Softball Majors

Brighton Little League House Rules

1

Only players on the official team roster are permitted to play. Insurance regulations prohibit non-registered players /spectators/parents from participation on the field or in the dugout.

2

All players must wear official uniforms, including shirt, shorts, at all games. Sweaters and jackets may be worn under the shirt, at the discretion of the playerís coach. In very cold weather, or under extenuating circumstances, jackets may be worn over the shirt - subject to the approval of the playerís own coach.

3

Sneakers, plastic or rubber spikes may be worn. No metal spikes. Laced shoes must be worn (no plastics, jellies, Velcro, etc.) No jewelry, including wristwatches and/or earrings may be worn. Catchers must wear regulation facemask, helmet, chest protector and shin guards in games and in practice. A fielderís mitt may be used for catching.

4

Weeknight games will start promptly at 6:30 p.m. (as per schedule). No inning shall start after 8:15 p.m. by the umpireís watch. If a team cannot field seven players at game time, it will forfeit the game. However, play may and should continue if both teams agree. Both coaches must agree in advance whether continued play will be counted as a game or a scrimmage. In the case of rain delay a team must resume the game with at least seven players or they forfeit.

5

On Weekend days, no inning may start later than THIRTY (30) MINUTES prior to the start of the next scheduled game. NOTE: The umpire is the official timekeeper. An inning officially begins as soon as the third out is made in the previous inning. For all games ‚ defensive/offensive inning changes should take place within 3 minutes. The umpire may start calling outs on the offending team should inning changes be excessive.

6

Prior to games, the visiting team may practice on the field from 5:40 p.m. to 6 p.m., and the home team will use the field from 6 p.m. to 6:20 p.m. (30 minutes and 15 minutes before game time on weekends). Please clear the field at 6:20 and review ground rules with the umpire in order to start play promptly at 6:30pm weeknights.

7

The batting order for the entire team MUST be set and listed at the start of the game. This will be maintained throughout the entire game. EVERY player on the team, in uniform at the game, MUST be in the batting order. Any player not present in the dugout or on the bench at the start of the game, must be placed at the BOTTOM of the batting order when they arrive late. A player batting out of order is out. PLEASE NOTE: Coaches should encourage batters to swing at pitched balls within range and reachable. Coaches encouraging batters to ìwait for a walkî will be excused from the game. Coaching language should be adjusted to support swinging ‚ i.e. ìgo after anything close / make contactî and NOT ìwait for a strike / itís got to be perfectî. The batting team may not direct any non-supportive comments to/about the opposing pitcher at any time.

8

The infield fly rule WILL NOT be enforced.

9

Bunting is permitted. Sliding is permitted and should be taught and encouraged for close plays. There is no ìmust slideî rule at Brighton Home games -- however, the umpire may call a player out if she fails to slide to avoid defensive player contact.

10

Stealing is permitted, however, runners may not leave a base until the pitch crosses the plate, or the ball gets away from the catcher. Stealing home is allowed in Brighton House League games, however, when playing neighboring towns, agreement on stealing home should be made prior to the start of the game, and the umpire should be notified of the decision.

11

Batters MUST make an attempt to get out of the way of pitched balls. Players may take their base if hit by a pitch (if they attempted to get out of the way) however, girls are encouraged to stay in and complete their at-bat. In this case, the hit pitch is recorded as a ball.

12

Managers and coaches are permitted to coach from the 3rd base coachís box. Helmeted players only can coach first base. Batters, on-deck batters, children base coaches, and all base runners must wear helmets Pitchers will wear a helmet while warming up on the infield during infield practice. Players warming up a pitcher must wear face mask and helmet. Catchers must wear a mask with throat protector and wear a chest protector on the field during games and in practice. On deck batters must remain helmeted and ready in the "on deck circle", but under no circumstances are practice swings to occur outside of the batterís box.

13

Majors level plays six inning games. FIVE (5) RUNS in any half inning is the maximum that can be scored with the exception of the sixth inning and/or any extra innings (after 6) that may be necessary. At no time does the 4th or 5th inning ever become the 6th inning for purposes of extra runs. There will be a 15 run rule after the fourth inning. If a team is ahead by more than 15 runs at the end of an inning, then it will be officially declared the winner. Play may continue at the discretion of the coaches.

14

Batters must not throw bats after hitting the ball. Any batter throwing her bat will receive an umpireís warning. If the infraction occurs again, the umpire may call the batter out. If a player displays any violence, or uses offensive language, the coach may cut her from the team after notifying the league president.

