Coed softball is a slow-pitch variation game and is offered by local recreation departments, parks and companies. Unlike fast- and slow-pitch games that are played by just men or women, coed softball does not follow a uniform set of rules. The Amateur Softball Association has a coed rulebook, but they are almost always adjusted depending on the league.
Teams
Coed softball games are generally played on a regulation size softball field. Each team consists of five men and five women. Some leagues allow each team to have two additional players. These players are allowed to bat but do not play defense.
Basic Rules
The basic rules of coed softball require that teams alternate between man and woman on offense and defense. This means a male batter must be followed by a female batter. On defense, each position must alternate. If the first baseman is a man, then second base must be a woman. The same rule applies to the outfield. When on offense, batters start with one ball and one strike. Under these rules, two additional strikes is an out and three additional balls is a walk. Runs are scored when a player hits a home run or successfully crosses home plate after touching all three bases consecutively. An out is made by strikeout, catching the ball while it is in the air or tagging a player out along the base path.
Rule Variations
There are a variety of ways coed softball rules are altered. According to American Softball Association rules, if a man is walked, he automatically goes to second base. If there are two outs when the man is walked, the female batter coming up next has the choice to bat or receive an automatic walk. Many leagues use the variation that states the man will only take second base if the female batter takes the automatic walk. Some leagues will require men to bat at the opposite side of the plate than they normally would. Under this rule a left-handed batter will bat right-handed and vice versa. This rule is used to lessen the power that male players hit with. Many leagues will allow more women than men on a team. If this variation is used, a team can have four men and six women, whereas four women and six men would not be allowed. If this rule is used, two women are allowed to play next to each other on offense. Some leagues use different balls for men and women. Male batters will hit a 12-inch men's softball, while females will hit and 11-inch women's softball. Many leagues also impose a home run limitation. This rules means only a specified number of home runs can be counted as valid in a single inning or game. This rule is most common the leagues that do not require men to bat opposite-handed.
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