Softball

Rulebook

Revised: 01/01/2017Page 1

Table ofContents

Rule1 / Objectives of thegame / Page3-5
Rule2 / GamePreliminaries / Page6-9
Rule3 / Starting and ending agame / Page10-14
Rule4 / Putting the ball inplay / Page15
Rule5 / TheBatter / Page16
Rule 6 / TheRunner / Page17-19
Rule 7 / ThePitcher / Page20
Rule 8 / The Umpire / Page21-22
Rule9 / MiscellaneousRules / Page23-24

Revised: 01/01/2017Page 1

2017 SOFTBALLRULES

Any rule not covered in this document will follow the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) Rule Book.The rules contained herein shall take precedence over NFHS rules when such rulesconflict.

OBJECTIVES OF THEGAME

This section contains general information concerning the dimensions of the field and/or equipment andplayer uniform and equipmentregulations.

A.Players may only use bats that are marked, “Official Softball” or “ASA Certified” (2000 or2004).

B.14U thru 18U softball batting helmets must be NOCSAE certified; 14U & 18U softball helmetsmust haveNOCSAE-approvedfacemask/guardattached.Inallothersoftballdivisionshelmetsmusthave double-ear flaps and an attached face mask/guard. The NOCSAE certification shallbe visible/permanently affixed to the helmet/face guard. Chin straps are notrequired.

C.Softballs:One new and one used softball in good condition will be used to start thegame.

Asadditionalballsareneeded,theteamswillalternatefurnishingballsstartingwiththehometeam. The ball does not have to be new but it must be acceptable to theUmpire-in-Charge.

NOTE:TeamsplayingareresponsibleforretrievingthefoulballsNOTtheumpires.Eachteam should go after the balls hit to their side of thefield.

Official softballs used for games are determined by the diametersize:

11” – 8UDivision 11” – 10U Division

12” – All otherDivisions

D.Catcher: (alldivisions)

1)LegalthroatprotectorsarerequiredforcatchersinALLdivisionsofbaseballandsoftball. Catchermaskswithabuiltinthroatprotectorareacceptable,butitmustextendpastthe bottom of the mask. Masks must meet NOCSAE standards.

2)Allplayerswarminguppitchersarerequiredtowearacatcher’smask,helmet,andthroat protector. It is advisable for Adults to wear a mask but notrequired.

Revised: 01/01/2017Page 1

E.Pitchers: (alldivisions)

1)May not wear a plain optic yellow (color of the ball) shirt under any condition whether ornot itispartoftheiruniform.Thepitcher’sundershirtexposedsleevemustnotbeopticyellow, if it extends past theelbow.

2)May not wear a batting glove on their pitching hand or wristbands on eitherhand.

3)May not have any tape or bandages from the wrist to the fingers on the throwinghand.

4)SHALL use any color glove that can be bought in a storePROVIDED IT IS:

A. NOT MORE THAN 2 COLORS EXCLUDING LACING AND MANUFACTURERE’S LOGO COLORS. LACING SHALL NOT BE THE COLOR OF THE BALL

B. NOT BE ENTIRELY OPTIC IN COLOR

C. NOT HAVE AN OPTIC COLORED MARKIING ON THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE THAT GIVES THE APPEARANCE OF THE BALL.

D. Gloves that are otherwise distracting may be removed at the discretion of the umpire. Violators must remove the offending glove from thegame.

(NFHS RULE 1-4)

5)Musthavetheirshirttuckedintotheirpants/shortsatalltimes.(Somesoftballuniformsare designedtobewornoutsidethepants/shorts,howevershirtsthatbillowor“flap”willcause the umpire to direct the shirt to be tucked into thepants/shorts.)

6)Mustnotwearanythingthatcandistractthebatter.Thiswillbeleftuptothesolediscretion of theUmpire-in-Charge.

