INSTRUCTIONAL LEAGUE RULES - 2012

GAME PLAY:

1. All players should report to the field at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled game start time. 

2. Teams practice for the first 30 - 45 minutes and then play a game for the remaining 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours. 

3. The time limit for all games is 2 hours from the time the game starts. A new inning should not be started after the 2 hour period.

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FIELDING:

1. All players will play in the field, each inning and positions should be rotated frequently.

2. Fielders should be spread evenly throughout the infield and outfield. 

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BATTING:

1. All players will take one turn at bat, each inning (the entire team). 

2. The batter will be given every opportunity to hit the ball before advancing to first base.

3. Batting helmets with faceguards MUST BE WORN by all batters and base runners at ALL TIMES.

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BASE RUNNING:

1. Runners MUST avoid a fielder making a play on the ball.

2. The fielder MUST NOT stand in the baseline or interfere with the runner.

3. If a base runner is hit by a batted ball that HAS NOT been touched by a fielder, the base runner is then out.

4. Runners may not advance when a fair or foul ball is caught.

5. Runners may not advance on an overthrow into foul territory in. 

Stealing:
1. NO stealing.

2. NO "leading" from any base.

3. NO advancing on a pass ball.

Sliding:
1. Sliding is not allowed.

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PITCHING:

1. The coach will pitch to each of their own players.  The assistant coach shall backup the catcher.

2. All players shall be given an opportunity to pitch (starting the week of 05/17/10).  They will be limited to 8 pitches per batter, at which point, the coach will then pitch.  This is an effort to expose the players to pitching and give them an opportunity to learn the very basic mechanics, before moving up to the Junior League.

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COACHING:

1. All teams will have one Head Coach and may have one Assistant Coach.  All coaches MUST be CORI checked before conducting any team activities.  No other adults or non-players are allowed on the field, during a game (with the exception of 1st  and 3rd base coaches, while coaching those bases) .  

2. All formal protests must be submitted in writing and will be decided by the League Director and a committee of two coaches from the league of the opposite age group where the protest is filed.

Coaching Bases:
1. Only coaches and other adults may coach at first and third base.

Practices:
1. Reserve the use of fields for practices with the League Director and notify the League Director of any changes (cancellations, etc.).

2. Teams MAY play and/or practice 3 times per week during the season. Three practices per week may be allowed during pre-season, depending upon field availability.

Cancellations:
1. Cancellation of games will be made by the League Director, no later then, 1 1/2 hours before game time, on the day of the game, at which time the League WEB site will be updated and an EMAIL will be sent to all coaches, notifying them of the cancellation(s).  If a cancellation is not made by the League Director, the two opposing coaches and/or umpire must make a game time decision.  ALL game cancellations must be rescheduled for a later date and must be coordinated with the League Director within 4 days of the cancellation.  If it is not coordinated within 4 days, the League Director will reschedule the game for the next available field and time or designate the makeup game a low priority (it may or may not be played, based on field availability at the END of the season).   Makeup will be given a higher priority over practices and may impact field availability for scheduled and/or unscheduled practices.

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OTHER:

1. Helmets must be worn at all times, while hitting or running.  All helmets MUST have a permanent face guard attached.  Failure to wear a helmet with a faceguard will be considered an automatic out.

2. Only POSITIVE chatter is allowed on the field and on the bench.

3. A player should be benched for poor sportsmanship or for disciplinary reasons. Notify the opposing coach, umpire, and League Director if this becomes necessary.

4. Each player should have proper playing equipment, including their own glove. Soccer shoes are allowed - metal spiked shoes are NOT allowed. The team shirt and hat are the girls' uniform and should be worn to every game.

5. Unsportsmanlike conduct (including but not limited to - throwing equipment, swearing, arguing umpire calls, negative team chatter, harassing any member of the league, etc.) will NOT be tolerated by any individual associated with the Holden Girls Softball League.  This includes coaches, players, parents, spectators, etc.  Any individual exhibiting such behavior will be ejected from the game, by the umpire and/or League Director, suspended for 1 additional game and be given a written, zero tolerance, warning.  Any future infractions will warrant an expulsion from all future league activities.

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