RULES FOR DAA / LVSOFTBALL
10U & 12UApproved Version
3-29-2015 (revised 4/23/15)
These rules shall be used for all 10U and 12U games for the 2015 season for LV and for DAA regardless of which teams are playing each other or which fields the games take place on *unless otherwise noted*
1.0UMPIRES
1.16U & 8U no umpire required.
1.210U and 12U- Certified umpires will be scheduled by the umpire coordinator. If there is no certified umpire available, the coaches may agree to utilize a substitute. if they agree to play with a substitute umpire the game is official.
1.3The home team shall provide a new game ball.
1.4Umpire equipment and counter will be supplied by DAA at each field.
1.5It is the umpire’s responsibility to get the game started on time. All players must report to their team bench 5 minutes prior to the posted start time of the game.
1.6Only the Head Coaches (or acting head coach) are permitted to participate in discussions during the game with the umpire. The coach should call time out, ask to confer with the umpire, and invite the opposing team coach to participate in the discussion. This includes discussion on Line up Card discrepancies.
1.7Any decisions by the umpire are final.
1.810U &12U-The home team is responsible for keeping the “official” scorebook and must report the game score to the League Director following the conclusion of the game. Have the umpire sign the score sheet. Please review the score with the opposing team to avoid disputes.
1.9The team batting must alert the umpire when a 10th batter is batting. Alert the umpire in the six inning that the three (3) out rule applies.
2.0Game Time
2.1Games begin at 6:00PM on weeknights.
2.2Time permitting the home team will practice on the field until 20 minutes prior to the game time at which time the visiting team will take the field for practice.
2.3Weekend games must stay on schedule.
2.4If an official game is stopped during an incomplete inning, the official score reverts to the end of the last completed inning, unless the home team ties or takes the lead, in which case the score at the moment the game is stopped is the final score.
2.5Lightning: At the first flash of lightning, games will be suspended immediately, and all players must leave the field for the safety of their cars. The game can not resume until 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning is seen. A clear sky and lack or lack of rainfall are not clear indicators to return to play, the 30 minute window must be used.
2.6A game can be postponed for school and community activities only if a team is unable to field eight (8) players. Twenty-four hours notice must be given to the League Director, League Commissioner and the opposing coach. The coach who cancels the game is responsible for re-scheduling.
3.0Official Game
3.1There shall be six (6) innings per game. At least three (3) complete innings, or 2-1/2 innings if the home team is ahead, must be played for an "official" game. Games halted due to rain, lightning, darkness or other reasons prior to becoming "official" will be replayed from where they left off.
3.2Official games halted due to rain lightning, darkness or other reasons will have the score revert to the end of the last full inning, unless the home team is ahead when the game is called. Halting official games is at the sole discretion of the umpire.
3.3No new inning may start more than 1¾ hours after the game’s SCHEDULED start time or 7:45PM.
3.4No game shall continue for more than two hours from the official start time if another game is scheduled to follow it.
3.5Games that must be halted due to time or weather constraints may end in a tie during the regular season.
3.6Regular season games may end in a tie.
3.7For Playoff and Championship games the intent is to play a full 6 inning game. The 3 out rule applies in the sixth inning. There is no time constraint on Playoff or Championship games, and games may only be ended after 6 innings or upon darkness or bad weather per rule 2.4, as designated by the umpire. Scores then adjust as per the above rules.
3.8A forfeit is called on a team that doesn’t have a minimum of eight (8) players present by the end of the first inning. Games must start at their scheduled time regardless of the number of players present. The forfeit occurs at the end of the 1st inning. Both teams will forfeit if they don't have the minimum players by the bottom of the 1st inning. If a team is unable to field a minimum of 8 players and only has 7, an outfielder may be “borrowed” from the opposing team to enable play of the game. The intent is to have girls play softball and not officiate wins / losses by forfeiture.
3.9In the case of a forfeited game, with both coaches agreement, a practice game may be played between the two teams. All DAA rules are enforced.
3.10The team batting order must consist of at least nine (9) batters. If a team is playing with less than nine (9) players, an no out is will beto be registered each time the 9th position in the batting order is reached.
3.116U & 8U-There shall be no official score.
3.1210U12U-TEN RUN RULE. After a completed fifth fourth inning, if either team is ahead by Ten (10) runs or more, at the losing coach’s discretion, the game is overand will be called official.(and is still a legal game).
(The following is recommended for 3.12… •Mercy rule: 10 runs at the end of 4 innings, calling the game is at the discretion of the losing team’s coach. If the losing team’s coach wished to continue the game, it goes on. Any team up by 15 runs at 4 innings, the game is over. The teams may continue playing with time remaining for practice.)
4.0Equipment
4.1Ball size: 6U is 10" diameter, 8U is official Jugs softie ball, 10U is 11" diameter, 12U is 12” diameter.
