Rookie 2

Second half of the season, seventh through end of season, follow Junior rules.

RULES PERTAINING TO ROOKIES 1

PLAYING RULES – ROOKIES 2 .................................................................................. ……….

OBJECTIVE:             The objective of the Rookie League is to provide a non-competitive, instructional situation for players between the T-ball and Junior levels of play; Emphasis should be placed on the fundamentals of throwing (proper grip and footwork), fielding, pitching and hitting. After these fundamentals are introduced, a general understanding of the game may be taught. The rules of the game generally follow those, of the American Softball Association. Exceptions and the points of emphasis follow.

BALL:                        Softie (11")

JEWELRY:                 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 provided by league must be worn and be tucked in. Hats provided by the league are optional. Visor and headbands, white or the same color as the shirt may also be worn.

SCORING:                 This will be considered an instructional league; therefore scorekeeping will be optional. After the half way point in the season, score may be kept at the discretion of the coaches. Team standings will not be maintained. Emphasis must remain on the instructional aspects of the program.

PITCHING:                           1st Six Games
The pitching distance will be 25 feet. Coaches will pitch to their own team throughout the season. Balls and strikes will not be called. Each batter will be given six pitches to put the ball in play. If the coach feels the batter will not put the ball in play, a batting tee will be used to put the ball in play. A ball is playable if it is hit fair 15 feet beyond home plate.

Seventh through remainder of games scheduled
The pitching distance will be 25 feet. A team pitcher shall pitch up to six pitches to the batter. After the pitcher throws three called "ball" pitches the coach will pitch to the batter. The coach enters the game with the count on the batter. A batter may be called out on strikes but not walked. It is the intention of the league to develop players want to learn the fundiments of pitching. A parent umpire will call balls and stikes withan expanded strike zone. The chin to bottom of knees and a ball width on either side of the plate.

Catcher:      The purpose of the catch is to introduce this position to the young players. Teams will suit up a catcher for every game with the intent to have players develop in this position. A coach will stand behind the umpire to retrieve any pass balls to keep the speed of the game.

OFFENSE:   The intent of the game will be to put the ball into play, encouraging offensive, defensive, and base running skills. Hitters and runners may advance as far as possible on each hit. Base runners may advance one base on overthrows. After a batter has reached base or been put out, the play becomes dead with the ball is in the pitcher's hands on the pitching mound (within approximately ten (10) feet of the center of the infield). Runners may continue, at risk, to the base they were going to when the ball was thrown to the pitcher, but no further. If the play has stopped (runners have stopped attempting to advance) and an overthrow to the pitcher occurs, it is not considered an overthrown ball and runners may not advance. There are no leadoffs and no stealing. All batters and runners must wear helmets with chin straps. Each inning will conclude after each player on the team has batted. Alternatively, the coaches can agree to conclude innings after three (3) outs. However, each girl must bat at least twice per game.

DEFENSE:     To familiarize the players with the game itself, coaches are encouraged to utilize a normal infield line-up while placing extra players in the outfield so that all available players up to ten players, are always on the field during defensive sequences. In the spirit of instructional play, coaches should give each player an opportunity to play at each position during the course of the season.

BASES:                      50 feet.

LENGTH of GAME:                   The length of each game shall not exceed four innings. Coaches may decide to shorten the length due to time considerations or darkness to ensure the safety of the participants. No inning shall begin once the game has exceeded 75 minutes.

PLAYING RULES –Rookie 2 Games 7th.- End of Season:
Except as modified herein, play shall be in accordance with the 2010 ASA Official Softball Playing Rules for "Girls' Junior Olympic Fast Pitch Softball."

Special provisions and clarifications are as follows:

PITCHING                            ASA rules with pitching distances as follows:

                                        Juniors                     30 feet

                                                Per ASA, all distances measured from the back tip (apex) of home plate to the front edge of the pitching rubber.

                                                Pitching rubber shall be full sized rubber (24" X 6")secured to the ground. If a stake type rubber, at least two stakes must be used to prevent possibility of pitcher dislodging either end of the rubber during delivery of the pitch.

BASE PATHS                                 Rookie 2                 50feet

                                                Per ASA, all distances measured from the back tip (apex) of home plate to the back edge of first and third base with 2nd base centered at 60 feet from the first and third base lines.

BALLS
Home team shall supply at least 1 new 11” softie 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:

                                                      Rookie 2                  ASA 11” Softie 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.

Batting:
Continuous batting order is in effect a maximum of 12 batters per inning. The next inning will start with the batter following in the line-up.

LEAD OFFS                           Lead offs are allowed once the ball leaves the pitchers hand. There is no stealing.

STRIKE ZONE:                      A parent umpire will call balls and stikes with an expanded strike zone. The chin to bottom of knees and a ball width on either side of the plate.

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.

GAME TIMES – COMPLETE GAMES - FORFEITS

                                                 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 30 minute grace period shall be allowed. If during the grace period sufficient players arrive, the game shall be played with the "75 minute limit" from the SCHEDULED start time.

                                                "75 minute Limit" NO INNING SHALL BEGIN more than 75 minutes 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 75 minute after the actual starting time of the game. (Exception: if darkness prevents safe play, the game is over. The game may end in a no decision tie.

                                                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 1S 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 R 2 level, a normal game shall consist of 4 innings A game shall be considered official and the score final inall of the following cases: 1) 4 innings are played with the score tied or the visiting team ahead; 2) 3-1/2 inning are played and the home team is ahead; 3) the game is declared over because of the "75 minute time limit"

PROTESTS:                          Protests will not be considered.

ADDING A PLAYER

1.      If a team cannot field ten 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.

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 fieldat 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.

                                                A pitcher must be removed for the remainder of the game after hitting two batters in an inning or after hitting three batters in a game.

                                                IF THREE OUTS ARE NOT MADE IN AN INNING, A MAXIMUM OF TWELVE PLAYERS MAY BAT IN ANY HALF INNING. TEAM AT BAT SHALL ANNOUNCE WHEN THE TWELFTH BATTER ENTERS THE BATTING BOX.

WALKS/HIT BATTER

                                                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.

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.