Mattoon Girls Softball Association 12U Major LeagueRules

Amendments to Babe Ruth Softball Rules

Local LeagueOptions

            Allplayers must play at least two complete innings, (or 3 if the game is 6 inningsor more), unless the time limit or 10 Run Rule applies, the home team is aheadin the bottom half of the last inning, or, with approval of the Commissioner,health or disciplinary reasons exist. Non-starters must start the next gameunless health or disciplinary reasons exist.

Each team must provide a scorekeeper. The scorekeeper must keep trackof player participation in each game. A player must participate in one half ofher team’s scheduled games and each team must play ten games. The team on thefirst base side must provide a scoreboard operator.

Time Limit /10 RunRule

            Thegame will be 6 innings, with a 1 hour, 15 minute time limit. The 10 Run Rule isin effect after four complete innings.

Extra Hitter

            Theextra hitter (a tenth batter) will be used. If both teams have more than tenplayers available for a game, additional extra hitters will be used, providedthat both teams have the same number of extra hitters. A team with moreavailable players than the other has the option of using more extra hitters.This offense-only player must be listed on the lineup sheet as the EH andtreated as any other starter. The position cannot be eliminated during thecourse of the game. With each new inning the team coach must rotate the extrahitter in the field and a new player shall then serve as the EH.

Each team can bat a maximum of 10 batters in one inning. No battersare allowed to bat more than one time each inning. All players must be listedin the scorebook in their batting order, but position changes do not need to beannounced.

Definitionsof Terms

             Pitching from 40’distance

                No more than four walks perinning                         Hitby pitch is not a walk.

Pitchers

            Apitcher may pitch a maximum of 3 innings in a game. If a pitcher delivers 1pitch in an inning, she shall be charged for 1 inning pitched.

MajorLeague Rules

               At least 8 players must start agame, but 7 players may finish. An out will be taken for each player missing inthe lineup. Players registered in the 10U league may fill in. No players fromanother 12U team will be allowed to fill-in.

              Starting players and substitutes may re-enter as often as needed, aslong as the players always bat in the same spot in which they originallyappeared.

               If the ball is put in play by the“last batter” in an inning, the play continues until a defensive player withpossession of the ball touches home, unless the 3rd out is made during play.All play stops when home is touched. It is the responsibility of the battingteam to tell the umpire and the defensive team that the last batter is at theplate.

Special Notes:

Courtesy Runner

            Acourtesy runner, who shall be the player who made the last out, is mandatoryfor the catcher with two outs. Any runner on base when the last out is madecannot catch during the next half-inning. The catcher must be ready to assumeher position when the defensive team takes the field or no warm-up pitches willbe allowed. No more than five warm-up pitches are allowed.

Protests

               Umpires decisions are final. Noprotests are allowed. Excessive arguing on umpires’ decisions will not betolerated. The umpires are tested and drilled on rules, but mistakes may occur.If a problem exists with a specific umpire, the coach should calmly discuss theproblem with the Commissioner.