2008 ODGSL PLAYING RULES .

Printable .pdf file of 2008 Fall Ball Rules Addendum

 

Printable .pdf file of 2008 Playing Rules

 

ODGSL 2008 Fall Ball Rules Supplement

 

1.     General Rules

·         If a rule is not addressed below, then Spring OGDSL rules apply.  Beyond that, Babe Ruth rules govern for fast-pitch and USSSA rules govern for slow-pitch. Several standard items are listed from the Spring 2007 Rules for convenience.

 

2.     Rosters

        ·         Players may be added to rosters at any time throughout the
     season.

·         Teams may pick up any ODGSL player registered for the 2008 Fall season in their age group or lower. No picked up player can play if a team has 10 (9 for 16U) players present from their current roster.  Players picked up from other teams cannot pitch or catch.

 

3.     Playing Rules

      Fast Pitch Divisions

·         Teams must field at least seven (7) players to play. 

·         In 12U & 16U, home team furnishes a playable 12” ball.  In 8U & 10U, home team furnishes a playable 11” ball.

·         All teams will bat a continuous batting order and have free defensive substitution.

·         Catchers are required to wear helmet, chest protector and shin guards.

·         There is no limit on how much a pitcher can pitch – see 10U exception below.

·         In 10U & 12U, a base runner can not leave the base until pitch crosses the plate.

·         In 8U, 10U and 12U, a team may use ten (10) players in the field.

·         Bunting is allowed in all divisions.

 

8U Machine Pitch Only – Umpires

·         All rules pertaining to the 8U Division from the Spring 2008 season shall apply with one modification:
There will be no paid umpire for the fall season. If a qualified volunteer (based on coaches’ opinions) can not be agreed upon to serve as umpire, then a coach of the team on the field will serve as umpire for each half inning. This coach will not be allowed to coach the girls just as the offensive coach feeding the pitching machine can not coach his/her girls.

 

10U Only – Pitching Rules

·         The pitching rule will be the same as in the spring season.

·         Stealing rules from Spring season shall apply, even if coach is pitching.

 

12U Only – Umpires

·         One paid umpire will be supplied and either a volunteer or a defensive coach (as with 8U) will serve as the base umpire. If it is a defensive coach, then each half inning it will switch. If a qualified volunteer is used they will handle the entire game.

 

4.     Pitching/Base Distances:

·         Rookie 8U Machine Pitch & 10U Fast Pitch:        35’/60’

·         12U & 16U Fast Pitch:                                        40'/60'’

 

5.     Game Length/ Run Limit

·         8U Machine Pitch:    No new inning after 65 minutes or 6 innings/ 6 run per inning limit

·         16U:                        No new inning after 75 minutes or 7 innings/ 6 run per inning limit

·         All others:                No new inning after 75 minutes or 6 innings/ 6 run per inning limit

 

6.     Rainouts/Make-ups

·         Field rep will determine if field is playable due to weather or field conditions and will update the ODGSL hotline at least 2 hours before start of 1st game.  Beyond that, decision will be made by the umpire or field worker on site.

·         Make-ups are automatically scheduled for the following Saturday at the same field, 3 hours earlier than scheduled start time.

·         No standings will be kept in Fall Ball.

                         

7.     Slaughter Rule

·         16U:                                      13 ahead after 5 innings

·         All others:                             13 ahead after 4 innings

 

 

ODGSL 2008 Playing Rules

1.      The following rules govern all play for the Old Dominion Girls Softball League. For all fast-pitch divisions (8U machine, 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U) any rule not covered will follow the official Babe Ruth Softball Rule Book.  For all other divisions, any rule not covered will follow the official USSSA Rule Book. 

2.      Rosters – Before any player is eligible to play, Article VIII of the ODGSL By-Laws must be complied with. (A copy of the By-laws is available upon request).  

A.        Rosters must be turned into the League Commissioner prior to the opening of the regular season.

B.         Associations must be able to provide proof of age for all players upon request.

C.        No player can be added to a team roster after the team has played half of its regular season games.

D.        All roster additions must be reported to the League Commissioner before the player is allowed to participate in a game. Failure to do this will result in forfeiture of all games in which that player has participated.

E.         Players may play on multiple rosters, but not within the same division. 

3.      Playing Rules –

Fast-Pitch 

A.        All divisions will use an all-inclusive batting order (all players present bat) and have free defensive substitutions.

