people to participate as its a town run league.

We don't have the rule limiting it to a single but I like that.

Hi k man..I play up here in 65+ RI league, and reviewed our local provisions for runners. They seem to be a fair way to accommodate borderline players,while not providing an unacceptable advantage to the player's team. This is our league guidelines:
1)designate runners from the plate for up to 2 specified batters before game starts. 2)runners start within circle about 5 ft to right of homeplate. 3)batter cannot run toward 1b after contact..called out if goes halfway. 4)doesn't matter if hit is 1b/2b/3b/4b runner has to stop at 1b. "Runner from the plate" is announced so defensive players can adjust their positions. All present baserunners are free to advance as they are able. 5)runner can then remain on 1b,or get a courtesy runner before next pitch. Doesn't seem to provide for same person running from plate and also as a courtesy runner later within same inning. This modification helps us keep folks "in the game" and runs smoothly throughout the game. I'm 72 and still having fun..geo

9 ball Glad to hear you are still having fun. Same here on LI. After knee replacements in '21 and '22, last summer, they finally felt like 'my' knees. And back in the outfield playing in our local league in addition to playing travel ball in the 75 age group.
Here's another rule that our local league has used to keep more players into play:
2 players can be married together where one plays the field and the other player just bats. Another option during the game one of the players can play both sides of the ball while the other one would be out of the game.
There is nothing like the camaraderie of the softball community in both our local league and the guys I've met over the last 10 years in travel ball. So very thankful for the opportunity!