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S O F T B A L L


Softball Rules


The purpose of Little League is to assist youth in developing citizenship, discipline, teamwork and physical well being, with proper guidance and exemplary leadership. The ball game is the means to these objectives and all participants have a responsibility to keep this perspective.

1.1 Conduct of Program Participants and Spectators -

1.1.1 Conduct by any person, including spectators, that is not in support of the program’s objectives is grounds for ejection from the game and/or park area by the Board Member on Duty by a Board Member. Obscene, profane, abusive and/or unsportsmanlike language or conduct will not be tolerated and is grounds for ejection and/or disciplinary action.


1.1.2 Any manager, coach or player ejected from a game shall be required to appear before the Little League Board to explain the cited behavior. The penalty imposed may include suspension or removal from the program.


1.1.3 Pets, bicycle riding, skateboarding or other activities that may endanger others are not allowed in the Little League Park.


1.1.4 SMOKING IS PROHIBITED at all McLean & Great Falls Little League events (games and or practices).


1.1.5 Throwing balls or swinging bats is only allowed in Little League designated areas.

1.2 Responsibilities Of Managers And Their Teams-


1.2.1 Insure that the throwing of balls or swinging of bats is only done in Little League designated areas.


1.2.2 Managers are specifically responsible for:

(a) The conduct of players, coaches and partisan fans;

(b) Keeping unauthorized persons out of the dugouts, on-deck areas and the area between the
dugout and on-deck area. Only one manager, two coaches, and roster players are allowed in
the playing areas;

(c) Keeping players who are in the dugouts out of the dugout doorways and behind the protective fencing;

(d) Arranging to have their assigned dugout and bleacher areas cleaned of debris after each game;

(e) Notifying the Safety Officer (Jean Callahan 703-759--7515) in writing of any accidents that require medical treatment;

(f) Providing written game or season highlights to the Publicity Director;

(g) Ensuring that they, and all program participants under their control, abide by both the spirit
and letter of the rules as published by Little League, Inc. and Great Falls Little League
and

(h) Maintain liaison with the team’s sponsors and, at a minimum, provide the sponsor with the
team’s schedule and insure the sponsor receives a team plaque.

1.2.3 The use of alcohol and tobacco in any form is prohibited on all league owned or operated premises.

      1. A request by a manager, coach, or other person for a specific umpire for a game will not be honored for any reason. Only the Chief Umpire or his designated representative may assign umpires. In their absence, the Board Member on duty, may assign or reassign an umpire only to insure that all games have proper umpire coverage.

      2. It is the responsibility of all softball managers to ensure that at all times (practice sessions, pre-game warm-up, and between innings) their catcher(s) are wearing regulation headgear, mask and chest protector when catching. Violation of this rule may result in suspension or dismissal.

1.3 Scheduling Policies-

1.3.1 The regular season schedule for each team shall be determined by the scheduler in a fair and random manner.

1.3.2 In all cases, the home team is listed first in the schedule and shall occupy the first base dugout.

1.3.3 All games are governed by time limits and, regardless of the status of the inning in progress, must end no later than the time duration specified below for each level of play after the scheduled start time. To avoid situations created when an inning is not completed, no new inning shall begin after the time duration also specified below. Regardless of the status of the inning in progress, the game shall be stopped by the umpire at the completion of the specified time duration after the scheduled start time. A new inning begins at the moment the third out is made concluding the previous inning. All lights shall be out by 9: 45 p.m.. and all persons must clear the fields at 9: 35 p.m.

Level of Play

Maximum Duration of Play

Last New Inning

Junior League

2 Hr., 20 Min.

2 Hr., 10 Min.

Major League

2 Hrs.

1 Hr., 50 Min.

AAA Level

2 Hrs

1 Hr., 45 Min.

Transitional/Coach Pitch

1 Hr., 30 Min.

1 Hr., 15 Min.

 

1.3.4 Managers must be prepared to exchange starting lineups, including name, position and jersey number of each starting player, and begin play at the designated starting time of the game without regard to the time the field became available to their team, and expedite play at all times.

1.3.5 Prior to the start of any game, the Board Member on Duty, in consultation with the President, if available, and the Chief of Field Maintenance, shall cancel a game if he or she determines that the field is unsafe or unfit for play. In the absence of the Board Member on Duty and when unable to reach the President, the Chief of Field Maintenance has the authority to cancel a game if he or she determines the field is unsafe or unfit for play.

