General Rules: 1. Batting cage practice prior to each game: Visiting team gets cage for 25 min starting 60 minutes prior to game start Home team gets cage for 25 min starting 35 min prior to game start 2. Starting with 8U and upper divisions the catcher must squat behind the plate in full gear. 3. If any player/coach is ejected from the game, he/she is required to leave the field immediately and may not return to the field of play at anytime during or after completion of the game. This player/coach will be ineligible to play/coach in the next scheduled game but will be allowed in the dugout 4. Any player playing up an age division to assist a team is required to play in the outfield at all times; she may be placed anywhere in the batting line-up. 5. In all age divisions, although not required, the park highly recommends the use of face masks and heart guards for all pitchers. It is also recommended all infielders wear a face mask. 6. If a player becomes injured, cannot bat, and there are no subs to take the injured players place in the batting order, then the player s spot in the batting order is skipped and there is no out recorded. If the player is capable of returning to the game after having been skipped, they may return to the game in their position in the batting lineup. 7. Forfeit game with less than 8 players. Exception: You may begin with 2 fewer than your roster. For example, if you have 9 players on your roster, you may begin a game with 7. If a game starts and a player must leave, an out will be recorded when that player is scheduled to bat. Revised 1/7/15 Page! 1 of! 6
MPRA Local Softball Rules 12U Division: 1. 1:15 time limit (or 6 innings). The first game of the day a 15 minute delay is allowed prior to a forfeit. 2. A maximum of 6 runs per inning 3. Max:(3) time outs for defense/per game and (1) one per inning for offense 4. Unlimited substitution for entire game 5. Runner may leave base after ball leaves pitcher's hand 6. Infield fly rule in effect 7. No defensive coaches on the field 8. 21/4-11/5 run lead ends game 9. If a pitcher warms up on the mound, she must throw the first pitch of that inning. Revised 1/7/15 Page! 2 of! 6
MPRA Local Softball Rules 10U Division: 1. 1:15 time limit (or 6 innings). The first game of the day a 15 minute delay is allowed prior to a forfeit. 2. 10 defensive players allowed; 6 infielders to include catcher and 4 outfielders. All players present will be in the line-up and coaches may substitute freely. 3. Dropped third strike and hesitation rule are in effect. 4. Maximum of 10 batters per inning, no maximum run limit. Play is stopped when a player possessing the ball touches home plate, an out is made on the lead runner, or a 3rd out is made. No automatic 2 outs when the 10th batter is up 6. Max:(3) time outs for defense/per game and (1) one per inning for offense 7. After the 4th walk by a girl pitcher in a half inning to include a hit batter, "coach pitcher" will complete the half inning with 5 pitches or 3 strikes; with coach pitcher in effect, no stealing is allowed, we revert back to 8U rules. 8. Unlimited substitution for entire game 9. Infield fly rule is NOT in effect 10. Runner may leave base after ball leaves pitcher's hand 11. Runner can steal 1 base per pitch including Home 12. No defensive coaches on the field 13. 21/4-11/5 run lead ends game 14. If a pitcher warms up on the mound, she must throw the first pitch of that inning 15. There will be a rolling 6 inning pitch limit for any two concurrent games played. The game will be forfeited if, during or after the game, it is determined the pitcher was in violation of the 6 inning pitch limit. 16. Both coaches will need to verify and sign the score book and inning count for pitchers at the end of each game. Revised 1/7/15 Page! 3 of! 6
MPRA Local Softball Rules 8U Division: Monrovia Parks and Recreation Association, Inc. 1. 1:00 time limit (or 6 innings). The first game of the day a 15 minute delay is allowed prior to a forfeit. 2. Maximum of 10 batters per inning, no maximum run limit. Play is stopped when a player possessing the ball touches home plate, an out is made on the lead runner, or a 3rd out is made. No automatic 2 outs when the 10th batter is up. 3. 21/3-11/4 run lead ends game 4. 