Pixie Division Rules (9-10)
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 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.
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.
3) There is a 5 run rule per inning for innings 1 thru 5. From the 6th 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 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.
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 10 players on the field and a minimum of 7, anything less is a forfeit. All outfielders must be on the grass prior to the pitch.
9) Infield fly rule is not in effect.
10) Bunting is allowed.
11) Bases are 60 feet apart.
Pitching
1) The front of the pitcher’s rubber shall be 35 feet from the back corner (tip) of home plate.
2) Girls can pitch 3 innings in one game, but no more than 2 consecutive innings.
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) Presenting the ball is not required--(glove on one hand--ball in the other--then brought together), but coaches are encouraged to teach the girls this rule. Both feet must be in contact with the pitching rubber at all times prior to the forward step.
8) For the first 3 innings the pitchers will pitch to the batters. Starting with the 4th inning once the batter has ball 4 called on her the batters team Coach or representative will take the position on the pitching rubber and pitch to his/her player. The count on the batter will be ball 3 and whatever the strike count was on the batter. Example: if the count was 4 balls & 0 strikes, the count will be 3-0 count, if the count was 4 balls & 2 strikes; the batter assumes a 3-2 count. The umpire will continue to call balls and strikes. The player cannot be walked she must strike out, fly out or hit the ball fairly.
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 of 2nd and 3rd is allowed once the ball crosses home plate. Only one base can be stolen at a time and if an attempt is made on the base runner and the ball is over thrown the base runner cannot further advance.
4) Dropped third strike is not effect.
5) 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.
v Example: Bases are loaded, the ball is hit to the outfield and thrown in, and short stop picks up the ball. Runner on 3rd has scored, runner on 2nd has rounded 3rd base, and runner on 1st stopped on 2nd base and the batter has rounded 1st base. The runner that was on 1st stopped at 2nd base, so that runner and batter cannot advance. The runner on third, if the umpires feels as though she has progressed more than half way shall be granted home. If the fielder who had control of the ball decides to throw, because of the runner on third going home, the play shall be called dead, and the umpire will award the runner on 3rd home if the umpire feels as though she was more than half way and runners on 2nd and 1st will be sent back to their bases.
6) Runners will be declared out; ASA Rule 8 Section 8T “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 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 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) 11” Softballs will be used
3) All Players must have a NOCSAE approved helmet equipped with a NOCSAE approved facemask.