Little ChenangoValley Girls Softball Association

Rules

Fast pitch rules as published by the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) apply with exceptions as listed in each section. Rules changes made by the ASA are waived for one year to allow time for study of and preparation for said changes.

The Little Chenango Valley Girls Softball Association rules are divided into four sections as follows:

Section I- General rules for all leagues

Section II-10 and under league rules

Section III-12 and under league rules

Section IV-Boundaries

Section I – General Rules For All Leagues

  1. The first association meeting is held during March. Each civic area is notified as to the time and place as well as any necessary change in date. Each area is represented at this meeting by one person who will be responsible for reporting the number of teams the area will enter in each league for the season. Any rule changes made by the ASA between the previous season and this meeting may be discussed but are not adopted at this time. Such rule changes become effective at the end of the current season if approved. Other rule deletions or changes may be proposed at this meeting. No rule changes may be made at this meeting.
  1. The second association meeting is held during April. Each member of the civic area is notified as to the time and place as well as any necessary change in date. Each team representative presents copies of teams rosters at this meeting. Any rule changes, deletions, or revisions will be approved at this meeting.
  1. The team roster includes team name, coach name, telephone and email contact. Team players, date of birth, grade and address will be provided.
  1. All team members must reside within their respective community association

area or area designated by the league.

  1. Anyone who is not listed on the team roster is not eligible to play in any league games in which the non-member plays.
  1. The maximum number of team members on any roster is 23.
  1. The minimum age for team coaches is 18 years of age prior to the start of the season
  1. It is recommended that each girl have her own glove.
  1. Each community association provides insurance coverage for its members.
  1. It is recommended that each team have a first aid kit available for games and practices.
  1. For safety reasons, hair of shoulder length or longer is tied when every a girl is playing, either at bat, running the bases, or playing the field.
  1. Any umpire that works a game behind the home plate must wear a protective face mask or call the game from behind the pitcher.
  1. Profanity or harassment by any team member, manager, or coach may result in dismissal form the team.
  1. Profanity or harassment by spectators is ground for dismissal from the grounds. If the offender persists or refuses to leave, the game may be forfeited.
  1. It is recommended that each girl who practices faithfully be allowed to play at least two innings in the field and at least one time at bat.
  1. All games are scheduled to start at 06:00 pm. If either team is not ready to begin by 6:15, the game may be forfeited.
  1. If the start time is not acceptable due to a curfew (or other reason), this is stated prior to the start of the season and an alternate starting time is chosen which is acceptable to all teams involved. No inning to start after 08:00 pm.
  1. The home team for each game provides one good game ball and replacement balls as necessary.
  1. The home team for each game provides a well maintained field. The grass cut to reasonable length, minimum number of stones, no ruts, no holes. The field shall be equipped with standard size bases, home plate, and pitchers plate.
  1. Postponed games may be rescheduled if an alternate date can be established that is agreed to by both teams involved.
  1. The following rules apply to post season All Star games:
  2. Each girl selected to the All Star team plays in the game, unless absent or removed from the team by a vote of league coaches.
  3. Three innings is the maximum number of innings which any pitcher may pitch unless extra innings are required to complete the game.
  4. All star games are played to completion and if called for any reason they are completed on the scheduled rain date.
  5. The time, date and site for all star game is determined annually.
  6. The official scorekeeper for each all star game is chosen by the league president or the commissioner or his assignee.
  1. The following are exceptions to the ASA rules which apply to all leagues.
  2. The playing field- Little league fields are considered legal, with or without fences.
  3. Equipment- The pitchers plate may be above the ground no more than one inch but the plate must be secured to the ground. A little league size pitchers plate is acceptable.
  4. Uniforms are recommended but are not required.
  5. Protective headgear must be worn by batters and base runners.
  6. Players and substitutes- A designated hitter is not used. A team must have seven players to start or continue a game.
  7. The game- The batter shall not hit the ball with an illegal bat. The batter shall take her position within one minute after the empire has called “play ball.”

G. Protest- The time period for an ineligible player is 24 hours after the end of the regular season. If play off games are involved, 24 hours after the last playoff game. A telephone call to the league president reserves the protest time period but no action is taken until the protest is received in writing.