B.         There will be no slaughter rule in any division.

C.        In the event of a tie-game, and there is a game to follow, new innings will be played if at least 5 minutes playing time remains per rule #7.  If there is no game following and regulation time has expired, one extra inning will be played unless both coaches agree otherwise.

D.        For all divisions, no player may sit out more than one consecutive defensive inning unless injured.

E.         A courtesy runner may be used at any time for the pitcher or catcher of record (i.e., the pitcher or catcher who pitched/caught the previous defensive inning, except in the top of the first inning). The courtesy runner will be the preceding batter in the line-up who is not on base.

F.         8U Machine, 10U and 12U teams may play with 10 players (4 outfielders).  The outfielders must be positioned in the outfield grass or at least 12 feet behind the baselines – whichever is closer to home.

G.        For 10U, stealing of second and third base will be allowed.  A base runner on first or second base must remain in contact with base until the pitch has crossed the plate and then may attempt to steal second or third base.  The runner attempting to steal can advance no farther than one base regardless of any overthrows or errors that occur during the steal attempt. At no time shall a runner be allowed to steal home base.

H.        10U and 12U pitchers will be allowed to pitch only 10 innings per week (Monday through Sunday). There is no limit on the number of innings a pitcher may pitch per week in 14U, 16U or 18U.

I.          Batters in all divisions will have unlimited 3rd strike fouls.

J.          10U Coach Pitch Rule

1)      No more than four (4) walks can occur in any ½ inning.

2)      Once there have been four (4) walks, anytime the count reaches four (4) balls, an offensive coach will enter the game to pitch to that batter.

3)      The offensive coach will inherit the count and have the number of remaining strikes as his/her pitch count. If the count is 4 balls/2 strikes, the coach has 1 pitch; if the count is 4 balls/1 strike, the coach has 2 pitches; if the count is 4 balls/0 strikes, the coach has 3 pitches.

4)      If the batter fails to put the ball in play within the number of pitches the coach has, then an out will be declared.

5)      A batter will still have unlimited 3rd strike fouls.

6)      Once the coach finishes pitching to the batter, the player/pitcher will pitch to the next batter in the line-up and will continue to do so until another 4-ball count occurs at which time the offensive coach would again enter the game.

7)      The offensive coach will be required to maintain contact with 35’ pitching rubber and will be required to deliver the pitch in a normal delivery method.

8)      The offensive coach shall make every effort to remove him/herself from the field of play once a pitched ball is put into play unless in doing so they would interfere with a defensive play.

9)      If, in the umpire’s judgment, the offensive coach interferes with a defensive player making a play, an out may be called. Such a call shall not be subject to protest.

10)  If a ball strikes an offensive coach who has made an effort to avoid contact in the umpire’s judgment, a dead ball shall be called and the pitch will be taken over. Such a call shall not be subject to protest. 

Slow-Pitch

A.                 All divisions will use an all-inclusive batting order (all players present bat) and have free defensive substitutions.

B.                 No slaughter rule in any division.

C.                 For all divisions, no player may sit out more than one consecutive defensive inning unless injured.

D.                 Intentionally rolling the ball on the field is prohibited.

E.                  In the event of a tie-game, and there is a game to follow, new innings will be played if at least 5 minutes remain. Playing time remains per rule #7. If there is no following game and regulation time has expired, one extra inning will be played unless both coaches agree otherwise.

F.                  Batters in all divisions, except in the Junior and Senior divisions, will have unlimited 3rd strike fouls.  For Junior/Senior divisions, after the 2nd strike, the batter may have 1 foul ball. A second foul ball hit after two strikes will result in a strike-out being called.

4.      Forfeit/Pull-ups –

A.        14U, 16U & 18U fast-pitch teams must start with at minimum of seven (7) players or forfeit. In all other divisions, a team must start with a minimum of eight (8) players or forfeit.

B.         There will be a 10-minute grace period for the first game ONLY. However, the game clock will start at the regularly scheduled time.  Playing of the game will begin as soon as both teams have at least 8/7 players and will end as if the game started on time.

C.        When playing short-handed (less than 9 for 14U, 16U & 18U fast-pitch or less than 10 for all other divisions), or when an injury occurs and a player must leave the game, or a player leaves the game for any other reason, a team does not have to take an out when the missed player(s) turn in the batting order is reached.  However, if the player leaving the game (for whatever reason) causes the team to fall below the minimum number of players required to start a game, then an out WILL be taken for that player.

D.        EXCEPTION: When a player is ejected, an out will be taken when their spot in the batting order is reached.

E.         If a team is reduced to a number of players below the minimum as the result of an ejection, then the team will forfeit the game.

