East Greenbush Girls Softball League Rules and Regulations for Recreation League Play (Revised 06/03/08)

East Greenbush Girls Softball League Rules and Regulations for Recreation League Play (Revised 06/03/08)

Table of Contents SECTION I: GOVERNING RULES... 9 SECTION II: LOCAL MODIFICATIONS/CLARIFICATIONS TO ASA RULES... 9 1. Uniforms/Clothing/Jewelry... 9 2. Protective Equipment in Addition to Protections Required by the ASA... 9 3. Hair... 9 4. Field Conditions... 9 a. Prior to Game Start... 9 b. After Game Start... 10 5. Lightning... 10 6. Batter's Warm-up Area... 10 7. Players and Replacement Players... 10 a. Minimum Number of Players... 10 b. Replacement Players... 10 8. Regulation Game... 11 9. Time Limit...... 12 10. Ties... 12 11. Mercy Rule... 13 a. Runs in Game... 13 b. Runs in Inning... 13 12. Pitching... 13 a. Women s Division... 13 b. Major Division... 13 c. Jr. Major Division... 13 d. Intermediate Division... 13 e. Minor Division... 13 i. Player Pitch... 13 ii. Coach Pitch... 13 f. Mini-Minor Division... 14 g. T-Ball Division... 14 13. Batting Order... 14 14. Bunting... 15 15. Dropped Third Strike Rule... 15 16. Infield Fly Rule... 15 17. Base Running... 15 a. Stealing... 15 b. Base Running on Hits... 15 c. Sliding... 15 18. Catchers... 15 19. Fielders... 16 20. Scorekeeping... 16 21. Umpires... 16 SECTION III - DIVISION CHAMPIONS... 17 SECTION IV - RESCHEDULING OF GAMES... 18

SECTION I: GOVERNING RULES League games for all Divisions shall be governed by the Fast Pitch International Rules of Softball, as stated in the current ASA Softball Rule Book, with the local modifications/ clarifications identified in Section II below. SECTION II: LOCAL MODIFICATIONS/CLARIFICATIONS TO ASA RULES 1. Uniforms/Clothing/Jewelry The official uniform for a team in league play shall consist of the team shirt, which shall be provided by the League. Players may wear caps or visors at the discretion of the team manager. Players may wear shorts at the discretion of the team manager and, for players under 18 years of age, with permission of the players parents or guardians. Players may not wear shoes with metal spikes. Players may not wear jewelry. Pitchers may not wear wrist bands. Players with braces must wear mouth guards, and players with eyeglasses must wear retainer straps. In cold weather, players may wear jackets if they are zipped or buttoned while the player is on the field. 2. Protective Equipment in Addition to Protections Required by the ASA In addition to the protective provisions included above in the Uniforms section, each team will be issued a first aid kit and cold packs. Ice packs are also available in the Concession Stand. Each team will also be issued appropriate balls, bats, helmets, and catcher s equipment. All equipment, whether furnished by the League or not, must meet ASA requirements. Catchers must wear complete catchers equipment (shin guards, chest protector, and helmet with face guard and protection for the throat) when they are positioned behind batters. Players warming up pitchers must wear, as a minimum, a helmet with face guard and throat protection. Batters and base runners must wear helmets and must not deliberately remove them while on the playing field unless time is called (penalty: batter or base runner is out). 3. Hair Hair over shoulder length must be restrained to avoid interfering with play. 4. Field Conditions a. Prior to Game Start Prior to the start of games, the Field Coordinator (previously was the Umpire Coordinator s responsibility) shall make the decisions as to whether or not playing fields are suitable for play. Such decisions shall, if practicable, be made at least one hour prior to the scheduled game times, and the managers, the Umpire Coordinator, the Director-on-Duty, and the Refreshments

