Supplementary Rules The following DIAMOND BAR GIRLS' SOFTBALL League Supplementary Rules are in effect for the playing season. These rules, in most cases, cover situations not included in the League's By-Laws, League Policy or A.S.A. Rules. In cases of conflict between A.S.A. (Mini Division will follow the 10U A.S.A. rules) and these supplementary rules, the supplementary rules will apply- SECTION I: CONDUCT A. Managers/Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their team and spectators. B. Managers, Coaches, Players or Spectators may not verbally or physically harass players on either team. Violation of this rule could result in ejection. C. Managers, Coaches, Players or Spectators may not verbally or physically harass umpires. Violation of this rule could result in ejection. D. If a Manager, Coach or Parent has been ejected from a game, he/she must go before the review board of the League's Directors before being allowed to attend any further games or practices. SECTION II: DISCIPLINE A. Players will NOT be physically disciplined or embarrassed at anytime (practices or games). If a player needs to be disciplined or corrected, be tolerant and fair. If further action needs to be taken, contact the player's parents or league officials for assistance. B. If a manager has a discipline problem with any player during a game, the manager will use his/her discretion on proper action; first a warning and them removal from the game. Let us be fair: the problem must be serious before resorting to the last mentioned action. SECTION III: PLAYING FIELD A. Dimensions: 1. Major 14U/Minor 12U Pitching ---- 40 feet Bases ---- 60 feet 2. Mini-Minor 10U Pitching ---- 35 feet Bases ---- 60 feet 3. Mini 8U Pitching ---- 30 feet Bases ---- 60 feet SECTION IV: PLAYING BALL A. Softball: 1. Major 14U/Minor 12U 12" Worth Dream Seam 2. Mini-Minor 10U 11" Worth RIF Level 1 Page 1 of 7
3. Mini 8U 10" Worth RIF Level 1 SECTION V: PLAYERS AND SUBSTITUTIONS A. Minimum play rule: 1. All eligible players must be listed on the team line-up card for each game that the team plays even when that player is absent. The line up card must show first/last name and each player's number. A copy of the line-up card must be given to the official scorekeeper and opposing manager. Penalty: Forfeiture of game. 2. Each player must play defensively every other inning. Player cannot sit for two consecutive innings. Penalty: Forfeiture of game. Second violation will result in manager suspension. 3. Minimum play rules does not apply to players who are injured, sick or ejected. B. All players present at a game must bat in line-up rotation. C. Players on the bench may only substitute in the middle of a defensive inning due to: 1. Injury, sickness or ejection 2. For the pitcher. The pitcher must then replace the player on the bench. 3. There will be no borrowing of players, team-to-team or division-to-division in games that affect league standings. 8U/Mini Division only (D thru G): D. If ten (10) players can be fielded, a 4-person outfield must be used. E. The use of a rover between the outfield and infield by the 10th player is not allowed. F. When the umpire determines that a player is being used improperly, the game will be stopped and the girl not playing in the proper position will be moved to a correct placement. G. Outfielders must start each pitch on the grass. SECTION VI: PITCHING 12U/Minor/14U/Major and HS Divisions only (A): A. Unlimited Pitching. 8U/Mini Division only (B): B. No pitcher shall pitch more than nine (9) outs in any single game. Penalty: Forfeiture of game. 10U/Minors Division only (C): C. No pitcher shall pitch more than twelve (12) outs in any single game. Penalty: Forfeiture of game. Page 2 of 7