F          A maximum of three (3) players from within your own Local Association may be ‘pulled up’ from the next lower age division to prevent forfeiture of a game. A 14U, 16U or 18U team with 8 players may draw 1; a team with 7 players may draw 2, and a team with 6 or fewer players may draw 3. In all other divisions teams with 9 players may draw 1, teams with 8 players may draw 2, and teams with 7 or fewer players may draw 3. If a 14U, 16U or 18U team has 9 or more players, or a team in any other division has 10 or more players present from their regular team, NO pull-ups can be used.  The use of pull-ups is OPTIONAL. For 12U, 14U and 16U fast-pitch, only players from other fast-pitch teams are eligible to be pulled up. For 10U fast-pitch, 8U Machine players may be pulled up. Senior division teams may pull up from two (2) lower divisions. For 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U fast-pitch divisions, pull-ups will not be allowed to pitch or catch.

G.                 All pull-ups must wear the uniforms of their original team so as to distinguish them from the regular team member.

H.                 Because we have the “pull up” rule it is encouraged that a team suffer no more than one (1) forfeit per season. If a second forfeit occurs, the team or its association shall be required to pay a $25.00 fine to the association of its opponent for the inconvenience of the forfeit. The forfeiting team or its association will have the opportunity to appeal the fine to the full ODGSL board at its next regularly scheduled board meeting and if it is determined by the full board that extraordinary circumstances existed for the forfeit, then the fine will be removed. 

5.       Equipment – 

A.        All Catchers in all fast-pitch divisions (including 8U machine) must wear a mask and helmet, hard shin guards and chest protectors. Catchers in all other divisions must wear a mask and helmet and a chest protector.

B.         In all divisions, all offensive players must wear a helmet with a face guard at all times. This includes batters, on-deck batters, runners and all youth base coaches.

C.        For 18U, 16U, 14U and 12U fast-pitch games, the Home teams must furnish one new and one playable 12” COR .47 optic yellow softball.  For all other games, the Home teams must furnish one new and one playable 11” COR .47 softball.  It is recommended that these be optic yellow as well.

6.      Ages –

A.                 The ‘League Age’ of a player is her age, in years, on December 31st of the previous year.



  •   6U 8U Mach 10U SP 10U FP 12U FP 14U,16U 18U FP 15U/19U SP 12U SP
    Pitching Distance Any 35’ 35’ 35” 40’ 40’ 50’ 40’
    Base Distance 55’ 60’ 60’  60’  60’  60’  65’  60’
    Time Limit * 75 Min 75 Min 75 Min  90 Min  90 Min  90 Min  60
    Min    		  65 Min
    Run Limit ** N/A 6 6  6  6  6  6  6
    Infield Fly No No No  No  Yes Yes   Yes  Yes
    Innings 6 6 6  6  6  7  7  6
    Regulation Game 3.5
    or 4
    		 3.5
    or 4
    		 3.5 or 4  3.5 or 4  3.5 or 4  4.5
    or 5    		  4.5
    or 5    		  3.5 or 4


    * NO NEW INNING CAN START AFTER THE TIME INDICATED
    * * THIS IS THE RUN LIMIT PER EACH HALF INNING

    •  

    3.      Division Commissioner Duties– 

    A.                 Rescheduling any postponed game. Division Commissioners will have the final word with respect to when the game will be played. Every effort will be made to reschedule games on the Home team’s field. Any team not showing shall forfeit. If both teams fail to attend, that game will be canceled.

    B.                 Coordination of Umpires for rescheduling games.

    C.                 Recording League standings, wins, and losses within the division.

    D.                 Wins = 2 points, Ties = 1 point, Losses = 0 points

    4.      Game Rescheduling– 

    A.                 All games will be played as scheduled with the following exceptions:

    ·     Failure of an official umpire to show.  In this case, the game may be played if both coaches agree to play with a non-sanctioned umpire.  If the coaches so agree, and the game commences, the coaches are honor-bound to complete the game. Any game played with a non-sanctioned umpire is not subject to protest. Failure of an umpire to show shall be made known to the Division or League Commissioner.

    ·     Rain or other natural condition that makes the field unsuitable for play.

    B.                 The League rain out policy is as follows:

    ·     Make up games will be played on the first available dates following the rain out.

    ·     Depending on field availability, make up games may be played on any day of the week.

    ·     Consideration to schedule on the Home team field will be primary. However, consolidation of teams may be necessary to facilitate umpires and may preclude use of the scheduled Home Team field.

