Brookline Major Girls Softball League Rules

MAJOR SOFTBALL DIVISION OFFICIAL RULES
11-12 YEAR OLDS

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The latest edition of the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) Rules & Regulations shall be the official playing rules of the HAVERFORD TWP. HILLTOP – BROOKLINE SOFTBALL LEAGUE subject to certain variations determined by the Board of Directors of the League. When any rule or its interpretation is in conflict, the Haverford Twp. Hilltop – Brookline Official Rules and their intent will apply.

ARTICLE I
GENERAL RULES OF PLAY

  1. A ball that is hit fair and while bouncing in fair territory is touched by a spectator will be declared dead and any runner or runners will be permitted to go to the base to which the runner was advancing when the ball was touched.
  2. A thrown ball which goes out of play in any manner will be declared an overthrow. Any runner or runners will be awarded one base in addition to the base to which the runner was advancing when the overthrow was made.
  3. A thrown ball which goes into the dugout area or over the backstop will be declared an overthrow with all runners advancing according to Section B of this Article.
  4. If a ball is overthrown and remains in play, all runners may advance at their own risk without limit to bases they can take.
  5. In the above cases B. and C., the ball will be declared a dead ball once the overthrow has occurred.
  6. Base runners must remain in contact with the base when a pitcher is in contact with the pitcher's plate and in possession of the ball and the catcher is in the catcher's box ready to receive delivery of the ball. This action of a pitcher and catcher shall in no way nullify a continuous play on the part of the offensive team, which must reach its natural conclusion.
  7. Swinging or called third strikes whether held by the catcher or not constitutes an automatic out for the Girls Minors Division only. Drop third strike will be in play for the Girls Majors Division only.
  8. There shall be no stealing in the Minor League. At the Major level stealing will be one base at a time, including home.
  9. Base runners must remain in contact with their bases until the pitched ball leaves the pitchers hand. Penalty: The player is removed from the base and an out is recorded.
  10. The area around the backstop will be kept clear of players, coaches, managers and spectators.
  11. After the game is started, pitchers will warm up in foul territory. An adult must be with the pitcher and catcher when they warm-up.
  12. Team management will consist of a manager and a maximum of three coaches who will be officially recognized by the League and eligible for participation in uniforms and trophies.
  13. The "In field-Fly" rule will not apply to the Minor League.
  14. A half inning is over when seven (7) runs have scored or three (3) outs are recorded, whichever occurs first. This rule will apply to every inning except for the last. If time permits, it is recommended to finish the last inning, to maximize playing time. This rule will apply to the Major League only.
  15. Run Ahead Rule: If, at any point in the game, any team is up by 10 runs, no runner may advance more bases than the batter is entitled to.
    eg. - The batter reaches first base safely or is out at first, the runner at first can only go to second. If this runner reaches 3rd base safely she will be returned to 2nd base with no penalty.
  16. Four outfielders may be used, but at no time should an outfielder become a short fielder. The extra outfielder must be at least 15 feet behind the base.
  17. Bunting will be allowed.

ARTICLE II
TEAMS, PLAYERS, MANAGERS

  1. The League will provide an adequate period for the registration of all children of League age.
  2. Players returning after their first year of participation or who are advancing from rookies to cadets, cadets to the minors, minors to the majors are not required to attend formal tryouts.
  3. All players entering the League must take part in the League's official tryouts for eventual selection to a team if required. This will be based on the number of children entering the league if a formal tryout is required. Such tryouts are conducted under the direction of the Vice-President of Player Personnel. The selection of these players will be in compliance with the League's draft system.
  4. All rosters of players shall be determined and assigned under the direction of the Vice-President of Player Personnel and shall as nearly as possible manifest equal distribution of age groups.
  5. No League player will be permitted to be transferred to the next division until the player's age meets the necessary and mandatory requirements.
  6. Each player acquired shall, for the duration of her divisional career, be the property of the team that selected the player.
  7. The selection of players in the draft shall be according to the following order:
  8. The team that finished last (won-lost record) in prior season play shall have first pick. In cases of a tie finish, A FLIP OF THE COIN shall determine the order of selection of the tied teams. In the second round and any successive rounds, the order of selection shall be the same.
  9. Managers, upon the rating of the Vice-President of Player Personnel, will select their child in that round.
  10. If a team manager loses one or more players during the season through illness, injury, or other justifiable reason, he/she will obtain another player from the Vice President of Player Personnel.
  11. Personnel replaced on a team for reasons other than disciplinary reasons will remain as an honorary member of the team.
  12. If a player misses any two consecutively scheduled meetings (practice/games) without a valid reason, the player may be withheld from the next scheduled game. In this case, the manager will place the player's name on the lineup card using the letter (D) in position, and inform the opposing manager.
  13. Del-Val team selections will be based on player abilities.  Refer to the Managers manual for team selection process.
  14. Regardless of player status (in-house, Del Val or both) registration fees and Del Val fees will be required.

