bainbridge island little league bill board of directors · league 2014 softball official...

2014

Bainbridge Island

Little League

BILL Board of

Directors

SOFTBALL LOCAL RULES Approved: _______, 2014

BILL 2014 Softball Local Rules

PREFACE TO LOCAL RULES

Great coaching depends upon many things including a love of the game and a desire to give children the tools

they need to be successful on the field and in their lives. “Managers and coaches are among the most important

volunteers in the Little League program. They have to know the game and they have to love working with kids.

Leagues with knowledgeable, caring and concerned coaches have an advantage when it comes to making the

game fun and retaining players.” (Little League International)

Bainbridge Island Little League expects that all Managers and Coaches will familiarize themselves with Little

League 2014 Softball Official Regulations and Playing Rules. Knowledge of the game, its rules and its

regulations is a fundamental element of a good coach’s toolkit. Our league makes the commitment to its coaches

to provide support, education and training opportunities to its managers and coaches at all levels of play. In

return, we trust that all managers and coaches will endeavor to grow their knowledge base of the game so that,

in turn, they are better equipped to pass on their love and understanding of the game to the kids they coach.

The following pages include local rules that modify and/or extend the official rules and regulations of Little

League Softball. Local rules are not a substitute for the rules of the game. They represent only a small set of

modifications to official rules and regulations that have been approved by the Bainbridge Island Little League

Boards of Directors. In addition, a few very basic, unmodified rules and regulations of Little League Softball are

included for the purpose of providing some of the distinguishing characteristics that separate the various levels

of play. Each Manager and Coach is expected to learn and incorporate these rules modifications that apply

across all divisions of softball AND those local rules that apply to the level of play in which s/he is coaching.


Minors Division Softball (ages 6-8) Division Playing Philosophy:

This division emphasizes the development of player and the skills of the game, introduces the basic rules of softball, and encourages a relatively even distribution of playing time among players. For instance, players are afforded their first opportunity to learn to pitch. The goal is to ensure players learn more about the sport in a manner that is fun, yet more realistic when compared to T-ball. Players experience a low level of competition with no emphasis on winning or losing.

Teams/Practices/Games: Teams will be ideally 12 players. Teams will practice once per week (twice per week preseason) and play up to two games per week, once on Saturdays. Games begin after Spring Break. Local Rules 1. Each team is allowed to use (10) ten defensive players of which (4) four must be in the outfield. Coaches are encouraged to allow players to experience different fielding positions consistent with a player’s ability and safety.

2. Managers should ensure equal playing time among players to the maximum extent possible.

3. Official Playing Rule 3.03 is modified to allow “free substitution” so that managers have the flexibility of putting a different lineup on the field for defense each inning.

4. In accordance with Official Playing Rule 4.04, all teams shall bat the line up using a continuous batting order. Any player who arrives after the start of the game shall be added to the end of the batting order.

5. Each batter is allowed a maximum of five swinging strikes for the first half of the season and three swinging strikes for the second half of the season. The last strike must be a hittable pitch, with the umpire the sole judge of whether the pitch is hittable. If the batter fails to put the ball in play on the last such pitch, the batter shall be called out.

6. Walks are prohibited.

7. Bunting is prohibited

8. Base stealing is prohibited.

9. Sliding is prohibited.

10. Pitching: Games will be played using a pitching machine or “coach pitch,” at each manager’s discretion. A manager or coach will pitch to his/her own team. The pitching distance from the plate is 35 feet measured from the back of home plate to the front of the pitching rubber. During the second half of the season teams are encouraged to have players pitch. The team on defense may provide a pitcher who will throw no more than four pitches to each batter. If the batter has not put the ball in play by the end of the fourth pitch, the manager or coach shall finish the at bat.

11. The offensive team’s time at bat will end when three (3) players are put out or the entire order has batted, whichever occurs first.

12. Over-Throws: The runners will be permitted to advance at their own risk on an overthrow not more than one (1) base.

13. A team on defense is permitted to place up to two (2) coaches on the field.


14. One (1) coach or volunteer approved by the league shall be in the dugout at all times. A team at bat is permitted to place to two adult base coaches on the field. If a team does not have at least one coach and two volunteers approved by the league, then it will not be permitted to have two adult base coaches and must instead designate player(s) as base coaches.

