2017 Charlton Softball General League Rules

Minors, Majors, Juniors, and Senior Divisions

The Charlton Softball Association is a Chartered Little League Fast Pitch League.

All Playing rules are according to the Official 2017 Little League Regulations and Playing Rules Book, except for those exceptions listed in each individual League’s "Rules of the Game"

  1. All games must start on time.
  2. One representative from each team is responsible for preparing the field for play.
  3. All teams should have their players report to the field no later than 20 minutes before the start of their game. If the prior game delays the start of the ensuing game, then no infield practice should be allowed. Warm-ups should be done in a safe, flat area away from the game and spectators.
  4. A certified umpire will be assigned to Major, Junior and Senior division games. Umpires will be assigned to Intro-Pitch division games as well but they will most likely not be Little League certified. A certified umpire will be assigned to all divisions in the playoffs.
  5. Umpires have the authority to speed up games by disallowing warm-ups between innings in slow moving games.
  6. The home team will take the 3rd base dugout on all fields.
  7. All players shall remain in the dugout unless playing defense, batting, on base, or on deck. When in the dugout, all players must remain behind the fence.
  8. Appropriate laced sneakers or rubber cleats along with team shirt and hat must be worn. Players may wear appropriate shorts if also wearing an approved sliding pad.
  9. No Jewelry of any type is allowed.
  10. The Nest Allen Field: Home team is responsible for staffing The Nest during games played on Allen Field. Game cannot begin until the Nest is open.
  11. Cancellations: Games may be cancelled only for the reasons of school and church conflicts or due to

inclement weather. The Division Director is responsible for game cancellations prior to a game.

However, if a game has not been called off (usually due to weather) and the teams have reported to

the field, the managers are responsible to make the call on cancellations up until game time, if the

umpire hasn't yet arrived. If the managers can't agree and an umpire is not present at the field, then an

Executive Board member NOT INVOLVED IN THE GAME must be contacted to make the decision in the

following order:

1) Division Director2) League President3) League Vice President

  1. All regular season games will count toward the team’s rankings in the Championship Tournament.

Teams will be ranked based on their record at the conclusion of the regular season.

  1. All teams will advance to the Championship Tournament. If two or more teams are tied at the end of

the regular season, the following tie breakers will be used to determine playoff rankings:

1) Best record versus all tied teams

2) Fewest runs allowed versus all tied teams

3) Coin Flip

14. Protests: NO JUDGEMENT CALLS BY THE UMPIRE MAY BE PROTESTED

  • Any protest regarding the Little League rule book must be made according to Little League rules.
  • Any Charlton rule in question shall be directed to a member of the rules committee or Executive Board member in attendance of the game or within 24 hours of completion of the game.
  • Any and all decisions of the rules committee and/or the Executive Board are final and may not be appealed.

15.Player Eligibility:

Minors: Any candidate who will attain the age of 7 years before January 1 and who will not attain the age of 11 before January 1 of the year in question shall be eligible to compete in the Minor League Division Softball. That means a youngster who will be 8 years old on January 1 or later, is eligible to play that year; a youngster who will be 11 years old on the previous December 31 or earlier will not be eligible at or any time during the calendar year in question.

Majors: Any candidate who will attain the age of 10 years before January 1 and who will not attain the age of 13 before January 1 of the year in question shall be eligible to compete in the Major Little League Division Softball. That means a youngster who will be 13 years old on January 1 or later, is eligible to play that year; a youngster who will be 13 years old on the previous December 31 or earlier will not be eligible for either Local League or tournament play any time during the calendar year in question.

Juniors: Any candidate who will attain the age of 12 years before January 1 and who will not attain the age of 15 before January 1 of the year in question shall be eligible to compete in the Junior Little League Division Softball. That means a youngster who will be 12 years old on January 1 or later, is eligible to play that year; a youngster who will be 15 years old on the previous December 31 or earlier will not be eligible at or any time during the calendar year in question.

Seniors: Any candidate who will attain the age of 14 years before January 1 and who will not attain the age of 17 before January 1 of the year in question shall be eligible to compete in the Senior Little League Division Softball. That means a youngster who will be 14 years old on January 1 or later, is eligible to play that year; a youngster who will be 17 years old on the previous December 31 or earlier will not be eligible at or any time during the calendar year in question.

As Amended 2017