Article 1: NAME
The name of the Organization shall be the Rural Girls Softball League (RGSL)
Article 2: OBJECTIVES
A. To provide an opportunity for girls’ participation in an organized League.
B. To teach the fundamentals of Softball.
C. To provide the opportunity for the improvement of individual skills.
D. To develop character through sportsmanship and teamwork on the playing field.
Article 3: OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
A. President: Duties and Responsibilities
1. Coordinate and supervise all meetings.
2. Provide necessary support and guidance to ensure an effective program.
3. Maintain close liaison with Secretary, Treasurer, and all Board of Directors.
B. 1st Vice President: Duties and Responsibilities
1. Shall preside at meetings in the absence of the President.
2. Coordinates RGSL All-stars
C. 2nd Vice President: Duties and Responsibilities
1. Shall serve as chairperson of all the tournaments
D. 3rd Vice President: Duties and Responsibilities
1. Shall serve as chairperson of the Protest Committee
2009 2. Respond to all Policy & Rules Questions throughout the season
E. Secretary: Duties and Responsibilities
1. Record minutes of all meetings
2. Assist the President in setting up meetings and notifying person to attend.
3. Type correspondence required by the Organization
1996 4. Maintain an up-to-date roster of all Organizations, Organization Presidents,
Commissioners, Team Managers and Coaches.
F. Treasurer: Duties and Responsibilities
1. To manage the financial affairs of the RGSL in accordance with the direction of the
Elected Officers.
2. To present a financial report at all meetings.
G. Board of Directors (BOD)
1996 1. Directors shall consist of the elected officers, the Umpire Scheduler(s), and the
Commissioners from each Organization.
2. Duties and Responsibilities
a. Attend all meetings as required
b. Assist the President as required
H. Past President
1. To serve as an advisor to the Board of Directors
2. In case of a tie, would vote to break the tie.
3. If current officers are not available, the past Secretary or Treasurer would serve
Article 4: ELECTED OFFICERS WILL MAKE FINANCIAL DECISIONS
Article 4A: RULES AND POLICIES WILL BE DETERMINED BY A ROLL CALL VOTE OF
REPRESENTATIVE COMMISSIONERS.
1990 A. One (1) vote per Commissioner (Organization).
1990 B. Ties will be decided by the past President's vote.
Article 5: PROTEST PROCEDURES
1997 A. A protest must be announced at the time of the event giving rise to the protest and
made known at the time to the plate umpire and the opposing manager.
B. A written protest must be submitted to the 3rd Vice-President or their representative
within forty eight (48) hours of the protested event.
C. The formal written protest should contain the following information.
1. The date, time and place of the game or event.
2. The names of the umpires and scorers.
3. The rule and section of the Official Rules under which the protest is being made.
4. The decision and conditions surrounding the making of the decision.
5. All essential facts involved in the protest.
6. A Protest Committee will be appointed if deemed necessary by the 3rd Vice-President
7. In case of a protest, the manager concerned may state his/her case, but not have a vote. This also applies if the President, Vice Presidents, Secretary or Treasurer is involved in the protest.
D. A fifty dollar ($50) establishing fee must accompany the written protest. This fee will be refunded to the team making the protest if the protest is upheld.
Article 6: DISTRICTS WILL BE DEFINED BY CURRENT OFFICIAL BOUNDARY MAP
1998 A. The league will consist of six ASA age brackets
1. U18
2. U16
3. U14
4. U12
5. U10
6. U8
1998 B. A player’s age as of December 31 determines the age in which the player is eligible to play the following year (complies with ASA).
Article 8: MEMBERSHIP
1996 A. Membership will be open to any Organization willing to abide by the rules and
regulations of the RGSL. A vote of approval for membership is required by the BOD.
Article 9: ELECTION OF OFFICERS
A. A meeting shall be called by the President for the election of officers at the end of
the current season.
B. Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the member Organization's Commissioners.
Article 10: ROSTERS
2009 A. Each team must submit a roster, to the president or a designated person, or forfeit all games until the roster is submitted.
B. Changes can be made until the first day of the officially designated season or a seasonally determined date.
C. Changes thereafter must be approved on an individual basis by the Board of Directors.
1995 D. A player may play upon four (4) different teams within the same organization:
two (2) slow pitch in two different age brackets and two (2) fast pitch in two different age brackets.
