Major League Softball
Major League Softball (In addition to NSA)
Game:
Game will consist of 7 innings There will be a 1 hr 45 minute time limit for each game. Time limit begins at scheduled start time Warm ups need to be done prior to scheduled start time Our “Run Rule”---15 after 3 innings, 10 after 5 innings A game is considered official after 5 innings (4 ½ if home team is ahead due to rain, power failure) If game is called before 5 innings the game will resume from the exact point that it stops. Unless both coaches agree to accept the score as is. A team must have 8 players to start the game. There will be a 10 minute grace period before the game is a forfeit. Grace period is included in the original 1 hr 45 minute time limit. If a team plays with 8 players the 9th position in the batting order will NOT be an automatic out. 10 runs allowed per inning Players arriving after the game has started will be added to the bottom of the batting order.
Pitching:
NSA pitching rules Girls will pitch from the 40ft pitching rubber. 12 Inch ball will be used Pitchers must wear a face mask No more than 4 innings per game (one pitch equals one inning) No intentional walks o “Intentional” will be a judgment call by the umpire Coaches have 1 defensive conference with the pitcher, 2nd conference results in the removal of the pitcher If a pitcher hits 3 batters in one inning or 4 in a game they must be removed and will not be allowed to pitch for the remainder of that game. Pitchers will be allowed 3 warm up pitches before each inning after the first full inning
Defense:
Each team will field 10 players with 4 outfielders. No short fielders will be allowed. Each player is required to play two full innings in the field within the first 4 innings
Any player warming up a pitcher must wear a catcher’s helmet 3rd base defensive position will be required to wear a protective face mask o The National Softball Association HIGHLY RECOMMENDS to the parents and coaches of ALL players (especially pitchers, 3rd& 1st basemen) to have their children and players wearing not only protective equipment, but wearing PROTECTIVE FACE MASKS during all live ball play!
Batting:
There will be a continuous batting order for each team, all players bat. If a player refuses to bat, her spot will count as an out. Dropped 3rd strike rule will be played o If, with less than two (2) outs and 1st base is unoccupied or with two (2) outs, the batter is not out unless the 3rd strike is caught. If the ball is not caught, the batter is eligible to reach 1st base before being tagged out or thrown out. Runners occupying any other base(s) may also advance with liability to be put out Umpires will be asked to have a larger than normal strike zone o Players should be coming to plate ready to hit the ball If a batter throws her bat after hitting the ball and does not make contact with the umpire or another player the umpire will issue a team warning. If it happens again, during the same game, it will be ruled a dead ball and the batter will be called out. All runners will return to their previously occupied base at the time of the pitch. If a batter throws her bat and it makes contact with the umpire or another player it will be ruled a dead ball and the batter will be out. All runners will return to their previously occupied base at the time of the pitch. If a player throws their bat or helmet in anger the umpire has the right to issue a team out and/or eject the player. Every batter must wear a helmet with a face mask. All batters and runners must wear their helmets until they are in the dead ball area. Umpires will issue a warning for removing helmets early. If a team continues to remove their helmets before entering the dead ball area the umpire may issue an out for that team. Outs will be issued at the umpires discretion for the safety of the players When the batter becomes a batter-runner they must run to the Orange safety base unless otherwise instructed by their 1st base coach
Runners:
Base coaches are not allowed to make contact with a runner while the ball is live. If contact is made the runner may be called out. Umpires decision o Examples: o Runner rounds third base and the coach grabs the runner to stop her o If they assist her to advance by pushing or shoving
Stealing is allowed: The runner my leave the bag after the pitcher releases the ball. If the runner leaves early they will be called out. Mandatory slide rule @ Home Plate: If a play is being made the offensive runner must slide or they will be called out Look Back Rule: Rule 8, Section 8(x)---When a runner is legitimately off a base after a pitch, or as a result of a batter completing a turn at bat, with the batter/runner being out or reaching first base, and while the pitcher has the ball within the sixteen (16) foot circle, the runner may stop once, but then must immediately attempt to advance to the next base or return to the last base touched. Failure to immediately return non-stop to the base or proceed non-stop to the next base will result in the runner being declared out. o EXCEPTION: The runner is not out if a play is made by the pitcher (a fake throw is considered a play). NOTE: When a walk or a dropped third strike occurs in which the batter is entitled to run, it is treated the same as a batted ball, if the pitcher has possession of the ball in the sixteen (16) foot circle. The batter-runner may continue past first base and is entitled to run toward second base as long as he/she does not stop at first base. If he/she stops after rounding first base, then that runner must comply with Rule 8, Section 8 (x).
General Information:
No Jewelry-----Medical Only Any player ejected from a game will be required to attend a meeting with her parent/parents and League Director/Commissioner before her next game. All equipment needs to be in the “Dead Ball Area” All coaches need to be in the “Dead Ball Area” The Head Coach is the only person allowed to converse with an umpire. Comments from others can lead to that person being ejected from the game Coaches must lead their teams by example. If a coach, player or fan gets unruly they will be asked to leave. If they do not leave after 5 minutes the team will forfeit the game. Zero Tolerance If a coach is ejected they will be required to pay a $25 fine or umpire a game. Following an ejection the coach must meet with the Softball Director and/or Commissioner before being allowed to coach another game. Mandatory coaches/parents meeting to be held at first practice Each team should try to designate a “dugout mom” to help with handing out picture forms, fundraising info, Barry Elzey Day info. Coaches reserve the right to make rule changes at any time during the season o If all coaches in the league agree to change a rule the change should be brought to the league representative or director for approval.
