Glen Rock Baseball Association
Softball Rules and Regulations
Pony League 2011

GENERAL

Games will be played in accordance with the basic rules of softball as specifically amended by these rules.  Basic rules of softball will be taken as those stated for youth play by The Amateur Softball Association of America.

LEAGUE ALIGNMENT

The league consists of 4th and 5th grade girls. 

LENGTH AND FORMAT OF THE GAME 

1.  Regulation/Official Game – A regulation game is 1½ hours and a minimum of 3 full innings.

 2.  Time Limitations – No new inning may be started after 1½ hours.

 3.  Length of Innings – The inning will end when 3 outs occur or if 4 runs are scored by the offensive team. This does not apply to the last inning in the game, where 3 outs must be made.

        4.   Number of Players – No team may start a game with less than 8 players.  If 8 players are not available the game is forfeit.  In the case of an injury, a team may continue to play with less that 8 players provided the team started the game with only 8 players. A maximum of 10 players may play on the field at any time.  The 10th player is the must play in the outfield. 

5.  Player Eligibility – Players absent from practice or a game without legitimate reason, or who demonstrate poor sportsmanship, may be disciplined by sitting our extra innings from the next game at the manger’s discretion.

 6.  Line Ups - Player’s names shall be listed in batting order and given to the opposing manager before each game.  If a player arrives late, she will be place at the end of the batting order.  All players will remain in the stated batting order regardless of field substitutions.

 7.  Substitutions – There are unlimited substitutions and there must be an equal distribution of playing time with exception of item 5 above.

8.  Coaches – Coach are allowed on the field as follows: One coach behind the catcher or umpire, and one roaming in the outfield. 

9.  Umpires – Umpires will be used. (See home team responsibilities)

 10.  Scoring – Each team will keep score.

 UNIFORMS 

1.  Uniform – Uniforms are required to be worn during the game consisting of visor/hat and team shirt.

 2.  Cleats – Metal cleats are prohibited.

 3.  Protective Helmets – All batters and base runners must wear protective helmets with chin straps. 

EQUIPMENT

1.  Softballs – An 11” “hard” softball will be used for practice and games.  

2.  Bats – All bats must be marked “Official Softball” by the manufacturer.

 3.  Bases – 1st base shall be a double base to avoid collisions.

 LAYOUT OF THE DIAMOND

 1.  Bases – The distance between all bases shall be 55 feet.

 2.  Pitching Rubber – The distance between the rear point of home plate and the front side of the pitchers rubber shall be 35 feet.

 BATTING

 1.  Base on Balls – After the fourth ball the batter may advance to first base.

 2.      Strike Outs – The batter will be out after 3 strikes.

 3.  Bunting – Bunting is permitted.

 4.  Hit by a Pitch – No base shall be awarded if the player is hit by a pitch.

 BASE RUNNING

 1.  Stealing – No Stealing.

 2.  Leading – No leading is permitted.

 3.  Sliding – Is permitted.  A player must slide into home plate to avoid contact if there is a play at home base. 

4.  Tagging Up - A runner is allowed to tag up and attempt advancing to the next base when a caught fly ball is caught. 

5.  Runner Hit by a Ball – If the base runner is hit by a fair batted ball before it is touched by a defensive player, the base runner is out and the batter is awarded first base. All other base runners return to the previously base occupied, unless they are forced to advance because the batter is awarded first base.

 6.   Running into a Defensive Player – Base runners must slide or avoid defensive players. A base runner may not run into a defensive player or attempt to knock a defensive player out of the play. A base runner may slide into a base guarded by a player.  If base runner intentionally runs into a defensive player, the base runner is out and the ball is dead.  No other base runners may advance.

7.   Dropped Third Strike – Not applicable.

 8.   Pitcher Circle Rule – The pitcher’s circle is defined as an 8 foot diameter radius to the pitcher’s rubber.  The play is considered dead once the pitcher gains possession of the ball and is within the pitching circle.  If a runner is half way between bases when the pitcher gains such possession, she must return to the previous base unless forced by a trailing runner. If the runner is two thirds to the base when the pitcher has possession then the runner will take possession of the base that she was running to.  If the pitcher makes the attempt to put out the runner, the ball becomes alive again.  If the pitcher makes no attempt to put out the runner, and the runner does advance or retreat, the runner is out.