E. Any girl can move up one (1) year to the next age group. They have until the second scheduled game in order to move back. They must also have written permission from their parents before they can be moved up more that one (1) year (two is maximum)
2009 F. Each Organization must provide proof of birth certificate with 24 hours of all disputes.
Article 11: ENTRY FEE
A. Amount to be paid will be established each year by the Board of Directors.
2009 B. Fee must be paid with team registration at March RGSL meeting
C. Fee will include league entry only. Tournament fees will be voted on and collected
prior to tournaments.
Article 12: MEETINGS
A. Meetings for election of officers and rules review, third Wednesday of August
B. Meetings for scheduling games.
I. Scheduling for age divisions will be in the following order:
2009 a. Scheduling Night 1, U8/U18 first U10 second
b. Scheduling Night 2, U12 first U14 second
C. Meetings, if necessary, to act on protest, addition of teams, or other vital information.
A. The official scorekeeper will be provided by the HOME team.
B. Scorekeeper will be seated in a position to observe the play of the game.
C. The batting lineup is to be turned into scorekeeper before the start of the game.
1995 D. It is highly recommended that the visitor’s scorekeeper verify the official score after
each inning.
Article 14: OFFICIALS
1996 A. Official league umpires will be used if possible; one (1) for slow pitch and two (2) for fast pitch.
2005 Exception: One umpire will be required for all instructional game (all age levels).
2009 U10 – U18 Competitive, two umpires for each game
$25.00 per game per umpire regardless of the number of games umpired on the same day at the same organization
$35.00 if only one umpire
U10 – U18 Instructional,
INSTRUCTIONAL ONLY:
If Umpire wishes to call balls and strikes from behind pitcher umpire fee will be $25.00 per game, regardless of the number of games umpired on the same day at the same organization. Fee will be $35.00 if behind catcher.
B. Official league umpires will be supplied by the Rural Girls Softball League.
C. It is the HOME team's responsibility to pay the umpire's fees as determined each year by the BOD. Exceptions: Tournaments
1996 D. Organizations may provide their own HOME game umpires for SP 7/8 and 9/10 year old age brackets. These HOME umpires must be League Certified. Organizations must also supply the umpire scheduler with these HOME umpires names and phone numbers. Teams can protest the game if the umpire used is not listed with the SP umpire scheduler.
Article 15: UNIFORMS
1997 A. All uniforms should have numbers of at least four (4) inches in height on the front or back of the player's shirt. No duplicate numbers. NOTE: ASA Tournaments require shirts with numbers of at least six (6) inches in height on the back.
B. ASA hat rule will not apply to this league.
Article 16: GENERAL GAME RULES
A. The current ASA Official Rules of Softball will apply unless a written RGSL rule applies.
B. The Home team will supply one (1) new game ball to start the game and all necessary game balls
to complete the game.
C. A team may put up to ten (10) players on the field. A minimum of eight (8) players must be
fielded, otherwise a forfeit will be called.
2002 1. Teams that only have 8 players to start the game must take an out where the 9th batter would
have hit.
D. Each game will be played with 1-1/2 hour time limit. All games will start at scheduled time.
2000 The next inning begins when the 3rd out is made from the previous inning.
E. A game shall be ended and considered a regulation game if the minimum number of innings (per
table A) has been completed and one team has a fifteen (15) run lead.
2005 U12 competitive – extend play to 7 innings instead of 6 – Table A
1997 F. In case of rain, darkness, etc. the game will be rescheduled and replayed.
2001 1. Clarification: 4 innings must be complete or a minimum of 1 hr for an official game.
If game is not complete (due to rain-out/darkness) the game will pick up where is was left off
- this complies with the ASA rules.
1997 G. It is the umpire’s decision to call a game due to darkness, rain, etc. Coaches may request the umpire call a game under such conditions. However, if both opposing coaches agree, then the games (s) may be called.
H. Tie Game
2002 1. In the event of a tie after allotted innings the international tiebreaker rule is mandatory.
1995 2. If a game results in a tie, due to expiration of time limit, each team will be awarded a half (1/2) win and a half (1/2) loss.
