AMHERST GIRLS SOFTBALL LEAGUE
MAJOR DIVISION 2017 HOUSE LEAGUE RULES
We will follow the 2017 “Official Softball Rule Book” with the following
exceptions:
A. Game Times
1. Games must start on time. A team can start play with eight (8) players. If either team has fewer
than eight (8) players, a 15-minute grace period will be allowed. Any player coming after the
start of the game should be added at the bottom of the line-up. Utilize the call up procedure (Ref.
Rule H3) when you know you are missing players to ensure you can field a team. Borrowing
outfielders from the opposing team (Ref. Rule F1) can also be utilized. Remember, this is an
instructional league and forfeits are not encouraged.
2. It is the coach’s responsibility to check the web in the case of inclement weather. You may
choose to contact your parents or direct them to the WEB site for inclement weather cancellations.
On weekdays the WEB site will be updated by 5:00pm, on weekends please check for updates
approximately one hour prior to game time. If no message is posted, assume your game is on.
3. The home team will use the field starting 30 minutes before the game start time for 15 minutes for
pre-game warm ups,. The visiting team will use the field for the remaining 15 minutes. If your
team arrives late, you may warm-up outside of your allotted times on the field only with
agreement of the opposing team. In no case should a game start time be delayed to allow for
additional warm-up time, even if the 15 minutes allotted time is not taken.
4. If one team is ahead by ten or more runs at the end of any inning after the fifth inning, the game
shall be declared over, and the team ahead declared the winner.
5. With one exception, no inning in any game can start after 1 hour and 30 minutes. The only
exception is a weekend (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) game that does not have a game following it
on the same field – in this case no inning can start after 2 hours. The umpire and coaches should
note game start time and record it in scorebooks. The time limits do not apply during the playoffs.
6. Darkness and/or weather may stop a game at any point as determined by the umpire. Warning: If
there is any sign of lightning, even in the distance, games should stop immediately. Teams
should take shelter under concession stand picnic areas and not resume play unless lightning free
for 15 minutes.
7. All games started and then stopped due to weather conditions are considered a complete game
after 4 ½ innings (losing team must bat in 5th inning). Incomplete games will be rescheduled
from the start.
8. A regulation game is 7 innings.
9. If the game is tied after the final inning (7 innings or the final inning due to time limits), both
teams will be awarded a tie. The exception to this rule concerns playoffs. Playoffs will not end in
a tie. Extra innings will be played until a winner is determined.
B. Uniform and Equipment
1. Players are required to wear either standard white baseball pants or official softball shorts of their
team color during games. A team must have all players wearing pants or shorts for a game. In
cold weather long pants may be worn under the shorts. Girls arriving from school games may
play in their school uniform pants. No one will be allowed to play without a proper uniform.
2. Each player must wear her individual team jersey to be eligible for play.
3. No metal spikes will be allowed. Any player wearing such will be removed from the game.
4. All batters and base runners must wear batting helmets with chin straps fastened.
5. All catchers must wear protective equipment and a catcher’s helmet with face guard at all times,
including when warming up the pitcher. If a player coaches a base, she must wear a helmet.
6. Only bats stating “Official Softball” on the barrel of the bat are allowed.
7. Game balls are supplied by the league. The home team supplies both game balls to the umpire.
C. Umpire
1. The Majors division uses paid umpires arranged for by the league.
2. If an umpire does not show, please have an agreement between both teams for an adult to
umpire the game. If the umpire comes late, he/she will replace the adult. An umpire not being
present is not grounds for postponement.
3. The home team is responsible for paying the umpire fee. They have two types of checks. The full
amount, and 1/2 the full amount. The umpire is compensated for 1/2 pay if they show up, and the
game is cancelled. The umpire is compensated with full pay if the game starts and is then
cancelled.
D. Safety
1. Only team members and coaches will be allowed on the bench. When on offense, only base
runners, the batter, and the person on-deck, who must be wearing a batter’s helmet, may be off the
bench in the field of play. It’s recommended that the girl on-deck stand at the end of the bench near
either the first or third base coach.
2. Exposed jewelry must be removed and may not be worn during the game. No jewelry is to be
worn during a game. NOTE: Medical alert bracelets or necklaces are not considered jewelry. If worn,
they must be taped to the body so the medical alert information remains visible.
3. When an injury occurs, the umpire should call time out immediately. Runners (including the batter)
who are between bases may proceed safely to the next base only. First Aid Kits are provided to
each Manager at the beginning of the season. They must be present on the bench. Ice packs are to
be used when necessary and can be replaced at the concession stand. Coaches are responsible for
reporting any significant injury to the league.
