FVGFS Rules

2013

The current Amateur Softball Association rulebook shall be the official rulebook.
Additional Fountain Valley Girls Fastpitch Softball local playing rules shall take precedence over ASA rules.

The following rules are NOT protestable!

  1. Team Formation
    1. T -ball Division
      • The T-Ball division will have teams formed by a process of neighborhood separation. Girls will be grouped by area and requests as best as possible with ages and experience also taken into consideration. The grouping is done under the direction of the T -Ball commissioner with the aid of the coaches.
    2. 6 (coach pitch), 8, 1O, 12, 16 & Under Divisions
      • The 6 (coach pitch), 8, 10, 12, and 14/16 & under divisions will have a draft team formation. The Player Rep and the division Commissioner are responsible for the administration of the evaluations and draft. The President, Player Rep, division Commissioner, and the head coaches will only attend the draft. No exceptions!
      • All eligible girls in each division will attend one of the evaluation sessions scheduled. Each girl will participate as requested on the field. All coaches must be present at evaluations. In addition to protecting their daughter(s), a coach may also protect one more player, the daughter of one manager or one assistant coach. Coaches must secure prior consent from their prospective player and the player's parent to be eligible for protection. A letter may be required from the parent of the prospective player before player is placed. Due to the impact on fairness and parity, some coaches and managers/assistant coaches may not be able to pair up. Examples of this include, but are not limited to two girls that are pitchers that do not reasonably pair up or two girls that would be placed in the first round. The Player Rep and the Division Commissioner will make any final decision involving these circumstances. The President will only step in if a decision cannot be made.
      • Pitchers for all divisions above coach pitch will be evaluated and ranked separately. All pitchers must be evaluated and ranked by all coaches and the independent evaluator. The coaches and the independent evaluator will rank all pitchers in order of skill, 1 being the top pitcher on down to the number of pitchers evaluated. Each coach will turn the rankings into the division Commissioner immediately following the evaluations. The Commissioner and the Player Rep will, prior to the draft, consolidate all rankings and pair up the pitchers. They should be ranked for equal distribution depending on how many teams will be in the division. If there are 5 teams and 12 pitchers. try out, only the top ten pitchers will be ranked with the other girls not being considered pitchers for draft purposes. Pitchers ideally would be paired up with 5 teams drafting as follows: pitcher 1 paired with pitcher 1O, pitcher 2 paired with pitcher 9, etc. If a coach and the assistant coach or manager's daughters are ranked pitchers, they must be able to pair up reasonably or the pairing will not be allowed. The Player Rep and the Division Commissioner will make any final decision involving these circumstances. The President will only step in if a decision cannot be made. The pitchers will then be selected in an order determined by numbers drawn. Players with any previous pitching experience who do not evaluate as pitchers will not be eligible to pitch for that season. At evaluations coaches and the independent evaluator will also vote on which round protected players should be placed in the purpose of the draft.
      • Immediately following evaluations, coaches and the independent evaluator will submit their ballots to the Division Commissioner. Prior to the draft, the Division Commissioner and the Player Reps will consolidate all ballots and place the protected players in the appropriate rounds. Continuing from the point that each team has its pitchers and have been made aware of the rounds the protected players have been placed, each coach will draw a number to see the order they will draft. The draft will be conducted in a serpentine fashion with each team receiving one player per pick until all players are placed on a team. However, if there is only one ranked pitcher per team, the draft will not start over at this point, but will continue on from the pitching selection in a serpentine fashion. Sisters are guaranteed to be placed together. A team selecting a player with a sister will be given the sister 2 rounds later. Example: A player is selected in the 3 round; her sister will then automatically be placed in the 5th round.
      • After the draft is complete, the Division Commissioner may open the floor to trades. Requests will be posted at this time and should be accommodated through trades. Requests do not have to be honored if the coaches involved can't agree on a reasonable trade. All trades must have the consent of the Player Reps and the Division Commissioner. Following the draft, absolutely no trades may be made and no players may be placed on a team without both the Division Commissioner and the Player Reps permission.
  2. Placing Late Sign Ups All players must be evaluated before being placed on a team. Pitchers must also be evaluated to be eligible to pitch. The evaluation should be attended by all division coaches and the Division Commissioner. After reasonable attempts have been made to insure all coaches are present, the evaluation may be scheduled with only a majority of coaches attending. Players will then be placed on a team by the Division Commissioner with the consent of the executive board.