14. Two parents will be designated as umpires for the duration of the game, one selected by each team.

15. No score will be kept.

16. No standings will be kept.

17. There is no post-season tournament.

18. Time Limit: A game shall continue for the full six innings unless shortened by decision of the umpire or by

the time limit. No new inning may start after one (1) hour fifty (50) minutes has elapsed from the first pitch. A

new inning starts the moment the third out is made in the previous inning. The umpire will determine the “last

inning” of a game based on this time limit and notify the teams’ managers prior to the start of that inning.


Intermediate Division Softball (ages 8-11) Division Playing Philosophy:

The Intermediate Division emphasizes development of players and their skills and also introduces more rules and situations of the game. For instance, players pitch the entire game and bunting, stealing, and sliding are allowed. Even playing time among players is encouraged, but playing time is determined by the manager subject to minimum requirements and may not be equal. This division is intended to offer a moderate level of competition, where the concept of winning and losing is introduced, but is always secondary to player development, learning sportsmanship, and having fun. Teams/Practices/Games: Teams ideally will be 12 players. Teams will practice once per week (twice per week preseason) and play up to two games per week, once on Saturdays. Games begin after Spring Break. Local Rules 1. Teams are allowed nine defensive players.

2. Regulation IV(f) of the Official Playing Rules is modified such that each player listed in a team’s batting order shall participate in each game for a minimum of nine (9) defensive outs and bat at least one (1) time. If a game is shortened for any reason (this does not include the home team not requiring some or all of their half of the sixth inning) then every player on a team roster shall participate for a minimum of six (6) defensive outs and bat at least one (1) time.

3. In accordance with Official Playing Rule 4.04, all teams shall bat the line up using a continuous batting order. Any player who arrives after the exchange of line up cards shall be added to the end of the batting order.

4. Official Playing Rule 3.03 is modified to allow “free substitution” so that managers have the flexibility of putting a different lineup on the field for defense each inning.

5. Bunting is allowed.

6. Walks are allowed.

7. Stealing is allowed.

8. In accordance with Official Playing Rule 7.08(a)(5), a runner is out when she fails to keep contact with the base to which the runner is entitled until the ball has been batted or reaches the batter.

9. Sliding is allowed. Head first sliding is specifically prohibited under Little League rules except when returning to a base.

10. No coaches are allowed on the field defensively. One (1) coach or volunteer approved by the league shall be in the dugout at all times. A team at bat is permitted to place up to two adult base coaches on the field. If a team does not have at least one coach and two volunteers approved by the league on the field, then it will not be permitted to have two adult base coaches and must instead designate player(s) as base coaches.

11. Pitchers: In accordance with Official Regulation VI (a), twelve (12) year olds may not pitch in this division. Delivery of a single pitch constitutes having pitched in an inning. A pitcher is limited to a maximum of four innings per game. One (1) calendar day of rest is required prior to pitching again on another day. A player may pitch a maximum of six innings in a calendar week.

12. Five Run Rule: The offensive team’s time at bat will end when three (3) players are put out or five (5) runs are scored, whichever occurs first. This rule does not apply to the “last inning” when declared by the umpire.


13. Time Limit: A game shall continue for the full six innings unless shortened by decision of the umpire or by the time limit. No new inning may start after one (1) hour fifty (50) minutes has elapsed from the first pitch. A new inning starts the moment the third out is made in the previous inning. The umpire will determine the “last inning” of a game based on this time limit and notify the teams’ managers prior to the start of that inning. The Five Run Rule does not apply during the last inning. Official Playing Rule 4.10(e) (i.e., ten run rule) does not apply. 14. Game scores and team standings shall be kept. The home team is responsible for the official score book and scorekeeper. The scorekeeper will record the pitchers used and innings pitched. The home team manager shall record the game score, pitchers used, and innings pitched on the league website within twenty-four (24) hours after completion of the game (including after the make-up or continuation of a game due to cancellation, postponement, or delay resulting from weather or darkness). If the home team manager fails to record this information as required, the visiting scorebook shall become the official scorebook for the game and the visiting manager shall record the required information on the league website.

15. In accordance with Official Playing Rules 4.10(a), 4.10(d), 4.11(e), and 4.12, in the event an intraleague game is cancelled, postponed, delayed, or tied, the make up or completion of the game or innings shall take place the following Sunday, unless otherwise agreed by the teams’ managers and approved by the Vice President of Softball. Home team and visiting team designations remain as per the schedule. Any games that are not concluded prior to the end of the season shall be recorded in the standings as a loss for both teams.

