2010 “A” DIVISION RULES

1. 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.
2. Home Team is responsible for preparing the field.  Bases must be secured in the ground to avoid injury.  The distance between bases is 50 feet.  A new game ball will be provided by the home team.
3. No score will be kept.
4. Games are to last one hour or a maximum of 5 innings.
5. This is a coach-pitch league.  Coaches of the team at bat should pitch from a distance of 30-35 feet with little or no arc pitch for the girls.  The batter should receive six good strikes or swings before a batting tee is placed for the girl to place the ball in play.  Under no circumstances should a player be allowed to take more than six swings at good pitches.  The goal is to move the game along.
6. Coaches may utilize a catcher but it is not required and not recommended.  A coach backup from the defensive team will be required to assist.
7. The team at bat will be allowed a maximum of 10 batters per inning.  The fielding team should work to record three outs.  In both cases, the half inning is retired after 10 batters or three outs.  In an effort to teach the girls the basics of the game, please adhere to these rules.
8. The team on the field is allowed a maximum of 10 girls on the field at one time.  As the girls all tend to gravitate toward the infield positions, please instruct the team to play their positions.  Positions are 1B, 2B, SS 3B, P, C, LF, LC, RC, AND RF.  The pitcher position (and all fielders) must be behind the mound to either the left or the right of the coach pitching.
9. No sliding is allowed.
10. No stealing or leading off is allowed.
11. Players are allowed to move one base on an overthrown ball in play and out of bounds.
12. Coaches will do their best to officiate a fair game.  One defensive coach is also allowed in the outfield to instruct players in the field and one behind home plate to assist the catcher.  Although no score is kept during the game, coaches are responsible for working together to keep the game moving, encourage hustling on and off the field, and encourage the completion of three outs by the fielding team.
13. Games should end by finishing an inning.  If time is running out, coaches should agree whether to start a new inning (15-20 minutes).
14. In the event of rain after the start of the game, the coaches will determine whether to continue or postpone the game. If lightning is sighted the game must be stopped immediately. 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 game, if the weather is bad, coaches 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.
15. 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.
16. For protection, we highly encourage players to wear sweatpants or sliding pants.  Additional safety equipment for pitchers and infielders is at the discretion of coaches and parents, but highly recommended, including mouth guards.
17. 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 dual coach 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.