FRANKLIN
GIRLS SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION - 2009
HOME RULES
Reviewed,
Amended and Ratified February 11th,
2009
All
games will be played under the rules published in the ASA
Guide and Playing Rule Book, as applies to Girls Fast Pitch,
Junior Olympic
(JO). The following are home rules, which take precedence over those
published
rules. Summer Division teams will utilize the respective league and/or
association rules under which they are playing.
EQUIPMENT:
1. The
Softball:
The
Instructional Divisions shall use an 11" "Softee" style ball.
The Intermediate Division shall use an 11" softball. The Junior and
Senior
Divisions shall use a 12" softball. Each team is required to provide
the
home plate umpire with a new ball prior to the start of each game,
except in
the Instructional Division, where only the home team will be required
to
provide a single new ball for each game.
2. Batting
Helmets:
Batting helmets must be worn by all batters (including the on-deck
batter),
runners, and all player base coaches (if allowed). Chinstraps are
required to
be worn in ALL
divisions. Faceguards must be worn in the Junior and
Senior divisions.
3. Uniforms: Uniforms consist of jerseys, shorts, socks
and hats. Coaches are expected to encourage ALL players to wear them at
EVERY
GAME.
4. Playing
Equipment:
Each
team will be provided with a bag(s) of playing equipment, including a
variety
of bats, regulation balls (for practice and game purposes), a supply of
batting
helmets, any required catcher's equipment and a first aid kit. A team
banner, indicating
the sponsor(s) name, may also be provided to each team and should be
prominently displayed during each game. Each Division Coordinator is
responsible for making sure each team is adequately equipped prior to
the
commencement of the regular season and for collecting the same
equipment
immediately following the end of the season for their respective
division. It
is the responsibility of an FGSA authorized representative to make sure
that
all safety equipment (i.e., helmets, chinstraps, catcher's equipment,
etc.) is
properly used at all times.
5. Game
Equipment: (All Divisions)
Game
equipment will be kept/stored in a storage box at each field. It is the
responsibility of the home team to pick-up and return all game
equipment to the
boxes. It is the responsibility of the Intermediate Division Director
to make
sure all umpire’s safety equipment is available for use. It
is the coach’s
responsibility to ensure the equipment is worn at all times.
PLAYERS:
6. Player
Selection:
All
players, in the Senior
(7th – 12th
Grades),
Junior (5th
& 6th Grades)
Divisions shall be
assigned to a team by a draft. In the Instructional (K - 2nd Grades)
and Intermediate (3rd
& 4th Grades)
Divisions, the
Director will assign players to a team. Drafts will be based on the
player's
performance as demonstrated at a skill and/or tryout session. All teams
are
entirely redrafted, or reassigned, each year
Recreational
League Draft Player Selection:
Any
eligible player that pays a registration fee will be drafted to a team.
Players
will be drafted in one of two manners. Each girl will be assigned a
numerical
skill rating determined by the coaches who attend the skills session,
by the
coaches who may know their level of play if not at the session, or
given the
average rating determined from all girls. The order of player draft in
the
first round of the draft will be established in a random manner.
· After
the first round, the order of the draft for each
subsequent round will alternate with the coach having the last pick of
the
previous round going first and the coach who had the first pick, in
that round,
going last.
Coach's (and assistant's, if predetermined)
children will be
selected in the draft in
the specified round, that round that they
are rated in. If
assistants are allowed by the Division Director each head coach may
pre-select
one assistant coach. This is strictly a courtesy, as we all know the
importance
of having a good assistant coach. The Director must approve all asst
coach
requests prior to the draft .The purpose of pre-selection is not to
allow
assistants to be chosen based on their daughters playing and/or
pitching
ability.
Drafts
should occur within 48 hours of the skill session, if at all possible.
Players
are to be notified by coaches not more than 48 hours after the draft,
if at all
possible. Any special request, circumstances, player trades, etc., will
be
handled by the Director of the division (or other FGSA representative
in
attendance if they are not a coach in the draft process and the
Director has a potential
conflict) during the draft session. Changes should not be made after
the
session has ended as players may have already been notified.
Non-Draft
Player Selection:
Any eligible player that pays
a registration fee will be assigned to a team. Team assignments may be
made for
special parental requests, requests by players to play with friends,
etc.,
provided a competitive balance is maintained. Once a season starts, it
is up to
the discretion of the Division Director, with input from any
potentially affected
coaches whether or not to make a roster change. It is the
responsibility of the
Division Director, as much as is possible, to assemble teams with an
even
distribution of players from all eligible grades and skill levels.
