Pacific Youth Association
PYA Men's Adult Slow Pitch Softball
Manager Handbook
Policies | Procedures | League Rules
2026 Season
Welcome & League Philosophy
Welcome to the PYA Men's Adult Slow Pitch Softball League. Thank you for choosing to play at Pacific Youth Association.
Our goal is to provide a fun, organized, competitive, and sportsmanlike recreational softball league for adult players and teams.
The league is designed to provide a more organized and consistent adult softball experience. While league rules will be enforced to ensure fair play, our primary goal is to keep teams on the field, avoid unnecessary forfeits, and promote good sportsmanship.
Managers are encouraged to work together and communicate with league staff to resolve issues in a way that allows games to be played whenever possible.
League Philosophy: Play softball, communicate clearly, respect the facility, and do everything reasonable to keep games being played.
Manager Expectations
Managers are the main point of contact for their team and are expected to help keep games organized, respectful, and on schedule.
- Arrive at least 15 minutes before game time whenever possible.
- Make sure all players are rostered and eligible before participating.
- Communicate roster concerns, schedule conflicts, or player issues to league administration as early as possible.
- Help keep games moving between innings.
- Treat umpires, opponents, league staff, and spectators respectfully.
- Help control the conduct of players and spectators associated with your team.
- Report injuries, ejections, sportsmanship concerns, or facility issues to the umpire or league staff before leaving the park.
- Make sure your dugout is cleaned before leaving.
Season Information
- The season consists of 16 regular-season games over 8 weeks.
- Teams play double headers back to back
- Home and away assignments are listed on the official schedule and balanced as evenly as possible.
- The league champion will be determined by the best overall regular-season record after all regular-season games have been completed.
View Men's Adult Slow Pitch Schedule
TeamSideline, Rosters & Communication
- Every player must be added to the team roster in TeamSideline before participating.
- Players must complete the required electronic waiver before participating.
- Players must sign or acknowledge the PYA Code of Conduct before participating.
- Players receive schedule changes, rainout notices, field changes, and league announcements through TeamSideline and email.
- Managers are responsible for keeping rosters current.
- All players are encouraged to download the TeamSideline app for real-time updates.
Player Eligibility, Guest Players & Substitutes
- Players must be 18 years of age or older to participate.
- A 17-year-old may be listed on a roster but may not play until after their 18th birthday.
- Teams using an ineligible player may be subject to forfeiture and additional league discipline.
- Substitute or borrowed players must be at least 18 years old.
- Substitute or borrowed players must sign the PYA Liability Waiver before participating.
- Substitute or borrowed players must sign the PYA Code of Conduct before participating.
- Players may participate on multiple rosters provided required forms are completed.
- League officials reserve the right to deny player additions or guest player use if the rule is being abused or if conduct is detrimental to the league.
Equipment Requirements
| Item |
Requirement |
| Game Ball |
12-inch slow pitch softball, .44 COR / 400 compression. |
| Recommended Ball |
Short Porch Mortar 44/400 or equivalent approved slow-pitch softball. |
| Who Provides Balls |
Each team supplies its own game balls. PYA does not provide softballs for league play. |
| Backup Balls |
Each team should bring one new game ball and one good-condition backup ball. |
| Bats |
Approved slow-pitch softball bats only. Shaved, rolled, altered, or illegal bats are prohibited. |
| Footwear |
Closed-toe athletic shoes required. Metal cleats are not permitted. |
| Protective Gear |
Pitchers may wear protective masks or other appropriate protective gear and are encouraged to consider doing so. |
Defensive Alignment
- A maximum of 10 defensive players may be on the field at one time.
- Teams may play with fewer than 10 defensive players provided minimum player requirements are met.
- There are no gender-based defensive alignment requirements for the men's division.
- Defensive substitutions may be made freely between innings without affecting the batting order.
Minimum Players
- A team may begin and finish a game with a minimum of 8 players.
- Teams playing with 8 or 9 players bat only the players who are present.
- Missing lineup spots are not automatic outs.
- Late-arriving rostered players may be added to the bottom of the lineup.
- If a team falls below 8 players, league officials will determine whether the game may continue, be suspended, or be recorded as a forfeit based on the situation.
Batting Order
- Teams may bat their entire roster.
- The batting order may be arranged in any order chosen by the manager.
- There is no alternating gender requirement in the men's division.
- Late-arriving rostered players may be added to the bottom of the batting order.
- Managers are responsible for keeping an accurate batting order throughout the game.
Extra Hitters
- Teams may bat their entire roster even if more than 10 players are present.
- Only 10 players may play defense during any inning.
- Players who are not playing defense remain in the batting order as Extra Hitters.
- Defensive substitutions may be made freely between innings without affecting the batting order.
Courtesy Runners
- Unlimited courtesy runners are permitted.
- The courtesy runner shall be the last recorded out, unless both managers agree to another eligible runner before the game begins.