5 pitches per batter or 3 strikes, batter continues if 5th pitch is a foul ball. 5. Max:(3) time outs for defense/per game and (1) one per inning for offense 6. NO overthrow rule at 1st base; lead runner must be stopped by fielder, or pitcher with control of the ball in pitcher's circle; if runner is advancing when pitcher has control in circle, time will be called and runner will get the base they are advancing to; if runner has stopped, they must return to the previous base; this is an umpire judgment rule. If while in the circle the pitcher makes a play on the runner, such as raising the throwing arm or any forward movement toward the runner, before time is called, the play becomes live again and the runner can advance. 7. The coach pitcher may speak to the batter ONLY BEFORE the ball is pitched. After the ball is released and hit, the pitcher must immediately move off the field with every attempt to avoid interference with the play. The pitcher should move to the fence and shall not be allowed to coach the runners at any time. If the coach pitcher unintentionally interferes with the play (hit by batted ball or interferes with a defensive player, in the umpires judgment) then the ball is ruled dead and the pitch is replayed. 8. Two defensive coaches will be allowed. They must be positioned OFF the field and in the grass behind 1st base and 3rd base. You may option to have 1 defensive coach positioned in the outfield behind the deepest outfielder instead of the sideline coaches. The on-field coach may not coach or touch the players after the ball is pitched. All other coaches need to be in the dugout or against the fence within the length of the dugout. 9. The player-pitcher shall stand with both foot inside the pitching circle even with or behind (but not in front) of the pitchers plate. The defensive team has the option to position their player-pitcher approximately 10feet directly behind 2nd base (a circle will be painted for positioning) in the event of a power batter. This is intended for safety purposes for the pitcher and should not be used by any coach as a defensive strategy. The player-pitcher may not be moved to another defensive position for that batter. This is not to be considered a 5th outfielder and should play no more than 10 behind the base. 10. A line will be drawn 30 feet from home-plate towards 1st and 3rd base. No defensive player may play in front of this line before the ball is hit. 11. No stealing if a player leaves a base prior to the ball reaching home plate or being hit, she will be called out. 12. All players present must bat (a player sitting out does not have to bat last) Revised 1/7/15 Page! 4 of! 6
MPRA Local Softball Rules 6U Division: General: Monrovia Parks and Recreation Association, Inc. 1. 1:00 time limit (or 5 innings). The first game of the day a 15 minute delay is allowed prior to a forfeit. 2. Max:(3) time outs for defense/per game and (1) one per inning for offense 3. Maximum of 10 batters per inning, no maximum run limit. No automatic 2 outs when the 10th batter is up. When 10th batter is at the plate, the same rules apply for stopping play when hit to the outfield (#15 below; either by stopping the lead runner or controlling the ball in the circle). The overthrow rule at first base (#14 below) also applies for 10th batter. Also, if a runner is at third, and 10th batter is at the plate and the runner elects to run home after the ball is hit, the run will count assuming the 3rd out is not recorded and the runner does not get out. The run counts even if a force out is recorded, and it is not the 3rd out. If the tenth batter hits off the tee the 2 base maximum rule is still in effect. 4. 21/3 11/4 run lead ends game 5. All players present must bat (a player sitting out does not have to bat last) 6. 10 players on defense with a maximum of 6 infielders (one being catcher). Outfielders shall be positioned in the outfield at least 10 feet behind the baselines until the ball is batted. 7. Coaches may option to play without a catcher and move a player to the outfield if they have less than 9 players. Maximum of 4 outfielders. 8. The player-pitcher shall stand with both foot inside the pitching circle even with or behind (but not in front) of the coach pitchers plate (30 ft). While the coach is pitching, the player should stand behind and to the side of the coach pitcher. 9. Coach Pitcher will pitch from 30. Pitching circle will have a 35 center point. 10. Two defensive coaches will be allowed. They must be positioned OFF the field and in the grass behind 1st base and 3rd base. You may option to have 1 defensive coach positioned in the outfield behind the deepest outfielder instead of the sideline coaches. The on-field coach may not coach or touch the players after the ball is pitched. All other coaches need to be in the dugout or against the fence within the length of the dugout. 