Recreational
League Player Eligibility:
Any
girl who is a resident of Franklin, whether or not they attend school
in
Franklin, is eligible to be a member of a recreational team at their
appropriate grade and/or age level. They must be a resident of Franklin
at the
time of registration or during the season.
Summer
Team Player Eligibility:
Player eligibility for specific teams is governed by the rules and
regulations
of the leagues, tournaments, etc. that they play/participate in. Please
refer
to the appropriate website or contact the Program Directors for more
information.
Dispute
Resolution:
Any parent/player who requests
a change to be made after a draft or team selection has been made, must
make
said request in writing to the FGSA President. The President will make
the
final determination after discussing the request with the appropriate
director
and/or coaches.
7. Post
Draft Assignment:
In
each division, players registering after the draft for that division,
will be
added, by the Division Director, to each team in the order that would
have
occurred had the draft continued. Players are assigned to a team in the
order
in which they become part of that division, either by registration or
board
approved change. Consideration will be given to teams who have already
lost
players due to injury, etc. Directors
have the authority to close team assignments/registrations once said
Director
has determined the teams/division to be full. Once assignments have
been closed
no additional assignments will be made unless approved by the board.
The exception
to this is that additional names may be kept on a waiting list (on a 1st
come 1st assigned basis) in case of season
ending injury, player
quitting or moving, etc.
8. Requests
to change division:
Requests to move a player to a different division must be made in
writing by a parent, and must be approved by the FGSA Board. Changes
of this nature are generally made due to an exceptional skill
condition, in
which the player's best interest and/or the safety of other
players are in question. These decisions will be made on a
case-by-case basis and must be made very carefully. Registration fees
will be
adjusted and any additional fees charged, or refunds granted, at the
time of
the decision.
9. Minimum
Playing Time: All
players must play an equal amount of time
per game in the field (weather, lighting, and/or mercy rules
permitting). This
is determined by the number of players and number of innings played. This rule also applies to
extra innings (i.e.
no player may sit out two more innings than another player).
All
players must play a minimum of 2 innings in the infield in
each game. A player will only be allowed to play “only
outfield positions” with
a written request from that players parent(s). Note: This is a
recreational
league, our goal is to allow all players a chance to play both infield
and
outfield positions.
No
player will "sit the
bench" for two consecutive innings, including playoffs. Instructional
Division players shall play every inning.
10. Number
of Players: A
10th player may be used in the Intermediate, Junior, and Senior
Divisions. That
player must be positioned in the outfield and may
not be used to cover a base on an initial play. In
the
Intermediate Division, an 11th player may also be used in the outfield,
if only
11 players of that team show up for a game. In the Instructional
Division, the
entire team is allowed to play in the field at the same time. However, no more than 5 infielders,
including someone covering the pitcher's position, will be allowed.
The
rest of the team will play the outfield and must remain away from the
surface
of the infield at all times. No catcher will be used in the
Instructional
Division.
11. Designated
P1ayer:
The
Designated Player is not allowed.
THE
GAME:
12. Time:
All
games start at 6:00 PM weeknights and as scheduled for weekends. All
Instructional Division games will end no more than 1.5 hours after the scheduled
starting time. All Intermediate Division games will end no
more than 2
hours after the scheduled starting time. No inning
of a Junior and
Senior Division game may begin after 1 hours and 45 minutes from the scheduled
starting time. All
games must be played to completion,
time permitting. Games should not remain a tie if completion is
possible within
the above limits
13. Number
of Innings:
Instructional Division games shall consist of 5 innings. The
½ inning of an
Instructional game will end once all available players on a team have
batted
through the order. Intermediate and Junior Division games shall consist
of 6
innings. Senior Division games shall consist of 7 innings.
14. Completed
Game: A
game will be considered complete (if called) after 3 ½
innings for Intermediate
and Juniors, and 4 ½ for Seniors, if the home team is ahead,
and after 4
innings for Intermediate and Juniors, and 5 innings for Seniors, if the
visitor
is ahead. The score of games called after 4 innings for Intermediate
and
Juniors, and 5 innings for Seniors will revert back to the last
complete inning
unless called in the bottom of an inning with the home team ahead --
the score
at that time prevails. NOTE. Umpires must
indicate at the top of an inning that the upcoming inning will be the
last
inning.
