Current WGSA League Rules (2011)
WESTLAKE GIRLS SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION
2011 LEAGUE RULES - Co-Ed T-Ball, PIGTAIL, MINOR, DOVER, DEMON, and Westshore Softball League (formerly Senior Demon) DIVISIONS
Registration
Annual registration takes place the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Saturdays in February (2 of the 3 dates based on scheduling availability), from 9am to 1pm at the Recreation Center, or as otherwise announced in advance. A late fee policy of $25 will be reinstate in 2009 and assessed to anyone registering after those days in addition to the regular registration fees.
Player Eligibility
All girls (within established age restrictions) that live in Westlake or go to school in Westlake are eligible to participate in the Westlake Girls Softball Association (WGSA) League. Girls that don't live in and attend high school outside of Westlake may participate as long as they played in the WGSA during some of their elementary or junior high school years. The WGSA Board of Directors may, from time to time, allow other nonresidents to participate in the League provided, in the Board’s sole discretion, doing so will not bar Westlake residents from joining the League.
Defensive Player Rotation
Due to the recreational nature of the League, coaches are encouraged to rotate their players at all positions to encourage skill development and maintain player interest. In certain cases, the rules specify a minimum level of rotation but this should not discourage more liberal position changes.
Amateur Softball Association (ASA) Playing Rules. The slow-pitch and fast-pitch programs abide by the rules set forth in the 2005 A.S.A. manual. Some of these rules have been modified by The WGSA League as follows:
ALL DIVISIONS
1. CONDUCT: No spectators, coaches or team members are allowed immediately behind the backstop or near or on the field. Unsportsmanlike conduct and abusive or foul language by players, spectators, or coaches is forbidden. ONE WARNING MAY BE GIVEN, BUT IS NOT NECESSARY FOR EJECTION BY THE UMPIRE. Players, spectators, or coaches failing to leave the field within five (5) minutes of ejection by an umpire will result in the immediate forfeiture of the game by their respective team. Furthermore, players or coaches ejected from any game by an umpire will be automatically suspended for the next two (2) games. This includes All-Star games and playoff games. A second ejection during the same season will result in a suspension for the remainder of the season. Suspended individuals will not be permitted to be at the field thirty (30) minutes prior to and during the scheduled game time. Failure to observe the above policy will result in automatic suspension for the remainder of the season. There will be no appeal process once a suspension is given and no registration fees will be refunded. Umpires will eject coaches, players or spectators before, during or after games for infractions which the league considers unsportsmanlike behavior including, but not limited to, the following:
a) Threats of physical intimidation towards umpires, players, coaches or spectators including threatening physical conduct.
b) Verbal abuse of umpires, players, coaches or spectators such as profanity, name-calling, belittlement or excessive harassment. (e.g., balls, strikes and safe/out calls by the umpire are judgment calls and are not debatable).
c) Throwing of equipment. (e.g., bats, helmets, gloves, etc.)
d) Fighting involving coaches and/or players (Which will result in immediate suspension of any/all participants for the remainder of the season.)
As representatives of the Westlake Girls Softball Association, it is all of our responsibilities to set positive examples of fair play and sportsmanship to the players and their families on and off the field.
2. FACILITIES/MEDICAL FORMS/SUPPLIES: COACHES MUST BRING REGISTRATION/MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION FORMS & MEDICAL KITS TO ALL GAMES, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT AN ICE PACK OR ICE CUBES BE AVAILABLE AS WELL. THE OUTDOOR RESTROOMS AT THE RECREATION CENTER BALLFIELDS WILL BE CLOSED AND LOCKED AT 6:00 PM ON SUNDAY EVENINGS DUE TO THEIR TIE-IN WITH THE RECREATION CENTER SECURITY SYSTEM.
3. UNIFORMS: Players should wear tie shoes (i.e. no flip-flops, clogs or beach sandals). No metal cleats are allowed - molded cleats only (if used). Uniforms must be worn unaltered for all games (i.e., no torn shirts, etc.). Jewelry of any kind cannot be worn during a game except for post-style pierced earrings.
