The following rules govern all play for Instructional and all fast-pitch divisions (8U machine, 10U, 12U, 16U). Any rule not covered in this document will follow the official Babe Ruth Softball Rule Book.

First and foremost, good sportsmanship will be adhered to by all players, managers and coaches, parents and spectators at all times. It is the responsibility of the mangers to keep their coaches, players, parents, and spectators aware of their responsibility to practice good sportsmanship at all times, on and off the playing field.

There is to be no smoking or use of any tobacco products in or around the dugout during games. This rule is for all adults, not just coaches and managers.

Any player, coach or manager that uses profanity will be immediately ejected from the game.

Any player, coach or manager ejected from a game for any reason will be suspended for the next game. Another ejection will warrant suspension from the league for the remainder of the year. The following year, the player, coach or manager will be put on probation. In the event of another ejection that same year, the player, coach or manager will automatically be suspended and not allowed to participate in the league for one year.

Any parent using profanity will be asked to leave the ballpark and play will stop until they

leave.

Completed rosters must be submitted to the Director of Softball prior to the official start of the spring season.

No player can be added to a team roster after the team has played half of its regular season. And prior to any child being added, it must be approved by the Director of Softball.

If players are added to a roster for whatever reason, the player is pulled for their respective age groups waiting list. The names or order are not revealed until the player is assigned to the team. At that time, the only name revealed is the person that is assigned to the team. The waiting list is originated by when a player registers for the league.

All divisions will use an all-inclusive batting order (all players must bat) and have free defensive substitution.

No player may sit more than one consecutive defensive inning unless injured.

A courtesy runner may be used at any time for the pitcher or the catcher of record (example, the pitcher or catcher who pitched/caught the previous defensive inning). The courtesy runner will be the preceding batter in the line-up who is not on base or the last out.

8U Machine, 10U and 12U teams may play with 10 players (4 outfielders). The outfielders must be positioned on the edge of the outfield. Players may not play on the dirt.

8U, there must be a player positioned at the catcher’s position. No exceptions. Note: Coaches or managers that assist a catcher, meaning passed balls may do so. However, there is absolutely no coaching from behind the back stop.

8U Machine Pitch, the machine will be fed by the offensive coach or manager and each batter is allowed 5 pitches. If the batter on the fifth pitch fouls the ball, she may continue her time at bat until she hits the ball into play or is put out.

For 10U, if second base is unoccupied, then stealing of second base will be allowed once the ball crosses the plate. The runner attempting to steal second base can advance no further than second base regardless of any overthrows or errors that occur during the steal attempt. Likewise, a runner on third base will not be allowed to advance to home during the second base steal attempt or any subsequent overthrows or errors. The runner is advancing at their risk and may be thrown out for an out. If in the umpire’s judgment, the runner leaves too soon, the runner will be called out and the ball will be declared dead (no pitch).

There shall not be any advancing to any bases on a dropped third strike.

For 12U, base runners may attempt to steal any base once the pitcher releases the ball. If in the umpire’s judgment, the runner leaves too soon, the runner will be called out and the ball will be declared dead (no pitch).

The pitching limit is as follows:

Rookie 8U – no pitching limit

10U – 10 innings per week, Monday to Sunday

12U – 10 innings per week, Monday to Sunday

16U – Unlimited

A second trip to the same pitcher in the same inning will cause the pitcher’s automatic removal from the game as a pitcher.

The manager or coach is prohibited from making a second visit to the mound while the same batter is at bat, but if a pinch-hitter is substituted for this batter, the manager or coach may make a second visit to the mound but must remove the pitcher.

If the manager or coach goes to the catcher or infielder and then that player then goes to the mound or the pitcher comes to her at her position before there is an intervening play (a pitch or other play) that will be the same as the manager or coach going to the mound.

An injured player who cannot continue play will be allowed to leave the game. No out will be taken when that player’s turn in the batting rotation is reached.

The injured player will not be allowed to return for the remainder of the half inning in which she was injured plus the next full inning.

If a player leaves the game due to an illness or being over-heated, she will not be allowed to return for the remainder of the game.

A runner injured on the base paths can be replaced with the most recent batter in the line-up who is not on base or the last out.

No forfeit will be taken should an injury or illness occur during a game which reduces a team below the minimum 7 players (16U) or 8 players for all other divisions (except Instructional).

 

 

 

 

16U teams must start with a minimum of seven (7) players or forfeit. In all other divisions (except instructional), a team must start with a minimum of eight (8) players or forfeit.

For 16U and 8U only, in order to prohibit a forfeit, 16U may pull up from 12U or pull a player laterally, meaning any other 16U player. And 8U may pull laterally only. For 16U, a pull up player or lateral player may not pitch or catch. For 8U, a lateral player may catch but not be put in pitcher’s position.

There will be a 10-minute grace period for the first game ONLY. However, the game clock will start at the regularly schedule time. Playing of the game will begin as soon as both teams have at least 7/8 players and will end as if the game started on time.