15. Mercy
Rule:
In
the Senior, Junior and Intermediate Divisions, five runs scored by a
team in an
inning will cause the side to retire. This rule is in effect up until
the last
official inning. During the last official inning (see 14 above) there
is no run
limit. There is no slaughter rule in effect. Games will be played to
completion
as indicated under “The Game”, rule # 12.
16. Forfeiture.
Instructional & Intermediate
Divisions: Whereas these
divisions do not keep standings, every attempt should be made to play
each
scheduled game. (Weather permitting).
Juniors
& Senior Divisions: All games must be played as
scheduled (Weather
permitting) or risk being forfeited. A minimum of 8 players is required to start
a game; a team may complete a game with 7 players if players if there
is an
injury or other unforeseen problem.
However, an out must be taken for that individuals
spot in the lineup.
An out is only taken if the number of players drops to 7. If a team
drops down
to 6 players the game must be stopped immediately and the team will
forfeit the
game. All games
must start
within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time..
17. Incomplete
Games:
These
games will be re-played at
the
discretion
of the Leaguer Director. Line-ups should be as close
as possible to the line-ups of the called game. The game will pick up
from the
point that the original game was called. Pitchers maximum inning rules
are
still in effect for the called game (see below). Players not in the
line-ups of
the original game will be added to the end of the batting order.
18. Weekly
Playing Maximum:
Senior and Junior division teams may meet up to 4 times per week (games
and/or
practice) during the regular season. Intermediate and Instructional
teams may
meet up to 3 times a week. This rule is not in effect during
post-season play,
nor does it apply for makeup games.
PITCHING:
19. Pitching
Limits: A
player may not pitch IN
more than 3 innings in the
Intermediate and Junior Division and IN
4 innings in the
senior division. Once a pitcher throws a pitch to a batter it is
considered an
inning pitched and will count towards the pitchers pitching limits. Only the starting pitcher can re-enter
as the pitcher once during the game.
20. Warm-ups: A
pitcher is allowed 5 warm-up
pitches
within a maximum of one minute at the start of each half inning, or
when
relieving another pitcher. NOTE. A
pitcher is entitled to these warm-up pitches regardless of whether they
have
pitched in earlier innings, or not. Any player
catching for a pitcher
must wear a helmet and mask.
21. Intermediate
Pitching:
In
the Intermediate Division there will be no “walks". Upon a
batter reaching
a count of 4 balls, a coach (of the batter’s team) will take
the mound and
pitch until either the batter puts the ball in play or is called out on
strikes.
The
coach MUST pitch
from the pitching rubber. (It is suggested
that an ADULT coach
backup
the catcher in the intermediate division to assist in getting passed
balls and
keep the game moving)
22. Hit
By Pitch and Walks:
If a
batter is hit by a pitched ball in the air, or after the ball hits the
ground, and
after having made an effort to avoid being hit, she will be
awarded first
base. Batters hit by offensive coach's pitching in the Instructional or
Intermediate Division are not awarded first base. "Walking” a
batter is
not allowed in the Instructional and Intermediate Divisions. Any
pitcher that
hits Three (3) batters in an
Inning
must be removed from
that inning. (All divisions). Any pitcher that hits Five (5) players in
one
game
will be
removed
from pitching in that game.
23. Senior
and Junior division pitchers must start with BOTH
feet touching the
pitching rubber. Intermediate pitchers MUST
start from the 35ft Rubber.
24. The
pitching distance from the rubber to the plate will be 40ft. in the
Senior and
Junior divisions and 35ft. in the Intermediate division. Temporary
rubbers
should be used where appropriate / necessary.
BATTING:
25. On-Deck
Batter:
Other
than the batter, only the on-deck batter may swing a bat and then only
in the
designated on-deck area. All offensive players must remain on, or in
the
immediate area of, the bench except when coaching a base. The umpires
can stop
the game until this rule is complied with.
26. Batting
Order: A
full roster batting order will be used in all Divisions (i.e. everyone
bats,
even if not playing the field). There are no re-entry requirements. A
batting
order may not be changed once submitted and the game has begun. All
late
arrivals shall be added to end of the batting order, any
player arriving after the first pitch of the game is considered
late.
27. Bunting:
Bunting will be allowed in the Senior and Junior Divisions only. There
is no
presenting a bunt then swinging away / no slapping and no drag bunting
permitted.
28. Thrown
Bat:
Any
player throwing a bat in such a way as to cause danger to anyone will
be given
a warning by the umpire. If the same individual throws the bat a second
time
they will be called out, and the ball considered dead. All runners must
return
to the bases they occupied prior to the incident. Coaches are
responsible for
working with players to correct this problem.