4.28U, 10U & 12U-Batting helmets must be approved and have face shield/mask with chin strap.
4.3Approved softball bats will be permitted during games or practices.
4.4Catchers must wear facemasks with a throat protector, chest protectors and shin guards during practices, warm-ups, and games.
4.5Players may wear sneakers or shoes with rubber cleats only. No metal cleats or spikes are permitted.
4.6Players must be able to participate safely when playing with the game. Common sense must be used when players have splints, casts, etc.
5.0Playing Field
5.1The length of base lines is:6U=50 feet, 8U, 10U and 12U=60 feet.
5.2The distance from the front of the pitcher's rubber to the rear point of home plate is: 6U, 8U, and10U=35 feet, 12U=40 feet.
5.3The pitching circle is 16 feet in diameter and has a radius of 8 feet from the center front edge of the pitching plate. Batters boxes are encouraged where possible, and enforced if marked. Umpires and coaches should keep the players within a reasonable proximity of this area if not marked.
5.4The home team shall sit behind the first base line and the visiting team shall sit behind the third base line. Home team designation shall be defined on the schedule.
6.0Pitching
6.16U-A coach from the team at bat will pitch to their own players when a TEE is no longer deemed necessary.
6.2Warm-up pitches shall be limited to seven (7) pitches at the beginning of a game and (5) pitches at the start of each half inning. A relieving pitcher has (7) warm-ups. Coaches should warm up pitchers to keep games moving along.
6.3Pitchers shall not pitch more than three (3) innings per game. If a pitcher throws one pitch during an inning, it shall count as a full inning pitched.
6.4There are no limits on innings pitched per week.
6.5A pitcher may re-enter a game to pitch in a later inning providing they do not exceed three innings pitched per game.
6.6Pitcher must start the delivery with two feet on the pitching rubber and the ball exposed to the batter. Motion must be forward, a pitcher is not permitted to step back.
6.712U-A called illegal pitch is a dead ball and a ball is called on the pitch.
6.810U and 12U the balk rule is not in effect.
6.910U-If a pitcher hits three (3) batters in one inning or four (4) batters during the game, that pitcher will no longer be permitted to pitch that game but may stay in the game as a fielder. A batter is only considered a hit batter if she attempts to get out of the way. This is particularly important in the 10U due to the inexperienced pitching.
6.1012U-If a pitcher hits three (3) batters during a game, that pitcher will no longer be permitted to pitch that game but may stay in the game as a fielder. A batter is only considered a hit batter if she attempts to get out of the way. This is particularly important in the 12U due to the inexperienced pitching.
6.1110U-Pitchers may not walk a batter by throwing 4-balls. If a 4-ball count is reached, a coach of the batter enters the field and picks up the existing strike count. The pitcher (player) must be even with the pitching rubber, choosing which side of the pitcher (coach) to position themselves while the coach pitches. The coach will use the pitching machine to pitch the ball from 35' pitching rubber. If the (coach) pitcher is hit with a batted ball the ball is in play, but the coach should not field the ball if possible. If the batter hits the ball and the ball hits the pitching machine the play is ruled dead and the ball will be re-pitched using the pitching machine. Each team is encouraged to have a 9 year old pitch at least one of the first three innings of every game.
6.1212U-If the pitcher is unable to throw a strike after 10 consecutive pitches, a coach from the team at bat will pitchto the batter at the plate on the 11th pitch, unless the pitching team replaces the pitcher. The coach must pitch from the 40’ pitching plate. The count does not change and the umpire will continue to call strikes while the coach is pitching.
6.138U- SAFETY NOTE – A coach must remain with the pitching machine at all times while the machine is turned on to prevent players from coming in contact with the machine. Play the first 2-3 weeks as coach pitch. Then take a week to where games are replaced with practice time. When games resume, machine pitch will be used. The pitching machine should be set 35’ from home plate. The speed of the ball should be set between 30-40 mph but it is recommended to start the season at 30 mph and slowly increase the speed as the season and the girl’s skills progress. Speed can be adjusted for any player to accommodate for skill level. Players must wear helmets with cages.
7.0Fielding
7.16U-No catcher.
7.26U-Infielders must start within ten (10) feet of the base line when the pitch is released.
7.36U-Every child plays on defense, no one sits on the "bench". One or two "pitchers" may stand on each side and of the adult pitcher no closer to home then the adult. All players can be placed in positions in the infield, "fanned" around the infield. Outfielders many not be necessary.
7.46U-Adult pitchers should knock down hard line drives.
7.58U-Catchers play their proper position during coach pitch but must stand off to the side with machine pitch. Catcher must wear the required equipment. During machine pitch the catcher can cover force plays at home plate after the ball is in play.
