Marshfield Girls Softball 2011 Rules and Regulations
GENERAL RULES (All Age Groups)
1. The home team shall be positioned behind first base.
2. All players not at bat, on deck, or on the playing field, must stay on the bench. Players on deck should position themselves behind the dugout fence when possible. Bats and helmets should . also be positioned behind the dugout fence when possible.
3. Catchers must wear all protective gear, including helmets and throat protectors (this cannot be removed from the catcher’s helmet).
4. When at bat and when running bases, all players must wear batting helmets with cages and chin straps. All divisions must leave helmets on until off the playing field.
5. Jewelry of any kind can cause injury and is not allowed to be worn during play. The only exception is newly pierced ears, which must be secured and covered.
6. Unsportsmanlike conduct by players, coaches, assistant coaches or fans is subject to ejection from the game and strictly enforced by coaches and umpires. One warning will be issued: a second
warning will be followed by ejection from the game. Additional incidents will result in expulsion from the league. Consumption of alcohol on or near the fields or school property is
strictly forbidden. Also please refrain from smoking during practices or games. We are role models for the players and should act accordingly.
7. Swearing, chanting or ranking down of the opposing team members is not allowed. Sportsmanship is a priority.
8. Inclement weather is the only reason to cancel a game. It is the coach’s decision to start a game and the umpire will decide when to stop a game. Regardless of how many girls show up for a game,
the game will be played. If a game is canceled, either coach needs to notify your Division Director within twenty-four hours. If this does not happen the game will not be rescheduled and both teams will forfeit. The Division Director will find out when the next available field is open and will let you know. This will usually be on the Saturday following the rainout/cancelled game.
9. Both teams will agree to the final score, and record it. The winning coach must contact the Division Director that evening, either by e-mail or phone with the final score. This is very important and
necessary to keep a good standing list. This excludes the 8U & 10U Divisions.
10. Should there be any lightning, everyone must leave the field. See Rule #8 regarding cancelled games.
11. A point system will be used to determine the standings. Win = 2 points; tie = 1 point; loss = 0 points. Should two or more teams end the year with the same amount of points, their won/lost
record against each other will determine their position. If a tie still occurs, the total runs allowed against each other will determine the position. Please avoid ties whenever possible. Note: U8 &
U10 Division will not maintain official standings since there are no playoffs.
12. A game consists of seven innings or time allowed prior to dusk.
13. Should an umpire have to stop a game because of darkness, or bad weather, the following rules will apply: a game that has been played the legal number of innings will be decided by the score at
the end of the last legal inning. If the last legal inning played ended in a tie, the game will remain a tie. No inning will begin prior to fifteen minutes before sunset according to the chart.
14. No player shall sit out two innings in a row. No player shall sit out a 2ndinning until all players have sat out 1 inning. No player can sit out a 3rdinning until all players have sat out 2 innings and so
forth.
15. A continuous batting order will be used in all division. This means that should a player have to leave the game for any reason, the next person in the batting order will move up on the list. Late
arrivals go to the end of the order.
16. Players can be moved to any position on the field as long as their place in the batting lineup does not change. Pitchers may be taken out/or put back in at the coach’s discretion.
17. In all divisions, there are no intentional walks allowed.
18. Dead ball rule: When the final throw comes to the pitcher and she is within the pitchers circle. Note: In 8U & 10U dead ball rule is still enforced if intent was there and throw was towards pitcher
but the pitcher did not catch the ball and/or it leaves the pitcher circle.
19. All play is stopped at the point in which an on-field injury has occurred and until such time as the umpire and coaches agree play can begin again.
20. To prevent bad habits, in all divisions, the pitchers must start with both feet on the pitcher’s mound. Pitchers are not allowed to take more that one step in front of the pitcher’s mound before they
release the ball. The first step must be in a forward motion.
21. No coach, player, or fan shall take it upon him/herself to upset a game over an umpire’s call. The coach and only the coach will work things out calmly and quietly with the umpire. If the problem
is a judgment call, the umpire’s decision if final. If the problem is a rule call, and a coach still disagrees with an umpire’s call, you are to complete the game and notify the Division Director of the
problem.
22. If a ball is overthrown at 1stbase or 3rdbase and goes into the woods, goes beyond a fence, goes into the stands or is interfered with, the runners are allowed one base.
23. Nobody involved in the game being played may stand behind the back-stop during play. This includes coaches, players, parents, siblings and other fans of the team in attendance.