1.3.6 Once a game begins, the Umpire-in-Chief (Plate Umpire) in consultation with the Board Member on Duty and based on the guidelines and directions established by the Chief of Field Maintenance shall determine whether play is to continue in case of inclement weather or poor field conditions. Every effort must be made to make the field playable and to continue play. In the event that the game is not considered a regulation game under Little League rules, the game must be rescheduled consistent with the provision of Rule 1.3.7 of these rules.

1.3.7 All games (AAA or higher) canceled by the League for weather or other unusual circumstance must be rescheduled, and all games interrupted for any reason before they are considered a regulation game under Little League rules must be played to their conclusion (six innings, or seven innings in the case of Senior League Softball, unless extended further because of a tie score) at a later time. If a game is called because of the time limit in accordance with Rule 1.3.3 and there is not a winner, the managers must tell notify the scheduler (Ron Keefe 703-759-9449) to reschedule the game. From the scheduled start time of a canceled game or from the point of interruption of a canceled but started game or when a game is conclude because of time limitation without a winner, the managers have twenty-four (24) hours from that time to notify the scheduler of the cancellation/incomplete game by e-mail (commissioner@gflittleleague.org). The scheduler will, in the original order in which they were scheduled, reschedule each canceled/incomplete game in the first available slot as numbered on the master schedule. For Senior, Junior and Major League softball, each game canceled by the League must be rescheduled such that each team will play all their rescheduled games in the same order that the canceled game(s) occurred in the regular schedule. This only applies to the initial rescheduling of a canceled game. The scheduler shall give each manager no less than twenty hours (24) notice of a rescheduled time. Notification by the scheduler includes leaving a message on an answering machine or notifying a Coach of the subject team. Due to field shortages, all games interrupted before they are considered a regulation game and having completed at least one complete inning will be resumed from the exact point of interruption. The home plate umpire is responsible for noting the exact point of interruption and circumstances of play.


1.3.8 Managers must be prepared to play all canceled or interrupted games at the time and location rescheduled by operation of these rules. Failure to abide by this rule may result in suspension or dismissal of the manager and/or forfeiture of the game.

1.3.9 A pool of players from existing regular season teams will be created with players that are willing to participate in extra games during the regular season when teams face a shortage of rostered players for a regular season game.

The league’s Player Agent will create and run the pool. The league’s Player Agent will use the pool to assign players to teams that are short of players on a rotating basis.

Managers and/or coaches will not have the right to randomly pick and choose players from the pool.

Players used from the pool will not be allowed to pitch, except during the player’s own regular season scheduled game.

Pool players that are called and show up at the game site must play at least nine consecutive defensive outs and bat once.

1.4 League Standings, Play-Off Seeding, And Awards-

1.4.1 No standings will be kept at the Transitional/ Coach Pitch level of play. Participation trophies will be awarded for Transitional/Coach Pitch players at these levels.


1.4.2 Regular season standings for Senior, Major and AAA Leagues will be decided by the
best overall winning percentage, with ties broken, in sequence, by the following criteria:

• best record in head-to-head regular season play;

• best winning percentage in intra-league play;

• by a play-off game if the tie is for first or second place, and by a coin toss for other
positions;

• least runs allowed in head-to-head regular season play;

• by coin toss


1.4.3 Seeding for the City Series Tournament will be determined by:

• best overall winning percentage;

• head to head results will break ties;

• if a tie still exists, a coin toss will be used.


1.4.4 For Senior League Softball, Major League Softball, and Minor League Level AAA Softball, trophies will be awarded to those teams finishing in 1st and 2nd place in overall standings in their respective leagues for regular season play, and to the teams which finish in 1st and 2nd place in the Great Falls City Series Tournament (Minors only).

1.5 Player Team Assignment

Players are assigned to teams by means of a player selection draft in Senior League Softball, and Major League Softball and Minor League AAA Softball teams. Players are assigned to teams and these teams are disbanded at the completion of the season.

The Board of Directors sees removal of a player from the roster of a team in Senior League Softball, and Major League Softball as a serious and extreme measure which should only occur for compelling reasons. It shall only occur with the specific approval of the Board of Directors, and where it is determined to be in the best interest of both the player and League.

The Player Agent and Vice President shall report to the Board on all inquiries or requests by parents of this nature to insure that the Board is fully informed of all situations where player tampering may be involved. If the Board finds that player-tampering has occurred, the offending coach or manager shall be suspended from the league for at least one year

1.6 Try-Outs, Draft Procedures And Player Replacement -

1.6.1 To be eligible to be drafted by a Senior League Softball, a Major League Softball, or a AAA Softball team, and all players between the ages of 9 and 16, must try out. The last day of registration for these levels of play is the last day of tryouts.


