Minor 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 11 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.
- 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 (7) of players. The score of a forfeit will be recorded as 10-0.
- 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.
- There will be NO infield fly rule.
- ALL Players must play at least two innings of the game in the infield and one of those innings must occur during the first 3 innings of the game.
- 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).
- The “mercy” rule is NOT in effect.
- There will be no arguing with umpires. One team warning will be issued; the 2nd offense will cause the Coach 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 32.5 feet from home plate measured from the back point of home plate to the front edge of pitching rubber.
- The Manager or Coach will pitch to their team the first two (2) innings of a game. Starting with the 3rd inning, if a player pitcher walks two consecutive batters, the Manager or Coach will pitch to the next batter. When the Manager or Coach is pitching, the batter cannot walk. A pitcher may only pitch two (2) innings per game. Any pitcher may re-enter the game a maximum of one additional time in the same game if they did not pitch in two (2) innings. One pitch constitutes an inning pitched. A change of pitchers in the middle of an inning will have the inning count for both pitchers. Extra innings do NOT count as 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 with 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 one inning. The pitcher must be replaced on the second trip. Trips made to the mound due to injury are excluded.
- A batter will receive a walk after six (6) balls are thrown in her plate appearance (not 4).
- Each umpire will establish the strike zone; however, a slightly liberal strike zone will be encouraged. Umpire will advise batter after the 2nd strike whether or not the pitch is “close” and encourage the batter to swing at the ball vs. strike out.
- A pitcher will be removed after hitting 2 batters in one inning. If she has not pitched her two (2) innings she can reenter as a pitcher one additional time.(see rule #2 above) If she hits a third batter she must be removed as pitcher for the remainder of the game. 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. In the event the batter is hit by pitch, they take first which forces in run and then the next batter must either hit or strike out. (and so on).
Batting:
- Bunting is not permitted.
- 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.
- The batter may not run if the catcher drops the third strike.
- 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.
- Batters will be encouraged to drop their bat after receiving a walk.
- 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. Failure to notify the opposing coach of injury until her time at bat will cause it to be registered as an out.
Base Running:
- No stealing will be permitted.
- 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. If the player does not field the ball cleanly or there is an overthrow, no runner shall advance.
- 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.
- When the pitcher or any other player has control of the ball within the pitching circle, the ball is dead and the play is over. Base runners will be sent back to previous base if less than halfway to next base. A ball cannot be put back into play.
- 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.
- 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.