CYBSA Softball General Rules

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CYBSA Softball General Rules 1) Age determination is January 1st of that year 2) The home team Head Coach will be responsible for having the field ready (bases out, field lined, pitching machine set up, etc.). The second game the home team Head Coach will be responsible to put everything away and rake the infield dirt. 3) EACH AND EVERY TEAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PICKING UP TRASH IN AND AROUND THEIR DUGOUT AND BLEACHERS AFTER EVERY GAME. 4) If two games are scheduled on the field no inning will start later than 1 hour 20 minutes from the scheduled starting time of the game. Exception – if no game is scheduled after game being played, no new inning with start later than 1 hour 30 minutes from starting time. 5) Teams must be ready to play no later than 10 minutes past the scheduled game time or it will be considered a forfeit. Coaches may agree to still play but must exit the playing field 10 minutes prior to start of the next game. 6) Length of regular games: a. 8U (6 innings or time limit) 10U (6 innings or time limit) 12U (6 innings or time limit) 14U (7 innings or time limit) b. Double Headers 8U (two (4) inning games or time limit) 10U (two (5) inning games or time limit)-second game no live pitch 12U (two (5) inning games or time limit) 14U (two (5) inning games or time limit) 7) Mercy Run Rule: The game will be over if one team is ahead by 15 runs after four (4) innings (3 ½ innings if home team is ahead), 10 runs after five (5) innings (4 ½ innings if home team is ahead), or a 20 run lead at any point during the game. 8) Home team will use the third base dugout and will be the official scorebook. 9) Each Head Coach will hand in a line-up card to the umpire and opposing coach prior to the start of the game. All players, substitutes and their numbers must be listed on the card. Late players may be added to the line-up at any time, but must be added to the end of the batting order. If a player is being disciplined (according to league rules) they will not be listed on the line-up card. However, the opposing Head Coach must be notified before the start of the game. Second game line-up must be handed in 5 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the game. 10) An official game may be played with eight players. a. If a team starts with 9 players and a player leaves due to injury and is unable to bat, their position in the batting order will be skipped without penalty as long as eight (8) players remain. 11) All players on the roster will bat. 12) When a change is made (subs, courtesy runner, etc.) the opposing Head Coach must be notified as well as the umpire. 13) A starting player who has been removed for a substitute may re-enter the game provided: the substitute has played their two (2) complete innings. Exception: In case of an injury, which would force a team to only field eight (8) players, a substitute may re-enter the game in the injured player’s batting order. Page 1 of 3

