Juniors

BALLS Home team shall supply at least 1 new 11” hard softball for play. It is recommended that additional nearly new balls be on hand to replace the game ball in wet conditions or when the ball goes out of play. The following balls shall be used:

Juniors ASA 11” Hard Fast Pitch Softball

JEWELRY is prohibited. Medical alert bracelets or necklaces are not considered jewelry, but if worn, they must be taped to the body so as to remain visible. (Excerpt from National Federation Rules.)

UNIFORMS Shirts must be tucked in and socks provided by league must be worn. Hats or visors provided by the league are optional. Visor and headbands, black or those issued by the league may also be worn.

HELMET REMOVAL

When the umpire witnesses a runner (including the batter-base runner) deliberately remove her batting helmet while the ball is alive, the umpire shall issue a warning to the coach of the involved player's team. After the warning, any subsequent player on that team to violate the rule shall be called out, the ball declared dead and all other runners returned to the base last occupied at the time of the infraction. NOTE FOR UMPIRES - When in DOUBT as to whether the helmet fell off accidentally or was deliberately removed, the removal shall be considered ACCIDENTAL. NOTE TO COACHES Umpire's judgment as to whether removal was intentional is final and shall not be disputed.

INJURY/DEAD BALL In the case of obvious injury to any player, the umpire may declare a ball dead immediately.

STRIKE ZONE: The strike zone is over any part of the plate, black or white, from the bottom of the batter's forward armpit and the top of the batter's front knee. If any part (even the edge of a stitch!!!) of the ball, momentarily passes through any part of the strike zone, it is a STRIKE. NOTE TO UMPIRES AND COACHES Umpires are instructed that, if they are IN DOUBT as to whether a pitch is a ball or a strike, they shall call a STRIKE.

SLIDE RULE: Base runners are obligated to try to avoid contact with the defensive player fielding the ball. A base runner may fulfill this obligation EITHER by sliding or by trying to go around the fielder. The runner shall NOT be called out for failing to slide IF THERE IS NO COLLISION. If there is a collision and the runner, in the umpire's judgment made a legitimate effort to avoid the collision, the runner will not be automatically out. THE RUNNER WILL BE CALLED OUT IF SHE PURPOSELY RUNS INTO ANY FIELDER. NOTE: Fielders should be taught to keep out of the base path except to field a batted or thrown ball -- obstruction rules apply.

CLARIFICATION: DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

Disciplinary action for whatever reason deemed necessary by a coach may be taken at his discretion. Notification of such must be given to the opposing team coach prior to the start of a game or at the time the action should become necessary.

Foul language and unsportsmanlike conduct shall be determined by the umpire with dismissal of the offending player or coach from the game at the umpire's discretion. The Board shall be notified of any such behavior.

Bats or Other Equipment thrown in anger will result in the batter being declared OUT and dismissal from the game. The ball is declared dead and runners must return to the base which they occupied at the time of the pitch.

If a bat is thrown accidentally, the first offense shall result in a team warning. When a "team warning" has been given any subsequent offenses by any member (not just the specific player who committed the initial infraction) of the team that was warned shall result in the batter being called out with the ball remaining dead and all base runners returning to the base which they occupied at the time of the pitch.

SCHEDULES Schedules will be submitted to all coaches and will be followed accordingly. In the case of a rainout, within 48 hours of the rainout two (2) attempts by the home team coach must be made to reschedule the game through the league scheduler. Once the game is rescheduled it is the responsibility of the home coach to notify the opposing coach of the new day. In some instances these games may be scheduled within 24 hours of the original game. If the game has not been rescheduled within that time period, the division commissioner shall be notified by the home team coach. The commissioner shall make an attempt to reschedule. If a team refuses to reschedule at the commissioner's direction, the team refusing to comply will forfeit. If there are excessive rain outs and make up games cannot be scheduled we will base the season on the amount of games played by the team with the least amount of games. Example: League schedules 18 games but one team only gets in 16 games. Then 16 games would be the amount of games we would base our final standings for playoff seeding.