4. EQUIPMENT: BAGS & MEDICAL KITS ARE TO BE TURNED IN AT THE COACHES WRAP-UP MEETING SCHEDULED in AUGUST.
5. GAME PREPARATION: IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COACHING STAFF TO STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF HUSTLING ON AND OFF THE FIELD! IN ADDITION, THE COACH SHOULD HAVE PREPARED IN ADVANCE THE GAME PLAN, SPECIFICALLY, PLAYER POSITIONING!
6. OPEN WOUNDS/INJURIES: A player or coach who is bleeding or who has an open wound shall be prohibited from participating further in the game until appropriate treatment has been administered. If medical care or treatment can be administered in a reasonable amount of time, the individual does not have to leave the game, the length of time that is considered reasonable is judged by the umpire. The re-entry rule would apply to players for whom medical treatment cannot be rendered in a reasonable amount of time. If there is an excessive amount of blood on the uniform, it must be changed before that individual may participate (any T-shirt or shorts are acceptable). Any casts, splits, or medical wraps worn by players must be properly padded. Players with physical or medical limitations who bat will be expected to run except in the case of an injury experienced during the most-recent at bat.
7. DEFENSE: All girls must play a defensive position for a minimum of three innings per game. All infielders (except pitcher and catcher) must remain behind the pitching rubber prior to the ball being hit.
8. PROTECTION: Helmets must be worn while at bat and running the bases during all games and practices. Catchers must wear helmets/facemasks (and shin guards for fast pitch divisions) and chest protectors at all games & practices. Sliding shorts are also recommended for the older divisions.
9. PITCHING: Replacement pitchers will be allowed three warm-up tosses. Pitchers are to have only three warm-up tosses prior to the start of each inning (except prior to the first inning when they will be allowed seven warm-ups). ASA rules govern pitching delivery. Slow-Pitch: The ball must be pitched with a perceptible arc of 6 to 10 feet high. If the pitched ball has an illegal arc, the umpire will call the pitch a ball unless the batter swings at it. Flat Pitch: See the rules in the Minor Division. Fast Pitch: Pitchers must use a windmill motion. Pitchers must have both feet touching the pitching rubber when starting their motion and take only one step toward home plate as they release the ball (i.e.; no “crow-hopping�). The umpire will call an illegal pitch a ball unless the batter swings at it.
10. FORFEITS: A team may start a game with a minimum of SEVEN players (i.e., six or fewer is a forfeit). However, if a team ends up with less than seven players due to an injury occurring during a game, the team does not have to forfeit. There will be a 10-minute grace period past the scheduled start time to allow enough girls to arrive; game length time is measured from the scheduled start time not the actual start time. Players may be freely substituted. Games will be rescheduled due to rainouts only, no exceptions. It is the coach’s responsibility to insure that they have at least the minimum number of players, to avoid a forfeit.
11. All games are a maximum of 7 innings or will last 1 hour and 30 minutes (PIXIE one hour), whichever comes first. THERE WILL BE NO TIE GAMES IN THE DOVER, DEMON, AND SENIOR DEMON DIVISIONS. Tied games will be played to their conclusion regardless of time, unless weather or darkness stops the game (at umpire’s discretion). No new innings are otherwise to start after the 1 1/2 hours are completed. A game is “complete� if 5 innings are played (4 1/2 innings if the winning team is up to bat last) and the umpire calls the game due to weather or darkness. In the event of rain after the start of the game, the umpire will determine whether to continue or postpone the game. All “complete� games stopped due to rain or darkness shall not be made up. The score that exists at the end of the last complete inning prior to the rain out shall be considered the final score. All rained out games not “completed� must be rescheduled. Rescheduled rain-out games shall be resumed at the point in which they were postponed; however, different line-ups are allowable.
