Girls Softball Rules

*Updated 0**3/05/09*

10U 12U 15U

Five Star Softball 10U Rules
Modified 03/05/2009

Printable: Adobe PDF

The National Federation of State High School Association's Rule Book will be the
source of regulations governing play. However, these special rules override those rules when/if there is a conflict of rules.

General Rules

1. Diamond Dimensions

· Bases = 60 Feet

· Pitcher’s Plate = 35 Feet

2. Game length = 6 Innings

3. An orange safety base is required at 1^st base.

4. An 11” non-padded yellow softball will be used.

5. Batting helmets must include a mask.

6. Line-ups should be exchanged 10 minutes prior to start time.

7. The home team will get the playing field for practice first. The visiting team will be given the field for warm up at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled game time. In the event the field is late in being set up, the home team warm up time is penalized accordingly. The visiting team should always be given 15 minutes to warm up.

8. Managers shall contact the opposing team manager when questionable weather of field conditions exists. The home team manager will decide if the game will be played or cancelled. The decision to cancel the game should be made one hour and 15 minutes prior to the start time to allow for the opposing manager to contact his/her players.

9. The home team manager is responsible for setting up the diamond including the bases and the pitching rubber.

10. The home team is the official scorekeeper and will occupy the third base dugout. It is recommended that after each inning that both teams check scores with each other.

11. A starting lineup should consist of 9 players but teams may play with 8 players.

12. If a team has less than 8 players then they will forfeit the game.

13. Calls ups from the 8U level (or 7-8 year old baseball level) are allowed but the call up player may not pitch, must bat at the end of the order, and can not play more defensive innings than a player on the roster.

14. All players must play a minimum of 3 defensive innings.

15. There will be no penalty for line-up scratches due to illness, injury or other absence.

16. Home team to supply one new game ball.

17. Home team is responsible for rescheduling cancelled or postponed games.

18. Unless otherwise noted, all games begin at 6:00 P.M.

19. No full inning can be started later than 7:45 P.M. You can finish an inning, but you cannot start a new inning (8:00 P.M. after May 31st).

20. Games on weekends and under the lights are TBA

21. Forfeit time is 15 minutes after the scheduled start time.

22. All forfeited games will be scored 7-0.

23. Games under the lights, or weekend games that do not have a game following, do not have a time limit and will be played until completed.

24. If a game has a 2 hour time limit then no new inning may be started after 1 hour and 45 minutes.

25. Only umpires may call a time out during a game. Only managers, field coaches, and players in the game may request a time out.

26. Only managers may discuss rules or decisions with the umpires (no coaches). All decisions by the umpire are final and no appeals or protest will be allowed.

27. 4 innings is a complete game (3 ½ innings if the home team is winning). A game called after 4 complete innings or 3 ½ innings if the home team is winning will not be replayed or continued unless the game is tied.

28. Incomplete games will be restarted from the end of the last completed half inning. Umpires judgment shall be used to suspend the game. If the game cannot be rescheduled then it will be recorded as a tie.

29. No lead offs are allowed. Runner must wait for the ball to cross the plate before leaving their base. If a runner leaves early, a team warning will be issued. If a runner leaves early a second time then the runner will be called out. If runner leaves early and the ball was hit, then the runner who left early will be called out and the batter will be allowed the number of bases they have advanced.

30. Runners may steal only one base after the ball crosses the plate. If runners are on 1^st and 2nd and the runner on 2^nd did not steal, then both runners can steal at the same time.

31. Stealing home is not allowed under any circumstance.

32. If the catcher causes a runner to move back towards the base she was leaving and throws the ball back to the mound, then the runners must go back to that base.

33. A courtesy runner is mandatory for the catcher if she is on base and there are 2 outs. The courtesy runner must be the last player to be called out in the inning.

34. No intentional walks are allowed.

35. The infield fly rule is not in effect.

36. A continuous batting order will be used.

37. Bunting is allowed.

38. Fake bunting and swinging is illegal. A batter will be called out if she fakes a bunt and then swings away. A player may fake a bunt and pull the bat back.

39. A (5) run maximum per half inning rule will apply.

40. The last inning will be unlimited runs. This includes innings that are called the last inning due to light or time limits.

41. The last inning may be called prior to the sixth inning and must be called prior to the start of the inning. The umpire may call an inning the last inning if he/she believes that another inning will not be started due to time constraints.

42. A slaughter rule is in effect. If after 4 innings (3 1/2 if the home team is ahead), one team has a lead of 15 runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs must concede the victory to the opposing team. If a team takes a lead of larger than 15 runs in the top of an inning (after the fourth inning) then the home team will get to bat in the bottom of the inning.

