SENIOR LEAGUE RULES - 2012

GAME PLAY:

1. All players should report to the field at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled game start time. Games are forfeited if the team is not fielded with the minimum number of players allowed (7) by the scheduled game time.

2. Teams play 7 innings. 

3. All girls who attend practices MUST play at least 3 innings in the field. If the coach does not receive a call for a missed practice or game, the coach may use his/her discretion as to the amount of playing time. Coaches should make every effort to play ALL players the same amount of time.

4. An official game is: 
    - 3 1/2 innings, if the home team is ahead.
    - 4 innings, if the home team is not ahead at the 3 1/2 inning mark.

5. If a game is called (due to weather or darkness), before it is an official game, the game is then suspended.   The game will be resumed at the same point where it was suspended, at a later date, and played until there is a winner. 

6. 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.  If there is a tie at the end of the 7th inning and the coaches and umpire all agree, you may play one additional inning.

7. TIE GAME - Provided that time and field availability permit, and the coaches and umpire agree, the game may continue for 1 additional inning.  If the game remains tied, it is then suspended.  The game will be resumed at the same point where it was suspended, at a later date, and played until there is a winner.  In the event the game cannot be completed, a tie will count as "1 point" in determining the standings for the end-of-season tournament.

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FIELDING:

1. There is a MAXIMUM of 10 players on the field (under 7 is forfeit).

2. No field position may be changed until the batter is finished, unless the fielder is injured. Re-substitutions, including the pitcher, may occur at any time during the game.

3. The infield fly rule does apply.  If there's less then 2 outs and runners on 1st & 2nd or 1st, 2nd & 3rd and the batter hits a fly ball in the infield, the batter is out.  If the ball is caught, the runners may advance after tagging up.  If the ball is not caught, the runners may advance at their own risk.  In all cases, advancing runners must be tagged out.   

4. The ball is dead when the pitcher has control of the ball within a 5 foot radius of the pitcher's mound or the umpire calls "time".

5. Play is alive when a fielder, including the catcher, is returning the ball to the pitcher. The runners are free to proceed at their own risk.

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BATTING:

1. All girls will take a regular turn at bat, whether they are playing in the field or not. There is a 10 batter limit and a walk is allowed on the 10th batter.  The only time a team can use more then 10 batters is in the anticipated last inning and all subsequent innings (in the case of a tie game). 

2. If the batter hits the ball while stepping on home plate or steps outside the batter's box while swinging, it is considered an out.

3. First base is automatically awarded if the batter is hit by a pitched ball.

4. Batters may run to first base on a dropped third strike, provided that first base was unoccupied at the time the pitcher began her delivery of the dropped third strike.

5. Throwing the bat is an AUTOMATIC OUT.

6. 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 tag up and advance at their own risk (including home) when any fair or foul ball is caught.

5. Runners may advance at their own risk on an overthrow into foul territory. 

6. Runners may advance only one base on an overthrow into "out of play" territory. This area is to be defined by umpire and both coaches prior to the start of the game.

Stealing:
1. Stealing is NOT allowed.  

2. "Leading" IS allowed, once the Pitcher releases the ball.

3. NO advancing on a pass ball.

Sliding:
1. Sliding is allowed within general softball rules.

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PITCHING:

1. A pitcher MAY NOT pitch more than 9 innings per week.  Makeup games scheduled in a subsequent week are not included in this rule.

2. The pitcher will be considered to have pitched one inning when making at least one pitch in that inning.

3. Modified Semi-fast pitch (no arc required) is allowed in OR a full wind-up, fast pitch motion may be used.

4. Only a one-step delivery is allowed.  The pitcher must have, at least, the pivot foot touching the rubber, at the start of the delivery.   The other foot may be on or behind the rubber.   One step is allowed - mechanically, it's the non pivot foot (a right hand pitcher would step forward with their left foot).  Steps backward are allowed, but should begin before raising and placing your hands together, in front, or before you come to a "set" position.  The "crow hop" or "leap", during delivery, is illegal and should be called a ball.   

5. The distance from the front of the pitching rubber to the back of home plate is 40 feet. 

** The only exception is at the C.R.A. field, where the pitcher may deliver from as close as, the front, flat area, directly at the bottom of the front, incline of the pitchers mound.  Pitchers may pitch further back or from the top of the mound, if they wish to.

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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. Coaches MUST report their batting line-up to the opposing coach before the game.

3. All coaches must report their game scores to the League Director, within 48 hours of the completion of the game.  Email or the use of www.wachusettsports.com/hgs/scores.htm are preferred.

4. 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. Adults or, at the discretion of the coach, players (a helmet must be worn) may be used to coach bases.  NEVER have more than one person in the coach's box.

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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UMPIRING:

1. The umpire can call a game at any time.

2. The decision of the umpire is FINAL!

3. Absolutely NO HARASSING of the umpire will be allowed or tolerated.

4. The primary umpire MUST call the game from behind home plate.

5. Paid umpires will be used and it is the responsibility the coach of each team to pay the umpire 1/2 of the game fee.

6. Umpires should insure that spectators are safely back from the playing area.

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PLAYOFFS:

1. There is no limit on the innings a pitcher may pitch during playoffs.

2. All games must be played through the 7th inning or until a winner is determined.  Should a game be called due to weather or darkness then the game will be suspended and resumed at the same point where it was suspended, at a later date, and played until there is a winner.

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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.

6. Official USSSA Softball rules will be used to supplement the above rules.

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