2009 Valley League 17-U Rules  

1.   Fees for the 2009 season include: $50.00 per league $150.00 per team, which includes “ASA Membership”, “Playoff”, “Junior Classic Registration”, and a $50.00 refundable fee if forfeit criteria is maintained. (See rule 3) Checks will be made payable to “ASA Junior Softball League”. 

2. Primary & secondary rosters with name and date of birth MUST be given to each team and all commissioners by the last scheduling date. All primary rostered girls must play 70% of league games to be eligible for the playoffs. Any secondary rostered players are only eligible to be on one (1) active roster. That is girls playing up a division can only play for one team.  

- Primary Roster-The actual roster of the team.

- Secondary Roster-The roster of players who can be called up to play from the next level below. E.G. U14 playing U17.

A list of current officers for each participating league MUST also be provided to the commissioners.

No name may be added to a team roster unless approved by the League Commissioners. A player whose 18th birthday is prior to January 1 of the current year is ineligible. A copy of each player’s Birth Certificate must be made available to the Commissioners within 1 week of a request.  A copy of “team insurance” for the current season is to be provided to the league by the last scheduling meeting. No travel teams. 

3.  Every effort should be made to play games as scheduled including, playing with 9 players, and calling as many secondary rostered players as necessary to field a team. It is the responsibility of the head coach to know their players personal schedules before they schedule games.

Inclement weather is the ONLY acceptable reasons for postponement, however each team has one scheduling change per season with mandatory 72 hour notice. The change must go through the umpire coordinator Pat Salvage, 677-1393, pjs1237@msn.com. A postponed game MUST be rescheduled within 1 week, and the commissioners notified of place, date, & time of the rescheduled game.

 If the game is not rescheduled within 1 week, it will be rescheduled at a time and venue designated by the commissioners. If a team has an incomplete record at the end of the completed season, it will not qualify for any playoff status. 

The following is the procedure for multiple forfeits by the same team:

1 - League officers contacted by the commissioners.

2 - $25.00 fine (taken from good faith money) League officers contacted by the commissioners.

3 - $25.00 fine (taken from good faith money) League officers and head coach to meet with the commissioners.

4 - Remainder of team schedule cancelled. Good faith money not used for fines will be returned to each league at the end of the season. 

4.   A 15-minute grace period is allowed before the offending team forfeits the game. 

5.   In case of darkness, prior to a complete game, the game will be stopped and play will resume at the same point, on a rescheduled day. 

6.  It is the home team’s responsibility to report the final scores to Steve Howanetz immediately following the game. He may be E-mailed at showan@verizon.net or called at 510-6232. 

8.  League will supply ASA certified umpires at a cost of $35.00 a game provided by the home team. In the event of a scheduled umpire not showing up, the home team can use another ASA umpire. If another ASA umpire is not available, the game will be rescheduled within 1 week.   

9.   Mandatory 15 run rule after three innings, 12 run rule after 4 innings, and 8 after five innings. (New ASA rule) 

10. Un-sportsman like conduct by a player, coach, or fan will result in the ejection of such person at the discretion of the umpire. If the player’s substitute has already been in the game, the team will play shorthanded. If she is the 9th player, the game will be forfeited. This forfeit will not affect rule 3. 

11. Courtesy runner for the pitcher or catcher at any time If 10 players or less, courtesy runner will be the player who made the last out unless pitcher or catcher. With more then 10 players, the courtesy runner will be any player not currently in the game. No player may be a courtesy runner more then once in the same inning. 

12. Pitchers will be allowed to take the pitching position with either one or two feet on the pitching plate. Pitching plate for the Junior Petunias must be removed for Jr. League games. 

13. Recommended each team bring an extra jersey and pants to each game in case of blood. Flow of blood must be stopped in order for a player to resume playing. 

14. Any “2004 ASA approved” softball bat may be used, unless it is on the non-approved bat list. It is the coach’s responsibility to keep up with the non approved bat list.

The “official” ball used by the Valley League is a .47 C.O.R. 375 compression leather covered ball. No thunder balls.

15. All other ASA rules apply. 

16. The use of a double base is Mandatory.

Helmets with facemasks and chinstraps are Mandatory.