I. Only an umpire may call time. Coaches and players may request time but, only an umpire may call time.
2003 J. The run limit is 5 runs in the first 3 innings of play with a 10 run limit in the fourth inning for U8, U10,
U12, and U14 instructional.
2004 K. Free substitution – girls may enter the game at any time on defense. The pitcher can be removed and then return to pitch in another inning, but once removed from pitching position cannot return to pitch in the same inning, instructional only.
1997 L. If a substitute runner is requested (due to an injury) and permitted, the runner shall be the girl who made the last out.
M. The batting lineup shall include all team members present at the game.
N. All girls will play at least two (2) innings in the field. Team coaches and the umpire should be informed prior to the game if any players are being disciplined or not playing for other reasons.
O. A batter throwing a bat in a dangerous manner will be called out. Batter will be ejected from the
the game if called out twice for this.
1995 P. Players, of the team at bat, will receive one (1) warning (team warning), to be given to the team coach for not wearing a helmet outside of the dugout. The second offense will be an automatic team out.
Q. If a player leaves the game due to illness or injury, the coach must decide when the girl comes
to bat whether to let her bat, take an out, or take the girl out of the game. Once a player is
removed from the game, she may not re-enter the game.
1997 R. All teams can use four (4) players in the outfield. (EXCEPTION, see special competitive F/P
Rules, Article 19 #1, ltr. e)
S. If the third (3rd) strike is fouled and not caught, the batter gets another strike.
(See Article 18 for U18, U16, U14 S/P exceptions)
2001 T. ASA substitution/courtesy runner rules will apply. Substitute player will be the last
out made.
Article 17: MISCELLANEOUS RULES
1995 A. It is the responsibility of the team managers and game umpire (s) to have a copy of the RGSL and
ASA rules at every game.
B. B. Rescheduling of canceled or rainout games:
1. It is the responsibility of each team to resolve any conflict in regards to rescheduling canceled or
rained out games.
2002 2. Clarification: When a game must be rescheduled for any reason, the home coach must contact
the opposing coach within 72 hours of the original game date to reschedule the game; the
opposing coach then has 72 hours to respond.
2007 3. Clarification: If game is postponed or cancelled for any reason the HOME team must notify the RGSL Scheduler with-in seven days of the original game date with rescheduled dates and times. Information must be emailed to RGSL.Scheduling@gmail.com.
2007 4. Clarification: Home team must notify umpire of rescheduled date and time.
C. It is the responsibility of the HOME team to cancel a game and notify the opposing coach and the
umpire due to weather conditions at least one (1) hour before scheduled game time. The HOME
team's failure to comply will result in a forfeiture of the game and it will be held responsible for
the umpire's show up fee ($10).
1995 D. All teams must give the opposing team twenty four (24) hour notice, due to a conflict, to
` reschedule a game. If less than a 24 hour notice is given and at the discretion of the
opposing coach, the canceling team shall forfeit except under the circumstances of a
dire emergency.
2009 E. Winning team is responsible to enter into the RGSL Web-Site the game scores with 48 hours. Losing coach should verify that game scores are entered and correct. If game scores have not been entered losing coach may enter score. Failure to report the game results may result in a fine against the WINNING TEAM of $5.00 per game not reported within the 48 hour time frame.
F. Trophies will be awarded to the players of each league and tournament champions and additionally, trophies for the players of the tournament runner up team.
1995 G. Should there be a tie for league championships, first place trophies will be awarded to the
player of each of the tied teams.
2009 H. Each end-of-season tournament host will be provided with a written proposal of tournament guidelines for their field. (Tournament Guidelines form provided by RGSL.) These guidelines will be followed during the tournament to provide consistency.
2009 I. End of season tournament host sites: Only one RGSL end of season tournament per RGSL Organization unless no other RGSL Organization is willing to host the tournament.
Article 18: SPECIAL SLOW PITCH GAME RULES
2000 A. RGSL will use a pitching machine in the U8 Division
1. Beginning with the 2000 season, a pitching machine will be used for the U8 division.
Exception: Due to inclement weather or malfunction of machine, or no machine available,
it will be at the discretion of the umpire & coaches to proceed with the game.
2. 2. The purpose is to get girls used to the F/P game.