 9.  Pinch Runner – Due to an injury, a runner may be replaced by the player who made the last batted out.  After 2 outs, if the catcher is on base, at the discretion of the manager, she may  be replaced with the last batted out.

 FIELDING

1.   Infield Fly Rule – Infield fly rule will not apply.        

 2.   Overthrow – When an overthrow leaves the field of play, base runners may advance one base from the base they are occupying when the ball leaves the field.  If the runners are between bases, they will be awarded only one base when the ball leaves the field.

 PITCHING

 1.   Contact with Rubber –  The pivot foot must remain in contact with or push off and drag away from the pitching rubber until the ball is released. 

2.   Walks – A pitcher will be allowed up to three walks an inning.  After 3 walks the coach comes in and completes the inning. 

3.   Innings Allowed - A pitcher may pitch a total of two innings.

 4.   Trips to the Mound – A manager or coach may make one trip to the mound in a single inning to talk to the pitcher.  On a second trip the pitcher must be removed. If it is due to 3 walk rule, the manager or coach will complete the inning. 

5.   Balks – Balks will not be called. 

SPORTSMANSHIP 

The mission of the GRBA is to implant firmly in the children of the community the ideals of good sportsmanship, loyalty, honesty, courage and reverence, so that they may be finer, stronger, and happier children and will grow to be good, clean, honorable adults..

 1.  Teach your players good sportsmanship from the 1st game.  Encourage your players to route on their teammates regardless of their ability or skill level.

 2.  Encourage your players but avoid remarks which might be insulting or humiliating to both your players and the players on the opposing team.

3.  Catchers may yell encouragement to his teammates but may not talk to the batter.  No defensive player should encourage or intimidate a batter to swing at a pitch.

 4.  Take responsibility for parents of your players who do not comply with the Leagues views on sportsmanship.

 5.  Be flexible and compromise on minor technicalities when this is in the player’s interest.

 6.  The Pony League Commissioner may impose sanctions against players, managers, coaches who exhibit poor sportsmanship.

 SAFETY 

At all times please keep in mind the safety of the children.  All Managers and Coaches should read and familiarize themselves with the GRBA Safety Manual prior to their 1st practice. All players must remain on the bench or behind the protected areas while the game is in progress.  Practice swings should be in the batting cage, or supervised by a coach.

 INJURIES

 1.  Blood Rule - A player, coach or umpire who is bleeding or who has blood on their uniform shall be prohibited from participating further in the game until appropriate treatment can be administered.  If medical care or treatment is administered in a reasonable length of time, the individual will not have to leave the game.

 2.  Player Injury – A player may be removed from the game at any time because of injury.  Shee may return to the game at a later time at the discretion of the manager. If an injured player is unable to bat, no penalty shall be assessed.  An injured player who misses an at bat but subsequently returns to the lineup shall assume her original batting order position.

 3.   Injury Reports – Any injury sustained in a practice or a game must be reported to the Pony League Commissioner with an incident report as provided in the GRBA Safety Manual. 

HOME TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES 

1.  Equipment – The home team is responsible for positioning and removing the bases, collecting and returning the helmets and any other equipment used from the equipment box.

 2.  Equipment Box – The home team is responsible for ensuring that the equipment box is locked.

 3.  Game Ball – The home team is responsible for supplying a game ball.

4.  Copy of Rules – The home team is responsible for having a copy of the Rules and Regulations.

5.  Decision on Fields – The decision on whether the fields are usable is made by the DPW.  When weather is questionable, call the DPW Hotline. If the field is deemed usable by the  DPW, but the field conditions at game time are questionable, the home team shall decide if the game is to be started.

 6.   Umpires – It is the home team Manager’s responsibility to notify the Umpire if a game is cancelled or reschedule for any reason other than weather, 24 hours prior to the game.

 MISCELLANEOUS

1.  Forfeits – Not Applicable.

 2.  Postponement – A manager may request postponement of a game if he is unable to field a team due to school, religious or other conflicting event.  This request must be made to the Pony

      League Commissioner at least 24 hours before the scheduled game.

 3.  Protests – Not Applicable.

PLAYOFFS, CHAMPIONSHIPS AND ALL STAR GAMES

 1.  Rules – All league rules shall apply to post season games unless amended by the Pony League Commissioner.

2.  All Star Games -  All Star Game selection and game format will be decided the Pony League Commissioner.

 

 

 © Copyright Glen Rock Baseball Association 2010