Foothill Girls Softball League
Local & Playing Rules
Updated December 27, 2015
FGSL Playing Rules
Table of contents
SUBJECT
PAGE(S)
Local rules & policies
2
Local rules- All divisions
a. Rescheduling of games
b. Tiebreaking procedure
c. Forfeit of game
2-4
3
3
3
Protest
4-5
General playing rules – All divisions
5-6
General playing rules by division
a. 14U & Majors divisions
b. 12U Division
c. 10U Division
d. 8U Division
e. 6U Division
6
6
7
7-8
8
Rules Matrix
9
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FGSL Playing Rules
Article X:
Local rules and Policies
Section 1.
Rules and Regulations
All rules and regulations will be based on ASA, NorCal, and local rules, with NorCal superseding ASA,
and local superseding NorCal.
Section 2.
Local Age Divisions
1. 6U Division will consist of girls ranging in ages of 5 and 6.
2. 8U Division will consist of girls ranging in ages of 7 and 8.
3. 10U Division will consist of girls ranging in ages of 9 and 10.
4. 12U Division will consist of girls ranging in ages of 11 and 12.
5. 14U Division will consist of girls ranging in ages of 13 and 14.
6. Majors Division will consist of girls ranging in ages of 15, 16, 17, and 18.
7. Girls may request to play up one age division if the following criteria have been met:
a. Player has completed one season of play in the age division that matches players
birthdate, or
b. If that player has already moved up one (1) age division, that player must remain in
that division until the one (1) season of play (matching player’s birthdate) is
completed and
c. Player has received final Board approval. (Revised 11/2010).
i. Note the decision to allow players to play out of their age appropriate
division rests solely with the Board of Directors. While every effort will be
made to accommodate requests, the overall health of the league shall
remain the first priority when assigning players to divisions.
8. Girls exceeding current vacancies will be placed on a waiting list in the order in which they
sign up. Additional players will be added from the waiting list in the order they appear. The
replacement will be the first girl on the waiting list who is eligible for that Division.
9. Managers cannot recruit for their vacancies; they must take players from the waiti ng list.
10. Practices shall not start prior to March 1st without NorCal approval.
11. Managers must contact the Player Agent and Division Coordinator within twenty-four (24) hours
with the name of any girl who has dropped from a team.
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FGSL Playing Rules
Section 3.
Local Rules – All Divisions
1. Home team will be responsible for recording the official scorebook. Each team must present the
line-up to the opposing team ten (10) minutes prior to game/start time and report all substitutions.
(revised 11/2012)
a. Scores are not recorded by the League for the 6U and 8U instructional divisions. (Revised
12/2015)
2. Only the Umpire-In-Chief, Fields Coordinator, President or designee (as authorized by the
President) has the authority to cancel a game prior to game time due to field and/or weather
conditions. (Revised 12/2015)
3. There will be no Run Ahead Rule (or Mercy Rule) in the 10U or 12U Divisions. The ASA Run Ahead
Rule WILL apply to the 14U and Majors Divisions (15 runs after 3 innings, 12 runs after 4 innings and
8 runs after 5 innings). (Revised 12/2015).
4. Rescheduling of games will be limited to acts of nature only. Managers/coaches are not to
coordinate rescheduled games amongst themselves. Any rescheduling of games will be coordinated
by the Commissioner of Fields or designee (as authorized by the President) in consultation with the
Umpire-in-Chief after discussion with the President and/or Vice-President. (Revised 12/2015)
5. Tiebreaking rule: The standings will be kept for a season to determine a Division champion. There
will be no standings in the 6U Division or 8U Division. If at the end of the season, a tie occurs
between any teams the following will be completed, in order, until a winner is determined. (Revised
12/2015)
a. Compare win/tie/loss record of tying teams against each other only (head to head)
b. Compare runs allowed of tying teams against each other only
c. A play-off game between the two (2) tying teams, date TBD, using regular playing rules
without modifications; game cannot end in a tie.
d. A coin toss will be utilized in the event a play-off game cannot be played due to weather,
insufficient time in the schedule, etc. A representative from each team must be present at
the coin toss to be conducted by the President or Designee. (Revised 9/2009)
6. No member of any team can be placed on any other team after the teams are drafted or assigned.
(Revised 12/2015)
7. Home team shall take the first-base side of the field, and visitors will take the third-base side.
8. Teams are not to use the dirt portion of the infield that is designated as fair territory before games.
For warm-ups, teams can use the dirt areas adjacent to the dugouts and areas of the outfield.