24. In the event of inclement weather prior to the game, the Division Directors will contact the league Vice President at approximately 3:30 to make a decision whether the game will be played. Once
a decision is made, the Coaches will be notified by 4:00 by the Division Director. The Umpires will be notified by the league at 4:00 as well. Coaches are then responsible for notifying their teams
by 4:30. If circumstances require it (e.g. weather is expected to clear prior to 5:30) the Division Directors and league Vice President may delay this decision until closer to game time.
25. The Division Directors will maintain a schedule of field availability for practices prior to the start of the season. Coaches should contact their Division Director in order to reserve a field on a first
come first served basis. Fields can be reserved for up to 2 hours, but only once per day. Teams that have not reserved a practice field in advance are not allowed to disrupt or request sharing the
field from those teams that have followed guidelines and reserved their field in advance. Coaches should also notify the Division Director immediately in the event a field is no longer needed. Note:
The league may pre-schedule all practices as well as games.
26. The Home Team is responsible for field preparation and safety check before each game. In the 10U, 12U & 14U Divisions the Home Team is also responsible to put down Any
baselines, a pitchers circle and batters boxes. The field also needs to be raked down and if any small puddles swept away.
Questions…please contact the Division Director or the League Officers.
FOR THE SAFETY AND FAIRNESS OF THE GAME, THESE RULES WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED.
Marshfield Girls Softball 2011 Rules and Regulations
Division Specific Rules
8U DIVISION
1. The 8U division will go through their skills and drills and have at least a one inning game, using what they learned.
2. For this age group, all players should be allowed to bat once each inning with the last batter acting as the “Home Run Hitter” that clears the bases.
3. There is no passed ball, no stealing, no bunting and no sliding.
4. A runner has to stay on the base until the ball is hit. If the runner leaves the base early, she is automatically out.
5. In the 8U division, the distance of the pitcher’s mound from home plate will be decided by both coaches, and marked on the ground. No pitcher shall pitch any closer than 25’ from home plate
before releasing the ball.
6. Coaches/parents should start the season pitching. A batting tee can also be used to start. Coaches should begin teaching pitching at the beginning of the season. The goal is to have players capable
of pitching by mid to late season if possible. Players are to be used in the games at the coach’s discretion, with keeping the game moving also in mind.
7. The U8 Division is not restricted in the number of players on the field but defensive positioning should be pointed out as the season moves along.
8. Coaches are allowed on the field during play to assist and teach players. Parents and other spectators are never allowed on the field.
Questions?? Contact your Division Director – Kim Williamson 781 837 8045
10U DIVISION
1. All coaches should have their teams at the field by 5:30 p.m. Lineup cards should be available by first pitch. Please make available to the other team’s coach if requested. Any player not on the
field by the time lineups are handed in shall be put at the bottom of the lineup after she arrives on the field. Starting time of the game shall be 6:00 p.m. sharp. As a courtesy to both teams, each
teamshall have fifteen minutes between 5:30 and 6:00 PM on the playing field to practice (on a first come basis).
2. The 10U division will play a minimum one hour game allowing however many innings can be safely played prior to dusk. Both teams must have an opportunity to complete their turn at bat for an
inning to count.
3. Four runs or three outs will end every inning. In no case shall a team record more than four (4) runs in any one inning, with the exception of the last inning, which shall remain open.
4. There is no passed ball in 10U.
5. There is bunting and sliding in 10U. Players MUST slide at 2ndBase, 3rdBase and Home Plate when there is a play at the base.
6. A runner has to stay on the base until the pitcher releases the ball. If the runner leaves the base early, she is automatically out. Base stealing is allowed. Players are able to steal 2nd& 3rdbase only.
The throw defending the steal is a free throw and runners cannot additionally advance on the throw.
7. In the 10U Division the pitcher’s mound shall be 35’ from home plate. If there is no in ground pitcher’s mound at 35’ the umpire will mark it on the ground. No pitcher shall pitch any closer than
35’ from home plate before releasing the ball.
8. The league allows ten (10) players to play the field. The configuration requires 4 outfielders be positioned at least 2 steps into the outfield grass. Outfielders should be instructed as to outfield play
and should not be used as “extra” infielders covering infield bases.
9. No pitcher can pitch more than 3 innings in a game.
10. Coaches must ensure that all players have an opportunity to play at least one infield and one outfield position at the coach’s discretion throughout the season.
11. Coaches are NOT allowed on the field during play and should remain within their respective bench areas during play. Parents and other spectators are never allowed on the field.
