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Sports Leagues

Softball: Girls 3rd - 5th: Rules

DSN Softball Rules Grades 3rd-5th

The rules written in Blue are specific to 3rd-5th The Rules writing in black are the same for all ages.

Please remember that you are representing much more than your team. You are representing DSN & the highest of standards that have been set for this organization.

MANDATE: KIDS ARE TO HAVE FUN. COACHES ARE TO BE GOOD ROLE MODELS.

Go over these rules with each other & the umpire before each game; it takes less than one minute. Refer to them when necessary.

Timing

The games are 6 innings long or until time runs out (90 minutes from first pitch), whichever occurs first. In the event of a tie after 6 innings, extra innings will be played if time is permitted within the allotted time slot (approx. 15 minutes or more MUST be remaining to start a new inning. If there are less than 15 minutes the game will be called.) If the game is tie after 6 innings, this rule shall apply again, time permitting. No matter what –for the playoffs – if time is up the game continues.
After 4 complete innings the game is official (rain) or 3 1/2 if losing team already batted. In the event of rain delay – the team will have until their allotted time to possibly resume play in the event the rain subsides & field is deemed by the umpire in playable condition.

Hitting/Base Running

EVERY player on the team must bat.
There is NO slotting.
No stealing and no leading off base. Runners can only run AFTER the ball is hit.
One base maximum per INFIELD hit regardless of errors, overthrows, passed or missed balls etc.
Two base maximum for any hit that lands on the outfield grass in any way (whether it was a grounder that touched a defenders glove or a fly ball that touched a defender, or if it did not hit any defender) the batter and the base runners have the option to advance for an additional base at their own risk. There are no triples or homeruns. No extra base for an over throw or an error.
Bunting IS NOT allowed.
Traditional fly ball "Tagging up" rules are in force
A base runner is out if she get hit by a batted ball.
No player may have a bat in their hands at ANY Time except when they are up to the plate.
At this grade level, it's 10 pitches (good or bad) or 3 swinging missed strikes (even on bad pitches), whichever comes 1st. Once batter swings and misses a 3rd time, she's out. No extra chances because she swung at a bad pitch.
As regular softball, if runner overruns a base, other than 1st, and is tagged, she is out. Girls must be taught not to overrun those bases.
The play is deemed dead when a fielder throws the ball to the pitcher. Runners who are in between bases run at their own risk.
A Runner on 2nd or 3rd base who is not forced to advance may only advance to another base if she left her initial base before the first baseman receives the throw or the throw goes past the 1st baseman. For example, runner on 2^nd no outs, ground ball to shortstop, runner on 2nd base stays on her bag, shortstop throws to first, ball goes over 1st baseman's head, if runner on 2^nd base did not make at least 1 step towards 3rd before the ball passed 1st base, then runner cannot go to 3rd on the overthrow (because in this league, we don't allow extra bases due to overthrows). If, however the runner on 2nd took 1 or more steps towards 3rd BEFORE the ball passed 1st base, then runner can continue on to 3rd.

Fielding

All players up to 10 players in the field on defense. Minimum of 6 to start play. Less than 6 will cause your team to forfeit. If both teams have less than 6 players it's a double forfeit and both teams get a loss. The number of players is determined after 15 minutes from game start time. For example, if game time is 530pm, then at 545pm the ump counts the players and if there are less than 6, he calls it a forfeit. If your 6^th player arrives at 5:46pm, it’s too late and no game is played.
There is no intra-inning switching of defensive players positions on the field or from the dugout.
An inning may be able to start without the catcher ready.
Due to no catcher position in this grade, The "Pitcher child" position MUST cover home plate on any given play.
We do not play with infield fly rule.

Field set up, please see diagram below. Numbers 2, 4 and 5 cannot stand on the base; they must stand next to the base. Numbers 8 and 9 are on each side of the pitcher number 7. Number 1 is the catcher. Numbers 10 and 11 must be on the grass.

Scoring

Maximum 4 runs per inning can be scored. This applies to every inning. Once 4 runs are scored, the inning is over. If a team is out of reach of winning, the game is over.

Any team can have any adult (or older teenager) pitch to their team or the other team – as the object is to get the ball over the plate and let the kids hit.. There are no balls & strikes being called. Pitcher must pitch from the edge of the dirt of the pitching mound. UNDERHAND PITCHING IS PERMITTED.
Maximum of 10 pitches per batter or 3 swinging strikes

Coaches

Parents should not be coaching their child on their own. With permission of the head coach, a parent can become an assistant coach and then the parent can instruct the players. It is confusing to players when they are receiving instructions from a parent, while a coach is instructing something else.
Offensive coaches are allowed at first & third base, as well as a catcher-coach helping the batter and the pitcher-coach. That's 4 total.
Defense is allowed 2 coaches in the field, 1 standing between 1st and 2nd behind all the players(in the grass), and 1 standing between 2nd & 3rd behind all the players(in the grass). The coaches may instruct the players verbally before and during a play. But no physical contact is allowed at all. If physical contact is made the offesnive player will be awarded a free base.
- The defensive coaches should stay in their set position throughout the inning and during the play.
If the ump make a judgment call there is no arguing allowed or any discussion whatsoever about it. If it is a non judgment call IE our rule or a basic softball rule, then the two Head coaches and the ump should quietly discuss the matter to resolve the issue. For all DSN rules they should refer to the website. If one coach believes the umps decision a conflict with basic softball rules he should declare a “Protest” to the ump and the opposing coach. He should then report it to DSN after they finish the game and DSN will review the matter and make a final decision.
Only head coaches are permitted to talk to the ump about calls in the game. Only Head coaches are allowed to talk to each other about calls in the game. All assistants and helpers may not converse with the ump or the opposing Head coach. If they do so they will be asked to leave the field.
Any rule not listed anywhere in these rules, means the rule follows regular Little League Baseball rules.