F.Player’s Shoes /Spikes

1)Shoes with metal spikes or cleats are prohibited in all girls’ divisions. Players foundwearing theseshoeswillbeejected.Itisthemanager’sresponsibilitytomakesurethatnoneofthe playersarewearingmetalspikesorcleats.Ifaplayerisinjuredbymetalspikesorcleatsof an opposing player, that player and his manager will be ejected from the game. Theumpires willreporttheincidenttotheAssociationforfurtherinvestigationtodeterminewhetherany additional penalties should beassessed.

2)Playersintentionallyremovingtheirhelmetswhileinliveballterritoryandwiththeballlive will be called out after a team warning. (See Rule6-A)

4)Anyplayerwearinganytypeofcastorsplint(includesanyremovableones)willNOTbe allowed to play.

5)Nojewelryofanytypecanbewornbytheplayers;Umpiresaretohaveplayersremoveall jewelry. Exception: Medical Alert Jewelry. Medical Alert Jewelry must be taped tothe player’sbody.

G.Uniforms (alldivisions)

1)All players must have numbers at least 6” high on back of theirshirt.

2) Players must have unique numbers and cannot change the number in the middle of a gameor between multiple games without notifying the other manager and the umpires.

PENALTY:Theplayerisdisqualifiedandrestrictedtothebenchforthedurationofthegame.(Thismustbedeterminedwithinthefirstbattingrotationornopenaltywillbe assessed.)

H.All softball gamesshall use an orange safety base at 1st base.

I.Ifdivisions need to be merged, then the pitching distance will be split between the twodivisions. The bases will be the longest distance of the twodivisions.

Softballdivision / Pitching / Bases
8 & Under(8U) / 30feet / 55feet
10 & Under (10U) / 35feet / 60feet
12 & Under (12U) / 40feet / 60feet
14 & Under (14U) / 40feet / 60feet
18 & Under (18U) / 43feet / 60feet

GAMEPRELIMINARIES

This section defines what needs to be done prior to the start of eachgame.

A.GroundRules:TheUmpiresandheadcoaches[seerule9-H]shalldiscussgroundrulespriortothe startofthegame.Noplayers(otherthancaptainsattendinggroundrules)maybeonthefieldduring ground rules. Ground rules should consistof:

1)Ensuring players are properly equipped and will remain so during thegame.

2)Ensuring coaches, players, and fans are aware that good sportsmanship is expectedand demanded throughout the game; that head coaches are responsible for their conduct as wellas their assistants’, players’, and fans’conduct.

3)Define the “out of play”lines.

4)Define awards when the ball goes “out of play” or gets stuck in thefence.

5)Force Play Slide / Contact Rule and Fake-tag rule.

6)Any special rules [8U & 10U softballdivisions].

7)Maximum runs per inning (if appropriate) and “mercyrule”.

8)No outside food or beverages are allowed (see Rule10).

B.Rosters/BattingOrder/Substitutions:

1)In all divisions, every player listed on the team roster and present at game time shall belisted ontheofficialbattingorderandshalltaketheplayer’sturnatbatastheplayer’sname appearsonthebattingorder(“BattheRoster”).EXCEPTION:Aplayerbeingwithheld from a game for team disciplinary reasons or any player wearing any type of cast or splintwill NOT be allowed to play. This must be stated during pre-game conference. PENALTY:The team (or teams) in violation will forfeit the game at the time the infraction is brought tothe attentionoftheUmpire-in-Charge.NOTE:Anyplayerarrivinglateshallbeplacedatthe bottomofthebattinglineupandmustwaituntiltheirproperturnatbattomakeaplate appearance. If a player is present, but not placed in the batting order, they may notparticipate once all batters properly listed have batted at leastonce.

2)Playersmaynotplayinanydivisionlowerthantheirownagedivision.Playersmay“play up” a division withoutpenalty.