Coordinator shall be notified (and each will be expected to call others affected by the decisions). If the Field Coordinator is not available to make the decisions, the Umpire Coordinator shall make the decisions. If neither is available, the decision shall be made by the League President. If the League President is not available, the decision shall be made by the Board member present with the most cumulative seniority as a Board member. b. After Game Start Once Games begin, the plate umpires shall decide if the fields continue to be suitable for play (if no umpire is present, the decision will be made in the same manner as for a decision prior to the start of games). 5. Lightning A game must be suspended because of lightning. If there is visible lightning during a game, no matter how distant, the game will be suspended by the umpire (if no umpire is present, then by either team manager). The game shall be resumed if the visible lightning ceases for 30 minutes and the field conditions are still acceptable for play. If there is visible lightning during a practice, the manager or coach shall immediately suspend practice. The practice may be resumed at the manager s or coach s discretion when the visible lightning ceases. 6. Batter's Warm-up Area Only one player is permitted within the batting cage or the warm-up circle at any time. On deck batters must wear batting helmets. On the Winne Field, batters must enter the playing field through the center gate, and they must not enter the field until play has ended. 7. Players and Replacement Players a. Minimum Number of Players Women s, Major, Jr. Major, Intermediate and Minor Divisions: games may commence and/or continue with a minimum of eight (8) players. If a team has fewer than the eight (8) players required to begin the game, the game shall be delayed up to 15 minutes for additional players to arrive. If, at the end of the 15 minutes, the team still has less than eight (8) players, the game shall be forfeited. If, during a game, players are lost such that less than eight (8) would be present to play, the game shall be delayed up to 15 minutes for additional players to arrive or for an injured player to return. If, at the end of the 15 minutes, the team still has less than eight players, the game shall be forfeited if it could otherwise have been continued. If both teams have less than the minimum number of players required to commence or to continue the game, forfeits shall be recorded for both teams. Mini-Minor and T-Ball Divisions: teams shall consist of whatever number of players are in attendance, including those that arrive late. There shall be no forfeits or rescheduling of games due to lack of players. There is no penalty if a player chooses not to bat or play the field.

b. Replacement Players Major Division: up to two (2) alternate players from the Junior Major Division may be used to avoid forfeits (i.e., to bring the starting roster up to eight players). The players shall be selected and utilized as follows: The team manager must call the Player Agent (2nd Vice President) in advance to request players. If the Player Agent cannot be reached, the President of the League should be contacted. The Player Agent (or League President) shall attempt to assign the alternate players from the Junior Major Division based on the following priority, with 14-year-old players having priority over younger players in each of the categories: Players that have completed their seasons Non-tournament team players Tournament team players Alternate players will play in the outfield and will be placed in the last position in the batting order. If a regular team player arrives after the start of play, she shall be inserted in the last position in the batting order and shall assume a position in the field at the first opportunity. The alternate player(s) may remain in the line-up and continue to bat in her assigned order. The alternate player(s) may also continue to play in the outfield, provided that a regular team player is not required to sit on the bench. Women s Division: up to two (2) alternate players may be borrowed from another Women s Division team that is not playing at the same time so that forfeits may be avoided (i.e., to bring the starting roster up to eight (8) players). The players shall be selected and utilized as follows: Prior to the first game of the season, the Women s Division will establish a Substitute List. Each manager will keep a copy of the Substitute List and, if necessary, will contact the players on the list in the order listed. If a manager uses the list more than one time during the season, she/he shall pick up where the list left off; he/she shall not go back toward the top of the list until after everyone on the list has been called (this is to ensure fairness and even distribution of players used from the Substitute List). Alternate players shall play right field (and then center field if two substitutes are used) and will be placed in the last position(s) in the batting order. If a regular team player arrives after the start of play, she shall be inserted in the last position in the batting order and shall assume a position in the field at the first opportunity. The alternate player(s) may remain in the line-up and continue to bat in her (their) assigned order. The alternate player(s) may also continue to play in the outfield, provided that a regular team player is not required to sit on the bench.

