Donegal/Rheems Girls Softball League: 2009 League Rules

Final Copy 3/20/09

2009 PLAYING RULES

The Donegal/Rheems Girls Softball League will follow the Amateur Softball Association's (ASA) Fast pitch rules and regulations, except for the following League rules, which will supercede ASA rules.

1. Age Groups- The League will follow ASA Code 501.G., which states that the player's age on January 1 of the current year determines the age classification in which the player is eligible to participate. The League will sponsor League play for the following age groups:

                          Instructional 8&U (This division has its own rules and regulations.)

                          Pee-Wee 10&U (Must be 8 before May 1, 2009)

                          Pre-Teen 12&U

                          Teener-Jr. 14&U

                          Teener 18&U (This division has its own rules and regulations.)

   a. Players may play up one age group above their actual age group (see Rule 3c below.)

   b. Any violation of the age limit rule will result in the forfeiture of all games involving the player, which caused the violation.

2. Team registration fees are $125.00 per team and must be paid to the League Treasurer by the February meeting (18-u registration may be delayed).

3. Team Rosters- The League's standard roster must be submitted to the League Secretary by the April meeting.

   a. Players may not change teams within the same age group once rosters have been submitted to the League Secretary. Any player must play for an association or team within the high school district they reside. Any exception to this rule must be presented to the League for review and approval of a Waiver.

   b. New players may be added to a roster until May 15 of the playing season. No players may be added to a roster for any reason after this date. The League Secretary must receive notification in writing of any new player being added to the roster before that player is eligible to play.

   c. Players must be rostered in their age appropriate group within their Association. A player may play up to the next age group without being rostered at the above level. A player may only be rostered on one Donegal/Rheems team per age group. This rule is to supplement the number of players at each age group to limit the number of forfeits. The girl’s age determines her primary team. If a player plays up, she only plays the minimum number of innings (Rule D1 and E1) if enough girls at the proper age are present. No player can play up if there are 12 or more of the age appropriate players at the game. Any deviation of this rule needs Association and League approval.

   d. Playing of players not properly on a team's roster will result in the forfeiture of all games involving the improper players which caused the violation.

   e. Rosters containing player names and birth dates for any team will be available upon request from the League Secretary.

4. Minimum Player Participation:

   a. Each team shall field ten players, however, prior to each pitch, no more than six players may play in the infield, and outfielders must be at least 10 feet from the baseline. A team may, due to injuries or shortage of players, play a game with eight players with the ninth position being an automatic out. If a team cannot play eight players it will forfeit the game.

   b. Coaches shall have the right to bench a player as a disciplinary procedure. Such a player must be identified to the umpire and the other team's coach prior to the start of the game.

   c. Courtesy Runners- Follow ASA rule 8 section 10-except for parts (B) and (C) when using a continuous batting order, in which case the courtesy runner is to be the player who made the last out.

   d. Pee-Wees and Pre- Teens:

          1). All players on a team's roster who are present at the start of the game must play at least two innings in the field.

          2). Each team must maintain a continuous batting order of all players present. Any player arriving after the start of the game is to be added to the bottom of the batting order. Any player leaving the game early is to be deleted from the batting order without penalty.

          3). Free substitution is allowed.

          4). 12&U will be split into A/B divisions accordingly to player’s ability. If there are multiple teams for an association, one must be an “A” team.

          5). Coaches- All head coaches must be eighteen years old or older before January 1 of the playing season.

   e. Teener- Jr's:

           1). All players on a team's roster who are present at the start of the game must play at least two innings in the field and bat once. However, a coach may elect, prior to the start of the game and upon notification to the umpire and the other team's coach, to use a continuous batting order of all players present (A player arriving after the start of the game is to be added to the bottom of the batting order, and any player leaving the game early is to be deleted from the batting order without penalty.)

           2). Offensive Substitution (for teams not electing a continuous batting order): All players may be re-entered in the game one time after being substituted for. A player may only be re-entered in their original position in the batting order.