12. Make-up games are mandatory, except Pixie, Pigtail and Minor divisions. The forfeit rules still applies for make-up games. If both teams fail to have enough players for a make-up game, a double forfeit shall be recorded in the standings.
13. RAIN MAKE-UP GAMES:
For the 2011 softball season, rained out games will be made up at the discretion of the Division Director based on field availability
14. If lightning is sighted or thunder is heard the game must be STOPPED IMMEDIATELY and postponed or completed based on the inning rule (see rule number 11).
15. Assume all games are to be played as scheduled, unless the rain out number recorded message or WGSA website (“GAME DAY UPDATE�) says otherwise. Before the game, if the weather is bad, the umpires will decide if the game should be postponed. ONLY THE HEAD COACH SHOULD CALL THE RAIN OUT NUMBER AND NOTIFIES THE REST OF THE TEAM! To prevent field damage, you are not permitted to use the field if the game is called because of rain. No raking, shoveling or sweeping is allowed to try to make the field playable.
16. If umpires don't show up for the game, the coaches may agree upon a spectator to umpire.
17. Coaches are not allowed inside the left and right field fences unless they are coaching 1st or 3rd base. Coaching players from behind the backstop by coaches, team members or spectators is also prohibited!
18. When the ball goes out of play, runners may advance only 1 base. That is, the base they are going to plus one additional base.
19. The infield is the dirt area and the outfield is the grass on all Westlake Girls Softball fields and divisions.
20. All players will bat in all divisions. All players bat in the batting order before the 1st batter bats again. A player who bats out of order shall be called out. A player arriving late may be inserted at the end of the line up as the last batter.
21. Pinch runners are only allowed for an injured player that is removed from the game. The last player in the lineup that made an out must be inserted as the pinch runner.
22. No on deck practice swings are to be taken except at fields equipped with a batting cage. Only 1 batter is allowed inside the cage at a time! Bats should be kept behind the backstop or against the fence nearest the bench or placed on the rack if available. For safety reasons, only official regulation softball or Tee-ball bats will be allowed (i.e., no hardball bats). A batter is out if she throws a bat after hitting the ball (umpire's judgment).
23. In the event that the All-Star game is rained out, that game will be rescheduled as soon as possible. If it is rained out a second time - the game will be cancelled and each Division Director will distribute the All-Star trophies to each of the head coaches in the division to distribute to players.
24. Westlake Girls Softball Board reserve the right to rule on any issue that happens during the season and reserve the right to remove anyone from our league for any reason. We reserve this right and will use it only when the board deems necessary.
PLAYOFFS: Playoff positions will be determined by the regular season standings in the MINOR, DOVER, DEMON and SENIOR DEMONDIVISIONS. In the event of a tie in the regular season standings, the division winner and playoff positions will be determined first by head-to-head competition results. If this is inconclusive, the winner will be determined by a coin flip by the division director and the respective head coaches. Home team for all playoff games and All-Star games will be determined by a coin flip before the game starts by the umpire and the two head coaches.
Co-Ed Tball League overview
The inaugural season of the tee ball league will invite boys and girls ages 5-6 to play in an instructional league, which will serve as the entry point for the Westlake Rec League. It will be unique from other Tee Ball leagues in the area (Bay Village, Westlake Rec Center, and YMCA) in three primary ways:
Teams will be coached by parents
Practices and games will be held during early evenings and weekends
Games will follow a more traditional baseball format to prepare youths to excel in future Westlake Rec Leagues
Eligibility
Child must be in kindergarten, or
Child must be old enough to register for kindergarten for 2011-12 academic year
Westlake residents.
League rules
Batting
Batter hits from a tee
Each team follows a perpetual order for the remainder of the game
Each inning ends when a team has scored 5 runs or when 3 outs are recorded
Batters must wear helmets
Batters will be given every opportunity to hit off the tee, if unable after 5-6 swings, the batter proceeds to first base
Fielding
Players must rotate positions in the field each inning.
