Please arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled start time so 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 end 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. A. GENERAL RULES 1. Uniform shirt, shorts, socks and hat which are supplied by the league must be worn to all games. Base runners, batter, and on- deck batter must wear batting helmets with a protective cage with chinstrap properly attached. Pitchers and 1 st baseman must wear an approved infielder mask or batting helmet. Players may wear running shoes or molded rubber cleats. For comfort reasons, players may wear black pants when weather conditions warrant the wearing of pants. 2. No gum, food, etc. is allowed anywhere on the field including the bench area. Only water bottles will be permitted on the bench. After the completion of the game, food (snack) will be permitted in the bench area. The team is responsible that all garbage is properly disposed. 3. The teams are responsible for the preparation of the diamond, line the field and fill 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/storage bin and locked up. No children are allowed in the equipment shed or storage bins. 4. Coaches are responsible for the behavior of their team 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 Head Coach s involved wish to make them up at a later date and the Division Convenor has approved.
B. PLAYING FIELD 1. Games will start at 6:30pm. No new inning shall be started later than 7:30pm in the months of May & June or 7:45 pm in the months of July & August. Players should be at the park 15 minutes before game time. 2. Bases shall be 45 feet apart and shall be held by a base spikes (min 2) to avoid injury. The pitching machine shall be 30 feet from the point of home plate. C. GAME RULES 1. The length of a mite game is dictated by time (as per Playing Rules: 1) and open to Coaches discretion. 2. Each team shall have a starting line-up of not less than six (6) players to constitute a legal game. Any player arriving late shall be placed at the bottom of the batting order. The player will be allowed to play in the game no matter what inning it is. 3. Three (3) complete innings will constitute a legal game. All games will be played within the game time limit to a maximum of 6 innings. 4. Each batter shall receive a maximum of 5 pitches. At the start of the season teams will be using a pitching machine. Pitching machine to be setup 30 feet from home plate. There will be a 3 foot circle around the machine where no player is allowed to enter for safety reasons. There are no strikeouts incurred by the batter. The batter either fails to hit safely within the 5 pitches or they hit the ball and are out as a result of the ensuing play or they are safe on base. If the batter hits a foul ball on the 5 th pitch, the batter is out. Over the course of the season the Convenor will evaluate the progress of the game and players and will make a determination on introducing pitching. If pitching is introduced during the Mite Division season, the Convenor will determine the limitations and governing rules that relate to pitching in the Mite Division and convey all necessary information to all team coaches and the Umpire Co-ordinator.
When pitching is introduced it will include the stipulation that there will be no walks. The player pitching to the opposing team until the batter receives a 4 th ball, which would normally result in a walk; this is where the game changes. After the 4 th ball, the batter will have a count against her. It will either be 4 balls-0 strikes, 4-1, or 4-2. The hitter's coach or designate for the offensive team will now come in to pitch to his/her batter and carry on the count, resulting in the batter either hitting the ball or striking out. The hitter s coach or designate will get a maximum of 3 pitches to do so and if after 3 pitches the batter does not get a hit, they will be out. The batter's coach must pitch from the mound and may not play the ball (within reason). At the umpire's discretion, the batter may be called "out" if their coach plays the ball. If the 3 rd pitch is fouled, batter is out. 5. Batters cannot walk or bunt. (Bunts are automatic outs) 6. There are no passed balls or wild pitches. 7. Base runners cannot leave the base until the ball makes contact with the bat. One warning will be issued and any infraction after the warning will be considered an out. No stealing is allowed. 8. All catchers are required to wear a mask, helmet, chest protector, shin guards during the game and during any warm-up, etc. The bench coach may need to assist the catcher in getting the equipment on prior to the end of the inning. 9. The Pitcher and 1 st baseman must wear protective facemasks and/or helmets. 10. The defensive team's infield shall consist of a catcher, first, second and third baseman, a shortstop and a pitcher. Any excess players must play in the outfield. 11. An inning will consist of all players on the team batting. The last batter will be announced and play will be to home. 12. The infield fly rule does not apply. 13. These rules may be changed at the Mite Convenor's discretion. 14. Adults warming up pitchers on field or off field should wear a protective mask. 15. When using electric pitching machine, the speed will be set at 30mph.
D. EQUIPMENT Uniform shirt, shorts, socks and hat which are supplied by the league must be worn to all games. Base runners, batter, and on- deck batter must wear batting helmets with protective cages and chinstraps properly attached. Pitchers and 1 st basemen must wear an approved infielder mask or batting helmet. Players may wear running shoes or molded rubber cleats. For comfort reasons, players may wear black pants when weather conditions warrant the wearing of pants. Each player needs a softball glove and batting helmets. Please respect personal equipment and do not use another player s personal equipment without permission. Additionally, MGSA supplies bats, balls, pitching machine, catcher equipment and bases. E. PRACTICE MGSA has adopted the Learn to Play program as our fundamental educational and training tool for our house league divisions. The Mite division will use the program as its primary lesson plan for players and coaches. The program teaches fundamental skills through the use of common children schoolyard 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 player s self-confidence. MGSA encourages parent participation with this program.
F. DEFINITIONS 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 strike is called. Ball Throwing - Rolling, rather than throwing the ball is illegal. 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 should throw to the base player rather than running to make the out, unless running to her own base, or if she is within 10 feet of the base - this is not applicable to tag outs. 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 advance extra bases on overthrows. Base Running Runners may not advance until such time as the ball is legally hit. There is no base stealing or lead-offs allowed. A base runner cannot pass any other base runner.
MITE DIVISION (U10) - CODE OF CONDUCT Parents and coaches, are encouraged to review the Coaches Code of Conduct and the Parents Code of Conduct which can be found at. A. GOALS Our ultimate goal is that each player has an enjoyable season, while enhancing their softball development, having fun, increasing their physical fitness level and engaging in new friendships through the sport of Softball. By the end of the season, we are striving for the following developmental accomplishments for girls participating in the Mite Division: Familiarize players with the concept of teamwork and with the responsibilities of a team-member. Familiarize players with the concept of sportsmanship. Players will demonstrate knowledge of Softball rules applicable to their divisional level. Players will demonstrate knowledge of basic offensive and defensive strategies and roles. Players will be able to identify parts of the softball diamond. Players will be able to identify the positions played in the game. Players will be able to identify equipment used in softball. Players will be able to assume a proper batting position in the batter s box. Players will demonstrate knowledge of the strike zone. Players will be able to hit a ball when at bat. Players will be able to run the bases and score runs. Players will be able to assume the softball ready position on defense. Players will be able to field a ground or fly ball. Players will be able to make a throw to the appropriate base or cut-off player.
MITE DIVISION (U10) 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 e-mail your concerns to info@miltongirlssoftball.ca. 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.
MITE DIVISION (U10) 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. The umpires are to ensure that games start and end in accordance with Mite Division rules and instruct coaches to have their teams assume their offensive and defensive positions. After the game, umpires are to make sure all diamond related equipment used during the game is returned to the shed and locked up. 2. Umpires shall control the game by calling in a loud voice, PLAY BALL, BATTER UP, FOUL BALL, OUT, SAFE and TIME. 3. The umpire will warn the batter if they throw the bat in a manner that could endanger anyone. 4. The Umpire is to familiarize themselves with all the rules and insure that no player, coach or parent abuses the equipment. The consideration for the safety of players and coaches is paramount.