43. Base runners will be awarded one base on an overthrow into unplayable territory.

44. There are no run downs. If you take one step back to base you must return to that base.

45. Umpire conference will always be with both managers.

46. If a base runner does not slide, she must avoid contact with a defensive player or be called out. Incidental contact is at the discretion of the umpire. No runner will intentionally bowl over the defensive player. The penalty for intentional bowling over a runner will be ejection from the game.

47. There will be a time limit of 90 seconds between half innings. Once the final out of the half inning is made, the next pitch must be made no more than 90 seconds later.

48. Outfielder’s starting position must be at least 10 feet behind the baseline.

49. The dropped third strike rule does not apply.

Pitching Rules

· Pitcher must start with both feet on pitcher’s plate.

· Pitcher may take one foot off pitcher’s plate with pitch and may drag one foot.

· Pitcher must use windmill and may not step back off of pitcher’s plate.

· Sling shot or side arm pitching is not allowed

· No player may pitch more than 4 innings in any one game and only the starting pitcher may return to a game. One pitch constitutes an inning.

· If a pitcher hits three batters in one inning then she must be pulled but may return the next inning.

· If a pitcher hits four batters in a game then she must be pulled and may not return as a pitcher for the rest of the game.

· An injured pitcher may be removed and returned with no penalty provided she returns to the game as a pitcher immediately upon being able to continue play. In the event the starting pitcher is injured, the relief pitcher is then designated as the starter and is allowed to be removed once and return to pitch.

· Each team will be given one warning for an illegal pitch. After a warning has been issued, an illegal pitch will be ruled a ball unless the batter swings at the pitch. No base advancement will be allowed on an illegal pitch that is not hit.

· If a manager goes to the mound twice in one inning or a third time during the pitcher’s stay on the mound, the pitcher must be removed.

· A pitcher shall have 5 warm-up pitches between innings. A new or relief pitcher will receive 8 pitches.

Participant and Fan Conduct

· The manager is responsible for the conduct of his or her team and fans. No taunting of opposing team players will be allowed. The umpire may eject a player, coach, manager, or spectator from the game. Ejection from the game is interpreted by the league officers as "Conduct detrimental to the best interest of the players and the league". The ejected individual is subject to suspension for 1 or more games as voted by the league officers. Unless the ejected individual requests a hearing, the league officers will elect to conduct or not conduct a hearing and vote on the question of suspension. Suspension shall be served as specifically directed by the league officers.

· Managers should assist umpires in keeping parents and fans from behind the backstop. Cheering by players should be directed to their teammates and not the other team. Cheering or talking by the catcher during the pitch is not allowed.

· Managers are reminded that they may be permanently removed for just cause after a fair hearing and with a majority vote of the league officers.

· The person or persons ejected from the game has 5 minutes to leave the field or park.

Five Star Softball 12U Rules
Modified 03/05/2009

Printable: Adobe PDF

The National Federation of State High School Association's Rule Book will be the source of regulations governing play. However, these special rules override those rules when/if there is a conflict of rules.

General Rules

1. Diamond Dimensions

· Bases = 60 Feet

· Pitcher’s Plate = 40 Feet

2. Game length = 6 Innings

3. An orange safety base is required at 1^st base.

4. A 12” non-padded yellow softball will be used.

5. Batting helmets must include a mask.

6. Line-ups should be exchanged 10 minutes prior to start time.

9. The home team manager is responsible for setting up the diamond including the bases and the pitching rubber.

10. The home team is the official scorekeeper and will occupy the third base dugout. It is recommended that after each inning that both teams check scores with each other.

11. A starting lineup should consist of 9 players but teams may play with 8 players.

12. If a team has less than 8 players to start or at any time during the game then they will forfeit the game.

13. Calls ups from the 10U level are allowed but the call up player may not pitch, must bat at the end of the order, and can not play more defensive innings than a player on the roster. Call up players must wear their own team’s uniform.

14. All players must play a minimum of 3 defensive innings.

15. There will be no penalty for line-up scratches due to illness, injury or other absence.

16. Players arriving late may be added to end of the batting order. Players arriving after the last batter in the batting order has batted may not play.

17. Home team to supply two game balls, one new ball and one in good condition.

18. Home team is responsible for rescheduling cancelled or postponed games.

19. Unless otherwise noted, all games begin at 6:00 P.M.

20. No full inning can be started later than 7:45 P.M. You can finish an inning, but you cannot start a new inning (8:00 P.M. after May 31st).

21. Games on weekends and under the lights are TBA.

22. Forfeit time is 15 minutes after the scheduled start time.

23. All forfeited games will be scored 7-0.

24. Games under the lights, or weekend day games that do not have a game following, do not have a time limit and will be played until completed.

