PYAA FAST PITCH SOFTBALL
Rules for Recreation Leagues Grades K-12
Introduction
The recreation leagues are instructional leagues with modified rules to aid in the
training or our young players. Many rules apply to all ages; therefore, this set of rules
was created to simplify the rules of fast pitch softball.
Section I – General Rules
applies to all leagues. At the end, there are modified rules that specifically apply to
different leagues to assist in the development of our youth.
Section
Rules
I
–
General
The following general rules apply to all leagues of Pickerington Fast Pitch Softball.
1) Goals and Objectives
a) Teach the rules and skills of fast pitch softball.
b) Teach and encourage the values of team play, fairness and sportsmanship.
c) Have Fun!!
2) Sportsmanship
a) Player/Parent Code of Conduct - The PYAA sportsmanship guidelines will be
strictly adhered to. If a player or parent does not conduct one’s self in an
appropriate manner, actions may be taken and applied as outlined in the Charter
& By-Laws of the PYAA, Section 1-Behavior and Attitude. All player participants
and their parents were required to review, understand and sign the Registration
Form.
b) Coach Code of Conduct - All coaches are expected to conduct themselves in a
respectable, responsible, and mature manner at all times to achieve the goals
and objectives in Section 1, Item 1. If a coach does not conduct one’s self in an
appropriate manner, actions may be taken and applied as outlined in the Charter
& By-Laws of the PYAA, By-Laws, Section 1-Behavior and Attitude.
3) Eligibility
a) Eligibility - This program is available to all youth who are residents of the
Pickerington Local School District. Girls grades 2 through 12 as of January 1st of
the current year and still attending school are allowed to play in the following
leagues:
i) Bronze: grades 2 through 3;
ii) Silver: grades 3 through 6;
(1)
Page 1 of 13
Any 3rd grade athlete registering for the Silver League must have
Revised 3/19/2015 Aaron Dean
PYAA Fast Pitch Softball
Rules & Regulations
played a minimum of 1 season in the Bronze League.
(2) Any girl wishing to play-up must be permitted by the
league director.
iii) Gold: grades 7-12;
iv) Platinum: currently merged with Gold
b) OHSAA Rules – PYAA must monitor compliance with OHSAA rules. Please refer
to OHSAA rules 10.A.1, 10.A.2, 10.A.3, 10.A.4, 10.A.5, 10.B and 10.C. Basically,
a school player may not meet, practice, scrimmage, game play or tournament
play during school season (3/1 to 6/1). From 6/1 to 7/31, school players may
meet, practice, scrimmage, game play and tournament play. From 8/1 to 3/1,
not more than four school players from the same school, same squad, may
meet, practice, scrimmage, game play and tournament play. DO NOT take the
above definition as the exact interpretation. If you have any doubt as to the
interpretation of the rules, please contact the Softball President to assist in the
interpretation.
4) Format
a) Game Play - A normal, regular season game consists of 5 innings.
b) Run Rule – If a team has a lead of 15 runs after the end of the 3 rd inning, or
a lead of 10 runs after the 4th inning, the game will end. Example: The home
team scores in the bottom of the 3rd to take a 16-1 lead, the game will end.
c) Point System - Extra innings will not be played during the regular season. Ties
count in the standings as one point for each team. A win is two points and a
loss is zero points. Example: A record of 7 wins, 3 losses and 2 ties equals 16
points.
d) Forfeit - A team may begin the game with no fewer than eight (8) players. If a
team has less than eight (8) players present at the scheduled starting time, that
team will forfeit the game. There is no grace period. There will not be a penalty
for less than ten players on a roster. For example: A team is scheduled to play at
7:15pm, but only has 7 team members present. At 7:18 2 team members show
up to play. That team must forfeit the game.
e) Call-up Players – Directors of each league will compile a list of available players
to “play up”. The coaches will ask the parents if they want to make their athlete
daughter available to “play up”. The coach will forward the name and phone
number of the interested players to the League Director.
The Director will
provide the “play-up” list to all the team coaches in the league.