  3. Umpires Pick up pay from the snack bar or from the Umpire in Chief. Please sign the receipt book to indicate receipt of pay. One new game ball and one used back up ball will be provided for each game by the home team. You must sign the official score book in ink at the end of each game. You must maintain control of the game at all times. Any unruly manager, coach, player, or spectator can be removed from the game and playing area. You are not to allow any smoking, drinking, or profanity from any participant of the game. You need to enforce good behavior and sportsmanship at all times.
  4. Team Dugouts The only people allowed in the dugout are the players, the manager, the chaperone, and two coaches. NO EXCEPTIONS!! (These individuals will need to be registered with ASA)
  5. Consulting with the Umpires Only one team at a time and no more than two people (manager or coach) may consult with the umpire on any occasion.
  6. Legal / Illegal Equipment
    1. The official bat shall be no more than thirty-four inches long and not more than 2 % in diameter at its largest part. It is mandatory that the bat has a safety grip of cork, tape, or composition material. The safety grip shall not be less than ten inches long and shall not extend more than fifteen inches from the small end of the bat. No altered bat may be used. An altered bat consists of alterations to the physical Structure. Laser marking and engraving on the knob of the bat for identification purposes are not considered alterations. The words "Official Softball" are not required to be printed on the bat.
    2. The official softball shall be the designated ball by ASA for the current playing season.
    3. Rosin bags will be permitted on the pitching mound.
    4. During cold weather, jackets or sweatshirts may be worn by defensive players only and must be buttoned or zipped. The use of jackets or sweaters by offensive players is subject to umpire approval. No jewelry may be worn by any player.
  7. 7. Called Games
    1. Games will be rescheduled or suspended for the following reasons ONLY:
      1. Rain out (see rule 7 F)
      2. Tournaments (League sanctioned) (see rule 7 F)
      3. Board Approval (see rule 7 F)
      4. Incomplete games (see rule 7 F)
    2. A game called prior to becoming a regulation game (4 % complete innings when home team is ahead or time has elapsed) will be declared a suspended game and will be rescheduled for completion from the exact point of suspension. The scorebook will be marked as to innings, score, batter, count on batter, outs, runners, etc. An absent batter will be removed from the line-up with the following batter being moved upward in the line-up. Players not rostered for the suspended game will be added to the bottom of the line-up with no penalty being assessed. Players not rostered in a suspended game will be inserted in the position right before the current batter.
    3. A game called after becoming a regulation game shall be declared a complete game if a winner can be determined. The score shall be what it was when the game was called, if the home team has scored more runs than the visiting team or if the home team has tied the score in the bottom of the inning. If the home team has fewer runs when the game is called, the score shall revert back to what it was at the time of the last complete inning played. If the score is tied the game shall be declared a suspended game and will be handled as described in paragraph 58. Note: The point of suspension shall be when the game was called, not from the point where the game was considered a tie.
    4. A suspended game will be rescheduled within 2 weeks or within the first 2 available dates for field availability according to the league playing schedule as determined by the Umpire-in-Chief. If for some reason a rescheduled game must be rescheduled again, the league will do so only once. Failure of either team to play in the second rescheduled game will result in a forfeit by that team or teams.
    5. The umpire involved in a suspended game is responsible for completing the game, provided the rescheduled date is convenient to the umpire.
    6. In the event of a rescheduled game, pitching outs will remain the same 'wherever the game falls in the regular game schedule.
  8. Protests A protest, in order to be considered by the protest committee, must be submitted in writing to the Umpire-in-Chief within 24 hours of the incident and must be accompanied by a $50.00 protest fee. The protest fee is refundable only if the protest committee upholds the protest.
  9. Ejection from the Game
    1. The home plate umpire will notify the official scorekeeper and a note will be made on the score sheet when an individual is ejected from a game. The individual must immediately vacate the premises & cannot have any further contact with the field or team during the duration of the game.
    2. If the umpire believes the incident requires further action he will, within 24 hours, notify the Board of Directors (in writing) reporting the incident. When the FVGFS Board of Directors receives a written complaint of unsportsmanlike conduct, the offending individual will be brought before the FVGFS Board of Directors for a hearing. The offending individual must be present at such meeting but will not have a vote.
    3. Punishment for ruling of unsportsmanlike conduct will result in the following:
      1. Probation for first time offender of a minor offense (not including ejection from a game). The offender shall be issued a warning in writing from FVGFS, stating that the offending party will be placed on probation and monitored very closely. The Vice President or the Division Commissioner, with the approval of the President, thus avoiding a Board hearing, may issue an order of probation.
