Milton Girls Softball Association P.O. BOX 463, Milton, Ontario L9T 4Z1

Transcription

1 Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time so the players can warm up and the coaches can complete the lineup. All players will be included in the batting order. Players will be listed in the order they are to bat. Players arriving late will be added to the second-to-last spot in the batting order. A team s turn at bat will consist of every player batting. Score is not kept at this level, however, a coach or parent should keep track of the batting order. All players on the roster should play in the field when it is their team's turn to assume the defensive position. The proper infield softball positions must be filled before positioning outfielders, the pitcher must be on the pitching line and infielders should be playing within approximately three (3) feet of their defined positions. No outfield positions will be assumed unless all infield positions are filled. A. GENERAL RULES 1. Uniform shirts, shorts, socks and hat, which are supplied by the league must be worn to all practices and games. Base runners, batter, and on- deck batter must wear batting helmets with chinstraps properly attached. Players may wear running shoes or molded rubber cleats. For comfort reasons, players may wear pants when weather conditions warrant the wearing of pants. 2. No gum, food, electronics etc. is allowed anywhere on the field including the bench area. Only water bottles shall be permitted on the bench. Only after the completion of the game is food (snack) permitted in the bench area. The team is responsible that all garbage is properly disposed. 3. Coaches are responsible for assisting the umpire in the preparation of the diamond, lining the field and filling in any depressions before the game. After the game, each team is to make sure all equipment used during the game is returned to the shed and bins and locked up. No children are allowed in the equipment room or bins. 4. Coaches are responsible for the behavior of their team s players, fans and parents during games and to make sure there is no abuse of the equipment. 5. Games which are postponed for any reason will be considered a non-event, unless the Convener decides to make them up at a later date and the re-scheduled games have been approved by MGSA.

2 6. The fundamental purpose of the T-Ball Division is to teach girls the sport of softball. This not only includes the playing aspect but also instilling a love for the game. Coaches must switch players to different positions from inning to inning. B. PLAYING FIELD 1. Games will start at 6:30pm. No new inning shall be started later than 7:20pm in the months of May & June or 7:35pm in the month of July. Players should be at the park at least 15 minutes before game time. 2. Bases shall be 35 feet apart and shall be held by a base spike(s) to avoid injury. The pitcher s area shall be approximately 25 feet from the point of home plate. 3. A playing line is arched from 15 feet down the first and third base lines and 15 feet from the tip of home plate. A chalk line or other white material is used to make the arch. This will be a guideline for the Umpire to determine a fair hit ball. C. GAME RULES 1. The length of a T-Ball game shall be five (5) innings. This rule is open to the Coaches discretion. (Cross reference Section: Playing Field Item 1) 2. The ball shall not be pitched by any player, coach or parent, but is to be hit off the tee, which shall be set on home plate. 3. All players will be included in the batting order. Players will be listed in the order they are to bat. Players arriving late will be added to the second-to-last spot in the batting order. A team s turn at bat will consist of every player batting. Score is not kept at this level, however, a coach or parent should keep track of the batting order. 4. The Coach must inform the umpire when the last batter comes to bat. The umpire will then loudly and clearly announce Last Batter to the defensive team. Failure of the coach to do so will result in a re-play. All players with Last Batter status, including runners on base when the last batter is up, are forced out at home plate. No play may be made on the base paths or at a base. The ball must be thrown over the playing line at least once on its way to the catcher. Only the catcher may touch home plate with the ball in her possession. The catcher must always wear protective equipment. Only the pitcher is allowed to assist in the home plate area. There are no lead-offs in T-Ball. If a runner is off her base when the batter hits the ball off the tee, the runner is called out. The Pitcher and 1 st baseman must wear a batters helmet.

3 5. All players on the roster should play in the field when it is their team's turn to assume the defensive position. The proper infield softball positions must be filled before positioning outfielders. The pitcher must be within the pitching circle and infielders should be playing within approximately 3 feet of their defined positions. No outfield positions will be assumed unless all infield positions are filled. 6. Only the Coach shall adjust the tee. 7. Coach/umpire may instruct batters but cannot interfere with play or touch them once "PLAY BALL is called. 8. Two coaches can be on the field when their team is in the defensive position. They may instruct their fielders but must not interfere with play or touch them once PLAY BALL is called. 9. When the defensive team has control of the ball anywhere in the infield and in the judgment of the umpire, there is no attempt to make a play on any of the base runners; Time will be called. In this judgment, the base runners will be held to the last base she occupied, or may be awarded one base if she was approaching the base when time was called. This is at the umpire s discretion. D. EQUIPMENT Uniform shirts, shorts, socks and visor, which are supplied by the league, must be worn to all practices and games. Base runners, batter, and the on- deck batter must wear batting helmets with chinstraps properly attached. Players may wear running shoes or molded rubber cleats. For comfort reasons, players may wear pants when weather conditions warrant the wearing of pants. Each player needs a softball glove and a batting helmet. We recommend a leather glove, as balls tend to bounce out of plastic gloves. For health reasons please respect personal equipment and do not use another player s personal equipment without permission. Additionally, MGSA supplies bats, balls, tees, catcher s equipment and bases. The T-Ball division will use a soft hardball-sized ball.