9. Forfeit time is game time plus ten (10) minutes. The minimum number of players needed to have an
official game is eight (8) players; a team having less than eight (8) players at forfeit time must forfeit
the game. If both teams have less than eight players at forfeit time, both teams forfeit the game
and earn no points in their Division standings. (This rule does not apply to 6U and 8U). (Revised
12/2015)
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FGSL Playing Rules
If a manager anticipates starting a game with fewer than the required eight (8) players, no more
than two (2) players to meet the minimum play ing requireme nt (f rom the sam e age divi sion) may
be i ncl uded at game t ime to prevent forfeiture of the game. Substitute players are not allowed to
pitch in these games. A manager/coach requesting a substitute player from another team must
contact the manager/coach of that team and not the player directly. If a team’s eighth (8th)
player shows up after the start of the game, the substitute player may remain to complete the
game.
*As per NorCal rules, a player will lose eligibility for all-star play in her age bracket if she plays up
even for one (1) game.
10. Spectators, players, Managers, and Coaches are not allowed to be directly behind the backstop. All
observers must be no closer than ten (10) feet behind the backstop. This allows for the safety of
the spectator as well as the players and officials of the game.
11. Managers and Coaches are prohibited from instructing and/or coaching the players while they
are on the field or at bat from any location other than the dugout or field of play as defined by
the Umpire.
12. Players must wear the uniform as furnished by the League. Shirts must be tucked in at all times
while on the playing field. If not, this could be cause for the team to be charged with a delay-ofgame penalty, as set by ASA standards.
13. After each game or practice, each team is responsible to make sure the fields and spectator areas
are clean and not littered with debris.
14. The League will not be responsible for any personal equipment and/or items of the players, nor
assume any liability for players using personal equipment. Personal equipment is required to
meet the specifications and safety standards set by ASA.
15. At NO time is alcohol or tobacco allowed on the premises where League games are being held.
Managers and Coaches will be responsible for ensuring that spectators do not violate this policy.
16. All players MUST wear a batting helmet with facemask. (Revised 12/2015)
17. All Divisions shall use the double safety base with the red/orange side of the base outside the foul
line if the field being used is equipped with double pegs.
18. Players are not allowed to wear jewelry of any kind during games or practices except medical alert
bracelets or necklaces. Medical alert bracelets must be taped to the player's wrist.
19. Metal cleats are not allowed for play.
Section 4.
Protest – All Divisions
The protest of a game requires payment of a $50.00 fee at the time the protest is filed. If the protest
is upheld, the fee will be returned to the payee. If not, the fee will go to the League. To protest a game,
the manager of a team must notify the umpire that the game is being played under protest and provide
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FGSL Playing Rules
the specific rule interpretation they are protesting. The manager must also provide a written description
of the specific infraction of the rule to the Umpire-In-Chief within forty-eight (48) hours of the end of the
protested game. The umpire assigned to the game will also provide a written report of the incident to
the Umpire-in-Chief. The Umpire-In-Chief will review the protest and evaluate the issue. The decision of
the Umpire-In-Chief is final and cannot be appealed or protested.
Section 5.
Playing Rules – All Divisions
1. Each girl present at a game shall play a minimum of two (2) innings in the field and have at least one
(1) turn at bat. In one of the two (2) required innings in the field, the girl must play an infield
position. Infield positions are first base, second base, third base, shortstop, pitcher, and catcher. This
requirement must be met by the end of the fourth (4th) inning. If a player does not wish to play an
infield position, a written statement must be obtained from her parent(s); the Coach or Manager
must bring this statement to all games.
2. All players will bat throughout the game with field substitutions not affecting the batting order.
3. Should a player need to leave the game for any reason, the offensive team shall not be penalized
with an out when the player’s spot in the batting order is reached. All batters below the player who
left shall be moved up one (1) spot in the batting order.
4. Should a player arrive after the start of a legal game, the player shall be placed at the bottom of the
batting order. If the player arrives prior to the start of the third (3rd) inning, the minimum play
requirements must still be met. If the player is not able to meet the minimum play requirements
because of lack of remaining innings, the team will not be penalized.
5. Except for the pitcher position, there will be free substitution in the field at any time. The
pitcher can be removed from the game and re-enter in the pitching position one (1) time only.
6. All playing rules shall apply to both the regular season and year-end Foothill Finale tournament play
without modifications (with the exception of the Foothill Finale tournament championship game).