      2. Repeat offenders or for more serious offenses (including ejection from a game), suspension of the offender will be ordered for a minimum of one (1) game to a maximum of the remainder of the season. Any person ejected from a game for any reason will serve a min. 1 game suspension. A person being suspended must not enter the premises. Continued incidents or complaints may result in but are not limited to banning from league or refusal to allow back. If a coach or assistant coach is ejected from a game a second time, either during the remaining portion of the current season, or at any time during the following season, the coach may not be eligible to coach a team either as a head or assistant coach the following season, per board review.
      3. Unsportsmanlike conduct complaints and game ejections will be acted upon by FVGFS officials within five (5) days of their receipt and any disciplinary action will be communicated in writing and shall be immediately enforced.
      4. Any ejection during a season may make a coach ineligible to be either a head coach or assistant coach on an All Star team that season, per executive board review.
  10. Coach's Conduct Rules A coach or manager shall not do the following:
    1. Lay hands upon, push, shove, strike, or threaten to strike an official.
    2. Refuse to abide by an official's decision.
    3. Be guilty of any verbal or physical attack upon any player, coach, spectator, or game or league official.
    4. Use profane or vulgar language.
    5. Appear upon the field in an intoxicated manner or under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs. Coaches and managers should use discretion in discussing games and players. They should be true representatives of a clean sport and they should stress the principles of good sportsmanship. They shall support the league's regulations they have helped to adopt and abide by. If there is a difference of opinion with the official, it should be discussed in a reasonable manner with the official. Violations of these codes of conduct shall be brought to the attention of the Board of Directors and proper action will be taken. Any person ejected from a game by the official for any reason must have Board approval before they are allowed to participate in any succeeding games. If a coach does not honor and abide by a Board of Directors decision regarding a violation or infraction of a league Conduct Rule, that coach may be immediately removed from the team by the Board of Directors, and all current and future coaching eligibility will be forfeited and terminated. If a removal occurs, a new coach will be assigned with board approval to the team for the remainder of the season.
  11. Benching a Player Benching of a player requires prior approval by the division Commissioner or any 2 FVGFS Board members. The approving person may not be associated with the team involved.
  12. Cancellation of Games
    1. Games will not be rescheduled except for:
      1. Inclement weather.
      2. Board of Director's action due to unforeseen circumstances.
      3. Teams playing in a tournament with PRIOR Board approval.
      4. Either team unable to field a minimum of 8 players due to valid reason.
    2. Rescheduling of a game will be accomplished by the division Commissioner and the Umpire-in-Chief, unless they are associated with the teams involved. If a problem arises in rescheduling a game in which either the division Commissioner or the Umpire-in Chief are directly involved, the Board of directors will reschedule the game.
    3. All rescheduled games must be made up within 14 days. Two dates will be allowed. All rescheduled games must be completed prior to the last game in the first half or the last scheduled league game in the division.
  13. Line-up and Substitution Procedures
    1. Written line-up sheets will be submitted to the official scorekeeper and opposing manager 15 minutes prior to game time. All girls on the team will be listed. Any girl that is sick, injured, absent, or benched must be listed along with the reason for not playing.
    2. Free substitution is required when teams are batting Round robin in accordance with the ASA rulebook.
    3. A game may begin with 8 players if necessary. In case of injury to a player during the game, the game may be played with 7 players. All girls must play 3 defensive innings per game. If time does not permit this, the girl must start the next game defensively.
  14. Field Preparation
    1. The HOME team is responsible for preparing the fields prior to the game. This includes setting the bases and chalking the field. Upon completion of the last game of the day on the field, the VISITING team is responsible for removing the bases, replacing the peg covers, and returning the bases to the shed. If the visiting team is from another city, the HOME team is responsible for both the preparation and clean up of the field.
    2. In addition, the VISITING team, is responsible for filling the holes with a rake, compacting the area, then watering and dragging the field with plenty of water prior to leaving. This insures the fields are ready for games scheduled the next day. Failure to drag and water the fields after a game or practice will result in the loss of using the fields for practice by the team who violated the above rules. The trash cans surrounding your assigned field must be emptied. This is done in order to continue using this facility as directed by the County of Orange.
    3. The more care and effort applied to maintaining the fields, the better the condition of the fields.
  15. Playing Field Conditions The umpire and the managers from both teams are responsible for inspecting the playing field prior to starting the game. Field conditions will be considered accepted by the umpire and both teams, whether verbally discussed or not, once the first pitch is delivered. If a discrepancy is discovered later, such as incorrect base distance or pitching distance, the discrepancy shall be corrected, but only after both teams have played the equal number of outs.