Team in field may record outs, however, and retire batters
Player fielding the pitcher and catcher positions must wear a helmet
Pitcher position may be fielded anywhere near the existing pitching rubber
Outfielders may position themselves at least ten feet behind the base paths behind the infielders
No more than four infielders, however, an outfielder may come in to make an infield putout, if warranted
All players must play simultaneously in the field every inning
Base running
Batters must stop at first on a hit
Runners should advance on base at a time
No leadoffs
No stealing bases
Sliding is permitted, but not encouraged
Scoring
Score is not kept, no losers, we're all winners
Teams / coaches
Teams will be coed. Objective will be to have an even distribution of boys and girls on each team
Coaches will be volunteer parents as in Rec Baseball leagues
Buddy system will be employed as in Rookie league
Schedules - Season will be divided into two parts:Â practices and games
Practices will start by mid April
No more than two planned practices per week – one weekday and one weekend
Six - eight planned practices total
Games will start the second week of May and be complete before 4th of July
No more than two planned games per week – one weekday and one weekend
Goal would be to schedule 14 games total
End of season kickball tournament would be included, as has been done in the past
Any makeup games due to rainouts are at the discretion of the coaches and subject to field availability. Must notify scheduler and commissioner
Practices and Games last for 4 innings or 1 hour, whichever comes first
PIGTAIL DIVISION
1. Base distances: 55 ft.
2. Coaches pitch in Pigtail Division, approximately 20-25 ft. from the plate. There is a limit of seven pitches per batter. (ONLY 1 BALL IN PLAY DURING GAMES). If the batter does not hit the ball, it is not an out, batter returns to the bench. Each team shall bat through their lineup once per half inning. After batting through thelineup once, the half inning is over. If three outs occur before the team bats through their lineup, the inning is over.
3. There are no balls and strikes called and no outs by strikes. No score is kept and no forfeits.
4. Make-up games due to rainouts, though scheduled, are optional and will be up to the discretion of the coaches involved; no umpire will be provided for make-ups.
5. There is no stealing allowed and no lead-offs from the bases. Runners may not leave the base until the ball is hit. Most fields have a double first base. When a double base is present, runner is to step on the base on the right side (orange) and the fielder touches the base on the left (white).
6. No girls shall play the same position in the field for more than 1 inning of an entire game.
7. There is no infield fly rule.
8. There are no advancements on overthrows. There is no advancement once the ball, hit to the outfield, has been thrown back into the infield. Once the ball has hit the dirt, or a player's glove, the runners may no longer advance. The ball does not have to be caught or returned to the pitcher to stop the advancement.
9. All girls play each inning in the field but only eight infielders, including the catcher, are allowed on the dirt.
10. Two coaches are allowed in the outfield to instruct their players in the field, but should not interfere or touch a ball in play.
MINOR DIVISION
1. Base distances: 55 ft. Pitching distance: 33 ft.
2. Flat Pitch Definition -- A legal pitch is a flat pitch delivered with a limited wind-up. The pitcher may not use a “windmill.� The pitcher may take the ball behind the back on the back swing, but no higher than shoulder level. A strike is across the plate between the lowest part of the batter's knee and the top of the uniform letters. A legal pitch must have a negligible arc. A batter is not awarded first base if hit by a pitch.
3. A maximum of 10 players may bat per half inning. If 3 outs occur prior to the 10th batter, the inning is over. The 10th batter cannot be walked; she must get a hit or make an out. Example #1: If there are 2 outs, bases loaded, and the 10th batter hits a home run, all 4 runs will count and the inning is over. Example #2: If there is 1 out, bases loaded and the 10th batter in the inning hits a triple, 3 runs score and the inning is over.
4. The winning coach must contact the Division Director with the game score immediately after the game. Standings will be kept to determine playoff positions. Under no circumstances will a Division Director calculate win/loss standings that exclude a team who neglected to properly call in their “win.� Coaches will not report standings or scores to the newspapers or media.
5. There is no intentional bunting, leading off base, sliding or stealing. There is also no batter advancement on a dropped third strike. There is no infield fly rule.
