Beantown Softball Ground Rules 2023

William E. Smith Fields - 250 Western Ave., Boston, MA 02134

Field #1 (adjacent to the Harvard softball field)

• On each side, an imaginary line extending from the fence in front of each bench area to the light pole shall be used for catches and overthrows, with the light pole being dead. No plays may be made against a fence in dead ball territory.
• On the right side past the light pole, the imaginary line remains for overthrows but any fly ball may be caught for an out.
• On the left side past the pole, the imaginary line runs to the smaller light pole in left field foul territory and is used for overthrows and catches.
• In left field, any ball hitting the two small trees is live. Any hit ball going under the fence will be called dead and bases awarded at the discretion of the umpire.

Field #2 (adjacent to the Harvard University parking lot)

• On each side, an imaginary line extending from the fence in front of each bench area to the first light pole shall be used for catches and overthrows, with the pole being dead.
• On the first base side, the out-of-play line runs from the light pole and follows the contour of the path for both catches and overthrows. The path is out-of-play territory, no ball may be caught for an out on it. Any hit ball in fair territory landing on the path will be considered dead and a 2 base award will be made.
• On the third base side, the out of play line runs from light pole to light pole for overthrows and catches.

Murray Portsmouth Field - 41 Portsmouth St., Boston, MA 02135

• Any ball hit over the outfield fence on the fly will be a home run. Any hit ball that goes over or under the fence or into or under the trees in the outfield shall be called dead and bases awarded at the discretion of the umpire.
• On each side, an imaginary line extending from the fence in front of each bench shall be used for overthrows. Beyond the fence in front of each bench, any ball may be caught for an out but NOT on or over the tarred path.
• The tarred path is in play in the outfield.

Cassidy Playground - Beacon St & Chestnut Hill Ave, Brighton, MA 02135

Field #1 (closer to Cleveland Circle)

• On both sides, an imaginary line will extend from the fence in front of each team to the outfield and shall be used for overthrows. Beyond the fence in front of each bench, any ball may be caught for an out but NOT on or over the tarred path.
• In left field any hit ball landing in or rolling into the drainage Lanai will be called dead and 2 bases will be awarded.
• Other ground rules will be covered in your pre-game conference with the Umpire as necessary.

Field #2 (by the tennis courts)

• On both sides, an imaginary line will extend from the fence in front of each team to the outfield and shall be used for overthrows. Beyond the fence in front of each bench, any ball may be caught for an out but NOT on or over the tarred path.
• Other ground rules will be covered in your pre-game conference with the Umpire, as necessary.

Boston Common Field - 107 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116

• Any fly ball hit over the fence on the fly starting from, and including, the left field foul pole to, and including, the second light pole in right center will be a home run.
• Any fly ball hit over the fence from the right side of the second light pole in right center to the right field line will be a ground rule double.
• Any ball which bounces over the fence in any part of the field between the right and left field line shall be a ground rule double.
• On each side, extend an imaginary line along the fence in front of each bench for overthrows. Beyond that fence, any ball may be caught for an out NOT on or over the tarred path.

~Updated April 2023