Minor and Major Girls Softball Rules

          GIRLS MINOR AND MAJOR

           SOFTBALL RULES  

These rules govern the specific age groups participating in the Livingston Youth Softball League.  This information is to be used as a guide.  Each Coach should retain a copy of these rules with them on site.

 NO PERSON will coach in this league without first being fingerprinted and cleared through the Livingston Police Department and Recreation Office. 

This is a recreational league.  It should be the desire of every coach to provide a safe and fun opportunity for each participant.   Winning can provide a great feeling of accomplishment, but learning to play the game to ones potential can provide an even better feeling.

**Before each game, umpires shall call a meeting with both coaches to go over ground rules and discuss any issues that coaches may have.  Umpires should also discuss what kind of strike zone he/she would call on batters.

PLAYING FIELD:       Bases shall be at 60 feet.  Coach’s boxes shall be 15 feet by 3 feet, and be marked from the first base or third base and towards home plate.  On deck circle shall have an 8’ radius or 16’ circle.  The batters boxes shall be three (3) feet by seven (7) feet.  It shall be marked 6 inches from the home plate.  The front line shall also be four (4) feet in front of home plate, measuring from the center of home plate.  The Pitchers plate shall be rubber or wood and measure 24 inches by 6 inches.  

Pitchers rubber shall be at 35 feet for minor and 40 feet major girls

AGE GROUPS:          

Minors ages 9 - 11

                        Majors ages 12 -14                    

BATS:              Only Officially marked ASA approved bats can be used.  Bats must have safety grip of cork, tape (no smooth plastic) or composite material.

SOFTBALLS:  Must be officially marked and approved by ASA. Minor girls shall use the white 11inch softball and Major girls shall use a white 12 inch softball

GLOVES:        Gloves can be worn by any player, but mitts may be used by the first baseman and catcher only.  Pitchers glove shall be one solid color other than gray or white.

CATCHERS

EQUIPMENT:Catchers must wear an approved helmet with earflaps, facemask (with a throat guard, shin guards that offer protection to the knees and a chest protector.  Any player warming up a pitcher must wear a mask and helmet with earflaps.  Catchers can wear a goalie style facemask

BATTING

HELMETS:      All players, including on-deck batters and any player acting as a coach in the coach’s box, must wear double earflap NOCSAE approved batting helmets.  Any helmet that is cracked, dented, damaged or illegally altered is prohibited.  Failure to wear the batting helmet when ordered to do so will result in ejection from the game.  If a runner deliberately removes a helmet during a live ball, the umpire can declare the runner out and the ball is live. 

PLAYERS:      A team must have the required number of players present to start or continue a game.  Players listed on the starting lineup   and not available at game time may be substituted for and re-entered later. 

A.  Official lineup sheets are to be completed and submitted to the official scorer (home team, unless otherwise determined by both teams.)  Line up sheets should include the players first and last name, number and position.  All available substitutes should be listed in the designated place with their name and number.  If a player shows up late, she/he may be added to the substitution list at any time.  In Minor’s and Major’s, list all the players on the roster, since there is a roster batting rule.

B.   Teams shall consist of 10 players for all age groups. There is a roster batting rule for Minor’s and Majors.    

C.  Short handed.

                        1.  Teams can start the game with a minimum of 8 players, but as soon as another player(s) arrives, that player(s) must be inserted into the line-up at the ninth and tenth batting positions

D.  Continuing the game if a player leaves the game and the team is short-handed.

1.      If a team begins a game with the required players, that team may continue if a team member leaves the game because of injury.  A team can continue with one less than it started with, but the minimum number of players remains 8 players.  If a team starts a game with 8 players and a player leaves the game, the team will have to forfeit the game.  If a player leaves the game, they cannot return to the lineup; exception: a player who has left the game to change due to blood can return to the game. 

If a team has a physically challenged player, then the team must notify the Director of the league for rules governing playing. 

