Ground Rules and Regulations for Junior State Championships (2017) (Under 13 s, 15 s and 17 s) Proudly Supported By:

Transcription

1 Ground Rules and Regulations for Junior State Championships (2017) (Under 13 s, 15 s and 17 s) Proudly Supported By: 1

2 GENERAL RULES 1.PLAYER and COACH ELIGIBILTY a) Females and Males permitted to play in the same team in U13's. U15's and U17 s females and males to be separated and play in their own competition. b) For 2017 players seeking permits to play with another club are not expected to transfer through Sports TG. However, a full list of players must be ed to donna@softballwa.org.au by no later than Monday 27 February 2017 to ensure adequate time to check that all members are registered with Softball WA. c) Playing an un-registered player will result in loss of points for the Club team they are representing. d) The $ nomination fee is non-refundable and should be received by no later than 22 February e) Softball WA requires all clubs and associations to have all members registered using Sports TG. It is a responsibility of the club to ensure all players are correctly registered. f) A player once nominated on a team list with a club team remains a registered member of that team and cannot play for any other club team during the championship. g) Any registered player remains bound by the rules of SAL, SWA and the Association including the adherence to Policies appended to these By-Laws (codes of conduct, health, harassmentfree, vilification-free, drug free, infectious diseases, and liquor policies). h) Player ages shall be determined as at 31 December 2016 for all under age categories U13's, U15's, U17 s). i) It is strongly recommended that no individual performance based awards/recognition shall be awarded at junior age levels of the U13's. However, performance based recognition may be awarded to U15's and U17's. j) Club coaches are encouraged to have their Level 1 SWA/SAL coaching accreditation. Clubs are to encourage those without an accreditation to be mentored by a designated coaching coordinator within the club who has a minimum of Level 1 accreditation. k) Any properly registered player may play finals for any team for which they are age-qualified. l) Any person or club under suspension or disqualification by SWA shall be barred from taking part in any match during the championships. 2

3 2. GENERAL PLAYING CONDITIONS a) Every player on a team roster shall participate in EACH game for a minimum of 3 defensive outs and be included in the team's batting line-up for the full duration of the game (this requires a batting line-up length the same as the team's squad size). This rule applies to U13's only. b) All players (U15 s and U17 s) must participate in each game for a minimum of 6 defensive outs as long as the game lasts for a minimum of 4 innings. If a game only lasts for 3 innings then all players must take part for at least 3 defensive outs. This rule does not apply during finals. c) No DP rule is allowed during normal rounds for U15 or U17 s. However, this rule can be used for any teams during finals. d) A runner will be called out if they do not slide or attempt to get around a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make a tag. e) If a player is injured, falls ill or is ejected during a game and cannot take his/her turn at bat, the player, if given permission from the Plate Umpire, shall be removed from the game for the remainder of the game. No automatic out shall be enforced. This applies in all age groups. f) Defensive changes are unlimited and can be made at any time; however players who pitch are limited by pitching limits and rest requirements. g) Slide Rule: A runner is out when the runner does not slide or attempt to get around a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make the tag. h) There will be no Head First slides allowed in U13 s or U15 s. i) Base Runner leaving the base early - base runner may leave at pitcher's release. Penalty: Runner is out, ball is dead, No pitch. j) Failure to meet the mandatory play requirements and/or participation restriction rules is a basis for protest. If one or more players on a roster do not meet this requirement, and if protested before the umpires leave the playing field, it shall result by action of the Tournament Convenor in the forfeiture of the game (if the team won) and suspension of the team s head coach for the next scheduled game. k) A designated hitter/designated player cannot be used in any division until Finals. l) No new innings will commence with less than 5 minutes remaining. m) All U13 and U15 Games will be 60 minutes. Finals will be 90 minutes. n) All U17 games including finals will be 90 minutes. o) In the event of a tied ball game after the time has concluded. The score stands. If the game is a final then the games are continued until one team leads after equal innings (normal "extra innings" rules apply as per the official rule book). 3

