Northwoods League Softball will follow these guidelines with regard to the usage of pitchers.

  1. A pitcher shall not exceed a 150 pitch-count in any single game. A pitcher cannot begin a new inning after throwing 150 pitches. In the event a starting pitcher has not allowed a hit, they will not be allowed to begin a new inning after throwing 150 pitches or more.
  2. In the event a pitcher pitches in two consecutive games or on two consecutive days, the total pitch count shall not exceed 200 pitches.
  3. In the event a pitcher reaches the 150-pitch count in a game, the Public Address announcer, following instruction from the official scorer, shall make an announcement that the “pitcher has thrown 150 pitches”. The official scorer will have final say with regard to pitch counts.
  4. A game in which a Club(s) is in violation of the Pitching Guidelines shall result in a loss for the offending Club(s). If the nonoffending Club loses the game, their loss will be eliminated. All statistics from the game will remain with the exception of the WON/LOSS record.

For all regular season games, All-Star Games and Showcases, but not including playoff games, all extra innings will begin with a runner on second base. The runner at second base will be the player in the batting order position previous to the leadoff batter of the inning (or a substitute for that player). By way of example, if the number five hitter in the batting order is due to lead off the 8thth inning of a scheduled seven-inning game, the number four player in the batting order (or a pinch-runner for such player) shall begin the inning on second base. Any runner or batter removed from the game for a substitute shall be ineligible to return to the game, as is the case in all circumstances under the Official Playing Rules.

For purposes of calculating earned runs, the runner who begins an inning on second base pursuant to this rule shall be deemed to be a runner who has reached second base because of a fielding error, but no error shall be charged to the opposing Team or to any player. The loss in such extra-inning games still counts against the pitcher.

The two Teams with the best overall winning percentage will compete in the Championship Series. The Team with the best overall winning percentage will have home field advantage. The Championship Series shall be a best-of-three with a 1-2 format (with home field advantage hosting Game 2 and Game 3 if necessary). Travel days will be included between the conclusion of the regular season and Game 1 of the Championship Series as well as between Games 1 and 2 of the Championship Series.

A tie breaker will be used when teams have an identical winning percentage in determining home field advantage. The tie breaker is as follows:

  1. Overall head-to-head winning percentage.
  2. Winning percentage vs. the next highest placed team, using overall record, and so on throughout the Teams in the League.
  3. Coin flip