|
FOSTER CITY LITTLE LEAGUE
2006 SOFTBALL AAA DIVISION RULES
Following are the local rules for the AAA Division of Foster City Little League Softball. Apart from these rule changes, this division will follow the Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League Softball.
Division Age
The AAA Division consists of girls of League Ages 9 and 10. At the discretion of the league board, a girl of age 8 may play in the AAA division.
Team Management
Managers and coaches can be either gender but there must be a female present at all times during practices and games. There is a maximum of three (3) adult manager/coaches allowed in the dugout during a game. Adult coaches or a player can coach at the bases. Two coaches may be on the field during a game, but they must be out of fair territory in designated areas behind first and third bases when their team is at bat. Coaches are not allowed on the playing field when their team is playing defense. A team parent who has submitted a Little League Volunteer Background form may substitute for an absent coach.
Games
There will generally be two games per week (1 weekday and 1 Saturday), with practices on Sunday. Games are six (6) innings long. No inning may start after 1 hour 30 minutes of playing time, and ties are allowed if the game is shortened under this time limit. Teams may score a maximum of 4 runs per inning or adequate runs to assume a one-run lead, whichever is greater.
Bases are sixty (60) feet apart and the pitcher's mound is thirty-two (32) feet away from home plate. A safety-base is used at first base. An 11" RIF (Reduced Impact Factor) softball is used. An aluminum alloy softball bat, not greater in length than 34 inches, must be used. All players on the field must wear a softball glove. Outfielders must start each play on the outfield grass.
Teams will play with nine (9) players on the field, but may play with eight (8) if there is an unexpected shortage of team players for the game. A player may substitute in and out multiple times at different positions for different players provided the minimum play requirement of nine defensive outs per 6-inning game is met in full-inning increments. Violation of the minimum play rules will result in a warning, then a possible suspension, of the manager by the League's Board of Directors.
No one except eligible players in uniform, managers and coaches shall occupy the bench or dugout area. For safety reasons bat boys and bat girls are not permitted. The batter, all base runners and players acting as coaches, must wear helmets at all times. There will be no on-deck circle. Players may not take warm-up swings either inside or outside the dugout.
All players available for the game will bat in a continuous order. If the third out is made on a base runner, the batter then at bat is the first batter of the next inning and the count of balls and strikes starts over. A dropped 3rd strike rule will NOT be enforced (the batter is automatically out). If a batter throws a bat, she will receive a warning on the first occasion. On the second occasion it will be an immediate dead ball out and the manager will be notified that the player may not bat for the balance of the game, but may play in the field.
Runners may steal, but may not leave their base(s) until the pitched ball crosses the plate. If the runner leaves early, she is out. Stealing home is permitted. A maximum of one base per pitch may be stolen. Sliding headfirst is not permitted except when sliding back to the base that the runner previously occupied. The infield fly rule will not be enforced.
Pitching Eligibility
A player may pitch in a maximum of 6 innings in a calendar week, Sunday through Saturday. In playoffs, a pitcher may pitch a maximum of 9 innings per week. A player once removed as a pitcher may return up to two times, to pitch again in the same game and even the same inning, provided such player is currently in the defensive lineup. Delivery of a single pitch constitutes having pitched in an inning. If a player pitches in more than one inning, one calendar day of rest is mandatory.
A manager or coach may come out twice in one inning and three times in a game to visit a specific pitcher. On the third visit per inning or fourth inning in the game, the pitcher must be removed. A returning pitcher assumes both the inning and game visit counts held at the time she left as pitcher, although the visit to remove her is not counted.
Uniforms
All players must wear a regulation uniform consisting of a league-issued visor, jersey, softball pants and socks. Teams may opt for a team sweatshirt with a visible number. Catchers must wear a face mask, chest and leg protectors and a softball glove. Players may not wear jewelry during a game.
Pool Play
A pool of players from existing regular season Minors teams will be created with players that want to participate in extra games during the regular season when teams face a shortage of rostered players.
Guidelines:
1. The league's Player Agent will create and run the pool. The league's Player Agent will use the pool to assign players to teams that are short players on a rotating basis.
2. Managers and/or coaches will not have the right to pick and choose players from the pool.
3. Players used from the pool will play in the outfield. Pool players will bat last in the continuous batting order.
4. Pool players that are called and show up at the game site must play at least nine consecutive defensive outs and must bat the entire game in the continuous batting order.
Playoffs
All teams will play in the playoffs at the end of the season. The playoff pairings will be seeded based on regular season standings, in a double elimination tournament.
|
