RULES

NOTE: There are no written rules for Instructional League.


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. JUNIOR LEAGUE teams play 6 innings. SENIOR LEAGUE teams play 7 innings.

3. All girls who attend all 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 are urged to play ALL players the same amount of time.

4. An official game is 3 1/2 innings, if the home team is ahead.

5. 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.

6. TIE GAME - Provided that time and the field availability permit, the game will be resumed at the same point where suspended and played until there is a winner. In the event the game cannot be completed, a tie will count as "1 point" in determining 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. In JUNIOR LEAGUE, a ball is dead when being thrown back to the pitcher from the catcher.

4. The ball is dead when the pitcher has control of the ball within a 5 foot radius of the pitcher's mound in JUNIOR LEAGUE.

5. Play is alive when a fielder is returning the ball to the pitcher. The runners are free to proceed at their own risk (BOTH LEAGUES).

6. In SENIOR LEAGUE, the ball remains alive UNTIL the umpire calls time, which should be done when the ball is held by a player in the infield area and, in the judgment of the umpire, all play has ceased.

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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 in JUNIOR and SENIOR LEAGUE, and a walk is allowed on the 10th batter.

2. If a batter swings, misses, and steps on home plate, it is considered a strike.

3. If the batter hits the ball while stepping on home plate, it is considered an out.

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

5. In SENIOR LEAGUE, 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.

6. Throwing the bat is an AUTOMATIC OUT.

7. Batting helmets 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 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 one base only on an overthrow into foul territory in JUNIOR LEAGUE.

6. Runners may advance at their own risk on an overthrow into foul territory in SENIOR LEAGUE.

7. 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. NO stealing is allowed in JUNIOR LEAGUE.

2. NO "leading" from any base in either JUNIOR or SENIOR LEAGUE.

3. NO advancing on a pass ball in JUNIOR LEAGUE.

4. SENIOR LEAGUE runners may steal as soon as the ball has crossed home plate.

Sliding:
1. Sliding is an AUTOMATIC OUT in JUNIOR LEAGUE.

2. Sliding is allowed in SENIOR LEAGUE within general softball rules.

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PITCHING:

1. A pitcher MAY NOT pitch more than 6 innings per week in JUNIOR LEAGUE, and not more than 9 innings per week in SENIOR LEAGUE.

2. The pitcher will be considered to have pitched one inning when having pitched to at least one batter.

3. Modified Semi-fast pitch (no arc required) is allowed in JUNIOR LEAUGE.

4. A full wind-up fast pitch motion may be used in SENIOR LEAGUE.

5. There is a one-step delivery. Both feet may start on the rubber if desired.

6. Distance from the front of the pitching rubber to the back of home plate:
1) SENIOR LEAGUE - 40 Feet; 2) JUNIOR LEAGUE - 30 Feet
(JUNIOR LEAGUE pitchers may pitch farther back than 30 feet if desired: use a second pitching rubber and notify the opposing coach; this can be done for a more powerful pitcher.)

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COACHING:

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

2. Winning coaches should notify the League Director of game scores ASAP.

3. All protests 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. JUNIOR LEAGUE - Coaches and other adults should coach at first and third base.

2. SENIOR LEAGUE - Adults or, at the discretion of the coach, players may be used to coach bases. NEVER have more than one person in the coach's box.

Practices:
1. Reserve use of fields for practices with the League Director.

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 is at the COACHES' discretion. Games canceled because of weather should be made up at a time, which both coaches agree to, preferably within 7 days of the cancellation. Field availability will have to be considered. Contact the League Director regarding field availability for make up games.

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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. Each team MUST try to obtain one umpire for each game. Paid umpires will be used in SENIOR LEAGUE and during tournaments as available.

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

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OTHER:

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

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

3. 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.

4. Unsportsmanlike conduct (including but not limited to - throwing equipment, swearing, arguing umpire calls, negative team chatter, 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.

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



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