Equipment

Balls- Will use a Yellow soft clincher
Helmets must be worn by all batters and base runners on base.

Players and Drafts

DSN reserves the right to evaluate the teams and players after the first week. They can make any changes after the first week to the rosters if necessary to ensure fair teams.

The Basics

Coaches

Be nice & respectful to each other. If there is a disagreement, the 2 head coaches & umpire (if necessary) ONLY should quietly talk it over & come to an agreement. If the rule is unclear, the umpire will rule for that call & at the next sports committee meeting we will bring up the situation to make a rule for the future.
Offensive coaches are not allowed to touch, hold or impede their own players in an effort to stop them, or push them, if they do, that runner will be called out
As a general rule, every player should play at least 3 innings in the field. Coaches should try not to sit a player out 2 consecutive innings in the field.

Uniform/Equipment

All Players must be in their DSN uniform ( Jersey/ Pant)
All Players must remove all jewelry before each game. IE bracelets, bangles, earrings, necklaces, watches, etc..
Cleats are allowed, except metal spikes.
Approved Equipment - Bats (wood & non-wood). DSN follows the same rules as little league baseball with regards to approved bats. You can check their web site for reference. http://www.littleleague.org/learn/equipment.htm

Batting/Running

A batter throwing the bat is warned first offense. Second offense she is automatically called out.
A runner is out if hit by a batted ball and as in MLB rules, play is dead immediately. All other base-runners must return to the initial base they were on prior to the hit. .
No head first sliding or the runner will be called out. Headfirst sliding is not allowed, except when going BACK to the base. Any headfirst slide even WITHOUT a play at the base, will be called out.
For safety reasons No “ON DECK “batters are allowed. The ONLY person swinging a bat should be the hitter.
Runners may not run out of the base paths or they risk being called out by the ump.
Pinch Running is prohibited. There are 2 exceptions. 1) If a runner gets injured and cannot run, he must get to first base and then they can have a replacement runner. The replacement runner MUST be the last batted out. 2) If there are 2 outs and your catcher is on base, you should pull him off the base and put a pinch runner in so the catcher can get dressed. The replacement runner MUST be the last batted out.

Fielding

If a fielder tags the runner with her glove, however the ball is in her bare hand – runner is NOT OUT.
We are not playing with infield fly rule.
Defenders MUST give a clear path for base runners to run to the next base. It is the coach’s responsibility to teach this to his players. A base runner will be called safe if a defender seriously impedes her right to run straight to the next base and the play at that bag is a close call.

Sportsmanship

All players & coaches must line up at the end of the game to congratulate one another - one team at first base, one team at third base. Good sportsmanship is a MUST.
All players, parents & coaches are expected to abide by the DSN code of conduct.

Missing Player

If a player gets injured and is out-for-the-season with at least 1/3 the regular season games remaining, he can be replaced by a child that is not playing in the league yet. The new player must be of equal or lesser talent. If there is a waiting list, do not just choose the 1^st child on the list. Rather, in our competitive leagues to ensure parity and fairness, the new player is the 1^stchild on the list that is of equal or lesser talent. For example if the player injured is an average player, and on the waiting list the 1^st player is an excellent player and the 2^nd player is an average player, then the average player is selected. The talent comparison supersedes the waiting list order.
No substitute players are allowed. This means if a team is missing a player or a player is injured, a player from a different team or a non-player cannot be added to play in that game

Games

The Home team has the first base dugout regardless of field. The home team is the second team listed on the schedule. DURING HOT WEATHER BOTH TEAMS SHARE THE SHADY DUGOUT.

Season tie breakers will be decided as follows
- head to head wins
- Points for vs Points against between the tied teams
- Points for vs Points against all team

Home team must bat 2nd, whether regular season or playoffs. The home team cannot choose to bat 1st
VALIDATE each other’s score cards at end of each game – it may be needed for tie breakers
Playoffs/World Series: With 4 teams. Home team is always the highest ranked team. The first round of playoffs will be held as follows: team 1 will play 4 and team 2 will play 3.
Only DSN Staff has authority to cancel a game before its scheduled time. Coaches have NO authority to cancel a game on their own. Even if both headcoaches agree to cancel, without DSN staff approval the game is on and will not be made up.
Once a game is underway, only the umpire can postpone the game due to weather or any other potentially unsafe conditions. It is the umpire's decision. If the umpire postpones the game, but headcoaches want to play anyway, they are not allowed to play even without the umpire. Umpire's decision is final.
If both teams do not have the minimum # of players for a game, it's a double forfeit with both teams earning a loss, and the game will not be made up.
No regular games, playoff games or World Series can be cancelled, postponed or re-scheduled due to a missing player, regardless of the player's talent level or position on the team.
No regular games, playoff games, or World Series game can be cancelled, postponed or re-scheduled due to a missing headcoach. Another parent coach must fill in.