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Glen Rock
Baseball
Association
Softball Rules and Regulations
Senior 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 6th, 7th and 8th 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 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 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 – 1st
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 1st
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 2nd
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 player may pitch a maximum of 3 innings in a game. Upon being relieved from pitching, the player may return to pitch ONE additional time, but may not exceed the 3-inning max. No player is allowed to return to pitch a third time.
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 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 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 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. 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.
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.
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© Copyright Glen Rock Baseball Association 2010 |