2010 “AA” Division RULES
Revised: May 15, 2010
Coaches must bring emergency contact forms & first aid kits to all games.
A. S. A. PLAYING RULES
The fast-pitch program abides by the rules set forth in the 2000 A.S.A. manual. Some of these rules have been modified by The Bay Girls’ Softball Club and are listed below.
1: UNIFORMS
Girls should wear tie shoes (no flip-flops, clogs or beach sandals). No metal cleats – molded cleats only (if used). Uniforms must be worn unaltered for all games (i.e. No torn shirts, etc.). Catchers must wear facemask/helmet combo, shin guards and chest protectors at all games & practices. HELMETS MUST BE WORN WHILE AT BAT AND RUNNING THE BASES IN ALL DIVISIONS DURING GAMES AND AT PRACTICE. (This applies to bat-boys or bat-girls, too). EQUIPMENT BAGS & FIRST AID KITS ARE TO BE TURNED IN AT THE COACHES WRAP-UP MEETING SCHEDULED AT THE SEASONS’ END.
For protection, we highly encourage players to wear sweatpants or sliding pants. For 2009, players will be required to wear batting helmets equipped with face protective masks. Each team will have helmets fitted with facemasks. Additional safety equipment for pitchers and infielders is at the discretion of coaches and parents, but highly recommended, including mouth guards and protective facemasks for pitchers and fielders closest to the plate.
2: SCHEDULES / STANDINGS
In the event of rain after the start of the game, the umpire/coaches will determine whether to continue or postpone the game. If lightning is sighted the game must be stopped immediately.
A game that has been partially played (less than ½ of the scheduled length has passed) and halted due to weather, will resume the game at a mutually agreed upon time/date (home team coach should call the division commissioner.) Coaches should note inning, base-runners, outs, etc. so that game can pick up where it left off.
Assume all games are to be played as scheduled, unless the rain out is noted on the home page of the website at www.baygirlssoftball.org. Before the 2010 “AA” Division RULES
game, if the weather is bad, coaches and umpires will decide if the game should be postponed. Commissioners may or may not call head coaches in the event of rain-outs. Please check the website first.
In the event of a rain-out, the commissioner shall notify the head coaches of the next available make-up game time. The coaches are responsible for calling his/her team players with the make-up date and time.
Older divisions will be given priority on the fields for make-up games. The Umpire Manager will make arrangements for an umpire.
The winning coach is required to immediately contact the Division Commissioner with the game score. Under no circumstances will a Division Commissioner 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.
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 to dry the field.
Games are a maximum of 6 innings, or will last 1 hour and 30 minutes from the scheduled start time, whichever comes first.
Games should end by finishing an inning. If time is running out, coaches should agree whether or not to start a new inning (generally innings take 15-20 min to complete.) A game may end in a tie if time has run out and the inning has been completed. During playoffs, games will be a full 6 innings. If the game is tied at the end of the 6th inning, extra inning will be played until a winner is declared.
3: OPEN WOUNDS OR 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 umpire judgment. The re-entry rule would apply to players. 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).
No player is to start a game or continue in a game with a broken bone, cast, splint or wrap.
4: GAME PREPARATION
It is the responsibility of the coaching staff to stress the importance of hustling on and off the field (catchers should get geared-up ahead of time)! In addition, the coach should have prepared in advance the game plan, specifically, player positioning!
All bases and the pitching rubber should be secured to the ground with spikes provided (or located in the lock box).
An optional 7 foot (radius) pitching circle may be drawn around the pitching rubber. (See Section 8 for further rules).
Home field coach should measure the pitching distance prior to the start of the game. If it is incorrect, the rubber should be moved to the correct position, which is 30 ft. from the home-plate side of the rubber to the pointed side of home plate. The distance from home plate to first base (base paths) should be 55 ft.
5: PITCHING
Pitchers may use a full windmill motion. The pitcher shall start with the pivot foot (right foot for right hander, left foot for left hander) on or partially on the top surface of the pitcher’s plate and the non-pivot in contact with or behind the pitcher’s plate. Both feet must be on the ground within or partially within the 24 inch length of the pitcher’s plate. At the start of the windup a step backward is permitted so long as the pivot foot remains in contact with the pitchers plate. After the step backward is completed and the pitcher begins her windup the pitcher shall only be permitted one step forward toward the batter and simultaneous with delivery. The pivot foot may remain in contact with or may push off and drag away from the pitching plate prior to the front foot touching the ground, as long as the pivot foot remains in contact with the ground and within the 24 inch length. Pushing off with the pivot foot from a place other than the pitcher’s plate is illegal. It is illegal for the pitcher to “leap” forward where both feet are in the air at the same time (the pivot foot must remain in contact with the pitching plate or must drag on the ground) and it is illegal for the pitcher to crow hop which is a replant of the pivot foot prior to delivery. If the pitcher makes an illegal pitch the umpire will call that pitch a ball.”AA” division pitchers are the most inexperienced. In an effort to promote pitching at a basic level in this division, pitchers may use a “1/2 windmill” motion if preferred. The pitcher’s body should face 3rd base (for right handed pitchers) and the pitcher should start the pitch with the body in the “X” position, with pivot foot in contact with the pitching plate. Pitcher may then drag pivot foot forward, keeping contact with ground during delivery and release the pitch near her hip. This motion should be enforced by both coaches and umpires. In the interest of developing more pitchers, pitchers can pitch a maximum of 3 innings per game.