8. Regulation Game Women s, Major, Junior Major, and Intermediate Divisions: a regulation game shall consist of 7 innings (6 ½ innings if the home team is ahead), daylight, weather, field conditions, score (See Mercy Rule, Section 11) and time permitting (See Time Limit rules, Section 9). If a game is tied after 7 complete innings, the International Tiebreaker shall be used to determine a winner, daylight, and weather permitting. A game may be declared complete after 4 ½ innings with the home team ahead or 5 innings with the visiting team ahead if called because of loss of daylight, weather conditions, or time limitations. If a game is tied after at least 5 complete innings and must be stopped because of daylight, weather or field conditions (but not because of a time limit), the tie score will be considered official. If a game is tied after at least 5 complete innings and a time limit is reached, the International Tiebreaker shall be used to determine a winner. If a game is called due to daylight, weather, or field conditions before the 4 ½ or 5 inning point when it would be official, the game is considered suspended. Suspended games shall be rescheduled and resumed at the exact point they were stopped. Games that reach a time limit before becoming official shall not be suspended (See Time Limits, Section 9). Minor Division: a regulation game shall consist of 6 innings (5 ½ innings if the home team is ahead), daylight, weather, field conditions, score (See Mercy Rule, Section 11) and time permitting (See Time Limit rules, Section 9). If a game is tied after 6 complete innings, the International Tiebreaker shall be used to determine a winner, daylight, and weather permitting. A game may be declared complete after 3 ½ innings with the home team ahead or 4 innings with the visiting team ahead if called because of loss of daylight, weather conditions, or time limitations. If a game is tied after at least 4 complete innings and must be stopped because of daylight, weather or field conditions (but not because of a time limit), the tie score will be considered official. If a game is tied after at least 4 complete innings and a time limit is reached, the International Tiebreaker shall be used to determine a winner. If a game is called due to daylight, weather, or field conditions before the 3 ½ or 4 inning point when it would be official, the game is considered suspended. Suspended games shall be rescheduled and resumed at the exact point they were stopped. Games that reach a time limit before becoming official shall not be suspended (See Time Limits, Section 9). Mini-minor Division: a regulation game shall consist of six 6 full innings, daylight, weather, field conditions, and time permitting (see Time Limit rules, Section 9). No extra innings shall be played. If at least one hour of playing time has occurred, any game stopped because of daylight, weather, or field conditions shall be declared official, and it will not be rescheduled. Games that have not reached one hour of playing time will be rescheduled and replayed in their entirety. T-Ball Division: a regulation game shall consist of 6 full innings, daylight, weather, field conditions, and time permitting (see Time Limit rules, Section 9). No extra innings shall be played. All games shall be declared official whenever they are ended and they shall not be rescheduled. 9. Time Limit In games where the time limit will be in effect, managers of both teams and the umpires (if applicable) are to agree upon the starting time for the game at the pre-game meeting. The plate umpire will keep the official time and will inform both managers when the time limit has been reached. Any inning in progress at that point shall be completed and is the last inning except in

cases where the game would end in a tie or is not official (See Regulation Game, Section 8). For purposes of the time limit, a new inning begins at the time of the third out in the previous inning. The time limit for a game shall not be extended due to a suspension of play (e.g. rain, lightning, injury). Women s, Major and Jr. Major Divisions: a time limit of one hour and 45 minutes will be in effect when there is another game scheduled to commence on the same field whose start time may be delayed should a time limit on the subject game not be in place. Games that reach the time limit and are not official shall continue the minimum number of innings required to become official. Intermediate and Minor Divisions: a time limit of one hour and 45minutes will be in effect when: 1) the game is being played on a night prior to a school day or 2) there is another game scheduled to commence on the same field whose start time may be delayed should a time limit on the subject game not be in place. Games that reach the time limit and are not official shall continue the minimum number of innings required to become official. Mini-Minor and T-Ball Divisions: a time limit of 90 minutes will be in effect for all games. 10. Ties Women s, Major, and Jr. Major, Intermediate, and Minor Divisions: When a game officially ends in a tie (See Regulation Game, Section 8), each team will be awarded a half win and a half loss. Mini-Minor and T-Ball Divisions: Scores are not recorded, so this rule does not apply. 11. Mercy Rule a. Runs in Game Women s, Major, Jr. Major, Intermediate, and Minor Divisions: games shall be declared official and ended if: 1) at any time after 4 ½ innings the home team is ahead by 15 runs or 2) at any time after 5 innings a complete inning ends with the visiting team ahead by 15 runs. Mini-Minor and T-Ball Divisions: rule doesn t apply because scores not recorded. b. Runs in Inning Women s, Major, and Jr. Major Divisions: There shall be no limit on runs that may score in a single inning. Intermediate and Minor Divisions: There shall be a 5 run per inning limit for each team in every inning except for the last inning. In the last inning for each team (7 th inning for Intermediate and the 6 th inning for Minors), there may be unlimited runs scored. For the purposes of this rule, shortened games (e.g. games shortened for weather, daylight, time limits) have no last inning. Mini-Minor Division: There shall be a 5 run per inning limit for each team in every inning. T-Ball Division: no run limit.