1.6.2 Each child who tries out will be rated between 1 and 5 (with 5 being outstanding and 1 poor) on hitting and bunting, fielding, and throwing by an independent evaluator who has no connection (other than the Player Agent) to the league for which he/she is the evaluator. A total score of 15 points is the highest rating. Candidates scoring 9 through 15 points are considered major league material. These tryout periods will be conducted in the presence of all managers who shall observe the ability of each candidate. Each manager shall grade the candidates on the Player Agent’s List for their own reference.


1.6.3 It is the policy of Great Falls Little League to provide every eligible 12 year old with the opportunity to become a member of a Major League Softball team. To achieve this objective, the Player Agent(s) and League Vice President(s), after consultation with the Major League managers and last season’s AAA managers, will, at the completion of tryouts, review the player evaluations for each 12 year old who participated in tryouts to determine whether that player is qualified to play on a Major League team. To make a qualification determination, the reviewers must look to the scores received as well as other factors such as the ability to protect one’s self in the event of an errant pitch, throw or hit. The reviewers must also consider the level at which the child would have the greatest opportunity for successful play with an overall positive experience. Upon completion of their review and prior to the draft, the Vice President and Player Agent must prepare a list of all 12-year-old players that, in their judgment must be drafted by a Major League team.

In order to try to provide that each majors team will be competitive from one season to the next, it is the policy of the Great Falls Little League to require every major league team to draft at least one 10 year old each year. To achieve this objective, the Player Agent(s) and League Vice President(s), after consultation with the Major League managers, will at the completion of tryouts, review the player evaluations for each 10 year old who participated in tryouts to determine whether that player is qualified to play on a Major League team. To make a qualification determination, the reviewers must look to the scores received as well as other factors such as the ability to protect one’s self in the event of an errant pitch, throw or hit. The reviewers must also consider the level at which the child would have the greatest opportunity for successful play with an overall positive experience. Upon completion of their review and prior to the draft, the Vice President and Player Agent must prepare a list of all 10 year olds that, in their judgment must be drafted by a major league team and set a maximum number of 10 year olds that may be drafted by a majors team.

In order to comply with the policy stated above, the Executive Committee will recommend the appropriate number of majors teams depending on the number of qualified players, managers, and coaches available, or recommend to the Board some other procedure to implement the policy stated above.


1.6.4 From the list of all children trying out, the Player Agent, prior to the draft and after all requirements have been taken into consideration, will prepare a Player Agent List of all players who have qualified as eligible candidates for the major league draft.


1.6.5 For safety reasons, the Player Agent List for the major league draft will not include any players who were rated either a 1 or a 2 with respect to hitting or fielding.


1.6.6 It is recommended that players not on the Player Agent List for the major league draft be placed in the developmental league. An exception would be made if the player’s size poses a potential danger to younger children.

1.6.7 Except in extreme or unique situations, all 11 and 12 year olds not drafted on a majors team, will play at the AAA level. If a 11 or 12 year old is considered a safety factor by the Independent Evaluator, Player Agent and league Vice President, they will not be included on the Player Agent List for the AAA draft.

1.6.8 Applicable Draft Options

Sisters—If there are sisters, sister, including step sisters, in a draft, once the first sibling is drafted, the manager must immediately prior to the next manager drafting, submit verbally to the Player Agent whether he/she wants an option on the remaining siblings(s). If the manager elects to exercise this option, the manager automatically takes the sibling on the manager’s next turn.

Daughters of Managers—A manager who has daughters eligible for the draft who wishes to draft them must state so in writing to the Player Agent prior to the draft. If so stated, the parent-manager is required to exercise this option prior to the close of the specific draft round as determined by the Player Agent set forth in the Little league Operating Manual.

1.6.8 Replacements. When a player is lost to a team during the playing season for any of the following reasons:

(a) She moves to another city or state too distant to commute for practice and play.

    1. She is injured and will not be able to return to play within a reasonable period of time.

    2. She has for personal reasons decided to terminate her association with the team.

    3. Any other justifiable reason reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors.

The manager of the team losing a player shall within 24 hours advise the League Vice President. The League Vice President shall advise the President and the Board. If the release of a player is approved, the President will send a letter of release to the player and the parents stating that the player is released from the Seniors/Majors/Minors league team and the league for a justifiable reason. If this action creates an opening for a replacement on the team roster, the manager shall review the available player list with the Player Agent and shall select a replacement consistent with Rule 1.6.9. The replacement becomes a permanent member of the team.

