2007 ASA Rules will be used, unless modified in the following.
1. PLAYING FIELD:
A. Base distances - (60') per
ASA Rule 2, Sec 1 chart.
B. Pitching distances: per ASA Rule 2, Sec 1 chart
§
10-u
= 35 feet
§
12-u
= 40 feet
C. Double First Base: A double
first base will be used per ASA Rule 2, Sec H(2) and
Rule 8, Sec 2M.
2. EQUIPMENT:
A. BALL:
§
10-u
= 11 inch ball Optic Yellow red stitch with a Ball COR of .47 or under and a
Ball Compression of 375.0 lbs or under shall be used (Per ASA Rule 3, Sec 3,
F1.)
§
12-u
= 12 inch ball Optic Yellow red stitch with a Ball COR of .47 or under and a
Ball Compression of 375.0 lbs or under shall be used (Per ASA Rule 3, Sec 3,
E1.)
B. BATS: Length 26"-34", need not be
Official Softball or bear ASA approved certification mark, if meets the other
requirements of ASA Rule 3, Sec 1.
However, a bat shall not be listed on an ASA non-approved Bat list. (See defiancesoftballassociation.com)
[Legality of bat is the sole opinion and discretion of the
umpire(s).]
C. GLOVES/MITTS:
Any fielder may wear glove or mitt, if it
meets the specifications in ASA Rule 3, Sec 4.
D. NO metal spikes nor hard plastic or
polyurethane spikes similar to metal sole or heel plates allowed, per ASA Rule
3, Sec 6 G.
E. HELMETS: Offense shall wear helmets as outlined in ASA
Rule 3, Sec 5 E. [All helmets shall be
equipped with a securely fastened NOCSAE approved face mask/guard and with
chinstraps.]
EFFECT Exception: Deliberately wearing the helmet improperly or
removing during a live ball play a team warning shall be given for the first
offense, then any subsequent violators by that team shall be declared out
immediately.
F. Catchers shall wear MASKS
with throat protectors or extended wire protector, BODY PROTECTORS, SHIN GUARDS
AND HELMETS as set forth in ASA Rule 3, Sec 5 C.
3. LENGTH OF PLAY: (Ref. ASA Rule 5, Sec 3)
A. Six innings, unless game called by
umpire due to a run limit rule, time limit, rain or other causes that place
participants in peril.
a) Other than run limit or time limit, games called by the umpire
shall be regulation after 4 innings (3 1/2 innings if home team ahead).
b) Games that are not considered regulation shall be resumed at the
exact point where they were stopped.
B. Time limit: (Ref. ASA Rule 5, Sec 10)
No inning shall start
after 1 hour and 20 minutes.
(The time limit begins
after the pitcher throws a pitch to the first batter.)
IF
GAME IS TIED WE WILL GO TO INTERNATIONAL TIE BREAKER NO MATTER WHAT INNING THE GAME IS IN.
C. Run Limit: [Modification ASA Rule 5, Sec 9)
§
Per inning: five run limit per
inning, except 6th inning, unlimited runs 9-10
§
Per inning: Six run limit per
inning, except 6th inning unlimited runs. 11-12
§
Game: 13 runs
after four innings (3 1/2 innings, if home team ahead).
13 run mercy rule: If
the visitors are ahead by 13 in the top of the 6th inning, the game is
over. [The home team does not bat in the
bottom of the 6th inning.]
4. PLAYERS, SUBSTITUTES, ETC.: [Modifications ASA Rule 4,
Sec 1, items C. & D.]
A. 10 players will be used, all
who must bat. If a team has only 10
players present, they must put all on the field,
players cannot be kept out as a sub.
[ASA Rule 4, Sec 3, (DP/FLEX) shall not be used.]
B. A game may begin or finish
with 8 players.
§
No games are to be rescheduled for lack of players. If less than 8
available, game is forfeited.
§
If at the beginning of game, the vacant position(s) must be listed last
in the batting order.
§
No out will be declared when the vacant position(s) in the batting
order appears.
§
If playing shorthanded and a substitute(s) arrive, they must
immediately be inserted into the vacant spot(s) in the line-up and take
defensive positions, if their team is on defense.
