General Rules That Apply To All Playing Divisions (Exceptions Are Noted)
USA SOFTBALL RULES WILL APPLY WITH EXCEPTION OF THE FOLLOWING
1. All games postponed due to weather or darkness may be played off, if possible. Rescheduling needs to be cleared by the Division Commissioner and Umpire in Chief.
2. Unsportsmanlike conduct or “showboating” type behavior will NOT be tolerated and parent/coach/player will be ejected from the game
3. All team rostered players must be placed in the batting line-up (Round Robin batting)
4. Players must have played two full innings within the first four innings, unless injured and unable to continue
5. All girls must play a minimum of 50% of the game (2 of 4 innings; 3 of 6 innings; 3 of 7 innings).
6. If any girl plays only 2 of the 5 or 1 of the 3 innings she must start the next game. Failure to adhere to this policy shall result in board action and may result in a forfeit.
7. Ties will be allowed. If the game is tied after 6 innings in 8U or 10U or 7 innings in 12U or 14/HS.
8. USA RUN-AHEAD rule will apply –. (15 after 3, 12 after 4, 8 after 5).
9. Each team must have a minimum of eight (8) players to start and end the game (NO Exceptions). Late players may be added to the bottom of the line-up at any time before the start of the third inning. Any player arriving after the start of the third inning is ineligible.
10. Leagues will recognize the USA "short-handed" rule which states that you may start w/ 8 players but have to take an out for the empty spot in the line-up, which will only occur the FIRST time only.
11. Courtesy runners for pitcher and catcher only.(last batter out)
12. All catchers will wear a facemask with throat or wire guard, chest protectors, and leg guards when behind home plate. When a player is warming up a pitcher, she must wear an approved catcher's mask.
13. All bats shall be official softball bats or those allowed by USA softball.
14. All girls must wear batting helmets with NOCSAE approved face guard when batting, running bases, in the on-deck circle, coaching in the Coach’s Box, and all the way into the dugout. Removal of the helmet during a live ball will result in an out.
15. Teams in all divisions must fulfill all of their snack bar duties in order to be eligible for playoffs (end of season tournament)
16 . If a player leaves during the game or is unable to continue to participate, the first time she is scheduled to be after leaving will result in an out. Subsequent at bats will be skipped without penalty.
17. If a player is injured while running the bases (note: injury must occur while running the bases, runners will not be given for injuries occurring before running the bases), the last SCHEDULED BATTER may be used as a courtesy runner (at umpire’s discretion). The next scheduled at bat of that batter will be an automatic out if she is unable to continue. Subsequent scheduled at bats will be skipped without penalty.
18. The 4up rule will apply for the 6u division. The 5up rule will apply for Divisions 8U-12U. 14U and higher will have a 5up rule till the end of inning 3. Inning 4 plus will be unlimited. Mercy rule will apply.
19. ONLY 1 coach will be allowed to sit outside the dugout, if calling plays for pitcher.
20. Mercy Rule - The run-ahead rule, often referred to as a "mercy rule" or "run rule" states that if one team is up by eight or more runs after five or more equal innings, the home plate umpire can declare a run-ahead rule and end the game
21. Home team will always be determined by a coin flip at the home plate meeting, it doesn't matter which park the game is played in.
GAME CONTEST & APPEAL RULING
The umpire has the final authority on all calls made during the game. If a manager wishes to contest an umpire’s ruling, the following process must be followed:
1. Request a Review Immediately
The manager must notify the umpire immediately after the ruling that they wish to contest the call.
2. Contest Fee
A $100 contest fee will be required to formally contest the ruling.
3. Game Continues
The game must continue while the contest is being reviewed, unless the umpire determines that the game cannot safely continue.
4. Record the Contest
Both managers and the umpire must acknowledge that the game is being played under contest and record the exact time the contest was made.
5. Rule-Based Contests
A contest may only be made regarding the application or interpretation of a rule. Judgment calls made by the umpire, such as balls, strikes, safe/out calls, or other judgment decisions, may not be contested.
6. Final Ruling
The contest will be reviewed according to the league's official appeal process. The final decision will be made at the discretion of the appropriate league/association official and will be considered final.
Score Keeping
After each game a coach or scorekeeper from each team will report the games score to either the snack bar or designated tent at the field in which the game was held.
A printed name will be required to verify the score. Any scores not matching will be investigated to find the correct score. If a team does not report their score before the last game of the day and the other team reports theirs then that score will be official.
If neither team reports their scores both teams scores will result in a 0-7 forfeit for both teams.
-If a team reports their score and the score online reflects different from the reported score, a manager has 48 hours to contest the score.
WEATHER-RELATED GAME POLICY
In the event of rain during the Winter ball season, games will not be rescheduled or made up, IF:
Rain begins while a game is in progress, the game will be considered official and final once the following minimum game time has been reached:
● 10U, 12U, and High School:
1 hour
● 6U and 8U:
45 minutes
If the minimum time has been met when rain begins, the game will be considered complete and the score at that time will stand at the last completed inning.Game being called will be at the discretion of the Blue.