2008 3. Before the start of the game, both coaches will together set the pitching machine at 32 TO 33 MPH. Any
adjustment to the machine after this point will be made by the umpire. On a pitch that is obviously out of the strike zone, the umpire may call “no pitch” and adjust the machine as needed.
2004 4. If in the event the coaches can not decide on proper adjustment, the umpire will determine the
correct setting.
5. AN IMPROPERLY SET ARCH IS NOT PROTESTABLE.
6. If in the event an organization does not have electricity to their field they can play the game
at the opponents field with the original home team still the home team OR they can revert to
using a pitching coach and follow the guidelines in section B.
7. The umpire will feed the balls to batters.
B. Pitching Coach (7/8) - IF NO MACHINE IS AVAILABLE
1. The coaches shall pitch to their team in any manner necessary, flat or arched, to better allow
the batter to make contact with the ball.
2. The coach pitching may coach the batter in a "Dead Ball" situation and to the point of releasing
the pitch.
3. The pitching coach may not talk to the batter or base runners until a "Dead Ball" (time) is called by the umpire. Running the bases with a player is also not permitted.
1997 4. The pitching coach shall not obstruct any defensive play or player and must make
all reasonable attempts to avoid interference. Upon the umpire's decision that an
interference has occurred, the base runner closet to Home will be called out.
5. One warning for any of these above offenses may be issued, thereafter a team out will be
declared.
C. No player, except the catcher, may be positioned closer to the batter that the pitching coach (7/8)
D. There will be an arced chalk line from foul line to foul line at a distance of fifteen (15) feet
from the back tip of home plate. Any ball stopping inside this quarter circle, touched by
a defensive player, or stopped by a defensive player is considered a foul ball. (7/8)
2002 1. Clarification: ball hit that comes to rest inside the arc in front of home plate is
a dead ball, and counts as a no pitch, count remains the same as before that pitch.
E. One defensive coach is allowed in the outfield per inning and must stay behind the baselines.
The coach may move to different positions in the outfield, but may not interfere with any
play. (7/8 and 9/10)
F. A maximum of six (6) defensive players are allowed in the field (inside the baselines) (7/8)
1997 G. The batter is allowed (6) pitches or three (3) strikes. (7/8)
H. Any and all defensive teams must have at all times a player in the catcher's position. (ALL)
I. Tournament championship games will be played on a separate day from the regular
tournament games. (7/8)
1997 J. Pitching Circle (6 foot semi-circle) one player's foot must be in the circle until the ball crosses
the plate. (7/8)
1999 K. Any FAIR ball hit within the quarter circle in front of the plate will count as a non-pitch
2002 1. Clarification of existing rule: ball hit that comes to rest inside the arc in front of home plate is
a dead ball, and counts as a no pitch, count remains the same as before that pitch.
2000 L. Third strike foul is an out for age groups U18, U16 & U14
2001 M. 15 foot line behind the bases that outfielders will not be able to pass until after the ball has been
into play (until ball is hit). Each organization has the option to either put a line there or have an
imaginary line. The intent of this rule is to keep from having all the girls in
the infield. (7/8
2001 N. Allow the addition of a hitting coach to position the girls and provide instruction at home plate before the ball is pitched. The hitting coach has to be within 3 feet of their dug out. Coach
can not coach the girl after the ball is fed into the machine.
PENALTY for coaching a girl after the ball is put into play: 1st time warning,
2nd infraction - hitting coach position will not be allowed for the rest of the game
for that team. (7/8)
2009 O. In case of ball hitting the pitching machine – ALL runners will advance one base. (7/8)
2004 P. Runners may advance at their own risk one (1) base only on an overthrow after a ball is put
into play; subsequent overthrows will not result in additional bases. (7/8)
2004 Q. There will be a chalked hash mark halfway between the bases (first through home) to determine
whether a runner goes to the next base or returns to the previous base when the umpire calls time.
(7/8)
2004 R. If the catcher is not within the catcher’s box at the time of the pitch, she cannot make a put out by
catching a pop-up in foul territory. (7/8)
A. Classification
1998 For all classifications an inning is defined as 3 outs
1. Competitive
1998 a. U18 age bracket-No limitation on the number of innings pitched in a game by any pitcher
1998 b. U16 age bracket-No limitation on the number of innings pitched in a game by any pitcher.
