2017 YOUTH /SOFTBALL RULES

T-Ball Rules 1. A game will consist of three innings or one hour, whichever comes first. When the one-hour limit rule is enforced, the game will be halted, regardless of who is at bat. No official score will be kept. 2. Every player must wear a cap, batters and runners must wear a helmet, must wear a face mask helmet. 3. Prior to the game, each will establish a order which will include each of his or her team members. All players in the will bat each inning, regardless of the number of outs. Once established, the batting order may not be changed. 4. All players on the team will play in the field each inning. Players should be rotated in the field so all players get an opportunity to play several positions. Once the infield positions are covered the remaining players shall occupy space in the outfield. 5. There will be no limit on the number of times a player may enter and reenter a game. 6. A legally hit ball is: a. A ball that is hit into fair territory beyond the arch is a fair ball. b. A ball that does not go beyond the arch is a foul ball. 7. Each player will receive 5 strikes for each at bat, a coach may assist with the last (5th) swing if the child needs help. 8. A strike is: a. A swing of the bat that misses the ball or hits the tee. b. A foul ball c. A practice swing that is taken while that batter is in the batter’s box. 9. A foul ball is: a. A legally hit ball that settles in foul territory before passing first or third base. b. A legally hit ball that first touches the ground in foul territory beyond first or third base. 10. A batter is out when: a. He or she has 5 strikes b. He or she throws a bat c. A fly ball is caught d. Tagged out while running to a base e. Thrown out at base 11. Base Runners: a. May not steal b. Must remain in contact with the base until the batter swings c. May advance on any legally hit ball d. May not advance when the ball is dead 12. The ball is dead when: a. It is in foul territory b. When in the ’s possession inside the arch and it remains dead until hit by the batter 13. After a play by the defensive team, the ball will be returned to the catcher. When the catcher gains control of the ball in the arch, the ball will become dead. Runners who are further than half way to the next base may advance to that base, runners who are not half way to the next base must return to the preceding base. 14. Runners may advance one base only on any overthrow that goes into foul territory. If the ball remains in fair territory, the runner is entitled to as many bases as he or she can safely make. Runners will not advance on an overthrow at home unless there is a play being made on the runner attempting to score. All play is frozen when the action by the base runner(s) ceases. There will be no “crash” play at any base.

Pee Wee Baseball Rules 1. Pee Wee baseball is open to kids, ages 7-12. Participants must turn 7 by August 1 and cannot be 13 before May 1. Age guidelines for divisions: “C” Team, 7&8 year olds; “B” team, 9&10 year olds; “A” Team, 11-13 year olds. Coaches are encouraged to not move players up or down by more than one division (For example, an 8-year old should only be moved up to the “B” team, 12-year old can only move down to “B” team)). 2. Game lengths: “C” Team – 4 innings or 1 hour (no new inning after) “B” Team – 4 innings or 1 hour 15 minutes (no new inning after); Run rule: 15 after 2, 10 after 3. “A” Team – 5 innings or 1 hour 40 minutes (no new inning after): Run rule: 15 after 3, 10 after 4. 3. Official score shall will be kept for “A” and “B” games. Season record shall be used to determine seeding in 4 team tournament (Game 1: #1 vs #4, Game 2: #2 vs #3; Game 3: Winners, Game 4: losers). However, “B” team games may end in a tie. 4. Home teams shall provide a scorekeeper who is somewhat knowledgeable about running the scoreboard. Home team shall occupy the 3rd base dugout. 5. “A” team games: ten-run limit per inning except for the 5th inning (13 runs allowed). “B” team games: five- run limit per inning. “B” team half innings will consist of three (3) outs or five (5) runs; whichever happens first. 6. In the event of a tie, winner will be determined by 1) Head to head, 2) Points allowed and 3) Total runs scored. 7. Baserunners are not allowed to lead-off until the ball leaves the ’s hand. Players that leave early are out. Enforcement: If a player obviously leaves the base before the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand, a dead ball out will be called on the runner. If a player on any base inadvertently steps off the base, he should be warned the first time and called "out" the second time. Players are allowed to steal in “A” and “B” however, in the “B” Team division, a base runner may only steal one base per pitch (second base, third base, but not home). The base runner may only advance home by being forced in by a batted ball. During a live batted ball play, a base runner may advance home on an overthrow at 3rd base. A base runner stealing 3rd base may not advance home on an overthrow from the catcher to the 3rd baseman. A base runner may not advance on an overthrow from the catcher back to the pitcher. A dropped 3rd strike in “B” team is an out. Balks will not be called in either the “A” or “B” team games. 8. Players who play in a lower league game are not allowed to start in an upper league game. They must sit at least one (1) inning before they enter the game. For “B” team games all players present for the start of a game will be entered in the batting order and will get to bat. Free substitutions are allowed in both “A” and “B” team games. 9. Coaches are ultimately responsible for their team and fans’ sportsmanship. The has the right to ask the coach to control any unruly fan. If this approach is unsuccessful, that person may be asked to leave the immediate confines of the complex. Law enforcement may be called if the fan does not comply. 10. “A” Team shall be limited to pitch in 5 innings in two games per week. “B” Team pitchers shall be limited to pitch 4 innings in two games per week. 11. Suggested pitch count guidelines:  Focus on athleticism, physical fitness, and fun  Focus on learning baseball rules, general techniques, and teamwork  Do not exceed 80 combined innings pitched in any 12-month period  Take at least 4 months off from throwing every year, with at least 2-3 of those months being continuous  Make sure to properly warm up before pitching  Set and follow pitch-count limits and required rest periods  Avoid throwing pitches other than fastballs and change-ups  Avoid playing for multiple teams at the same time  Avoid playing catcher while not pitching  Players should not pitch in multiple games on the same day  Play other sports during the course of the year  Monitor for other signs of fatigue  Pitchers once removed from the mound may not return as pitchers  No pitcher should appear in a game as a pitcher for three consecutive days, regardless of pitch counts