7.610U and 8U- A ball that contacts the pitching machine or coach is a dead ball and the batter takes first base. Runners advance one base.
7.710U&12U-The outfield will have up to four players. The outfield players "set" position must be in the outfield grass.
7.810U-infielders must start within five (5) feet of the straight line through the center of the bases when the pitch is released. It is the responsibility of the base coaches at first and third to bring an infraction of this rule to the umpire's attention. Exception: If the play is only at home, the coach may call "infield in", but must explain what they are doing, so everyone understands the purpose of the call.
7.910U-The team in the field will provide a coach/parent to back up their own catcher – except when there is an opportunity to steal – at which time the coach/parent may not touch the ball in the backstop area. This person will stand at the back of the backstop and retrieve balls that get past the catcher. Once the opportunity to steal is removed, example-a runner only on third, or when both steals are used up, the coach/parent retrieves the balls. The sole purpose of this position is to keep the game moving. There is to be no coaching from this position and no second guessing of umpires!
7.10There shall be free substitution at the start of any inning.
7.1110U and 12U Equal Playing Time: Coaches must use the Line up Card (attached with instructions) to exchange line ups at the start of the game. The Line up Card is for each coach to monitor the other coach’s player rotation to ensure compliance. If a coach fails to use the card, or use it properly, they give up their ability to challenge the player rotation of the apposing team. This is meant to be a self policing system to ensure all athletes have opportunities at all positions. Each player shall play a minimum of two innings per game in the infield,prior to the start of the 5th inning, during both the regular season and in the playoffs. There are 6 infield positions: Pitcher, Catcher, 1st base, 2nd base, 3rd base, and Short Stop. As an example, with 12 players and 6 infield positions, it is mathematically impossible for any player to play in the infield more than 2 innings out of the first 4 innings. With 11 players, 1 player may play in their 3rd inning in the infield in the 4th inning. With 10 players, 2 players may play in their 3rd inning in the infield in the 4th inning….and so on. This also links to rule 6.3, meaning the only way a pitcher can pitch more than 2 innings within the first 4 innings of the game is if the team has 11 or less players.Recommended that head coaches exchange lineup cards prior to the game, but is not required. If this is not done, coaches forfeit their right to file any complaints regarding the games. Line up cards are mandatory for the playoffs/year end tournament. (2015 change)
7.12Every player that comes to a game is placed on the roster and bats in turn whether or not they are playing in the field that inning. All members of the team will bat in the order established prior to the start of the game. Players, who arrive late, will be inserted at the end of the batting order. An injured player may skip their turn at bat, but must return to their original place in the order if they are able to return to the game.
7.13Coaches are encouraged to move players into different positions throughout the season. It is understood that at the junior level, players will begin to specialize at certain positions.
7.14No player shall sit on the bench, one more inning than any other player. With a full roster of players, some players may sit out for one inning while some may sit out for two. No player shall sit two consecutive innings. The only exceptions to this rule are if the player:
* Shows up after the game begins
* Leaves before the game ends
* Is injured or becomes ill
* The player is disruptive or is a disciplinary problem
7.15Coaches should see to it that all players sit out an equal number of times for the entire season. (In other words, the same players should not sit out twice during each game.)
7.16Fielders must allow access to the base and home plate. Do not block or stand in the base line when not involved in fielding the ball.
7.17Catchers may not block home plate.
7.18Fielders are not permitted to pretend to be in the act of receiving a throw in order to deceive the runner to slide or otherwise slow down.
8.0Batting
8.1All batters and base runners must wear approved batting helmets, see Section 4.0 Equipment.
8.26U & 8U-No bunting allowed.
8.310U &12U-There will be a limit of three (3) bunts per inning per team. No bunting is permitted when a coach is pitching. No “fake” bunting or slaps allowed.
8.46U-There shall be no walks or strike outs.
8.56U-After six (6) good pitches the Tee shall be used. A foul ball does not count as a pitch.
8.66U-Batting continues until everyone bats. The last batter will round the bases and come home.
8.76U-If any fielder catches a fly ball, the batter is out. We're trying to teach the proper rules of the game.
8.88U-No walks. Batters get a maximum of five (5) swings, not pitches, to put a ball in play. A miss on the 5th swing is an out. A foul ball on the 5th swing grants an additional swing.
8.98U, 10U, -There shall be ten (10) batters or three (3) outs per inning. The tenth batter automatically puts the inning into a two (2) out situation. The exception shall be the sixth inning, when three (3) outs are required.
If a walk is issued on the 10th batter, (or the 10th batter is hit by a pitch) the batter may take first base (1 base only) and any players on base that are forced to advance may advance (if forced and only 1 base). However, if due to the walk, no players are forced to advance, the inning is over and no additional runs score.