16. Umpires will be assigned to each game by the league.

17. There will be a post-season double elimination tournament to determine the League Champion. Local and Little League International regular season rules will be in effect during the tournament. Teams will be seeded in the tournament based upon their regular season intraleague record. If any teams finish with the same intraleague record, a tie breaker for tournament seeding shall apply in the following order: (a) combined head-to-head record, (b) runs allowed head-to-head, (c) runs scored head-to-head, (d) season runs allowed total, (e) season runs scored total, or (f) coin flip.

18. Interleague games shall be played in accordance with Washington District 2 Guidelines for Interleague Softball.


Majors Division Softball (ages 10-12)

Division Playing Philosophy:

The Majors Division offers a higher level of competition where players learn and put into play the tactics and strategy of the game of softball. Playing time is determined by the manager subject to minimum requirements and may not be equal. Although winning games is a goal, the primary emphasis is for players to develop skills, physical fitness, and self confidence, to understand the rules of the game, and to learn the value of teamwork, sportsmanship, and fair play. Teams/Practice/Start of Season: Teams will be 12 players. Teams will practice two to three times per week preseason and once or twice per week during the season and play up to two to three games per week, once on Saturdays, which may include doubleheaders. Games begin before Spring Break. Local Rules 1. Minimum Playing Time: Official Playing Rule 3.03 is modified as follows. Each player will participate in a minimum of three (3) innings in the field and one (1) at bat during a six-inning game. In a game that concludes in less than six innings, each player will participate in a minimum of two (2) innings in the field and one (1) at bat.

2. Regulation VI (i) of the Official Playing Rules is modified such that each player listed in a team’s batting order shall participate in each game for a minimum of nine (9) defensive outs and bat at least one (1) time. If a game is shortened for any reason (this does not include the home team not requiring some or all of its half of the sixth inning), then every player listed in the team’s batting order shall participate for a minimum of six (6) defensive outs and bat at least one (1) time.

3. In accordance with Official Playing Rule 4.04, all teams shall bat the line up using a continuous batting order. Any player arriving after the start of the game shall be added to the end of her team’s batting order. 4. Official Playing Rule 3.03 is modified to allow “free substitution” so that managers have the flexibility of putting a different lineup on the field for defense each inning. 5. A pitcher is limited to a maximum of four innings per game. Delivery of a single pitch constitutes having pitched in an inning.

6. One (1) coach or volunteer approved by the league shall be in the dugout at all times. A team at bat is permitted to place up to two adult base coaches on the field. If a team does not have at least one coach and two volunteers approved by the league, then it will not be permitted to have two adult base coaches and must instead designate player(s) as base coaches.

7. In accordance with Official Playing Rule 7.08(a)(5), a runner is out when she fails to keep contact with the base to which the runner is entitled until the ball has been released on the delivery.

8. Games shall have no time limit and shall be played to completion. 9. Mercy Rule: Official Playing rule 4.10 (e) is modified to 12 runs rather than 10 runs. 10. Game scores and team standings shall be kept. The home team is responsible for the official score book and scorekeeper. The scorekeeper will record the pitchers used and innings pitched. The home team manager shall record the game score, pitchers used, and innings pitched on the league website within twenty-four (24) hours after completion of the game (including after the make-up or continuation of a game due to cancellation, postponement, or delay resulting from weather or darkness). If the home team manager fails to record this information as required, the visiting scorebook shall become the official scorebook for the game and the visiting


manager shall record the required information on the league website. For interleague games` the Bainbridge team manager shall record the required information on the league website. 11. In accordance with Official Playing Rules 4.10(a), 4.10(d), 4.11(e), and 4.12, in the event an intraleague game is cancelled, postponed, delayed, or tied, the make up or completion of the game or innings shall take place the following Sunday, unless otherwise agreed by the teams’ managers and approved by the Vice President of Softball. Home team and visiting team designations remain as per the schedule. Any games that are not concluded prior to the end of the season shall be recorded in the standings as a loss for both teams.

12. Umpires will be assigned to each game by the league.

13. There will be a post-season double elimination tournament to determine the League Champion. Local and Little League International regular season rules will be in effect during the tournament. Teams will be seeded in the tournament based upon their regular season intraleague record. If any teams finish with the same intraleague record, a tie breaker for tournament seeding shall apply in the following order: (a) combined head-to-head record, (b) runs allowed head-to-head, (c) runs scored head-to-head, (d) season runs allowed total, (e) season runs scored total, or (f) coin flip.