4. Any player warming up a pitcher on the sidelines or on the playing field must wear a facemask.
E. Conduct
1. Managers are responsible for the conduct of their players, parents and fans at all times on the
field and on the bench. NO heckling of the opposition will be tolerated. The results of such action
shall be the expulsion of that person from the game. If he/she refuses to leave or such action is
continued, that person’s team will forfeit the game.
2. Smoking or drinking of alcoholic beverages will not be tolerated in the area of play. This includes
players, coaches, and spectators. Forfeiture may be the result.
3. Protests are strongly discouraged. Any protest must be submitted in writing to the House League
President, within 24 hours. For a protest to be valid, your scorebook must be complete to the point
where the protest was made. At the point of protest, the opposing coach and umpire must be notified
and your scorebook signed. Home teams scorebook is the official record of the game.
F. Defense
1. There will be (10) players on the defensive team and four (4) players must be on the outfield
grass when the ball is pitched. An outfielder can move into the infield after the pitcher releases the
ball.
2. Each player must play a minimum of three innings on defense. If the last half of an inning is not
played because the home team leads, it will count as an inning played.
3. All managers have the following option if a player is late for a game: after one complete inning,
she may only play two (2) of the remaining six (6) innings; after two complete innings, she may play
only one (1) of the remaining five (5) innings; after three complete innings, she does not have to
play. It is not necessary to implement this rule. It is left to the coach’s discretion. We suggest that
one use this rule only in the case of a girl who is frequently late.
4. All players must play a minimum of 2 innings in the infield per game. The only exceptions to this
rule are:
- If a player or parent feels that the player is not prepared to play in the infield. In this case, the
coach must notify the opposing coach that the player will not play in the infield.
- If the game is called due to inclement weather, darkness or the 12 run after 6 inning mercy rule
comes into effect in inning #6.
5. The infield fly rule comes into effect if:
a. There is less than two outs in the inning.
b. There are base runners on first and second base or first, second, and third base.
c. The batter must hit a fly ball in the infield area.
If these three elements are present, the umpire should call "infield fly rule - The batter is out." At
that point, even if an infielder dropped the ball, the batter is still out. Runners proceed at there own
risk.
6. The pitching rubber will be set at 40 feet and the bases at 60 feet.
7. Each pitcher is limited to four (4) innings per game, consecutive or non-consecutive. Extra innings
in a game do not count as accumulated innings. One pitch in any inning will be considered an inning
pitched. . Innings pitched by one girl may occur in any order (pitchers may re-enter the game at any
time). The pitcher may play any other position in the field with no inning limit.
8. Travel players are limited to pitching two (2) innings in a game.
G. Offense
1. Each team will bat its entire order. If fourteen girls are present. All fourteen will bat in order. If an
injury occurs the girl is removed from the line-up. An out is not recorded in that batter’s slot. If
injuries cause the number of players to fall below 8, then an out is recorded each time the 8 th slot
comes up to bat. If a player arrives late for a game she must be placed at the end of the batting
order.
2. The umpire will warn the batter and her coach the first time a bat is thrown in such a manner as
may result in injury. If a bat is thrown again by any member of the team, an out will be called, and a
no pitch will be the ruling.
3. Dropped third strike rule is not in effect. The batter is out on a dropped third strike, but runners
may advance at their own risk of being thrown out.
4. Runners may steal 2nd and/or 3rd base. Runners cannot leave a base until the ball crosses home
plate.
5. A base runner must be hit home. There is no stealing home. The only time a runner can score
from 3 base on an overthrow is when the play is started by a batted or bunted ball. If the runner
scores without being hit home, the runner must return to 3rd base. The runner is not out.
rd
6. Bunting is allowed.
7. Coaches may use a courtesy runner for a girl that will start the next inning in the catcher position.
The girl making the last out must be the pinch runner. You may not courtesy run any other player.
H. Miscellaneous
1. Players must play in 65% of their games to be eligible to play in the playoffs, unless there are
medical reasons for not having played. In a 12 game season, each player must play a minimum of 8
games to be eligible.
2. At the completion of each game, the winning coach must update the AGSL Web page.
3. When playing a game without a back stop, the following rule should be in effect: stealing will be
allowed on a ball that passes the catcher, either by a wild pitch or passed ball; the runner will be
allowed one base for each occurrence. In the event the catcher retrieves the ball before it becomes
dead and throws to the base, where upon the runner is tagged before reaching the base, the runner
will be declared out.
4. If you cannot provide a minimum of 8 players for a game, contact the AAA coordinator for
available 5th grade girls with parent permission to play in the Majors Division. A player cannot miss
their scheduled house game to play up. Call-up players are expected to play a minimum of three
innings, but are not required to play in the infield. Call-up players cannot pitch or catch.
5. The team that was scheduled to be the home team must always supply volunteers to the
concession stand.