Prep Division Rules

Prep Division Rules 3rd & 4th grade General Rules

Game Playing

1. Games begin at 6PM. Prepare girls in getting ready for the inning, especially catchers and hustle in/off the field to maximize playing time. 2. A pinch runner may be utilized to run for the catcher (last out made) 3. A game consists of at least 2 innings with a maximum of 6 in 1½(+/-) hours 4. An inning shall end after 3 outs, or 5 runs. There are NO unlimited runs in the last inning. An inning cannot start after 7:30 PM. If the last inning continues to the point where it is too dark to play (coaches discretion), the game will stop and the score will resort to the previous inning. 3. Batting order remains the same during a game unless an injury or a player must leave due to personal reasons. (an out will not occur for the departed player) 4. 4 Balls and 3 Strikes 5. Ball is 11” softie. Bats are official ASA softball bats. 6. Bases are to be 60 feet apart. 7. Pitcher’s mound should be 33- 35 feet from the mound to the back corner of the plate. Maximum of 4 consecutive walks per pitcher in an inning –then change pitcher. 8. Should the pitcher walk the bases loaded and walk the next batter, the hitting team’s coach will pitch to that batter and start at a 0-0 count. We want to the girls to hit and put the ball in play. Scoring runs is second to development. 9. Pitcher starts with 2 feet on the rubber, and delivers the ball to home plate (Underhand, windmill or half a windmill). 10. Pictures are limited to a max of 3 innings.

Umpiring (Umpiring is done by the team coaches ONLY.) Team hitting has their coach calling balls and strikes, standing behind the catcher, helping to field pass balls. Coach is also responsible in helping with batting stance, and confidence building. (Do not tell the hitters to swing or not to swing during a pitch) One coach of the team pitching will stand behind there pitcher and help with pitching skills, ie: wind-up, foot work and confidence building. The Coach will also be responsible in helping their defense and umpiring on the bases. (home plate umpire is responsible for home and third while the Field Umpire is responsible for First and Second) Strike zone is chest to knee. 12. A batter must make every effort to avoid being hit by a pitched ball in order to be awarded 1st base. No base is to be awarded on a pitch that hits a batter AFTER hitting the ground. 13. TEN players (maximum) may play in the field. 4 outfielders should play 10 feet or more beyond the baseline (on the outfield grass). Players should get equal time in outfield and infield. 14. NO infield fly rule.

Base Running 1. There is no stealing. A base runner may lead off AFTER the pitched ball has crossed home plate. We are allowing lead offs after the pitch crosses the plate because that is the first step in learning to steal. 2. All balls that are hit and stay in the infield; runners can only advance one base.

NO advancing extra bases (This is to avoid coaches advancing runners, and to prevent runners from rounding the bases) 3. Balls hit to the outfield; Runner can advance extra bases, but are stopped once the outfield throws the ball and it lands in the infield and secured by a fielder. Runner needs to be past the half way point to advance to the base they are proceeding to, if not they return to previous base. 4. Base runner should slide into a base in order to avoid contact.

Safety Rules 1. All players must wear helmets with face mask when on deck, at bat, base coaching, while running bases. 2. Catcher’s face mask must be worn while warming up a pitcher. Shin guards worn when catching. 3. Pitchers, first base and third base must wear league supplied infielder masks (or one of their own). Players should; 1. Attend practice. 2. Arrive at least 15 minutes before scheduled game time in uniform, no jewelry. 3. Show respect for coaches, and other players. 4. Have fun! Coaches in Prep Division: -All girls should play at least 2 innings in the infield, and 2 in the outfield each game. -Please change your batting order from game to game. -Please teach the girls to slide into a base – they are fearless, now, and willing to try. -If your pitchers are struggling, coaches should use their combined better judgments to help the girls have a better experience. 3rd graders may try to pitch as well as 4th graders. Anyone who wants to try a position should be encouraged to do so! You may want to station an adult near the backstop to get pitched balls that pass the catcher. Since there is no stealing, it may help.

Updated 2014-May-08