8U/Mini and 10U/Minors Division only (D): D. If a single pitcher hits four (4) batters in a game, she must be replaced and cannot return as a pitcher. E. The starting pitcher may re-enter the game as a pitcher and may do so one time only per game. No other pitcher may reenter as a pitcher. F. Diamond Bar Girls Softball reserves the right to move a player up in division or limit innings pitched. SECTION VII: BATTING A. No throwing of the bat will be permitted. The team will be given one warning by the umpire. B. If any batter from the same team throws the bat again, the umpire will call the batter out, the runners will be returned to their bases and the ball will be declared dead. C. No designated hitter (DH) shall be used. D. If a player arrives after the game starts, player bats in the order of the line-up card. E. If a player leaves the game, no out will be recorded, and the player may not reenter the game. F. All players must were helmets, chinstrap and face guards NOCSAE-approved. SECTION VIII: BASERUNNING A. No intentional removal of helmets by base runners without calling "time out" will be permitted. Penalty: Runner is out. 8U/Mini only (B thru E): B. Runner may not advance to second base on a walk. C. Batter in not allowed to run on a 3 rd Strike Dropped Ball and batter is considered out. D. One stolen base per pitch. E. No stealing home. SECTION IX: PROTESTS A. Protests must be filed in writing with the President of the League or the 1st VP within 24 hours of the conclusion of the game in question. B. Formal protests shall include all A.S.A. recommended information or no action will be taken. C. The 1st Vice President will appoint a committee to hear and settle protests. D. Notice of intent to protest must meet A.S.A. requirements. E. Set procedures, as developed by the Chief Umpire, will be provided to each committee member. F. Protests must be lodged with the umpire prior to the next legal or illegal pitch being thrown. There will be a protest form located at each park. The incident will be recorded on the protest form identifying specific facts relating and relevant to the protest. These will include, but are not limited to: players on base, the player at bat, the count at the moment the protest is made, and the exact time the incident occurred. If Page 3 of 7
the protest occurs after the last pitch of the game is made, protest must be filed as above PRIOR to the umpire leaving the field. A notation must be made in the appropriate inning of the official score book that the protest has been made. G. There will be a $40.00 fee required for a protest. This fee will be paid upon submission of protest to the league. If the protest is won, the fee will be returned. If the protest is lost, for whatever reason, the fee will not be returned. H. All protests must be decided before teams play their next game. SECTION X: SAFETY A. No jewelry shall be worn on the field during practice or games. This includes all earrings. B. Players may not chew gum, eat candy, etc. during games and practices. No food will be allowed in dugout. SECTION XI: THE GAME A. There can be a 15-minute grace period, to meet minimum player requirements, before beginning the game. The amount of time the game is delayed (up to 15 minutes) will be taken off of the official game time. B. The official start time of each game will be the time when the umpire says the game is beginning. The official start time will be recorded by the official scorekeeper. C. No new inning will begin after 1 hour and 20 minutes.. A new inning begins when the last out of the previous inning is recorded. Diamond Bar Girls' Softball rules call for 1 minute or 5 warm up pitches between innings. (There is no Mercy Rule. If a losing team is down by more than 10 runs a game may be stopped and forfeited only if agreed by the losing manager.) D. The last inning of a game is defined as the seventh inning or the visitor's half of an inning after the 1 hour and 20 minutes has been reached. E. If either team is ahead by more than the run cap allowed per inning after 1 hour and 20 minutes the inning is over and is considered a complete game. F. A game called by the umpire shall be considered complete if four (4) innings have been played. The game will count as a regulation game if called by the umpire because of weather or any other condition which makes further play impossible provided: 1. Four (4) or more innings have been completed. 2. The home team has scored more runs than the visiting team at the end of 3 1/2 innings or before completion of the home team 4th inning at bat. 3. A tie game is a complete game. G. A team will start a game with no less than eight (8) players. If during the game, the team falls below eight (8) players, the team will forfeit. H. Each team will be allowed one (1) defensive time out per game. Each additional time out will require the removal of the current pitcher; unless there is an injured player, unlimited pitching or question for the umpire. I. Each team will be allowed one (1) offensive time out per game. Each additional time out will result in an automatic out; unless there is an injured player or question for the umpire. Page 4 of 7
