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2020 OZ PARK GIRLS SOFTBALL: 8U, 10U, and 11-14U Softball Rules (Differences between age groups noted where appropriate)

RULES:

Note: your game time is specified by the schedule – your game is not to exceed the time noted on the schedule – if you start late, you will end early – the is charged with keeping the games moving.

1. Each team will have no less than 11 players. All teams must play with at least 8 players, for a game to counted as an official game. If a 10U/11-14U game is played with 8 players, the 9th spot in the order will be recorded as an automatic . All games have a fifteen (15) minute forfeit time. If the opposing team cannot field a team fifteen minutes after the scheduled start, the game is forfeited. If both teams are unable to field a team, it is a forfeit. 2. Any player that arrives after the start of the game must be added to the end of the . The player may enter the field as a defensive player in the middle of an as an player only if an open spot remains but may not be subbed in for a player already on the field. 3. 8U: Defensive team is allowed a maximum of ten (10) players on defense: six infielders and four outfielders. 10U and 11-14U: Defensive team is allowed a maximum of nine (9) players on defense: six infielders and three outfielders. For 8U and 10U, outfielders must be equally spread out between the foul lines; no short center. Outfielders must be in the grass. 4. Each 8U team will be allowed two defensive outfield coaches on the playing field, in the outfield, while on defense. 10U and 11-14U teams may not have a coach in the or outfield. 5. All teams will bat a continuous batting order. The inning ends when three outs have been recorded or five runs have been scored. Total runs will be capped at 5 per inning, including the final inning, except for 10U and 11-14U where the last inning will be uncapped. Dependent on the pace of gameplay, for 10U and 11-14U, the coaches may confer with the umpire to “uncap” the last inning. Once the last inning has been “determined”, at the conclusion of this inning, even if the pace of play increases, the game is over and the score final. 6. Runs per inning will be capped at 5, even if additional runs are scored on the final play before the ball is ruled dead. Any subsequent runner(s) that safely reach home plate before the ball is ruled dead shall not . For the last inning of the game, as determined by the umpire and coaches based on the pace of play, at 10U and 11-14U, there is no limit. Should both teams not be able to complete their half-inning, the score will revert to the last full inning. 7. No player can sit for more than one defensive inning, until all players have sat one defensive inning. If a player is sitting out a defensive inning, they maintain their spot in the batting order and will bat if their turn comes up in the batting order. Players must play at least one (1) inning of infield play in each game, and coaches are strongly encouraged to rotate players to all possible positions during a game and throughout the season. 8. If there is a play at the plate, the runner is required to avoid a collision at home, it is strongly recommended that runners . This only applies if there is a play at the plate. In all other situations, a runner must avoid contact with the defensive player. TO BE CLEAR, THE BASE RUNNER

OZ PARK SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION HAS THE PRIMARY OBLIGATION TO AVOID CONTACT – however, both players should seek to avoid contact with each other. This does not mean the runner must slide at all bases, on all plays. Malicious contact by either the offensive or defensive player will result in an out and ejection of the offending player. Umpire’s discretion will apply in all cases. 9. A courtesy runner shall be put in for a catcher on base with two outs or if a runner is injured. The courtesy runner shall be the player who made the last out.

10. In the case of an overthrow at first, at 8U, the runner may advance to second at her own risk – in the case of an overthrow at second, the runner may no longer advance - play is ruled dead - all runners may not advance. For 10U, in the case of an overthrow at first or second, there is a wall at third, regardless of the outcome of any defensive attempt at the runner progressing to third base. For 11-14U, runner(s) may advance, at their own risk, until the ball is in possession of the pitcher; the ball will be ruled dead when the defensive player ceases any attempts on baserunners and/or the umpire has declared it has left the field and is out of play. If the ball is ruled out-of-play, the on-base runners will be allowed to advance to the next base.

11. 8U: Play is dead when the ball is in possession of an infielder who is not making a play on any offensive players. 10U & 11-14U: for a play in the outfield, play shall be ruled dead when the pitcher has possession of the ball and is no longer making any attempt at any baserunner. 12. Once a play is ruled dead, runners may not further advance. At the judgement of the umpire, runners, who are less than half of the distance to the next base, will return to the previous base. 13. The game must be completed in the allotted time slot, with a maximum of 5 at 8U and 10U; 11-14U games will play 7 innings. For 8U: no new inning after 1:15 of game play - 1:30 time limit. For 10U: no new inning after 1:35 of game play - 1:50 time limit – there is a ten minute window allotted for transition. For 11-14U: no new inning after 1:35 of game play - 1:50 time limit – there is a ten minute window for transition. 14. Games can be called complete with a tie. 15. A new inning should not be started if there is less than 15 minutes left in the allotted time slot. If an inning is started but not completed before the allotted time elapses, then the score reverts to the score of the last full inning. 16. COACHES ARE DISCOURAGED FROM PLAYING SLOWLY AT THE END OF A GAME TO USE THE TIME LIMITATIONS TO SECURE A VICTORY. DOING SO CAN SUBJECT THE COACH TO DISCIPLINE BY THE OPBA LEAGUE AND POSSIBLE FORFEITURE OF THE GAME. 17. A game can only be called for weather by an umpire. If a coach decides to stop play for their team based on weather without the umpire having called the game, that team forfeits the game. If a game is called by an umpire for weather, the score reverts to the last full inning played. 18. Bunting is prohibited at 8U, allowed during the player portion of 10U, and allowed at 11- 14U.