ARTICLE III
GAME PRELIMINARIES

  1. If prior game is completed the home team shall have the field for TEN (10) MINUTES prior to the starting time and the visiting team for the preceding TEN (10) MINUTES, if reasonable.
  2. The manager shall give the starting lineup to the Official Scorer (Home Team) before meeting with the umpire, including last name.
  3. The umpires shall proceed directly to home plate where they will be met by the manager of each team.
  4. The managers will give to the Official Scorer (Home Team) the official score card, which shows the starting lineup, the other players who will play and those who will not play. Once the Official Scorer receives the lineup, it is official.
  5. The plate umpire, as soon as the rules conference begins at home plate, has sole authority over the game. He now determines when a game shall be called, halted or resumed on account of weather and the condition of the playing field.
  6. All games will begin promptly. There shall be a permissible delay of fifteen (15) minutes if a team does not have the required nine (9) players. The availability of nine (9) players shall compel the start of the game.
  7. If a game cannot be played because of the inability of either team to place nine (9) players on the field before the game begins, this shall be grounds for an automatic forfeiture.

ARTICLE IV
OFFICIAL SCORING

  1. It is the responsibility of the home team to have an Official Scorer at each game and to inform the visiting team of the home team changes as they are made.
  2. The League Score Book shall be deemed the Official League Record and shall be the basis for the settlement of all pitching eligibility disputes and other related scoring matters. The home team shall be responsible for keeping the League Score Book.
  3. The Official Scorer shall record the last names of all players available and their numbers, when the game starts so as to check player participation when the game is completed.  The managers of both teams shall make this list available by using the Official Score Card.
  4. If a game is protested, play suspended, or a tie occurs, the Official Scorer shall make note of the exact situation at the time of the protest, suspension, or tie game, including the score, number of outs, the position of the runners, and the balls and strikes on the batter. The plate umpire will assure the accuracy of the information and sign the score sheets.
  5. The Official Scorer shall not make any decisions concerning the official playing rules, an umpire's decision, or a game under protest.

ARTICLE V
PLAYER PARTICIPATION RULES

  1. If a player arrives late, she can play at the manager's discretion.
  2. All players who are at the game will be placed in the batting line up.  If a player arrives late she may be placed at the end of the batting order and will bat when her turn occurs.
  3. A player has officially played when she has completed three (3) defensive innings (9 outs) and at least one (1) turn at bat.
  4. Exceptions to the above rule:

    If only 5 ½ or 6 ½  innings are played as a result of the home team leading, any player of the home team who has played three (3) defensive innings will satisfy the playing requirement, if this batter is one of the first three scheduled batters in the bottom of the final inning. and this would have been their normal time at bat.

    If the player does not bat, the player must officially bat in the next scheduled game. These players do not have to start the next game.
  5. Any player on the visiting team who has completed a minimum of one (1) turn at bat and at least two (2) defensive innings will have officially played provided that this player would have been at her position at the conclusion of the game in the bottom of the final inning. If these rules are not followed, the player will be determined as not having participated.
  6. No player shall be withheld from a game when she is physically able to play at the start of the game, subject to Article II, Section K.
  7. The penalty for failure to observe the player participation rule shall be automatic forfeiture of the game upon written protest by the offended manager to the President within twenty-four (24) hours.
  8. The Rules Committee will review the official score book and verify if a violation has occurred.  If a violation has occurred, they will award the win to the protesting team. No meeting of the Board of Directors will be necessary.
  9. Re-entry: If a player is injured or ejected from the game and the manager has used all players, the manager may enter a player that was previously used. An ejected player may not be re-entered.  If a player is injured her position in the batting order will be skipped over without penalty.  If a player is ejected her order in the batting lineup will be recorded as an out.
  10. Any of ten (10) starting players may withdraw and re-enter freely (except the pitcher), provided the player occupies the same batting position whenever she is in the line-up. The starting pitcher can re-enter as a pitcher only once. If the starting pitcher is removed from the game because of a second trip in the same inning, she may re-enter the game in any position with the exception of pitcher NOTE: If a player re-enters illegally as a pitcher, fielder or runner, there is no penalty except that she must be removed immediately when discovered. If she re-enters illegally as a batter, such illegal re-entry is penalized according to official baseball rules.

