The standard rules
- The courtesy runner is usually the player who made the last recorded out.
- That player must not already be a base runner.
- One courtesy runner per inning is the most common allowance.
- The runner must be requested before the next pitch; you can't run for a runner after the play develops.
- A player who is courtesy-run for is not removed from the game — they still bat in their spot.
Common league variations
- Last out of the same gender in coed divisions.
- Two courtesy runners per inning in senior or 50+ divisions.
- A designated list of pre-declared runners for players with injuries.
The penalty
If the defense appeals an illegal courtesy runner before the next pitch, the runner is declared out. This is one of the cheapest outs in adult softball to give away, and it almost always comes from losing track of who made the last out.
Tracking it without thinking about it
Dugout Hero remembers the last recorded out, offers that player as the eligible courtesy runner, counts usage per inning against your league's setting, and logs a courtesy-runner out to the game recap when one is called.
FAQ
Who can be a courtesy runner in slow pitch softball?
Most adult leagues require the courtesy runner to be the player who made the last recorded out, and who is not already on base.
How many courtesy runners are allowed per inning?
Leagues commonly allow one courtesy runner per inning, though some allow one per half inning per team or a set number per game.
What is the penalty for an illegal courtesy runner?
On a proper appeal, the illegal runner is declared out and the play may be nullified. Some leagues also remove the runner from the base path for the remainder of the inning.