Softball Senior Rules

Glen Rock Baseball Association
Softball Rules and Regulations
Senior League 2006

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 6^th, 7^th and 8^th 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-hour time limit. During the week it is up to the discretion of the managers if they would like to play additional innings beyond the 1½ hours time limit with no innings to start after 8:00 or if daylight is limited.

3. Length of Innings – There is no limitation to the number of players who may bat in an inning. An inning will be over if eight (8) runs are scored with the exception of the last inning where there is no limit.

4. Number of Players – No team may start a game with less than 7 players. If 7 players are not available the game is forfeit. In the case of an injury, a team may continue to play with less that 7 players provided the team started the game with only 7 players. A maximum of 10 players may play on the field at any time. The 10^th 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 out 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 – Managers and Coaches are not allowed on the field during play.

9. Umpires – Umpires will be used.

10. Scoring – Each team may keep score.

UNIFORMS

1. Uniform – Players 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 chinstraps.

EQUIPMENT

1. Softballs – A 12” “hard” softball will be used for practice and games.

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

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

LAYOUT OF THE DIAMOND

1. Bases – The distance between all bases shall be 60 feet.

2. Pitching Rubber – The distance between the rear point of home plate and the front side of the pitchers rubber shall be 40 feet.

BATTING

1. Base on Balls – After the fourth ball, the batter may take the base.

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

3. Bunting – Bunting is permitted.

4. Hit by a Pitch – A player must make an attempt to avoid being hit by a pitch. If an attempt is made and the batter is still hit, then the batter will be awarded 1^st base.

BASE RUNNING

1. Stealing – Each team will be allowed 2 steals per inning. Any team with a 5 run lead may not steal. If a player steals after the 2^nd steal in the inning the runner will be called out.

2. Leading – The base runner may lead after the ball has been released from the pitcher’s hand. If the catcher attempts to make a play on the base runner, the base runner has the option of advancing to the next base, regardless of the number of steals used in the inning.

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. Pitcher Circle Rule – The pitcher’s circle is defined as an 8-foot diameter radius to the pitcher’s rubber. A play is considered dead once the pitcher gains possession of the ball and is within the pitching circle. If a runner is between bases when the pitcher gains such possession, she may continue to advance to the next base or retreat to the previous base. 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.

8. Drop Third Strike – Drop Third Strike does not apply.

FIELDING

1. Infield Fly Rule – Infield fly rule will 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 deemed to be occupying the next base when the ball leaves the field (it they are more than halfway to a base when the ball leaved the field, they will be awarded that base plus one more).

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. Innings Allowed - A pitcher may pitch a total of three innings. Only the starting pitcher may return to pitch after being removed provided she has not pitched three full innings..

3. 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.

4. 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 1^st 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 Senior 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 1^st 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. She 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.

Injury Reports – Any injury sustained in a practice or a game must be reported to the Junior 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 Senior League Commissioner at least 24 hours before the scheduled game.

3. Protests – No Applicable.

PLAYOFFS, CHAMPIONSHIP AND ALL STAR GAMES.

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

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