ARTICLE VI
REGULATION GAMES AND POSTPONEMENTS

  1. The regulation game shall consist of seven (7) innings for the Major League and Senior League, unless extended by a tie.
  2.  For Major League and Senior League games, the above factors are five (5) full innings and four and one half (4 1/2) innings.  Any game not meeting the above inning requirements will be replayed from the point in which it has been suspended.
  3. An official game where the visiting team ties or goes ahead and the home team has not completed their time at bat, or an official game that is tied, is called by the umpire for any reason will be a suspended game. The game will be resumed from the point at which it was stopped and rescheduled by the Vice-President of Player Personnel at which time it will continue through its conclusion.
  4. All postponement decisions, up to game time, shall be made by the President, Vice Presidents, or Secretary. If they are not present, both managers will make the decision and the managers will advise the Vice President of Player Personnel to reschedule. If the managers cannot agree, the plate umpire for the game will have the final authority.
  5. Once the game has been placed in the hands of the umpires, all decisions shall be made by the umpires.
  6. Any postponed game shall be replayed as soon as reasonably possible under the direction of the Vice President of Player Personnel.
  7. If there is a ten (10) run differential after the trailing team has completed the sixth (6th) inning at bat, the game is complete.
  8. A game is complete when it has been played for two hours; No inning will be started 1 3/4 hours after the START TIME.

ARTICLE VII
PITCHING RULES

  1. One ball pitched constitutes one inning pitched.
  2. Rolling innings rule: A pitcher may pitch no more than ten (10) innings (Majors) in two consecutive games.
  3. Example (Girls Majors):  If Sally pitches seven (7) innings in game one, then she has three (3) innings remaining for game two.  If Sally pitches seven (7) innings in game one, then does not pitch in game two than her innings pitch total returns to ten (10) starting with game three.
  4. If a pitcher is obviously wild and has struck three (3) batters in a game, the home plate umpire can remove the pitcher. The removal of a pitcher is considered a judgment call and "obviously wild" will be decided by the home plate umpire only.
  5. Two (2) time outs or abnormal delays in an inning by a manager or coach for the purpose of conferring with a defensive player shall cause the pitcher's removal from the game as a pitcher only.
  6. The pitcher's plate will be set so the distance between it and home plate (the rear of home plate) will be 40 feet for Majors
  7. Violation of any section of this article shall result in forfeiture of the game in which it occurs, subject to the rules of protesting games. The withdrawal of an ineligible pitcher after she is announced, but before she has pitched, shall not be considered a violation. Officials and managers are urged to take precautions to prevent protests. When a protest may arise out of this situation, the potential offender should be notified immediately and any corrective measures should be taken.

ARTICLE VIII
PROTESTS

  1. Protests shall be considered only if based upon the violation of a playing rule or the use of ineligible players. No protest will be allowed if based upon a decision involving an umpire's judgment.  Equipment, which does not meet League specifications, must be removed from the game and shall not be the basis of a protest.
  2. The manager of the offended team solely has the right to protest a game.
  3. Protests shall be made as follows:

    - The protesting manager shall immediately and before any succeeding play begins, notify the plate umpire that she/he is now playing the game under protest.