25. If a game has a 2 hour time limit then no new inning may be started after 1 hour and 45 minutes.

26. Only umpires may call a time out during a game. Only managers, field coaches, and players in the game may request a time out.

27. Only managers may discuss rules or decisions with the umpires (no coaches). All decisions by the umpire are final and no appeals or protest will be allowed.

28. 4 innings constitutes a complete game (3 ½ innings if the home team is winning). A game called after 4 complete innings, or 3 ½ innings if the home team is winning, will not be replayed or continued unless the game is tied.

29. Incomplete games will be restarted from the end of the last completed half inning. Umpires judgment shall be used to suspend the game. If the game cannot be rescheduled then it will be recorded as a tie.

30. No lead offs are allowed. Runners must wait for the ball to leave the pitcher’s hand before leaving their base. If a runner leaves early, she will be called out. If runner leaves early and the ball is hit, then the runner who left early will be called out and the batter will be allowed the number of bases they have advanced.

31. Stealing home is allowed.

32. Stealing after a walk is allowed. Once the player rounds first, she must continue to the next base until a play is made on her. If she doesn’t continue, the umpire will call her out.

33. The batter may advance to 1^st base on a dropped third strike when first base is unoccupied or when there are 2 outs.

34. A courtesy runner is mandatory for the catcher if she is on base and there are 2 outs. The courtesy runner must be the last player to be called out in the inning.

35. Intentional walks are not allowed.

36. The infield fly rule applies whenever there are runners on first and second (or all three bases) with less than two outs and the batter hits a fly ball (not a line drive or bunt) into fair territory which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort. The umpire must invoke the rule - if no umpire calls "infield fly," the rule is not invoked. It is a judgment call.

37. A continuous batting order will be used.

38. Bunting is allowed.

39. Fake bunting and swinging is illegal. A batter will be called out if she fakes a bunt and then swings away. A player may fake a bunt and pull the bat back.

40. A six run maximum per half inning rule will apply except for the last inning.

41. The last inning will be unlimited runs. This includes innings that are called the last inning due to light or time limits.

42. The last inning may be called prior to the sixth inning and must be called prior to the start of the inning. The umpire may call an inning the last inning if he/she believes that another inning will not be started due to time constraints.

43. A slaughter rule is in effect. If after 4 innings (3 1/2 if the home team is ahead), one team has a lead of 15 runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs must concede the victory to the opposing team. If a team takes a lead of larger than 15 runs in the top of an inning (after the fourth inning) then the home team will get to bat in the bottom of the inning.

44. Base runners will be awarded one base on an overthrow into unplayable territory.

45. Umpire conference will always be with both managers.

47. There will be a time limit of 90 seconds between half innings. Once the final out of the half inning is made, the next pitch must be made no more than 90 seconds later.

Pitching Rules

· Pitcher must start with both feet on pitcher’s plate.

· Pitcher may take one foot off pitcher’s plate with pitch and may drag one foot.

· Pitcher must use windmill and may not step back off of pitcher’s plate.

· Sling shot or side arm pitching is not allowed

· No player may pitch more than 4 innings in any one game and only the starting pitcher may return to a game. One pitch constitutes an inning.

· If a pitcher hits three batters in one inning then she must be pulled but may return the next inning.

· If a pitcher hits five batters in a game then she must be pulled and may not return as a pitcher for the rest of the game.

· If a manager goes to the mound twice in one inning or a third time during the pitcher’s stay on the mound, the pitcher must be removed.

· A pitcher shall have 5 warm-up pitches between innings. A new or relief pitcher will receive 8 pitches.

Participant and Fan Conduct

· Managers are reminded that they may be permanently removed for just cause after a fair hearing and with a majority vote of the league officers.

· The person or persons ejected from the game has 5 minutes to leave the field or park.

Five Star Softball 15U Rules
Modified 3/05/2009

Printable: Adobe PDF

The National Federation of State High School Association's Rule Book will be the source of regulations governing play. However, these special rules override those rules when/if there is a conflict of rules.

General Rules

1. Diamond Dimensions

· Bases = 60 Feet

· Pitcher’s Plate = 40 Feet

2. Game length = 7 Innings

3. An orange safety base is required at 1^st base.

4. A 12” non-padded yellow softball will be used.

5. Batting helmets must include a mask.

6. Line-ups should be exchanged 10 minutes prior to start time.

9. The home team manager is responsible for setting up the diamond including the bases and the pitching rubber.

10. The home team is the official scorekeeper and will occupy the third base dugout. It is recommended that after each inning that both teams check scores with each other.