AGE DAILY MAX (PITCHES IN GAME) REQUIRED REST (PITCHES)

0 Days 1 Days 2 Days 3 Days 4 Days

9-10 75 1-20 21-35 36-50 51-65 66+

11-12 85 1-20 21-35 36-50 51-65 66+

*Guidelines developed by USA Baseball and MLB program called PitchSmart

12. For all other playing rules, consult the National Baseball Congress rule book. Special “C” Team League Rules 1. Games will consist of coach pitch –Five (5) pitch rule (1 courtesy foul on last pitch) 2. Four (4) innings per game will be played. (Rotate bench players every inning.) 3. Line-up will consist of 10 players, four (4) will play the outfield. 4. Rotate player positions every inning. No rotating after inning starts. 5. must play in grass. 6. Fielder must throw ball to player in pitcher’s circle – not to coach. 7. All ten players will bat every inning. 8. Last batter – regular season rule, go to home plate i. ---- a fly ball that is caught- is an out ii. ---- the inning must end with an out or a home run.

Girls Softball Rules A Team

1. First team listed is home team and will keep official scorebook. Home team takes 3rd base dugout. 2. To be eligible for softball, a player must turn 7 prior to August 1st and cannot be 15 before July 1st 3. The is responsible for the sportsmanship of their team and parents. 4. New players must be drafted. Siblings will be placed on same team unless otherwise specified. 5. Game times will be determined by the Recreation Department. Managers should provide all players with schedules of those games. 6. Base paths are to be 60'. The pitcher's rubber is to be 40' from home plate. 7. If less than 9 players are used after the contest has started, the open spot in the batting order will be an automatic out. 8. A-Team games will be 5 innings. Run rule is 10 after 3 or 2 and ½ if home team is ahead. If the game must be called due to weather, 3 full innings will be considered a game. A decision must be made within 30 minutes by the head umpire in the case of inclement weather as to whether the game will continue or not. If the game is able to continue, we will begin exactly where we left it in the official scorebook (same players/same positions). 9. No steel spikes will be allowed in any league or tournament game. Batter's helmets must be used by all batters and base runners. Helmets must have a face guard, protects the ears, temples, and top of head. Shirt tails must be kept in while playing a game. The catcher shall wear a mask, with an attached throat protector and protective helmet. These shall be worn during warm-up. 10. Any of the starting players may be withdrawn and re-entered once during a game, provided that players occupy the same batting position in the batting order. 11. Slide Rule-A runner coming toward any base or home must slide if a play can be made on her. It is the umpire’s judgement as to whether a play could be made on the runner. 12. Use of any form of tobacco by a player, coach, manager, or umpire is prohibited on field or in dugout. 13. ASA rules will govern all rulings not listed.