Game:
Game will consist of 7 innings There will be a 1 hr 45 minute time limit for each game. Time limit begins at scheduled start time Warm ups need to be done prior to scheduled start time Our “Run Rule”---15 after 3 innings, 10 after 5 innings A game is considered official after 5 innings (4 ½ if home team is ahead due to rain, power failure) If game is called before 5 innings the game will resume from the exact point that it stops. Unless both coaches agree to accept the score as is. A team must have 8 players to start the game. There will be a 10 minute grace period before the game is a forfeit. Grace period is included in the original 1 hr 45 minute time limit. If a team plays with 8 players the 9th position in the batting order will NOT be an automatic out. 10 runs allowed per inning Players arriving after the game has started will be added to the bottom of the batting order.
Pitching:
NSA pitching rules Girls will pitch from the 40ft pitching rubber. 12 Inch ball will be used Pitchers must wear a face mask No more than 4 innings per game (one pitch equals one inning) No intentional walks o “Intentional” will be a judgment call by the umpire Coaches have 1 defensive conference with the pitcher, 2nd conference results in the removal of the pitcher If a pitcher hits 3 batters in one inning or 4 in a game they must be removed and will not be allowed to pitch for the remainder of that game. Pitchers will be allowed 3 warm up pitches before each inning after the first full inning
Defense:
Each team will field 10 players with 4 outfielders. No short fielders will be allowed. Each player is required to play two full innings in the field within the first 4 innings
Any player warming up a pitcher must wear a catcher’s helmet 3rd base defensive position will be required to wear a protective face mask o The National Softball Association HIGHLY RECOMMENDS to the parents and coaches of ALL players (especially pitchers, 3rd& 1st basemen) to have their children and players wearing not only protective equipment, but wearing PROTECTIVE FACE MASKS during all live ball play!
Batting:
There will be a continuous batting order for each team, all players bat. If a player refuses to bat, her spot will count as an out. Dropped 3rd strike rule will be played o If, with less than two (2) outs and 1st base is unoccupied or with two (2) outs, the batter is not out unless the 3rd strike is caught. If the ball is not caught, the batter is eligible to reach 1st base before being tagged out or thrown out. Runners occupying any other base(s) may also advance with liability to be put out Umpires will be asked to have a larger than normal strike zone o Players should be coming to plate ready to hit the ball If a batter throws her bat after hitting the ball and does not make contact with the umpire or another player the umpire will issue a team warning. If it happens again, during the same game, it will be ruled a dead ball and the batter will be called out. All runners will return to their previously occupied base at the time of the pitch. If a batter throws her bat and it makes contact with the umpire or another player it will be ruled a dead ball and the batter will be out. All runners will return to their previously occupied base at the time of the pitch. If a player throws their bat or helmet in anger the umpire has the right to issue a team out and/or eject the player. Every batter must wear a helmet with a face mask. All batters and runners must wear their helmets until they are in the dead ball area. Umpires will issue a warning for removing helmets early. If a team continues to remove their helmets before entering the dead ball area the umpire may issue an out for that team. Outs will be issued at the umpires discretion for the safety of the players When the batter becomes a batter-runner they must run to the Orange safety base unless otherwise instructed by their 1st base coach
Runners:
Base coaches are not allowed to make contact with a runner while the ball is live. If contact is made the runner may be called out. Umpires decision o Examples: o Runner rounds third base and the coach grabs the runner to stop her o If they assist her to advance by pushing or shoving
Stealing is allowed: The runner my leave the bag after the pitcher releases the ball. If the runner leaves early they will be called out. Mandatory slide rule @ Home Plate: If a play is being made the offensive runner must slide or they will be called out Look Back Rule: Rule 8, Section 8(x)---When a runner is legitimately off a base after a pitch, or as a result of a batter completing a turn at bat, with the batter/runner being out or reaching first base, and while the pitcher has the ball within the sixteen (16) foot circle, the runner may stop once, but then must immediately attempt to advance to the next base or return to the last base touched. Failure to immediately return non-stop to the base or proceed non-stop to the next base will result in the runner being declared out. o EXCEPTION: The runner is not out if a play is made by the pitcher (a fake throw is considered a play). NOTE: When a walk or a dropped third strike occurs in which the batter is entitled to run, it is treated the same as a batted ball, if the pitcher has possession of the ball in the sixteen (16) foot circle. The batter-runner may continue past first base and is entitled to run toward second base as long as he/she does not stop at first base. If he/she stops after rounding first base, then that runner must comply with Rule 8, Section 8 (x).
General Information:
No Jewelry-----Medical Only Any player ejected from a game will be required to attend a meeting with her parent/parents and League Director/Commissioner before her next game. All equipment needs to be in the “Dead Ball Area” All coaches need to be in the “Dead Ball Area” The Head Coach is the only person allowed to converse with an umpire. Comments from others can lead to that person being ejected from the game Coaches must lead their teams by example. If a coach, player or fan gets unruly they will be asked to leave. If they do not leave after 5 minutes the team will forfeit the game. Zero Tolerance If a coach is ejected they will be required to pay a $25 fine or umpire a game. Following an ejection the coach must meet with the Softball Director and/or Commissioner before being allowed to coach another game. Mandatory coaches/parents meeting to be held at first practice Each team should try to designate a “dugout mom” to help with handing out picture forms, fundraising info, Barry Elzey Day info. Coaches reserve the right to make rule changes at any time during the season o If all coaches in the league agree to change a rule the change should be brought to the league representative or director for approval.