  16. Time Limits Time limits will be described as per division rules dictate.
  17. Complaints about Umpires Any complaints about umpires must be in writing, to the Board of Directors, before the umpire association will take action. Submit all written complaints through the league's Umpire-in-Chief.
  18. Late Arrival and Early Dismissal from a Scheduled Game Although FVGFS does not advocate arriving late and leaving early, it does occasionally happen. Persistent tardiness and early dismissal shall be treated as a disciplinary problem and shall be handled through the benching process as defined in rule 8. The following procedure has been adopted to handle the occasional situations. It will be assumed that all managers and coaches will use this rule wisely and in the best interest of the players.
    1. The opposing manager must be notified and the official scorebook must show any player arriving late or leaving early.
    2. Due to round robin batting in the 12 & under, the fifth inning cannot be used as the cutoff point. A late arrival may enter the game provided the game has not advanced beyond her turn at bat in the official line-up. If a player does not arrive before her turn at bat, she shall be declared absent for the remainder of the game and her name shall be skipped over each time it is her time to bat. Note: When a player has not arrived by game time, her name MUST be entered as the last player of the official batting order.
    3. Due to round robin batting in the a & Under and 10 & Under divisions, a player has until the third inning to enter the game without receiving an out penalty.
    4. During round robin batting for any division, if a player leaves a game early for any reason other than injury; she shall be counted as an out the first time her name comes around in the official line-up as a batter. For subsequent at bats, her name will simply be skipped over with no out recorded. In the event of an injury, NO out shall be recorded and player may not reenter the game.
  19. Tied Games - The International Tie-Breaker rule will apply at the top of the athinning if there is still time on the game clock. If there is no time remaining, the application of the International Tie-Breaker rule will take effect as long as it is a complete game.
  20. Run Rule - The Run Rule varies per division. This will be described as per division rules dictate..
  21. Mercy Rule - The Mercy Rule varies per division. This will be described as per division rules dictate.
  22. Ground Rules
    1. Darkness to be determined by the umpire.
    2. Extended fence lines shall mark the out of bounds lines. A ball hit over any outfield fence shall be considered a home run.
  23. AII-Star Selection After May 1st, the division coaches will be responsible for ranking the top 12 players in their division and submitting the list to the commissioner. They will evaluate the girls on their list in game situations. No tryouts will be given. After the coaches have evaluated the girls on their list, they will meet with their commissioner and the other coaches in their division to determine the All-Star team.  The top 9 players with the most votes will form the team. The next 3 players will be added through open discussion and a consensus of all coaches. If the league feels it has enough players to add a "2nd" team then this team will be formed through open discussion and consensus of all coaches. The following will be used to determine the selections:
    1. A player will be chosen on merit, not because their parent is coaching.
    2. The player has paid her registration fee and is in good standing with the league.
    3. The player can commit to the full season and practices for all-stars. All nominations will be held in confidence. Alternates (anyone receiving a vote) will not be told they are selected unless they are called forward by the coach to play. Only players on the alternate list may be chosen to play if a nominated player is unable to play. Coaches may not choose players to fill positions unless they are on the alternate list. The alternate players will play until the nominated player returns. Alternates are not used to replace a nominated player unless the nominated player becomes unable to continue on the team and a nominated player will not lose her position on the team. Players are only eligible to play in All Stars in the division they played in. ALL PLAY UPS MUST PLAY DOWN FOR ALL STARS. NO EXCEPTIONS!! Coaches are determined by vote of all the coaches in their division. Coaches that are interested in being the all-star coach need to submit to their commissioner a letter as to why they think they should be all-star coach. If no decision can be made or in case of a tie, the Player Rep & Commissioner will vote, if no decision can be made at that point the President will cast the deciding vote.
  24. End of the Year Tournament Pitching for the End of the Year Tournament is unlimited innings per game for each of the divisions. Standings will be kept for the purpose to see where teams will be seeded. At the end of the season, we will play a tournament to see who wins the Championship game. Trophies will be awarded to the 1 stand 2ndplace teams in all divisions for league winners and tournament winners. Medals will be given to all other teams. Standing will be calculated as follows:
    1. Teams will receive one (1) point for each win.
    2. Teams will receive one half (1/2) point for each tie.
    3. Teams will receive no points for each loss.
    4. In the event that the league standings end in a tie, the following will determine who will win the first seed in the end of the year tournament.
      1. Head-to-head competition will determine the winner. The team that won more often.
      2. Fewest runs allowed
      3. Most runs scored
      4. Coin toss