B Team Instructional Machine Pitch League: 1. First team listed is home team and will keep official scorebook. Home team takes 3rd base dugout. 2. To be eligible for Softball, a player must turn 7 prior to August 1st and cannot be 14 before July 1st. 3. The manager is responsible for the sportsmanship of the team and the team's fans. 4. New players must be drafted or placed on the team of her siblings. 5. Game times will be determined by Concordia Recreation Department. Managers should provide all players with schedules of those games. 6. Games will consist of 4 innings or 1 hour, whichever comes first. Two (2) innings will constitute a complete game should inclement weather shorten a game. Games can end in a tie. 7. Pitching machine: No players will be allowed to pitch. Batters will face a pitching machine. The pitching machine will be considered part of the field and any ball that hits the pitching machine and bounces/rolls out of the 8’ circle will be considered a live ball. The 8’ circle around the pitching machine denotes a “dead ball” area. If a batted ball comes to rest inside the 8’ circle, a “dead ball” will be declared and the batter and runner(s) will advance one base. 8. The pitching machine speed will be set at 35 mph. Adjustments to the pitching machine will granted only by the umpire and not be made on a team/individual basis. 9. The pitching machine will be approximately 35’ from home plate and bases will be set at 60’. 10. Batters will be allowed a maximum of five (5) pitches or three (3) swinging strikes. The batter will receive an additional pitch per foul ball on or after the 5th pitch (Exception: Any fouled bunt or foul tip caught by the catcher on or after 2 strikes and/or the 5th pitch is an out). Errant pitches such as in the dirt or outside the strike zone shall be called a “no pitch” at the discretion of the umpire. 11. There are no walks and the batter does not get to take a base when hit by a pitch. 12. Batters are allowed to bunt. 13. The infield fly rule will not be in effect. 14. A base runner may not lead off until the ball leaves the pitching machine. Stealing is not allowed. 15. Equipment: No steel spikes will be allowed in any league or tournament game. Batter's helmets must be used by all batters and base runners. Helmets must have a face guard, protect the ears, temples, and top of head. Shirt tails must be kept in while playing a game. The catcher shall wear a mask, with an attached throat protector and protective helmet. These shall be worn during warm-up. 16. Balls: B -Team balls must be 11" 17. Slide Rule-A runner coming toward any base or home must slide if a play can be made on her. It is the umpire’s judgement as to whether a play could be made on the runner. 18. A maximum of ten (10) players shall play defense and be in the batting order. The 10th defensive player shall be placed in the outfield. The player in the pitching position shall remain outside the 8’ circle and behind an extended line from either side of the back of the pitching rubber. 19. A half inning shall end when all batters have batted. The last batter shall run until a batted ball is either caught or it reaches home ahead of the last batter. 20. “TIME” will be called by the umpire after every play. “TIME” is a judgement all by the umpire and should be called when: 1) Play has ceased and runners are not obviously advancing. 2) No play is being made on another base. 21. Use of any form of tobacco by a player, coach, manager, or umpire on the playing field or in the dugout is prohibited. 22. The infield positions are limited to the following: pitcher, catcher, 1st, 2nd, 3rd base, and a . All other players are required to position themselves in the outfield grass.

Inclement Weather Policy: In the event that a storm threatens the area, recreation personnel are responsible for the safety of the patrons and participants present. The following is the procedure that will be used in a storm situation. Be familiar with the warning signals for the Concordia area.

If a Severe Weather Watch has been issued for the area, recreation personnel will continue to monitor the situation and be prepared to notify the umpires, players, fans, and other staff of any change in the weather status.

In the event of a Severe Weather Warning, recreation personnel should notify all participants, patrons and other staff and shall be alert for lightning, hail and/or heavy rains. Personnel shall utilize any means available including the SkyScan lightning detector, weather apps, or other reliable resources. When lightning has been detected within 3-8 miles of the complex, the fields shall be cleared and all participants and patrons shall be instructed to seek shelter. Activity will be suspended until no lightning has been detected for a period of 30 minutes. Any lightning strike within this period starts the 30- minute time frame over. Cancellation of activities shall be determined by the severity and expected duration of the storm.

There may be instances when a fast-moving storm approaches and gives little or no warning. In this instance, recreation personnel my need to take appropriate and immediate action to clear the area.

In the event of a Tornado Watch, recreation personnel should inform all patrons and participants that the area is in a tornado watch. Recreation personnel should then monitor the situation.

If a Tornado Warning is issued for the area, recreation personnel should immediately notify all patrons and participants and have them all seek immediate shelter.