Under no
circumstances may a coach utilize non-roster players. If a player is used that is
either not on the roster or was not obtained through the League Director’s “play
up” list, that team will forfeit that game. “Play up” athletes may only be used to
Page 2 of 13
Revised 3/19/2015 Aaron Dean
PYAA Fast Pitch Softball
Rules & Regulations
fill out a roster of the call up team to a total of 10 players. If an athlete has been
requested to “play up” and 10 or more players show up for the call up team, that
player will not be allowed to play. A call up player CANNOT pitch in Silver (whether she
is from Bronze or another Silver team member), but a Silver call up can pitch in Gold
** For the Silver league only, any 3 rd grader who is currently in either Bronze or
Silver League can be used as a call up player as long as its not during their
scheduled game.
f) Official Time - It is important that all games start on time. The umpire will have
the official time and coaches should check with the umpire prior to the game to
avoid problems. All coaches should have their players at the field 15 minutes
prior to the scheduled start time. All weekday games will start promptly at 5:45
p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
i) In order to speed up play, the following will be observed and enforced by the
umpires:
(1) A pitcher is allowed 5 warm-ups from the mound before the game begins.
(2) A pitcher is allowed up to a maximum of 5 warm-up pitches from the
mound before each inning begins, 3 pitches if they are a returning pitcher.
Infielders may throw infield until the pitcher completes the warm up
pitches. But, if the games are behind, the umpire may ask you to cut off
throwing infield.
(3) If a pitching change is made during an inning, that pitcher is allowed up
to a maximum of 5 warm-up pitches from the mound.
(4) Each coach should designate an assistant coach or parent to be in charge
of putting on and taking off the catcher’s equipment each inning.
(5) Speed of Play - There will be no infield or outfield warm-ups between
innings unless authorized by the umpire. Teams shall take no longer
than two (2) minutes between innings. If either team delays play,
the umpire shall begin a ball/strike count. Example: If after 2-minutes the
defensive team fails to take their positions and the pitcher is NOT ready to
pitch, the umpire will instruct the batter to step into the box and will call
BALL 1 and will continue to increase the BALL count every 20-seconds
after. Likewise if the offensive team delays the game and the batter does
not step into the batter’s box when directed by the umpire, the umpire will
call STRIKE 1 and will continue to increase the STRIKE count every 20seconds after.
(6) Players should be encouraged to run on and off the field between innings.
(7) Pinch runner for the catcher if there are two outs. The player that made
Page 3 of 13
Revised 3/19/2015 Aaron Dean
PYAA Fast Pitch Softball
Rules & Regulations
the last out is the pinch runner. Example: The catcher, who bats 8 th gets
a single. The previous hitter (7 th in the batting order), who made an out
would pinch run for the catcher.
(8) On field pre-game warm-up will be permitted only if equal time is allotted
to both teams and the game can be started promptly at the scheduled
time.
g) Home / Away Designation - Home team will sit on first base side. Visitors will sit
on the third base side.
h) Suspended Play - The umpire can call or suspend a game at his/her discretion if
there is inclement weather. If thunder is heard or lightning is sighted before or
during a game, the game will be delayed a minimum of 30 minutes. If a game
cannot continue after reasonable time and is not a complete game, it is declared
a “no game” and will be rescheduled or canceled if unable to reschedule. Stats
and innings pitched will not be counted if the game is a “no game”.
If
teams have completed three innings or at least 60 minutes and the game is
called, the score will revert back to the end of the last full inning played and will
be declared a complete game. Exception: Any Silver or Gold tournament game
must resume exactly where it was stopped, and finished at another time. The
rescheduled remainder of the game is chosen by the league director—not the
coaches. Ie: The rescheduled game may conflict with certain players. Batting
order must stay the same unless you are missing a player or adding a player. If
you are missing a player she will be removed without penalty. Any additional
player will be added to the bottom of the lineup. If any players are on base at
the time of delay are unable to make the makeup game, they will be replaced by
the last recorded out.
i) Cancelled Games - The League Director or a Softball Board member will notify
coaches of cancelled games. Please do not assume a game is called because it
is raining. We will try to give as much notice as possible so the coaches can
make calls to the parents.
Field status will be updated on the website
(www.pyaa.org) at 4:30 p.m.
j) Soft Toss - No toss drill is permitted hitting hard balls, softballs, or RIF balls into
the fences. Only wiffle balls may be used.
