2011 Playing Rules
1. SDYS Playing Rules
1.1.
SDYS Teams shall play game rules in compliance with ASA Official Rules of Play and the ASA of
Southern California Rules and Regulations (“Yellow Book”).
1.2.
Changes or exceptions to these Playing Rules require the recommendation of the SDYS Protest &
Rules Committee and the approval of the SDYS Board.
1.3.
SDYS sanctioned games shall not have less than 8 players per team. This is an ASA requirement and
no exceptions. For games with other SDYS teams, share players to start with the game minimum. ASA
Umpires are not allowed to umpire if one team has less than 8 players, so teams aren’t allowed to play.
1.4.
Pitching Limits are provided to ensure the focus remains on developing skills and confidence of
league pitchers.
Regular Season
Division
Innings/Game
Innings/Consecutive Games
8U
2
4
10U
12U
3
3
6
6
14U
4
7
1.5.
For Pitching Limit determination:
1.5.1. During the regular season a week is Monday through Sunday.
1.5.2. During the regular season, a game that is made up (due to a rain out, etc.) will count as if it
were played during the week in which it was originally scheduled.
1.5.3. 1 pitch thrown in an inning (including warm ups from the circle), is considered 1 complete
inning.
1.5.4. Except in event of injury, no pitcher shall have more than twice as many innings pitched
during a week compared to one other pitcher on the team.
1.5.5. Repeated violation of Playing Time or Pitching Limit rules are subject to disciplinary action by
the Protest & Rules Committee, up to and including disqualification for All-Star Coach Consideration.
1.6.
Play a 7-inning game or no new inning after 1 hour and 30 minutes.
1.7.
4 run limit per inning (no open innings).
1.8.
Minimum Number of Players / Short Handed Rule: A team may play all or part of a game with a
minimum of 8 players. A team may start with 8 players but when the next player arrives, they must be
inserted into the line-up in the 9th batting position. If another player arrives, she must be inserted in the
10th spot in the line-up and so on with each arriving player.
1.9.
Minimum Playing Time:
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1.9.1. Defense: 2 innings per game, 3 of 5 innings, 4 of 6 innings.
1.9.2. Offense: All players bat.
1.10. Rotation of Fielders shall ensure every player play an infield position for at least 1 innings per 4
innings, and 2 for 6 innings, unless the coach determines otherwise due to a safety issue.
1.11. If any batter (in the original line up) cannot take her turn batting for any reason, she is declared out
for that turn only. If she is unable to continue subsequent batting turns, there is no additional penalty (i.e.,
she is only out for the first time). If the 9th player cannot take her turn at bat for any reason, then the team
must play under the short-handed rule.
2. Exceptions to these rules are included in the following:
2.1. Interleague: For 10U and 12U Interleague games, ASA rules govern the play of the game. Head Coaches
and the Head Umpire should agree to any changes prior to the start of the game.
2.2.
14U Playing Rules
2.2.1. Playing rules will be governed by the 14U Interleague Administrator, subject to the approval of
the SDYS UIC.
2.3. 12U Playing Rules
2.3.1. None.
2.4. 10U Playing Rules
2.4.1. Hit by Pitch: A batter hit by a pitch will have the option to take the base or continue batting.
2.4.2. Maximum of Ten (10) Players on the field when playing defense. Regular infield must be in
place and the other four (4) remaining players in the outfield.
2.5. 8U Playing Rules
2.5.1. “No New Inning” after 1 hour and 30 minutes and a “Drop Dead” time of 1 hour and 45
minutes. Final score will be from end of last complete inning, unless “Home Team” is winning.
Games can end in a tie.
2.5.2. Maximum of Ten (10) Players on the field when playing defense. Regular infield must be in
place and the other four (4) remaining players in the outfield.