- Courtesy runners should be used for injured players or players with a medical condition that limits running and should not be used solely for strategic advantage.
- The courtesy runner must be an eligible player currently participating in the game.
Game Rules
| Rule |
League Standard |
| Game Length |
60 minutes. |
| New Inning |
No new inning begins after 60 minutes. Any inning already in progress will be completed. |
| Tie Games |
Tie games remain ties. |
| Count |
Batters begin with a 1 Ball, 1 Strike count. |
| Foul Ball |
A foul ball after the second strike is an out. |
| Run Limit |
There is no run limit per inning. |
| Pitching Arc |
Legal arc is 6 to 12 feet. |
| Bunting / Chopping |
Not permitted. |
| Stealing |
No stealing or leading off. |
| Sliding |
No sliding into first base or home plate. Doing so results in an automatic out. |
| Malicious Contact |
May result in an out and/or ejection. |
Home Run Rule (2 + 1-Up)
Each team is permitted two (2) over-the-fence home runs per game.
Once both teams have reached their two allotted home runs,
the game will continue under the 1-Up Rule.
A team may never have more than one (1) home run more than
its opponent. Any home run that places a team more than one home run ahead
of the opposing team is an automatic out. The ball is dead
and no runners shall advance.
Inside-the-park home runs do not count toward the home run limit.
Only fair balls that legally clear the outfield fence in flight are counted.
| Team A |
Team B |
Result |
| 2 |
2 |
1-Up Begins |
| 3 |
2 |
Legal |
| 4 |
2 |
Automatic Out |
| 4 |
3 |
Legal |
Mercy Rule
| Lead |
After |
| 15 Runs |
3 Innings |
| 12 Runs |
4 Innings |
| 10 Runs |
5 Innings |
If one team leads by the listed run differential after the corresponding inning,
the game shall be declared complete.
Home & Away Responsibilities
- Home and away teams are designated on the official schedule.
- The home team is responsible for operating the official scoreboard.
- The home team is responsible for keeping the official scorebook.
- Both teams are encouraged to keep score throughout the game.
- Any scoring discrepancy should be discussed with the umpire before leaving the field.
- The umpire will submit the official game report through TeamSideline.
Injured Players
- If a player leaves because of injury, the team may continue with the remaining players provided they still have at least eight (8) eligible players.
- The injured player's position in the batting order will simply be skipped.
- No automatic out will be charged for an injured player.
- If a team drops below the minimum number of players, league officials will determine whether the game may continue.
Batting Out of Order
- Managers are responsible for maintaining a legal batting order.
- If discovered before the next pitch, the batting order shall be corrected.
- Once a pitch has been thrown to the next batter, the previous batter becomes legal.
- Repeated or intentional batting-order violations may result in league discipline.
Ejections
- Any player, coach, manager, or spectator ejected from a game must leave the playing area immediately.
- An ejected individual may be required to leave the park entirely.
- Additional suspensions may be issued by league administration.
- The team manager is responsible for helping control players and spectators associated with their team.
Weather & Rainouts
- Lightning, severe weather, unsafe field conditions, or other safety concerns may delay or cancel games.
- Rainout notifications will be posted through TeamSideline.
- Do not assume a game has been canceled until an official announcement has been made.
- Makeup games will be scheduled based upon field availability.
Facility Rules
- No outside food or beverages.
- Alcohol purchased from the concession stand is permitted in accordance with park rules.
- Smoking and vaping are allowed only in designated areas.
- Pets are welcome but must remain on a leash at all times.
- Please clean your dugout before leaving.
- Report unsafe conditions to league staff immediately.
Sportsmanship & Conduct
- Respect umpires, opponents, league staff, and spectators.
- Abusive language, fighting, threatening behavior, or unsafe conduct may result in ejection.
- Judgment calls are not subject to protest.
- Rule interpretations may be discussed respectfully by the team manager only.
- Managers are expected to model good sportsmanship for their teams.
Quick Reference
| Category |
Rule |
| Minimum Players | 8 Players |
| Entire Roster Bat | Yes |
| Game Length | 60 Minutes |
| Count | 1 Ball / 1 Strike |
| Foul After 2 Strikes | Out |
| Courtesy Runners | Unlimited (Last Recorded Out) |
| Home Runs | 2 + 1-Up |
| Mercy Rule | 15 / 12 / 10 |
| Stealing | No |
| Sliding into 1st/Home | Automatic Out |
League Authority
Any situation not specifically addressed in this handbook will be governed by the current
USSSA Slow Pitch Softball Rule Book, unless superseded by an official
PYA local rule. The League Director's interpretation of league rules shall be final.
Thank You
Thank you for helping make the PYA Men's Adult Slow Pitch League a fun,
competitive, and sportsmanlike experience.
Please check TeamSideline regularly for schedule updates, weather cancellations,
and league announcements.
View Official Schedule