Updated 4/23/17

14) All players shall play a minimum of at least two innings per game. All players shall play two (2) complete games per season. In divisions where rosters only contain one or two players over the limit you are allowed to play in the field, we would expect a lot more playing time than the minimum. Please work hard at this. 15) All subs should enter the game at the start of the third inning whether offense or defense. Failure to follow this rule will result in a forfeit. This could result in loss of coaching privileges in the future. 16) Unlimited substitution of players is allowed (with the exception of the pitcher), but the original batting order shall be followed. a. When a change is made (subs, courtesy runner, etc.) the opposing Head Coach must be notified as well as the umpire. 17) A courtesy runner may be used for the catcher to speed up the game. It must be done by: a. The player making the last recorded out 18) All players shall remain on the bench during the game and equipment out of the field of play. 19) Catchers must wear catcher’s mask with helmet, chest protector, shin guards, and a throat protector is required. 20) Coaches will perform a bat check prior to the start of the game. Any defective bat may not be used. Any bat bearing “official softball” bat by the manufacturer, shall be considered legal. 21) Foul and/or abusive language and unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated. It is the umpire’s responsibility to remove any player, coach or fan in violation. 22) Umpires will only give one team warning in regards to thrown bats or helmets. Once this warning has been given the next infraction will result in the following: Thrown bat or helmet, the player is out. Bench warnings or flagrant infraction will result in immediate ejection. 23) Pitching machine adjustment should be at the top of an inning or any time in the game if both coaches agree. 24) All protest will be handled on the field and resolved before play resumes. 25) A Head Coach, assistant, or player arguing an umpire’s decision other than a rule interpretation shall receive one warning. a. If the arguing continues, they will be asked to leave, and play will stop. b. If they do not leave within 10 minutes, the game will end in that team forfeiting (This rule applies to spectators as well). 26) All equipment and players shall remain in the dugout with the exception of base/field coaches and the on deck batter. 27) Safety bases (If in use): Infield hit ball – batter/runner must tag the safety (orange) bag. Failure to do so will be an out. 1st baseman covering must tag the white bag on infield play; tagging the orange will result in an interference call and the batter/runner will be safe. Exception: an errant throw pulling the 1st baseman into foul territory, the baseman may then touch the orange bag. 28) Over throws that go into dead ball territory, the runners are awarded the base they are going to at the time of the release of the ball plus one additional base. Agree on dead ball territory before the start of every game with coaches and umpires. 29) The Head Coach shall promote the growth of pitchers and catchers, as well as the game of softball. The Head Coach shall give younger players opportunities to play these skilled positions. a. Each Head Coach should allow at least two innings per game to give the lower age group in each division the opportunity to gain experience. This will assure that experienced players will be there when the older age group of each division moves up. This pertains to every division. Page 2 of 3

Updated 4/23/17

30) No head first sliding is allowed into any base, if a player slides headfirst it will result in an automatic out (unless otherwise noted). a. Only exception, diving back to the base. b. If a play is being made on a runner, they must attempt to slide or they will be called out (umpire’s discretion). 31) There will be a 5 run rule per inning in 8U, 10U and 12U divisions and unlimited play in 14U. A 10 run rule is in effect after 4 innings. Last inning is the unlimited inning for the previously mentioned divisions. 32) Only the Softball Director or League President can cancel a game. a. Games may be postponed for inclement weather or poor field conditions. An attempt will be made to make-up canceled games as schedule permits. b. When lightning is observed and the game is suspended, players shall not return to the playing field until lightning has been absent from the local sky for 30 minutes. c. It will be the home teams responsibility to schedule make-up games including arrangements for umpires d. Please advise the Softball Director of these changes 33) No smoking, use of tobacco products, or e-cigarettes or other devices containing tobacco will be allowed on the premises. 34) Each division that uses a machine to play, will be assigned its own pitching machine. This machine is to be used by that division on the designated fields they are scheduled on. Please make sure you have the correct machine before you wheel it out. 35) Any division using a pitching machine-The pitcher will stand on the left side of the machine and even with it until the ball crosses home plate. 36) All players will wear official team uniform (i.e. hat/visor if applicable, shirt given by the league). Shoes must be tennis, oxford, or rubber cleats. No metal cleats (unless otherwise noted in division rules), loafers, or loose fitting shoes will be allowed. All shirts will be tucked into pants. Shirts must be worn in condition that they were presented to athlete. If a player chooses to cut the shirt or sleeves, this will result in loss of playing time and a new shirt will be ordered at the expense of the athlete. 37) Helmets with face masks must be worn at all times by on-deck batters, batters, runners, and all non-adult base coaches. 38) No player shall wear jewelry including watches, bracelets, necklaces, and starter earrings have to be taped (The use of band aids is acceptable). Players violating this rule must be replaced by a substitute, but will be allowed to return upon compliance. 39) All head coaches and assistants that will be working with kids on the field and in the dugout must have submitted a volunteer form and a copy of their driver's license. We will do background checks on all individuals that will be working and helping out. 40) Head coach will need to provide a phone number for text and an email address for correspondence from the Softball Director, (practice schedules, games schedules, picture dates…). 41) Everyone on the field must wear closed toe shoes including head coach, assistants, and umpires.

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Updated 4/23/17