GAME TIMES – COMPLETE GAMES - FORFEITS

A team shall play ten players in the field; however, eight players is the minimum that any team can field. All games shall begin promptly at their scheduled time. If any team can only field nine then both teams will play with nine in the field and the short center will be eliminated. If insufficient players are available at scheduled game time, a 15 minute grace period shall be allowed. If during the grace period sufficient players arrive, the game shall be played with the "2 hour time limit" from the SCHEDULED start time.

"2 Hour Time Limit" NO INNING SHALL BEGIN more than 2 hours after the SCHEDULED start of the game. If the start of the game is delayed due to circumstances beyond the control of EITHER team, no inning shall begin more than 2 hours after the actual starting time of the game. (Exception: if darkness prevents safe play, the game is over.) The score would go back to the score after the home team batted and a winner would be determined. If it results in a tie then it is a tie. The game is an official game and will not be replayed or picked up from when the umpire calls the game.

The umpire shall suspend the game at the end of any inning if, in his opinion, another inning cannot be completed before it becomes too dark for play to continue safely. If at any time the umpire judges it to be too dark for safe play, the umpire shall suspend the game. The umpire's decision is final - IF THERE IS DOUBT as to whether it is becoming too dark to safely play, IT IS TOO DARK and umpires are instructed to end the game.

OFFICIAL GAME For Junior level, a normal game shall consist of 6 innings A game shall be considered official and the score final in all of the following cases: 1) 6 innings are played with the score tied or the visiting team ahead; 2) 5-1/2 inning are played and the home team is ahead; 3) the game is declared over because of the "2 hour time limit"; 4) a game is called because of darkness or weather conditions and at least 4 innings or 3-1/2innings with the home team leading have been completed.

PROTESTS: Protests will not be considered.

ADDING A PLAYER

1. If a team cannot field nine players from their roster for a game, the manager may bring up from a lower level league a maximum of three (3) players. All players must be active registered FGS players. If the players are brought up from a lower level the coach MUST:

a. Obtain permission of the players coach; failure to do so may
result in a forfeiture of the game.

b. Not to use the player brought up as pitcher or catcher.

            c.       Not play the player over a regular team player in the field. If a
            regular team player arrives at the field after the game has
            started, the substitute must still play at least two (2) innings and
            bat at least one time.

d. Substitute players must be in the batting order after all regular
players.

e. Obtain permission of the player's parent or guardian.

2. Players who are brought up to play in another FGS league are also limited to playing a maximum of four (4) games in any league other than their own.

3. Any team violation for the above rules shall forfeit all games in which the above violations occurred.

4. A player can only be brought up from the FGS league below them.

TIE-BREAKER: If teams are tied in standings at the completion of league play and determination of a team's standing is required for purposes of awards, tournament seeding or any other purpose designated by the Board, the following tie breaker will be used:

1) Results of head to head competition

2) Run differential in games between the tied teams

3) Coin toss

SUBSTITUTION/BATTING ORDER:

THERE IS NO DESIGNATED HITTER OR DESIGNATED PLAYER.

Batting order is continuous with all players who are on the team batting regardless of whether they are playing in the field in a given inning.

Every girl on a team shall play at least 2 consecutive innings in the field. (Exception: Injury or sickness - see below.) Players who have not played in the game may be entered in the game to play any position in the field at any time - so long as the girl who is being removed has played 2 consecutive innings in the field. NOTE: THERE IS NEVER ANY RESTRICTION ON MOVING GIRLS FROM ONE POSITION TO ANOTHER IN THE FIELD.

Until all players have played in the field, players who have already played in the game may be entered in the game to play any position in the field at the end of any complete inning for any player who has already played 2 consecutive innings in the field. After all players have been in the field, any player may be substituted in the game to play any position in the field at any time - so long as the girl who is being removed has played 2 consecutive innings in the field.

Any player may be removed from the game any time when sickness or injury makes their continued play inadvisable. The substitute for the removed player shall be one of the players who have not yet played 2 consecutive innings in the field. If all players have played 2 consecutive innings in the field, any available substitute may play for the sick or injured player. If a girl becomes sick or injured during the game, the girl may be reentered if she becomes physically able to play.