6. Runners may not leave the base until the ball is hit. Most fields have a double first base. When a double base is present, runner is to step on the base on the right side (orange) and the fielder touches the base on the left (white).
7. When a ball is fielded in the outfield, provided that it was not touched by an infielder (see rule 7.A.) the fielder needs only to throw the ball to the infield to stop the play. When the ball reaches the dirt anywhere on the infield or touches the glove of a player standing on the dirt of the infield, the base runners are stopped. If the base runner is half way or more to the next base, the runner may take that base. If the runner is less than half way to the next base, the runner must return to the previous base, judgment of the half-way point is made by the umpire(s).
7.A. When a batted ball is touched by an infielder, regardless of the result of the initial touch or resulting play, baserunners may only advance one base. Meaning, if the touched ball rolls into the outfield, or the infielder makes the play and overthrows the intended base, baserunners will only be allowed to proceed to initial base that said runner would have advanced to. Example #1 bases are loaded and the batted ball is initially touched, but not fielded, by the 2nd baseman. The ball rolls into the outfield where it comes to rest. Each runner will advance one base which will result in 1 run scored and the bases would remain loaded for the next batter. Example #2 Runner on first base only, the batted ball is fielded by the shortstop who overthrows 2nd base. The runner that was on first will stop at 2nd base. The batter will remain at 1st base.Â
8. The pitcher must be replaced after walking 4 batters consecutively in 1 inning. The pitcher who has been removed can pitch subsequent innings if so desired by the coach.
9. This division plays with up to 12 girls on the field with a maximum of 7 infielders including the catcher and pitcher. Pitchers and defensive player positions must be rotated every two innings (i.e., no player should be in the same position more than 2 innings in a row). A player may resume a position once rotated for two innings.
10. In this division, a regular season game will be considered complete if four innings have been played (3 ½ innings if the home team is ahead) and/or the game has been played a full 1 ½ hours. A new inning will not begin after 1 hour and 10 minutes have been played. The “mercy rule� will be in effect if one team is ahead by 10 runs after 4 full innings have been played. Ties will be counted as a half win and a half loss in the standings.
11. Playoff games must last a minimum of one hour and a maximum of 1.5 hours or 7 full innings (whichever is first - unless there is a tie). . A new inning will not begin after 1 hour and 10 minutes have been played. In the event of a tie, the game will continue with full innings being played until there is a winner. In the event of inclement weather or darkness, that game will be resumed the next day.
DOVER DIVISION
1. Base distances: 55 ft. Pitching distance: 38 ft.
2. For protection, players are encouraged to wear sweatpants or sliding pants. Catchers must wear helmets/facemasks, chest protectors and shin guards at all games and practices.
3. If a pitcher hits two batters in the same inning, she must be removed as the pitcher immediately and cannot pitch for the remainder of that inning. She may be put back in to pitch in a subsequent inning in the same game. However, if she hits one more batter, she cannot pitch for the remainder of that game. Overall, there is a maximum of three hit batters per game per pitcher. That is, once a pitcher hits three batters in total in any combination of innings, she cannot pitch for the rest of the game.
4. Batters advance to first base when hit by a pitched ball, even if the ball hits the dirt prior to striking the batter.
5. The winning coach must contact the Division Director with the game score within 48 hours. Standings will be kept to determine playoff positions. Under no circumstances will a Division Director calculate win/loss standings that exclude a team who neglected to properly call in their “win.� Coaches will not report standings or scores to the newspapers or media.
6. This division has a 15-runs “mercy� rule after four full innings and no other limitations in terms of number of batters and/or runs per inning.
7. The infield fly rule does not apply.
8. In this division a runner may steal third base from second. The runner may not advance on a catcher’s overthrow if she was successful in stealing third base. However, runners may advance on all other overthrows that remain in play. There are no lead-offs from any base until the pitched ball passes home plate. If the runner leaves early, she will be called out. Runners must return to base when the ball is in the pitcher’s control. A runner must commit to steal a base before the ball is back in the pitcher’s control. Most fields have a double first base. When a double base is present, runner is to step on the base on the right side (orange) and the fielder touches the base on the left (white).