15

When the third out of an inning is made before the batter has completed her turn at bat, that player shall be the first batter in the next inning and the ball/strike count is canceled and she begins with 0/0 count.

16

The batter becomes a baserunner when the catcher obstructs the player from striking a pitched ball - as called by the umpire.

17

A double first base will be used consistent with new ASA / Athletic league play. Batters should run in foul territory to and through the extended first base. First base players will field the position using the extension of first base in fair territory. This is injury prevention. Should base runners look to round first, they may make their turn on any portion of the fair-territory section of first base (as they normally would with a single base).

18

A game called by the umpire due to weather conditions or darkness shall be regulation if four or more innings have been played, or if the home team has scored more runs in three innings than the other team has scored in four innings.

19

Unlimited substitution will be permitted in the field. However, every player MUST field a MINIMUM OF THREE (3) INNINGS in every game. It is the coach/managersí responsibility to see that every player has at least the minimum time in the field (i.e. 3 innings). Players entering the field for the first time as substitutes, must enter the game NO LATER THAN THE THIRD INNING. Additionally, each Brighton player should have a minimum of 1 inning as an infielder (this is not necessarily a rule for other towns).

20

No more than ten (10) players may be used defensively in the field. The tenth player can be a fourth fielder (left field, left center field, right center field, right field). All outfielders must be positioned on the outfield grass, and CANNOT be an infielder.

21

Pitchers are limited to NINE (9) consecutive innings in each game, with a MAXIMUM OF NINE (9) INNINGS PER CALENDAR WEEK (Sunday to Saturday). One pitch in an inning constitutes an inning pitched. Pitchers once removed from the mound CANNOT re-renter the game as a pitcher. NOTE: Pitchers MUST have ONE (1) calendar dayís rest between pitching assignments. For example: if a girl pitches on Sunday, she can pitch again on Tuesday.

22

The pitching distance from the rubber to the plate will be no closer than the standard forty foot(40í) rubber for ALL MAJORS LEVEL players - regardless of age.

23

There is no balk in softball. However, every effort must be made to insure that the pitcherís pivot foot stays in contact with the rubber from the start of the windup until delivery of the ball. If a pitch is made, it is either a ball or a strike; if no pitch is made there is no penalty.

24

In the act of delivering the ball, the pitcher shall not take more than ONE step, which must be forward. The pivot foot must remain in contact with the rubber until the ball has been released. The ball must be delivered on the first forward swing of the pitching arm past the hip unless using the windmill delivery (in which case the ball is released immediately after the first windmill). The pitcher may use any wind-up desired providing: a) no motion is made without immediately delivering the ball to the batter; b) the pitcher does not make more than one revolution of the arm in the windmill pitch. These guidelines are INSTRUCTIONAL. Coaches should ensure their OWN TEAMíS pitcher is using proper technique - but SHOULD NOT try to take the opposing pitcher out of a game based on perceived illegal motions. Should you notice highly irregular/illegal pitching motion - please draw this to the attention of the pitcherís coach so that it can be corrected.

25

No substitute runners will be allowed except where replacement due to injury occurs.

26

In the event that paid umpires are not available for the game; two (2) substitute umpires should be selected and agreed upon by both coaches. Preferably a parent representing each team should be selected. It is recommended that one umpire should be positioned behind the pitcher, the other umpiring on the bases. It is further recommended that the umpires exchange positions at regular intervals.

27

There may be games played against other towns. Note that the bulk of these rules align with Little League sanctions, however, there may be some house league (home town) adjustments. Please agree to rules with an opposing town coach in advance of the first pitch and be flexible to making any adjustments required.

28

The BHS school teams take precedence with games or practices on the Brighton High School JV and Varsity fields. If a school game or practice is ongoing, please keep your teams together and watch the practice/game - using this as instruction. Typically, the schools will be finished by Little League game time, however extra innings / rain delays etc. may require us to be flexible.

29

Please enlist parent volunteers to rake/fill-in water spots in poor field conditions.

30

Any fan/coach arguing with, harassing or complaining about umpires calls will be excused from the field and from the next 3 games. A repeat occurrence will be taken before the Brighton Baseball Board of Directors.

31

The League President (LCamp94@rochester.rr.com) or designee should be notified within 24 hours for the following:

a. game results (responsibility of winning coach)

b. game suspension or postponements with make up plans outlined (home coach)

c. any injury requiring a player to stop play or leave the field (both coaches)

d. protests, observed rule violations, etc. (both coaches)

e. ejection of any coach or player (both coaches)

f. inappropriate fan behavior impacting the experience of any player(s) (both coaches)