PLAYER POSITIONS

Coaches are encouraged to help players learn the basics of all the field positions of fast pitch softball. Substitution rules are very liberal. THERE IS NEVER ANY RESTRICTION ON MOVING GIRLS FROM ONE POSITION TO ANOTHER IN THE FIELD. In particular, all players should be given the opportunity to play both infield and outfield positions in game situations. All girls who show an interest should be taught the basics of pitching. Pitching is a specialized skill taking much practice and time to develop. Parents and coaches need to be very patient with aspiring pitchers. Aspiring pitchers need to practice proper fundamentals almost daily. Coaches are strongly urged to give all girls who are willing to practice pitching both help in learning to pitch and the opportunity to pitch in games.

PITCHING

A pitcher is limited to three (3) innings per game. One pitch is considered an inning.

Clarification:

If a player enters a game and only throws one pitch in the inning that pitch constitutes an inning pitched and the player only has two more innings left in that game to pitch.

Hit Batter A pitcher must be removed for the remainder of the inning after hitting two batters in an inning and must be removed from the game after hitting a third batter in a game.

SLAUGHTER RULE:

If a team is ahead by 15 runs or more after 4 innings of play (3-1/2 innings if the home team is ahead), the game is over (The team behind always gets to complete their bats once an inning has begun). If the coach of the team behind in the score indicates that the losing team wishes to continue play, the game may continue. This will not affect the outcome of the game.

                                                IF THREE OUTS ARE NOT MADE IN AN INNING, A MAXIMUM OF TEN PLAYERS MAY BAT IN ANY HALF INNING. TEAM AT BAT SHALL ANNOUNCE WHEN THE TENTH BATTER ENTERS THE BATTING BOX.
   The tenth batter is then to be played as if there are two outs in the inning. If the out is made the inning is over.
   If hit is made then the play continues until the play is dead by having the ball thrown into the vacintiy of the pitcher. The umpire shall rule when the play is dead. All runs score until the play is ruled dead. Throw back means that the pitcher MUST be in the vacinty of the pitching rubber within the circle (20') radius of the mound. If the throw is to the third base, second base, first base or home the play is not dead and the team needs to get the ball to the pitchers vacinity.

WALKS

After four balls the coach of the team up to bat will finish pitching to the girl who has received four “ball” pitches. If the bases are loaded, you cannot walk a run in. The strike count will remain the same and the umpire will call strikes if coach pitches are strikes.

This rule will not be enforced when playing playoff or against other towns. Clarification:The ASA rules governing balls and strikes will be in effect. Runs walked in are counted and there is no coach pitch in the playoffs.

STEALING Stealing is allowed only after the third pitch (on the fourth pitch). ONLY ONE BASE MAYBE STOLEN PER BATTER AND A RUNNER MAY NOT STEAL HOME.

Clarification: Only one runner can steal per batter. If runners are on first and second only the girl on second can attempt a steal. The runner on first can steal only when the next batter comes to the plate.

**Coaches are encouraged to always have the catcher throw to the base being stolen or if a leadoff runner advanced too far off base. The runners cannot advance on an overthrow from the catcher unless the ball is put into play so develop the catchers and their arms.**

DROPPED THIRD STRIKE IS NOT IN EFFECT

If a third strike is dropped by catcher, the BATTER IS OUT. Runners CANNOT ADVANCE.

INFIELD FLY RULE IS NOT IN EFFECT

SEVERE WEATHER

FGS has the responsibility to the players, coaches and parents to safeguard them from severe weather during a game. In the event of severe weather (severe weather is deemed as such; weather that may cause harm and danger to a player, parent or coach, such as high winds, hail, heavy rain or lighting visible.) If visible lighting is present all players shall be moved to an area such as an enclosed lighting facility, or to the vehicles of the parents. Players shall not be allowed to return to the field until fifteen minutes from the lighting strike. Should a second lighting strike occur within the first fifteen minute time the time (15 minutes) restarts from the second strike. If during this period a third strike occurs and the forecast is not improving the coach from the home team shall notify the visiting coach and umpire (if available) that the game is called. If at any time the home coach indicates that the weather is playable and the opposing coach or umpire disagree the game shall be called. Safety of the player comes first. If at any time a coach feels that another coach is putting risk of harm to the players, parent or coaches that coach should notify the President of FGS at www.frankfortgirlssoftball.com to file a complaint. FGS and its coach’s are responsible for the safety of its players.