SHORT HANDED RULE all teams

   If a team has only 10 players, the coach must let the umpire and other coach know.  Before the game starts, a decision must be made if the team with 10 players has a player get injured and can no longer continue in the game.  The decision must be made as to whether, when his turn comes to bat, if it is an out or not.  If the teams do not make the decision before the game, the rule will be an out.  So coaches with only ten players, it is your responsibility to make sure you discuss the issue before the game. 

For Minor and Major girls, on the 10th batter, completion of play shall be when a player is standing in the 16’ circle and in control of the ball.  If the 10th batter draws a walk, and forces a runner on third base home, the run counts and the inning is over.  A pitcher cannot intentionally walk the 10th batter.  In the judgment of the umpire, if a pitcher intentionally walks the 10th batter, additional batter(s) can be awarded until the pitcher attempts legal pitches.
Pitchers (Minor and Major Girls)-If a pitcher hits a second batter in the same inning; the pitcher must be removed and cannot return to pitch in that game.

                  E    Re-entry

                           1.      Any starting player including the Designated Player (DP) may be substituted or replaced and re-entered once, provided players occupy the same batting positions whenever in the lineup.

                           2.      Substitutes may not re-enter. 

                           3.      If a substitute or starting player re-enters the game a second time, the player will be declared illegal. 

                  F.   Substitutions

      1.   A substitute may take the place of a player whose name is on the batting roster. 

a.   Coaches and managers must immediately notify the plate umpire at the time of the substitution.  The umpire must report the change to the scorer.

b.   If a substitution enters the game without reporting, there is no penalty. The substitute shall be considered in the game a when a pitch has been thrown or a play made. If the substitute is an illegal player, she will be subject to the penalty for that violation.

c.   Any player may be removed from the game during a dead ball.

If an accident to a batter-runner or runner prevents them from proceeding to an awarded base and the ball is dead, the batter-runner may be substituted for.  The substitute my legally touch any awarded base or missed base(s) not previously touched.
Minor fast pitch and  Majors, all players in uniform must play a minimum of two (2) consecutive innings. 

            G.  Illegal players

1.   An illegal player is one who takes a position in the official roster, lineup, either offense or defense, who does not have a legal right to that position.  A player will not violate this rule until one pitch, legal or illegal, has been thrown.  Once an umpire has been informed, in all cases the illegal player shall be disqualified and can be legally replaced either by a substitute or a starter who re-enters the game.  Illegal players include:

Illegal pitcher who returns to pitch after being removed from the pitching position by the umpire because of 1) two charged defensive conferences in one inning.

                              b.   Illegal re-entry occurs when 1) a starting player returns to the game a second time after being substituted twice, 2) a starting player returns to the game, but is not in his original position in the batter order, 3) a substitute returns to the game after being replaced.

2.   Any action that occurs while the illegal player is in the game is governed as follows: OFFENSE: if the illegal player is discovered by the defense: a) while the illegal player is at bat he is disqualified and her replacement shall assume the ball and strike count.  Any advance of runners while the illegal player is at bat shall be legal.  b) after the illegal player has completed a turn at bat and before the next legal or illegal pitch, before the defensive team has left the field, and before the umpires have left the game, the illegal player is called out, disqualified, and any advance of runners as a result of the illegal player becoming a batter-runner is nullified.  Any runner, who is put out prior to discovering the infraction, remains out.  c) after  the illegal player has completed a turn at bat and after the next legal or illegal pitch, or after the defense has left the field, the illegal player is disqualified.  If he is still on base her replacement will take that base.  Any advance of the runners as a result of the illegal player becoming a batter-runner is legal.  d) if  the player is in the game illegally as a runner, the player is disqualified and replaced on the base.  Any advance of the runners is legal.    DEFENSE: If the illegal player is discovered by the offense: a) after the illegal player makes a play and before the next legal or illegal pitch, before the defense has left the field and before the umpires have left the game, the illegal player is disqualified and the offensive team has the option to: 1) taking the result of the play or 2) having the last batter return and assume the ball and strike count the batter had prior to the discovery of the illegal player.  Each runner would return to the base occupied prior to the play.  b) after a legal or illegal pitch to the next batter, the illegal player is disqualified and all play stands.

