NORTHSIDE JUNIOR SOFTBALL COMMITTEE SATURDAY MORNING COMPETITION RULES AND GUIDELINES 2016-17 SEASON VERSION 1.1 (updated 21-10-2016)
The following guidelines have been adopted by Softball ACT and Northside Junior Softball Committee. The guidelines should be read in conjunction with the Softball Australia Official Playing Rules of Softball. TEEBALL RULES & GUIDELINES Teeball is designed for players who are 6 to 10 years of age. The division will be split into junior (Kindergarten to Year 1) and senior teeball (Year 2 to Year 3) broadly based on school year and depends on skill level of the players. Schools and Clubs may apply for older players to be registered in this grade, if this best suits their skill level. Application must be made via the Age Exemption Form to the Northside Junior Softball Committee. For younger players, it is at the discretion of the school or club entering the team. Teeball is one of our entry level grades and coaches, players, parents and umpires need to apply some flexibility when engaging in the competition. The emphasis should be on having fun and learning. EQUIPMENT Softball ACT will supply a basic field kit, clubs and teams are asked where possible to supply bats and helmets (at a minimum). batters, base runners and the catcher must wear a helmet fielders must wear a glove on their non-throwing hand bats must comply with current softball standards outlined in the Official Playing Rules of Softball (Rule 3 Equipment. Sec. 1 The Official Bat. electrical tape must not be used in place of a grip an 9-inch soft core Reduced Injury Ball is used for junior teeball an 11-inch soft core Reduced Injury Ball is used for senior teeball Equipment setup the team on 1 st base playing the first game slot will set up the diamond. The team on 1 st base for the last time slot will pack up the kit after their game ready for pick up. GENERAL RULES a team must have a least nine registered players to enter the competition and seven players are needed to start a game coaches should co-operate to share players or borrow other players who are eligible to play tee ball to make up two teams of roughly equal numbers. There are no automatic outs for missing players. Batters continue to bat in rotation until all batters have batted. A maximum of nine players field in each innings. an innings is completed when the last batter has taken their turn at bat. 2 P a g e
BATTING ORDER Coaches should list their whole team on an informal team sheet before the game, which should be completed in batting order. The first nine players constitute fielding team for the first innings. Players must bat in the correct order, however, coaches are encouraged to change the fielding positions each innings. BATTING the umpire should call the batter up to the plate, ensure the tee is adjusted for the new batter and the fielding side is ready then call play ball a ball hit before play ball is called will be deemed dead and any base runner must return to the original base before the hit was taken if a practice swing dislodges the ball from the tee a foul is called a fair ball is a hit inside the line drawn from home plate through first base and from home plate through third base, at which point the batter MUST run a foul hit is called when the batter hits the ball outside of fair territory or inside the marked foul circle the batter must not throw the bat after a hit (the umpire can call a batter out if the bat is thrown dangerously) bunting is not allowed in tee ball, the batter must take a full swing at the ball and must follow through a strike is called if a batter swings and misses the ball NINTH/LAST BATTER AND CHANGE OF INNINGS the batting team s coach or scorer must tell the umpire that their 9 th batter or last batter if more than 9, is next so that the umpire can advise the fielding team when the ninth or last batter hits a fair ball, the fielding team can end the innings by returning the ball to home plate and touching the plate (all base runners should continue around the diamond and attempt to reach home plate) if the 9 th or last batter is put out at first base, no runs are scored even if other runners have crossed the home plate if the 9 th batter is put out at any other base, any runs scored before the out count if the umpire is not told about the 9 th batter, that player is called out and the innings is over (in this scenario, the ball is dead, and any runs scored on this batter do not count) if the ball is thrown deliberately dead by the fielding team after the 9 th batter has hit a fair ball, all base runners and the 9 th batter are awarded home if the ball is accidentally thrown dead after the 9 th batter has hit a fair ball, all base runners are awarded two bases from the time of the throw if the ball batted by the 9 th batter is hit fair and fielded outside the diamond the fielder cannot run the ball home it must be thrown. Infielders may run with, or throw the ball to home plate to end the innings. 3 P a g e
