The intent of this league is to teach young players the game of Fastpitch Softball. This is a beginning league with modified rules to aid in the training of girls with little or no experience. We want to stress good sportsmanship and fair play. The league will be for learning Let´s teach the girls the game and let them have FUN!
A) Pitching
- Pitching rubber is 35´ away from the plate. The coach from the team batting will pitch to his/her players.
- The pitch is to simulate a fastpitch softball pitch and it should have minimal arc. Any portion of the "windmill" is acceptable as we are trying to teach them fastpitch. Any pitch more than 6´ from the ground will be a ball. There are no balks. A balk is not counted as a ball or strike and no runners can advance.
- A BIG strike zone should be used. Shoulders to knees and one ball width on either side of the plate is appropriate. A knee-high fastball is what your pitchers goal should be.
- The pitcher will throw to every batter. If 3 pitches are called "balls" by the umpire, the coach of the batting team will throw up to 4 more pitches to the batter. If the batter does not hit the ball into play, she is out. No exceptions! (Practice your pitching, coaches.)
COMMENT: This rule takes the pressure off the pitcher to always throw strikes, but encourages them to keep trying. It puts the ball into play because the coach can "probably" throw a hitable pitch and therefore encourages the batter to swing. Even if the coach can´t throw a hitable pitch, the batter is out. This eliminates the walk and keeps the game exciting for the kids and parents.
- The dropped third strike rule is not in effect. If the batter strikes out and the catcher does not catch the ball, the batter is out. (ASA Rule)
COMMENT: This league is for learning and we don´t want to take a strike-out away from a pitcher or penalize a catcher who is trying her best.
B) Base Running
- Only one extra base, TOTAL, for an overthrow. No matter how many over throws are made. All runners can only advance one extra base if an error is made. If they do run to the next base, they are at risk and can be thrown out. If another error is made, then the play is over and no more bases can be taken for any runner.
EXAMPLE: A runner is on first. The batter hits the ball and the ball is fielded and thrown to first. An error is made. The batter can only run to second and the runner can only run to third.
COMMENTS: We don´t want home runs scored on a single. We want the infielder´s to try and make plays. We shouldn´t punish an error by having multiple runs scored. The focus should be on playing positions and making plays.
- Runners may lead off after the ball leaves the pitchers hand. If the runner leaves the base early, she is out.
COMMENTS: We want to teach the skill of leading off at the appropriate time.
- THERE IS NO STEALING OF BASES IN THIS LEAGUE. Any runner who attempts to steal a base will be automatically out, dead ball.
- If a runner or batter intentionally takes off her helmet while running bases, she is out.
- Runners MUST slide or avoid contact. If the fielder has possession of the ball and there is contact with a runner who is not sliding to avoid contact, the runner is out. If the runner goes outside the 3 foot base path, she is out..
C) Hitting
- A continuous batting order will be used to insure all participants bat. All players attending a game will be put into the batting order and they will hit when their turn comes up whether they played in the outfield or not.
- Bunting is allowed when COACH is pitching only. If the batter comes in contact with the bunted ball while she is running to first AND she is in fair territory, she is out. If she is in foul territory, the bunt is a foul ball and called a strike. If the batter bunts a foul ball on the third strike, she is out (ASA Rule).
- Home plate is fair ball territory. A ball that is hit and makes contact with the plate and bounces fair is a fair hit. If it bounces or rolls foul it is a foul. (ASA Rule)
COMMENT: Teach the kids to run once the ball is hit until it is called foul by the umpire.
- 10 batters per inning. If less than three outs are made, there can only be a maximum of 10 batters per half inning. The 10th batter needs to be announced before she comes to the plate. The play is over when the batter scores or a player has control of the ball at a base that the runner is advancing to.
COMMENT: We want to keep the games close and get as many innings in as possible. The more innings played, the more opportunities the girls have to play different positions and more at bats. The more action they see, the less they will pick flowers and scuff dirt!
D) Defense
- All players (including pitchers) may be freely substituted and should play an equal amount of time on defense.
- The defense should consist of 10 players. The outfield will contain 4 players; left, left-center, right-center and right. They are outfielders, NOT an extra infielder or a shallow outfielder. THE OUTFIELDERS MUST BE ON THE GRASS.
- The infield fly rule is not in effect.
E) Other
- Games shall have a limit of 1hr 15min. or 5 innings, whichever comes first. No new inning can start after the time limit has expired.
- The pitcher´s circle will be 16´ in diameter.
- 11" softballs will be used in practice and games in this league.
- There will be no penalty for less than nine players on a roster for a game. Coaches should share players when necessary to balance the number of players on the field and in the batting roster.
- Players are NOT to wear jewelry of any kind (including earrings) during the game.
- Cheers and chants for your team are encouraged. These promote teamwork, motivate kids and add to the child´s overall experience. No chants or cheers that taunt, or make fun of the opposing team or individual players are allowed. NO "SWING BATTER" OR PITCHER TAUNTS ARE ALLOWED. THE PENALTY FOR THIS SHALL BE AN AUTOMATIC "OUT" FOR THE DEFENSIVE TEAM BEFORE THEIR NEXT AT BAT. IF THIS OCCURS DURING THE LAST INNING OF A GAME, THE RESULT SHALL BE FORFEITURE OF THE GAME.
- Keep the innings moving.
- Refer to ASA rules for other play situations.
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