​Frequent issues

DROPPED THIRD STRIKE RULE:
If the catcher fails to catch the third strike before it touches the ground, the batter can run to first base if there are fewer than two outs and first base is not occupied at the time of the pitch. If there are two outs, the batter can run to first base regardless of whether first base is occupied.  The batter must beat the throw to first base to be safe.  This rule allows for an additional opportunity for the batter to reach base after striking out.

WHEN IS A BATTER CALLED OUT FOR BEING OUT OF THE BATTERS BOX: 
A batter is called out for being out of the batters box in softball if their foot is outside the batter's box at the moment of bat-ball contact. This includes any part of the foot touching the ground outside the box. The entire foot must be out of the box to be considered an infraction. If the batter's foot is touching the ground outside the box, the ball is dead, and the batter is out. The lines of the batter's box are considered inside the batter's box, and any part of the foot in contact with the plate on contact results in a dead ball out. The benefit of the doubt is given while the batter is still in the box, and the call is a dead ball  followed by a foul ball ruling.  If the lines of the batter's box have been removed, it then goes to UMPIRES JUDGMENT if Batter is out of the Box.

MERCY RUN RULE:
The Mercy Run Rule for GGSL is 12 runs aft 3, 10 runs after 4, and 8 runs after 5.  In 13U and 18U teams are allowed to score 8 runs per at BAT . 5 Runs for 10U at bat.  If there is no time or limited time left in the game (13U & 18U)  and the visiting team is up by 9 or more runs, the game shall be called.   If there is no time or limited time left in the game (10U)  and the visiting team is up by 6 or more runs, the game shall be called. 

5- MINUTE RULE:
THERE IS NO 5-MINUTE RULE FOR THE REGULAR SEASON (No new inning with less than 5 minutes on the clock). This only applies to the Early Bird Tournament and Post Season play if Required.

COURTESY RUNNER:
A COURTESY RUNNER may be used ONLY for the PITCHER or CATCHER. The last scheduled batter for that half inning shall be the Courtesy Runner. The same runner may not be used for both positions in the same inning.

OBSTRUCTION:
Obstruction is defined as the act of a defensive player who hinders or impedes a batter’s attempt to make contact with a pitch or interferes with the legal progress of a runner or batter-runner advancing on the bases. This interference may be intentional or unintentional, and it can be either physical or verbal. However, obstruction does not apply if the defensive player is in possession of the ball or is making the initial play on a batted ball.
The central element in identifying obstruction lies in whether the runner’s progress is actually impeded. If the runner or batter-runner is not affected—if there is no delay, no forced alteration of their path, or no hesitation—then by rule, obstruction has not occurred. A defensive player's mere presence or positioning, even if questionable, cannot be ruled as obstruction unless it results in an actual impediment to the runner. An exception exists only for a fake tag, which in itself constitutes obstruction, regardless of whether physical impediment occurs.

Impeding a runner means creating a negative effect on their ability to run the bases. This might include a runner slowing down, altering their intended path, stopping altogether, retreating to the previous base, or making contact with a fielder that disrupts their movement. These examples underscore that the umpire must rely on judgment to determine both whether the runner was impeded and to what extent their progress was affected.
Unlike many rule violations in softball that carry standardized penalties—such as awarding two bases for a thrown ball that goes out of play or one base for a pitched ball entering dead ball territory—obstruction rulings are situational and vary based on the specifics of each play. The purpose of the obstruction award is not to penalize the defensive team arbitrarily, but to nullify the negative effect of the obstruction. The runner is not being granted an advantage; rather, they are being restored to the position they would have achieved had the obstruction not occurred. This could mean advancing the runner or, in some cases, returning them to a previous base—whatever is necessary to correct the disruption caused by the obstruction, based on the umpire’s judgment.

ggsl rULES

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​  GENERAL PLAYING RULES
 
 ​  Safety Base ​

​  Running lane ​

​   7u RULES ​
 
​   10U RULES ​

 ​   13U RULES  ​

​   18U RULES ​