3)Inalldivisions,therewillbe“free”substitution.However,eachplayerwillberequiredto playinthefieldatleastsix(6)defensiveoutspriortothestartofthe6thinningofa7-inning game.Thestartofthenextinningbeginswhenthe3rdoutinthebottomoftheprevious inning is made. PENALTY: The team (or teams) in violation will forfeit the game atthe timetheinfractionisbroughttotheattentionoftheumpires.Itistheresponsibilityofthe opposing team to keep track and appeal to theumpires.

4)In the event that there is a player who can NOT play defense, bat, or run, then that playermay NOT participate. The practice of allowing a player to bat and then have a pinch runnerevery time she gets on base will not be tolerated. Exception: catcher, (see Rule 6-G-2) Ifarunner isinjuredandunabletorunthebases,shemaybereplacedbytheplayerwho

madethelastout(notthenextinning’spitcherorcatcher)andnopenaltywillbeassessed. However,onceaplayerisremovedfromthegameduetoaninjuryandhasmissedtheirturn at bat, that player may not re-enter the game either defensively oroffensively.

Ifaplayerisejectedorremovedforteamdisciplinaryaction,thenthepositionoccupiedby theejected/disciplinedplayerWILLbeconsideredanOUT.Ifthiscausesateamtofieldless than eight (8) players, then that team will forfeit the game (see Rule4-D).

5)Arnold Athletic Association requires the completion of Official Game Sheets. Eachsheet

a)Shallbesignedbytheheadcoach/managerofbothteams.PENALTY:theteam refusingtosignwillforfeitthegameandthemanagerwillbesuspendedfora minimumofone(1)game;furtherdisciplinaryactionmaybetakenbytheAAAExecutiveBoard.

b)Shall list the names of all umpires officiating thegame.

c)Shall be considered as the Official record of all games played in theleague.

d)Shall contain accurate game score/totals. The home team scorebook will be considered the “Official Score Book” if irreconcilable differences occur betweenthe team’s scorebooks. Manager’s signatures attest to the final/official outcome ofthe game; inaccurate/incomplete information may affect standings.

e)Should be retained by each manager as proof of the score in case the original getslost or misplaced.

f)Shall be accurately completed by the home team/umpires and turned in to theUIC.

g)Shall have nothing added to it once the copies have beenseparated.

6)AllteamsarerequiredtohaveaLeagueapprovedrostershowingallplayers.Teamrosters/ players may be challenged anytime until the completion of the game. [The Girls’ Commissionerreservestherighttochallengetherosterofanyteamhebelievestobeusing illegalplayerspriortothecompletionofthegame.Wheneveraroster/playerischallenged the manager/team must present an approved roster before the end of the game. Submissionof a lineup constitutes the intent of playing a player in the game. Any late arriving player canbe challenged up to the end of the game.

PENALTY:Anyillegalplayerdiscoveredorfailuretoproduceanapprovedrosterbythe completion of the game will result in the game being forfeited by the offendingteam.

Any infractions shall be noted on the Official Game Sheet and subject to review by theAAA Executive Board for further disciplinaryaction.

SUGGESTED PROCEDURE for CHECKING ROSTERS: Roster checks shouldbe performed by either/both the Field Representative/League Officer, or UIC. If an entire roster isbeingchallenged,havebothteamslineuponthefoullinesinordertheyappearonthe roster. The Official and a manager/coach from each team will check for accuracy. Thefirst thing to check is to insure that the roster was completely filled out correctly andsigned/dated bytheteam’sleagueofficial.Then,itissuggestedthateachmemberoftheteamwillbe asked a question (date of birth, address, phone, etc.). If something does not check out, askthe player a 2nd question. The last check should be to have the player sign her name.Remember, eachteamshouldalsocarrya“validproofofage”foreachplayer. Tospeeduptheprocess, checking the “valid proof of age” is redundant if the roster has been validated by aleague official. Individual player(s) can be challenged without the need to line up the entireteam(s).

7)Player divisions will be determined as follows. Any exceptions must be authorized bythe AAA ExecutiveBoard.

SoftballAgeRequirements

8 & underfor girls who have not reached the age of nine (9)years

BeforeJanuary 1st of the currentyear.

