1. Games should start at 6PM (refer to schedule). All teams should make every attempt to play and get the game in. At grades 4/5 and 6/7/8, an official game may be played with 7 players.
2. Players should wear their team uniforms if available.
3. All footwear is acceptable with the exception of metal cleats.
4. Players may use their own bats as long as they are Official Softball bats.
5. Underhand, slingshot and windmill pitching are allowed. Both feet should be in contact with the pitcher's rubber at the beginning of the delivery and one step forward is allowed upon delivery of the ball. The pitcher's first step must be forward. Some allowance with the back foot not being in contact with the rubber will be permitted.
6. Catchers must wear a face mask, chest protector, shin guards and helmet.
7. Players must wear helmets when batting and base running. We suggest the players have their own helmet due to lice scares throughout the year. We recommend you have a cage and chin strap on the helmet.
8. The home team, which is listed second on the schedule, will have its choice of benches, provide the game ball, set up as well as return the bases, home plate and pitcher's rubber after the game to the storage area.
9. The umpire will have the final decision in calling plays.
10.Coaches and players are allowed to coach the bases (players must wear helmets). Base coaches are not allowed to touch the runners.
11.A pitcher in all grades who hits a batter(s) hard (umpire's discretion) twice in one inning must be removed from the pitcher's position for the remainder of that inning; the batter is awarded first base when hit hard. The same pitcher who hits a batter(s) hard 3 times in the same game can not return to pitch that game. This player is allowed to play another position.
12.Stealing bases is not allowed in any level except in the minors (gade 4 & 5) and majors (grade 6,7,8).
13.Bases are generally not secure so runners are given first contact when sliding or moving a base.
14.The amount of bases allowed on overthrows is limited on all levels except majors. On an overthrow to first and third, the runner will get one base if the ball goes out of bounds. The runner must make the next base on all balls that remain in play.
15.At all levels, base running should not get out of hand. There is no lesson taught on a ground ball to 3rd resulting in a homerun. All bases should be coached logically and runners are not encouraged to take an extra base when the ball is approaching the pitcher's mound.
16.No full inning or half-inning will be started after sunset time (use discretion). Extra innings may be played if a game is tied after regulation and it is still light out. Ties can exist even after extra innings. Remember that safety is an important issue when it starts getting dark.
17.Postponed games due to weather will be called by the coaches together or if there is no agreement, it will be decided by the Division Director or League Board. Try to play the minimum number of innings if at all possible. Make-up opportunities are limited. Games that are postponed for any reason can be rescheduled by the coaches, Division Director or the Board.
18.No player should sit out 2 consecutive innings, unless due to extenuating circumstances.
19.A week is defined as Sunday through Saturday.
20.A pitcher's rubber is to be used by both teams at all levels except grades 1&2.
21.All teams qualify for the playoffs and a playoff system is announced prior to the end of the season. Playoffs will begin immediately after the regular season.
GRADES 1 and 2
1. An 11 inch incrediball will be used as the game ball.
2. Parents or coaches will pitch to their own batters. A batter will walk after 10 swings if she has not hit a ball fair.
3. All players who are present will play every inning in the field and all girls will be listed in the batting order.
4. During the first few games, batting around each inning for all batters will be allowed. After a few weeks, coaches can determine if they want to implement a 3 out rule.
5. Teach the girls not to throw the bat when batting. After 1 warning, the girl should be called out.
6. Teams should try to play 4 innings. Please do not keep score and everyone should help both teams as much as possible. Games usually end in "ties."
7. Bases are 45 feet.
8. Please be mindful of safety rules at this level. Pay special attention to the girls swinging the bat when near other players.
9. A double base (white & orange) will be used for 1st base only. The white bag is placed in fair territory while the orange bag is in foul territory. The first baseman must tag the white bag on a play at 1st and the batter-runner must tag the orange bag when running out balls hit in the infield. On extra base hits, the batter-runner can tag only the white bag when rounding 1st base. Once the batter-runner reaches 1st base safely, she can then start from the white bag.
GRADE 3
1. An 11 inch softball is to be used for the game ball.
2. There is no infield fly rule.
3. Bunting is not allowed.
4. There is a 3 strike and 4 ball rule; batters strike out on 3 strikes and walk on 4 balls.
5. The pitching distance is 33 feet and the bases are 45 feet. Distances should be measured by the umpire or coaches prior to starting the game.
6. Players are listed in one constant batting order and this remains unchanged during the game unless a player leaves (all players move up in the batting order). Players who come after the game has started are to be added at the end of the batting order. A team will bat through their order or make 3 outs, whichever comes first, to complete the inning. There is free substitution in the field all game.
7. Pitchers are allowed to pitch 3 innings per game up to a maximum of 6 innings per week. Any pitch in an inning is considered a full inning. Pitchers may pitch in non‑consecutive innings. They may pitch in part of an inning and return in that same inning later on (this is considered one inning pitched).
a. If 3 or more games for a team are scheduled in 1 week (ie: make-ups, playoffs), the pitcher may pitch more than 6 innings that week but no more than 3 innings per game.