5) Facilities
a) Diamond Set Up - The Coaches are responsible for preparing the field prior to
play.
A chalk circle 8 feet radius should be placed around the pitching
machines/plates.
b) Equipment Care & Pick Up Trash - Remind players and parents to please help
take care of the equipment and to use the trash receptacles. After each game,
teams are responsible to pick up trash in their bench area. Please designate a
parent or assistant coach to help. If the game completed is the last of the day,
Page 4 of 13
Revised 3/19/2015 Aaron Dean
PYAA Fast Pitch Softball
Rules & Regulations
make sure all equipment is placed into the field boxes and insure the boxes are
locked.
c) Base Path Distances - The distances for base paths will be 60 feet.
d) Pitching Rubber Distances - The pitching rubbers will be:
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
Softball
Softball
Softball
Softball
Bronze League – 35 ft
Silver League – 35 feet
Gold League – 40 feet
Platinum League – 40 feet
e) Official Ball – The official balls to be used will be:
i) Softball Bronze and Silver Leagues – Dudley Optic Yellow 11” Leather Softball
ii) Softball Gold and Platinum Leagues – Dudley Optic Yellow 12” Leather
Softball
f) Pitchers Circle - The diameter of the pitchers circles will be 8’ radius (16’
diameter).
6) Coaches
a) Official Game Results - Coaches should verify score with each other after each
inning to ensure no disagreement. Both coaches must e-mail final score to
League Director within 24 hours of game end. League Directors will post league
standings weekly.
b) Coaches Boxes - Offensive coaches may be placed in the first and third base
coaching boxes. If a coach touches a player during live play, that player will be
automatically out.
c) Speed of Play – Let’s keep the innings moving. Have line-ups ready before you
send the kids out. Have the players hustle on and off the field. Have a parent
or coach assist the catcher with her equipment. Back up the catchers (if you are
not permitted to steal).
d) Total Number of Coaches On The Field- There is a maximum limit of 3-coaches
allowed in live ball territory for Silver League and 2-coaches allowed in live ball
territory for Gold League.
7) Umpires
a) Sanctioned and Non-Sanctioned Umpires - PYAA umpires will officiate the games.
If for any reason an umpire is not available, coaches or parents are to perform
this function. A specific individual from each team is to be umpire when the
other team is at bat. Make sure your game starts on time.
Page 5 of 13
Revised 3/19/2015 Aaron Dean
8) Hitting
PYAA Fast Pitch Softball
Rules & Regulations
a) Equipment Compliance - Bats must be compliant with OHSAA rules. They cannot
be larger than 2 ¼ inches in diameter at the widest part of the barrel.
b) Helmet - All offensive players will wear batting helmet with an approved faceguard at all times. This is defined as any player not sitting on the bench.
c) On Deck Hitters - There will be no on deck hitters on the field, nor will players be
allowed to practice swing outside the fences. Only the hitter is allowed to have
a bat in her hands.
d) Batting Order - Every player present will be in the batting order. The batting
order remains intact regardless of defensive changes. Should a player arrive
late, she will be added at the end of the line-up.
e) Bunting – Bunting is permitted in all kid pitch leagues. Slap bunting is permitted.
Fake bunting is not permitted. If it occurs, it w i l l b e a n a u t o m a t i c o u t .
f)
Throwing Bats – There will be one team warning for a thrown bat unless
the bat hits any person, then it will be an automatic out. All subsequent
thrown bats will be an automatic out.
g) Strike Zone – The umpires will be calling a big strike zone; shoulders to knees
and one ball width on either side of the plate. A knee-high fastball is our goal.
Let’s try to keep the play in the control of the girls, not the coach’s pitching or an
over ambitious umpire.
h) Hit By Pitch - If a pitch hits a batter, she must advance to first base. The ball is
dead at the moment it comes in contact with the batter.
If the ball hits the
ground or home plate first and then hits the batter, she still gets first base.
Batters must avoid being hit by the pitch. Coaches must attempt to teach
players the proper technique for avoiding being hit by the pitch.
9) Base Running
a) Body Contact - Intentional body contact is not allowed. No sliding is permitted at
first base. If the batter slides into first base to beat the throw, the batter will be
called out. The Coaches are to ensure that all players are adept at sliding since
improper slides can result in injury.
b) Sliding at Bases/Home Plate – Sliding is always encouraged for the safety of the
runner and defensive player.