SECTION XII: PLAYOFFS A. All eligibility will be reinstated for the first game of a playoff series. B. Game time limit is waived. C. Tie games must be completed. Play resumes at exact stopping point. D. Games must be a minimum of seven (7) innings. Exceptions: 15 run rule after four (4) innings. E. Where games go into extra innings, the maximum number of outs permitted by one pitcher may exceed the 9 outs permitted during a regular season game. All other League substitutions and minimum play rules apply. The international tie-breaker (starting the inning with the previous inning's last out as a base runner on second base) will be used at the start of the 8th inning. SECTION XIII: RULES CLARIFICATIONS A. Managers must notify the official scorekeeper of any changes before the inning starts; and will be allowed to correct before the defensive inning is over. If any change is not made before the defensive inning is over, the official score bookstands as recorded. B. The catcher and spectators cannot shout at the batter to swing. Only players on the field are allowed to "chatter" to the batter. C. Only managers are allowed to approach the umpire. If the team manager arrives late to a game, the acting manager must inform the umpire prior to allowing the manager to take over. D. Each team will have a minimum of two (2) trained scorekeepers prior to the beginning of the season. E. There will be a 6 run score cap per inning. If either team is ahead by more than the run cap allowed per inning after 1 hour and 20 minutes the inning is over and is considered a complete game. 8U/Mini Divisions only (F thru K): F. There will be a 4 run score cap per inning. If either team is ahead by more than the run cap allowed per inning after 1 hour and 20 minutes the inning is over and is considered a complete game. G. When a batter receives four (4) balls (regardless of how many strikes, except strike 3), a coach from the batting team shall pitch to the batter; the batter shall resume the previous strike count. The coach shall pitch from the pitching rubber, the pitcher shall stand behind or on either side of the coach within the pitching circle, but not forward of the pitching rubber. All coach pitches will be considered strikes unless fouled. No base runner will be allowed to advance on a coach pitch unless the ball is hit in play. H. No bunting on coach pitch. I. No coach pitch after April 15 th of current Spring Season. J. A base runner may steal only when the ball crosses the plate. If umpire declares runner left early, a team warning will be given and the runner must return to base. The second offense will result in the runner being out. K. If umpire declares player hit by pitch, dead ball is called, batter given three coach pitches unless after April 14 th batter gets a walk to first base. Page 5 of 7
SECTION XIV: SCOREKEEPING A. It is the responsibility of the scorekeeper from the home team to pick up the official score sheet in the area designated in the Snack Shacks and to return the completed sheet after the game to the designated area in the Snack Shacks. B. It is the responsibility of the scorekeeper from the home team to have each manager and umpire sign the official sheet immediately after game completion. The scorekeeper must also sign the official score sheet. C. The scorekeeper from the home team must be in close contact and accessible to home plate. The scorekeeper may not be in the dugout. Penalty: The Manager of the home team is responsible for the scorekeeper. Any violations of the above may result in suspension. SECTION XV: INSTRUCTIONAL 6U DIVISION RULES: PLAYING FIELD A. Dimensions: Pitching ---- 30 feet Bases ---- 60 feet PLAYING BALL A. Softball: 10" Worth RIF Level 1 PLAYING FIELD GAME A. 15 foot chalk arc shall be extended from the first baseline to the third baseline. If a hit ball does not pass this line, it shall be foul and considered one pitch. B. Hash marks should be placed