Co-ed Slow-Pitch Playing Rules
A full set of playing rules and batting order options are available upon request. Email: michael@adworldseries.com
12 co-ed games guaranteed.
Entire game schedule is released on arrival day (September 22).
Every team placed in a division (4-6 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).
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 (52 COR, 300 compression aka “The Rock”).
Female batters hit an 11” ball. However, they can request hitting a 12”.)
All 4 outfielders must stand on the outfield turf until the batter makes contact. Team captains will vote this summer as to whether a female hitter can be thrown out at first base on a ground ball base hit that lands on 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 Batting Order primer is available upon request.
Three (3) courtesy runners permitted per game, and must be pre-game designated.
Up the Middle: 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 AND 18” on either side of the pitching rubber. However, any batted ball hit by a male hitter that hits the ground in front of the pitching rubber is a live ball. The Umpire makes the call - it cannot be protested. A “female” hitter is not penalized for any line drive she hits up the middle regardless whether the pitcher is male or female; however, the female up the middle rule will be voted this summer by a vote of the team captains.
Pitcher’s Equipment: Masks are not mandatory, but recommended for pitchers. 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).
Division Placements & Scoring Championships
All teams are 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.
Each team plays its other division opponents twice; the second game is usually scheduled during the critical last day of play when the title is up for grabs.
Ideally, every division is made up of 4 teams. Division I teams (perhaps 3 teams) could conceivably play each other 3 times or a total of 6 games… whereas a Division IV team could play division opponents twice, or a total of 6 games.
In addition, every division plays designated “cross-division” opponents. and those games will count towards the overall division standing. EXAMPLE: Division I teams could play every Division II team once, and those games would count in the division standings (see below).
However, a Division III team’s schedule (total of 4 teams) could consist of 6 games against other D-III opponents (playing each other twice) plus two games each against Division II and Division IV opponents… or a total of 10 games. The 11th and 12th games might be played against a D-I or D-V team and would count towards the team’s overall record.
Recognizing that Division I teams have more talented players, anytime D-I teams play a lower division team, a 5-run per inning limit applies for both teams… until the last inning when both teams will be allowed to score an unlimited number of runs.
A division championship game will also be played if two teams have the identical division record (includes cross-division opponents). 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 have allowed the most runs within previous division 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 remaining teams can request a shortened three-inning playoff.
Every team - regardless of overall record - is eligible to win. Overall record (40%), participation in at-event competitions (45%), and Facebook competitions, postings and contributions (15%) make up a team’s total score. Coins will be distributed during at-event 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 2024 team entry fee.