Runners will be called out in the following
situations;
Page 6 of 13
Revised 3/19/2015 Aaron Dean
PYAA Fast Pitch Softball
Rules & Regulations
i)
The runner does not legally slide and causes illegal contact and/or illegally
alters the actions of the fielder in the immediate act of making a play on
her, the ball will be dead, the runner will be called out, and each other
runner will return to the last base legally touched. Runners are never
required to slide, but if the runner elects to slide, the slide shall be legal.
(8.6.13)
ii)
A defensive player has the ball, or is about to catch a thrown ball, and the
runner remains on her feet and crashes into the defensive player, the ball
will be dead, the runner will be called out, and each other runner will
return to the last base legally touched. If the contact is determined to be
malicious, the offender will be ejected from the game and will be subject
to possible game suspensions. An errant throw drawing the defense into
the path of the runner is not interference. (8.6.14)
c) Head First Slide - Headfirst slides are not permitted unless to return to a
previously occupied base. Runners making headfirst slides while advancing to
the next base will be called out.
d) The umpire will allow each team one warning concerning leaving the base early
on steals and subsequent violations will result in the runner being called out.
10)
Defense
a) Defensive Players – No more than 10 players from a team are allowed on the
field at one time. Coaches will be required to rotate in/out any players above
that number (though all players will be allowed to bat). Infield players will be
positioned in the normal 6 positions at all times. No short fielder is allowed and
outfielders must start play behind white line in the outfield.
Once pitch is
released outfielders may move in front of outfield line.
b) Infield Play – Bronze/Silver : All players may play a maximum of three (3)
innings per game at one or more of the usual six infield positions. Infield
positions include the pitcher and catcher positions. This rule in effect requires
coaches to do pre-planning and use an infield/outfield rotation system. The only
exception to this rule is if a team is playing with fewer than 10 players. In that
instance, all players may play a maximum of four (4) innings per game in the
infield. No player shall go two consecutive innings on the bench or no player
shall sit on the bench 2-times before all players on the same team sit out at least
one inning. Example: On a team with 11 players, 1 player will sit out
each defensive inning. The player to sit out the 1st inning of the 1st
game will not sit out again until the 2nd inning of the 3rd game. This
will give each player the opportunity to sit out 1-time before any player
sits out a 2nd time. Distribute defensive playing time equally among all
players.
Defensive changes are not allowed during an inning.
The only
exceptions are sickness, injury, or when a change in pitchers occurs. Each coach
Page 7 of 13
Revised 3/19/2015 Aaron Dean
PYAA Fast Pitch Softball
Rules & Regulations
shall provide the umpire and opposing coach a batting line-up and a 5 inning
defensive position matrix prior to the start of play. If it is determined that a
coach does not make an attempt to properly rotate players, the coach is subject
to sanctions and/or the team subject to forfeit.
Infield Play – Gold/Platinum : Defensive positions are unlimited and left to the
coaches discretion.
c) Fake Tags - Fake tags are NOT permitted at any base or home plate.
d) Blocking Bases - Fielders cannot block or stand on a base without the ball when
a base runner is advancing around the bases. If they do this, the umpire may
award extra bases to the runner.
i) Catcher – The catcher cannot block home plate unless she has the ball.
11)
Pitching
a) Style – The pitch is to have no arc. Any portion of the “windmill” is acceptable;
we are trying to teach them FASTPITCH. The pitch should have a minimal arc
and if the ball goes more than 6’-0” above the ground it will be called a ball.
b) Innings Per Game - A pitcher may pitch:
i)
ii)
Silver League – 3 innings per game
- one pitch counts as an inning
Gold and Platinum Leagues – unlimited
c) Inning Definition – One pitch in an inning constitutes 1-inning pitched.
d) Post Season Tournament Inning Limits - In the post-season tournament, all
pitching rules remain the same.
e) Visits to The Mound - When a coach visits the mound, he/she must change
pitchers on the second visit in an inning or on the fourth visit in the game with
the same pitcher.
f) Pitcher Re-Entry
i) Any pitcher may re-enter the game unlimited times at the pitching position
in Gold. Two times in Silver.
g) Illegal Pitch - Illegal pitches will be called balls by the umpire.
