Special Events & Tournaments / Softball Defensive Skills Challenge / Rules of the Event

Rules of the Event

(revised 2/28/08)

Each participant must present a valid Gator 1 Card in order to participate. No Exceptions.

    • Fielding Contest
  1.  Ground balls will be "hit" by a pitching machine positioned at home plate.
    • Participants will be given 0:45 seconds to field 10 ground balls. Cones will be positioned between 2nd and 3rd base.

    • Participants will run back and forth between the cones to simulate fielding the ball both forehand and backhand.

    • Once the participantâ??s foot comes even with or passes the cone, the next ball will be "hit". After fielding each ball, the participant will proceed to the opposite cone until they receive 10 balls or 0:45 seconds elapses.

    • Scores will be based on how well each participant is able to field and throw each ball.

    • Fielding:
    • Two points will be awarded if the ball was fielded cleanly.
    • One point will be awarded if the ball was booted, but within the immediate grasp of the fielder.
    • If the ball was missed, no points will be awarded.

    • Throwing:
    • Two points will be awarded for a throw that was easily caught (or should have been easily caught) by the first baseman.
    • One point will be given if the first baseman is able to make a scoop or a stretch.
    • No points will be awarded if a bad throw is not caught.
    • Participants are able to choose their first baseman or an intramural employee will be provided.

    • All decisions on points awarded by the scoring official are final.
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  • Throwing for Distance and Accuracy Contest 
  • 3 balls will be spaced out approximately 10 ft from each other in the outfield getting closer to home plate in a line.

  • Participants must start at a cone and the run up to the first ball, making an accurate throw to home plate, before moving on to the subsquent balls.

    Each participant will be timed from their first motion to the time the 3rd ball has reached home plate.

    Time penalties will be acrewed as follows:
                 2 seconds added per hop
                 2 seconds added per arms length away the throw is from the catcher

    The participant with the best time wins the event.

    All decisions on points awarded by the scoring official are final.

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               Overall Defensive Skills Champion
    For each event points will be given to those participants competing in both events:
               1st - 100 pts
               2nd - 90 pts
               3rd - 85 pts
               4th - 83 pts
               5th - 80 pts
               6th - 79 pts
               7th - 78 pts
               etc.
    The fielding event will count for 2/3 of the overall score and the throwing event 1/3.  
               
    In the event of a tie, the tie will be broken by the participant finishing higher in the throwing event.

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