    C.        The Division Commissioner’s decision on make up place, time, and date will be final.

    D.        All postponed games must be made up prior to the Division Tournament. Should the games be unable to be played, the records of any affected teams shall remain unchanged in the final standings.  

    5.      Scores– 

    A.        All scores are to be reported to the Division Commissioner within 48 hours by the winning coach.

    B.         Failure to comply will result in disciplinary action.  

    6.      Flip/Flop Rule – 

    A.        A team ahead by more than the maximum runs allowed per inning will allow the opposing team to bat consecutive times. The following provisions will apply:

    ·     The team ahead will be declared the winner of the game.

    ·     The Winning team will remain on defense.  The Losing team will remain on offense, the bases will be cleared, and a new half inning will begin with no outs.

    ·     The decision to flip/flop will be that of the Losing coach only.  The Winning coach must comply.

    ·     The game is over when time expires.  

    7.      Player Injury – 

    A.        An injured player who cannot continue will be allowed to leave the game. No out will be taken when that player’s turn in the batting rotation is reached.

    B.         The injured player will not be allowed to return for the remainder of the half inning in which she was injured plus the next full inning.  EXCEPTION:  If the player leaves the game due to an illness or being over-heated, she will not be allowed to return for the remainder of the game.

    C.        A runner injured on the base paths can be replaced with the most recent batter in the line-up who is not on base.

    D.        No forfeit will be taken should injury or illness reduce a team below the minimum 7 players (14U, 16U or 18U) or 8 players (all other divisions).  

    8.      Uniforms – 

    A.        Teams are required to wear like uniforms of matching color that are individually numbered. The exception will be pull-ups who will wear their regular uniforms.  

    9.      Tie Breaker Format – 

    A.        For all divisions except Junior and Senior, the following will be used to determine first and second place regular season standings. No tiebreaker games will be played.  If the tie is not broken, then Co-Champions will be declared for the regular season. The following will be also be used to determine seeding for the Division Tournament in all divisions. If the tie for seeding cannot be broken, then a coin flip will be used.  

    i.                     Two teams: Head-to-head record. 

    ii.                   3 or more teams: Combined Head-to-head record of all tied teams only if all teams have played each other. 

    B.         Junior/Senior Division: If 2 teams are tied at the end of the season, including head-to-head, the next tie-breaker will be a best-2-out-of-3 series on the next regular play-night. If 3 or more teams are tied at the end of the season, Co-Champions will be declared.  

    10.  Charged Conferences – 

    A.                 The second defensive conferences in an inning will require that pitcher to be replaced as pitcher for the remainder of that inning. Note: entering the field for an injured player does not constitute a charged conference.  

    11.  Protests –

    A.                 Protests must be made known immediately to the game umpire and opposing coach as to the nature of the protest. The League President or Commissioner must be notified of the protest within 48 hours of the game and a written protest must be submitted to the Board of Directors accompanied by a $20 non-refundable fee. The Board will rule on all protests in a timely manner.

    B.                 Protests involving umpire judgment will not be heard. Protests involving judgment calls will automatically be dismissed and not heard by the Board.

    C.                 When the board rules on a protest and they determine that there was an incorrect interpretation of a rule, whether a local rule or otherwise, the game shall be replayed from the point the incorrect ruling or play occurred without giving any consideration to what effect it may have had on the remainder of the game or the outcome of the game.

    D.                 All Board decisions will be final.

    E.                  Any game played using a non-sanctioned umpire is not subject to protest. 

    12.  Lightning Rule–

    A.                 If, during a game, lightning is sighted by an umpire or coach, regardless of the estimated distance, the umpire will immediately clear the field for a period of 10 minutes. (Time to be recorded in the scorebooks.) Should lightning be sighted during the 10-minute delay, a new 10-minute waiting period begins. If lightning is sighted anytime after the first five minutes of the second waiting period, the game will be suspended unless considered a complete game. Subsequent games will be handled in the same manner based on their scheduled start times. At complexes with multiple fields, play will be stopped on all fields when lightening is sighted at any one field.

    INSTRUCTIONAL DIVISION

    Rules Supplement

    1)         A half inning is over when 6 players have batted.

    2)         Pitching and batting:

    A.        Coach may pitch from any distance.

    B.         The offensive coach or his/her designee (pitcher-coach) shall deliver no more than three pitches to each of his/her batters. Any pitch in the strike zone and not swung on, swung on and missed, or hit into foul territory shall be called a strike. If the ball is not put into play after two strikes or three pitches, the batter shall be given the opportunity to put the ball into play by hitting off a tee.