           3). Defensive Substitution: Free defensive substitution.

           4). Coaches- All head coaches must be eighteen years old or older before January 1 of the playing season.

           5). 14&U will be split into A/B divisions accordingly to player’s ability. If there are multiple teams for an association, one must be an “A” team.

5. Equipment and Fields

   a. The League will furnish each team with 12 size appropriate balls.

   b. Only balls that are identical in make and manufacturer to the balls provided by the League are acceptable for game use.

   c. Pee-Wees may use Tee-ball bats. Tee-ball bats may be no longer than 26 in. and must say "Little League" on them. As of 2003, all 10&U, 12&U, 14&U and 18&U will use only ASA approved bats.

   d. ASA 2000 stamped bats will be permitted in League play. e. Fields must be furnished with a double first base.

  f. Batting helmets must have mask/guards attached and helmet straps.

6. Games

   a. All games will be played as scheduled unless postponed by inclement weather. Such postponed games will be rescheduled as set forth in Rules 6.b and 6.c.

   b. Within one week following the originally scheduled game, the home team coach will notify the scheduler of the makeup date, time and location which was mutually agreed upon by both head coaches. The home team coach will also inform the scheduler whether an umpire will need to be scheduled for the makeup game. Failure by either team to play the makeup game as rescheduled will constitute a forfeit.

   c. If within one week following the originally scheduled game, the coaches are unable to mutually reschedule the postponed game, the scheduler will reschedule a makeup game for the teams. Failure by either team to play the makeup game as rescheduled will constitute a forfeit.

   d. Practice time prior to the start of games: The visiting team shall be allowed a minimum of 15 minutes access to the playing field in the 20 minutes preceding the scheduled start of the game (however, late arrival of the visiting team will not extend this time and games will start at the scheduled time, regardless if late team has had time to warm up on the field). In situations where the field is unavailable to either team prior to the start of the game, each team will receive equal time on the field (even if such time is zero).

   e. A team which is 15 or more minutes late following the scheduled game start time, will forfeit the game. The late team will be obligated to pay the umpire fee(s).

   f. All regularly scheduled games will be 7 innings (6 for Pee-Wees), however, no new inning may be started after 2 hours from the start of the game. If a game is stopped by the umpire due to weather or player injury, the game clock will also stop until the umpire resumes play.

   g. All games will be completed unless forfeiture by the losing coach at the time of stoppage or at the umpire's discretion. A game called by an umpire shall be ruled complete if 5 or more complete innings (4 for Pee-Wees) have been played, or if the home team is winning after 4 1/2 innings (31/2 for Pee -Wees), or if the game has been played for 90 minutes or more.

   h. Tied games-ASA tie breaking rules will be in effect for games which are tied at the end of the 7 regular innings (6 for Pee-Wees) if time limit has not expired. See ASA Rule 5,Section 11 for tie breaker rules. Regular season games can finish as a tie after time limit or at the umpire’s discretion.

    i. 10&U will play 6 innings and 12U&14U will play 7 innings. For 10&U, there is a 5 run limit on every inning except for the 6th inning where there are unlimited runs. For 12&UA&B and 14&UB, there is a 6 run limit every inning except for the 7th inning where there are unlimited runs. 14&UA have no per inning run rule. If the 6th inning is not reached in 10&U or the 7th inning in 12&U and 14&U, then the run limit still applies.

   j. 10, 12A&B and 14&UA&B will play a 15 Run Ahead Rule- A game will be called complete when a team is ahead by 15 runs after 5 innings (4 for Pee-Wees), 4 1/2innings if the home team has the lead (31/2 for Pee-Wees), provided all players have batted and played at least one inning in the field.

   k. The game score is to be reported to the designated Scorekeeper by the winning team within 24 hours following completion of the game. There will be phone and e-mail options for score reporting. Any score unreported by 48 hours prior to the playoffs, will be posted as a 7-7 tie for playoff seating.

   l. The League’s Division champion will be determined by the team with the best record at the end of the regular season. In the event of a tie, the winner and final League standings will be determined as follows:

            1). Head to head record in regular season. 2). Least amount of runs allowed by teams tied. 3). Least amount of runs allowed overall in regular season. 7. Playing Rules a. Pee-Wees (10U) 1) No dropped third strike rule.