GETTING PLAYERS OUT Only applicable to senior teeball (no outs played for junior teeball) The batter can be given out: if the ball is caught on the full for throwing the bat dangerously (umpires should give the batter a warning and demonstrate how to release the bat properly before giving a batter out) if a fielder holding the ball touches first base before the batter arrives if a fielder holding the ball tags the batter/runner (touches them with the ball or glove or hand(s) holding the ball) before they reach first base Base runners can be given out: if a fielder holding the ball tags the runner between bases if a fielder holding the ball touches a base before a forced runner if he/she leaves a base before the ball is struck by the batter if the runner left a base on a caught flyball and a fielder, holding the ball touches the original base before the runner can return When tagging, the batter or runner will not be out if the fielder loses control of the ball while making the tag. BASE RUNNING a player can only run to another base after the ball has been hit fairly by the batter - no runner may advance on a foul ball base runners must be touching their bases when the batter hits the ball base runners must run if they are forced to do so because another team member is running to their base (this is called a forced runner. The batter is always a forced runner when running to first base after a fair hit. A runner on first is forced to second on a fair hit) an unforced runner (sometimes called a free runner) can choose to run or not to run on a fair hit runners can run through the safety base (the orange part of first base) and over run first base, but if they over run second or third bases they can be tagged out when they are off the base only one base runner may occupy a particular base and runners are not permitted to overtake other runners, otherwise they will be given out runners are not allowed to veer more than 0.9 m (3feet) from either side of the baseline when attempting to avoid a tag, or they will be out. FIELDING the pitcher must stand on the pitchers plate until the ball is hit no fielder is allowed to stand in foul territory, however they may run into this area to catch a ball the catcher stands in the catcher s box or directly behind the batter until the ball is in play no fielder can stand closer to the batter than the pitcher. OVERTHROWS Most diamonds will have a dead ball line marked about 8 metres from first and third base lines. If the ball is thrown over this line it is called dead by the umpire and base runners are allowed two bases from the time of the throw. 4 P a g e
FLY BALL A fly ball is a ball hit into the air. If caught, the batter is out. Base runners may leave their bases on the hit, however if the ball is caught, they must return to and touch their original base before being able to proceed. For this reason, when a ball is hit in the air, the runner should not proceed too far until they can determine if the ball is caught or not. TIMING THE BALL To stop play, a fielder who has the ball requests time from the umpire. A fielder may only request time from a position in front of the lead runner, or from the pitching position. Only the umpire can call time. This is done when play has stopped or no more play is possible. The ball is then returned to the catcher so that it can be placed on the tee for the next batter. The umpire should not award time unless play has stopped or no more play is possible. If a runner has legally started to advance and continues to advance, time should not be awarded from the pitchers plate. The umpire should only award time from the pitchers plate if all play has stopped. The umpire may award time following a request from a fielder with the ball standing on home plate, if the lead runner is on third base or if they believe all play has stopped. COACHING a fielding coach acts as the umpire and catcher each inning the batting team is permitted a coach at first and third bases all coaches under 19 years of age must wear a helmet when in the coaching box. THE SAFETY BASE a batted ball hit over the white portion of the safety base is fair, a batted ball hit over the orange portion is foul upon hitting the ball or when proceeding from home to first base, the batter runner should run directly to the orange portion of the base the batter-runner may use (and run through) the orange portion of first base to make their ground on a fair hit, but if they return to first base they must return to the white base when tagging on a fly ball only the white portion of first base is in play (on avoiding a pick off the runner must return to the white base) the fielder must use the white portion when making a play on the batter-runner after a batted ball. COIN TOSS Teams can choose to take a coin toss to determine who bats first Alternatively, the team listed on the Draw as 1st base will bat first 5 P a g e
