2005 Angleton Girls Softball Rules and Regulations

2006 Angleton Girls Softball Rules and Regulations

I. REGISTRATION AND TRYOUTS

A. To be eligible for assignments to a team, players will register approximately January 1st through January 31, at a time to be announced through the local press and/or schools. Membership in the AGSA will be for the following year unless suspended.

B. No players will be allowed to register after draft day, except as provided in I.C. below.

C. Players moving into the Association after draft day will be placed on teams at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

D. A Photostatted copy for proof of date of birth must be submitted to the Division President before the child will receive a uniform and be allowed to play.

E. Players will be assigned to leagues in accordance with rules established by Amateur Softball Association and must play within their respective age groups.

F. At the time of registration each player shall declare whether she is trying out for Division I or II play.

G. All players not having played on a team or returning to a league team must attend tryouts for Division I or Division II play.

H. All players not having played on a team or returning to a league team must attend tryouts at a time announced at registration in order to be eligible for draft; except tryouts will not be required for option or protected players.

I. The list of eligible draftees will be submitted by the Division President to each manager of his or her respective league prior to tryouts.

J. Age groups for the current season will be as follows:

Senior (18&U)—Age 17 before Jan.1st but not 19 before Jan.1st.

Junior II (16&U)—Age 15 before Jan.1st but not 17 before Jan.1st.

Junior I (14&U)—Age 13 before Jan.1st but not 15 before Jan.1st.

Sophomore (12&U)—Age 11 before Jan.1st but not 13 before Jan.1st.

Freshman (10&U)—Age 9 before Jan.1st but not 11 before Jan.1st.

Pixie II (8&U)—Age 7 before Jan.1st but not 9 before Jan.1st.

Pixie I (6&U)—Age 4 before Jan.1st but not 7 before Jan.1st.

Any variance in age group will be at the discretion of the board.

1. An approved manager may not choose an assistant manager during actual tryouts. An assistant manager must be chosen prior to tryouts and draft being held.
2. Only approved managers and assistant managers may be on the field during tryouts to evaluate players. (Rev. Jan. 5,2006)

II. DRAFTING RULES

A. Division I teams will draft before Division II teams allowing Division II teams to replace players in the supplemental draft lost to Division I prior to the regular draft. Players drafted will be replaced on the team as returning players in the established drafting order. For each player lost to a Division I team, that slot in the draft order shall be open for a new draftee beginning in the fourth round. (Rev. Jan. 5, 2006)

1. All players attempting to be placed on a Division I team must tryout for that team and will not automatically be returned to the Division I team.

2. Division I teams will be drafted by the approved Division I Manager and Assistant Manager. The Division I draft will be monitored by that Division’s President.

3. Players who were unable to attend tryouts for the Division I teams may be considered for Division I at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

4. Each team will have a first round draft pick starting in reverse order of overall finish.

B. If a team has one option player, that option player will be placed in the second round (Rev. Jan. 5, 2006) draft slot. If a team has two option players, those option players will be placed in the second and third round (Rev. Jan. 5, 2006 ) draft slots. "Option players" are defined as approved manager’s and/or assistant manager’s daughter or sister. “Returning players” are not “Option players”.

1. "Protected players" are defined as sisters, and any of the following living under the same household. (I.e., half-sisters and stepsisters). Protected players shall be placed in the next draft slot after the last returning player.

2. Pixie I – will abide by same drafting rules as all other leagues.

C. All returning players will be placed on the draft roster beginning with round four. (All divisions) (Rev. Jan. 5 , 2006 )

D. Each round of the league draft will begin with the expansion teams drafting, as determined by random draw, followed by the low roster teams in reverse order of their finish, followed by established teams drafting in reverse order of their finish.

1. "Low Roster Team" is defined as an existing team with 3 or less returning, protected or option players.

2. "Established Team" is defined as an existing team with 4 or more returning, protected or option players.

3. "Expansion Team" is defined as a team that did not exist in the previous year, notwithstanding the name of that expansion team.
Note: If there were 6 teams in the previous year, in order for there to be an "Expansion Team" there must be 7 or more teams. If there are more than one "Expansion Team" the draft will begin with the expansion team drafting, as determined by random draw.

4. Pixie II – As per regular drafting procedures.

E. As a manager announces the draft choice the player’s name will be removed from the master draft list.

F. If a newly approved manager and/or an assistant manager move a daughter or a sister to another team, then that team will transfer its first optioned player spot, meaning the first spot after the first round spot, to the team losing the player, and the player receiving the transferred player. If more than one player is involved, then the receiving team forfeits its first and second optioned player spots to the donor team or teams. The player selected with the transferred draft choice shall be placed as returning player on the roster of the team who lost the transferred player in the first available returning player slot.

