Pigtail Division Rules (11-12)

2010

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.

The Game

1) A game shall consist of 7 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. DH games game time limit no new inning after 1 hr 50 min.

2) 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. If a tie cannot be broken before it is too dark to continue, the game will resume at a later date, just as it left off. Pitchers who pitched their limited number of innings (4) will not be able to pitch again.

3) There is a 5 run rule per inning for innings 1 thru 6. From the 7^th inning on unlimited runs can be scored until the third out is made. There is a 15 run slaughter rule after 4 1/2 innings.

4) When the umpire feels as though they are running out of time to complete the 7 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.

5) In order to keep the games moving there will be only 2 minutes from the call of the last out, to the start of the next pitch. If the defensive team in not in position and ready to start the inning, the umpire will begin to call a ball on the batter, until the defensive team is ready.

6) A liberal strike zone will be used, please talk to umpires before the start of the game.

7) Tell your players to direct their comments & remarks to their own team members.

8) Play with a maximum of 9 players on the field and a minimum of 6, anything less is a forfeit. All outfielders must be on the grass prior to the pitch

9) Infield fly rule is in effect.

10) Bases are 60 feet apart.

Pitching

1) The front of the pitcher’s rubber shall be 40 feet from the back corner (tip) of home plate.

2) Girls can pitch 4 innings in one game

3) Pitcher must be removed from the inning after two hit batters. Pitcher may return in subsequent innings as long as rule (2) is adhered to.

4) Pitching will be ASA rules

5) An Illegal pitch is ruled a ball.

6) There are no restrictions on replacing pitchers “free substitutions” at any time during the game as long as Rule 2 is adhered to; one pitch constitutes an inning.

7) Girls must present the ball and have both feet in contact with the rubber prior to the pitch.

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 2 bases are allowed at the time of the throw.

3) Stealing is allowed (all bases) once the ball leaves the pitchers hand.

4) Dropped third strike is in effect.

5) Runners will be declared out; ASA Rule 8 Section 7T states “When a runner is legitimately off a base after a pitch or as a result of a batter completing a turn at bat, while the pitcher has the ball within an eight foot radius of the pitcher’s plate the runner must immediately return to the base or attempt to advance to the next base.”

· Failure to immediately return non-stop to the base or proceed non-stop to the next base will result in the runner being declared out.

· Once the runner stops at a base for any reason, she will be declared out if she leaves the base.

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 runners 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 the mask even when taking warm-up pitches.

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

Equipment

1) Any legal Softball bat may be used

2) A 12” Softball will be used

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