§
A ten-minute grace period to start the game shall be granted only if
waiting for the minimum number of players (8).
C. EACH PLAYER PLAYS AT LEAST 2
INNINGS.
§
Each must have a turn at bat.
§
Any sub losing innings because
of a shortened game will start the next game.
§
There may be only one sub for a player in the batting order.
§
Subs must go into the game no later than the start of the fourth
inning. Failure will result in game
loss.
§
All substitutes should be reported to the plate umpire at the time the
substitute enters the game.
Penalty Exception: If a substitute enters without
reporting and a pitch (legal or illegal) has been made, that player will not be
disqualified when discovered but will be considered in the game replacing the
current player in that position (and batting order spot).
D. Re-Entry (Per ASA
Rule 4, Sec 5)
§
Any player may be substituted for / replaced and re-entered once
provided they occupy the same batting position whenever in the line-up.
·
Players may not re-enter a 2nd time. (Once a coach removes a player from
the game the second time, that player may not return to the game.)
·
A player and their substitute may not be in the line-up/game at the
same time.
5. BASERUNNING: (Ref. ASA Rule 8)
A. Runners Leaving Base on
Pitched Ball [Ref: ASA Rule 8, Sec 7 S.]
1. 12-u: Runner(s) may leave a base when the ball
leaves the pitcher's hand.
2. 10-u : Runner(s)
may leave a base when the ball leaves
the pitchers hand.
Effect Exception: The ball is dead, "no pitch" is declared on the first violation a team warning shall be given, then on any subsequent violations by that team the runner is out.
B. For 10-u only, the limitations per ASA
Rule 8, Sec 4 H. shall apply:
1. Runners may only advance one
base per pitch, unless the ball is batted.
2. Uncaught/dropped third strike:
Batter may not advance, batter is declared out.
3. On a base on balls: Batter may not advance beyond first base.
C. For 10-u only, the limitations per
ASA Rule 8, Sec 4 H. (cont'd):
4. Stealing: All bases including home
.
NOTE: 1) A runner, attempting to advance beyond the one base they are entitled to advance or steal, may be put out while between bases (not in contact with a base).
However, a runner cannot be put out while in sole
contact with a base.
NOTE: 2) If a runner occupies a base beyond the one the runner was entitled to advance to or steal, after all play ceases, the umpire will call time and return the runner to the correct base without liability to be put out.
NOTE: 3) Runners can only score on: (ASA
Rule 8, Sec 4 H, 6)
(a) A batted ball
(b) A base on balls or a hit
batter with the bases full, or
(c) On an awarded base when:
1) The ball goes out of play,
or
2) On an illegal pitch
D. LOOK
BACK Rule per ASA Rule 8, Sec 7 T will be in effect.
6. PITCHING: [Ref. ASA Rule 6 Pitching Regulations (Fast
Pitch)]
A. Both feet must remain in
contact with the pitcher's plate at all times prior to the forward step. (FP
Rule 6, Sec E, 2)
B. The strike zone shall be as
per fast pitch rules. (Rule 1, "Strike Zone", B)
C. Coaches are allowed 3
defensive trips onto the field per regulation game, but there is only one trip
allowed for each extra inning. For any excess trip the current pitcher shall be
removed from the pitching position for the remainder of the game. (Rule 5, Sec
7 B)
7. BATTING:
A. Exception to ASA Rule 7, Sec
3, C: After entering the batter's box, the batter shall not be required to
remain in the box with at least one foot between pitches and while taking
signals and practice swings.
However, if the batter leaves the batter's box and
unnecessarily delays play, the umpire may warn the batter and after the warning
may call a strike on the batter for further delay. No pitch has to be thrown and the ball is
dead.
B. A batter hit by a pitched
ball will be awarded first base at the discretion of the umpire, per ASA rules.
8. MISCELLANEOUS:
A. No infield fly rule will be
used in 10-u.
B. The umpire shall call time
out when all play is completed.
C. No run scores if the third
out of the inning is the batter-runner prior to reaching first base or any
other runner forced out at any
base.
D. NO ONE extra player, coach
or parent is allowed behind the catcher to retrieve the ball.