7. The game is over when the home team is ahead and time has expired.
8. The final championship game for each division except 8U during the year-end Foothill Finale
tournament will have no time limit. Pitching for the final game is open, with no inning limits. 8U
Division will utilize the “no new inning after 1 hour & 30 minute” rule.
a. Medals will be awarded for first (1st) and second (2nd) place only.
9.
One (1) pitch to a batter in an inning shall constitute an inning pitched.
10. The year-end Foothill Finale tournament brackets will be seeded based on the teams’ season records.
11. Every at tem p t will be made to have two (2) umpires at Foothill Finale tournament
championship games.
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FGSL Playing Rules
12. In case of a tie at the end of inning/time limit in Spring Season Play-off games or Foothill Finale
tournament play, tiebreaker rules will be utilized for the next inning of play (each team starts the
inning with the player who completed the last official at bat, as a base runner on second base.
Each subsequent inning will start the same until a winner has been determined).
Section 6.
Local Rules –14U and Majors Divisions
1
Games will have a seven (7) inning limit. No new inning will start after one (1) hour forty (40)
minutes. In the case of a tie, each team will receive a tie in their standings.
2
Each inning will consist of three (3) outs or seven (7) runs, whichever comes first for each team. The
official Scorekeeper will notify the Umpire when the seventh (7th) run has scored.
3
There will be stealing and a runner may advance at her own risk if any base runner is played upon.
4
The dropped third strike rule is in effect.
5
Pitching Rules: Any qualified pitcher (one who had attended pitching evaluations) may pitch a
maximum of four (4) innings per game. Other pitchers may pitch a maximum of two (2)
innings per game.
6
The infield fly rule is in effect.
Section 7.
Local Rules – 12U Division
1. Games will have a seven (7) inning limit. No new inning will start after one (1) hour forty (40)
minutes. In the case of a tie, each team will receive a tie in their standings.
2. Each inning will consist of three (3) outs or five (5) runs, whichever comes first for each team. The
official Scorekeeper will notify the Umpire when the fifth (5th) run has scored.
3. There will be stealing and a runner may advance at her own risk if any base runner is played upon.
4. The dropped third strike rule is in effect.
5. Pitching Rules: Any qualified pitcher (one who had attended pitching evaluations) may pitch maximum
of four (4) innings per game. Other pitchers may pitch a maximum of one (1) inning per game.
6. The infield fly rule is in effect.
Section 8.
Local Rules – 10U Division
1. Time limit: All games are limited to six (6) innings. No new inning will start after one (1) hour thirty
(30) minutes. In case of a tie, each team will receive a tie in their standings.
2. Each inning will consist of three (3) outs or five (5) runs, whichever comes first. The official
Scorekeeper will notify the Umpire when the fifth (5th) run has scored.
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FGSL Playing Rules
3. Batting rules: There shall be no Coach pitching in the 10U Division; instead, walks will be allowed.
4. Base running: Stealing will be allowed; however, a runner may only steal one base per pitch and
stealing home is not allowed, even if the runner is played upon.
5. Pitching Rules: Any qualified pitcher (one who had attended pitching evaluations) may pitch a
maximum of three (3) innings per game. Other pitchers may pitch a maximum of one (1) inning per
game.
6. The infield fly rule is not in effect.
Section 9.
Local Rules – 8U Division
1. Time limit: All games are limited to six (6) innings. No new inning will start after one (1) hour thirty
(30) minutes. In case of a tie, each team will receive a tie in their standings.
2. Each inning will consist of three (3) outs or five (5) runs, whichever comes first. The official
Scorekeeper will notify the Umpire when the fifth (5th) run has scored.
3. Batting rules: If a batter receives four (4) balls from the opposing pitcher, the batter’s coach shall
pitch to the batter. Coach pitches the remainder of the strikes; each pitch is a strike unless fouled
on third strike. The batter may hit or strike out; she may not walk. If the maximum 3 pitches are
thrown by the coach without the batter hitting, the batter is called out. This out is recorded as a
strike out. All coach pitched balls are recorded as strikes. On a foul ball the player will continue their
at bat. A batter hit by the Coach’s pitch will not be awarded first base. The pitcher for the defensive
team must remain in the sixteen (16) foot circle until the ball is put in play. The Coach pitching the
ball must remain within the circle without interfering with the play until the play has ended as
signaled by the Umpire calling time-out.
