Softball Rules

Leagues either bat every present player (most common in adult rec, so nobody sits), bat a fixed number, or leave the order free. This drives whether an approved lineup is required at all and how many slots it must contain.

Coed divisions constrain both the COUNT of each gender in the order and the SEQUENCE they bat in. The order is circular — the last slot is followed by the first next inning — so a consecutive-gender cap must hold across that wrap. "alternating_lineup" is a cap of 1; "max_2_consecutive" is a cap of 2. A division set to "no_requirement" generates no constraints at all.

Below this count the shortfall penalty applies. Nine is the standard fielded side; many adult rec leagues allow starting with eight and charging an automatic out for the vacant slot.

When a team fields fewer players than a required count — the overall minimum, or a per-gender minimum in a coed division — leagues either let the team play short, charge an automatic out in the vacant lineup slot each time it comes around, or record a forfeit. This applies to ANY shortfall, not only coed ones: a single-gender league below its overall minimum is the same case.