12. Pitching Any conventional softball pitch is permissible. When divisions are combined and the division rules conflict, the rules of the higher division apply. a. Women s Division: 40 foot pitching distance. On the backswing of the windup, the pitcher s arm and hand cannot go above her shoulder. b. Major Division: 40 foot pitching distance. c. Jr. Major Division: 40 foot pitching distance. In games played in this division, players may only pitch 4 total innings per game. One pitch in an inning counts as an inning pitched. d. Intermediate Division: 40 foot pitching distance. In games played in this division, players may pitch only 4 innings per game and only 3 innings in the first five innings. One pitch in an inning counts as an inning pitched. e. Minor Division: 35 foot pitching distance. Coach pitch as discussed below will be in effect for approximately the first half of the season as determined by the Umpire Coordinator. The minor division schedule will note the date after which no coach pitch will take place and player pitch will be in effect. Should extreme circumstances occur (e.g. excessive number of rainouts early in the season), the Umpire Coordinator shall, at their discretion, alter the coach pitch date. i. Player Pitch In games played in this division, no player may pitch in more than three innings total in a game. One pitch in an inning counts as an inning pitched. During player pitch, a count of five balls constitutes a base-on-balls and hit-by-pitch is in effect. ii. Coach Pitch During the portion of the season when Coach Pitch is in effect, all rules noted above will be in effect except that no base-on-balls will be issued. Once the count reaches five balls, the manager of the offense or authorized coach appointed by the manager of the offense shall pitch to the batter. The team player will resume pitching to the next batter in the line-up. The following additional rules apply while the manager/coach is pitching: The manager/coach pitcher shall pitch from the pitching rubber. The player pitcher shall take a defensive position with at least one foot within the pitching circle. The batter will continue at the plate until she gets a hit, strikes out, or is put out as a result of a batted ball. A batter cannot advance to first on a hit-by-pitch or base-on-balls. The strike count accumulated by the player pitcher will be the starting strike count for the manager/coach pitcher. Strikes will continue to be called by the umpire when the manager/coach is pitching. On a ball or strike, the catcher shall return the ball to the manager/coach pitcher. On an offensive play, the ball shall be returned to the defensive player pitcher.

The manager/coach pitcher must move as required so as not to interfere with play. If the manager/coach pitcher is hit directly by a batted ball, the pitch shall be declared no pitch and the play will be nullified. If the manager/coach pitcher is hit by a thrown ball during an offensive play, the ball shall be declared dead and there shall be no further advance by any base runners. f. Mini-Minor Division: 30 foot pitching distance. Player pitch as discussed below will be in effect for the first inning of each game. In the second half of the season, as determined by the Umpire Coordinator, player pitch will be in effect for the first two innings of each game. The mini-minor division schedule will note the date of transition to two innings of player pitch. Should extreme circumstances occur (e.g. excessive number of rainouts early in the season), the Umpire Coordinator shall, at their discretion, alter the transition date. Coach pitch as discussed below will be in effect for all innings in which player pitch is not in effect. i. Player Pitch During player pitch, hit-by-pitch is in effect. A count of four balls invokes coach pitch for the remainder of that at-bat. The team player will resume pitching to the next batter in the line-up. ii. Coach Pitch The manager of the offense or authorized coach appointed by the manager of the offense shall pitch to the batter. The following additional rules apply while the manager/coach is pitching: The manager/coach pitcher shall pitch from the pitching rubber. The player pitcher shall take a defensive position with at least one foot within the pitching circle. The batter will continue at the plate until she gets a hit, strikes out, or is put out as a result of a batted ball. A batter cannot advance to first on a hit-by-pitch or base-on-balls. The strike count accumulated by the player pitcher will be the starting strike count for the manager/coach pitcher. Strikes will continue to be called by the umpire when the manager/coach is pitching. On a ball or strike, the catcher shall return the ball to the manager/coach pitcher. On an offensive play, the ball shall be returned to the defensive player pitcher. The manager/coach pitcher must move as required so as not to interfere with play. If the manager/coach pitcher is hit directly by a batted ball, the pitch shall be declared no pitch and the play will be nullified. If the manager/coach pitcher is hit by a thrown ball during an offensive play, the ball shall be declared dead and there shall be no further advance by any base runners. g. T-Ball Division: No pitching allowed. 13. Batting Order The batting line-up shall consist of all players present and eligible to play. All players shall continue to bat throughout the game in rotation, except if they become injured, sick, leave the premises, or decline to bat (see below). Any player who is injured, sick, or leaves the premises

