JUNIOR SOFTBALL LEAGUE RULES

JUNIOR SOFTBALL LEAGUE RULES Thursday, January 05, 2017 1. Refer to the TCKL Registration Forms for the player grade levels for this league. 2. Pitching and base distance will be as specified below: a. Pitching = 40 Feet b. Bases = 60 Feet 3. On the throw-back to the pitcher from the catcher, the ball is dead until the next pitch. 4. Three strikes are out, even if the catcher drops or misses the third strike. The ball is considered dead until put back in play by the umpire. 5. Bunting and slap hitting is allowed. a. If the batter attempt to bunt and the bunt is a foul ball on the third strike, the batter is considered out. 6. The infield fly rule will not be in effect. 7. All games are to be played with not more than 10 players in the field and 8 players are required to start a game. a. The infield shall consist of no more than 6 players including the pitcher and catcher. b. The outfield shall consist of no more than 4 players which shall be positioned as follows; Left Field / Left Center / Right Center / Right Field c. All outfielders must be placed within the grass area of the field. d. No outfielder shall be placed right behind second base. 8. We have done away with the 1-1 count. a. The intent of this rule is to make the batter swing sooner at good pitches and help keep walks at a minimum. b. This will help with the over time it takes to complete games. 9. Stolen bases are allowed for the entire season only after a pitched ball crosses home plate and players are allowed to only steal (1) base per pitch. a. Please refer to the game schedule for the required start of base stealing. b. Runners must maintain contact with the base until pitched balls cross home plate. c. Catchers are encouraged to throw the ball down to second base even though the stealing base runner has safely made the advance to second base. The runner is not allowed to advance to the next base due to an over throw to second base due to the (1) base per pitch rule. d. Stolen bases are allowed for runners up to third base only. e. A runner at third base will not be allowed to steal home and must remain on the base until either bases on balls is called and the bases are loaded or if the batter hits the ball (the intent for this rule is to keep the catcher and pitcher from worrying about pasted balls after each pitch). 10. Time may be called by teams listed manager only , while ball is dead, to instruct players. 11. Overthrows - Batter and/or runners will be awarded one base from the base they previously occupied or secured before the throw. 12. Runners may not advance beyond the base they are going to when the ball returns to the possession of any defensive player within the infield area. a. The spirit of the rule is to restrict runners from constantly running the bases. 13. All players are to play at least one inning in the infield per game. 14. Pitchers will be allowed to pitch 3 innings maximum. a. Delivery of a single pitch will constitute pitching an inning.

b. A player who replaces a pitcher must pitch to at least one batter. c. The pitcher will be allowed 5 pitches to warm-up between innings. d. A relief pitcher shall be given 10 pitches to warm-up, unless they had pitched before in the same inning. e. If there is an injury to the pitcher which requires her removal from the game, the player entering the game in relief of that pitcher shall be given as many pitches as necessary (within reason) for satisfactory warm-up. 15. No inning can be started after 2 hours. If there is another game after your game the time limit is no inning can be started after 1 ½ hours.