4 E. PRACTICE MGSA has adopted the Learn to Play program as our fundamental educational and training tool for our house league divisions. The T Ball division will use the program (Level Two) as its primary lesson plan for players and coaches. The program teaches fundamental skills through the use of common children school yard games. The program is endorsed by both Softball Canada and Softball Ontario. The Learn to Play program is designed to be a young person s introduction to the sport. The emphasis is on FUN, ACTION and a POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE, with a gradual introduction to non-stressful competition. The Learn to Play program provides children aged 5-10 with the maximum opportunity to practice the skills necessary to successfully take part in the (adult) game. The Learn to Play program allows children of all skill levels to achieve the same number of skills repetitions. The drills also offer a high success rate for every child, which improves every players self-confidence. MGSA encourages parent participation with this program. Your team will have regular practices on Monday nights which we encourage all players to attend. F. DEFINITIONS Dead Ball - A hit that travels less than 15 feet in fair territory will be declared a dead ball and does not count. There is no limit to the number of dead balls allowed. Batting from the Tee Each batter will swing until they hit a fair ball. If the Tee is hit on any swing, it will be considered a "dead ball, and does not count. Bunting - Batters must not bunt, take half swings or a swinging bunt. If the umpire determines that the batter has not taken a full swing, the batter may be called back and a dead ball is called.

5 Ball Throwing - Rolling, rather than throwing the ball is illegal. The idea of the game is to teach the kids softball skills. If rolling occurs there will be a warning. On the second occasion the runner will be ruled safe. Coaches discretion is required in this area. A player fielding the ball must throw to the base. The Pitcher must throw to the first baseman and not run to the base unless the tag can be made before the player passes the pitcher. Overthrows - Runners may not advance extra bases on overthrows. A runner can only advance as a result of a fairly hit ball. Base Running Runners may not advance until such time as the ball is legally hit. Base stealing and lead-offs are not allowed. When a ball is fielded from the outfield and returned to the infield, or when players have advanced as far as possible without being put out, the ball is considered dead and the umpire shall call TIME. The ball will then be thrown to the pitcher, who will throw it to the catcher for the umpire to place on the tee. When all the defensive players are in their proper positions and the next batter comes to the plate, the umpire shall call PLAY BALL. A base runner cannot pass any other base runner.

6 T-BALL DIVISION CODE OF CONDUCT Parents and coaches, please read and abide by the Coaches Code of Conduct and the Parents Code of Conduct which can be found at or a copy with your team coach. A. GOALS The ultimate goal of the Milton Girls Softball Association (MGSA) is for each player to have an enjoyable season and engage in new friendships through the sport of softball. Each child should enhance their softball development while having fun and increasing their physical fitness level to their specific age group. By season-end MGSA strives for the following developmental accomplishments for girls participating in T-Ball: Offensive To recognize the existence of a batting order and understand their positioning. To be able to approach home plate without assistance and recognize feet placement in the batting box, hand placement on the bat and lining up the bat square to the ball. To be able to hit the ball off the tee within 5 swings with a square follow through swing. To understand the proper direction of base running. To understand following through first base upon hitting from home plate. To understand the role of Last Batter. Defensive To be able to locate all positions within the infield and assume their assigned position in a timely manner after batting. To be able to catch a soft tossed ball and field slow ground balls. To be able to throw a ball with the basic fundamentals of throwing a ball. To understand the role of Last Batter and the defensive responsibility upon Last Batter. To understand the concept of throwing a fielded ball to first base upon receiving a batted ball.

7 T-BALL DIVISION CODE OF CONDUCT B. COACHES Please remember that the coaches are volunteers. If you have any questions or concerns, please wait until after the game or practice to raise them. If your questions are not answered to your satisfaction, please feel free to discuss them with the Convenor or your concerns to Your team will have regular practices once a week, which we encourage all players to attend. The practices will be following the Learn to Play program from Softball Canada. This is the time when coaches can work with all players to improve their skills and knowledge of the game. C. VOLUNTEERS We would ask that each team have a Team Representative who can look after things like snack schedule, handing out forms etc., so that the coach can focus on the on-field activities. Please let your coach know in what ways you are able to help out. The league is run by volunteers. We have an executive committee who work hard all year round to keep the league running. We are always looking for more people to help out in a variety of ways, from organizing snacks for the team after the game, to fundraising or assisting with Photo Day and Champ Day, etc.

8 T-BALL DIVISION CODE OF CONDUCT D. UMPIRES Many of the umpires are young and are learning to umpire. They are doing their best to run the game fairly, so please be patient with them. If you disagree with a call, please refrain from making comments during the game. If you continue to have concerns, mention it to the Coach or Convenor after the game so that your concerns can be addressed in an appropriate manner. UMPIRE RESPONSIBLITIES 1. Assist in the preparation of the diamond, including lining the field, setting the bases (with the assistance of the coaches) and filling in any depressions before the game, ensuring that the scheduled start time is not compromised. 2. Ensure that games are started and ended in accordance with T-Ball rules. 3. Instruct coaches to have their teams assume their offensive and defensive positions. 4. With the assistance of coaches, make sure all diamond related equipment used during the game is returned to the shed and bins locked up. 5. Control the game by calling in a loud voice, DEAD BALL, FOUL BALL, PLAY BALL and TIME when play is finished. 6. Remove the batting tee from the Home Plate area when a player is running to home. 7. Warn the batter if they throw the bat in a manner that could endanger anyone. 8. Familiarize themselves with all the rules. Ensure that no player, coach or parent abuses the equipment. 9. Ensure that the safety of players and coaches is paramount.