1998 c. U14 age bracket-No limitation on the number of innings pitched in a game by any pitcher.
1998 d. U12 age bracket-No limitation on the number of innings pitched in a game by any pitcher.
2002 e. U10 age bracket - No limitation on the number of innings pitched in a game by any pitcher
2000 f. All players bat, free substitutions, 3 out fielders - all age groups
2. Instructional
2002 a. U10 age bracket-No pitcher may pitch more than 9outs of the 1st 6 innings of any game.
2000 b. U12 age bracket-No pitcher may pitch more than 9 outs of the 1st 6 innings of any game.
2000 c. U14 age bracket-No pitcher may pitch more than 9 outs of the 1st 6 innings of any game.
2000 d. U16 & up age bracket-No pitcher may pitch more than 9 outs of the 1st 6 innings of any game.
B. Boundaries
1997 1. RGSL boundaries apply first.
C. Releases
1999 1. Only permanent releases will be available effective 1999 2. No more than three (3) players with Releases may participate on one team.
2009 Exception to rule 2. Signed releases will not be required for players moving to “High School” feeder teams.
2008 3. No player releases will be granted after scheduling night to any player without approval of elected RGSL Board Officers.
D. Divisions
1997 1. Competitive and Instructional Divisions must be a minimum of four (4) teams per Division. If not, then there shall be only an Instructional Division.
1997 2. The Competitive and Instructional Divisions will both have a Post-Season Tournament.
E. Defensive coaches will not be used on the playing field.
F. All age brackets will use the dropped third strike rule with the exception of the 9/10 age bracket.
G. A runner may not leave the base until a legal pitch is delivered to the batter and the ball has
reached home plate. (9/10) OR released from pitchers hands U12 and older
2001 H. Clarification - base runners can leave once the ball leaves the pitchers hand.
U10 competitive and older, U12 instructional and older
2001 I. No RGSL run rule, ASA run rules apply for all competitive games.
Article 20: EQUIPMENT
1997 A. Safety equipment: All girls catching for SP games will wear a helmet with a face mask and throat
protestor, 7/8 and 9/10 SP catchers must also wear a chest protector and leg guards. All girls
catching for FP games will wear a helmet, face mask and throat protector, chest protector and leg
guards. All batters and base runners shall wear a batting helmet. Other equipment is
optional and left to the discretion of each Organization. It is recommended for player
safety that when warming up a pitcher, a player wears a helmet with a face mask and
throat protector.
1995 B. The official ball size for this league shall be eleven (11) inch and twelve (12) inch circumferences
respectively for S/P and F/P (except 9/10 year old bracket)
1997 C. The official ball sizes for this league shall be as specified below:
1. Eleven (11) inch circumference: All SP and 9/10 FP age brackets
2. Twelve (12) inch circumference: All other FP age brackets
2002 D. All bats must meet the official ASA Softball bats requirements and specifications.
1995 E. Wearing helmet chin straps is mandatory for all age brackets of SP and FP
2001 F. Double bag at first base is a requirement. Any play regarding the double bag at first is not
a play that can be appealed but a judgment call by the umpire.
2001 G. A mask must be worn anytime a catcher is warming up a pitcher - either before or during a
game.
Article 21: FINES AND PENALTIES (R1991)
A. Fines and Penalties must be paid each year by the end of the season
B. Failure to comply will result in dismissal of the failing Organization from the RGSL
C. Failure to report the game results may result in a fine of $5.00 per game not reported with-in the 48 hour
time frame.
1995 D. Organizations not having a representative present for scheduling games on the appropriate
scheduling night will be required to pay a $100.00 fine.
2000 E. Procedure of when a coach gets ejected from a game
1. Once the Board (president or protest person) is notified of an ejection, the Board will
review each situation and determine to the best of their knowledge, the outcome,
in a timely manner.
2009 F. Effective at the end of the 2009 Softball Season (July 2009). All RGSL organization must have a representative present at a minimum or 70% of the RGSL meetings. Fine will be $200.00. RGSL meetings are in August, September, October, November, January, March, and April (“coaches scheduling meetings”)