The Games  

• Games start at 6:00 pm weekdays.  If either team does not have a minimum of 7 players by the beginning of the 2nd inning, the game will be forfeited.  Exchange of players should be made so that the game can be played, but a loss will be posted for the forfeiting team with an 8-0 score.
• Coaches should have their players arrive ½ hour prior to game time.
• The home team scorebook will be the official scorebook of the game.  Scorekeepers should confirm score after each half inning.
• Six innings constitutes a complete game, with a minimum of four innings required for a legal game.  If the home team is ahead after 3-1/2 innings, this would be considered a legal game.  In the event that a game does not achieve the requirements of a legal game, it should be picked up at the top of the last complete inning and finished to the 4th inning minimum.
• An inning should not be started after 7:45 pm.
• Games should end by 8:00 pm, unless the final inning is in progress and conditions allow going past 8:00 pm.
• No regular season game should go beyond 8:15 pm.
• If an inning is unfinished at 8:15, or when the umpire calls the game, the final score for the game reverts back to score at the end of the previous inning.
• Playoff & Championship games cannot end in a tie.
• Home team should be positioned on the first base side of the field and should provide game ball. 
• Home team is responsible for providing the bases and umpire equipment and returning them to the shed.
• The game can be called at the discretion of the coaches based on lighting or weather conditions.
• The cancellation of a game due to inclement weather or poor field conditions will be decided by the home team coach at least 1 hour before the scheduled start of the game.  A call will be made to the visiting team coach and the umpire(s).
• Home team coach is responsible for rescheduling postponed games as soon as possible.

Goals

Pitchers and Catchers should begin to mature.  Players should be aggressive at the plate, not timid or afraid to strike out.  Players should have a complete understanding of all rules, know where to be in most defensive situations, and have an understanding of all defensive positions.

Continue to improve on the fundamentals of:

• Throwing.
• Catching.
• Running the bases.
• Sliding.
• Hitting.

When they have finished the Junior Division, the players should be able to:

• Display effective bunting skills.
• Complete pick offs, pickles and hold runners to the originating base.
• Understand defensive and offensive 1st & 3rd situations.
• Complete cut offs and relays from the outfield.
• Reach out slides in to home, (never head first).
• Learn more advanced signs from coaches when at bat or on base.
• Understand basic game strategy, when to bunt, steal, etc.
• Pitchers begin to develop multiple pitches.
• Catchers become field leaders.
• Communicate and work as a team.

Pitchers and Catchers should continue getting as much one-on-one coaching as possible in the proper mechanics of pitching and catching.  Support is available from the league, just ask.

Format

• Division wide practices encouraged.
• Season is 8 weeks beginning the week after school Spring Break.
• Approximately ten (10) regular season games, 1-2 per week.
• Playoffs, team seeded by regular season records.  All teams make playoffs.
• Playoff format determined based on total number of teams.
• Awards Banquet following season.

Game Logistics

Bases and Equipment

• Double 1st base.
• 11” Ball (Yellow if possible).
• 36’ pitching distance.
• 60’ Base paths (standard).
• Batting helmets with cages and chin straps (player provided).

Umpires

• Youth Umpires, (7th –12th Grade Players).

Rules

• Players Pitch.
• Nine players, (3 outfielders), unless both coaches agree on 10 players (4 outfielders) prior to game start
• Outfielders must remain on the outfield grass, no creeping in to the infield.
• Infielders cannot be positioned closer to home plate than the pitchers rubber.
• Five runs maximum or 3 outs will end every inning, except the last inning. Unlimited runs in the last inning.
• An inning starting between 7:30 and 7:45 pm should be designated the “last” inning.  Coaches should agree to what will be called the “last” inning prior to the start of any inning late in the game to avoid misunderstandings.
• Regular season games can end in a tie.
• A continuous batting order will be used.
• Pitchers are limited to 7 innings per week.
• All players must play the field at least 3 innings or half of the game.  No player sits twice before all players have sat at least once. 
• All players should get equal time playing both infield and outfield positions.
• Home team coach must report game results to the Division Coordinator as soon as possible after a game.
• Playoff seeding determined as follows:
• 1. Won/Loss record 2.  Least runs allowed.  3.  Most runs scored.  4.  Head to head.  5.  Coin toss.
• All coaches prior to the start of the playoffs must agree to any rule modifications for playoff games.

Rules to note:

• There are no intentional walks.
• Bunting is allowed, and encouraged, as it is a big part of Fastpitch softball. A batter may not pretend that they are going to bunt and then pull back and swing at the pitch. This is a safety issue if the third baseman runs in for the bunt and the batter swings and hits.
• Stealing is allowed only after the pitcher releases the ball.  Stealing of home is not allowed.
• Base runners must remain in contact with base at all times prior to a pitched ball leaving the pitcher’s hand.  Runners can be called out if leaving the base early.
• Sliding is mandatory on all close plays.  No warnings will be issued and the runner will be called out if she doesn’t slide. The umpire will call out a player after one warning is issued for throwing the bat.
• No extra base advance on catcher overthrows on steal plays.
• No advance to home from 3rd base on passed balls or wild pitches.
• ASA pitching rules apply.  The pitcher must start with both feet in contact with the pitching rubber.  A pitcher is not allowed to take more than one step in front of the pitchers rubber before she releases the ball.  The back foot must remain in contact with the ground at all times, until the ball is released.  There can be no backward or rocking motion.
• Base runner must commit to a base forward or back, once the ball is in the pitching circle. (Look back rule – Rule 8-8-T-1).
• No dropped third strike rule, but should be taught.
• Infield Fly Rule   When an infield fly is declared by the umpire, and when there are runners on 1st & 2nd, or on 1st, 2nd & 3rd with one or no outs, the batter is called out immediately whether the ball is caught or dropped.  Runners may advance at their own peril whether the ball is caught or dropped.
• Overthrows.  If the ball goes out of play, the runners will be awarded 2 bases governed by the positions of the runners when the ball leaves the fielder’s hand.