Rules for All Divisions

ASA Girls Softball

1. Dress: full team uniforms must be worn, for games only. Jewelry may not be worn. Sneakers or rubber spikes must be worn. Batting helmets must be worn by the batter, on deck batter and all base runners.
2. In the event of inclement weather, games will be canceled by the Park Department or Softball only. The League reserves the sole right to cancel or reschedule games for any reason other than weather. Rescheduling the games are according to division rules.
3. Coaches must give their line ups to the opposing team with numbers and names if so requested.
4. Coaches are ultimately responsible for player location. Players must stay in the vacinity of the bench unless excused by the coach. Coaches will also be responsible to act upon game disruptions from the spectators.
5. The 12-run rule shall be in effect.
6. The Home Team is responsible for bases and both teams are responsible for post game clean up. Coaches must not leave the playing area until all players have departed.
7. Smoking is prohibited on the playing field.
8. Good sportsmanship is required at all times. Foul language and inappropriate behavior is not permitted. Inappropriate physical contact is not permitted.
9. Umpire judgments are not open for debate. Yelling at the Umpires will not be tolerated. Interpretation of the rules may be discussed by the Head Coach only.
10. Protests dealing with ASA rule or special league rule must be followed by a written protest within 48 hours to the League.

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BI-COUNTY SOFTBALL LEAGUE RULES

U16 Division 2004

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BI-COUNTY SOFTBALL LEAGUE RULES

U12 Division 2004

• All A.S.A., as well as Little League Softball, rules are in effect.
• Dress uniforms must be worn for games. Jewelry may not be worn. Sneakers or rubber spikes must be worn. Batting helmets and chin straps must be worn by the batter, on-deck batter and all base runners. The catcher is required to wear facemask, helmet, chest protection, throat guard and shin guards.
• Cell phone use is not permitted on the bench or in the dugout area.
• No on deck bat swinging allowed.
• Coaches must give their line ups to the opposing team with numbers and names if so requested.
• Coaches are ultimately responsible for player location. Players must stay in the vicinity of the bench unless excused by the coach. Coaches will be responsible to act upon game disruptions from the spectators.
• Only players and coaches are allowed on the bench or in the dugout area.
• Girls who play on a varsity or junior varsity high school softball team may play in the league, but may not pitch in any games.
• .47 core, 11" high vis. balls shall be used. Home team provides game ball.
• Umpires may call a player out who throws the bat after 1 warning.
• The strike zone is from the shoulders to the knees. Pitching distance is 40 ft.
• Teams may have up to 10 fielding positions.
• The game will consist of 6 innings. No extra inning games. Tie games count as ties. A team must have 8 players to start and finish a game. If and when a 9th and 10th player arrives, she must be placed in the last batting position.
• Round Robin batting, each player must play at least 2 innings on defense, unless the game is called because of rain, the 10 run rule, injury, or the home team is ahead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Any inning missed by a player due to late arrival or leaving early can be counted as an inning played.
• Bunting is allowed. Stealing is allowed, however, only one base may be stolen at a time, per batter.
• Intentional walks are not allowed.
• If there is a play at any base except first, the runner must slide.
• 10-Run Mercy rule—Game is called after 5 innings.
• The 5 run rule is in effect for the first 5 innings. The offensive team’s inning ends when the 5th run crosses the plate. The limit is changed for the 6th inning. Both teams may score as many runs possible in the last inning.
• Games will be played at 6pm on Mondays and Wednesdays and 5 pm on Sundays. Rain-outs are to be cancelled 2 hours before game time. It is the responsibility of the home team coach to call the other team coach and to cancel the umpire. Coaches will reschedule at a time convenient for both teams.
• For 3 PM starts, no new inning may start after 4:45; for 5 PM starts, no new inning may start after 6:45, for 6 PM starts, no new inning may start after 7:45 (or dark as determined by umpire and coaches).
• Smoking and alcohol are prohibited on the field or vicinity of the playing field.
• The home team is responsible for bases and both teams are responsible for post game clean up. Coaches must not leave the playing area until all players have departed.
• Good sportsmanship is required at all times. Foul language and inappropriate behavior is not permitted. Inappropriate physical contact is not permitted.
• Umpire judgments are not open for debate. Yelling at the umpires will not be tolerated. Interpretation of the rules may be discussed by the head coach only.

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Instructional Ball Rules:

These rules are consistent with our Instructional Ball philosophies. All rules must be consistently applied. Do not change these rules unless league approved. This is for safety and learning reasons.

1. All players must bat every inning.
2. All players must play in the field two innings. All players are to rotate positions each inning in order to give all children a chance to field the ball.
3. Players who make an out on base, will be considered out, however will remain on base as a runner (outs are not recorded).
4. All infield hits are singles. All outfield hits are doubles. No more than two bases allowed per hit.
5. Only 10 fielders in the field at any one time.
6. Only one on-deck batter allowed, all other players must remain on the bench.
7. After the first round of games, players may be pitched to, by the Coach, if the Coach determines they are ready.
8. The Catcher must remain at a safe distance behind the plate (a minimum of five feet).
9. Bases will be placed on the closest hole (on fields 1, 2, & 3) to home plate (60 feet).
10. Sneakers/cleats must be worn, no exceptions. Uniforms must be worn (shirt & hat) Gloves must be used while in the field. No jewelry. Shorts are not recommended.
11. Helmets must be worn by the batter, base runners and the on-deck batter.
12. The Catcher must wear "catchers" equipment.
13. Only Softball balls, tees, bases and helmets can be used. A child may use their own bat upon approval of the League/Coach.
14. A game must consist of a minimum of three full innings to a maximum of five full innings.
15. Scores are not to be kept.
16. Innings are ended after all offensive players have has a turn to bat, no circling of the bases.
17. At the completion of a game all players will line up for a hand shake.
18. Players must stay in the vicinity of the bench unless excused by the coach. Coaches are ultimately responsible for player location.
19. The home team is responsible for bases and both teams are responsible for post game clean up. Coaches must not leave the playing area until all players have departed with a parent or guardian.
20. In the event of inclement weather games will be canceled by the Park Department or Softball only. The league reserves the sole right to cancel or reschedule games for any reason other than weather.
21. Smoking is prohibited on the playing field. Adult volunteers who smoke should do so by leaving the field area.
22. Good sportsmanship is required at all times. Foul language and inappropriate behavior is not permitted. Interpretation of rules may be discussed by the Head Coach only.
23. Protests dealing with League rules must be dealt with by the League Representative.
24. Winning is not at all important, instruction is. Please keep in mind this is an instructional division.

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Sports Code for Parents:

Appraise your child’s athletic skills and accept them.
Love them for trying and let them know it.
Let them play for the fun of it, not to make you proud or to relive what happened to you as a child- or what you wish had happened.
Encourage them to win, because competition is part of sports, and accept their defeats so they will do the same.
Make sure the coaches know the children as well as he or she knows sports and puts integrity above everything else.
Practice with your child if you want—and they want —but do it as a partner not a coach.
Cheer the team not the individual players.
Compliment the players freely, especially your child, but don’t compare them or complain about them—especially your child.
Skip the advice and replays, particularly on the way to the game, on the way home or at the dinner table.
Go to some, but not all of the games so your child won’t feel pressure to win.
Take your childs complaints with two grains of salt, but believe every success they report.
Recognize the courage it takes to play a game when the whole team counts on you.
Most of all have a good season and enjoy yourselves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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