    Local Playing Rules - 6U Division

  1. All rules defined in the ASA rulebook will be followed with FVGFS local playing rule superseding in the listed instances.
  2. Game Length - Game length shall be 1 hour and 20 minutes with no new inning starting after 1 hour and 30 minutes. A new inning starts when the third out is recorded from the previous inning.
  3. Base Distance - The base distance shall conform to the ASA rule of 55 feet.
  4. Pitching Distance - The pitching distance shall be 27 feet. Coaches must pitch from the pitching rubber.
  5. Pitching Rules - Coaches pitch the entire season. (See Exception under Rule 7)
      *Any player playing position of pitcher must wear a helmet with face mask.
  6. Ball - Ball used shall be the 10-inch ASA certified ball.
  7. Batting - All players present shall be listed on the official line-up and shall bat in the order listed for the entire game. Each team shall bat until a total of four runs have been scored or until 3 outs have been made.
      *Each batter will be pitched 4 coach pitches, coach pitch will not end with a ball hit into foul territory, after coach pitches have been exceeded, the player will be given maximum 2 swings with tee. (UNTIL SPRING BREAK ONLY).*
  8. Playing Time - All players present must play a minimum of three defensive innings per game. No player shall sit more than 2 consecutive innings and shall sit no more than 3 innings total. All players MUST play a minimum of 1 inning in the infield during each regular season game. If the required amount of playing time is not met due to a mercy rule or called game, then that player must start the next game. Innings do not need to be played consecutively.
  9. Four Run Rule - Either team may score up to four runs per inning. Innings 6 and 7 teams may score unlimited runs.
  10. Stealing - No stealing off Coach pitches.
  11. 10 Defensive Players - Each team may field 10 defensive players. All four outfielders including the rover (10th player) must position themselves on the on the cut of the grass and must remain there until the pitch has crossed the plate. (During regular season play 2 defensive coaches may be placed in the grass area to aid in coaching the outfield players).
      PENALTY - Pitch will be declared a ball and all base runners will advance one base except the runner on third base. If the pitch is hit and all runners including the batter advance at least one base, the violation is ignored.
  12. Ruling of Catcher/Pitcher overthrow - If the runner is standing on the base or is retreating to a base, then the runner does not advance forward.
  13. Overthrow - Only one base is awarded on an overthrow to first base, even if the ball is still in play.
  14. To Stop Play - The ball must only break the plane of the pitcher's circle to stop play.
  15. Coach Pitch - Each batter will receive a maximum of four pitches with extra pitches if the 4th ball is fouled. Player is out after 3 strikes or the after the 4th pitch if not hit or fouled.
  16. Adult Pitcher - The adult pitcher of the team batting must move away from a hit ball so it may be fielded. If the ball hits the adult, the ball is declared dead. The batter returns to the plate and the runners return to the bases they were occupying before the ball was hit.
  17. Bunting - Bunting is allowed.
  18. Standings - All regular season Coach Pitch games will be non-standing games. No final scores will be submitted and no regular season standings will be kept by the league. Prior to the start of each game a parent volunteer will be selected by each team and will serve as the umpire while their team is on offence.
  19. Tournament - At the conclusion of the regular season all teams will participate in an end of the season tournament, in the same format as the upper divisions. Initial tournament seeding will be accomplished by team's names being drawn out of a hat, by the commissioner prior to the end of the regular season. The pairings will be as follows; first team drawn v. second team drawn, third team drawn v. fourth team drawn, fifth team drawn v. sixth team drawn etc. In the event of an uneven number of teams the division, the final odd team drawn will have a bye for the first round of the tournament. Adult umpires will be used for the season ending tournament, all current season rules will be in effect. Coaches will no longer be required to rotate girls' positions, but all current playing time rules will still be in effect.