2.5.3. Walks: There will be no walks to any batter before Spring Break.
2.5.4. Coach Pitch: If a pitcher issues 4 balls to a batter, the teams Head Coach or Assistant Coach
will enter the game. The batter will "assume the strike count" which means she will only be
pitched the remaining number of strikes before she is called out. If a batter fouls off a pitch
with 2 strikes, then she will get additional pitches until she either hits the ball fair or strikes
out. There will be “No Coach Pitch” after Spring Break.
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2.5.5.
All pitches (from players and coaches) shall be thrown from the pitching rubber. When a coach
is pitching, the defensive player assigned to the pitcher position must have at least 1 foot
inside the pitching circle, but not in front of the pitcher until the pitch is released.
2.5.6. Bunting is allowed during Player Pitch, but not during Coach Pitch
2.5.7. Stealing: A base runner is allowed to steal only one base per batter. A base runner may not
steal home. No stealing during Coach Pitch.
2.5.8. Overthrows: The batter-runner and any base runners may advance only one base on an
overthrow (i.e., out of play.). The runners may advance only on the first overthrow. If a play
has multiple overthrows, the runners may not advance an additional base.
2.5.9. “Cold" Home Plate is in effect, which means a base runner is allowed home only when forced
home or ball is hit into play.
2.5.10. No "Courtesy Runner" for any player unless a player is injured. The courtesy runner shall be
the last out from the previous inning
2.5.11. A maximum of 2 coaches from the defensive team are allowed on the outfield only.
2.5.12. Hit by Pitch: A batter hit by a pitch will have the option to take the base or continue batting.
2.6. T-Ball Playing Rules
2.6.1. A team may play all or part of a game with a minimum of 4 players.
2.6.2. Game Time Limit is 45 minutes.
2.6.3. There is no base stealing.
2.6.4. Runners can only advance by a hit ball. Runners cannot advance on an overthrow from the
catcher to the pitcher. Once the ball has been thrown into the infield, the play is dead. If a
runner advances illegally to the next base she is sent back.
2.6.5. Bat through the entire line up, once per inning.
2.6.6. Everyone plays defense. Regular infield must be in place, remaining players must be on the
grass in the outfield.
2.6.7. All players should be rotated to ensure equal infield and outfield playing time.
2.7. Special Rules for Spring Championship Tournament
2.7.1. All divisions will participate in an End of Season Spring Championship Tournament. Seeding
will be determined by a blind draw on Opening Day.
2.7.2. A coin toss before the game will determine Home team. For 8U bracket play teams listed on
bottom will occupy the third base dugout, and teams listed on top will call the coin toss. For
round robin play teams listed first will occupy the third base dugout, and teams listed second
shall call the coin toss.
2.7.3. Player Eligibility: To be eligible for the Spring Championship Tournament, each player must
have played in over 50% of her team's games during the season (unless the games missed were
due to injury or illness). A player must play with the team she is registered with.
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2.7.4.
2.7.5.
2.7.6.
2.7.7.
2.7.8.
2.7.9.
2.7.10.
2.7.11.
2.7.12.
2.7.13.
2.7.14.
2.7.15.
2.7.16.
Player Rotation rules apply with the following exception: it is not required that every player
plays at least one inning in the infield.
ASA Rules will apply if a player leaves the game voluntarily or is ejected. An out will be registered
every time that person comes up to bat.
The Tournament shall not have pitching limits.
For 8U: Maximum of 10 players will play on defense.
For 8U: There will be no Coach Pitch.
For 10U: Maximum of 10 players will play on defense.
Tournament Games: 1 hour and 30 minutes No New Inning.
Championship Game: 8U will play a six (6) inning game.
Championship Game: 10U/12U/14U will play a seven (7) inning game.
The Tournament shall use the Run Ahead Rule, Four (4) runs max per inning. Each inning the
team that is down will have a chance to tie the game and score up to 4 additional runs. ASA
Mercy Rule will be in effect.
For 8U: (4) Four runs max per inning. Umpire may declare an open inning in the last inning.
International Tie Breaker will be used for all Championship and Tournament games. The tie
breaker will be in effect immediately after regulation play or time limit has been reached.
Hit by Pitch: Batter will take their base.
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