1.6.9 The timing for the replacement of a non-released player or a permanent replacement must conform to the following procedure. When a manager learns that a player may miss at least three (3) consecutive weeks (21 days including Sundays) of the season because of injury, illness, etc., the manager must immediately notify (a broken bone or concussion shall require immediate notification) the Vice President of his/her league. The manager will have seven (7) days from notification to the Vice President to replace the player on the roster with a player from the Player Agent List.

Sometimes the duration of time that a player will miss is uncertain at the outset of the absence. If a player misses two (2) consecutive games and is not expected to play in the next scheduled game, the manager must notify the respective Vice President. The Vice President will review the situation not later than seven (7) days after the first game the player missed. This could include discussions with the player’s parents. If after this review, it is still uncertain when the player will be able to resume play, the Vice President will notify the manager that he/she has seven (7) days to bring up a replacement player selected from the Player Agent List. For the above situations, the first regular season game missed by the player will be considered the starting point for the period of absence and in all cases; the replacement process will be complete no later than fourteen (14) days after the first game missed by the player. The replacement becomes a permanent member of the team if brought up fifteen (15) days or more before the originally scheduled Great Falls Little League Regular Season End for the relevant league. The team roster shall increase by the addition of the replacement player and the absent player shall remain a permanent member of the team unless released. Replacements from the Minor League program onto a Majors team during the last two weeks of the regular season schedule are prohibited.

1.6.10 A Player Agent has the authority to place any player (including a player determined to be ineligible per section 1.6.12) on a higher level team if done solely for safety reasons and with the approval of the Board.

1.6.11 For the purpose of interpreting the "Duration of Title" requirement of the National Little League Rules, "duration of title" for the original draft team shall cease if a player does not play for that team in consecutive years.


1.6.12 If a player is either drafted onto a major league team or during the course of the season is selected to fill a roster vacancy on a major league team, and refuses the selection, such refusal shall result in forfeiture of eligibility in the major league for the current season. Players who elect not to be in the major league draft pool forfeit all eligibility in the major league for the current season.

1.6.14 For Seniors, Majors and AAA Softball, there shall be a common draft pool of player candidates. Accordingly, any AAA player is eligible to become a replacement player for any Majors Softball team.

1.6.15 For AAA Softball, each league will conduct a draft consisting of all players ages 9-12 who were not drafted by a Major League team and tried out. Drawing numbers from a hat will determine the order of the draft. The draft will be conducted as a snake, therefore, each odd round will be done in the normal order of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 etc. and the even rounds will be conducted in reverse order of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Manager and coach’s options will be assigned by the League Vice President based on the ranking of the independent evaluator of those players eligible for the AAA draft. Thus, if there is a five team AAA league and a manager’s child is ranked 13th and his/her coach’s child is ranked 29th, the players would be assigned to their team in the third and six rounds, respectively.

1.7 All Stars

Being named an All-Star is an honor. All players chosen as All-Stars will be recognized by the League (yearbook, plaque, and at the Closing Ceremony) including those whose name might not appear on the Official Tournament Roster. Balloting will begin on the first Saturday following Memorial Day weekend and conclude within one (1) week’s time. Final selection of Tournament team All-Stars will be officially announced at the Great Falls Little League Closing Ceremonies.
Composition of the Tournament Teams will be based on the eligibility and availability of the named All-Stars. All Chartered Little Leagues are eligible to participate in Tournament Play, but there is no obligation to do so. If there are not enough players who can commit to a post-season tournament team for the duration of tournament play, there will not be an All-Star team for that respective league for that summer.

1.7.1 All-Star Manager Selections and Responsibilities

In softball the manager of the regular season championship team will have his/her choice of managing the Senior or Junior team. If applicable, the manager of the second place regular season team will be offered the other team. The Majors, 11 year old team, and 9/10 All-Star team managers will be picked by a committee comprised by the Vice President of Softball and other board members. The Executive Committee shall decide who will be the manager. All All-Star managers are subject to Executive Committee approval.

All-Star Managers are required to meet with the Executive Committee prior to the final selection of official rostered All-Star players. At this time, managers will be made aware of the League’s expectations of the All-Star program and informed about officially releasing the names of the Tournament Team All-Stars. The managers will also advise the Executive Committee at this meeting who they would like to name as their two coaches for the All-Star team.

