18 & 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 allowed.

 

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 thirty (30) 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.         Games will have 7 innings, 8 run limit after 5 innings, 10 run limit after 4 innings, 15 run limit after 3 innings and 15 runs after 2 innings.

 

8.         The 13-18 Year Old League in our Girls Softball program will use the (EP) Extra Player. This means 10 players will be in each team’s batting order. All substitutes must be substituted in during the game with the home plate umpire and scorekeeper. All substitutes must complete one time at bat and 6 defensive outs. Penalty for violation of this rule shall be forfeiture of this game in the event the violating team is the winner. If a game is shortened for any reason, the players that don’t play 6 defensive outs or complete one time at bat must start the next scheduled game.

 

9.         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.

 

10.       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.

 

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

 

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

 

13.       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.

 

14.       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.

 

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

 

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

 

17.       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.

 

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

 

19.   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.

20.       Both teams are responsible for cleaning up their dugouts after each game.

 

21.   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.

           

22.       Blood rule will be in effect.

 

23.       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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

27.       Shirts will be tucked in.

 

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 home plate umpire at the time the play is called.

 

29.       Time and Length of Game:

                                    1st Game @ 6:00 pm                        Length: 1 Hour and 30 minutes

                                    2nd Game @ 7:30 pm

 

30.       After 3 Batters have walked in an inning, the remainder of the hitters must hit and/or strike out in that inning.

 

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 strike 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 2008, there are no restrictions in the number of innings a pitcher can pitch in local, district, and store competition.