10 &underfor girls who have not reached the age of eleven (11)years

BeforeJanuary 1st of the currentyear.

12 &underfor girls who have not reached the age of thirteen (13)years

BeforeJanuary 1st of the currentyear.

14 &underfor girls who have not reached the age of fifteen (15)years

BeforeJanuary 1st of the currentyear.

18 &underfor girls who have not reached the age of nineteen (19)years

BeforeJanuary 1st of the currentyear.

8)The following are rules/guidelines for TeamRosters:

a)AllteamsmustcompleteanOfficialAAATeamRostertobeeligibletoplayduring the current season. All official team rosters must be verified/validated by the President or the Girls’ Commissioner. The team rosters muststate:

  • The official name of theteam.
  • Theplayer’sname,dateofbirth,address,telephonenumber.Manager’sand coaches’ names are required and they must be eligible under rule 2-9-Cbelow.
  • The stated age division the team will participatein.
  • Signature line and player’s signature.

b)Rosterswillberestrictedtofifteen(15)playersatanyonetime.Exception:18U Softball can have up to twenty-one (21)players.

c)AllOfficialAAATeamRostersmustbetypedorneatlyprintedandsignaturesmust be in the handwriting of the player. Only originals or photocopies of the originalwill be accepted (there will be no white-outs or carbon copies). Managers areresponsible for the authenticity of allsignatures.

Abuses will NOT be tolerated and severe penalties may be imposed by theAAAExecutiveBoard.

.

9)Registration of players, managers, and coaches

a)“Select”teamsarenotallowedtodrawplayersfromtheplayerpool.Ifahouseteam winsitsdivision,thefollowingyeartheteammustplayselectifseven(7)playersor more return from that same team. Likewise, any team that registers with seven (7)or more players on their roster shall be declared“select”.

b)Anyplayercanplayonmorethanone(1)teamaslongastheteamsdon’tplayeach other in league play. For example: a player can play in both an 14U and 12U team;or fora“select”and“house”teaminanydivisionifthereexistsaseparate“house”and “select”league.Noplayercanplayformorethanoneteamduringanyscheduled time slot.

c)All managers and coaches listed on the official team roster must have avalid, satisfactory background check on file with the Association prior to them beingallowed to participate on the field with that team. PENALTY: Offending manager/coachwill be immediately suspended from the premises until such time a satisfactorybackground check is completed and approval is granted by the ExecutiveBoard.

10)PlayerTransfers

a)Changes to a Team Roster must be approved at least 24 hours in advance beforea player can participate. (see rule 2-B-8aabove)

b)No player can switch from one team to another after the league’s draft iscompleted.

c)No players may be added to a roster after June1st.

C.Dugout Assignments:

1)The home team, as listed on the league schedule, shall occupy the dugout along thefirst-base line. (The team listed second, i.e. 1 v 4 (team 4) is the hometeam.)

2)Incaseofadoubleheaderinvolvingthesametwoteams,thehometeamforthefirstgame shall occupy the first-base dugout for both games of the doubleheader, preventing the needfor theteamstochangedugouts.Ifoneteamisplayingadoubleheaderagainstdifferentteams they may opt to remain in the dugout of their first game, regardless if they were/are thehome team. Any disputes will be handled by the Executive on duty or theUIC.

PENALTY:Themanager/headcoachwhorefusestooccupythecorrectdugoutshallbe restricted to the dugout for the remainder of the game. A special report shall be filed withthe Executive Board for possible additional disciplinaryaction.

STARTING AND ENDING AGAME

This section defines what constitutes a regulation, suspended, rained out, or protestedgame.

A.Gametimes:

1)Weekday starting times at ArnoldFields:

6:00 - AllDivisions

All games shall have a fifteen (15) minute forfeit time from the scheduled startingtime.

2)All games will have a one (1) hour and 40 minute time limit. No inning can start after (1) hour 40 minutes has elapsed.