Managers are expected to enforce the League rules including the rules specified in Little League’s official "Tournament Rules and Guidelines" handbook.

The manager must select his or her team coaches from his or her League’s approved coach’s list.

All All-Star coaches must be coaches of record approved by the Board of Directors in their respective leagues and are subject to approval by the Executive Committee.

1.7.2 All-Star Player Selection and Responsibilities

 Age 9-10 All-Star teams may be selected through an invitational tryout selection held by the manager of the Tournament Team.

Provided that there are enough candidates, Major League, Junior/ or Senior League All-Star teams (up to 14 person rosters) are selected on the following basis:
(a) In joint consultation, the initial five players are selected
by the managers of the respective leagues and

(b) The remaining eight (8) slots are at the discretion of the All-Star team manager.

The League Vice President(s) will contact and verify the eligibility and availability of all players selected to be on the Tournament Team(s). If a player is ineligible (e.g. did not participate in one-half of the regular season games) or unavailable (e.g. injury, illness, or other commitments such as vacation or camps) to participate, the All-Star team manager has the discretion to choose a replacement player.

To be an official rostered Tournament Team player, each player must meet the requirements of the Little League Eligibility Affidavit and be available to participate. Also, a written commitment will be signed by players and parents stating that players will attend all practices and tournament games. If a player repeatedly misses practices or games, the All-Star team manager, subject to Executive Committee approval, may disqualify that player from the team.

Names of players selected for the All-Star teams will not be officially released until the Great Falls Little League Closing Ceremonies.

3.0 RULES APPLYING TO THE SOFTBALL PROGRAM

3.1 Rules Applying to Senior League Softball -

3.1.1 The rule book for Senior Softball as published by Little League, Inc. for Senior League Softball will govern all play except as noted below.


3.1.2 It is the intent of the League that each player be given every reasonable opportunity to participate in each game. Therefore, unless they become sick or injured, every player on a team roster will participate in each game for a minimum of six defensive outs and bat at least one time. The players who do not start a game must be substituted into that game prior to the first pitched ball in the top of the fourth inning, and play the prescribed minimum (6 defensive outs and 1 time at bat). If for any reason an eligible player does not play the required amount of time in a game, that player must start the following game and play an amount equal to the minimum (6 defensive outs and 1 time at bat) plus the time required to make up for the previous game. In order to insure that the intent of this rule is followed, the Vice President of the League will periodically inspect game rosters. Managers should advise the league Vice President of apparent failures to comply with this rule. Failure to comply with this rule may result in disciplinary action by the Board of Directors against any manager or coach consistent with Regulation IV (i) of the Little League rule book.


3.1.3 Pitching shall be consistent with the rules established in the Senior League Rules.


3.1.4 Visits by a manager or coach to the pitcher will be at the mound.


3.1.5 After a game is considered to be a complete game under Little League rules, the manager of a team, which is behind by at least ten (10) runs, may end that game at any point by so informing the umpire.


3.1.6 No player can pitch more than nine innings per week.


3.1.7 One day of rest is required if a pitcher pitches more than four (4) innings in a game.

3.1.8 If a team has eight or more players at the start of the game, the game should begin and proceed until completion based on time or number of innings played. If a team has less than eight (8) players at the scheduled start of the game, there will be a grace period of 15 minutes to wait for an eighth player to arrive prior to having to forfeit. Once the eighth player arrives, the game should begin immediately. Any new players arriving after the game has started will be inserted at the end of the lineup in the order of arrival.


The standard number of players to be placed on defense is nine (9). The following rules apply if the standard roster size of all Senior League teams is 13 or more. Should one team have ten (10) or more players present at the start of the game, ten (10) players should be placed on defense and in the batting order. If one team has ten (10) players present at the start of the game and the other team does not have ten (10) players the team with ten (10) will play ten (10) in the field and have ten (10) in the batting order while the other team with fewer that ten (10) will bat and play all players present until they reach at least ten (10). Once they have at least ten (10) players present they will substitute in accordance with the normal rules.

If a game is called because of darkness, regardless of the amount of time which has been played, the rules regarding it being a complete game are identical to those discussed in the Senior League Softball rulebook for complete games. 16 year olds may participate in the Senior League Softball program, and be eligible for all star teams at the end of the season provided that the selected individuals meet all the necessary requirements.

