Bethany Baseball

Community youth softball association

2009 Softball rules

Peewee mixed 13 years old to 15 years old as of January1

Squirts mixed 10years old to 12 years old as of January 1

Mites Mixed 7 years old to 9 years old as of January 1

T-Ball Mixed 4 years old to 9 years old as of January1

General Rules- For the safety of the players exceptions may be made on an individual basis to be discussed and vote3d upon by board members.

1. A list of players, no more than 15 including birthdates are to be submitted to the Association by May1st. Final due date for the changing team lists will be as of may 31st.

2. For all teams a $10.00 fee per player must be submitted to the Association by May meeting.

3. The home team must supply 2 balls, one in good condition, and preferably one new.

4. Fighting during the ball game to imme4diatley after the game will result in a three game suspension. In order to monitor, the coaches must report this to either the president or one other executive member. A second fight will result in season suspension. The community convenor must also be notified.

5. To be eligible for league tournament play, a player must be on the original player's list. Extra players for the tournament may be borrowed from other teams below the age division for the express purpose of preventing the forfeiting of the game, but Executive must approve this. Players must play 51% of the seasons games.

6. score sheets to be available if called upon at games or tournaments.

7. No player may wear steel spikes or cleats. Rubber cleats are permitted. Players must wear closed toed shoes and have their legs covered. All players must tuck their shirts in. No loose jewellery is permitted , but earrings need to be covered.

8. All batters and base runners in all minor divisions will wear helmets with chinstraps, fastened properly. Each team should carry at least 5 helmets, but must have at least 4.

9. The tournament will be played by CYSA and local rules for all teams.

10. All games should start between 6:30 and 6:40. No inning to start after 8:15 with a maximum of 7 innings. Ending of last inning to be determined before start of game by coached.(recommended 8:00p.m. until school is out.)

11. There will be a maximum of 7 innings scored or 3 outs. If batter has not left the batters box when the 7th run crosses the plate, he/she will be up to bat again the next inning.

12. a runner is out if their helmet is removed or strap is untied before leaving the playing area. (umpire to call this) Player cannot be called out twice. If run is scored it is counted one warning will be for entire team.

13. The infield fly rule will apply for squirts and up. as infield fly is a fair ball (not including a line drive or an attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second or first, second and third bases are occupied, before two out are out. The pitcher, catcher or any outfielder who positions himself in the infield on the play shall be considered infielder for the purpose of this rule. When it seems apparent that a batted ball will be an infield fly, the umpire shall immediately declared "infield fly: if fair,the batter is out "for the benefit of the runners. The ball is alive and runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught or they may retouch and advance after the ball is touched, the same as on any fly ball. If the hit becomes foul, it is treated as any foul. If declared infield fly is allowed to fall untouched to the ground outside and bounces foul before passing first or third base, it is a foul ball. If a declared infield fly is allowed to fall untouched to the ground outside the baseline and bounces fair before passing first or third base, it is an infield fly within baseline. Page 116 rule 1 section 44 of 2001/2002 official guide and rule book.

14. players must shake hands prior to the start of the game.

15. Each community is responsible for umpires for their home games. Umpires must be 14 years of age or older.

16. When a pitcher hits a batter with a pitched ball, the umpire will warn the pitcher. If the pitcher hits a batter a second time ,the pitcher will no longer be able to pitch in the game. The batter must take an attempt to get out of the way of the pitch.(As determined by the umpire) The batter is awarded first base unless the umpire rules the batter did not make an attempt to get out of the way.

17. Squirt age and up should wear protective cups for their own safety.

18. A player playing in an age division higher than appropriate, he/she must make a decision to stay or go back down to the appropriate division by may meeting.

19. At any time during the game if blood is exposed, the player must leave the game until all traces of blood are removed and the wound is covered. Players may be substituted on base by Last out if necessary. Each team must have a first aid kit in their equipment bag.

20. Intentional body contact or roughness as decided by an umpire is an automatic out the first time. After the second offense the player is removed from the game.

21. Pitchers must begin their pitch with both feet on the pitcher's mound

22. Coaches to ensure that their players are not standing on the base line. When a fielder obstructs the runner from making a base unless the fielder is trying to field the batter ball, has the ball ready to touch the runner, or is about to receive a thrown ball. The runner will be awarded the base. This may still be appealed if the player missed a base on the way to the next base.

23. If a player becomes injured during the course of play(batting/running the bases) they may receive a courtesy runner. If the player comes to the game injured or is removed from the game for a more serious injury (and returns to play) they will be required to run the base.

24. Any approved over age player is not allowed to pitch

25. No player who currently pitches in a rep league will be allowed to pitch in house league.

PLAYING RULES(ANY RULE NOT STATED BELOW IS TO BE GOVERNED BY THE ONTARIO AMMATEUR SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION)

1. All players present must be listed on the game sheet. Every player bats in the order shown on the game sheet.

2. If a team does not have 9 players, that team may borrow players from the opposition or ask for REGISTERED players from the age group below.

3. Try to phone for rain out games by 5:15

4. When there is more than one team in each division per area the make and female players must be divided as equally as possible as well as skill level. No stacked teams. Any changes to player rosters need to be made by May 31.

MITES

1. Mites will use an 11 inch ball.

2. There will be no stealing allowed after the runner has been stopped.

3. A batter is out on the third strike, no matter whether the catcher catches the ball or drops it.

4. Mites will pitch 30 feet and run 45 feet.

5. There will be no windmill style of pitching.

6. Teams can field a rover as a fourth fielder,(10 players on field at on time) Rover must be in the outfield at least 10 feet behind baseline.

7. Catcher cannot remove his/her helmet during playing

8. No bunting.

SQUIRT

1. Squirts will use an 11 inch ball.

2. pitching distance will be 35 feet with 55 foot baseline.

3. stealing will be allowed after the pitch has crossed the plate.

4. No lead offs .

5. Bunting will be allowed for squirts and up.

6. Third strike rule applied. When the catcher fails to catch the third strike before the ball touches the ground when there are less than two puts and first base is occupied or any time there are two outs. The ball is in play and the batter becomes a runner with liability to be put out.

PEEWEE

1. Will use an 11 inch ball.

2. pitching distance is 40 feet with 55 foot baseline.

3. Runners may leave the base after the pitcher has released the ball.

4. When the catcher fails to catch the third strike before the ball touches the ground when there are less than two outs and first base is unoccupied or any time there are two outs. This is called a third strike rule. The ball is in play and the batter becomes a runner with liability to be put out " Page 114 Rule 8 section 2b."