for reasons other than declining to bat shall be removed from the batting order without penalty (subject to the player limits of rule 7a). The player may be reinstated in the batting order in her original position without penalty should her condition change. If an eligible player arrives after the game begins, the player shall be inserted into the last position in the batting line-up, assuming the player meets eligibility requirements. Women s, Major, Jr. Major, Intermediate, and Minor Divisions: If at any time during a game the batting order consists of eight players, an out shall be recorded when the vacant position in the batting order is scheduled to bat. Players who decline to bat at the proper time in the batting order shall be declared out but may return to their position in the batting order without further penalty. Mini-minor Division: The batting order may consist of less than nine players without penalty. Players may decline to bat without penalty and may return to their position in the batting order without penalty. T-Ball Division: Although players should be removed from base when an out is recorded, an inning shall not end after a third out is recorded. An inning will end when every player in attendance has batted once. The batting order shall be changed each inning such that, to the extent practicable, no player bats in the same position two times in a game (for example, a player should bat last only once in a game). Players may decline to bat without penalty. 14. Bunting Mini-Minor and T-Ball Divisions: Bunting is not allowed. 15. Dropped Third Strike Rule Minor, Mini-Minor and T-Ball Divisions: the dropped third strike rule does not apply. 16. Infield Fly Rule Minor, Mini-Minor and T-Ball Divisions: the infield fly rule does not apply. 17. Base Running a. Stealing Women s Division: Base runners may not leave their bases until the ball reaches the plate. Minor Division: base runners may steal only while a player is pitching, may steal only one base per pitch, may not advance on an overthrow or error on the fielder's attempt to stop the steal, and may not steal home. Mini-Minor and T-Ball Divisions: stealing is not permitted. Base runners may not leave their bases until the ball is hit. b. Base Running on Hits T-Ball and Mini-Minor Divisions: base runners may advance only one base on a hit ball remaining in the infield. When the ball is hit to the outfield, base runners may advance until the ball is returned to the infield. If a play is made on a runner, the runner may advance only one additional base, but such advance is at her on risk.

