2011 AAA Division Rules
Start time for all weekday games is 6:30pm
The grace period of 5 minutes will be given.
Games must start by 6:35pm.
This league shall be primarily governed by the “Official Rules of OHSAA Softball” as published 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:
A. Home team duties and responsibilities (Home team listed first on schedule)
1. Use of the first base dugout.
2. Furnish a new game ball.
3. Keep and report the official score.
4. Report the official score to designated league officials within 2 days of game via e-mail or telephone.
5. Home Team has field to warm up from 6:15 to 6:30.
6. Notify visiting manager of rainouts on weekend games.
B. Visiting team duties
1. Use of third base dugout.
2. Furnish a good back up ball.
3. Visiting team has field to warm up from 6:00 to 6:15.
C. Dual Responsibilities
1. 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.
2. Batting orders must be exchanged prior to the start of the game.
3. All teams after each game must clean up the dugout and surrounding area before leaving the fields.
II. General Rules:
A. 12” yellow softball will be used.
B. The defensive team will play 10 players to include 4 outfielders, which shall play at least 8 feet from any base.
C. There is no on deck circle. Players can not practice swing until stepping into the batters box.
D. All players must be in full uniform. (hat, shirt, and pants)
E. No player is able to wear jewelry. Newly pierced ears must be bandaged.
F. 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.
G. There is a 3 out or 10-batter limit from the 4th inning on. 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. There is a 3 out or 6 run limit the first (3) innings.
H. The game shall consist of no more than 6 innings or the time limit of 1 hour and 30 minutes.
I. Any inning started before the time limit is up must be completed in its entirety.
J. If a game is tied at the time limit or the full 6 innings is completed, both teams must play until a winner is determined.
K. After (4) innings of play, if a team is up by more than 15 runs the game is over.
L. The pitching distance will be 40 feet. A pitching circle (8-foot radius) is marked off around the pitching rubber. Pitchers must pitch from the rubber.
M. The starting pitcher is allowed (8) warm up pitches there first inning. After the first inning the pitchers are allowed (5) warm up pitches.
N. When the ball is in the possession of the pitcher within the pitching circle, play is stopped and the ball is dead. If a base runner has committed to the next base, she may continue to that base at the risk of being thrown out. The ball remains dead until the ball is pitched and crosses home plate.
O. No leading off or stealing until the ball leaves the pitchers hand. If a player leaves before the ball is released the Umpire will call the
runner out.
P. A player must slide if a play is close call at the bases or home plate. Players not sliding in which two or more players will collide will be called out.
Q. On a 3rd strike in which the ball goes by the catcher, the batter is out but the runner can steal a base.
R. The infield fly rule will apply.
S. The offensive team is allowed a 1st and 3rd base coach.
T. Each player must be in the game for a minimum of 6 defensive outs.
U. There is no restriction on the speed of the pitch. The pitcher must use a windmill or sling shot motion to deliver the pitch.
V. An 11 year-old must pitch at least (1) inning by the 4th inning, pitchers can reenter the game at any time. Pitchers cannot leave and reenter in the same inning. There is no limit to the inning limit on pitchers except noted above.
W. Major games cannot be played with less than (7) players.
X. A “Courtesy Runner” can/will be used when there are (2) outs and the catcher is on base. This will keep the game going.
Y. Call ups from the minor league is 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.
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.
THIS IS JUST A GAME!
DON’T TAKE IT TOO SERIOUSLY!
HAVE FUN!