Junior Division - Rules
_Unless modified by the following, high school rules shall apply
General:
Pitching:
Batting:
Base Running:
General:
- Bases will be 60 feet apart.
- All games will be played using a 12 inch ball.
- Eight (8) player minimum to play a game. There will be no penalty for the 9th or 10th positions in the batting order being vacant. If your team falls below 8 players due to injury or any other reason, then the game is over due to forfeit. The score of a forfeit will be recorded as 10-0.
- Forfeits will be enforced for teams unable to field a team. There will be no rescheduling. Games will be forfeited after 20 minutes if a team does not have a coach or minimum amount (8) of players.
- The Short Fielder is an “outfielder” and must be positioned not less than 10 feet behind 2nd base or on the outfield grass at the time of each pitch.
- Infield fly rule is in effect
- ALL Players must play at least ½ of the game in the field.
- Games will be 6 innings in length or maximum of 2 hours.
- NO inning may start after 8:00pm or after 2 hours of playing time.
- Games suspended due to rain or darkness will be resumed from the point where play was halted except if 4 complete innings have been played and a team is winning. (Note: if home team is winning after 3 ½ innings, then game would be complete)
- Free substitution for all positions, (except pitcher), at the start of each inning, excluding injuries. (Note: Refer to pitching rule #2 below regarding pitcher substitution).
- There is no “mercy” rule. The two hour time limit and 9 batters per inning rules are in effect.
- There will be no arguing with umpires. One team warning will be issued; the 2nd offense will cause the Coach or player to be ejected. The 3rd offense will cause the team to be ejected and forfeit the game.
- No jewelry of any kind or gum.
Pitching:
- The pitching rubber will be 40 feet from home plate.
- A pitcher may only pitch three (3) innings per game. Any pitcher may re-enter the game if they have not pitched their 3 innings. One pitch constitutes a new inning. A change of pitchers in the middle of an inning will have the inning count for both pitchers. Extra innings count as a new game.
- The pitcher must use a legal pitching wind-up and must start her wind-up with one foot on the rubber. Release must also be made with one foot on the rubber or the foot sliding off the rubber while maintaining contact with the ground at the time of release. (Note: it is an illegal pitch if the foot “jumps” off the rubber and then reestablishes contact w ith the ground. The foot must remain in contact with the ground until the ball is released)
- Managers or Coaches will be permitted (2) trips to the mound in any inning. The pitcher must be replaced on the second trip. Trips made to the mound due to injury are excluded.
- A pitcher will be removed after hitting 2 batters. She may remain in the game in another position.
- If a pitcher walks in one (1) run, the next batter is NOT permitted to walk. They must either hit the ball or strike out. The exception is if she is hit by a pitch. In that case, the batter is awarded first base, another run is forced in, and the next batter can not walk.
Batting:
- One (1) bunt per inning is permitted.
- The batter may not run if the catcher drops the third strike.
- Three (3) outs or maximum of 9 batters going to the plate in an inning. The 9th batter can not walk. This rule does NOT apply in the 6th inning.
- Throwing the bat is prohibited. The umpire will issue a warning to both teams after the first incident. Subsequent occurrences will result in the batter being declared out and all runners will be returned to their previous bases.
- Cinderella batting is in effect. All girls in attendance at the game and in uniform will bat whether or not they play the field in that particular inning unless they are injured and unable to play.
- Once the batting order is established at beginning of game, there will be NO changes unless there is an injury and the coach notifies the opposing coach at time of injury or a player arrives late to the game—in the case of a late arrival, the player will be added to the bottom of the line-up. Failure to notify the opposing coach of injury until her time at bat will cause it to be registered as an out.
- The batter/base runner will wear a batting helmet with face cage and chin strap.
Base Running:
- A limit of one (1) successful steal or advance, of third base only, per inning will be permitted. NO steal of second or home. (Note: If the catcher throws to third and the ball is overthrown, the runner is NOT permitted to run home and must stay at third) (Note2: If the catcher throws to second in an attempt to pick off the runner on second, or throws to first or third in an attempt to pick off a runner, and the ball is overthrown or misplayed by fielder, the player on second can advance to third, if open, if steal/advance not used that inning, at own risk, and that constitutes the one steal/advance for that inning. The runners on first or third can’t advance.)
- Runners may leave the base when the ball leaves the pitchers hand.
- If the catcher attempts to throw out the runner after a pitch, the runner is forced back to the base. She does not have to be tagged out. The catcher is allowed a free throw to first or third. If the player does not field the ball cleanly or there is an overthrow by the catcher, no runner on first or third shall advance. If there is a runner on second and first, and a throw to first in pick off attempt, please see Note2 above.
- A ball that is not hit by the batter is not in play when the catcher throws it back to the pitcher, even if overthrown.
- Sliding is permitted and encouraged. It is the base runners responsibility to “slide” or “avoid” a collision at all bases. Deliberately running into or knocking down a fielder will result in the base runner being called out. A runner will NOT be called out for not sliding if there was no collision.
- Fielders will be called for interference if they block a base or base path without the ball or being in a position to catch the ball should a play be made at that base.
- The umpire’s judgment will prevail regardless of 1, 3 and 5 above.
- When running to first, base runner must stay to right of line.
- The speed up rule is in effect. With two (2) outs, a pinch runner is required if the catcher is on base. The runner used must be the last recorded out in the same inning.