4 3. PITCHING & CATCHING LIMITS a) A pitcher or catcher cannot play more than a maximum of three (3) innings in that designated position during any one game for U15 s and U17 s throughout the round games. For all finals, U15 boys and girls and U17 boys and girls pitching and catching restrictions DO NOT APPLY. b) If a pitch is thrown in any game it constitutes as an innings pitched. c) A speed up runner may be used for either the pitcher or catcher with two (2) out. d) The pitching distance for U13's (machine) is set up at 42 ft. If pitching, U13's and U15's are 40ft. U15 Boys and U17 Girls pitching distance are 43ft, U17 Boys pitching distance at 46ft. All base path distances are 60ft for all junior grades. NOTE: To comply with the catcher speed up rule (2 outs), and to satisfy the requirement of the replacement catcher after two/three innings, the coach may advise the plate umpire of the incoming catcher during the offensive innings. This will allow the incoming catcher to come off base to get ready. This change can then officially be advised to the plate umpire in the change of innings without penalty. If there is an appeal for an unreported substitute this is a correctable offense. 4. BLOOD RULE a) If any player bleeds during a game, then the umpire shall stop the game and the player shall be removed from the playing area whilst the player receives first aid treatment. Prior to re-entering the playing area, the bleeding must have been stopped; all contaminated clothing and equipment replaced or cleaned and wound must be covered. b) If a player is removed from the playing area whilst base-running, a team mate shall take the place of the base runner for the purposes of base running only with no penalty to the batting team. 5. UNIFORMS a) Players - all players entering the playing area including the dugout/bench at any time from pre-game diamond work to the conclusion of the game must be attired in the minimum requirements as follows: - Club cap/visor, club playing top, club pants/shorts, club socks. b) Coaches and Managers must also be in Club colours/uniform at all times. c) All players must play in a double-eared helmet for base running and batting. d) All players warming up a catcher must wear the correct catching equipment. e) No junior player may wear metal cleats, only rubber; plastic and moulded cleats are permitted. 4

5 6. EQUIPMENT & BALLS a) Softball WA will supply two match balls for games in each division. U13's and U15 s are to use an 11" ball. The correct game ball to use in games is the (Easton 804). U17 s are to use a 12 ball (Easton 888). b) The home team is the first named team and sets up on the 3rd base line bench and also fields first. c) All bats must be approved by ISF. d) No bat can be longer than 34 inches in length. e) Mouth guards for U13 s and U15 s are optional. f) Facemasks are considered optional. This is and should be the decision only made by the athlete and whether or not they feel the need to wear one. 7. COMMENCEMENT OF GAMES a) The team Head Coach shall, 30 minutes prior to the game supply the scorers with official line up information. b) The Head Coach of each team shall hand to the Umpire, five minutes before the official commencement of the game 2 copies of an official line up sheet listing the starting line up, their order at bat and position in the field. c) All games will start on time. 8. TERMINATION OF GAMES a) Any game that has not commenced within 30 minutes of the scheduled commencement time due to bad weather or darkness will be called an abandoned game and both teams share 1 point each. b) Any game called due to bad weather or darkness with less than 2 completed innings will be called an abandoned game. c) Any game called due to bad weather or darkness with two or more completed innings will be deemed a completed game - the score at the end of the last completed full inning shall stand as the final score. d) U13's after 6 runs cross the plate in any innings it is side away. U15's after 9 runs across the plate in any innings it is side away. After the completion of 4 equal innings the team winning by 10 runs is deemed the winner under the mercy rule in any age group. e) Heat Rules: The Softball Australia Heat Guidelines will be adopted when required. f) Lightning Strike Guidelines: The Softball Australia Lightning Strikes Guidelines will be adopted when required. 5

6 9. TIME LIMIT GAMES a) When the time limit has been reached in a time-restricted game, the inning currently being played shall be immediately declared the last inning of the game, with any rules normally applying to the final inning of a regulation game, being applied to that inning. b) Where the time limit has been reached in a time restricted game, and the declared last inning of the game has been completed with both teams possessing an equal score, the game shall be declared a "Tied Game". c) Where both teams have an equal score at the completion of designated innings and the time limit has not been reached, play shall continue until one team leads after equal innings have been played, providing the time limit for the game has not been exceeded. d) An inning is deemed to have commenced immediately after the third out is made in the previous inning. e) If time limit games are not started on time, the full time allotted should be played so long as completing the game will not be restricted due to curfew, darkness or the start of a subsequent game. 10. TIME DELAY REGULATIONS The intention of these regulations is to eliminate unnecessary time wasting during games. a) BATTERS MUST: Move directly into the batters box. b) BATTERS MUST: Not vacate the batting box once the Pitcher has received the softball. GAME PENALTY: Pitcher can pitch; each pitch is called a strike. c) DESIGNATED RUNNER: A coach may use a designated runner to replace any base runner who is injured. A designated runner may replace the pitcher or catcher but only when there are two outs. There cannot be a Designated Runner (DR) allocated pregame on any teams line-up until finals. d) DESIGNATED RUNNER: where only nine players are available the last batter OUT will be the speed up runner. 11. INNINGS CHANGE OVER a) Max changeover between innings shall be 60 seconds. The Chief Umpire will call "ball out". b) If the pitcher is not ready within the allocated time, the Chief Umpire shall call "Play Ball" and indicate "one ball" on the batter if in the opinion of the Umpire the pitcher continues to delay the game. c) If the Batter is not ready within the allocated time, the Chief Umpire shall call "play ball" and indicate "one strike" on the batter. d) The Chief Umpire for each subsequent 10 - second delay will call a ball or strike. 6