3.1.9 The Senior League Softball season will consist of a split schedule. During the first half of the schedule, from opening day until approximately early to mid-May, the number of weekday games would be minimized in order to avoid conflicts with the high school softball season. The games played during this part of the season will not count in the standings for the City Series, but will count towards the minimum game requirement for participation in all star competition. During the second half of the schedule, the number of weekend games would be minimized in order to avoid conflicts with the select/travel softball tournament schedule. The games played during the second half of the season will count towards the standings for the City Series, and count towards the minimum requirement for participation in all star competition.

3.2 Rules Applying to Major League Softball-

3.2.1 The rule book for Little League Softball as published by Little League, Inc. for Major League Softball will govern all play except as noted below.


3.2.2 It is the intent of the League that each player be given every reasonable opportunity to participate in each game. Therefore, unless they become sick or injured, every player on a team roster will participate in each game. No player will sit out consecutive innings. In order to insure that the intent of this rule is followed, the Vice President of the League will periodically inspect game rosters. Managers should advise the league Vice President of apparent failures to comply with this rule. Failure to comply with this rule may result in disciplinary action by the Board of Directors against any manager or coach consistent with Regulation IV (i) of the Little League rule book.


3.2.3 The batting lineup will include all players who shall bat in rotation. Players shall continue to bat even when not playing in the field. Late arriving players will be placed at the bottom of the lineup.


3.2.4 No more than 12 innings per week can be pitched by 12-year-olds regardless of the number of 12-year-old pitchers. No player can pitch more than six innings per week. One day of rest is required if a pitcher pitches more than one inning in a game. One pitcher may be reinserted once per game, regardless of whether that pitcher had been removed from the field. Such reinserted pitcher must resume pitching without any warm-up pitches. If a team is scheduled to play more than 3 games during a week as noted in 3.2.8 below, then the maximum number of innings that all the 12 year olds on any one team can pitch during the week will increase to 18 innings.


3.2.5 Visits by a manager or coach to the pitcher shall occur only at the foul line.


3.2.6 After a game is considered to be a complete game under Little League rules, the manager of a team, which is behind by at least ten (10) runs, may end that game at any point by so informing the umpire.


3.2.7 If a team has eight or more players at the start of the game, the game should begin and proceed until completion based on time or number of innings played. If a team has less than eight (8) players at the scheduled start of the game, there will be a grace period of 15 minutes to wait for an eighth player to arrive prior to having to forfeit. Once the eighth player arrives, the game should begin immediately.

3.2.8 If a team is scheduled to play more than 3 games during a week, then the number of maximum innings that can be pitched by any pitcher will be increased by 3 innings for each additional game beyond the 3 games scheduled for the week. For example, if a team is scheduled to play 4 games during the week, then each of their pitchers may pitch a maximum of 9 innings for that 4 game week.


3.3 Rules Applying to Minor League Softball—AAA Level

3.3.1 The rule book for Minor League Play as published by Little League, Inc. will govern all play except as noted below.

3.3.2 The batting lineup will include all players who shall bat in rotation. Players shall continue to bat even when not playing in the field. Late arriving players will be placed at the bottom of the lineup.

3.3.3 An offensive half inning will end when three outs are made or when five runs have scored. A team can score more than five runs only if they are the result of a home run hit over the fence.

3.3.4 It is the intent of the League that each player be given every reasonable opportunity to participate in each game. Therefore, unless they become sick or injured, every player on a team roster will participate in each game. No player will sit out consecutive innings. In order to insure that the intent of this rule is followed, the Vice President of the league will periodically inspect game rosters. Managers should advise the league Vice President of apparent failures to comply with this rule. Failure to comply with this rule may result in disciplinary action by the Board of Directors against any manager or coach consistent with Regulation IV (i) of the Little League rule book.

3.3.5 The defensive team field’s ten players with the tenth player positioned in the outfield. All outfielders must be positioned in the outfield grass.

3.3.6 The stealing of second base is not permitted. The stealing of third and home plate is permitted, however, when stealing all runners may only advance one base per attempted steal. However, any runner can advance one base, excluding a runner on first, if the throw back from the catcher gets past the pitcher.

3.3.7 Adults may coach base runners from the coaching boxes at first and third base.

3.3.8 The first four innings of each game will use the pitching machine. The balls will be fed into the pitching machine by the manager (or designated adult representative) of the team at bat. The pitching machine will be set up no closer than the regulation minor league softball rubber (35 feet). For any game where the pitching machine is not available or operating, an adult representative from the offensive team will pitch to their batters. No balls and non-swinging strikes will be called. No walks will be allowed. Each batter will get a maximum of 7 pitches to either hit the ball, or get 3 swinging strikes and be out. In any inning played after the initial 4 innings, players will serve as pitchers, and the usual balls and strikes will be called by the designated parent/coach volunteer umpires. All games played during the regular season will count towards the regular standings and the City Series pairings. No pitching machines will be used in the City Series. All City Series games will be pitched by the players.