29. Instructional
Batting Tee:
In
the Instructional Division a batting tee will be used for the first
five (5)
games. After that time a coach from the batting team will pitch. If, however, after a
reasonable time
(approx. 5-6 pitches) it is determined that a player in unable to hit
the
coach's pitching then the tee will be used for that player for that at
bat. A player will
remain at bat until
the ball is hit in fair territory, or an
out is made
30. Drop
Third Strike. The Senior division will
use the drop third
strike rule per ASA rules. The Junior division will be allowed ONE drop third strike attempt per inning.
The drop
third strike may only be used when there are NO runners on first base
or
anytime there are two outs. Teams
may not carry over drop third strike plays from previous innings. The
drop
third strike rule is not used in the Intermediate and Instructional
division.
BATTER-RUNNER
AND RUNNER:
31. Infield
Fly Rule:
The
infield fly rule will be used in the Junior and Senior Division only.
32. Base
Leaving:
Leading off any base is forbidden. A base runner may not leave a base
before
the ball is hit in the Instructional and Intermediate Divisions,
crosses the
plate in the Junior Division, or leaves the pitcher's hand in the
Senior
Division. A runner leaving early can be called out.
33. Base
Stealing:
Stealing of second and third base is allowed in the Junior Division and
each
runner may advance only one base on any one pitch unless in an attempt
to throw
the runner out, an overthrow occurs, in which case the runner can
advance in
accordance to the overthrow rule # 34. In the Senior Division, any base
may be
stolen, including home, however, ONLY
ONE ATTEMPT TO STEAL HOME PER INNING, PER TEAM WILL BE PERMITTED. Any
team
with a 10 run lead or greater may not steal a base, or advance on a
wild pitch
or passed ball.
34. Overthrows/Out-Of
Bounds:
Base
runners may advance only two bases on an overthrow out of bounds as in
ASA
rules in the Senior and Junior divisions, and only one base in the
Intermediate
division. Advancing bases on overthrows will not be allowed in the
Instructional Division. Out of bounds will be a real or imaginary
straight line
from the wings of the backstop, or any other real line as designated
for that
field. AN OVERTHROW IS BASED ON WHEN THE BALL IS RELEASED FROM THE
FIELDER’S
HAND.
MISCELLANEOUS.
35. Coaches:
Coaches for all divisions will be selected by the Division Director,
from a
pool of volunteers that have indicated an interest in coaching during
the
player registration process. If an adequate number of coaches are not
generated
from the registration process, then the Division Directors will have
the
responsibility to identify additional coach/assistant prospects. The
FGSA Board
of Directors must approve all coaches.
NOTE. If possible, selection of volunteer head coaches should be made
on basis
of experience and availability to attend most, if not all, games.
Coaches
will be allowed to
coach in more than one division, but not to be a head coach in more
than one, without
approval of the FGSA board. NOTE:
Division Directors should establish, up front, which coaches/assistants
will be
coaching in other divisions or leagues.
36. Base
Coaches:
Two
base coaches (adult and/or player) may be used. IF PLAYER COACHES ARE
USED THEY
MUST WEAR HELMETS. In the Instructional and Intermediate Divisions no
player
base coaches will be allowed.
37. Keeping
Off Playing Field:
Coaches are reminded that unless they are coaching a base, or in
conference
with a player or the umpire, they are not allowed on the playing field.
Base
coaches are to remain in the base coaches' area adjacent to first or
third
base. Base coaches are not allowed to assist or impede the base runner
while
their team is at bat. In addition, it is the coaches' responsibility to
keep
all equipment and personnel off the playing field. In
the Instructional Division a
defensive coach shall catch and an offensive coach shall pitch (when
not using
the batting tee) and are allowed on the field for that purpose. In
addition,
Instructional defensive coaches are allowed on the field to place and
instruct
the defensive players. In
Intermediate
play, an offensive coach is allowed on the field to pitch when avoiding
the
walking of a batter by the pitcher (see 21 above). (It is suggested
that an ADULT coach
backup the catcher
in the intermediate division to assist in getting passed balls and keep
the
game moving)
38. Sportsmanship:
Any
display of poor sportsmanship by players, coaches or parents may result
in
automatic expulsion from that game and at least the next. Vocal
questioning or
comments on an umpire's judgment call will be considered
unsportsmanlike
conduct. Verbal abuse of players, umpires, or opposing coaches, by a
coach will
be considered unsportsmanlike conduct. FGSA has a zero tolerance
policy. ANY
unsportsmanlike behavior should be reported to a league official as
soon as
possible.