11. A line will be drawn 30 feet from home-plate towards 1st and 3rd base. No defensive player may play in front of this line before the ball is hit. 12. Bases will be positioned at 50 distance 13. 10" ball will be used 14. A ball thrown from an infield position towards first base in an attempt to get the batter out that goes beyond the 1st base foul line is considered a dead ball. All runners will remain at the base they occupy. If a runner is more than half way to the next base when the ball is ruled dead, the runner will be awarded the next base. If they are not half way to the next base when ruled dead they will be returned to the previous base safely. This is at the discretion of the umpire. If the ball thrown towards first base remains in the field of play then the ball is still live and play must be stopped per rule 15. 15. Time should be called and the ball determined dead when: A. Any Defensive Player has possession and control of a ball with at least one foot inside the 8 ft. radius circle. B. Any Defensive Player has possession and control of the ball in front of the lead runner. C. If a runner is more than half way to the next base when time is called, the runner will be awarded the next base. If they are not half way to the next base when time is called they will be returned to the previous base safely. This is at the discretion of the umpire. Revised 1/7/15 Page! 5 of! 6
Offense: 1. Coach pitches first 3 balls. If the ball is not put into play then the coach will have two options: 1. Use a tee for 2 swings. If the batter misses the ball or strikes the tee she will be out on the 2nd swing. A foul ball from the tee will allow an additional swing from the tee. Any ball put into play from the tee will allow a maximum of two bases for the batter and any player already on base. 2. Pitch two additional pitches to the batter; if not put into play the batter will be called out. A batter can not be called out on a foul tipped ball or one that remains inside the 10-ft arch. No base limit. 2. A ball hit from coach pitch or the tee that remains inside the 10-ft arch from home plate will be considered a foul ball. Batter cannot be called out on foul balls and will get another pitched ball, or another swing off the tee. 3. Once the batter steps into the batter s box, the offensive coaches may move a player if they are facing the wrong direction or not in the box completely. After mid-season the coaches may NOT at any time touch the batter or bat in order to help position the player in the box. A straight line may be drawn in the box to help players position their feet. This line must parallel the batter s box. Aiming a batter will not be allowed at any time during the season. 1st complaint = coach warning 2nd + complaint = coach suspension for 1 game for each complaint (Complaints to be in writing and sent to MPRA softball board for review) 4. The coach pitcher / catcher may speak to the batter ONLY BEFORE the ball is pitched. After the ball is released and hit, the pitcher must immediately move off the field with every attempt to avoid interference with the play. The pitcher should move to the fence and shall not be allowed to coach the runners at any time. 5. If the coach pitcher unintentionally interferes with the play (hit by batted ball or interferes with a defensive player in the umpires judgment) then the ball is ruled dead and the pitch is replayed. 6. After the ball is hit, the coach catcher shall quickly remove the bat and/or tee out of the way and move to the fence. She/he shall not be allowed to coach the runners at any time. If there is a play at home the coach catcher shall make every attempt to avoid interference. If in the judgment of the umpire the coach catcher in any way interfered with a play at home, the runner will be called out and the run will not count. 7. No stealing if a player leaves a base prior to the ball reaching home plate or being hit from the tee, she will be called out. 8. The coach pitcher must make every reasonable attempt to throw strikes and allow batters to hit the ball. If complaints are specifically made about a team that is throwing pitches in order to allow strong hitters to hit from the tee in attempt to take advantage of a strong tee hitter the following steps will occur: 1st complaint = coach warning 2nd + complaint = coach suspension for 1 game for each complaint (Complaints to be in writing and sent to MPRA softball board for review) Revised 1/7/15 Page! 6 of! 6