    Local Playing Rules - 8U Division

  1. All rules defined in the ASA rulebook will be followed with FVGFS local playing rule superseding in the listed instances.
  2. Game Length - Game length shall be 1 hour and 30 minutes with no new inning starting after 1 hour and 30 minutes. A new inning starts when the third out is recorded from the previous inning. 1 hour and 40 minutes drop dead.
  3. Base Distance - The base distance shall conform to the ASA rule of 60 feet.
  4. Pitching Distance - The pitching distance shall conform to the ASA rule of 30 feet. Coaches must pitch from the pitching rubber.
  5. Pitching Rules - No pitcher shall pitch more than 9 outs per game. Pitchers do not have to pitch outs consecutively. A pitcher may make a total of 3 trips to the pitching rubber per game. All outs pitched during an International Tie-Breaker will not be counted towards total outs pitched. Exceeding outs, or trips to the pitching rubber, will result in an automatic forfeit.
  6. Ball - Ball used shall be the 10-inch ASA certified ball.
  7. Batting - Round robin batting will be used. All players present shall be listed on the official line up and shall bat in the order listed for the entire game.
  8. Required Playing Time - All players present must play a minimum of three defensive innings per game. No player shall sit more than 2 consecutive innings and shall sit no more than 3 innings total. If the required amount of playing time is not met due to a mercy rule or called game, then that player must start the next game. Innings do not need to be played consecutively.
  9. Five Run Rule - Either team may score up to five runs per inning. Innings 4, 5, 6 and 7 teams may score unlimited runs.
  10. Stealing - Runners may steal one base at a time. Runners may only steal second or third base upon release of the ball from the pitchers hand. Home plate is closed (even on a ball thrown out of play on a steal of third). No stealing off coach pitcher.
  11. Defensive Players - each team may field 10 defensive players. All four outfielders including the rover (10th player) must position themselves on the on the cut of the grass and must remain there until the pitch has crossed the plate.
      PENALTY - Pitch will be declared a ball and all base runners will advance one base except the runner on third base. If the pitch is hit and all runners including the batter advance at least one base, the violation is ignored.
  12. Ruling of Catcher/Pitcher overthrow - If the runner is standing on the base or is retreating to a base, then the runner does not advance forward.
  13. Overthrow - Only one base is awarded on an overthrow.
  14. To Stop Play - The ball must only break the plane of the pitcher's circle to stop play.
  15. Mercy Rule - A game may end in the favor of the team ahead by 15 runs after 3 innings, 12 runs after 4 innings, or 8 runs after 5 innings.
  16. Coach Pitch - Coach assumes current strike count. Each batter will receive a maximum of 4 pitches with extra pitches if the 4th ball is fouled. Player is out after 3 strikes or after the 4th pitch, if not hit or fouled.
  17. Girl Pitch - After ball 4 is pitched by the girl, the adult pitcher will come in to pitch. The adult pitcher will assume the strike count and have a maximum of 4 pitches unless the 4th pitch is fouled, then extra pitches will be allowed.
  18. Adult Pitcher - The adult pitcher of the team batting must move away from a hit ball so it may be fielded. If the ball hits the adult, the ball is declared dead. The batter returns to the plate and the runners return to the bases they were occupying before the ball was hit.
  19. Hit Batter - A coach will pitch to a batter if the batter is hit by a ball pitched by the opposing girl pitcher and has made an attempt to out of the way. The count will be erased and the batter will be allowed 4 pitches. If batter is unable to continue to bat then the last out will be placed on 1st base. This is at the discretion of the umpire.
  20. Bunting - A player may bunt only off of a girl pitcher. No bunting off an adult pitcher at any time.

