LaVerne Loudenbeck 2010 8U Tournament

All rules and regulations for this league shall follow the ASA, except for the following additions:

The Players

1) Each girl must play 2 innings per game except when a game is called after 5 innings as in Rule 3, "The Game."

2) Continuous batting order will be used. Everyone bats.

3) All Girls must be 8 years old or younger as of January 1,2010

The Game

1) Visiting teams 15 minute warm up begins ½ hour before game time. Home teams 15 minute warm up begins 15 minutes before game, if time allows.

2) Before start of the game a coin flip will determine the home team.

3) A game shall consist of 6 innings. If weather forces a game to be stopped after 5 innings the game is complete. No new inning is to be started after 8:00 pm except as noted in Rule 2, “The Game”

4) If the game is tied at the end of 5 innings and it is 8:00 p.m. the umpire(s) decide if there is sufficient light to continue until there is a winner.

5) There is a 4 run rule per inning for innings 1 thru 5. From the 6^th inning on unlimited runs can be scored until the third out is made. There is a 20 run slaughter rule after 4 1/2 innings.

6) When the umpire feels as though they are running out of time to complete the 6 innings before the 8 PM deadline, the umpire shall declare it the final inning at the top of the inning. The final inning both teams will have equal chance at unlimited runs.

7) Each team will play with a maximum of 11 players on the field and a minimum of 6 players, anything less is a forfeit. The 11^th player will play on either side of the coach pitcher; there will be one player on each side of the coach pitcher. The players shall be positioned 3 feet behind the coach pitcher for safety. There will be four outfielders.

8) All four outfielders must be on the grass at the start of the pitch.

9) Infield fly rule is not in effect.

10) Bunting is not allowed

11) Sliding is allowed

12) Bases are 60 feet apart.

Pitching

1) The front of the pitcher’s rubber shall be no less than 25 feet from the back corner (tip) of home plate.

2) The batters team Coach or representative will take the position on the pitching rubber and pitch to his/her player.

3) There is no ball or strike count. Players will receive a maximum of 5 pitches unless the fifth pitch is fouled off. If they foul off the 5th pitch they will continue to bat until they either miss the pitch (swinging strike) or get a hit. If the batter does not hit the ball in play or foul by the 5th pitch, the coach shall simply declare the batter out. The balls will be collected after each batter’s at bat and returned to the coach pitching.

4) There will be an 8 foot arc in front of home plate all balls hit by the batter must be hit beyond the 8 foot circle. If the ball is not hit beyond the 8 foot circle it will be considered foul. If the fifth pitch is not hit fair beyond the 8 foot circle the batter is out.

Base Running

1) Slide rule; ASA Rule 8 Section 7Q states "When a defensive player has the ball and the runner remains upright and crashes into the defensive player, she shall be called out." Note: if the act is determined to be flagrant, the offender shall be ejected. This is the umpires’ judgment.

2) When the ball is thrown out of play, 1 base is automatically awarded to the batter and base runners, with no liability of being put out. The award will be from the batter and runners position prior to the time of the pitch.

3) Base runners may advance only after the ball is hit by the batter, and the continuing play on the ball. No stealing, no leadoffs, no running on the pitch. If the umpire determines that a runner(s) are leaving early, the manager of that team will be given 1 warning per game. The 2nd offense will result in the runner(s) being called out. (Umpires discretion)

4) When the ball is hit to the outfield, base runners can only advance to the base that they are going to once the ball has entered the infield and any player has control of the ball. The ball may be in possession of an outfielder or infielder. Outfield players are encouraged to throw the ball in as quickly as possible. The infield shall be defined as once the girls have stepped onto the dirt infield. Please clarify the infield with the umpire before the start of the game.

Safety

1) Game must be called if lightning is in the vicinity. Girls must be moved to an area of safety.

2) Batting helmets must be worn by batters/base runner while on deck, at bat, and while running the bases. Deliberate removal at any time while ball is in play the runner shall be called out.

3) Throwing the bat is an out after one team warning.

4) Catchers must wear a helmet with a facemask and throat protector.

5) All girls must wear long pants (shorts are not allowed)

6) Umpires are not required to wear face mask.

Equipment

1) Any Legal Softball bat or Tee Ball may be used (all bats must have tapped handles)

2) 11” Softballs will be used (Softie Softballs)

3) All Players must have a NOCSAE approved helmet equipped with a NOCSAE approved facemask.