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Rain line: 408.795.5844

Santa Clara County

A "Fair, Fun & Safe" way to play

The Vintage Softball Club of Santa Clara County, a California not for profit corporation, was founded in 1987 for men and women 50 years and older to play slow pitch softball. With over 200 active members, we offer both weekend and weekday leagues that enable players of all skill levels- some players are novices, most are intermediate and a few are actually in the Senior Softball Hall of Fame- to participate in organized softball as many as 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year. To play, all you need is a bat, glove and payment of a nominal annual membership fee. 

Are you or a friend interested in playing with us?  Check us out by  visiting our Join Us page for information about how to sign up.... [Note: 1st time players are encouraged to come out and play in a game or 2 to see if there's a fit (at no cost!)...  A completed Vintage Softball Club Application/Waiver form is required and can be delivered directly to any team manager or club board member just  prior to any of our games.  Check out our current schedule for game times and locations.]  

Rules are as follows:

Rules are as follows, newest rules are bolded:

The starting pitcher for each team will get 3 practice pitches to start their first inning. Relief pitchers do not get any practice pitches. No other practice pitches will be allowed during the game. Any other practice pitches will result in an out being awarded to the defense with the batter notlosing their at bat. If the out is the 3rd out to end the inning, the batter that was due up will lead off the following inning.

Games will start on the hour.  Open inning will be called after 45 minutes past the hour regardless of what time the game got started. 

The batter will be given a second pitch if the first pitch does not hit the plate and hits the dirt. If the first pitch is a strike in any way (swing and miss, hits the plate, is hit foul, is hit into the pitcher’s screen, etc.) the batter is out. There are no illegal pitches. On the second pitch, the batter must get a hit, or they are out.  

Games will be 7 innings with each  by team batting 2 innings in a row – the batting order will be a game-to-game continual batting order.

Home team will be decided by a coin toss. 

The team that is batting will provide a player who will play the pitcher’s offensive position.  This pitcher is only on the mound to throw pitches. This pitcher may not touch the ball once it is hit and is in play, if the ball is touched by this pitcher in any way, the batter is out.

Pinch runners may only pinch run once per inning and a pinch runner may not be substituted for by another pinch runner.  If a pinch runner is on base and it is their turn to bat, an out will be called and the pinch runner will then take their turn at bat provided that the out is not the third out.  If the out is the third out, the pinch runner will lead off in the next inning.

Each team must have at least 12 players if possible and will play 10 defensive positions.  Four outfielders (170 feet from the plate or deeper) four infielders on the dirt, one rover/buck short (standard rover rules apply), and one catcher – note – no defensive pitcher. Players will be added by a blinddraw from the bucket if a team needs players to bring their team to 12 players.  Bucket players will be added to the lineup after the last person in the continual batting order. The tournament director will facilitate the drawing of bucket players.

Every team member must play a minimum of 5 defensive innings in a 7-inning game. If the game is less than 7 innings, then all team members must play a minimum of 4 defensive innings. If a team has a member that is not able to play the minimum defensive innings for any reason, let the TD know so it can be worked out.

Normal Vintage rules will apply if not specified here.

The team that is batting will provide first and third base umpires unless there are volunteers from the group of tournament participants. The championship game will be umpired by persons assigned by the tournament director.

Also... did you know (rules reminder)... per

Vintage Handbook Rules Section (Pg 16 Mangers and Commissioners Section 2.C.3 Umpires:  3. Managers are the only persons who may question or consult with the umpires (which include the catcher, first and third base coaches if they are serving as umpires) regarding disputes or rule interpretations. Note: Judgment calls must not be disputed. Sportsmanship dictates that individual players shall not dispute the umpire's call.

Effective October 1st 2024, Vintage dues have been increased in order to meet overall league costs (i.e. field & equipment costs...see "Join Us" for additional details)

As a reminder, payments for the 2024-2025 season are due by December 31, 2024 after which you will not be allowed to play until dues are paid. Paying early is always helpful.

(Note: New members paying after October 1, 2024 will be eligible to play for up to 15 months!)

The Vintage rain line is (408) 795-5844.  The rain line for the Arcadia fields is (669) 275-4938. (We'll strive to post updates by 8am on game days. 

Please let your manager know if you can't attend a game and

call the rain line to check if you are playing (408) 795-5844

Thanks to Lisa Unruh for taking these great pics!