    Local Playing Rules - 10 & Under Division

  1. All rules as defined in the ASA rule book will be followed with FVGFS local playing rules superseding in the following instances.
  2. Game Length - Game length is 1 hour and 30 minutes, with no new inning starting after 1 hour and 30 minutes. A new inning starts when the last out is recorded from the previous inning. Drop Dead is 1hr 40 min.
  3. Base Distance - Base distance shall conform to ASA rule of 60 feet.
  4. Pitching Distance - Pitching distance shall conform to ASA rule of 35 feet.
  5. Pitching rules - A pitcher may pitch up to 12 outs per game. Pitchers do not have to pitch outs consecutively. A pitcher may make a total of 3 trips to the pitching rubber per game. All outs pitched during an International Tie-Breaker will not count towards total outs pitched. Exceeding outs or trips to the pitching rubber will result in an automatic forfeit.
  6. Ball - Ball used shall be the 11-inch ASA certified ball.
  7. Batting - All girls present shall be listed on the official line-up and shall bat in that order the entire game.
  8. Mercy Rule - A game may end in the favor of the team ahead by 15 runs after 3 innings, 12 runs after 4 innings, or 8 runs after 5 innings.
  9. Required Playing Time - All players present shall play a minimum of three defensive innings per game. No player shall sit out more than 2 consecutive defensive innings and shall not sit out more than 3 defensive innings total. If the requirement is not met, due to mercy game or called game the player must start the next game. Innings do not need to be played consecutively.
  10. Five Run Rule - Either team may score up to 5 runs per inning for the first 3 innings only. Innings 4 thru 7 teams may score unlimited runs.
  11. Stealing - Runner may steal a base after the ball leaves the pitcher's hand. Home plate is OPEN. PENALTY - If runner leaves early, runner will be called out.
  12. Batter may run on a dropped 3rd Strike.
  13. Defensive Players - The defensive team will play with ten (10) players. All four outfielders as well as the tenth player (rover) must position themselves on the cut of the grass and must remain there until the pitch crosses the plate. PENALTY - Pitch will be declared a ball and all base runners will advance one base except the runner on third.
  14. Infield fly rule in effect.

    Local Playing Rules - 12 & Under Division

  1. All rules as defined in the ASA rule book will be followed with FVGFS local playing rules superseding in the following instances.
  2. Game Length - Game length is 1 hour and 30 minutes, with no new inning starting after 1 hour and 30 minutes. A new inning starts when the last out is recorded from the previous inning. Drop Dead is 1hr 40 minutes.
  3. Base Distance - Base distance shall conform to ASA rule of 60 feet.
  4. Pitching Distance - Pitching distance shall conform to ASA rule of 40 feet.
  5. Pitching rules - Unlimited.
  6. Ball - Ball used shall be the 12-inch ASA certified ball.
  7. Batting - All girls present shall be listed on the official line-up and shall bat in that order the entire game.
  8. Mercy Rule - A game may end in the favor of the team ahead by 15 runs after 3 innings, 12 runs after 4 innings, or 8 runs after 5 innings.
  9. Required Playing Time - All players present shall play a minimum of three defensive innings per game. No player shall sit out more than 2 consecutive defensive innings and shall not sit out more than 3 defensive innings total. If the requirement is not met, due to mercy game or called game the player must start the next game. Innings do not need to be played consecutively.
  10. Five Run Rule - Either team may score up to 5 runs per inning for the first 3 innings only. Innings 5, 6 and 7 teams may score unlimited runs.
  11. Stealing - Runner may steal a base after the ball leaves the pitcher's hand. Home plate is OPEN. PENALTY - If runner leaves early, runner will be called out.
  12. Batter may run on a dropped 3rd Strike.
  13. Defensive Players - The defensive team will play with nine (9) players. All three outfielders must position themselves on the cut of the grass and must remain there until the pitch crosses the plate. PENALTY - Pitch will be declared a ball and all base runners will advance one base except the runner on third.
  14. Infield fly rule in effect.