G. All players not attending tryouts will be assigned to a team by random draw immediately after draft. The Draft will conclude when the last player has been drafted.

H. There will be no Trades.

III. MANAGERS AND ASSISTANT MANAGER RESPONSIBILITIES

A. The home team will mark the field, must provide the official scorekeeper, and set the bases at least five minutes prior to game time. Visiting managers must provide someone to keep the scoreboard. The home team will store away the bases at the conclusion of their game if their game is the last scheduled game on the day. (Rev. Jan. 5,2006)

B. Prospective and returning managers should have a letter of intent to manage submitted to the Division President before day of tryouts. All managers and assistant managers must be approved by the Board of Directors. Managers will have a right of refusal of any assistant manager.

C. Each manager must hold a parent meeting prior to the beginning of the season.

D. A manager may not assist another manager during games within their own division.

E. Managers will be held responsible for equipment and uniforms issued to their team.

F. Managers and assistant managers must be eighteen years of age or older at the time of draft.

G. Managers and assistant managers must follow the rules and regulations of the AGSA and insure that their team follows all rules and regulations as well as established principles of good sportsmanship.

H. Managers and assistant managers may be suspended by the Board of Directors for not carrying out the rules and regulations of the AGSA, or for disorderly conduct during AGSA activities. Any individual with a complaint or concern must follow the AGSA Grievance Procedure, as follows:

I. All complaints and concerns must be discussed or put in writing to the manager of team. If no satisfactory results are obtained, concerned party must express concern in same fashion to appropriate league president. If the concerned party is still dissatisfied or concerned, the party must then submit in writing a letter stating their concerns and the steps they have taken to remedy situation to the Board of Directors.

J. A manager/ assistant manager may be removed from participation with the AGSA by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors

K. A manager may not suspend a player without the approval of the Board of Directors. Request for suspension must be in written form outlining reasons for suspension, and should be made available to the parents of child in question.

L. Managers and assistant managers or their own immediate family may not move laterally or down in their own league. Examples: Assistant managers or their immediate family cannot accept an assistant manager’s role for another team in his/her league from year to year. Managers or their immediate family cannot accept a manager’s role or assistant manager’s role for another team in his/her league from year to year.

M. If a manager or assistant manager is ejected from a game, while representing AGSA, the Board of Directors shall consider whether or not that person shall be suspended from AGSA for the remainder of the season, or any part thereof.

N. If a manager resigns prior to the draft, after being approved by the Board of Directors, their child is no longer considered an option player and must go into the draft. In this situation the assistant manager can become the manager of the team and will be allowed to protect an option player other than his own option.

O. Managers must inform in writing to their Division President of any deletion of players from their rosters as they occur.

P. Managers and assistant managers or a team representative, from each team, must have attended a rule change/coaches clinic, approved by AGSA, before the first regular season game. Any member of the AGSA Association may attend.

Q. All coaches will be expected to clean their dugouts, fields and surrounding stands.

R. If a returning player chooses to be placed back in the draft, then that player cannot be drafted by the team she played for the previous year. (Rev. Jan. 5, 2006)

S. A list of all approved coaches will be placed on the association web site as soon as available.

IV. PLAYER RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Players must participate in 75% of games and practices to be eligible to be considered for post season teams within the Association. In the event an injured player is unable to meet the participation guidelines, eligibility will be considered at the discretion of the Board of Directors. (Rev. Jan. 5, 2006)

B. Players will not be permitted to use any foul language, gestures, or demeaning conduct toward another player, coach, team, or general public. Any violation of the "Players Responsibilities” must follow the grievance procedures. Any individual with a complaint or concern must follow the AGSA Grievance Procedure, as follows:

1. All complaints and concerns must be discussed or put in writing to the manager of team. If no satisfactory results are obtained, concerned party must express concern in same fashion to appropriate league president. If the concerned party is still dissatisfied or concerned, the party must then submit in writing a letter stating their concerns and the steps they have taken to remedy situation to the Board of Directors.

2. A player may be removed from participation in the following game by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors.

V. PLAYING AND EQUIPMENT SAFETY

A. All equipment shall be obtained through the Equipment Manager. All equipment will be turned in after the last game of the season to the Equipment Manager.

1. Under no circumstances will a player or manager intentionally throw a bat or headgear on the ground or in the dugout. Punishments for such violations will be at the discretion of the umpire/ coach.
2. All players must have numbered shirts and the Board of Directors must approve any additional printing on any part of the uniform.
3. Players will be responsible for picking up their own headgear and bats from the field during play. Non-team members will not be allowed in the dugout or on the field during play.
4. The player is out if she slings a bat during the game. This is safety rule and is a judgment call on the part of the umpire. Managers will enforce this at practice as well.