9. A dropped third strike is a live ball when first base is unoccupied regardless of the number of outs.
10. When a ball is hit into the outfield, play will stop when the ball enters the infield from the outfield and is caught or picked up by any infielder. Once the infielder has control of the ball, the runners may no longer advance. If the base runner is half way or more to the next base, the runner may take that base. If the runner is less than half way to the next base, the runner must return to the previous base. Judgment of the half-way point is made by the umpire(s).
11. This division will sanction optional “feet first� only sliding. If the runner has no chance of scoring or reaching the intended base without having to have contact with the fielder, she shall either slide or give up the base. Any player abusing this policy (e.g., barreling over another player) will be ejected from the game for unsportsmanlike conduct at the discretion of the umpire.
12. A pitcher must be replaced after walking 4 batters consecutively in 1 inning. The pitcher who has been removed can pitch subsequent innings if so desired by the coach. A team may use any combination of travel team pitchers to collectively pitch up to 3 innings (nine outs) per game. All other innings must be pitched by non-travel team pitchers.
13. This division plays with 11 girls on the field with a maximum of 6 infielders including the catcher and pitcher.
14. Coaches may only file a protest to the head umpire during the playing of the game and before the next pitch. If volunteer umpires are used, no protest can be filed.
DEMON DIVISION
1. Base distances: 60 ft. Pitching distance: 40 ft.
2. For protection, we encourage players to wear sliding shorts. Catchers must wear helmets/facemasks, chest protectors and shin guards at all games and practices.
3. Every girl is eligible to bat throughout the game, whether they are in the field or not. Should a player leave the game due to injury; the team will not be assessed an automatic out when it is that players turn to bat.
4. This division has a 15-runs “mercy rule� after 4 full innings with no other limitations in terms of number of batters and/or number of runs per inning.
5. The winning coach must contact the Division Director with the game score within 48 hours. Standings will be kept to determine playoff positions. Under no circumstances will a Division Director calculate win/loss standings that exclude a team who neglected to properly call in their “win�. Coaches will not report standings or scores to the newspapers or media.
6. In light of the recreational nature of the WGSA, girls that have pitched for a high school team - at any level - are ineligible to pitch in WGSA games. Girls that have pitched for a travel team - in grades 7-8 - can pitch a maximum of two innings. All other innings must be pitched by non-travel team pitchers. Violation of this rule will result in a one game loss regardless of the score. If a team violates this rule a second time – that team can be eliminated from the playoffs and/ or forfeit the remaining games during the season. The division director will determine the degree of the sanctions on any team in the Demon division.
7. This division allows the runner to steal all bases after the pitched ball passes home plate. Runners may also advance on all other overthrows that remain in play. However, there are no lead-offs from any base until the ball passes home plate. If the runner leaves early, she will be called out. Runners must return to base when the ball is in the pitcher’s control. A runner must commit to steal a base before ball is back in the pitcher’s control. Most fields have a double first base. When a double base is present, the runner is to step on the base on the right side (orange) and the fielder touches the base on the left (white).
8. This division will sanction optional “feet first� only sliding. If the runner has no chance of scoring or reaching the intended base without having to have contact with the fielder, she shall either slide or give up the base. Any player abusing this policy (e.g., barreling over another player) will be ejected from the game for unsportsmanlike conduct at the discretion of the umpire.
9 This division plays with 10 girls on the field with a maximum of 6 infielders including the catcher and pitcher.
10. Coaches may only file a protest to the head umpire during the playing of the game and before the next pitch. If volunteer umpires are used, no protest can be filed.
11. Batters advance to first base when hit by a pitched ball even if the ball hits the dirt prior to striking the batter.
12. 12-in softballs are required for play.
