ISD 196 In House Softball

Junior League Rules

GOAL: TO PLAY, LEARN AND HAVE FUN WITH THE GAME OF FASTPITCH SOFTBALL

COACH, PLAYER AND PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. To teach and learn how to safely play the game and enjoy it, both the coach and players have responsibilities to each other and to the team.
  2. Coaches are encouraged to:

a.Emphasize fundamental skills, teamwork, and self-esteem.

b.Rotate players through the defensive positions. Each player will have the opportunity to play each position at least once during the season.

  1. Players are expected to:

a.Attend scheduled practices and games or notify the coach in advance if they will not be present.

b.Pay attention to the game or practice and the instructions of the coach, and display good sportsmanship at all times.

  1. Parents are expected to:
  2. To display good sportsmanship at all times.
  3. This game is for the children. Please make sure that each player (no matter which team) receives positive encouragement and win or lose, enjoys the game.

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.Teams from Rosemount, Eastview and Eagan softball associations will compete in this league, with each association forming their own team(s). Girls in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade are eligible to play.

2.Games will begin the 1st week in May.

3.Game days will be Tuesday and Thursday. 6 teams will be scheduled to play on a given night, allowing for practice time for those teams with “bye” dates.

4.On each game night, there will be one game scheduled on each association’s field.

5.The season will conclude the last weekend in June, with a season-ending tournament.

CONDUCT

  1. There will be no harassment of the opposing teamby any coach, player or spectator. This specifically includes “chanting” normally directed at a batter or pitcher. Spectators, coaches, orplayers are not allowed behind the backstop during a game. No one except the umpire maycall “ball or strike” during the game. Players and coaches will not make disparaging or insulting remarks about opposing players, officials or spectators or to commit other acts that could be considered unsportsmanlike.
  2. Harassment of umpires is not tolerated. Players, coaches or spectators who violate this rule will beasked to leave the area. Failure to comply will result in forfeit of the game by the team with which theoffender is associated. Umpires need not issue warnings prior to enforcing this rule, nor is theumpire’s enforcement of this rule subject to protest.
  3. All players when not on the field or at bat, must be on the bench or in the bench area.
  4. All equipment must be behind the bench in an orderly manner and not on the field play.
  5. No throwing of the bats or helmets: After one warning, throwing the bat is an automatic out.
  6. PLEASE make sure the grounds are clean after the game is completed.
  7. TOBACCO-FREE. District 196 supports the national movement toward a tobacco-freeenvironment. Use of tobacco on district grounds or city parks while games or practices are being played is prohibited.
  8. No alcohol will be allowed at the field. Coaches and umpires will not be under the influence of alcohol for games or practices.
  9. No dogs are allowed at the field during practices or games.

GENERAL RULES:

  1. Team size: A fielding team consists of nine players. A team must forfeit the game if it has lessthan eight (8) players. If it is agreeable to coaches, a player from the opposing team may substituteplayers on the team that is short players in order to still be able to play, although the game is still countedas a forfeit.
  2. Umpires: A paid umpire will be behind the plate. This umpire is responsible for all calls. In the event no umpire shows up at game time, coaches may select a parent or multiple parents that rotate behind the plate.
  3. If a player is injured and blood is present, that player must leave the game until all the blood isremoved from player and/or uniform. If an offensive player is injured during her time at bat, she willbe removed from the batting order until the blood is removed from her or her uniform.
  4. Bench Assignment: The home team will use the first base side bench. The home team will provide 2 gently-used balls for use in the game.
  5. Players will pitch, using a fastpitch or modified pitch motion. There is no required arc on pitches - arced pitches are discouraged.
  6. In the absence of City or Association notification of weather cancellation, coaches will decide if a weather situation warrants cancellation prior to the game. Once the game is underway, only umpires may call the game because of weather or darkness.
  7. The umpire has the authority to call the game due to unsportsmanlike conduct of a team, coach, or parent. The team called for the unsportsmanlike conduct will forfeit the game.

GAME RULES

  1. Except as indicated below, all games will be governed by ASA playing rules for 10U fastpitch softball.
  2. Location of Bases: Bases are 60 feet apart and the pitcher’s plate is 35 feet from home plate.
  3. Length of Game: Games are six (6) innings.
  4. Length of Inning: An inning consists of three (3) outs or five (5) runs, whichever occurs first.
  5. Time Limit on Game: Games will begin at 6:30 PM. No inning will be allowed to begin after 8:15 PM. Play stops at the umpire’s discretion.
  6. Round Robin Batting: Round robin batting must always be observed.
  7. Batting Order: The coaches will provide their batting order to each other before each game. Playerswho arrive after the game has begun will be placed at the bottom of the batting order.
  8. Batting out of order. If a player is batting out of order and gets caught before she gets on base, thecorrect player replaces her with no penalty. If a player bats out of order and gets on base before beingcaught, this is an automatic out, and all players advancing because of the play will return to their base.
  9. Batter cannot touch the ball. The catcher is required to return the pitched ball. If the batter picks upthe ball, she is out.
  10. Time shall not be called until in the opinion of the umpire all play is completed. Umpire shall thencall time. Generally this will occur when the pitcher receives the ball in the proximity of the pitching plate.
  11. Time may be called immediately by umpire in case of injury. It shall be the sole decision of the umpire to designate what base or bases runners shall be placed on. NO EXCEPTIONS.
  12. One base running coach is allowed at both first and third base. Thecoaches are not allowed to touch the runner while the ball is in play.
  13. Stealing is allowed, with the exception of stealing home. The base runner can only advance home as a result of a hit, walk, or fielding error. Advancing due to a passed ball is considered stealing.
  14. Players must remain on the base until the pitch is released by the pitcher. Once the pitcher receives the ball back from the catcher, the base runner must either (1) attempt to advance to the next base or (2) return immediately to the base occupied.
  15. If the hitter swings and misses at strike three, or strike three is called by the umpire, the hitter is considered out regardless of whether the catcher fielded the pitch cleanly. Base runners (other than the batter) may advance on third strike passed balls, with the exception as noted above.
  16. Rotation of Fielding Positions and Equal Playing Times: Each player must play a minimum of four (4) complete innings. Each player should play both infield and outfield during the game. No player should start a 4th inning until all players have played three innings. Every effort must be made to equalize playing time between every three games. During the season each player must have the opportunity to play all positions. The catcher position is an outfield position.
  17. Pitchers may only pitch a total of three (3) innings per game.
  18. Field Positions: The outfielders must be at least 10 feet behind the base line (on the outfield grass) until the ball is hit.
  19. Overthrown Balls: The runner may take one additional base on an overthrown ball that goes beyond the boundaries of the playing field. (An overthrow at first allows the runner to advance to second.) The infielder may elect to throw the runner out.
  20. No Infield Fly Rule: If an infield fly is dropped, there is no automatic out.

EQUIPMENT

  1. The catcher must wear protective equipment. Each team will be provided a set of catchers gear.
  2. Only approved fastpitch softball bats are allowed.
  3. Players must wear the team softball shirts. In the case of inclement weather, players may wear a protective covering (jacket/sweatshirt) over their uniform.
  4. Batters, base runners and on-deck batters must wear helmets. It is strongly encouraged to have a protective mask attached to the helmet. Teams will be provided some helmets for use.
  5. The use of fielding protective masks is not mandatory, but strongly encouraged, especially for pitchers.
  6. Sliding is allowed, so players should wear long pants or sweat pants.
  7. Softball, soccer or tennis shoes only may be worn. No metal cleats will be allowed.