Girls Youth Softball Rules

- When a participant signs up for the Cabot Parks & Rec they expect, and have the right, to play in all matches. All players “dressed ” will participate in the match with exception of injury, illness, and being declared ineligible (a player may be declared ineligible due to unexcused absence of practices and unsportsmanlike conduct in practice or a game during that week). Excused absences are school functions, religious beliefs, illness or injury. Coaches need to respect all the young athletes if they are to have a rewarding experience in sports. Make sure players are respectful at all times during practice and matches to their own coaches, opposing teams (coach, player and parents.) - Home team keeps the scorebook and the visitor team keeps the scoreboard for all divisions. - Forfeits - Teams will be considered a forfeit when the team does not meet the minimum players by 5 minutes after the scheduled game time - No is allowed prior to the game starting. Please stay off baselines, may warmup in or along the first or third base lines in front of the . - No player may sit out more than 2 consecutive unless for a medical reason. - All divisions, teams can start a game with eight players but can end a game with seven. - All players will be in the line-up the entire game. - Head first is an automatic out. - Players must slide into home if there is going to be a play (if the catcher is in the process of receiving the ball they must slide) Players who do not slide will be called out. Umpire discretion will be used. - The home team will be on the 3rd base line and visitors on the 1st base line. Please clean your dugout when your game is over. - Game balls will be provided. - If a strikes the umpire/coach (or in 8u/10u league, the sandbags or the machine) it is a , and everyone advances one base (must be forced). If a thrown ball hits an umpire it is a live ball. - If a pitched ball bounces and then hits the batter, the batter has been by a and is awarded first base. The ball was pitched, and it hit the batter. - If a pitched ball bounces and then is hit by the batter into fair territory it is a fair ball. - The defensive player in possession of the ball DOES have to tag the runner with the ball or with the glove holding the ball to get an out. Tagging with one hand while holding the ball in the other hand IS NOT AN OUT.

- Head Coaches MUST deliver their line-up to official scorekeeper fifteen minutes prior to the game. Head Umpires will lead pre-game plate meeting. - No profane language, bikes, motorized vehicles, skates, skateboards, or alcoholic beverages in the park. - No tobacco products in the dugouts or on the field. No loud music at any time. - Harassment of umpires by coaches, players, or spectators is prohibited. If such infraction occurs, the umpire will give a warning to the violating team and ask that the coach address his/her parents, if the infraction is committed by fans. A second violation can result in an automatic ejection of the violator, if deemed necessary by the umpire. - Any coach approaching within 15 feet of an umpire to question or argue a call will be given one warning. If the coach does not immediately move back from the 15-foot line, he or she will be ejected. - If a fan/parent, or coach is ejected from a game they will be suspended for the next scheduled game for their team. The first offense will then be reviewed by CPR League Staff, if deemed appropriate the violator may be suspended more games and/or for the remainder of the season. If anyone (player/coach/parent/fan) is ejected twice in a season they will be suspended from all league activities for the remainder of the season. - If a coach leaves the playing field to go find the UIC or Field Monitor because they do not agree with an umpire’s call(s), they will be automatically ejected from the park. - All rules not covered, refer to the USA/ASA Softball Rules and Regulations and/or CPR Administrative Staff. (Modified - 3/16/2021, subject to change at any time)

6U Division – Coach Pitch/T-Ball - Games are 1 hour or 6 innings, all games in all divisions will be allowed to end in a tie. - No new will start 5 minutes before time limit. - If ball is hit, it must pass the 8ft arc to be deemed fair. - Coach will get 3 throws to the batter, in the event the player cannot hit the ball on the three swings, batter will now get 2 swing off the tee. (if fouled off of the tee or batter hits the tee but ball doesn’t go past the 10ft arc, player will only get one more swing) - 11 defensive players are allowed on the field. (2 but must have 4 outfielders first) - Bat round robin. - 5 runs per team per inning - Slung bat – Warn the team, next player on that team to sling the bat is out. - All overthrown balls to first, runners may only advance one base. Balls thrown out of play are dead and the runners advance to the next base. - If fielded a hit ball inside pitching circle, player must attempt to throw to a base. - Time will be called once the player has control of the ball in the circle or the progression of the lead runner has stopped, or the ball is controlled by the defensive team in front of the lead runner. Discretion of the umpire. - No stealing at any given time. - Game may be called if a team is ahead by 15 runs after 3 innings, 10 after 4 innings or 7 after 5 innings. - The is not in effect.