13. A dropped third strike is a live ball when first base is unoccupied and there are less than two outs. With two outs, a dropped third strike is a live ball even if first base is occupied.
Girls Fast Pitch - Rules for West Shore Softball League
Start time for all weekday games is 6:30pm; The grace period of 5 minutes will be given. Games must start by 6:35pm.
The “OHSAA Official Rules of Softball� shall primarily govern this league. Each year, with the exception of the following modifications to the existing rules, and or additions of the special new rules, which have been generated and Board approved in the interest of safety, fair play, and more even competition.
I. Pre game and post game rules:
Home team duties and responsibilities (Home team listed first on schedule)
Use of the first base dugout.
Furnish a new game ball.
Keep and report the official score.
Report the official score to designated league officials within 2 days of game via e-mail or telephone.
Home Team has field to warm up from 6:15 to 6:30.
Home team responsible to notify visiting team coach of rain outs.
Visiting team duties
Use of third base dugout.
Furnish a good back up ball.
Visiting team has field to warm up from 6:00 to 6:15.
Dual Responsibilities
All players and equipment not directly involved in game must remain in dugout. A manager or coach may excuse a player, if necessary providing it does not delay the game.
Batting orders must be exchanged prior to the start of the game.
All teams after each game must clean up the dugout and surrounding area before leaving the fields.
II. General Rules:
12� yellow softball will be used.
The defensive team will play 10 players (when available) to include 4 outfielders, which shall play at least 8 feet from any base.
There is no on deck circle. Players cannot practice swing until stepping into the batters box. Teams must have at least 7 players to start game.
All players must be in full uniform. (hat, shirt, and pants)
No metal cleats are allowed.
No player is able to wear jewelry. Newly pierced ears must be bandaged.
All players present will bat in a continuous batting order. If a player shows up late, her name goes to the bottom of the batting order.
There is a 3 out or 10-batter limit. When the 10th batter comes to bat, a two out situation automatically exists. The official score keeper shall notify the home plate umpire and managers of the 10th batter.
The game shall consist of 7 innings or the time limit of 2 hours. No new inning will start after 2 hours.
Any inning started before the time limit is up may be completed in its entirety.
If a game is tied after 7 innings of play, both teams should play until a winner is determined not to exceed time limit.
After (5) innings of play, if a team is up 10 runs or more the game is over.
The pitching distance will be 43 feet. A pitching circle (8-foot radius) is marked off around the pitching rubber.
The starting pitcher is allowed (8) warm up pitches there first inning. After the first inning the pitchers are allowed (8) warm up pitches.
No leading off until the ball has been released from the pitcher. If a player leaves before the ball has been released from the pitcher the Umpire will call the runner out.
Stealing is only allowed when the ball has been released from the pitcher. Stealing of Home is permitted.
There is no malicious contact allowed at umpire discretion. If a runner has a close play they shouldslide to avoid contact withthe player to avoid contactcall. You can not have malicious contact without contact.
On a 3rd strike called by the umpire which is not caught by the catcher, the batter becomes a runner, providing (1) first base is unoccupied or (2) first base is occupied with two (2) outs. A batter forfeits the opportunity to advance to first when she enters the dugout or any other dead ball area.
The infield fly rule will apply.
The offensive team is allowed a 1st and 3rd base coach.
Each player must be in the game for a minimum of 6 defensive outs.
There is no restriction on the speed of the pitch. The pitcher must use a windmill or slingshot motion to deliver the pitch.
A “Courtesy Runner� can be used when the catcher is on base. This will keep the game going.
Call-ups are expected rather than a forfeit. However, there should be a system in place to allow various girls the opportunity to “play up� rather than having the same girl constantly being called up. Call ups are not allowed to pitch.
At the discretion of the manager and the approval of the League Directors, a player may be suspended for disciplinary reasons for a game. If this occurs a second time, the Board of Directors shall review the player for possible expulsion from the league. All league officials can recommend disciplinary action to the Board for all off field violations by players, managers, coaches, etc. while at any Little League function.
