TRACE CREEK SOFTBALL, INC.
GENERAL RULES
1) A team must have 7 players to constitute a team and a designated batter may be used. If a team begins play with 10 players it may end the game with no less than 7. If it begins with 7 players it must end the game with no less than 7. An official roster will be at least 9 players, 10 if available. If you only have 7 players available there will be an automatic out for the 8th position.
2 ) An 11” circumference (green dot) ball or the equivalent of will be used in the 9/10, 12” ball to be used for 11/ 12,13,14, 15, &16 y/o leagues. An 11” circumference RIF (reduced injury factor) ball will be used in the4,5/6 and 7/8 year old leagues. In fast pitch the appropriate ball that will be used for fast pitch depends on age level.
3) Score will be kept in all leagues except the 4/6 year old league.
4) Innings - (regular season and tournament) The standard is as follows- ( 7&8,9&10, 11&12) year olds will be 5 innings, after 3 innings the game is considered complete. Also rule 14 will apply and when there is no mathematical way a team can win, the game will be called.) (13,14,15 & 16 year olds will be 5 innings and after 3 innings the game will be considered complete.) * Complete game meaning: due to the game being stopped after 3 for 7 to11 y/o and after 3 for 13 to 16 y/o for weather or other natural causes. The score of a called game shall be the score at the end of the last complete inning. In 13 to 16 y/o there will be a 15 run/3 inning rule and 10 run/4 inning rule. Fast pitch will be 5 innings or 1 hour & 15 min. which ever comes first.
5) Any player not listed on the official roster as a starter or sub will not be allowed to play. An official line up card will be required before every game. If an official line up card is not turned in - if you play first game 15 min before game time and all other games by the 4th inning of the game before your game these are the penalties- 1st offence written warning and 2nd offence your game will be a forfeiture.
6) Clean up rule - No food or glass containers will be allowed in the dugout. Coaches and players must clean up their own trash in dugouts after each game and/or practice. Failure to do so will result in a warning after the 1st offense, and forfeiture of next game after second offense. NO EXCEPTIONS.
7) Play will be defined by the ASA or KHSAA depending age group. Unless amended by Park Rule.
8) Must Play Rule: A bat once, play three outs in the field rule is in effect for each “Eligible” player for every game. If for any reason an “eligible” player does not make it in a game then that player will have to be started in the next game and bat at least once and play at least 6 outs in the field. It will be the responsibility of the coach to see that the player is started. First time failure to abide by the must play rule would result in a one-game suspension of the head coach. Failure to abide by the rule a second time would result in an additional one-game suspension and forfeiture of the game. Suspension means sight and sound. If failure to abide by the rule comes during the final game of the season, forfeiture of the game will be the penalty. Coaches will be required, prior to each game, to announce to the official score keeper and the opposing coach( ) that a player will not play because of injury or disciplinary reasons. Otherwise that player will be considered “eligible”. A protest of the MUST PLAY RULE must be leveled by the head coach to an umpire before the umpire leaves the field. (Note a suspended head coach cannot level a protest.) The rule only takes effect if the games goes four or more innings. However, players who do not get to play in a 10 run rule shortened game will start the next game, bat at least twice and play six outs in the field. Unplayed players will be “Flagged” and posted in the official score book for the next game. Exception: This rule does not apply in the 5/6 year old league - the details will be discussed later in these rules.
8-A) Any team caught with player or players batting out of order by mistake or otherwise, the rule in the rule book will apply and also the team will receive a warning for the first offense and the second offense will result in the coach being suspended for one game (sight and sound) and third offense the coach will be suspended (sight and sound) for the season. If it is the last game of the year, playoff, or tournament and it is second or third offense the game will be a forfeiture at that point.
9) Coaches: In order for any person to be eligible to coach at Trace Creek Park they must agree to a back ground check.
10) Tie Breaker Rule: We will have posted.
11) A player slinging a bat, helmet, glove or ball in disgust will be warned (through the coach). If it happens a second time in a game, the player will be ejected by the umpire. Coaches should instruct players to just drop the bat after they hit the ball, not sling it. Slinging a bat after making contact with the ball is also going to the watched. Umpires will be instructed to call a batter out if the slinging endangers another player.
12) Players may wear bandannas as a substitute for a cap or as a head band. However, they may not be tied around a player’s neck.
13) Each player will be allowed one (1) over the fence home run per game; after that all additional over the fence home runs will be considered ground rule doubles.
14) 7&8, 9&10, 11 & 12 year olds ONLY: A maximum of (5) runs may be scored per
inning. After those 5 runs are scored that team’s bat is over.
15) At no time, may any coach, either offensively or defensively, touch a player or aid any player physically while a play is “live”. The umpire will rule the player out or safe; whichever the situation calls for. To aid a player, a coach must call “Time”.
16) Slow pitch base runners must remain on base until a ball is hit. Fast pitch player may leave base when ball is released from pitchers hand. Player leaving base early will be called out. EXCEPT for 9 & 10 and 11 & 12 year old age groups. Those two age must wait until it crosses HOME PLATE.
17) Sliding is not illegal, but is not encouraged by league officials because of the safety factor involved.
18) No titanium, multi-wall, or multi - shell bats. Any bat with more than 1 wall, shell, or chamber is not allowed. The board reserves the right to check any and all bats.
19) Absolutely no steel cleats will be allowed during practice or play. Player will be ejected from the game after 1st offense, head coach and player after 2nd offense.
20) Absolutely no jewelry is to be worn by players during a game. This is for the safety of all players. This includes earrings, rings, watches, bracelets, necklaces and barrettes or anything else that could be considered jewelry.