            2) No infield fly rule.

            3) Only one base stolen per pitch or play.

            4) No stealing home.

            5) A runner on third base or a runner who is stealing from second to third base, can only score on a fair batted ball by pitch or tee or when the bases are loaded and the batter is hit by a pitch. (No out of play ball can score a runner from third or stealing third).

            6) NO WALKS. The batting tee will be used for the difference of the strike count. After 3 strikes, by pitch and tee combination, the batter is out. Inside a 20 foot arc from home plate is considered foul unless played by a defensive player before being called dead by the umpire. A fouled 3rd strike off the tee is considered an out. Base runners cannot leave their base until the bat contacts the ball. There are no steals while the tee is in use. The tee may be placed anywhere in full or partial contact with home plate. The pitcher must stay in the pitcher’s circle, but should be positioned to the back and side to avoid the pitching rubber.

                    (The intention of this rule is to speed the game and to promote good batting technique. Coaches should only adjust the tee once. Tee instruction should be done off the field of play. Please encourage the batter to swing at live pitching and not wait for the tee.)

            7) 5 runs per inning except the 6th inning is unlimited

            8) 15 Run Ahead Rule after 4 innings

   b. Pre-teen (12U)

             1) No infield fly rule.

             2) Pre-teen may steal multiple bases plus home and dropped third strike ASA rules apply.

             3) 6 runs per inning except the 7th inning is unlimited

             4) 15 Run Ahead Rule after 5 innings.

   c. Teener Jr‘s(14U)

              1) 6 runs per inning except the 7th inning is unlimited (14UA have no runs per inning rule).

              2) 15 Run Ahead Rule after 5 innings.

8. Protests- Proper ASA protest rules and guide lines must be followed at and during the game, then written notice of protest must be filed with the League President, Vice-President, or Secretary within forty-eight hours following the game being protested. All properly filed protests will be acted upon in accordance with the League's By-Laws.

   a. Matters that may be protested are governed by ASA rules.

9. Umpires

   a. Whenever possible, ASA certified umpires will be used for League scheduled games.

   b. Each League regular season game will be officiated by one umpire, except that umpires in training may accompany an umpire at no additional cost to the teams. Playoff games will be officiated, as much as possible, by two umpires. There shall be two (2) umpires for all 14&UA and 18&U games, if feasible.

   c. Umpires who are not ASA certified must be at least 18 years old to umpire behind the plate and base umpires must be at least 16 years old.

          1) When no ASA certified umpire is available, the person selected shall be mutually acceptable to both teams prior to the start of the game.

   d. The home team is responsible for paying the Umpire fee prior to the start of the game. (Exception- late teams resulting in a forfeit) See rule 6 (e).

10. Post Season Playoffs

   a. All age groups will have post-season playoffs.

   b. Post-season playoffs will be conducted in accordance with the schedule arrangement made by the league each year. A- division and B- division will have separate playoffs.

11. Code of conduct

          All coaches, players, parents, and spectators who attend or participate in our league's girls softball games are required to follow and honor the articles, rules and regulations established by the organization or club that they represent, the Donegal/Rheems Girls Softball League and ASA (Amateur Softball Association). Misconduct and unsportsmanlike behavior, including threats of any nature towards opposing coaches, players, fans, or umpires is unacceptable at any youth sporting event and will NOT be tolerated in this league. All reports of unsportsmanlike conduct received by league officers will be seriously and immediately dealt with. Any disciplinary action will first be addressed by the organization within the league that the offender represents. Any further disciplinary action that may be determined by the league's Board of Directors based on the league's By-laws could result in a suspension from attending all league activities for an amount of time to be set by the league.