12 & UNDER

GIRLS FAST PITCH SOFTBALL

2011 RULES

 

 

1.       All games will be played at the Upson-Lee High School Softball Complex.

 

2.       There will be no smoking or tobacco chewing on the field or in the dugout.

 

3.       There will be no steel or metal cleats.

 

4.       The distance between the bases will be 60 feet.  Pitching distance is 40 feet.

 

5.       Helmets with face mask must be worn by batters, base runners and on deck batters, with chin straps at all times when not in dugout.  First time without helmets will be a warning, the second time without a helmet an out will be called.  Catchers are required to wear complete gear including throat protectors and protective cup.

 

6.       No team is allowed to begin an inning after one (1) hour and fifteen (15) minutes.  In case of a tie game, at the end of the time limit, one (1) extra inning will be allowed to try to break the tie.  If the game remains tied, the game officially counts as ½ game won and ½ game lost per team.

 

7.       Only ASA certified bats may be used in practices and games.  No baseball bats allowed.

 

8.       Games will have 6 innings,  8 run limit after 5 innings, 10 run limit after 4 innings, and 12 run limit after 3 innings and 15 runs after 2 innings.

 

9.       The league will play continuous batting rule. Coaches are required to list all players in the batting order for each game. All players that don’t start the game on defense, must play 6 defensive outs. Penalty for violation of this rule shall be forfeiture of the game in the event the violating team is the winner.  The Home team will be allowed to go through their batting order one time in the last inning.  If a team is one player less than the opposing team, the continuous batting rule is in effect. If a team is two players less than the opposing team, the continuous batting rule is optional for the team  with the most players.

 

Example: If team A has 14 players present at the game and team B has 13 players present, the continuous batting rule is in effect. If team A has 14 players present  at the game and team  B has 12 players present at the game, it will be optional if team A wants to go with 12 players in their batting order or go with all 14 players. (If team A decides to bat 12 players with 2 players not in the batting order must complete one time at bat and play 6 defensive outs.) If a game is shortened for any reason, the players that don’t get to play must start the next scheduled game.

 

10.     Only one (1) time out per inning offensive and defensive will be allowed.  The second offensive time out will result in the batter being called out.  The second defensive time out per inning the pitcher must be changed.  Thrown bats will be a warning the first time per team, the second time the team is cited the batter will be called out.

 

11.     On a coach’s fourth trip to the pitcher’s mound or second time in the same inning, the pitcher must be changed.  The starting pitcher may return to the mound one (1) time.

 

12.     The Recreation Department will make decisions on the Player Pool.

 

13.     No player will be added after 2/3's of the season has been completed.

 

14.     Coaches must remain in the confines of the dugout when their team is on defense and players are not allowed to stand on benches in the dugout.

 

15.     Trophies will be awarded to the 1st and 2nd place teams.  In case of a tie, head to head competition will break the tie.  If it is still tied including the head to head competition, a one game playoff will decide the winner.

 

16.     Team visors are not mandatory.  If visors are worn, they must be identical in style and color, and must be worn properly.

 

 17.    The on deck batter must always stand on the back side of the batter.

 

18.     If a player is ejected from a game, the League Coordinator has the option to allow the player to remain in the dugout or he has the option to suspend the player for one game depending on what the infraction is.

 

 19.    If a coach is ejected from the game, he/she must leave the premises immediately after the ejection.  If not the umpire may forfeit the game.  Also, he/she is suspended the next game his team scheduled to play.

 

 20.    A team may start or finish a game with eight (8) players, an out will be called when the ninth (9th) player is up.  Less than eight (8) players will be a forfeit.

 

 21.    Both teams are responsible for cleaning up their dugouts after

           each game.

 

 22.  The team at bat must use a courtesy runner for the catcher with two outs only.  The courtesy runner should be a substitute if one is available. If substitute is not available, the last recorded out must be used as the courtesy runner.

         

 23.    Blood rule will be in effect.

 

 24.    Lineups are due 15 minutes before game time.... Original goes to head umpire, Complimentary copy to opposing team and one copy to scorekeeper.  All subs are reported to the scorekeeper.

 

 25.    The pitcher has 20 seconds to pitch the ball.

 

26.     A runner may leave base when the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand.  (Umpire’s judgement.)

 

27.     A batter advances to first base if hit by a pitch, only if the hitter tries to avoid ball.  (Umpire’s judgement.)

 

28.     Shirts will be tucked in.

 

29.     Any protest must be filed according with ASA Rules and accompanied by a 25.00 fee, must be in writing, and within 24 hours.  The protest must be reported to home plate umpire at the time the play is called.

 

30. Time and Length of Game: 1st Game @ 6:00 pm Length: 1 Hour 15 minutes2nd  Game @ 7:15 pm

 

31.  During an inning, a pitcher is allowed 4 walks in an inning.

 When this happens, the remaining batters in this inning will either hit or

 get out. A hit batsman will not constitute a walk. Anytime during the inning

that a batter is hit by a pitched ball, the batter will be awarded first base.

The pitcher will not be charged with a walk, if the ball hits the batter, while

 she is batting.                                                                                                                                                                                 

 

32.      In local league, district, and state competition there are no pitching restrictions.