When playing with fewer than 9 players for 16U or less than 10 for all other divisions (except instructional), or when a player must leave the game due to injury or illness, a team does not have to take an out. If a player leaving the game for whatever reason, other than injury or illness, and causes the team to fall below the number of players required to start a game, then an out will not be taken for that players at their turn at bat.

When a player is ejected, an out will be taken when their spot in the batting order is reached.

If a team is reduced in numbers below the minimum players required to start a game as a result of an ejection, then the team will forfeit the game.

In order to prevent a forfeit, a maximum number of (3) players may be "pulled up" from the next lower age division.

16U team with 8 players may draw 1; a team with 7 players may draw 2 and a team with 6 or less may draw 3.

All other age divisions (except instructional) Teams with 9 players may draw 1, teams with 8 players may draw 2, and teams with 7 or less may draw 3.

If a 16U has 9 or more players or a team in any other division has 10 (except instructional) or more players present from their regular team, "pull ups" CAN NOT be used. The use of a pull-up or pull-ups is OPTIONAL.

16U may use pull-ups from 12U, 12U from 10U, 10U from Rookie.

Pull ups may not play the position of catcher nor pitcher.

Players pulled up to play in another age division must wear their regular uniforms to distinguish pull ups from regular rostered players.

A team ahead by more than the maximum runs allowed per inning will allow the opposing team to bat consecutive times. The following provisions will apply:

The team ahead will be declared the winner of the game.

The Winning team will remain on defense. The losing team will remain on offense, the bases will be cleared, and a new half inning will begin with no outs.

The decision to flip/flop will be that of the Losing team coach only. The Winning coach must comply.

The game is over when time expires.

Team uniforms and managers/coaches jerseys are provided by the league and must be worn during game time. Managers and coaches are not allowed to wear jeans or cut offs.

 

 

 

All catchers in all fast-pitch and instructional divisions, must wear a mask and helmet, hard shin guards and chest protectors.

In all divisions, all offensive players must wear a helmet with a face guard at all times. This includes batters, on-deck batters, base runners and all youth base coaches.

For 16U and 12U games, the Home team must furnish one new and one playable 12" COR .47 optic yellow softball. For 10Uand Rookie Division, and Instructional, the Home teams must furnish one new and one playable 11" COR .47 optic yellow softball.

There are no metal spiked cleats allowed at any level of play.

The "League Age" of a player is her age, in years, on January 1^st of 2007.

For all divisions, except instructional, the following will be used to determine first and second place regular season standings. No tiebreaker games will be played. If the tie is not broken, then Co-Champions will be declared for the regular season. The following will also be used to determine seeding for the Division Tournament in all divisions. If the tie for seeding cannot be broken, then a coin flip will be used.

· Two teams: Head-to-head record

· 3 or more tams: Combined Head-to-head record of all tied teams only if all teams have played each other.

 

 

 

 

 

Protests should be made know immediately to the game umpire and opposing coach as to the nature of the protest. The League President or Commissioner must be notified of the protest within 48 hours of the game and a written protest (email will also be accepted) must be submitted to the Board of Directors accompanied by a $20 non-refundable fee. The Board will rule on all protests in a timely manner.

Protests involving umpire judgment will not be heard. Protests involving judgment calls will automatically dismissed and not heard by the Board.

All Board decisions will be final.

Any game played using a non-sanctioned umpire is not subject to protest.

Games needing to be rescheduled due to inclement weather or other natural disasters will be rescheduled as soon as possible by your Division Commissioner.

Failure of an official umpire to show. In this case, the game may be played if both coaches agree to play with a non-sanctioned umpire. If the coaches so agree, and the game commences, the coaches are honor-bound to complete the game. Any game played with a non-sanctioned umpire is not subject to protest. Failure of an umpire to show shall be made known to the Division Commissioner as soon as possible.

Rain or other natural conditions that makes the field unsuitable to play.

Make up games will be played on Sundays or an available weeknight, whichever makes sense.

The Division Commissioner’s decision on make up place, time and date will be final.

All postponed games must be made up prior to the Division Tournament. Should the games be unable to be played, the records of any affected teams shall remain unchanged in the final standings.

With the exception of the Instructional division, it is the responsibility of the winning manager to report game scores to your respective Division Commissioners within 2 days of your completed game. Any games not reported will be a double forfeit.

Games called due to inclement weather must also be reported to your division’s commissioner immediately so he or she may begin the process of rescheduling the game(s).

If, during a game, lightning is sited by an umpire or coach, regardless of the estimated distance, the umpire will immediately clear the field for a period of 10 minutes. (Time to be recorded in the scorebooks.) Should lightning be sited during the 10 minute delay, new 10-minute waiting period begins. If lightning is sited anytime after the first five minutes of the second waiting period, the game will be suspended unless considered a complete game. Subsequent games will be handled in the same manner based on their scheduled start times. At complexes with multiple fields, play will be stopped on all fields when lightning is sited any one field.