3)Timewillbestoppedforseriousinjury,fieldmaintenance,andraindelay.Alltimeissues will be based solely on the Umpire’s clock and discretion. All games must start withinfifteen

(15) Minutes of scheduled game time, unless delayed by weather or othercircumstances.

4)DoubleHeadergames.Thesecondgameshouldbestartedassoonaspossibleafterthe completion of the 1st game.

5)THE TIME (CLOCK) WILL START AT THE CONCLUSAION OF GROUND RULES

B.Completedgames

1)All games shall consist of seven (7) innings. If tied at the end of regulation, extra innings may be played as long as the time limit is observed (see 4-Aabove).

2)A game can be officially declared overif:

a)Either team is ahead by fifteen (15) runs after three innings, twelve (12) runsafter four innings, or ten (10) runs after fiveinnings.

3)Any game which goes the full time limit and has completed a full inning will be consideredan officialgame.

a)Intheeventofrainordarkness,agameshallbeconsideredcompletedandnotmade up after three (3) complete innings or one (1) hourin the 8U divisiononly.

b)In all other divisions any game called after four (4) complete innings or one (1)hour thatcannotbecompletedwillhavethescorerevertbacktothelastcompleteinning, unlessthehometeamhastakentheleadintheirlastatbat.Allgamesthatdonot meet the above criteria will be considered a suspended game (see SuspendedGames).

C.Suspended games

Anygamethatishaltedpriortoitscompletionduetofoulweather,lightfailure,orothernatural means and does NOT meet the Completed Games criteria will be consideredsuspended.

1)Only the Senior Umpire on Duty (UIC) or a Field Representative has the authority tosuspend agame.

2)Whenagameissuspended,specificinformationmustbekeptinordertorestartthegame properly (to include as aminimum):

  • Currentinning
  • # Of outs
  • Currentbatter
  • Count on batter (ifany)
  • Location of anyrunners
  • Score
  • Time remaining in thegame

ThisinformationshouldbenotedontheOfficialScoreSheetandsignedbybothmanagers andumpires.

3)Re-start of a suspended game will continue to the remainder of the time limit or inningslimit.

4)Suspended games will be re-scheduled only if necessary to the standings. Any player/playersontherosterwhethertheywereattheoriginalgameornot,mayplayinthe rescheduled game. Anyone not at the rescheduled game is to taken off the line up and thenew playersaretobeaddedtothebottomoftheline-up.Nooutsiforiginalplayer(s)notin lineup.

D.Forfeitgames

1)Allteamsmusthaveeight(8)playersavailabletostartagame.All8U,10U,12U,14U teamsmayfielduptoten(10)players.18USoftballteamsmayfieldten(10)playersif agreed to by BOTH managers prior to the start of the game during the ground rules.

PENALTY:Failuretofieldatleasteight(8)playersatanytimeduringthegamewill result in aforfeit.

2)A forfeited game counts as a completed game asscheduled.

3)No show and/or forfeited games will be reviewed by the Executive Board forpossible disciplinary action and possible monetary reimbursement to the Association forumpires.

E.Rescheduling ofGames

4)Rained Out Games

In the event of a rain out, games will be re-scheduled asfollows:

A manager/team representative must appear in person at the fields to reschedule by 6:35p.m.

Forweekendgamesonly,themanagersMUSTcalltherainoutnumberandfindoutwhat provisionshavebeenmade.Themanagersmayberequiredtoshowupatgametimeto reschedule (as above) or it may be handled per item (2) or (3)below.

PENALTY:FailuretoshowupontimewillresultinaFORFEITfortheteamnot represented. THIS IS NOT SUBJECT TOAPPEAL.

5)Cancellation due to Natural Disaster/InclementWeather

TheaboveproceduremaybechangedduringaNaturalDisasterincaseswheretheplaying fieldisinaccessible.Itwillbethemanager’sresponsibilitytocalltherainoutnumberand find out what provisions have beenmade.