c. Sliding Headfirst sliding toward a base is not encouraged. 18. Catchers Catchers must wear full protective equipment when behind a batter. They must wear a helmet and face mask with throat protection when warming up a pitcher. Managers and coaches may not stand behind catchers to assist in retrieving wild pitches and pass balls except in the Miniminor division. Intermediate Division: Catchers may catch no more than 4 innings totals per game and only 3 innings in the first five innings. One pitch in an inning counts as an inning caught. Minor Division: Catchers may catch no more than three innings in a game. One pitch in an inning counts as an inning caught. Mini-minor Division: Catchers may catch no more than three innings in a game. One pitch in an inning counts as an inning caught. T-Ball Division: no catcher shall be used. 19. Fielders For every regulation game (See Section 8), all players in attendance must play a minimum of 2 complete innings in an infield position. The manager shall report any instance where this requirement is not met to the opposing manager and the board member on duty. If the manager or acting manager of a team has a safety concern with a player being placed in the infield, this concern must be addressed with the Training Coordinator before the start of the season. Should the Training Coordinator be unavailable, the manager or acting manager should discuss this situation with the Board Member on Duty. Women s, Major, Jr. Major, and Intermediate Divisions: no more than 10 fielders may be used at one time in a defensive inning. Minor Division: no more than 10 fielders may be used at one time in a defensive inning and no more than five players (pitcher, first base, second base, third base, and short-stop) may position themselves in the infield (within fair territory). The catcher must position herself behind the plate in foul territory. All other players shall position themselves in fair territory on the grass. Every player must be allowed to play a defensive position for at least three (3) full innings, if possible, in every game. Managers are encouraged to rotate players among positions to the maximum extent possible. Mini-Minor and T-Ball Divisions: all team players present shall be used in each defensive inning in the field. Players may be positioned anywhere in fair territory at least 35 feet from the batter, and they should be rotated, to the extent practicable, between positions each inning so that players generally will have equal opportunities to play every position that they are willing to play during the season. Up to two defensive team coaches may position themselves in the playing area to coach the players. In the T-Ball Division, one offensive team coach shall take a position to coach the batter and place the ball upon the tee.

20. Scorekeeping Scores shall be recorded in all Divisions except for the T-Ball and Mini-Minor Divisions. The winning team managers in all Divisions, except for T-Ball and Mini-Minor, shall report and record the game outcomes at the concession stand at the conclusions of games. 21. Umpires The League shall designate umpires (one or two) for each game, except in the T-Ball and Mini- Minor Divisions. If an umpire does not arrive at the start of the game, the board member on duty may, at their discretion, assign individuals to perform this duty until the umpire arrives. Mini-Minor Division: the offensive team s manager/coach pitcher shall call balls and strikes from the pitchers circle and shall also umpire the bases. T-Ball Division: the adult coaches on the field shall umpire the bases. SECTION III - DIVISION CHAMPIONS Within each Division, except for Mini-Minors and T-Ball, a single elimination tournament will be held at the conclusion of the regular season. The winner of the tournament will be considered the champion of that Division. 1. Tournament Seeding Women s, Major, Jr. Major, and Intermediate Divisions: Tournament seeding will be based on regular season standings. Regular season standings will be based on winning percentage. In the event of a tie in the regular season standings, the tie will be broken by the results of headto-head games between the tied teams. If a tie still exists, the tie shall be broken by random selection (e.g. coin flip for a two team tie) administered by the Umpire Coordinator. Minor Division: Tournament seeding will be based on random selection administered by the Umpire Coordinator. 2. Modifications to Regular Season Rules for Tournament Play No Game may end in a tie. The minimum infield innings rule of Section 19 does not apply. Women s, Major, and Jr. Major Divisions: Time limit rules (Section 9) do not apply. Intermediate Division: Time limit rules (Section 9) do not apply.

SECTION IV - RESCHEDULING OF GAMES All rescheduling of games will be the responsibility of the Umpire Coordinator. Teams may not reschedule their own games without permission and approval of the Umpire Coordinator. Requests for rescheduling must be submitted to the Umpire Coordinator at least one week in advance of the date scheduled and at least one week in advance of any desired date to move the game up in the schedule. If both managers desire the rescheduling, the request will be granted by the Umpire Coordinator if an appropriate time and location can be established. If only one manager desires the rescheduling, the request will be granted by the Umpire Coordinator if an appropriate time and location can be established and if the basis for the request is because of a bonafide school or church event that causes the team to be unable to field the minimum number of players to begin the game. A list of players that cannot play must be submitted to the Umpire Coordinator at the time of the request. If a game is to be postponed, an attempt will be made to reschedule for an open spot within seven days, so long as that date is prior to the end of the regularly scheduled season or start of the division tournament. If a game cannot be rescheduled, the teams must then arrive at the field on the original date and at the appropriate time with at least eight (8) players (see Rule 7 in Section II above concerning use of alternate players). T-ball games will not be rescheduled.