Replacement pitchers will be allowed 5 warm-up tosses. Pitchers are to have only 5 warm-up tosses (with the catcher or a coach) prior to the start of each inning. The pitcher must have 1 foot touching the pitching rubber, when she releases the ball and pitchers must pitch within the frame of the pitching rubber. The pitcher is to take only 1 step forward as she releases the ball and drags her foot off of the rubber. The umpire will call an illegal pitch a ball.
IN BOTH THE CASE OF THE EXPERIENCED AND INEXPERIENCED PITCHER, THE BALL MUST BE PITCHED WITH LITTLE OR NO ARC OR THE UMPIRE WILL CALL AN ILLEGAL PITCH A BALL.
*AN “EXPERIENCED” PITCHER IS ONE WHO HAS SHOWN PROFICIENCY WITH THE ½ WINDMILL MOTION & IS CAPABLE OF DELIVERING THE FULL WINDMILL PITCH.
A balk will count as a ball.
Pitching distance: 30 ft.
Ball Size: 11 inches.
6: SLIDING
Sliding is prohibited.
7: OVERTHROWS & RUNNER ADVANCEMENT
Runner is granted 1 base on an overthrow that goes out-of-play. Runner may attempt to advance 1 base on an overthrow that is not out-of-play, then the ball shall be returned to the pitcher.
8: BATTING
ALL: ALL girls in attendance bat in the batting order before the 1st batter bats again, regardless of whether or not they played defense that inning.
The batter must be wearing a helmet before leaving the dugout. No on- deck practice swings are to be taken in any Division except at fields
equipped with a batting cage. Only 1 batter inside the cage at a time! Bats should be kept behind the backstop or against the fence nearest the bench or placed on the bat rack if available. Practice swings in the batters’ box should only be attempted if the batter has asked for a time-out from the umpire in advance.
No pinch runners, or substitutions unless the runner is injured during the play. The only exception is when the catcher is on base in a 2-out situation. A runner may be substituted for the catcher to allow the catcher to suit up for the next inning. (Catchers should not be holding up play. Please help them get ready in advance!)
A player who bats out of order shall be called out. Girls arriving late may be inserted at the end of the line up as last batter.
A batter is out if she throws a bat after getting a hit (umpire’s judgment).
Batters advance to first base when hit by a pitched ball.
No advancement on a dropped third strike.
A maximum of 6 runs per half inning. Once the sixth run is scored, players change sides. In the case of a live situation with the potential for scoring over 6 runs (bases loaded – 5 runs in already), only the 6th run will count and the half inning will end.
No advancement on a dropped third strike.
Pitches that are between “chin and shin” are hittable, and players are encouraged to swing or be called out on strikes. In addition, a ball that is within 2 inches, either side of the plate, is considered a strike. A ball that hits the plate shall be called a ball.
When a team who is 7 or more runs ahead starts its half of the inning, they will automatically start with 1 out.
9: COACHES AND UMPIRES
ALL: No unruly spectators or team members are allowed behind the backstop. Un-sportsmanlike conduct & abusive or foul language by players, spectators, or coaches is not allowed. ONE WARNING MAY BE GIVEN, BUT IS NOT NECESSARY FOR EJECTION BY THE UMPIRE.
Coaches are not allowed inside the left and right field fences unless they are coaching 1st or 3rd base.
NO COACH-UMPIRE DISCUSSIONS WILL BE PERMITTED RELATING TO JUDGMENT CALLS FOR PITCHING (BALLS AND STRIKES AT THE PLATE AND PLAYS ON THE FIELD, etc.). Coaches may only approach umpires to discuss established rule violations that may occur (illegal pitching motion, batting order, time limits, etc.). COACHES SHOULD MAINTAIN A COPY OF THE RULES AT ALL TIMES.
COACHES ARE NOT PERMITTED TO OFFER INSTRUCTION OR COMMUNICATE WITH PLAYERS ON THE OPPOSING TEAM, UNLESS THEY APPROACH THE OPPOSING HEAD COACH FIRST AND IT IS AGREED UPON (THIS IS RARE, BUT IN SOME INSTANCES IN THE YOUNGER LEVELS, AN OPPOSING COACH MAY OFFER ADVICE ON PITCHING DELIVERY, OR COMMUNICATE A SAFETY CONCERN).
One defensive coach is also allowed in the outfield to instruct players in the field and one behind home plate to assist the catcher.
Will have 1 teen umpire: the umpire will call the game from behind the pitcher.
If umpire does not show up for the game or shows up late, the coaches must agree upon a spectator or coach to officiate and start the game on time.
10: PLAYERS ON THE FIELD / INFIELDERS
Games should start at the scheduled time. A team may start a game with 7 players, 6 or fewer is a forfeit. The injury rule is waived. Players may be freely substituted. It is the coach’s responsibility to insure that they have at least the minimum number of players (7), to avoid a forfeit. If a coach determines that a forfeit is likely and it is 48 hours or more ahead of the scheduled game time, the game can be rescheduled. It is the forfeiting coach’s responsibility to call the division commissioner to reschedule.
Maximum of 10 girls on the field, with 7 infielders including the catcher and pitcher.
All infielders must remain behind the pitching rubber, 30 feet from home plate.
11: DEFENSE
A defensive player should be positioned so that she does not interfere with the base runner. Runners must have free access to the base. If such interference occurs, the runner is safe. A defensive player may only “block” the base when she is in possession of the ball.
No girls shall play the same position for more than 3 innings of an entire game.
There is no infield fly rule.
12: STEALING / RUNNING BASES
There is NO STEALING and there are no lead-offs.
No run shall be scored if the third out of the inning is the result of:
A batter-runner being called out prior to reaching first base or any other runner forced out due to the batter becoming a batter-runner.
A runner being put out by a tag or live ball appeal play prior to the lead runner touching home plate.