3.3.9 In instances when the offensive team’s catcher for their next defensive inning is on base and there are two outs or four runs have been scored, the offensive team must insert a "courtesy" runner to run for the catcher. This runner will be the player who made the most recent out of the inning, or, if no outs have been recorded, the player who scored the most recent run.


3.3.10 No player shall pitch more than one (1) inning in a game during the regular season and two (2) innings in a game during the City Series. The Vice-President of Softball or the AAA Softball Commissioner will decide on a case-by-case basis if any 12-year olds may pitch.

3.3.11 Both teams are required to maintain a scorebook documenting participation and results for each game. If there is a disagreement about the outcome of a game which cannot be resolved between the managers’s, the scorebook of the home team will be considered to be the official record of the game.


3.3.12 A complete game is one in which three complete innings has been played. If the visitors have completed three at bats and the home team has not yet completed their third at bat, but the home team is winning when the game is stopped due to time or weather, the game will be considered official.

3.3.13 If a team has six (6) or more players at the start of the game, the game should begin and proceed until completion based on time or number of innings played. If a team has less than six (6) players at the scheduled start of the game, there will be a grace period of 15 minutes to wait for an sixth player to arrive prior to having to forfeit. Once the sixth player arrives, the game should begin immediately.

3.3.14 If after three (3) innings, two and one-half innings if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of more than ten (10) runs, the manager of the team with the least runs may concede the victory to the opponent.

3.4 Rules Applying to Transitional Softball (Coach Pitch): Applies to Great Falls Only

3.4.1 The rule book for Minor League Play as published by Little League, Inc. will govern all play except as noted below.

3.4.2 Umpires WILL NOT be assigned by the League to games played at this level of play. Each team must provide one adult volunteer who shall serve as umpire for each game. Volunteer adult umpires shall alternate their positions in the field and behind the plate each inning.

3.4.3 Pitching Rules for the Transition Softball Program are as follows:

Pitching will be by the pitching machine when available or an adult representative of the team at bat when the pitching machine is not available. All batters will be given a maximum of seven pitches in which to either get 3 swinging strikes or hit the ball. A pitch, which hits the batter, is a dead ball and is not considered a pitch. No walks will be awarded. If after 7 pitches the batter has not swung and missed 3 times or gotten a hit, then the batter shall be considered "out".


3.4.4 Adults may coach base runners from the coaching boxes at first and third base. One defensive coach is allowed on the field and must be positioned on the outfield grass so as not to interfere with normal play.


3.4.5 The batting lineup will include all players who shall bat in rotation. Late-arriving players will be placed at the bottom of the lineup.

3.4.6 Play ends when the player, positioned as the pitcher, has control of the ball on the mound area. Base runners are entitled to a base if they are over half way to that base from the previous base when the pitcher gains control of the ball. Play remains live as a result of any actions by the pitcher other than an effort to gain control of the ball and stop play (i.e., throwing for put out, etc.).


3.4.7 Base-stealing and leading off the bases is not permitted.

3.4.8 An offensive half inning will end when three outs are made or when five runs have scored. A team can score more than five runs only if they are the result of a home run hit over the fence.


3.4.9 The defensive team fields all players unless injured, with only six in the infield and the remainder positioned in the outfield on the grass. The infielders should be positioned no closer to the batter than the thirty-five foot pitcher’s plate. Outfielders must be positioned on the outfield grass.


3.4.10 Every player shall play at least two (2) innings per game in the infield. No player shall play the same position for more than one (1) inning per game. All players on a team are generally expected to play equal amounts of time in each game.


3.4.11 The infield fly rule will not be enforced.

3.4.12 There shall be no bunting.


3.4.13 During regular season play, no standings for competitive purposes will be kept.

3.4.14 It is the goal of the league to maximize the participation at this level. As a result, there is no minimum number of players that must be present in order to begin play. If the two teams have numbers of clear disparity, the managers may elect to "share" players to assure maximum participation for all involved.

CITY SERIES TOURNAMENT RULES

 

1.0 GENERAL RULES APPLYING TO ALL PROGRAMS

1.1 Conduct of Program Participants and Spectators.

The purpose of Little League is to assist youth in developing citizenship, discipline, teamwork and physical well being, with proper guidance and exemplary leadership. The City Series Tournament is a means to these objectives and all participants have a responsibility to keep this perspective. The actions of players, managers, coaches and spectators must be above reproach.