6)Rescheduling of LeagueGames

Reschedulingofleaguegames,oncetheleagueschedulehasbeenpromulgated,willnotbe authorized unless a result of inclement weather (see above) or Associationerror.

E.Protests

1)Ifthereisaquestionaboutarulethatwaspossiblymisapplied,theteam’scoachorcaptain shallinformtheumpireatthetimeoftheplayandbeforeapitchtothenextbatterofeither team,orbeforetheumpiresleavethefieldiftheplayinquestionwasthelastplayofthe game.Theplateumpireshalltheninformthecoachoftheopposingteamandtheofficial scorekeeper.

2)Theprotestingmanagershallthenhaveten(10)minutestolocatetherule(s)inquestion within these rules and/or the NFHS rulebook and present it to the Umpires and the UIC,who shall adjudicate the accuracy of the protest. If the manager does not provideproper documentation to support the protest within this time limit, the protest shall be denied andthe game resumed immediately from the point ofinterruption.

3)Repeatedlyprotestingasanobviousmeanstodelaythegameshallnotbepermittedandwill result in the coach being ejected by the umpire for unsportsmanlikeconduct.

NOTE: A $50 cash protest fee must be given to either the UIC or theExecutive-on-Duty immediately when the 10 minute protest timebegins.

G.Conduct

1)Allthatisdishonorable,unsportsmanlike,andinappropriatebehaviorisstrictlycondemned. Players,coaches,managers,and/orspectatorsareforbiddentocommitanyunsportsmanlike act to include, but not limitedto:

  • Use of words or actions to incite or try to incite spectators todemonstrate.
  • Use of profanity, intimidation tactics, or baiting ortaunting.
  • Behavior in any manner not in accordance with the spirit of fairplay.
  • Charge or threaten anumpire.
  • Argue ball and strike calls or other umpire judgmentcalls.

2)Themanagerofateamisresponsiblefortheproperconductofhisplayers,coaches,and spectators. If a player, coach or spectator is ejected, the head coach shall, at a minimum, be restricted to the dugout.

3)At the discretion of the UIC or any Field Representative on duty: players, managers,coaches, or parents guilty of inappropriate conduct (as described above) shall have to leave thevicinity (outofsightandoutofsound)oftheplayingareaimmediatelyandareprohibitedfromany further contact (direct or indirect) with the team until the completion of that game.Ejected playersmayremaininthedugoutatthediscretionoftheUmpire-in-

4)Charge.Anyadditional abuses will cause the player to be removed from thepremises.

AnyrefusaltoleavethepremisesasdirectedbytheUICorFieldRepresentativemay

cause the forfeiture of the game and summoning of thePolice.

PENALTY: Game is immediately forfeited and person(s) involved in the incidentare subject to probation or suspension upon review by the AAA ExecutiveBoard.

5)Anymanager,coach,player,and/orspectatorwhomakeanyphysicalcontactorverbally threatenphysicalcontactwithanUmpireorFieldRepresentativewillbeejectedfromthe premises immediately and suspended indefinitely until the situation is reviewed by theAAAExecutiveBoard.Ifneeded,policewillbesummonedtofacilitatetheoffender’sremoval from thefields.

6)Harassment of umpires will NOT be tolerated. If there are two (2) complaints,(separate incidents)inwriting,againstamanager,coach,player,orparentfromanyumpireanditis brought to the attention of the AAA Executive Board, via the Chief Umpire, thosecomplaints will be reviewed for possible disciplinary action against the offendingindividual.

7)Ifthereisaninjurytoaplayerwhileagameisinprogressorifaplayerhastoleaveforany reason(excludingejectionorteamdisciplinaryaction),thenthepositionoccupiedbythe player in the batter order shall NOT be considered anout.

If a player is ejected or is removed by team disciplinary action, then the position occupiedby the ejected player WILL be considered anOUT.

8)An ejection is effective for the entire day, regardless if the coach/manager/player/parent/fanis involved in another game in another age division later on the sameday.