39. Conflicts
in Division Play:
Coaches in the Summer Division are encouraged to support the endeavors
of the
recreational leagues. No coach of a Summer Division team shall punish,
in any
way (disciplinary benching, etc.), a player for missing practices
because of
recreational league games or practice. Summer team coaches should
attempt,
where possible, to hold practices such that a player missing one
because of a
recreational league commitment will be afforded an opportunity to
practice on
another day.
40. Clean-up:
Both
teams must police their fields and pick up all trash after every game.
Please
help keep the playing fields clean.
41. Protests:
All
protests must be communicated to the umpire during the game. Protests
must be
written and filed with the Association PRESIDENT
within 24 hours of the game in question. Protests must apply only to
the rules
of the game, not to any judgment calls made by the umpires. Games
should be
finished after notice of protest is made, and will be replayed from the
point
of protest if the protest is accepted.
42. Injuries:
The
Division Director and the Association President MUST BE NOTIFIED of all
injuries, including those to youth umpires that occur in practices or
games as
soon as possible thereafter. Both should also be notified as soon as
possible
regarding any incidents involving disputes with fans, coaches, or
umpires.
43. Umpires:
Any
qualified person may umpire in the Intermediate Division. Umpire
recruitment
and scheduling is the responsibility of the Director of that Division,
as is
the obtaining of sanctioned umpires for use in the Junior and Senior
Division
games.
SEASON
SCREDULING & POST SEASON PLAY
44. Schedule:
The
Senior and Junior Division shall play a minimum 10 game, regular season
schedule. This will be followed by a post season tournament. The
Instructional
and Intermediate Division shall play a minimum 10 game regular season
with no
post-season play.
45. Rescheduling: A
game may be rescheduled if there is agreement between both coaches
along WITH the approval by the
Division
Director. The request to reschedule must occur a minimum of 5 days
before the rescheduled
game day, so the Division Director can notify the umpires, where
utilized. Rescheduling to meet the needs of players / coaches is not
allowed, unless required by school or church activities.
46. Makeup
Games:
All
makeup games must be played before playoffs begin or the game(s) in
question
will be dropped from the schedule. Make-up
games will be scheduled by the Divisional Director based
on the next available open game time slot (due to the large number of
teams,
games may need to be rescheduled on Sundays). These games must be
played at the
assigned times unless a school function (i.e. a field trip, band/chorus
concert, etc.) would require a team to forfeit. Other sporting events
DO NOT
qualify as school functions (i.e. soccer, softball tournaments, etc.)
if
school/class attendance is not required.
A forfeit should not be awarded if a game is
scheduled with less than 72
hours notice. If
an umpire is required the
Division Director must notify the appropriate people.
47. Divisional
Standings and Awards:
League or Divisional standings will be kept in the Junior and Senior
Divisions
for post season tournament bracket placement and divisional standings.
If two
teams are tied at the end of the complete regular season schedule based
on
winning percentage / (on-line standings) the following tie breakers
will be used for
both purposes:
1. Win
/ Loss Head to Head Competition
2. Runs
Allowed
3. Coin
Toss
In
the Intermediate and
Instructional leagues player participation awards will be given to each
player.
a. Post Season
Games: A
post season Town Championship
tournament will be held in the Junior and Senior Divisions. The tournament format will
be one of SINGLE
elimination. Tournament brackets will be those published by the ASA and
bracket
placement will be determined by division/league standings. These games
will be played under the
same rules as the regular season.
ALL
STARS
48. Selection
Of Coaches:
Teams
will be coached by the top two winning coaches. If either coach is not
available then the Division Director will assign another division
coach.
Medallions will be awarded to all All-Star Game participants.
49. Selection
Of Players:
Selections
will consist of a predetermined number of players from each team by the
DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR and
selected by the
HEAD COACH of each team in the
Senior, Junior, and Intermediate Divisions. These players will be
formed into
two teams as determined by the Division Director.
ADMINISTRATIVE
50. Incorporating
Changes to the
Home Rules: Each year motions to
modify the home rules by the current staff of a division will be
considered.
The Board of Directors can approve any such motions, thus incorporating
those
rules into the Home Rule for the subsequent year.
SUMMER
PROGRAM:
Please
refer to the specific program directors for the requirements and rules
that
apply to the Thunder and Lightning, Franklin Fusion and Franklin
Tornadoes
tournament softball programs.