1.2 Regular Season Local Rules. All regular season local rules are applicable to Tournament play unless otherwise modified by these Tournament Rules.

1.3 Home Team. For each game, the team listed first in the Tournament schedule is the home team and will occupy the first base dugout.

1.4 Pitching Rules. All pitching rules applicable to the regular season, including those pertaining to rest requirements and number of innings pitched per week, are applicable to the Tournament. Rest requirements are not forgiven at the start of or for purposes of the Tournament, and the number of innings a player may pitch in a calendar week has not been increased for the Tournament.

1.5 Time Limits. With the exception of championship games, all games are governed by the regular season time limits. Regardless of the status of the inning in progress, games shall be stopped by the umpire at the completion of the specified time duration after the scheduled start time. If a game is not considered a regulation game under Little League rules, the League President or a designee shall determine the time and location for completion of the suspended game. A resumed non-regulation game shall only be continued until it becomes a regulation game. If a game is a regulation game but is a TIE game (see also Rule 1.7), it shall be continued upon resumption until (1) the visiting team has scored more total runs than the home team at the end of a completed inning, or (2) the home team scores the winning run in an uncompleted inning.

Managers must be prepared to exchange line-ups and begin play at the designated starting time of the game without regard to the time the field became available to their team, and expedite play at all times.

All championship games will have no time limits and will be played to conclusion under the national playing rules.

1.6 Inclement Weather. All games canceled because of inclement weather or poor field conditions will be rescheduled by the League President or a designee.

Once a game begins, the chief umpire of the game, in consultation with the league’s umpire-in-chief or a designee, is responsible for determining whether play is to continue in case of inclement weather or poor field conditions. A game called because of inclement weather or poor field conditions is a complete game if it is a regulation game under Little League national Rules.

In the event that a game called because of inclement weather or poor field conditions is not a regulation game under Little League national rules, the League President or a designee shall determine the time and location for completion of the suspended game. The game will be resumed from the point of interruption and played to a conclusion under Little League national rules or until the expiration or new time limits (see Tournament Rule 1.5), whichever occurs first.

1.7 Reversion Rule. The reversion rule [Playing Rule 4.11(d) EXCEPTION] will be in effect for the Tournament. In certain situations where a game is halted during an uncompleted inning due to time limits or weather, this can mean that the score will be rolled back to the last complete inning.

1.8 Curfew. The regular season curfew of 9:45 P.M. remains in effect for the Tournament. All persons shall be clear of the fields by 9:35 P.M. and the lights shall be shut off no later than 9:45 P. M.

1.9 Protests. In the programs not provided umpires during the regular season ( Coach Pitch ), protests will not be permitted. Judgment decisions of the umpire are final and shall not be objected to by any manager, coach or player. All protests of a rule interpretation shall be made immediately to the umpire. Protests must be made and resolved before the next pitch or play. Protests not made before an intervening pitch or play shall not be considered.

Protests made due to use of an ineligible player or pitcher may be considered only if made to the umpire before the final out of the game. Such protests must be lodged immediately upon recognition of the violation and failure to do so may, in the discretion of the protest official, result in the protest being disallowed with the only penalty being the removal of the player in question. Use of an ineligible player or pitcher may, however, subject the offending manager to sanctions by the League. The respective managers at the plate meeting prior to the game shall discuss eligible players and pitchers.

The League Umpire-in-Chief or an Assistant Chief Umpire will be available during all games to serve as the final authority to rule on all protests. Where practicable, one or more Board members who are not managers or coaches, or other disinterested individuals, may be called upon, in the discretion of the ruling official, to assist in the evaluation of the protest.

1.10 Umpires. Umpires will be assigned to all games by the League Umpire-in-Chief.

Participants in programs not provided umpires during the regular season (Coach Pitch) should note that the umpires will enforce all local, tournament and national rules with special emphasis on those relating to player safety.

If needed, parents from each team shall provide one umpire each to assist an umpire assigned by the League. An umpire assigned by the League will ask for such assistance, if needed or desired, prior to the start of the game.

For purposes of tournament games in those programs not provided umpires during the regular season, the League Umpire-in-Chief and Assistant Chief Umpires shall be considered as if assigned to umpire these games with authority to enter the playing field at any time to enforce any playing rule or Board policy and/or prescribed penalties.



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