4. Base running: There will be no stealing.
a. Runners can only advance one base on a batted ball being fielded in the infield that has not
crossed the 10' outfield line.
b. Runners and batter/runner may advance extra bases while a hit ball remains in the outfield
and must stop at the next base once the ball crosses the 10’ line into the infield, as
determined by the sole judgment of the umpire.
i. Note the ball does not have to be under control of any player, merely cross from the
outfield to the infield as designated by the 10’ chalked line.
ii. Coaches are expected to use good sportsmanship and judgment in the application of
this rule. (Revised 12/2015)
5. Pitching Rules: Any qualified pitcher (one who had attended pitching evaluations) may pitch a
maximum of three (3) innings per game. Other pitchers may pitch a maximum of one (1) inning per
game.
6. Outfield Rules:
a. Outfielders must be 10’ from natural baselines at time of swing – Fields are to be chalked at
the 10’ line.
b. Outfield is defined as 10’ from natural baseline – fields are to be chalked at the 10’ line.
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FGSL Playing Rules
c. Outfielders may not lineup as infields – 6 infields – 4 outfields for 10 player team.
d. Outfield defensive positions are defined as 4 outfields, which must play at minimum 10 feet
to the outfield side from natural baseline at the time of hit ball.
7. Stopping a play: A play is over when any defensive player controls the ball inside the sixteen
(16) foot pitching circle. (Revised 12/2015)
Section 10.
Local Rules – 6U Division
1. Two (2) defensive Coaches may occupy the field and are encouraged to provide instruction without
interfering with the play.
2. The distance between the bases will be fifty (50) feet. The sixteen (16) foot pitcher's circle will be
centered thirty (30) feet from home plate.
3. All games are limited to six (6) innings. No new inning will start after one (1) hour fifteen (15)
minutes.
4. Each inning will consist of all players having one (1) at bat.
5. Batting rules: The Manager or Coach will pitch to her/his own players from the pitching plate.
The batter will have four (4) pitches to hit the ball into fair territory. After the fourth (4th) pitch, the
batting tee will be used. The batter will be allowed two (2) attempts to hit the ball into fair territory.
After the second (2nd) attempt, the batter is out. A batter hit by the Coach’s pitch will not be
awarded first base, and the pitch will count. The Manager or Coach of the team at bat shall place,
adjust, and remove the tee. Some part of the tee must be touching home plate. The Coach shall
place the ball on the tee. Once the ball is in place, the batter may not take any practice swings,
doing so will result in assessment of an attempted swing. Before the ball is hit, the pitcher must
stay in the sixteen (16) foot circle. A foul ball on the second (2nd) attempt will be an out.
6. Base running: Runners will advance one (1) base on a hit ball. A base runner may not leave a base
until the ball has been put into play by the batter (Purpose: This rule will help encourage infield
play. Due to the speed of the hit pitch and its infield location, putting an advancing runner out at
a base is difficult. This rule will give the fielders a greater opportunity to participate in that kind of
play).
7. Each player shall play a minimum of one (1) inning in the infield and one (1) inning in the outfield for
every three (3) innings played by that player.
8. With the exception of the pitcher and catcher, there shall be no more than five (5) players on the
infield. In the case of a dispute, the Coach shall determine if a girl is considered to be playing the
infield.
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FGSL Playing Rules
Section 11: Rules Matrix (Revised 12/2015)
Playing Rules by Division
6U
8U
10U
12U
14U
Majors
Ball Size
10"
10"
11"
12"
12"
12"
League Ages
5, 6
7, 8
9, 10
11, 12
13, 14
15 - 18
Infield Fly Rule
Dropped
3rd Strike
NO
NO
NO
YES
YES
YES
NO
NO
NO
YES
YES
YES
Stealing
NO
NO
LIMITED
YES
YES
YES
3 per
game
3 per
game
4 per
game
4 per
game
4 per
game
Five (5)
Five (5)
Five (5)
Seven (7)
Seven (7)
Six (6)
1 hr.
30 min.
Six (6)
1 hr.
30 min.
Max Innings
for Pitching
N/A
Maximum Runs
per Inning
Five (5)
Innings
per Game
Six (6)
Game
1 hr.
Time Limit
15 min.
Seven (7) Seven (7) Seven (7)
1 hr.
1 hr.
1 hr.
40 min.
40 min.
40 min.
Coach Pitch
YES
YES
NO
NO
NO
NO
Walks Allowed
Pitching
Distance
NO
NO
YES
YES
YES
YES
30 feet
30 feet
35 feet
40 feet
43 feet
43 feet
50 feet
60 feet
60 feet
60 feet
60 feet
60 feet
Ten (10)
Ten (10)
Nine (9)
Nine (9)
Nine (9)
Base Distances
Number
of Fielders
All
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