11. A starting lineup should consist of 9 players but teams may play with 8 players.

12. If a team has less than 8 players to start or at any time during the game then they will forfeit the game.

13. Calls ups from the 12U level are allowed but the call up player may not pitch, must bat at the end of the order, and can not play more defensive innings than a player on the roster. Call up players must wear their own team’s uniform.

14. All players must play a minimum of 3 defensive innings.

15. There will be no penalty for line-up scratches due to illness, injury or other absence.

16. Players arriving late may be added to end of the batting order. Players arriving after the last batter in the batting order has batted may not play.

17. Home team to supply two game balls, one new ball and one in good condition.

18. Home team is responsible for rescheduling cancelled or postponed games.

19. Unless otherwise noted, all games begin at 6:00 P.M.

20. No full inning can be started later than 7:45 P.M. You can finish an inning, but you cannot start a new inning (8:00 P.M. after May 31st).

21. Games on weekends and under the lights are TBA.

22. Forfeit time is 15 minutes after the scheduled start time.

23. All forfeited games will be scored 7-0.

24. Games under the lights, or weekend day games that do not have a game following, do not have a time limit and will be played until completed.

25. If a game has a 2 hour time limit then no new inning may be started after 1 hour and 45 minutes.

26. Only umpires may call a time out during a game. Only managers, field coaches, and players in the game may request a time out.

27. Only managers may discuss rules or decisions with the umpires (no coaches). All decisions by the umpire are final and no appeals or protest will be allowed.

28. 5 innings constitutes a complete game (4 ½ innings if the home team is winning). A game called after 5 complete innings, or 4 ½ innings if the home team is winning, will not be replayed or continued unless the game is tied.

31. Stealing home is allowed.

32. Stealing after a walk is allowed. Once the player rounds first, she must continue to the next base until a play is made on her. If she doesn’t continue, the umpire will call her out.

33. The batter may advance to 1^st base on a dropped third strike when first base is unoccupied or when there are 2 outs.

34. A courtesy runner is mandatory for the catcher if she is on base and there are 2 outs. The courtesy runner must be the last player to be called out in the inning.

35. Intentional walks are allowed but the batter must be pitched to.

37. A continuous batting order will be used.

38. Bunting is allowed.

39. Fake bunting and swinging is illegal. A batter will be called out if she fakes a bunt and then swings away. A player may fake a bunt and pull the bat back.

40. A six run maximum per half inning rule will apply except for the last inning.

41. The last inning will be unlimited runs. This includes innings that are called the last inning due to light or time limits.

42. The last inning may be called prior to the seventh inning and must be called prior to the start of the inning. The umpire may call an inning the last inning if he/she believes that another inning will not be started due to time constraints.

44. Base runners will be awarded one base on an overthrow into unplayable territory.

45. Umpire conference will always be with both managers.

47. There will be a time limit of 90 seconds between half innings. Once the final out of the half inning is made, the next pitch must be made no more than 90 seconds later.

48. 15 year old girls who played on a high school team may participate when their high school season is complete but they are not permitted to pitch.

Pitching Rules

· Pitcher must start with both feet on pitcher’s plate.

· Pitcher may take one foot off pitcher’s plate with pitch and may drag one foot.

· Pitcher must use windmill and may not step back off of pitcher’s plate.

· Sling shot or side arm pitching is not allowed

· No player may pitch more than 4 innings in any one game and only the starting pitcher may return to a game. One pitch constitutes an inning.

· If a pitcher hits three batters in one inning then she must be pulled but may return the next inning.

· If a pitcher hits five batters in a game then she must be pulled and may not return as a pitcher for the rest of the game.

· An illegal pitch will be ruled a ball unless the batter swings at the pitch. No base advancement will be allowed on an illegal pitch that is not hit.

· If a manager goes to the mound twice in one inning or a third time during the pitcher’s stay on the mound, the pitcher must be removed.

· A pitcher shall have 5 warm-up pitches between innings. A new or relief pitcher will receive 8 pitches.

Participant and Fan Conduct

· The manager is responsible for the conduct of his or her team and fans. No taunting of opposing team players will be allowed. The umpire may eject a player, coach, manager, or spectator from the game. Ejection from the game is interpreted by the league officers as "conduct detrimental to the best interest of the players and the league". The ejected individual is subject to suspension for 1 or more games as voted by the league officers. Unless the ejected individual requests a hearing, the league officers will elect to conduct or not conduct a hearing and vote on the question of suspension. Suspension shall be served as specifically directed by the league officers.

· Managers are reminded that they may be permanently removed for just cause after a fair hearing and with a majority vote of the league officers.

· The person or persons ejected from the game has 5 minutes to leave the field or park.

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Girls Softball Rules

Updated 03/05/09

10U 12U 15U

*Updated 0**3/05/09*