                                         4.     Disqualified or ejected players or coaches: any player of coach who has been ejected from the game is restricted to the bench, unless otherwise ejected from the playing field for flagrant behavior, by the umpire.   Any disqualified player discovered participating in the game would constitute a forfeit.

 

REGULATION

GAME:     A.    Regulation game for all girls is 7 innings.  Minor and Major girls time limit is one hour thirty minutes (1 ½ hr), which ever occurs first.  If the home team is ahead at the end of 6 ½ innings the game is over.

                 B.    A game will be called by the umpire after 5 innings if the home team is ahead by 10 runs or more.  The umpire has the authority to call a game at anytime due to darkness, rain, fire or any situation that can put the players and patrons at risk.

FORFEITED

GAMES:       A forfeited game shall be declared by the umpire in the follow cases:

                      A. If an umpire is attacked by any team member or a spectator of the team.

                      B. If a team refuses to take the field or begin the game.

                      C. If a team refuses to continue playing, unless suspended by the umpire.

                      D. If a team purposely tries to delay or hasten the game.

                     E. If the order for the ejection of a player or coach is not obeyed within one minute.

                     F. If the ejection of a player or players results in fewer than the required number of  players                                                 

                                   

CONFERENCES:      

                       A.    Offensive conference: only one charged conference between the coach and either a player or other coach per inning.  The umpire will not allow more than one per inning, unless an injury occurs.  Any coach insisting on another conference shall be ejected.

                       B.    Defensive conference: There will be only one charged conference between the coach and any defensive player per inning.  The second charge will result in removal of the pitcher for the remainder of the game.  The pitcher can play another position, but not pitcher.

ON-DECK BATTER

                      Must remain within the lines of the circle until he/she becomes the batter or to direct runners from third base to home plate.  The on-deck batter may not interfere with any defensive player’s opportunity to make an out.  If interference involves a runner, the runner closest to home is out.  If interference involves a fielder fielding a fly ball the batter is out. Must wear a batting helmet.

BATTING ORDER

                      Each team must complete a batting order of each player, first and last name, shirt number and position number and turn into the official scorekeeper and plate umpire.  The batting order must be followed throughout the game, unless there are substitutions.

                        A.      Batting out of order is an appeal play made by the defensive team.  The defensive team forfeits its right to appeal batting out of order when one legal or illegal pitch has been made to the following batter, or when the pitcher and all infielders have clearly vacated their normal positions and have left fair territory on their way to the dugout.

            1.If discovered while the incorrect batter is at bat, the correct batter must take the batter’s position and legally assume any balls and strikes.  Any runs scored or bases run while the incorrect batter was at bat shall be legal.  The offensive team can correct the wrong batter at the plate with no penalty.

            2.If discovered after the batter has batted and before the next legal or illegal pitch has been made to the next batter or before the pitcher and all defensive players have left fair territory on their way to the dugout:

a) the player who should have batted is out.

b) any advance or score made as a result of the improper batter becoming a batter- runner shall be nullified.  Any runner, who is put out prior to discovering this infraction, remains out.

c) the next batter is the player whose name follows that of the player called out for failing to bat.  If the batter is declared out and is the third out, the correct batter next inning shall be the correct line up.

                                 3.If the error is discovered after the first legal or illegal pitch or the defensive team leaves fair territory, the turn at bat of the incorrect batter is legal, all runs scored and bases run are legal and the next batter in order shall be the one whose name follows the incorrect batter.  No one is called out for failure to bat.  Players who did not bat or called out, lose their turn at bat until reached again in the batting order.

                                 4.No runner shall be removed from the base occupied except the batter-runner who has been taken off the base by the umpire as in (2) above to bat in his proper place.  The correct batter merely misses the turn at bat with no penalty.  The batter following the correct batter in the batting order becomes the legal batter.

BATTERS BOX       Prior to the pitch, the batter must have both feet inside the batters box.  Batter may touch the lines, but no part may be outside the lines.  The batter may not step in front of the catcher to the other batter’s box while the pitcher is receiving signals or anything thereafter prior to the release of the ball by the pitcher.