    - Following such notice, the umpire shall consult with his associate umpires. If he is convinced that his decision is in conflict with the rules, he shall reverse his decision. If he decides that his decision is correct, he shall announce that the game is being played under protest.
  4. If it is discovered that an ineligible player is being used, such player shall be removed from the game and the game shall resume under protest and not depending upon the will or decision of the offended manager. If the ineligible player is recognized at the conclusion of the game, the manager may still submit her/his protest after having the official scorer concur.
  5. The protesting manager shall have twenty-four (24) hours after the completion of the game to submit her/his protest in writing to the League President.
  6. The President of the League shall receive all protests.
  7. If a player is discovered to be batting out of turn or has batted out of turn, a protest should be made in compliance with League rules.

ARTICLE IX
EQUIPMENT

  1. The complete uniform supplied by the League must be worn at all games by all participating players.  Shirts must be tucked in.
  2. All offensive players must properly wear batting helmets with chinstraps and face guards. Failure to wear the   helmet properly, or deliberately removing the helmet during a live ball play and seen by the umpire as a deliberate act, shall cause the violator to be declared out immediately. The ball remains alive.
  3. All catchers must wear a catcher's mask during practice and pitcher warm-ups.
  4. No League player shall wear spike or metal-cleated shoes.
  5. All equipment belongs to the League.  Each manager is responsible for its reasonable care during the season of play and shall be responsible for its return. This shall include the uniforms, stockings, pants and shirts.
  6. Requests for additional equipment or replacements must be made in writing to the Director in charge of equipment.
  7. ASA approved bats only will be used by the League.
  8. The Minor League will use an 11 inch softball, Majors 12 inch.
  9. No exposed jewelry will be worn by any player.

ARTICLE X
FIELD DECORUM

  1. The action of players, managers, coaches, umpires and League officials must be above reproach.
  2. Uniformed players, managers, coaches and umpires only shall be permitted within the
  3. confines of the playing field prior to and during the games. All players, managers and coaches shall be seated on the bench unless actively participating. One (1) player will be permitted in the on-deck circle at a time.  The first infraction results in a bench warning. The second infraction results in the removal of the offending player.
  4. Incessant derisive remarks or behavior directed at the opposing team or the umpires will not be tolerated. Should anyone (player, manager, coach, etc.) continue after a warning by the umpire, President or Vice-Presidents, to hurl insults at anyone, that person will be removed. 
  5. If the team participates a forfeiture may result.
  6. No player shall circulate among the spectators or converse with them while the game is in progress.
  7. Managers will be given one (1) warning by the plate umpire to inform any parent of his/her unsportsmanlike conduct. If the parent refuses to cooperate, the game will be an automatic forfeit.
  8. A manager or coach may not come onto the playing field to question a judgment call made by an umpire. The manager or coach may have a player who is in the game request an appeal by the umpire who made the call.  However, the decision to request assistance from another umpire is solely at the discretion of the umpire who made the call. A manager or coach who comes onto the playing field to question a judgment call is subject to removal from the game and the dugout area.
  9. The throwing of helmets, bats or any equipment by a player, manager or coach, whether in disgust or not, will not be tolerated. No warning will be given and that person will be removed from the game.
  10. A player who inadvertently throws a bat while a batter will be given a single warning.  The umpire will give a warning to the manager and the entire team.  The next infraction on the team with the warning, will result in the player being recorded as an out.  Note: The intent of this rule is for the safety of all players.  The player who causes the infraction should be taken aside and explained the rule and its intention.
  11. Smoking/chewing of any tobacco items will not be permitted, by anyone, inside the fenced-in boundaries of the playing field during pre-game preliminaries and games.
  12. Alcohol will not be permitted inside the fenced-in boundaries of the playing field at any time.

ARTICLE XI
AWARDS

  1. The value of awards and material gifts shall be determined, sanctioned and presented by the Board of Directors only. No awards shall be made on the basis of individuality, comparable skills, or individual accomplishments.

ARTICLE XII
PLAYOFFS

  1. Playoffs will be scheduled in accordance with the division structure of that year.
  2. The minimum player rule is still in effect.
  3. Should a tie exist for a playoff position, a coin toss will be used to resolve the tie, and not the use of head-to-head competition during the regular season. The above playoff rules apply.
  4. Playoff structure will be determined before the playoffs of each season by the Board of Directors.
  5. All teams in all divisions will be in the playoffs.
  6. All playoff games must be played to their conclusion. Games stopped due to weather, darkness or any other reason will be rescheduled and resumed from the point at which they were stopped.