F. All players must wear a certified chin strap and approved face guard mask (Rev. Nov. 22 2004 ) when wearing a helmet.

VI. LEAGUE AND GAME RULES:

A. Rules regarding the base distance, pitching distance and the type ball will be governed by the Amateur Softball Association. Specifically, those rules will be as follows.

1. Pitching:

a. Senior (18&U) - - 43 feet

b. Junior II (16&U), Junior I (14&U) and Sophomore (12&U). - - - 40 feet

c. Freshman (10&U) and Pixie (8&6U) - - 35 feet

2 Bases:

a. Senior (18&U), Junior II & I (16&14U), Sophomore (12&U) and Freshman (10&U) - - 60 feet

b. Freshman &Pixie (8&6U) - - - 60 feet

3 Balls:

a. Senior (18&U), Junior II & I (16&14U) and Sophomore (12&U) - - - 12 inches

b. Freshman (10&U) - - - 11 inches

c. Pixie (8&6U) - - - Same as authorized for State Tournament. (i.e. Safety Ball)

B. Regulation game times will be as follows:

1. Pixies (6u / 8u) - - 1 hour or 5 innings. (Rev. Jan. 5, 2006 )

2. Freshman and Sophomore - - 1 hour and 10 minutes or 6 innings (Rev. Jan. 5, 2006 ).

3. Junior I, Junior II and Senior - - 1 hour and 10 minutes or 7 innings (Rev. Jan. 5, 2006 ).

C. Run rules will be as follows:

1. Junior and Senior - - 20 after 3, or 10 after 4.

2. Sophomore - - no more than 6 runs will be scored in one inning with no continuation runs allowed. A game will end if one team is ahead 7 runs after 5 innings or 13 runs after 4 innings.

3. Freshman and Pixie - - no more than 6 runs will be scored in one inning with no continuation runs allowed. A game will end if one team is ahead 7 runs after 4 or 13 after 3 innings.

D. All games shall be regulation games if called by the umpires, because of weather after 3 innings or fifty-five minutes of playing time. If an inning is not complete, it shall revert to the last full inning to determine status of the game, unless the home team is batting and ahead, the score will remain.

E. Rules specific to Pixie:

Adopt the State rules with the following exceptions:

1. A team will be allowed to start a game with 9 players if only 9 are present, but must start all 10 if 10 or more are present per state rule. A team will also be allowed to start and play with 8 players with the 9th position being an out.

2. Fifty-five minute game time will be extended to 1 hour, for league play. (Rev. Jan. 5, 2006)

3. Pickups may not play pitcher position or first base.

4. A dead ball will be called if the ball hits the fence on the first play that is intended to get a runner or batter runner out at any base. The runner or batter runner will be awarded the base in which they were going to when the ball was released.

F. Rules specific to Freshman:

1. The dropped third strike will not be in effect.

2. The infield fly rule will be in effect. (Rev. 2004)

3. Players will be allowed to steal all bases, except homeplate. (Rev. 2004)

4. Players will not be allowed to steal home in an AGSA Tournaments.

5. No continuation on a walk.

G. Rules specific to all Leagues:

1. Teams must turn in line-ups (substitutes listed) prior to the game time to the Official Scorekeeper and the opposing team manager.

2. Any team that fails to appear fifteen minutes after scheduled game time shall forfeit.

3. There will be no infield practice or warm-up for regularly scheduled games within 50 feet of the bleachers.

4. The Scheduler will reschedule make-up games as soon as practical. The manager or assistant manager will be notified at least (72) hours in advance and that the game will become a regularly scheduled game. A game may be rescheduled with less notice if both managers give their consent. Each team will be allowed only two (2)-rescheduled games; excluding those caused by bad weather. All make-up games to determine League Championship will be scheduled by the Board of Directors.

5. League games will take precedence over invitational tournaments when deadlines need to be met within the league. Keep this in mind when accepting tournament invitations. Any change is to be rescheduled by the Scheduler.

6. Protests should be made in accordance with Amateur Softball Association rules and notification should be given to the Board member on duty at the time of protest.

7. In the event of an injury, a player can be freely substituted into the ball game to keep from having to forfeit the game (even if all substitutes have been made).

8. Pick-up players cannot be entered into the game until after three innings or half (1/2) of the time limit has expired and all team members present 15 minutes before game time have played or are playing (unless injury or illness occurs).

9. A player picked up from a lower league may not pitch or catch. (Exception for Pixie I/II, see VI.E.3) (Rev. Jan 5, 2006)

10. A player who has regularly attended practice and team meetings, appears on time and in uniform and physically able, must play a minimum of one inning in the field and take one turn at bat in each game, provided at least four innings are played. Any protest should be made by following the AGSA Grievance Procedures.

11. If, at the end of regulation play, a tie exists, all leagues shall play a modified international tiebreaker, putting the last completed at bat on second base, with two outs.