10 & UNDER

GIRLS FAST PITCH SOFTBALL

2008 RULES

 

 

 

1.         All games will be played at the Thomaston-Upson County Girls 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 35 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.

 

6.         Each team will have three outs or one time through the batting order. The only exception is in the last inning. If a team is behind 10 or more runs, you must get three outs.

 

7.         ASA Softball bat must be used in all practice and games. (No Baseball Bats)

 

8.         No team is allowed to begin an inning after 1 hour 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.

 

9.         The League will play the 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.

 

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

 

11.       10 & Under will play the continuous batting rule.    Managers are required to list all players in the batting order for each game. All players that don’t start a game on defense, must play 6 defensive outs. Penalty for violation of this shall be forfeiture of the game in the event that the violating team is the winner. If a game is shortened for any reason, the players that don’t get to play on defense must start      the next scheduled game.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

15.       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.

 

16.       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.

 

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

 

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 she has the option to suspend the player for one game depending on what the infraction is.

 

19.       If a coach is ejected from a game, he 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 is scheduled to play.

 

20.       A team may start or finish a game with eight (8) players, an out will be called when the ninth (9)  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.

 

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 head umpire.

 

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

 

26.       Shirts will be tucked in.

 

27.       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.

 

28.       Protest Committee- Hardy Mitchell- 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 the home plate umpire at the time the play is called.

 

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

 

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

 

31.       A batter cannot advance to first base if the catcher misses the ball on the third strike.   (ASA Rule) 

 

32.       After 4 Batters are walked in an inning, the remainder. Of the inning will be pitched

            by the coach on the offensive team. The pitcher will remain on the field the pitching

            position. The pitcher or a substitute will start the next inning.

 

            The following rules apply once the Coach begins to pitch after a player has walked

            Four (4) batters in an inning:

 

1.      The batter will have five (5) pitches to hit. If the batter fails to hit, she is out. If she fouls the fifth (5th ) pitch, she will be given one more pitch. The batter can still strike out during this bat.

 

2.      If the Coach that is pitching was coaching bases, he/she may coach from the

mound.

 

3.      Once the Coach begins pitching, the team batting can no longer steal.

 

4. When the defensive team (team in the field) throws the ball to the coach pitching or if the ball passes through the circle, the ball is dead and no runners may advance to another base. If the base runner/runners are running to the next base, and are halfway or more to the next base. If the base runner/runners are not halfway or more, they return to their occupied base.

 

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