GIRLS FAST PITCH SOFTBALL RULES

NOTE: The league will be governed by the official rule book of ASA (Amateur Softball Association), unless superseded by Eaton Ruritan Community Park rules. The following rules are Eaton Ruritan rules.

1.     Protests are not allowed at Eaton Ruritan, for any reason. The Umpire has the final authority on the field.

2.     The umpire has the right to reverse his call.  

3.     Five run limit per inning.

4.     All games will be five innings unless game is out of reach after four innings. Tie games will have a one inning only tie breaker, time permitting.

5.     Every player gets to play the entire game unless a discipline problem arises. Discipline problems must be discussed with the league representative.

6.     First team listed on the schedule is home team and is responsible for keeping the official score book.

7.     Coaches must give line up to score keeper ten minutes before game time.

8.     The minimum number of players to start a game is 7. If both teams have the minimum number of players, the game should start at posted game time.

9.     Each team must have a hind catcher, pitcher, and no more than 4 infielders (1^st baseman, 2^nd baseman, shortstop, and 3^rd baseman).

10.  A player arriving after the game has begun and before the start of the third inning, may be added to the bottom of the line up, but must play one inning in the field before batting. 

11. Any team without the minimum number of players ten minutes after posted game time may forfeit.

12.  Defensive coaches are not allowed on the field during play. They must stay in dugouts. Base Coaches must stay in Coach’s boxes.

13.  Any batter on line up who takes a turn at bat and then leaves the game for any other reason other than sickness or injury, may be counted as an out each time it is her turn to bat throughout the rest of the game.

14.  Batters batting out of turn will be called out.

15. Designated runners may be used anytime for catchers. The appointed designated runner will be the player that made the last out before the catcher batted.

16.  Bats must be official softball bats. They must have ASA Softball, USSSA Softball, or Dixie Youth Softball sticker. No altered bats are allowed and no baseball bats. Any questioned bats must be approved by the Umpire.

17. There will be no walks. Anytime the count reaches 3 balls, the batter will be given 2 pitches from the pitching machine. After 2 pitches from the machine without a hit ball, the batter will be called out. Batters have unlimited foul balls from pitcher or machine.

18.  Base stealing is allowed on pitched balls. Base stealing is not allowed on pitches from the machine. Ball must leave pitcher’s hand before base runner may leave base when stealing. Base runners must stay on base when pitcher has ball and is inside the pitching circle. No taunting while on base.

19.  A batted ball hitting the pitching machine or operator is a dead ball. Batter will be awarded first base. All runners will advance one base each.

20.  In general, base runners colliding with fielders is not allowed. Runners interfering with a fielder making a play on a batted ball will be called out. Interference doesn’t necessarily require the players make contact with each other. Runners will be called out for interfering with fielders to avoid sliding. Runners will not be called out for running out of the base line to avoid a fielder, unless the runner is trying to avoid being tagged out. However, collisions do happen, especially at first base. The Umpire will decide runners intent and make the call accordingly. Runners will not always be called out on collisions.

21. Fielders that are not involved in the play, but are standing in the way of runners are considered to be obstructing the runner and the runner may be awarded extra bases by the Umpire. However, runners do not have the right to run over fielders that are obstructing.

22. Infield fly rules will be called.

23.   Any questioned rule or call observed on the field may be brought to a committee member’s attention for future examination.

24.  All rules are open to change at committee discretion.