R.G.S.L. MINOR LEAGUE TOURNAMENT
(AGES
8-9-10, CUTOFF JANUARY 1ST)
PLAYING RULES
- It will be a (6) inning
game in this age group.
- Pitching distance will
be 35 feet, and bases will be 60 feet.
- At the start of each
pitch, the pivot foot must be on the rubber and the non-pivot foot must be
on or near the rubber. Any preliminary motion is legal including the
windmill. If a pitcher stops or hesitates at any time during her motion,
no pitch will be declared and a ball will be awarded to the batter.
- There will be no pitcher
requirements as far as innings per week or per game. Once the starting
pitcher has been removed, she may return as a pitcher one more time in
that game. Any substitute pitcher, once removed as a pitcher, may not
return as a pitcher.
- The 3rd hit
batter in the same inning by the same pitcher will result in the removal
of that player as a pitcher for that game. The 5th hit batter
in the same game will also result in the removal of that player as a
pitcher for that game.
- No stealing, dropped
third strike, or infield fly rule at this age group. Bunting will be
allowed.
- Any player who leaves
the bases before the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand will result in the
automatic removal of the base runner from base. No pitch will be declared
and the ball will be dead regardless if it was hit or not. (No out will
be recorded).
- Book rule on
overthrows. Two bases from the position of the runner if the ball goes
out of bounds. If the pitcher releases a wild pitch, which goes out of
bounds, the ball will be dead. A ball will be awarded to the batter and
no runner can advance.
- Play ends when a player
has possession of the ball in the pitching circle. If, in the umpire’s
judgment, any runner has reached at least half way to the next base, the
runner will be permitted to continue to that base. If not, the runner
must return to the previous base. (Circle – 8’ radius. Hash marks will
be made for halfway point to bases.)
- Any attempt by the
catcher to pick off a runner the ball will be live. The fielder must tag
the runner for the out. The runner must re-tag the base before
advancing. The ball remains live until a player has possession within the
circle.
- Each inning will consist
of 3 outs, or 3 runs, whichever comes first. The 6th inning,
or last inning, will be an open inning to score as many runs as you can.
If, at the end of 3 ½ innings the home team is 10 or more runs ahead, or
at the end of 4 full innings the visiting team is 10 or more runs ahead,
that team will be declared the winner.
- No new inning may start
after a one hour and forty-five minute (1hr. 45min.) time limit has been
reached. All innings started must be completed unless the 10 run rule is
reached. All games which reach the 1hr. 45 min. time limit will be legal
games regardless of the amount of innings played (a last inning will be
declared). Any game which is stopped for injury to a player, then that
amount of time will be added to your official start time. Any game which
is stopped because of rain will be a continuation regardless of innings
played. However, a minimum of one full inning must have been completed in
this situation. The official time will also be a continuation.
- There will be a ten (10)
minute grace period for any team to field the minimum amount of players to
start a game. The minimum amount of players is eight (8). If a team
cannot be fielded within the ten minute grace period, then that team will
receive an automatic forfeit. No exceptions.
- All players MUST be put into the batting order and there will be
unlimited substitution on players within the field. With the exception
of the starting pitcher which is covered under rule #4. If a player is
coming late and not at the field at the time of play then the manager
must notify the umpire and the opposing manager during the ground rules.
The player is added to the bottom of the lineup and will be eligible to
play once she arrives. NO out will be recorded if this player is due up
to bat and she is not at the field. That batting position is skipped. If
a batter is leaving early, then during the ground rules the umpire and
opposing manager must be notified and when the player leaves she will be
skipped in the batting order without an out being recorded. IF the
manager does not notify the umpire and opposing manager then this will
result in an out each time that player is scheduled to bat.
- With two (2) outs and the catcher or pitcher on base, you have the
option to insert a courtesy runner to allow your catcher/pitcher time to
put her equipment on. You must use the player the recorded the
last batted out as the new runner.
- All jewelry MUST be
removed. Only starter posts will be an exception and they must be taped.
Barrettes to hold back hair will not be acceptable.
- All pitchers must wear
batting helmets while warming up between innings. Once the inning starts
the helmet will be removed.
- If a fielder has the
ball in her possession and is waiting to tag a runner, that runner cannot
collide directly into that fielder. Penalty: The runner will be called
out and if, in the umpires’ judgment it was intentional, she will also be
ejected.
- Any bat which flies from
the batter’ hands and in the umpires’ judgment endangers the catcher,
umpire, on deck batter, dugout personnel or the fans, a warning will be
given to the offending team. On the second offense from any player on the
same team, the batter will be declared out, the ball will be dead, and all
runners will return to the last base they previously occupied regardless
of the ball was hit or not. If intentional, that player will be ejected.
- Under no circumstances
will anyone but the manager or such person who has been designated as
manager in the absence of the regular manager be permitted to question an
umpire over any rules interpretation call. Judgment call cannot be
questioned at any time by anyone.
- Any manager, coach or
player who causes him or herself to be ejected from any game will also sit
out the next played game. If a player, she must be in uniform and on the
bench for her suspended game. If manager or coach, he/she must be out of
sight and sound of his/her suspended game.
- Fan control is the total
responsibility of the team he or she is with. 1st violation:
A warning will be given to that team. 2nd violation:
Automatic forfeiture of that game. PLEASE MAKE YOUR FANS AWARE OF THIS
RULE. WE REALIZE IT WOULD BE AN INJUSTICE TO FORFEIT A GAME BECAUSE OF AN
IRATE FAN, BUT THIS RULE WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED.
- All coaches and managers
must stay in the dugout or off the playing field during the game. The
only exception will be the two (2) adult base coaches.
- Any rule not covered
above will be strictly book rule (ASA). Any rule covered above will
override book rule.
THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK.
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