A STRIKE IS CALLED WHEN:

                        A.        Each legally pitched ball that enters the strike zone.  Runners may advance with

                                    liability to be put out. 

                        B          .Each legally pitched ball swung at and missed.  Runners may advance with

                                    liability to be put out.

                              C.        For each foul tip: the ball is in play and runners may advance with liability to be

                                          put out.  Batter is out if it the third strike

                        D.        Fewer than two strikes and the ball it hit foul.

                        E.         When any part of the batter’s person or clothing is hit with a batted ball when the

                                    batter is in the batter’s box and has fewer than tow strikes.

                        F.         When a delivered pitch hit the batter while the ball is in the strike zone.

A BALL IS CALLED WHEN:

                        A.        For legally pitched balls that do not enter the strike zone, or hit

the ground before reaching home plate or hit home plate and batter does not swing.  Runners may advance with liability to be put out.

                        B.         For each illegally pitched ball not swung at, the ball is dead and runners can advance one base without liability to be put out.

BATTER IS OUT:      

                        A.        Third strike swung at, missed and the pitched ball touches any part of the batters

                                    person.

                        B.         When a batter is caught using an illegal/altered bat.  Batter is disqualified from the

                                    game.

                              C.        When a batters entire foot is touching completely on the ground outside of the batters box when contact is made with the ball. No contact, not foul.

                        D.        When any part of a foot is touching home plate when a fair or foul ball is hit.

                        E.         When a batter bunts a foul after the second strike.  If the ball is caught in the air,

                                    play is live.

                        F.         When members of the team at bat other than runners interfere with a player

                                    attempting to field a fly ball.

                              G.        When the batter hits a fair ball with the bat a second time in fair territory.   Exception: If the batter is standing in the batter’s box and contact is made while the bat is in the batter’s hands, a foul ball is called.

                        H.        When a called or swinging third strike is caught by the catcher.

                        I.          When the batter has three strikes if there are fewer than two outs and first base is

                                    occupied.

                        J.          When the batter due up has left the game under the Short-handed rule (Under

                                    Players #D).

                        K.        The batter shall not hinder the catcher from catching or throwing the ball by stepping out of the batter’s box, or intentionally hinder the catcher when the catcher is attempting to make a play on a runner(s) or interfere with a play at home plate.  EFFECT: The ball is dead, batter is out and each runner must return to the last base, in the judgement of the umpire, was touched at the time of the interference.  If no play was being made and the batter accidentally interferes with the catcher trying to return a ball to the pitcher, and a runner advances, the umpire should call time and return the runner to the base that was occupied before the interference.

BATTER BECOMES A RUNNER                            

                                     A.        When the batter legally hits the ball.

                                                            B.         When the catcher fails to catch the third strike before the ball touches the ground when there are fewer than two outs and first base is unoccupied or anytime there are two outs.  Except 10-under the batter is out.

         C.        When four balls have been called by the umpire. The ball is in play unless it has been blocked.

                                    D.        When the catcher interferes, obstructs or prevents the batter from hitting the

                                                ball. 

                        Effect:

                           1.         The umpire shall signal dead ball

                           2.         If the batter hits the ball and reaches first base safely and if all other runners have advanced at least one base on the battered ball, the catcher interference is canceled.

                 E.         When a fair batted ball strikes the person, attached equipment, or clothing of an umpire or a runner.  If the runner is hit with a fair batted ball while touching a base, the runner is not out.  EFFECT:

                           1.         If, after touching a fielder (including the pitcher), the ball is in play.

                           2.        If after passing a fielder other than the pitcher, and no other infielder had a chance to make an out, the ball is in play.

                           3.        If a runner is hit by a ball while off a base, the runner is out and the batter-runner is entitled to first base without liability to be put out.  Any runner not forced by the batter-runner must return to the base reached prior to the interference. 