7 12. DEFENSIVE AND OFFENSIVE VISITS a) Only one infielder at any time, (excluding the catcher), can go to the pitcher, and only one such visit per inning will be allowed. b) Offensive visits are limited to three per game. An offensive visit shall be called any time an offensive player or coach delays the game for any length of time to talk with another offensive player or coach. An offensive player may be a hitter, base runner or on deck batter. c) An offensive innings is complete with a 3rd out or a 6th run (U13's) 9th run (U15's). The offensive inning will end at the completion of the play where the 6th or 9th run was scored. More than the maximum of 6 or 9 runs may have been scored during the final play, however; only 6 or 9 runs will be recorded for the inning. d) DROPPED 3rd STRIKE: A dropped 3rd strike in U13's is an automatic out only if first base is occupied by a base runner and there are less than 2 outs. In U15's and U17 s the dropped 3 rd strike rule applies as per the official softball rulebook. 13. RESULTS OF MATCHES a) Each team shall provide a scorer who shall keep a detailed score for their team and shall be responsible to see that the umpire signs the scorebook and that the game report is submitted. b) Team scorers shall sit together and as far away from the team benches as possible. The umpire may designate the position. c) All scorecards are to be placed in the box upstairs located at the bar. Only the home team needs to supply this, however, signatures from both teams including the plate umpire are required on the card. 14. PROTESTED GAMES a) Where a Club Coach or Official protests a game, claiming a violation of Rules, By-laws and/or Regulations, notification must be received by the Chief Umpire at that time in the game and before the next pitch or the next out is made. The Chief Umpire shall ensure each team scorebook is notarised and signed accordingly. b) The lack of an Umpires signature will result in an invalid protest. c) If a protest is put in during the tournament the appointed P & D committee will deal with the matter at the earliest and most practical time. 7

8 15. OFFICIATING a) Umpires must sign the scorebooks in ink and if making a report. b) All divisions are to have a minimum of two umpires - the plate umpire will be provided where possible and the base umpire is to be provided by the home team for that game. c) Umpires in Chief (Plate) must be situated behind home plate and wear the suitable equipment. No thongs, singlet's, sandals are permitted. No umpire shall umpire from behind the pitcher. 8

9 SPECIFICALLY FOR U13 s MACHINE PITCH (AGES 7 12 YEARS) PLAYING DIMENSIONS: U13's MACHINE PITCH Base Paths Pitching Distance 60 feet 42 feet with machine (40ft pitch) Ball Size 11" Easton 304 DURATION OF GAMES Games should be played for 60 minutes and a maximum of 6 innings. PARTICIPATION Players are to rotate fielding positions every defensive innings. Players are to play defence at least every second innings. MACHINE PITCH The game will be machine pitched, using the Louisville Slugger Blue Frame (UPM45) machine. Both coaches prior to the commencement of the game will agree the machine s settings. The machine shall be placed so that its front T Bar is a distance of 42 feet from home plate. The base umpire shall operate the machine. CATCHERS Catchers must suit up in catching attire of: - Skullcap and mask (including dangling-type throat protector), chest plate, and leggings. Groin protectors are mandatory for all male catchers. Catchers must not remove their skullcap and mask whilst a batter is attempting to hit a pitched ball. The skullcap mask can only be removed once a batter has hit the pitched ball. SCORING The game shall be scored exactly as you would the older age groups. 9

10 PLAYING RULES FOR MACHINE PITCH The fielder playing the pitcher shall stand to the side or diagonally behind the pitching machine. They may not stand closer to home plate than the T Bar of the pitching machine. No Bunting Allowed. No infield fly rule applies. No stealing bases allowed. On a ball in play (batted balls) runners may advance until the ball is in possession of the pitcher and the pitcher is inside the infield of the diamond. On an overthrow that passes the 1 st or 3 rd base foul ball line runners may advance until the ball rolls dead. In this case the runners are awarded the base they were approaching (when the ball went dead) only. At home plate the ball is in play on an overthrow if it rebounds off the back net into fair territory. Runners do not advance on errant pitches by the pitching machine, or errors by the catcher in trying to catch the pitched ball. Dropped 3 rd strike by the catcher is an automatic out with 1 st base occupied only. Base runners shall lead off once the ball has left the machine and it s on its way toward the batter. Caught foul tip the batter is out if the ball is caught by the catcher only if the ball has gone above the height of the batters shoulders. A foul tip, which is deflected into the catcher s glove, is not out except on the 3 rd strike. If a batted ball hits (unassisted) the pitching machine or umpire it shall be called a dead ball. The count defers back to as it was prior to that pitch. The Easton ball is to be used. Plate umpires are mandatory and must take position from behind the catcher. RESULTS Match reports/score cards are to be forwarded as per the rules and regulations. 10