19. Stealing and lead-offs are prohibited at 8U. At 10U, baserunners are encouraged to take a lead-off. The base runner may leave the base after the pitcher releases the ball, with normal tagging-up rules applied. At 10U, observe the following: there is NO stealing of second base, baserunners who occupy second base may, upon the ball crossing home plate, steal third base, and stealing is NOT allowed in “Coach Pitch” situations. There is a wall at third base prohibiting the runner from advancing home, regardless of the outcome of an attempt at the advancing runner – catchers are encouraged to make a play on the stealing runner – this can happen both during kid-pitch as well as coach pitch. At 11-14U, players may steal bases and are encouraged to take lead-offs, once the ball has left the pitcher’s hand. With defensive plays started as the result of a baserunner stealing a base, runners, regardless of overthrow, etc. are not allowed to steal home – a “wall” will be enforced at third base.

2 20. In the case that a runner leaves the base early, (prior to release) the runner will be forced to return to the base, a warning will be issued to the team, and the next infraction for that team results in the base-runner being called out – all subsequent infractions result in the base runners being called out. 21. does not apply for 8U, but it is in effect for 10U and 11-14U.

22. During player and coach pitch, teams must field a catcher in full gear. If a team has less than 10 players, a catcher must always be fielded. At the 8U level, the umpire may the catcher by returning the ball to the pitcher. At the 10U and 11-14U levels it is the job of the player in the catcher position to return the ball to the pitcher. A ball should never be thrown back to the pitching mound at the 11-14U level by either an umpire or a coach.

23. are not called.

24. There is no slaughter rule. 25. Runners may ‘’ on a fly ball.

26. 8U league will use “Incredi-ball” training softballs for games. 10U teams will use an 11” standard softball. 11-14U teams will play with a standard 12” softball. 27. At all levels: A protective two-flap helmet and face guard must be worn by a batter and runner(s). A violation of this rule shall constitute a team warning, and any successive violation in a game shall cause the violator to be called out at the discretion of the umpire. Fielding masks are mandatory and are to be worn by the pitcher, 1st and 3rd base players, at all times, while a team is on defense. 28. A Catcher’s mitt is NOT required for the catcher. 29. Bats shall not exceed 33” in length, and the barrel cannot be larger than 2 1/4” in diameter. Wooden or aluminum/composite bats can be used at the player’s choice. 30. Throwing of the bat is to be strongly discouraged. A team warning shall be given after the first offense. After a warning has been issued, any offending player shall be called out on the next and any subsequent infraction. 31. Base paths are 50’ for 8U and 60’ for 10U and 11-14U. 32. Pitching rubber is 30’ from home plate for 8U, 35’ for 10U, and, at the 11-14U level, 38” for 12U pitchers and 43 feet for 14U pitchers. Note, for the first 4 weeks of the season we will allow the younger 14U players (those who would be 12U) to pitch from 35” (a drop-down rubber will be provided to each team) – upon completion of the fourth week of games, the standard distance for younger 14U players will be enforced. 33. At fields where a permanent, enclosed on deck circle is not available, no on deck circle practice swings should take place. An example of a field where it is unsafe, Jonquil Park has no space for warm-up swings…

34. The OPBA “Backstop Rule” is in effect, at all times. 35. Coaches should coach from behind the backstop and should not be in the batting box coaching or adjusting the swing of the batter at any time at either level. 36. There are NO DROPPED THIRD STRIKE CALLS. 37. Players are expected to be in their official Oz Park uniforms prior to taking the field. PITCHING RULES