14. Interleague games shall be played in accordance with Washington District 2 Guidelines for Interleague Softball.


All Star Rules and Regulations - Softball All Star Committee: The Board will appoint an “All Star Committee” to facilitate and direct the process of selecting all star teams, managers, and coaches for softball. At least three members of the All Star Committee, two of whom shall be the Vice President of Softball and the Softball Player Agent, shall oversee this process for softball. The Board shall have final authority to approve the all star team Managers, coaches, rosters, and number of teams. Teams: One 11-12 year old team and one 9-10 year old team will be selected each year. The Board will determine each year based on the number of available players, managers, and coaches and recommendations from the All Star Committee, whether to field additional all star teams, including but not limited to a 10-11 year old team. A minimum of twelve (12) players shall be selected for each team, unless the Board determines that a team may comprise fewer players. Managers/Coaches: Any current regular season Manager is eligible to apply for the position of Manager of an all star team (a coach cannot serve as an all star Manager). Interested parties must complete the “All Star Manager Application/Letter of Interest” and return it prior to May 15. The following items will be taken into consideration by the All Star Committee in recommending all star Managers:

Application/Letter of Interest. -Season Manager Evaluation (a survey sent to families of each team by the Player Agent

requesting feedback on the Manager, including but not limited skills development, sportsmanship, and team management).

The All Star Committee shall determine its recommendations for the all star Managers by majority vote. The All Star Committee shall forward its recommendations to the BILL President for appointment and, if appointed, to the Board for final approval. The all star Managers shall be announced during the first week of June. Any current regular season Manager or Coach is eligible to serve as a Coach of an all star team. The all star Manager will choose his or her all star coaches, subject to the approval of the Board. The number of all star Coaches shall be determined subject to Little League rules. Player Eligibility: Players must meet the following requirements to be eligible to play on an all star team:

ular season games in which she has met the minimum level of play requirements.

star team practices until the end of the state tournament, absent extenuating circumstances and subject to approval of the all star manager and the All Star Committee.

-Star commitment letter prior to team selection.


An all star player who misses a game or more than two practices is subject to replacement at the discretion of the All Star Committee. An all star Manager shall advise the All Star Committee if one of his or her players has missed more than two days of practice or any all star game. Players should be advised as early in the season as possible of the opportunity to be selected to play on a BILL all star team at the end of the season and the requirements of participating as an all star and of being considered. Managers are encouraged to conduct team meetings to explain the All-Star process. Any player interested in being considered to play all stars shall advise her team’s Manager or the All Star Committee of her interest (if informed, the Manager shall advise the All Star Committee). Such notification will result in a player’s name being placed in the all star player pool. Prior to the softball all star selection meeting the Softball Player Agent, VP of Softball, Softball Umpire-In-Chief, and the Softball Majors and Intermediates Managers shall advise the All Star Committee of any 9, 10, 11 and/or 12 year old players on their team who they feel should be placed into the all star player pool. Commitment Letters will be sent to all players listed in the all star player pool and their families. Only players who return a signed commitment letter shall be eligible to be considered for selection to an all star team. If a player is viewed as deserving of playing all stars, the Softball Player Agent shall contact that player’s family and determine their interest in playing on an all star team. Player Selection: All star teams shall be selected by player vote and/or manager selection, as set out below. A meeting will be held after the regular season to select players for the softball all star teams (“All Star Selection Meeting”). This meeting shall be attended by the at least three members of the All Star Committee and by all of the Majors and Intermediates regular season Managers or a coach designated by any manager who cannot attend. The Vice President of Softball shall direct the All Star Selection Meeting (if he or she manages or coaches a regular season team, another member of the All Star Committee shall direct the meeting).

(a) 11-12 Year Old All Star Team

Each Majors player will be given an opportunity to vote for three 11 or 12 year old players not on her team who she believes deserves to play all stars. During the last two weeks of the season at a team practice or game, each majors player shall be provided a ballot with the names of all 11 and 12 year old majors players. She shall circle the names of three players not on her team. This vote shall be conducted by the Softball Player Agent, and the results shall only be made known at the All Star Selection Meeting. The three players who are eligible and receive the most votes and shall be placed on the 11-12 year old all star team.

The remaining positions will be determined by vote of the Majors Managers. At the meeting the Softball Player Agent shall present the names of the three players who are on the all star team by player vote and also of the players who comprise the pool of eligible all star candidates. Each Majors Manager shall be advised by the Softball Player Agent prior to the meeting of the players on his or her team who are eligible to play all stars and shall prepare and present at the meeting a description of each player’s abilities. This description should include, but is not limited to, relevant statistics such as batting average, RBI, walks, strikeouts, and OBP, and an assessment of each player’s strengths, weaknesses, attitude, and improvement during the season.