8U Division – Coach Pitch - Games are 1 hour or 6 innings, all games in all divisions will be allowed to end in a tie. - No new inning will start 5 minutes before time limit. - Coaches will pitch underhand from 25 feet. Players will get 5 pitches or 3 swings to put the ball in fair play. - 12 defensive players are allowed on the field. (2 pitchers but must have 4 outfielders first, you can up to 5 outfielders) - Bat round robin. - 5 runs per team per inning - 3 strikes is an out (maximum of 5 pitches unless the batter keeps fouling off)

- Slung bat – Warn the team, next player on that team to sling the bat is out. - All overthrown balls are live during the course of the play and balls thrown out of play are dead and the runners advance to the next base. - If fielded a hit ball inside pitching circle, player must attempt to throw to a base. - Time will be called once the player has control of the ball in the circle or the progression of the lead runner has stopped, or the ball is controlled by the defensive team in front of the lead runner. Discretion of the umpire. - Pitching coaches MAY ONLY talk to the batter by telling them to get ready or ask are you ready. 1st and 3rd base coaches MAY talk to the batter all game by giving them directions on to scoot up or scoot back in the batter’s box or choke up on the bat. - Runners CANNOT attempt to advance to first base on a dropped third strike. - No fake bunting, once you square to , the batter must bunt, in the case that the batter pulls back to swing, the lead runner will be called out. If there’s no lead runner, the batter will be called out. - Game may be called if a team is ahead by 15 runs after 3 innings, 10 after 4 innings or 7 after 5 innings. - The infield fly rule is not in effect.

10U Division – Player Pitch - Games are 1 hour or 6 innings, all games in all divisions will be allowed to end in a tie. - No new inning will start 5 minutes before time limit. - 10 defensive players are allowed on the field. - Bat round robin. - 5 runs per team per inning - 3 strikes is an out - Slung bat – Warn the team, next player on that team to sling the bat is out. - All overthrown balls are live during the course of the play and balls thrown out of play are dead and the runners advance to the next base. - Runners stealing may leave the base as soon as the ball leaves the pitchers hand. If a runner leaves early, she is out. - Overthrown balls on a steal are live and the runner may advance at their risk. - Game may be called if a team is ahead by 15 runs after 3 innings, 10 after 4 innings or 7 after 5 innings. - Runners may attempt to advance to first base on a dropped third strike.

12U and 14U Divisions – Player Pitch - Games are 1 hour or 6 innings, all games in all divisions will be allowed to end in a tie. - 9 defensive players are allowed on the field. - Bat round robin. - 6 runs per team per inning. - Slung bat – Warn the team, next player on that team to sling the bat is out. -All overthrown balls are live during the course of the play and runners may advance to additional bases at their own risk. Balls thrown out of play are dead and the runners advance to the next base. - Runners stealing may leave the base as soon as the ball leaves the pitchers hand. If a runner leaves early, she is out. - Overthrown balls on a steal are live and the runner may advance at their peril. - Runners can steal home. - Game may be called if a team is ahead by 15 runs after 3 innings, 10 after 4 innings or 7 after 5 innings. - Runners may attempt to advance to first base on a dropped third strike. - The infield fly rule is in effect.

General Rules, Guidelines, Myths and Misconceptions

- Injuries – In the event of an injury during the course of a play it is the sole judgement of the umpire as to whether play shall be halted immediately or if the play shall be allowed to continue. If play is halted, it is at the discretion of the umpire as to the final location of all runners before play resumes. - The hands ARE part of the bat. - The batter runner DOES NOT have to turn right after over-running first base. If in the opinion of the umpire the player turns left and makes a move toward second base, then the runner may be put out. If the player turns right then turns again, and makes a move toward second base, the player may be put out. In all cases at first base it is the move towards second base that puts the runner in peril, NOT which way the player turned. - If a player’s feet are in fair territory while the ball is touched in foul territory it is a . It does not matter where the player is located. It matters where the ball is located. - Coaches, should not touch a player while they are running the bases. Technically speaking a high five as they round third is not against the rules in most divisions. Although it is in some. If contact with the player can be construed as assisting the player in any way, for example shoving them off first to get them moving, or catching them as they overrun third base, then the runner will be called out. Generally speaking, don’t touch the runner until time has been called or until they are heading back to the dugout. - usually refers to an act by the offensive team that impacts the defense making a play. In the simplest of terms, interference is a ‘penalty’ against the offense. - refers to a fielder who hinders a runner. Obstruction is a penalty against the defense.