21) Chin Straps- This rule is to protect all players while playing. No batter will bat or run bases unless they have a chin strap on their helmet. Any player stepping into batters box and receiving the first pitch without a chin strap will be called out. No warning will be givin.
22) Appeals - All calls made by an umpire are final. There is to be no going to any board member by coach or parent to argue about an umpires call on the field. If a coach wants to appeal a call here is the policy that will be used. $25.00 non refundable appeal fee will be charged. No judgment appeals will be heard. An appeal must be declared before umpires leave the field and then the umpire will contact the appeal board, if an appeal is not declared before umpires leave the field the appeal will have no merit. The head coach from each team only will represent to the board the call that is appealed. The of appeals committee will consists of 3 board members- President and 2 others.(All decision will be final.)
SPECIAL RULES FOR 4/5/6 & 7/8 YEAR OLD LEAGUES
1) 7/8 Year olds - All pitching will be underhanded. The coach pitcher should, at all times, try his/her best to stay out of the after a ball is hit. The coach pitcher will be considered part of the playing field should a ball hit him/her. The ball is live and in play after striking the coach pitcher. The coach/pitcher must be at least 30 feet back from plate when pitching to his/her players. This area will be marked off.
2) Defensively, the entire roster will take the field. Teams will have a player pitcher (explained in # 3). The team will have five infielders. The rest of the team will be considered outfielders and be placed anywhere the coach wants as long as they are in the grass area when the ball is hit. An outfielder may, after an infielder has had a chance to field a ball, come in from the grass to make a play, cover a base or area. This will be up to the coaches.
3) Player/Pitcher: While coach is pitching the player/pitcher is defensive and is set in and/or around the pitcher’s mound. (a marked off area will be provided). The player pitcher has complete right of way for defensive purposes, but must be set in the designated marked-off area when the ball is hit.
4) 7 & 8 and 9 & 10 year olds only: A maximum of five (5) runs may be scored per inning. After those 5 runs are scored that team’s bat is over.
5) 7/8 Year Olds: While coach is pitching each batter is allowed five pitches. If, after the fifth pitch, the batter has not hit the ball she is ruled out by the umpire. If the batter fouls the fifth pitch in any manner, she is not out (no foul outs). Note: The umpire will warn the pitcher and the batter on the third pitch that the batter has only two pitches left to hit. No walks are allowed. After three (3) strikes the batter is out.
6) When the team is playing defense TWO coaches will be allowed to assist their players verbally from the foul territory on plays and positions. They will be positioned in the outfield foul area of right field and the outfield foul area of left field.
4, 5 & 6 Year Old League Only
7) During offensive innings, adult coaches will coach 1st bases One coach will be the pitcher coach and 3rd base coach he/she will pitch the player three pitches. If the player does not hit the ball, in fair territory, with 3 pitches, the hitting coach will assist the batter with placing the ball on the tee. There should be one coach in the dugout to maintain the batting order at an orderly pace. Maximum number of coaches on the field (including dugout) will be four. At no time, (except maybe in the case of an accident or emergency) will there be other adults or non-players, in the dugout and/or playing field during the game. No player will be called out on strikes.
8) A semi-circle will be clearly marked in front of home plate. This circle will extend from foul line to foul line. Any fair ball hit past the 10-foot semi-circle will be in play. Any ball not hit past this circle will be called a foul ball by the umpire.
9) Score will not be kept for the 5 & 6 Year Old League Only.
10) Dead Ball Rule: There will be a circle clearly marked around second base. Any defensive player throwing the ball through the plane of the circle will initiate a dead ball call by the umpire. If a play is being made on a runner, and the ball is inside the circle, the ball will not be ruled “Dead” until that play is over. Whenever an umpire rules a ball dead, his decision is final.
11) All base runners will remain at the base they were closest to when the dead ball call is made. Hash marks will be drawn on the field to assist umpires in making the correct call in the base running, dead call situations.
12) If a fair ball is hit to a defensive player, and the defensive player fields the ball and is standing in the “Circle” runners may advance only one base and it is an automatic dead ball. (That is, if the player/pitcher does not attempt to throw a runner out as soon as she fields the ball). It isn’t necessary for any defensive player to be in the “circle” to catch the ball thrown by another defensive player. If, in the opinion of the umpire, that fielder was throwing to the circle in an attempt to stop play, the umpire will rule the ball dead when it enters the circle.
(9 & 10 years olds)
1. Pitching Rubber will be 35 feet from Home Plate.
2. Pitching Rules – Each batter will receive maximum of 8 pitches. 6 will be deliverd by a player and 2 will be delivered by a Coach. There will be no foul outs.
3. There will be NO WALKS in this league. Except 1 intentional walk per player per game.
4. Umpire will still call strikes on the pitches delivered by the Coach.
5. Coach must pitch from the pitching rubber.
6. Coach must deliver the ball to the hitter in a manner, which has a maximum arch of 6 feet. If it is over 6 feet and ball will be called. Umpires call!!!
7. Runners may steal one base at a time. (meaning one base per runner, Example runners on 1st and 2nd both runners may steal the next base.) No runner may steal Home Plate. No stealing while the Coach is pitching. Runner must wait until the ball crosses the plate before you can steal the base.
8. Bunting will be allowed in the age group.Except when coach is pitching.
9. There will be no infield fly rule.
10. Time Limit will be 1 hour 15 minute time limit.
Recommendations from the board:
For Batters
* Face mask on the batting helmets. (mandatory ASA in all ages except slow pitch)
For Pitchers
* Mouthpieces
* Shin guard
* Chest Protectors
(revised 1/4/06 )Trace Creek Rules 06
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