                           4.        If the fair batted ball hits an umpire before passing a fielder other than a pitcher, the ball is dead and the batter-runner is entitled to first base without liability to be put out.

When a pitched ball not swung at nor called a strike touches any part of the batters person or clothing.  It does not matter if the ball hits the ground before hitting the batter.  The batter’s hands are not considered part of the bat.  Effect: The ball is dead and the batter is entitled to first base without liability to be put out.  Exception: If the batter does not attempt to avoid getting hit, the batter will not be awarded first base unless it is ball four.  If a batter is hit on the hands while swinging the bat and hit the ball fair or foul, the ball is dead and a strike called, strike three the batter is out.

 

BATTER-RUNNER IS OUT

A.       When the catcher drops the third strike and is legally put out prior to reaching first base with less than two outs and first base is not occupied.

B.       When the batter-runner runs outside the three-foot lane and interferes (in the judgement of the umpire) with the throw to first base.  Runner may run outside the 3' lane to avoid a fielder attempting to field a ball in the lane.

C.       When the batter-runner interferes with a play at home plate in an attempt keep from getting an out.

D.       When an infield fly is called.  A fly ball which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort when first and

Second or first, second and third bases are occupied before two are out.  The ball is live and runners may advance once the ball has been touched or caught.  Runners must tag up.

                        E.         When a defensive player intentionally drops a fair fly ball, including line drives or a bunt, which can be caught with ordinary effort with first, first and second, first and third or first, second and third occupied. With fewer than two outs.

                        F.         If a spectator reaches into the field of play and interferes with a fielder’s opportunity to catch a fly ball, the batter is out.  The umpire, in his judgement, shall award runners a base or bases that the runner would have reached had there been no interference.

RUNNERS ARE ENTITLED TO ADVANCE WITH LIABILITY TO BE PUT OUT:

                                 A.          When the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand on the delivery.

                                  B.           On a thrown ball or a fair batted ball that is not blocked.

                                  C.           On a thrown ball that hits an umpire.

                                  D.           When a legally caught fly ball is first touched by any defensive player.

                                                      E.           If a fair ball strikes an umpire or a runner after having passed an infielder other than the pitcher, and provided no other infielder had a chance to make an out, or when a fair batted ball has been touched by an infielder, including the pitcher., the ball is in play.

                                                Runners starting at first or second base are entitled to advance or steal one base only per pitch with liability to be put out, but can not leave the base until the ball has passed the batter.  Runners at third base may not steal or advance home but are liable to be put out if they come off the base. 

1.   If a batter strikes out and the ball is dropped, the batter is out and cannot advance to first base, but the ball remains live for the purpose of throwing the advancing the runner out. 

2.   A batter, who receives a base on balls, cannot advance past first base.  If they advance further, the ball is dead and the runner is returned to first base. 

 

RUNNERS ENTITLED TO

ADVANCE WITHOUT

LIABILITY TO BE PUT OUT:           

                        A.        When forced to vacate a base due to a batter receiving a base on balls.  If the ball is in play, runners may advance further bases at their own risk.

                        B.         Obstruction by a defensive player who is not attempting to field a ball.  The result is the runners shall advance to the base they would have made it to, if there had not been any obstruction.

                        C.        When a runner is advancing or returning to a base and a player fakes a tag, without the ball, the ball is dead and runners shall receive the ball they were going to.  If the umpire feels there is justification, a defensive player making a fake tag could be ejected from the game.

                        D.        On a wild pitch or passed ball that goes out of play or lodges in a backstop the ball is dead on runners are awarded one base.

                        E.         When a player uses his hat, helmet, mask, detached glove or any other detached item from the players uniform, the ball is dead and runners can be awarded up to three bases depending on wear the runners were when the infraction occurred.  Three bases from the time the ball was batted, two bases if the ball was thrown, and one base from the time of the pitch, if a pitched ball.  If it is the third strike, only one base is awarded   On a pitch that gets away from the catcher and is retrieved from the catcher with a detached equipment, there is not penalty if the runner(s) are not advancing, no apparent play is possible or no advantage is gained.