3 1. 8U: Games will be completely coach-pitched. Each batter will receive 4 pitches from the coach. At the third strike (regardless of when that occurs), or after the 4th pitch (or at the third strike), a tee will be brought to the batter’s box and the player will be provided one swing at the ball on the tee. Missing the tee results in a strike-out. Contact with the tee, of any kind, will be considered a – the player cannot be called out on a foul ball. 10U: Players pitch from the beginning of the game. If the player-pitcher reaches four balls, the hitting team’s coach will finish the and inherit the current strike count on the hitter. The coach will throw a maximum of 3 pitches – the player is not required to swing at any/all of the pitches but is only allowed a maximum of three pitches. The hitter cannot walk but can strike out. If the hitter fails to put the ball in play after three pitches, the batter is out. A foul ball cannot end an inning and the hitter cannot be called out on a foul ball. For example, on a 4/2 count, the coach comes in to pitch – the coach is able to throw up to three pitches – if the player swings at the first pitch, and misses, she is out – if she chooses to watch the pitch, she is allowed two more pitches – if she chooses not to swing at the second pitch, she is allowed one more pitch (she hasn’t 3 strikes) – at the third pitch, if the player does not make contact, or chooses not to swing, she is out – if she hits the ball foul, she is entitled to another pitch (same rule applies if the next pitch is hit into foul territory) – after the third pitch, if the ball is not put in play, or hit into foul territory, the batter is called out on strikes. 11- 14U: normal softball pitching rules apply – WALKS ARE AWARDED ON THE FOURTH CALLED BALL. 2. If a batter is hit by a pitch thrown by the pitcher (not the coach), provided the batter has attempted to avoid being hit, the umpire may award the hitter first base. The umpire has discretion to not to award first base if the hitter does not attempt to get out of the way of the ball or if the ball bounces prior to making contact with the batter (or, rolls up to the plate). This is strictly within the umpire’s discretion. If any pitcher hits two (2) batters in one (1) inning where the hitters are awarded first base, the pitcher must be removed from the pitcher’s position for the remainder of the inning. The removed pitcher may return to pitch in a subsequent inning (not necessarily the next inning), however, at the next hit (three total HBP) batter, the pitcher is removed for the remainder of the game from the . 3. If a hitter is hit by a pitch thrown by a coach, it is a ball and the player is not awarded first base. 4. The coach must pitch from the pitching rubber, using a similar motion as that used by player pitchers and without an arc. 5. If a coach Pitch, the player in the pitcher’s position must play within a three-foot radius of the pitching rubber. Players, during coach pitch, cannot take a position in front of the rubber. 6. A coach is allowed two mound visits per pitcher per inning. On the second visit, the pitcher must be removed for the remainder of the inning. Any active player, including one on the bench, may be substituted as a pitcher. If a player comes off the bench to pitch in the middle of an inning, that inning does NOT count as a defensive inning on the bench for the player who did not start the defensive inning and was sitting out. 7. A player may pitch no more than 2 innings per game. 8. A pitch can constitute an inning pitched. Any new pitcher must face a minimum of one batter before being removed. 9. All pitchers, including coaches, are to pitch in an underhand or windmill motion, without an arc to the delivered pitch. 10. The ball must begin inside the pitcher’s mitt. Once the pitcher’s hand enters the mitt there must be a two second delay before beginning the motion. At the start of the pitcher’s motion, both feet must be in contact with the pitching rubber. Additionally, NO step-back is allowed.

4 11. The pitch must be delivered in one continuous underhand windmill fashion. Pitchers may use a partial windmill (sometimes referred to as “sling-shot”) motion instead of the full windmill motion but are strongly encouraged to learn and use the full windmill motion. 12. If a coach is unintentionally hit with a during coach pitch, the ball remains in play. If the pitching coach intentionally makes contact with the ball or in the umpire’s judgment interferes with a defensive play, the ball is dead, and the batter is out. The coach will be given a warning and a second infraction will result in the coach being ejected from the game.

13. Pitchers are allowed 5 warm-up pitches when entering the game, 3 when returning at the start of the next inning, and one after the catcher is in place. 14. Exceptions to these rules may apply in cases of games played against non-OPBA leagues and during playoffs (official playoff rules will be clarified prior to playoffs).

AMENDED AND ADJUSTED – SPRING 2021 ONLY:

At 10U, for the first three weeks of the season, we will use coach pitch. However, if you have a pitcher who is interested in pitching, you are allowed to use “kid pitch” – please employ sound judgement – with respect to pace of play, etc. as you make this transition early.

8U: to repeat, game length is 1:30 – HARD STOP AT 1:30 – no new inning after 1:15. Your slot starts based on the time in the schedule – please communicate politely with the ump if the game that proceeds yours is running over – also, you are NOT to run over your time slot for any reason…

Game length is 1:50 – HARD STOP AT 1:50 – no new inning after 1:35. Your slot starts based on the time in the schedule – please communicate politely with the ump if the game that proceeds yours is running over – also, you are NOT to run over your time slot for any reason…

Rule 19: Clarification – in 10U games, the baserunner (at second base) is allowed to lead-off upon release of the pitch. To provide the catcher more time to respond in a base stealing situation, the baserunner is prohibited from continuing on (from her position “leading-off” second base), to third base.

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