    Local Playing Rules - 14u - Central District- Northern 2013

  1. Game rules will follow ASA rules for J.O. Softball with some modifications listed below.
  2. Game time - Games are 1 hour 30 minutes. No new innings, and 1 hour 40 minute drop dead. Drop Dead play is required at many parks for field use - we will use same at all parks. Start time is time of first pitch. It is up to each league to make sure their umpires understand start time and are willing to go along with this rule request. Forfeit time is 10 minutes after scheduled start time. A team can start and play with 8 players, but each and every time 9th position comes up in batting order team will be charged 1 out unless 9th player shows up. No pool players.
  3. All players must bat ("round robin") - No one player can sit out more than one inning consecutively on defense. The exception is the 12 player rule. No pool-players allowed. Team must use own roster.
  4. 12 Player Rule - Batting order can be only 12 players (batting all 13-18, etc., is permissible, but opponent must be told before game with umpires present). Additional players should be added as subs to lineup to allow all players an opportunity to bat. Defensively, players are rotated so no one sits out more than one consecutive inning, even if not in batting order.
  5. Game Ball - The home team, not necessarily the location team, is to supply a new game ball, and a good backup ball. The Umpire is to return both balls to home team coach upon completion of game.
  6. The location team is responsible for prepping the field and scheduling umpires. Teams will split umpire fees.
  7. NO pitching-out limitations for pitcher. One re-entry per game for pitchers in pitching position.
  8. Courtesy runners are allowed for both pitcher and catcher (runner would be last out, or furthest batter in line-up from person to be run for). Teams cannot use same runner to run for different players in same inning.
  9. 1 minute or 5 pitch rule to be enforced between innings.
  10. In case of rain - Before start of game, location team, with umpire suggestion, is responsible to say whether or not game can be played. After the first pitch, stopping the game due to weather, or darkness is the umpire's decision.
  11. Official games - A game that goes 5 full innings or 4 ½ with home team ahead, and then is suspended because of rain, or darkness (fields without lights) is a completed official game. GAMES CAN END IN TIES.
  12. Continuation games - Games that do not go 5 innings or 4 ½ with home team ahead, and are stopped by rain or darkness with time remaining will be continued from point of suspension at earliest date possible that is agreed upon by both teams/leagues. Please make sure time remaining, score, batter and count are written in both scorebooks.
  13. Scorebook - Home team is the official scorebook. Score should be checked and verified by umpire after each ½ inning and verified by both scorekeepers.
  14. Playoff Eligibility - For a player to be eligible to participate in playoffs she must be present and play 50% of games for her team during season. This includes players that may have been injured.
  15. Scores reverting back - Scores of games that go over the drop-dead time will revert back to the last completed full inning. If home team ties or goes ahead in bottom of last inning that is played, the 3rd out does not have to be recorded. If home team was leading after previous inning and then has come back to tie game in last inning, does not go ahead, and inning is stopped because of time, that too will revert back. Scores that are called in are scores of completed innings - not of completed innings plus any additional runs that are scored in an inning that is not completed.
  16. Mercy rule / Run ahead rule - same as ASA - 15 after 3, 12 after 4 and 8 after 5.
  17. Scores are to be reported to John Felicetti jvfelicetti@aol.com within 24 hours of completion of game. Standings and results will be updated and emailed to all coaches, etc. each Sunday.
  18. Tie Breakers for position in playoffs
    1. Head to head
    2. Divisional record
    3. Coin flip

    19. PLEASE arrange to make up postponed games as soon as possible.

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