12)
Equipment
a) Players will be prohibited from wearing metal cleats of any kind or metal toe
plates. Players are allowed to wear tennis, soccer, or turf shoes.
b) No jewelry will be allowed to be worn by any player at any time. Exception: A
player may tape a stud on a recently pierced ear.
Page 8 of 13
Revised 3/19/2015 Aaron Dean
PYAA Fast Pitch Softball
Rules & Regulations
13)
Disputes
a) In the event of a play or event that is disputed between coaches, and
unresolved by the game official for the reason(s) of the rules being unclear,
contradiction, or a paradox, the final call will be decided by the league
director’s discretion. If the league director happens to be a coach on either
team that is in dispute, the final call will be made by the next closest league
director. (ie. Gold goes uses the Silver director, Silver uses the Gold
director.)
Section II –
Rules
SOFTBALL Modified
The recreation leagues are instructional leagues with modified rules to aid in the
training. All OHSAA, ASA, and Section I-General Rules apply to each age group except
as described below.
1) Softball Copper League
a) Game Play – This is purely an instructional league. 15 minute
warmup/practice before the start of each “game”.
i) Play as many innings as time allows—usually 3-4.
ii) Rotate defensive positions. No player should play outfield back-to-back innings
iii) No score
iv) Outs count for base running, but not for innings.
b) Hitting
i) Bat the entire lineup once each inning. After each player has hit, teams will
switch regardless of outs.
ii) Coach may pitch no more than 3 pitches before using the tee.
iii) No more than one base per hit.
2) Softball Bronze League, Coach Pitch
a) Game Play – No new inning after 70 minutes.
An inning consists of 3 outs or 6 runs scored, whichever comes first. If less than
three outs are made there can only be a maximum of 6 runs scored. There will
Page 9 of 13
Revised 3/19/2015 Aaron Dean
PYAA Fast Pitch Softball
Rules & Regulations
be no maximum number of batters. The play is over when the batter scores or
when a player has control of the ball at a base that any runner is advancing to.
b) Hitting
i) Machine Pitch (if available) – Batter gets 5 pitches. OR if machine is not
available Coach Pitch - Batter gets 7 pitches. If the last pitch is fouled off,
the batter continues at the plate until she misses a pitch or hits the ball in
play. If she does not swing at the extra pitch, the batter is out. Coach
must pitch from the rubber at 35’. If a batted ball hits the coach it is
considered a dead ball and will be replayed.
ii) Bunting – Players may not bunt.
iii) Hit By Pitch - If a pitch hits a batter, she does not get to take first base. If
this happens on the last pitch she continues batting.
c) Base running
i) Stealing – No stealing is allowed at this age.
ii) Runners – Base runner may not leave the base until the ball is hit.
coaching is to be done in a conservative fashion.
Base
iii) Sliding – Sliding is allowed at every base except 1 st base.
iv) Advance on Overthrow – Runners may not advance on overthrows or errors.
v) Runners cannot advance on wild pitches, passed balls, overthrows into foul
territory or overthrows out of play.
d) Defense
i) Players – All players will play defense every inning. However, only six
infielders are allowed. Place all additional players in the outfield – no players
should be on the bench. All outfielders must begin each play in the grass.
Players should be rotated through every position, except as necessary for the
safety of the player.
ii) Coaching – Defensive on-field coaching is permitted. However, coaches are
encouraged to limit the use of defensive coaches to allow the players to
develop a greater awareness of the game. No more than one defensive
coach is allowed in the field of play. All other coaches are to stay in the
immediate area of their team’s bench.
iii) End of Play (1)
Page 10 of 13
A play has concluded when the ball is returned to the infield
regardless of whether or not a player controls it. The play also
ends on overthrows into foul territory.
Revised 3/19/2015 Aaron Dean
PYAA Fast Pitch Softball
Rules & Regulations
(2)
On balls that do not leave the infield, the play has concluded when
an infielder controls the ball and has attempted a play if one is
reasonably available to her. Infielders may not just field a ground
ball and hold it as a means of stopping play.
(3)
The infield/outfield borderline is the beginning of the outfield grass.