Following these presentations, the Majors Managers shall vote by rounds to determine the team. Three players shall be written down by each Manager on his or her ballot during each round. The Softball Player Agent shall tally the votes, and the player receiving the most votes in each round shall be placed on the team. Voting shall continue until the minimum number of players has been chosen. To address specific positional needs, the 11-12 All Star Manager shall receive two (2) votes during the voting to determine the last three positions on the team up to the designated team size. The 11-12 All Star Manager, at his or her sole discretion, may add additional players to the all star team, i.e., beyond the number set by the Board, from the eligible all star player pool.


This process shall be modified as necessary based on any special criteria adopted by the Board or the Softball All Star Committee relating to the number of teams, the number of players, or limiting participation to one age group (e.g. 12 year olds).

(b) 9-10 Year Old All Star Team The positions on the 9-10 year old all star team will be determined by vote of the Majors and Intermediate Managers at the All Star Selection Meeting. At the meeting the Softball Player Agent shall present the names of all players who comprise the pool of eligible all star candidates.

Each Intermediates Manager shall be advised by the Softball Player Agent prior to the meeting of the players on his or her team who are eligible to play all stars and shall prepare a description of each player’s abilities to be presented at the meeting. This description should include, but is not limited to, relevant statistics such as batting average, RBI, walks, strikeouts, and OBP, and an assessment of each player’s strengths, weaknesses, attitude, and improvement during the season.

Following these presentations, the Majors and Intermediates Managers shall vote by rounds to determine the team. Three players shall be written down by each Manager on his or her ballot during each round. The Softball Player Agent shall tally the votes, and the player receiving the most votes in each round shall be placed on the team. Voting shall continue until the minimum number of players has been chosen. To address specific positional needs, the 9-10 All Star Manager shall receive two (2) votes during the voting to determine the last three positions on the team up to the designated team size. The 9-10 All Star Manager, at his or her sole discretion, may add additional players to the all star team, i.e., beyond the number set by the Board, from the eligible all star player pool.

This process shall be modified as necessary based on any special criteria adopted by the Board or the All Star Committee relating to the number of teams, the number of players, or limiting participation to one age group.

(c) 10-11 Year Old All Star Team If determined by the Board, one or more 10-11 year old all star teams will be chosen at the All Star Selection Meeting. At this meeting the Majors and Intermediates managers and all star committee members in attendance may determine by majority vote that 11 year old players shall only be eligible for the 10-11 year old team and/or that 10 year old players shall only be eligible for the 9-10 year old team. This determination should be made based on considerations of fielding competitive teams, equitably distributing pitchers and catchers, and including as many players as possible in all star play. Otherwise, 11 year old players may be selected for either the 11-12 year old team or the 10-11 year old team and 10 year old players may be selected for either the 9-10 year old team or the 10-11 year old team, in accordance with the procedures set out above, and teams shall be selected in the following order: (1) 11-12 year old team, (2) 9-10 year old team, and (3) 10-11 year old team.

The players will be determined by vote of the Majors and Intermediate Managers. At the meeting the Softball Player Agent shall present the names of all players who comprise the pool of eligible all star candidates.

Each Majors and Intermediates Manager shall be advised by the Softball Player Agent prior to the meeting of the players on his or her team who are eligible to play all stars and shall prepare a description of each player’s abilities to be presented at the meeting. This description should include, but is not limited to, relevant statistics such as batting average, RBI, walks, strikeouts, and OBP, and an assessment of each player’s strengths, weaknesses, attitude, and improvement during the season.

Following these presentations, the Majors and Intermediates Managers shall vote by rounds to determine the team. Three players shall be written down by each Manager on his or her ballot during each round. The Softball Player Agent shall tally the votes, and the player receiving the most votes in each round shall be placed on the team. Voting shall continue until the minimum number of players has been chosen. To address specific positional needs, the 10-11 All Star Manager shall receive two (2) votes during the voting to determine the last


three positions on the team up to the designated team size. The 10-11 All Star Manager, at his or her sole discretion, may add additional players to the all star team, i.e., beyond the number set by the Board, from the eligible all star player pool.

This process shall be modified as necessary based on any special criteria adopted by the Board or the Softball All Star Committee relating to the number of teams, the number of players, or limiting participation to one age group.

(d) Announcement of Softball All Star Teams

The release of names of players selected for All-Star teams shall not be made before June 15th or two weeks prior to the start of the All Star Tournament (whichever is earlier) and not until the availability and eligibility of all prospective team members have been established..

bainbridge island little league bill board of directors · league 2014 softball official...

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