Co-ed Slow-Pitch Playing Rules
A complete set of playing rules and batting order options are available upon request. Email: michael@adworldseries.com
12 co-ed games guaranteed.
Entire game schedule released on arrival day
Every team placed in a division (4-5 divisions) based on playing level and competitiveness. (Refer to Division Placements & Scoring below)
Line-Up: 6 males, 4 females can play anywhere.
Additional hitters permitted provided 1 male and 1 female are added…or 2 males & 2 females (12 or 14-player batting order). Batting 7 males, 5 females is optimal.
Pitching Arc: 6’ - 15’ (pitch must be over the batter’s head).
A mat (plate extension) is placed directly behind home plate. A pitched ball landing on the plate OR any part of the extension shall be called a strike. Mat size: 36”x24”x4”.
All batters start with a 1-1 count. The “second” foul ball after two strikes is declared a strikeout.
Male batters hit a 12” ball (44 COR, 375 compression - Worth ProTac Super Duper).
Female batters hit an 11” ball. However, they can also request to hit a 12”.
All 4 outfielders must stand on the outfield grass until the batter makes contact. A female hitter can be thrown out at first base on a base hit provided that outfielder completes the throw from the outfield turf.
No new inning will start after 55 minutes.
Game times officially begins after the home team pitcher completes his/her five (5) warm-up tosses.
Two males will be able to bat “back-to-back” in “pre-designated spots” in the line-up. A list of batting order options is available upon request.
Three (3) courtesy runners permitted per game, and must be pre-game designated.
Up the Middle - For Male Hitters. An “OUT” will be declared anytime a “male” hits a line drive at a “male or female” pitcher. All base runners must return to their original bases. A line drive is considered a hit above the ankles to 18” above the pitcher’s head. A line / or a circle will be chalked around the pitching rubber and any line drive within those lines / circle will be declared an out.
However, any batted ball hit by a male hitter that hits the ground in front of the pitching rubber is considered a live ball. The Umpire makes that non-protestable call.
Up the Middle - For Female Hitters. A “female” hitter will not be not penalized for any line drive she hits up the middle regardless whether the pitcher is male or female.
Pitcher’s Equipment: Masks are not mandatory, but highly recommended. Other protective equipment such as chest and shin protectors are permitted.
Home Run Limits: Unlimited home runs allowed within division play only. A 1-Up rule applies in all other games including cross-division games.
ASA & USSSA legally-stamped bat rules are permitted. Doctored or shaved bats are prohibited and the team faces severe scoring penalties if a player is caught using one (i.e., forfeiture of that game PLUS forfeiture of the next division game).
Courtesy Runners: S: Three (3) runners permitted per game.
a) The captain, PRIOR to the game, must notify the Umpire and opposing team captain of the total number of courtesy runners the team wishes to use prior to the start of the game.
b) The “last out” (male for male, female for female) will run for those pre-designated courtesy runners.
c) An opposing captain does not have the option to refuse “designated” courtesy runners.
d) Captains cannot agree to more than three runners per game.
e) However, captains may also declare prior to the game that zero, 1 or 2 runners will be needed at the beginning of the game - and then can strategically reserve up to three (3) courtesy runners for later in the game.
Examples include:
1) Removing a “slow” runner for the previous out (male for male or female for female).
2) Let’s say a hitter leaves a game due to injury or sickness. If that team has already used its three courtesy runners, and there is no replacement on the bench, then the offensive team must play the rest of the game defensively short-handed, and an automatic “out” will be declared every time that injured batter’s place comes up in the order.
COMMIT LINE (aka Commitment line). Will add an extra layer of safety as it eliminates any chance of collisions between baserunner and defender covering home plate.
a) A line (Line “A”) will be chalked in foul territory about halfway past the third base bag.
b) A longer line (Line “B”) will be chalked in foul territory horizontal to home plate.
c) ALL baserunners must cross over “B” for a run to score BEFORE the catcher or any infielder securely catches a ball thrown to them.
d) The defensive player MUST tag home plate (not the extension behind the plate).
e) Furthermore, once the baserunner commits past Line “A” he/she cannot run back to third base.
f) If the runner mistakenly chooses to touch home plate instead of crossing the horizontal line, then the runner will be declared OUT.
Division Placements & Scoring Championships
All teams will be placed in equally-weighted divisions based on recent ASWS history, the number of returning players, number of rookies, and roster size. New teams are vetted and assigned to the division best suited to their playing ability and overall competitiveness.
Division I comprises of primarily “D-level” teams.
The lowest division(s) primarily consists of “recreational-level” teams.
Every division team plays designated “cross-division” opponents, and those games will count towards that team’s overall division standing.
Anytime D-I teams play a lower division team, a 5-run per inning limit will apply for both teams… until the last inning when both teams will be allowed to score an unlimited number of runs. These games will be marked on the game schedule.
Additional run advantages may be considered after the complete roster of teams is revealed
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES: If two teams have the identical division record (includes cross-division games), then a full championship game will be played. If three teams have the identical division record (includes cross-division games), then a 1-inning tie-breaker will first be played between the two teams that allowed the most runs in previous division-only games. The team that allowed the fewest runs will receive a bye. The winner of that 1-inning playoff will advance to play a full 55-minute game.
Although a championship game can go a full 55-minutes, both teams can request a shortened three-inning playoff. If there is a dispute, then a coin flip will determine the length of game.
Every team - regardless of overall record - is eligible to win the “overall team championship”. Overall record (50%), participation in at-event competitions and Facebook postings (50%) make up a team’s total score. Coins will be distributed during off-field competitions and it is each team’s responsibility to turn in coins the following day.
The top three teams will be awarded $1,000.00, $500.00, and $250.00 respectfully that will be applied to the 2027 team entry fee.
