A regulation game will
consist of 6 innings. Four innings will constitute a complete game in case of
rain or darkness (3 1/2 innings if the home team is ahead).
Players should report to the
field 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the game. A 15 minute grace
period will be allowed before forfeiture. If neither team is able to field the
minimum number of players, a double forfeit will occur. These time limits apply
to umpires as well as players.
Teams may begin a game with
8 players. In case of injury, teams may complete a game with seven players.
If the score is tied at the
time of discontinuation, the
game will be resumed at a later date from that point with a fresh count on the
batter if the coaches so desire. Otherwise, the game will end in a tie.
An inning is ended with 3
outs or 5 runs scored, whichever comes first. There are no limits on runs in
the last inning of a 6 inning
game. (In the case of a shortened game the last inning will be 3 outs or 5 runs
scored.)
Only one coach is allowed on the field
during their defensive half of the inning. You must be in the outfield grass.
PLAYERS
The defensive team will use
10 players including 4
players in the outfield. No infielder may be positioned closer to the batter than a radius of
45 feet from the batter. Outfielders must be positioned on the outfield
grass.
Managers may substitute
freely at anytime during the game.
BATTING
If the ball bounces on the ground and hits
the batter, then the batter is considered “Hit by the Pitch” and the coach will
come in and pitch.
If the ball hits the plate after being hit
by the bat and goes into fair territory, then the ball is considered live.
BASE RUNNING
The runner may not leave a base until the ball is
hit. No stealing or leading.
On
overthrows to any base, the batter-runner may not advance automatically unless
the ball goes past the fence or goes out of bounds. If this happens, the
batter-runner will go to the next base. On
any other overthrow (to a base), the runner may advance only one base, but at
her own risk of being thrown out. If a runner is on base when the overthrow
occurs, she may advance to the base she is headed plus one. (i.e. a runner on
first may advance to third.)
** There can be only one overthrow per play.
On balls hit to the outfield, runners may advance until the ball
is returned to, and controlled by, an infielder. The infielder must be standing
in the infield area marked by the dirt cutout. Runners advance at their own
risk. If an overthrow occurs after the ball is in the control of an infielder
the runner may not advance. Control is defined as “In the infielder’s hand or
glove.” If a runner advances (begins to the next base) after control has
been gained and that runner is less than half way to the next base, then that
runner will be sent back to the previous base.
Sliding is encouraged. Any intentional collisions will result in
the runner being called out.
Pitches do not need to have an arc.
Pitchers must begin the motion with one foot on the
rubber. The foot should remain in contact with the rubber until a pitch is
delivered. Pitchers are not allowed to double pump.
The strike zone will be roughly from the top of the
shoulders to the knees.
A pitcher will continue to pitch to the batter until
a count of four balls is reached. At this point, if the batter has not recorded
an out or a hit, a coach will pitch to the batter. The strike count is
continued; no walks will be issued. Batters can strike out.
If a pitcher hits three batters in one inning, then she will be
removed from pitching for the rest of that inning. When the batter is hit by a
pitch, the coach then comes in and pitches to the batter.
If any coach is hit by a batted ball, the ball will
remain in play. If a coach catches a ball, the batter and all base runners will
advance one base.
Bases are 60ft apart. The pitcher’s mound is 35ft
from home.