United States Specialty Sports Association: Georgia USSSA RULEBOOK
2009 Georgia USSSA Rules Addendum|
Georgia USSSA Girls Fast Pitch Softball Rules Georgia USSSA Girls Fast Pitch Softball USSSA Fast pitch Official Playing Rules With few exceptions, Georgia USSSA Girls Fast pitch will abide by the rules and by-laws governed by the 2009 USSSA Rulebook. The on-line rulebook supersedes any printed edition. Below is a list of exceptions. This is for local Georgia tournament play only, including State Championships. These rules do NOT apply when competing in any of the USSSA World Series events. Courtesy Runner - The team at bat may use a courtesy runner for the pitcher and/or catcher any time after they reach base. The player in the batting order where the last out was recorded or any player with substitution rights not currently in the game may replace the current (the player physically playing the position when the 3rd out was recorded) pitcher or catcher as a courtesy runner at any time. The same runner may not be used for both positions in the same inning. Neither the pitcher nor the catcher will be required to leave under such circumstances Players who have participated in the game in any other capacity are ineligible to serve as a courtesy runner. A player may not run as a courtesy runner and be used as a substitute for another player in that half inning. USSSA offers odd-age divisions (7U, 9U, 11 U. 13U, 15U, and 17U) as well as the common even-age divisions (8U, IOU, 12U, 14U, 16U, and 18D). Although Georgia teams may register as an odd-age division team, Georgia tournaments will not host "odd" age bracket tournaments. If a team were to register as, for example, a 13U team, then they are eligible to play in 14U events. All batting helmets must have an attached NOCSAE-approved face mask/guard. No exceptions! Georgia tournament game time limits in all games, including championship games, will be as follows: In all age divisions, including the 8 and Under Division, no new inning will start after 1 hour 15 minutes. Innings in progress after the time limit has expired will be completed. An inning is considered complete after the third out is made. A game can end in a tie in seeding games. In tournament and championship games, ties will be played out using the international tiebreaker. All Championship games will be 7 innings or 1 hour and 30 minutes, whichever comes first. Georgia USSSA Girls Fast pitch Softball Rules Every effort will be made to complete every scheduled game at the 1 hour 15 minute time limit. In the event of rain delays, the Tournament Director reserves the right to reduce the time limits of all remaining games and/or change the format of the tournament to reach a conclusion and determine a champion. With the exception of the 8 and Under Division, 12, 10 and 8 run rule in all games. If one team is 12, 10, or 8 runs ahead after 3,4, or 5 complete innings, or after 2 1/2, 3 1/2, or 4 1/2 innings, if the home team is ahead by 12, 10, or 8 or more runs respectively, the game will be called and the team with the 12, 10 or 8 run lead shall be the winner. Currently, USSSA uses a 15, 12, and 8 run rule. This applies to World Series play only. Georgia will use the 12-108-mercy rule in all age divisions except the 8-and-Unders in local tournaments. . Currently, The Additional Players (AP) remains optional but up to Two (2) AP's will be allowed. Georgia will permit two (2) additional players. The additional player(s) can be used as the tenth/eleventh player in the lineup. The additional player(s) will be placed in the line up in the batting position she is to occupy. She can also be used on defense (only 9 defensive players in the field), but must keep her same position in the batting order. The additional player(s), if used, must be selected prior to the start of the game, and her name must be included on the lineup card presented to the umpire. The Additional Player (AP) is not to be confused with the Designated Hitter (DH). USSSA permits the designated hitter to play defense. The role of the designated hitter is terminated for the remainder of the game when the DH enters the game as a defensive player. Georgia will adhere to this rule. USSSA grants each team, when on defense, no more than three charged conferences without penalty during a seven-inning game to permit coaches or their representatives to confer with a defensive player or players. In any extra inning game, each team shall be permitted one charged conference without penalty each inning while on defense. The number of charged conferences is not cumulative (i.e., a team loses any charged conferences not used in the seven-inning game). Time granted for an obviously incapacitated player shall not constitute a charged conference. A conference is not charged when the pitcher is removed as a pitcher. This defensive team charged conference is effective when the ball first becomes alive at the start of each half inning. Penalty: after three charged conferences in a seven-inning game, or for any charged conference in excess of one in each extra inning, the pitcher shall be removed as a pitcher for the duration of the game. Georgia will adhere to this rule. An unannounced legal substitute brought to the umpire's attention will result in a penalty, all prior play shall stand. PENALTY: First offense: A team warning is issued. Second offense: The manager is ejected, from the remainder of the game only. EIGHT UNDER RULES Rule 1---The Playing Field A.The base distance for 8 & under Division will be 60 feet. B.The Pitching distance for 8 & under Division will be 35 feet C.Thirty (30) foot slash marks will be placed between first and second, second and third, for the purpose of placement of base runners. D.From the mid-point of the front edge of the pitchers plate, there shall be a circle drawn, which is 16 feet in diameter (8 foot radius). Rule 2---Equipment A.8 & under Division will used the 11-inch, blue stitch Optic yellow softball, stamped USSSA Fast Pitch Classic. B.Batting helmets with extended earflaps, which cover both ears and temples are mandatory for all batters, on deck batters, base runners, non-adult base coaches, non-adult bat and ball shaggers and any offensive player in live ball territory, even if the ball is dead. Rule 3---Players and Substitutions A.A team may play with and Optional tenth (10th) player on defense. This Optional player must be positioned in the Outfield and must stay a minimum of ten (10) feet outside of the baseline (umpires judgment) until the ball is hit. B.A team must have 6 players within the baselines, including the catcher. A regulation infield must be used. All other players are considered outfielders and must play a minimum of ten (10) feet outside of the baselines. C.A team must have a minimum of 9 players and can finish with 8 players if one becomes injured or ill. If the 9th player becomes absent and is scheduled to bat, an out shall be declared for each turn at bat. If the player is a runner, they shall be declared out. D.All players on the roster will bat with free substitution on defense. The Game A.The USSSA 8TH Edition Rule Book will govern all play unless specified in this section. B.A Coach will make a maximum of six (6) pitches. If the batter has not hit a fair ball, struck out, or been put out after receiving the maximum numbers of pitches without completing any of these situations will be called out by the umpire. C.If after 2 strikes or five (5) pitches the sixth (6) pitch is fouled off, the batter will receive another pitch until either a strike out, or the ball is put into play. If the batter does not swing at the sixth (6) pitch it is called an out. D.There will be a maximum of six (6) runs per half inning. E.The run rule is as follows: 15 runs after 3 innings 12 runs after 4 innnings 8 runs after 5 innings. F.No Bunting G.No Stealing H.No leading off bases. I.Play will stop when the lead runner has stopped or the pitcher has the ball and at least one foot inside the pitching circle. J.The player pitcher must have at least 1 foot in the pitchers circle when the batters coach is pitching. K. The pitching distance for 8/under & 10/under shall be 35 feet . 2. The 11-inch optic yellow softball shall be used for 8/under and 10/under. 3.The batter is out on a third strike. If a batter strikes out and the ball is not caught, the batter is out and cannot advance to first base. The ball remains alive. 4. 10 & Under and 8 & Under will not use the infield fly rule. 5.Unless mentioned above, the 10,, and 8 & Under will follow all other Fast Pitch rules as outlined in this book. The above rules will take effect on a state level in Georgia for the entire 2009 season. Download the 2009 USSSA Rulebook and By-Laws (8th Edition) Approved Bat List at www.usssa.com |