MODBALL (SOFTBALL 3) RULES & GUIDELINES The official rules shall apply except as follows: GROUNDS The field shall be marked as for Softball except: the baselines shall be 15.24m (50ft) the pitching distance shall be 9.14m (30ft) from the apex of home plate the pitching plate shall be in the center of a circle with a 1.8m (6ft) radius. EQUIPMENT The ball shall be an an 11-inch soft core Reduced Injury Ball is used. The minimum length for a safety grip on a bat less than 30 inches (76cm) shall be 8 inches (20cm) GAME Team listed on the Draw as 1 st base will bat first (to allow pitcher/catcher to be ready for game time) Warm up pitches are limited to 2 per innings (to assist with speeding up the game) games shall be regulation as defined for Softball except that a time limit of one hour and 15 minutes shall be played an innings is completed when either three outs have been made or 6 runs have scored (whichever occurs first) all runs scored on the play of the sixth runner crossing the plate shall score the scorer shall inform the umpire when six runs have scored. Score card must be completed There are no walks in this division. After 4 balls have been awarded the coach will enter the game and pitch the remaining balls to the batter. The batter can be struck out (after three strikes) No runs shall score: after the 3 rd out is made when 6 runs have scored in that innings, (all runs scored on the play of the sixth runner crossing the plate shall score) as otherwise prescribed in softball. All players shall play offence and defence in every game, however only nine players are permitted on the field in defence at any one time. The re-entry rule shall not apply. A designated hitter shall not be used. STRIKE ZONE the strike zone is that area over home plate between the batter s shoulders and the bottom of the knees when assuming a natural batting stance. Umpires should be encouraging players this age to hit the ball and be flexible about widening the strike zone. 6 P a g e
Infield fly rule shall not apply. Bunting will be permitted. A batter is not out if the catcher drops the third strike softball rules apply. Automatic walk if the player is hit by a pitched ball (player should be encouraged to move out of the way). The player can decide if they do not want to walk but continue batting (if it does not impact game play) by informing the umpire (pitch does not count). Dead ball rule when a pitched ball goes directly into dead ball territory (applicable when playing on diamonds without full back netting/fence. A runner can only advance one base if they are making an attempt to steal/run to the next base at the time of the over pitch. Batting through substitutes each team can bat through all players listed on the scorecard at the beginning of the game. PRIMARY SOFTBALL RULES & GUIDELINES The official rules shall apply except as follows: EQUIPMENT The ball shall be an 11-inch hard core ball. GROUNDS The field shall be marked as for Softball except: the baselines shall be 15.24m (50ft) the pitching distance shall be 10.66m (35ft) from the apex of home plate the pitching plate shall be in the center of a circle with a 1.8m (6ft) radius. GAME games shall be regulation as defined for Softball except that a time limit of one hour and 15 minutes shall be played an innings is completed when either three outs have been made or 6 runs have scored (whichever occurs first) all runs scored on the play of the sixth runner crossing the plate shall score the scorer shall inform the umpire when six runs have scored. Warm up pitches are limited to 3 per innings (to assist with speeding up the game) Score card must be completed No runs shall score: after the 3 rd out is made when 6 runs have scored in that innings, (all runs scored on the play of the seventh runner crossing the plate shall score) as otherwise prescribed in softball. 7 P a g e
All players shall play offence and defence in every game, however only nine players are permitted on the field in defence at any one time. The re-entry rule shall not apply. A designated hitter shall not be used. STRIKE ZONE the strike zone is that area over home plate between the batter s shoulders and the bottom of the knees when assuming a natural batting stance. Infield fly rule shall not apply. Bunting will be permitted. A batter is not out if the catcher drops the third strike softball rules apply. Batting through substitutes each team can bat through all players in the order listed on the scorecard at the beginning of the game (including substitutes). HIGH SCHOOL YEAR 7 & 8 RULES & GUIDELINES The official rules shall apply except as follows: EQUIPMENT The ball shall be an 11-inch hard core ball. GROUNDS The field shall be marked as for Softball except: the baselines shall be 18.29m (60ft) the pitching distance shall be 12.19m (40ft) from the apex of home plate the pitching plate shall be in the center of a circle with a 1.8m (6ft) radius. GAME games shall be regulation as defined for Softball except that a time limit of one hour and 15 minutes shall be played an innings is completed when either three outs have been made or 6 runs have scored (whichever occurs first) all runs scored on the play of the sixth runner crossing the plate shall score the scorer shall inform the umpire when six runs have scored Warm up pitches are limited to 3 per innings (to assist with speeding up the game) Score card must be completed No runs shall score: after the 3 rd out is made when 6 runs have scored in that innings, (all runs scored on the play of the seventh runner crossing the plate shall score) as otherwise prescribed in softball. 8 P a g e
SUMMARY Pitching Distance Base Distance Ball Type High School Softball 12.19m (40ft) 18.29m (60ft) 11 Hard Core Ball Primary Softball 10.66m (35ft) 15.24m (50ft) 11 Hard Core Ball Modball 9.14m (30ft) 15.24m (50ft) 11 Reduced Injury Ball Senior Teeball 9.14m (30ft) 13.7m (45ft) 11 Reduced Injury Ball Junior Teeball 9.14m (30ft) 13.7m (45ft) 9 Reduced Injury Ball 9 P a g e