                        F.         On an overthrown ball that goes out of the play area/boundary lines, All runners will be awarded two bases and the award will be based on the position of the runners when the ball left the fielders hand.  

                                    Exceptions: 

                                    1.         When a fielder loses the ball such as on an attempted tag and the ball enters the dead ball area or becomes blocked or lodged, each runner will be awarded one base from the last one touched at the time the ball entered the dead zone.

                                    2.         If the ball becomes blocked due to offensive equipment not involved in the game, the ball is dead and runners return to the last base touched at the time of the blocked ball. 

                        G.        On a home run.  If the ball hits a foul pole above the fence line and bounces in fair territory, it is considered a home run. 

                              H.        When a fair ball bounces or rolls under a fence or designated boundary of the playing field.  Also if a fair ball is deflected off a defensive player or umpire and goes out of bounds, the ball is dead and runners are awarded two bases from the time of the pitch.

                              I.          When a live ball is unintentionally carried by a fielder from playable territory into dead ball zone.  The ball is dead and runners are awarded one base from the last base touched.

                              J.          If an umpire feels that a live ball was intentionally carried, kicked or thrown into a dead ball zone, two bases will be awarded from the time the ball was kicked, thrown or rolled out of the field.

                        K.        When there is spectator interference or a ball gets lodged in an umpires equipment or clothing, the ball is dead and runners are awarded the base they would have reached.

RUNNER IS NOT OUT:

                                 A.     When a runner is hit by a fair untouched batted ball that has passed an infielder, excluding the pitcher and in the judgement of the umpire, no out could be made.

                         B.      When a runner has been hit by a ball in fair territory after it has been touched by a fielder and the runner could not avoid contact.

                         C.     When a runner slides and a base becomes dislodged. The base is considered to follow the runner.

                                 D.     When a runner runs behind or in front of the infielder and outside the base path in order to avoid interfering with a fielder attempting to field a ball.

                        E.      When more than one fielder attempts to field a batted ball and the runner comes into contact with the player who could not make an out

                                 F.      When a runner is touched while off a base:

                                                1. With a ball not securely held by a fielder

2.  With a hand or glove of a defensive player and the ball is in the other hand.

                                 G.     When a batter-runner over runs first base and returns directly to the base.

                                 H.     When hit a by a batted ball while still on base, unless the runner intentionally interferes with the ball.

When a runner slides and dislodges the base.  The runner can return safely to the base after it has been placed back in its position.

 

COACHES

Coaches shall remain in the dugouts or in the prescribed areas throughout the game.
If a coach goes onto the playing field to talk to a player more than once during an inning while the same player is pitching, a pitching change shall be made.  The only exception to this rule is in the case of an injury or time is called by the opposing team or umpire.
The use of tobacco by any coach on the playing field or dug out is not permitted.  Tobacco is not permitted on any of the school grounds.
Coaches should conduct themselves in a manner as to teach the youth of our area the idea of SPORTSMANSHIP.  Coaches should also keep in mind that this league is for the participants to gain experience in a recreational program and WINNING IS NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.
All coaches, managers, area leaders and game officials have the responsibility to insure the safety and well being of the players when in their charge during games, on the way to games and during practices. 
Unsportsmanlike conduct on the part of any player, coach, or person  (parents, relatives, friends, etc.) associated with a team will not be tolerated.  Unsportsmanlike conduct such as profanity, abusive language or gestures, threatening, abusive handling of equipment will result in forfeiture of the game.  In the judgement of the umpire, a forfeit will be called.  Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated at any practices or situations that are affiliated with the league.

LEGAL PITCH

1.         Pitchers must start with both feet touching the pitchers rubber.  Pitchers cannot take a step back to begin their pitch.  At the start of the pitch, a pitchers motion must be forward. 

2.         Pitchers must not make two revolutions to deliver the pitch.

3.         Pitchers may not raise their foot off the pitchers rubber, as in a rocking motion, and return to the plate.  Pitchers can slide their pivot foot across the pitchers rubber, as long as there is contact with the rubber.