2002 Softball Rules

VARSITY SOFTBALL	Grades 5,6,7, & 8
JUNIOR VARSITY SOFTBALL	Grades 5 & 6 only
BASE DISTANCES	60-65 Feet
PITCHING DISTANCES	35 Feet
GAMES	7 Innings OR 1 hour & 15 minutes (75 minutes) In good weather, all games are official once an inning has completed and the time limit has expired. If the time limit has expired, the inning in progress will be announced as the last unless the game ends in a tie. In case of a bad weather cancellation, the game will be ruled official after the bottom half of the 4th inning or after 3 ½ innings if the home team is winning. A maximum of 6 runs is allowed (regardless of the inning). This rule does not apply for the Varsity division in the Play-offs. RUN RULE: 15 runs after 4 innings (3 ½) or 10 runs after 5 innings (4 ½). If the game is tied after 7 innings or any other inning that the time has expired, then extra innings will be played until the tie is broken. In extra innings, each batter will enter the batter's box with a 3 & 2 count. All games will begin with a coin toss. The winner of the coin toss can elect to be home or visitor. The applies regardless of location. If a team has less than 9 players at game time, the non-offending team may elect to receive a forfeit & play a practice game OR allow the other team to play short-handed with each vacancy in their line-up counting as an automatic out. These vacancies are to be placed at the end of the line-up and announced by the umpire as such.
EQUIPMENT	Batting Helmets must be worn at all times by batters, base runners, & on-deck batters Metal cleats are not allowed. Refusal to remove them will result in ejection of the player. Catchers MUST wear (1) Mask with helmet, (2) Throat Guard, (3) Shin Guards, & (4) Chest Protector All uniforms must have a number on them. Each team is responsible for providing 2 NEW 12" softballs for each game ( 4 for a doubleheader). Bats must be official softball bats with no greater than a differential of 10 between length & width
BATTING	Junior Varsity: Continuous batting order. All players bat regardless of who is fielding. The nine starters in the field do not have to occupy the first nine positions in the batting order. However, if a player has to leave the game pre-maturely due to injury or any other reason, then that spot in the order will be considered an automatic out for the remainder of the game. Varsity: Traditional batting order of nine players, consisting of those that are playing the field at the time. Re-Entry rules are the same as used in baseball (starter can re-enter once in same position in batting order)
BASE STEALING	No stealing is allowed at the Junior Varsity level. This includes wild pitches & passed balls. Players may not leave the base until a pitched ball has crossed home plate. "Tight Bases" This applies to both levels. At the Varsity level, teams may steal & advance on wild pitches and passed balls PROVIDED that they have LESS THAN a three run lead OR are trailing at the time. Violations to this rule will result in the runner being called out. Teams will receive one (1) warning per game. All teams should incorporate a 15ft radius around the mound. Once the ball has been secured by the pitcher within this radius, the play is dead and all base-runners may not advance. *At the Varsity level, batters may advance on a dropped third strike if there are two outs or first base is unoccupied. This rule does not apply at the JV level.
PRE-GAME RESPONSIBILITIES	Each team must submit a roster & line-up to the home plate umpire 10 minutes before game time. GAME TIME IS FORFEIT TIME. PRE-GAME PRAYER: to be lead by the home team *OFFICIAL SCOREKEEPER: to be provided by the home team & results called in by 9:00 a.m. the next day to 972-772-8296.
RAIN-OUT INFORMATION	It is the responsibility of the Athletic directors & head coaches to provide rain-out information for their fields. Please call 972-772-8296 if you have questions regarding the status of any game.
STANDINGS, POST-SEASON & AWARDS	Standings will be updated every Monday & faxed to Athletic directors promptly. They will also be posted to the Web-Site. A Post-Season format will be provided separately to all Athletic Directors after registration is complete. A rotating Championship Trophy will be awarded to the 1st place team in the post-season tournament, and all players & coaches on both the 1st & 2nd place teams will receive medals. Season and Championship Tournament MVP's will be awarded. Coaches and Athletic Directors will vote on these awards.