(4)
When the play ends, runners may continue to the base to which
they were headed only if more than halfway there. Otherwise,
they return to the previous base. If there is a question of where
the runners were when the play ended, return them to the previous
base. Conservative base coaching should prevail.
iv) Catchers – Catchers will be in the normal position behind the plate. A coach
will back up the catcher to ensure speed of play. The coach must also ensure
that the catcher stays far enough back to prevent being hit by swinging bats.
The catcher will wear shin guards, chest protector, helmet with facemask and
throat-guard.
v) Pitcher Position – A defensive player in the pitcher position will start with one
foot inside the chalk circle, and must wear a helmet.
vi) Score Keeping - An “unofficial” score will be kept. Score will be kept on the
scoreboard (when available). Each team will keep a scorebook at each game,
but no official standings will be kept.
3) Softball Silver League, Kid Pitch
a) Runs Allowed Per Inning - An inning consists of 3 outs or 6 runs. Additional
runs beyond six may be scored on the same play in which the sixth run scores
unless the 6th run scores on a walk. The 5th inning will be unlimited.
b) Pitching
i) Kid Pitch – Kid pitchers will throw to every batter. If the umpire calls 4
BALLS, her count is ASSUMED and the coach of the batting team will
come and throw the remaining strike count to the batter. If the batter
does not hit the ball in play, she is out. If the final allowed pitch is fouled
off, the batter continues at the plate until she misses a pitch or hits the
ball in play. If she does not swing at the extra pitch, the batter is out.
ii) Pitching Rotation – All players on the team are encouraged to pitch if they
so choose.
c) Hitting
i) Bunting – Players may bunt on kid pitches only. Showing bunt and
swinging away is not permitted—it is an automatic out.
Page 11 of 13
Revised 3/19/2015 Aaron Dean
PYAA Fast Pitch Softball
Rules & Regulations
d) Base running
i) Stealing – Base runners may steal one base per pitch. Runner is allowed
to steal a base on Ball 4. Runners may not steal home and may not run
on overthrows to the pitcher. Runners may not steal during Coach Pitch.
ii) Runners - Base runners may not leave the base until the ball reaches the
plate or is hit.
iii) Advance on Overthrow – On a batted ball, only one extra base, TOTAL for
an overthrow when throwing the ball to make a play. NO MATTER HOW
MANY ERRORS ARE MADE. All runners may only advance one extra base
if an overthrow is made. If another overthrow is made the play is over
and no more bases may be taken.
(1) Example: A runner is on 1st. The batter hits the ball and the ball is
fielded and thrown to 1st. On a throwing error, the batter can only run
to 2nd, the runner can only advance to 3 rd, even if the defense makes
another play on the offensive players and another overthrow is made.
(2) Example: If a runner is stealing 2 nd base from a pitched ball and an
overthrow occurs, that runner may not advance further since this is a
steal. Only one base total per steal attempt.
(Commentary: We don’t want home runs scored on singles.
We
want fielders to try to make plays and shouldn’t punish an error by having
multiple runs scored. As far as teaching base running, this will come, as
they get older. The focus i s making plays at bases and playing the
positions.)
e) Coach Pitch
i) When the offensive coach enters the game to pitch, the defense will
maintain their normal infield/outfield positions as if the player were still
pitching. With the coach pitching from the pitchers’ plate, the pitcher will
be positioned with at least one foot inside the pitching circle and even
with or behind the pitching plate. If the defense is placed out of the
normal defensive positions, the umpire will instruct the defensive coach to
correct this infraction and violation of the spirit of the game.
(1)
If a batted ball hits the coach it is considered a dead ball and will
be replayed.
ii) General
Page 12 of 13
(1)
Infield fly and dropped third strike does not apply to this league.
(2)
Coaches are encouraged to position girls in the catching position
that are able to play the position.
Revised 3/19/2015 Aaron Dean
PYAA Fast Pitch Softball
Rules & Regulations
4) Softball Gold & Platinum Leagues, Kid Pitch
a) Play- league.
i)
Infield fly rule
ii)
Dropped third strike does apply to this league.
iii)
Base runners may leave the base once the pitch leaves the pitcher’s hand.
Page 13 of 13
DOES
apply to this league.
Revised 3/19/2015 Aaron Dean