in the halfway mark between 1 st base and 2 nd base and between 2 nd base and 3 rd base. C. A chalk circle shall be laid surrounding the 30 foot pitching mound. A. Game time shall be one (1) hour, roughly two (2) innings. B. Each team will bat the entire bench, usually the last player will get a home run and clear the bases. C. A coach shall pitch to the batter three (3) pitches. If the batter does not hit a fair ball then the batting tee will be used unit a fair ball is hit. D. There shall be no hit batter, strike out or bases on balls. BASE RUNNERS A. Once a ball is hit fair, the runners may advance until the ball reaches the pitchers circle. B. A runner must be half way or more to the next base when the ball enters the pitchers circle to be awarded that base. If the runner is less than half way, she must return to the previous base. C. Runners must return to the starting base on a foul ball. Page 6 of 7
D. A ball thrown out of play shall stop action. E. If an out is made on a runner by the defensive team, the runner shall be removed from the playing field. PLAYERS A. All players will play the entire game. B. All players shall be placed on the field for defense. C. All players shall be rotated defensively to learn different positions. D. All defensive players must stay behind the plane of the pitching plate. Outfielders must be about 10 feet behind the base path. E. The pitcher must have both feet within the pitching circle. F. The Manager and Coaches may take positions on the field to coach the players on defense. If a coach is hit with the ball, it should be considered a dead ball. OTHER RULES A. No jewelry shall be worn on the field during practice or games. B. No earrings may be worn at games or practices. This includes newly pierced ears. C. Players may not chew gum, eat candy, etc. during games and practices. No food will be allowed in dugout. D. All players should be taught to clean up before leaving the dugout. E. No score keeping is to be done. The players are here to have fun. Diamond Bar Girls' Softball P.O. Box 4343 Diamond Bar, CA 91765 Hotline (909) 612-0417 Revised/Updated: March 2009 (Rev.a) (www.dbgs.org) Page 7 of 7
6- Under 8 - Under 10 - Under 12 - Under 14 / 18 - Under No score kept League Age 4-6 7-8 9-10 11-12 13-14 & 15-18 Fielders All Players 10 (4 OF) 9 9 9 Game time 1:00 ( Approx 2 Innings) Play out Play out Play out Play out No New Inning after N/A 1:20 1:20 1:20 1:20 Innings (max.) N/A N/A 5 7 7 Innings for Offical Game N/A 3 3 3 3 Umpires N/A Jr. DBGS Umpires Jr. DBGS Umpires ASA Umpires ASA Umpires Game Ball (Yellow) 10" Worth RIF Level 1 10" Worth RIF Level 1 11" Worth RIF Level 1 12" Worth Dream Seam 12" Worth Dream Seam Pitching Distance (Feet) 30 30 35 40 40 Base Distance (Feet) 60 60 60 60 60 Helmet w/chinstrap (NOCSAE Approved) Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory Faceguard (NOCSAE Approved) Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory Cleats Closed toe shoes Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory Bats ASA Approved ASA Approved ASA Approved ASA Approved ASA Approved Max. Runs per inning N/A 4 6 6 6 / 6 Mercy Rule N/A None None None None Batting Order (All Players) Bat Around Bat Around Bat Around Bat Around Bat Around Game can be called by umpire if losing N/A 10 after 4 10 after 4 10 after 4 10 after 4 coach agrees and there are X Runs after Innings Minimum Field Play for Players All on Field Every other inning Every other inning Every other inning Every other inning Max. Innings Pitched Coach Pitches 9 Outs 12 Outs Unlimited Unlimited (Until 4/14) Hit Batters allowed See Special notes 4 (See notes) 4 N/A N/A Time outs Defense/Offense N/A 1 / 1 1 / 1 1 / 1 1 / 1 Bunting No If Player pitches Yes Yes Yes Dropped 3rd strike No No Yes Yes Yes Stealing No One per Pitch Yes Yes Yes Stealing after ball NA Crosses home plate Once the ball leaves the pitcher's hand Stealing Home No No No Yes Yes Advance on Wild Pitch No One Base Max. Yes Yes Yes Advance on Overthrow No Yes Yes Yes Yes Infield Fly Rule No No Yes Yes Yes Special notes: Rule Summary - Diamond Bar Girls Softball -SPRING There are no hit batters, strike outs or walks If 4 balls, coach pitchs 3 more balls to batter.after Apr. 1, no coach pitch, walk is awarded. 3/2/2009 Greg M. Busch