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New Rules in 2010
USSSA Rule Changes
The City of Burnsville uses the USSSA program as the basis for establishing league rules. The following rules have been changed by the national office for the 2010 season:
Batting 12 players: Teams are now allowed to bat 9,10,11 or 12 batters. The old rule capped the batting order at 11 in the past.
Church Teams Post Season Play: The Church program post season will now feature a "competitive" program that will allow 3 home runs per game and a "recreational" program that will allow zero home runs per game.
Men's E and Mixed E Tournament and Post Season Home Run Rule: Any batter who hits a home run at the E level will be declared out, the inning will end and that spot in the batting order will be an out each time the player is supposed to bat for the remainder of the game.
New Wood Bat State Tournament: The MN USSSA will offer a "competitive" "recreational" wood bat only state tournament September 11-12.
City of Burnsville Rule Changes
While the City of Burnsville uses the USSSA program as a guide for establishing league rules, sometimes the city rule will replace a USSSA rule during league play. One example of this is our home run rule. The following rules have been newly modified for the 2010 season:
Ball: The only ball available in 2010 is the optic yellow ball. Teams will be allowed to use white back up balls until June 1st.
Bat Inspection: An umpire or agent of the Burnsville softball program may at any time ask to inspect a bat that has been brought into the location of a Burnsville softball event. The owner and or user may either 1) allow the agent to inspect the bat which may include sending it to a committee for review. If the bat is found to be an altered bat it would include a 2 year suspension from the Burnsville program and would be sent to the state for review or 2) withhold the bat from inspection and accept an immediate one year suspension from Burnsville league play in addition to the incident being forwarded to the state for review.
Homeruns: Burnsville uses the 1-up rule in men's league play. The homerun limits prior to the 1-up rule starting are as follows:
Summer: Open - 4, Thursday D National - 3, Men's D or D/E Competitive and Recreational - 2, Highest Mixed League on Sunday and Friday - 1
Fall: Tuesday Upper - 3, Other Men's D Bronze - 2, Highest Mixed League on Sunday and Friday - 1
Hit-N-Sit: When a player hits a homerun over the fence, that player and any players on base can simply return to the dugout. They do not need to run the bases.
Glass Bottles: An umpire or agent of the Burnsville softball program has the right to ask any person (coach, player, fan etc.) to leave the park for the remainder of the day if they are found to have a glass bottle in their possession. This is not viewed as an ejection for players or coaches but any person who chooses to bring a glass bottle to the park will not be welcome to be there that day.
Over 35 Rules: The over 35 leagues will no longer be restricted from using composite bats in 2010. They may now use any bat that is officially approved by the USSSA. See the "Equipment" tab on the left for more details as it relates to legal bats.
Fall Mixed League Structure: All mixed leagues will start before Labor Day and will have an increase in league games from 5 weeks (10 games) to 6 weeks (12 games).
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