8. Games will consist of 5 innings; 3 full innings is considered a complete game.
9. A ball which is hit by a batter and does not get out of the infield area limits the batter to first base only, unless there is an overthrow.
10. A ball which is hit into the outfield and is thrown by a player back to the infield limits the batter to the base she is running towards once the ball has entered the infield area.
11. A maximum of 10 players can play in the field defensively and free substitution is allowed the entire game. Each fielding position must be occupied. This means that there cannot be more than 4 fielders in the infield (1b, 2b, ss, 3b). There can be up to 4 outfielders. There must be a pitcher and a catcher.
12.A double base (white & orange) will be used for 1st base only. The white bag is placed in fair territory while the orange bag is in foul territory. The first baseman must tag the white bag on a play at 1st and the batter-runner must tag the orange bag when running out balls hit in the infield. On extra base hits, the batter-runner can tag only the white bag when rounding 1st base. Once the batter-runner reaches 1st base safely, she can then start from the white bag.
GRADES 4 and 5 (Minors)
1. A 11 inch softball is to be used for the game ball.
2. There is a 3 strike and 4 ball rule; batters strike out on 3 strikes and walk on 4 balls.
3. Runners may leave the base once the ball passes home plate. The runner must return immediately to the base once the ball is in the pitcher's mound area. An umpire should send runners back if they have obviously left the base prior to the ball passing home plate, repeated infractions may result in the runner being called out at the umpire's descretion.
4. Stealing bases is limited to two steals per inning. A runner on 1st or 2nd base may steal the next base once the ball has past home plate. There is no further advance on an overthrow.The runner is limited to one base only. Runners cannot steal home.
5. Games are 6 innings; 4 innings (3-1/2 innings if home team is ahead) is a complete game.
6. Players are listed in one constant batting order and this remains unchanged during the game unless a player leaves (all players move up in the batting order). Players arriving after the game has begun are added at the end of the batting order.
7. A maximum of 10 players can play in the field defensively and free substitution is allowed the entire game. Each fielding position must be occupied. This means that there cannot be more than 4 fielders in the infield (1b, 2b, ss, 3b). There can be up to 4 outfielders. There must be a pitcher and a catcher.
8. Pitchers are allowed to pitch up to 3 innings per game and 6 innings maximum per week. Any pitch in an inning is considered a full inning. Pitchers may pitch in non-consecutive innings. They may pitch in part of an inning and return in that same inning later on (this is considered one inning pitched).
9. If 3 or more games are played by a team in 1 week (ie: make‑ups) a pitcher may pitch more than 6 innings that week but limited to 3 innings per game).
10.If a pitcher throws 3 consecutive walks in an inning they must be replaced, but may return to pitch in a later inning
11. Bunting is not allowed.
12. Pitching distance is 35 feet and bases are 60 feet. Distances should be measured by the umpire or coaches prior to the start of the game.
13.Runners are not allowed to take an extra base if the ball is approaching the pitcher's mound..
14.Third Strike Rule ‑ When the catcher fails to catch the 3rd strike before the ball touches the ground when there are fewer than 2 outs and 1st base is unoccupied or anytime when there are 2 outs (1st base may be occupied), the batter may run to 1st base. The batter is out if she is tagged prior to reaching 1st or is thrown out at 1st base. The runners are limited to 1st base on an overthrow.
15. A team bats through their line-up or makes 3 outs, whichever comes first. If one team has 12 players and the other team 9 players, both teams send up 12 batters if 3 outs have not yet been made.
16.All bats must be ASA approved and have a weight/length ratio of no less than -11 (-9 is OK, -13 is not)
17. A double base (white & orange) will be used for 1st base only. The white bag is placed in fair territory while the orange bag is in foul territory. The first baseman must tag the white bag on a play at 1st and the batter-runner must tag the orange bag when running out balls hit in the infield. Once the batter/runner reaches 1st base safely, she can then start from the white bag. On extra base hits, the batter-runner can tag the white bag when rounding 1st base.
GRADES 6, 7 and 8 (Majors)
1. ASA umpires will be provided. ASA rules will be used at all times with the exception of league rules and rules included for this division.
2. All players are to be listed in one constant batting order that does not change unless a player has to leave (all players move up in the batting order). Players arriving after the start of the game are added at the end of the batting order.
3. A maximum of 9 players can play in the field defensively and free substitution is allowed the entire game.
4. Pitchers may pitch 7 innings per week that may include 7 innings in one game if desired. The total number of innings may be broken up any way in the same week. Any pitch counts as an inning.
5. Pitchers may pitch in non-consecutive innings. Pitchers may pitch in part of an inning and return that same inning (this is considered 1 inning pitched).
6. If 3 or more games are scheduled in a week (ie: make-ups), a pitcher may pitch an additional 3 innings per game.
7. All runners are limited to one base only when stealing; there is no advance on an over-throw when stealing.
8. Games are 7 innings; 4 innings (3-1/2 innings if home team is ahead) is a complete game.
