8U Lassie Division 2020 rules

1. Any player who turned 9 years old on or before August 31st of the current year is not eligible to compete.

2. A team shall consist of 10 players, the tenth player being an outfielder who will play 15 feet behind the baselines. A team must field at least 7 players or forfeit the game.

3. The pitcher (who is an adult) must not interfere when the ball is hit.

4. Two coaches on the defensive team may be on the field but cannot interfere with the ball.

5. Only a pitcher, catcher, and four infielders will be allowed to play in the infield at any one time.

6. A normal game will consist of 5 innings.

7. A maximum of 4 runs per team shall be allowed in one inning. The 5th inning and any inning after that shall be open innings with no limit on the number of runs scored.

8. The ten-run rule will apply after the 4th inning. Example: If the home team is at least 10 runs ahead after 3 1/2 innings, the game is over. If the visiting team is at least 10 runs ahead after the 4th inning, the game is over.

9. In case of rain, 3 complete innings constitute a game. Any incomplete games are completely replayed.

10. Only one umpire may be used. The umpire must be at least 12 years old. The umpire must stand behind the pitcher.

11. The coach pitching to their team batting must pitch within the 16-foot diameter circle that will be based on the 35 feet pitching distance. Ball must be released within the circle.

12. No player will be walked. The batter is out after 3 strikes whether the catcher catches the ball or not. No “called” strikes. Maximum pitch count to a batter is 10.

13. No intentional bunting is allowed. (Umpire’s discretion.)

14. The infield fly rule will not be applied.

15. When a ball that has been in play is returned from the outfield to the infield’s diamond square, the umpire will call the play over when a player has control of the ball. All base runners may continue to the base they were headed for when play was called.

16. There will be no base stealing. Runners may not leave base until the ball is hit into play.

17. Batter cannot advance on an overthrow at first or any other base, even if played on.

18. Runner(s) can only advance as far as the batter advances as a result of their hit.

HI-LO Valley Girls’ Softball rules 2020

1. Official ASA rules will apply unless otherwise stated in these HI-LO Valley (HLV) rules. HLV general rules will apply to all age groups. HLV rules for a particular age group will apply only in that age group.

2. Players must be officially registered with the HLV to participate in any HLV sanctioned game. A player may be registered on only one team in the HLV.

a) A player may be a substitute on a team above their rostered age division if that team is not able to compete because they are short players.

b) A player that has substituted up on any team and has played a total of 5 regular season games becomes officially rostered on the most recent team for which they substituted. They cannot play with their original team for the remainder of the season.

c) Participation up in a HLV tournament will count as 1 game toward the substitution limit of 5 games.

d) If a team is in need of an additional player to fill out a roster, that player must be from the same community and that player must play on a team in a lower division.

e) Rosters must be provided to the league coordinator before the annual coaches meeting before games begin. Rosters must contain players name and birthdate.

3. A player may be rostered on a team below her age group under the following conditions:

a) The local organization determines that they should be at that age level because of her ability.

b) She is not more than 1 year past the limit for that age group. The HLV board may grant exceptions to this under special circumstances. All players playing down must be declared on team rosters at the coaches meeting.

4. To pitch in a HLV tournament, a player must be include in the pre-season roster, and she must have played in 5 regular season HLV games. If requested, coach must produce the team book as proof of games played.

5. Players should be taught how and encouraged to slide any time there is going to be a close play on them. However, a runner is entitled to come into any base either standing or sliding and will not be called out for simply not sliding. If a runner is deemed to be maliciously running or sliding into a fielder at any time, they will be called out and ejected from the game. Umpires must use discretion when making this call but must keep the game safe.

6. A player must have possession of the ball to block any base on a tag out. The result of blocking a base without the ball is obstruction by the defensive player.

7. Unlimited substitution is allowed, including the pitcher. Innings do not have to be consecutive.

8. All players rostered for each game will be listed on the game roster and will bat in that order regardless of whether or not they are playing in the field.

9. No changes will be made in the starting batting order other than adding players to the bottom of the roster.

10. Any player batting out of order is automatically out. However, an injured player may be removed from the game, their turn at bat skipped without penalty, and then returned later to their original batting position.

11. There should be no heated, verbal arguments on the field under any circumstances. 12. Traveling league players may play on house league teams. There are no pitching restrictions HI-LO Valley Girls’ Softball rules

12. With the exception of lighted fields, all games will start at 6:00 p.m. A team not present within 20 minutes of the scheduled game time will forfeit the game.

13. The game should end with a final, unlimited scoring inning. The inning that starts after an hour and thirty minutes of play shall be the final, unlimited scoring inning unless:

a) The game has reached the max inning count for a complete game (varies by division).

b) The game has reached the HLV or local time limit.

c) The local darkness limit has been reached. 14. No inning will start after 2 hours of play. In some cases, local rules may override the HLV time limit, but only to shorten it. It is the home plate umpire’s duty to note the starting time of the game.

15. In the case of a tie at the end of regulation play, play will continue with complete innings until the tie is broken or until the home plate umpire calls the game due to darkness or local time limits. Games in this case will result in a tie.

16. All schedule changes, except for weather, must be confirmed by both coaches 48 hours in advance.

17. A one-minute time limit will be allowed for a team to take the field and be prepared to play ball.

18. When a team plays a game shorthanded, or players are injured and cannot complete a game, no outs are charged.

19. Age description, division and game night table. Age on August 31, 2020

Typical game night

7-8 8U Lassie (coach pitch) Tuesday / Thursday

9-10 10U Petite Monday / Wednesday

11-12 12U Junior Tuesday / Friday

13-15 15U Senior Monday / Wednesday

20. Fields shall be set up to the following specifications:

Pitching distance/Pitching circle/Base distance

8U 35 feet / 8 foot radius / 60 feet

10U 35 feet / 8 foot radius / 60 feet

12U 40 feet / 8 foot radius / 60 feet

15U 43 feet / 8 foot radius / 60 feet

21. Home team will be required to provide a one-piece, half orange/half white, safety bag at first base for HLV games. Failure to have one will cause the home team to forfeit.

22. Catchers must wear a mask, chest protector, shin guards, and protective helmet.

23. Base runners and batters must wear full protective helmets with face mask.

24. No steel spikes are allowed.

25. The home team will furnish 2 balls for each game.

26. Ball requirements Division Size Specifications

• 8U 11 inches Optic yellow cover COR .470 or under Compression of 375.0 or less ASA logo
• 10U 11 inches Optic yellow cover COR .470 or under Compression of 375.0 or less ASA logo