    C.        The batter shall have an unlimited number of opportunities to put the ball fairly into play.

    D.        No walks shall be granted.

    E.         Any hit ball that strikes the pitcher-coach shall be declared a dead ball and will be ruled as if it were foul.

    3)         Defense:

    A.        No defensive players shall be positioned closer than 30' to the batter before the ball is hit.

    B.         Only six defensive players (including the catcher) can be positioned inside the base paths/infield until the ball is hit.

    C.        Up to 3 defensive coaches may be stationed on the playing field in order to guide and direct the defense. The defensive coaches are not allowed to touch a player or the ball while it is in play. This constitutes interference and all runners will be ruled safe.

    D.        The home team must supply an adult volunteer to serve as an umpire.


     

    8U MACHINE PITCH SUPPLEMENT

     

    A.        The defense will consist of ten (10) players, to include four (4) outfielders as in the 10U and 12U divisions. The defensive pitcher will be placed to the right or left of the pitching machine with at least one foot inside the 8-foot circle around the pitching rubber.

    B.         The pitching machine will be placed at a distance of 35 ft from home plate and set at a speed of 30 mph, as measured on the machine’s digital speed dial. If the pitching machine does not have a working digital speed dial measuring MPH then a speed/radar gun may be used to set the speed of the machine. The machine may be adjusted during an at-bat if necessary in the opinion of the umpire for fair play.

    C.        An offensive coach will feed the balls into the pitching machine and the umpire will be stationed behind home plate. The coach feeding the machine will not be allowed to make any adjustment to the machine during the ½ inning unless directed to do so by an umpire. Under NO circumstances is the coach allowed to communicate either verbally or non-verbally will the offensive players on the field.

    D.        Since a player is not actually pitching at this age level there are no “pitching” limitations for anyone playing this defensive position.

    E.         If a batted ball hits the pitching machine or field umpire, the ball will be declared dead and the batter will be awarded 1st base.  Only if forced, will any base runner advance and if they are forced they advance one base only.

    F.         If a thrown ball hits the pitching machine or field umpire, the ball will remain live unless the ball remains near the pitching machine and retrieving it would be a safety concern in the umpire’s opinion.  If that is the case, the umpire will call time and award bases as outlined in item “H” below.

    G.        There are no balls and strikes called in this division. Each batter will be given a maximum of five (5) pitches to try to hit the ball into play. If the ball has not been hit into play after 5 pitches then the batter is out. EXCEPTION: If the batter fouls off the fifth pitch, she will continue to receive pitches until she hits one fair or misses the pitch.

    H.        Time will be called when the defense stops the lead or the runners have abandoned their attempt to advance. Any runner who has not advanced more than the halfway point (30 ft) when time is called will return to the previous base. THIS IS AN UMPIRE’S JUDGMENT CALL.

    I.          The rulebook will govern overthrows that go into a dead ball area (two (2) bases at the time of the throw). On an overthrow that does not go into a dead ball area, the ball will remain alive and all runners may advance with the liability of being put out. The runner being played on may advance a maximum of one base beyond the base where the initial overthrow was made. All other runners may advance a maximum of one base beyond the base they were heading to at the time of the overthrow. Any runner who advances further then the maximum they are allowed could be put out. IF NOT PUT OUT, THEN THE RUNNER WOULD BE RETURNED TO THAT ‘MAXIMUM’ BASE. There will only be one ‘overthrow’ per play. 

    EXAMPLE:  With a runner on second, a ground ball hit to the shortstop is thrown past the first baseman and remains in play. The batter/runner may attempt to advance to second base only but could be out if they tag her out before she gets there. The runner who started the play at second base can advance home but is also subject to being put out if a play is made on her at home. If the batter/runner advances past second base and is tagged out, the out stands. If she gets to third or home without being put out, she would be returned to 2nd base. If a play is made on the batter/runner advancing to second base or beyond and the throw is an overthrow, the play is dead and she is returned to 2nd base.

    J.          Bunting and slap hitting are allowed. There is no restriction on the position of the infielders prior to the pitch other than the pitcher being required to have one foot inside the circle.

    K.        To assist with the flow of the game (and with agreement from both managers and the umpire), a defensive coach may be positioned at the backstop to assist the catcher in returning the pitched ball. Under NO circumstances is the coach allowed to communicate either verbally or non-verbally will the defensive players on the field.

    L.         For any rules or information not covered above please refer to the 10U Babe Ruth Tournament Rules.