12. The Division Director will maintain a rechargeable Pop-Up/Jugs machine specifically to be used by this age group for practice purposes. Coaches may reserve the machine for their use in 2 hour
increments by contacting the Division Director. The machine will be lent out on a first come first serve basis. The machine MUST be returned, along with accompanying balls and equipment the
same day it is borrowed. This equipment is very expensive, its use is a privilege and it should be treated that way. Failure to return the equipment as defined above will result in that team/coach
from losing their privileges for the rest of the season.
Questions?? Contact your Division Director – Kim Williamson 781 837 8045
12U DIVISION
1. All coaches should have their teams at the field by 5:30 p.m. if possible. Lineup cards will be handed in by 5:50 p.m. Copies go to the other team’s coach and to the umpire. Any player not on the
field by the time lineups are handed in shall be put at the bottom of the lineup after she arrives on the field. Starting time of the game shall be 6:00 p.m. sharp. As a courtesy to both, each team shall
have fifteen minutes on the playing field to practice.
2. For the 12U division, all games will proceed with players present. Girls from other teams may help make roster minimum of 8 players (only girls that are registered players with MGS) if BOTH
coaches agree it would be fair. This will be considered a legal game. Both teams must have an opportunity to complete their turn at bat for an inning to count.
3. Five runs or three outs will end every inning. In no case shall a team record more than five (5) runs in any one inning, with the exception of the last inning, which shall remain open.
4. There is a dropped 3rdstrike rule. Batter may advance to 1stbase on a dropped 3rdstrike. Catcher must throw the batter out at 1stbase.
5. There is bunting and sliding in 12U. Players MUST slide at 2ndBase, 3rdBase and Home Plate when there is a play at the base.
6. In the 12U division, stealing is allowed at all bases including Home Plate. The runner cannot leave the base until the ball is released from the pitcher’s hand. If she does, she is out. No warning will
be issued. There are no free throws on steals, runners may advance.
7. Infield Fly Rule applies. Players may advance on passed balls including stealing of home plate.
8. For the 12U Division, the pitcher’s mound shall be 40’ from home plate. If there is no in ground pitcher’s mound at 40’ the umpire will mark it on the ground. No pitcher shall pitch any closer than
40’ from home plate before releasing the ball.
9. The league allows nine (9) players to play the field. The configuration requires 3 outfielders be positioned at least 2 steps into the outfield grass. Outfielders should be instructed as to outfield play.
10. Coaches are NOT allowed on the field during play and should remain within their respective bench areas during play. Parents and other spectators are never allowed on the field.
11. Continuation steals are not allowed on a Base on Balls.
12. On an overthrow to the bases, ball remains live (even on a steal). Umpire will identify any out of bounds areas.
13. At the 12U level, ASA Rules apply except where specifically modified by these rules.
Questions?? Contact your Division Director – Kevin Fleming 781 837 6041
14U DIVISION
1. All coaches should have their teams at the field by 5:30 p.m. if possible. Lineup cards will be handed in by 5:50 p.m. Copies go to the other team’s coach and to the umpire. Any player not on the
field by the time lineups are handed in shall be put at the bottom of the lineup after she arrives on the field. Starting time of the game shall be 6:00 p.m. sharp. As a courtesy to both teams, each
team shall have fifteen minutes on the playing field to practice.
2. For the 14U division, all games will proceed with players present. Girls from other teams may help make roster complete (only girls that are registered players with MGS). This will be considered a
legal game. Both teams must have an opportunity to complete their turn at bat for an inning to count.
3. Six runs or three outs will end every inning. In no case shall a team record more than six (6) runs in any one inning, with the exception of the last inning, which shall remain open.
4. In the 14U division there is passed ball, bunting, stealing and sliding.
5. Infield Fly Rule applies.
6. For the 14U division, the pitcher’s mound shall be 40’ from home plate. If there is no in ground pitcher’s mound at 40’ the umpire will mark it on the ground. No pitcher shall pitch any closer than
40’ from home plate before releasing the ball.
7. The league allows nine (9) players to play the field. The configuration requires 3 outfielders be positioned at least 2 steps into the outfield grass. Outfielders should be instructed as to outfield play.
8. Coaches are NOT allowed on the field during play and should remain within their respective bench areas during play. Parents and other spectators are never allowed on the field.
9. At the 14U level, ASA Rules apply except where specifically modified by these rules.
Questions?? Contact your Division Director – Fergus Keane, 781-837-6557
Marshfield Girls Softball 2011 Rules and Regulations
PLAYOFF INFORMATION (12U & 14U only)