rules

Junior
Division Little Miss Softball
Manchester, CT

General Rules
Game Rules
The Team
The Schedule

General Rules
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The distance between all bases shall be fifty (50) feet. The distance between the rear point of home plate and the pitchers mound shall be thirty five (35) feet. The distance to first base and third base is to be measured from the rear point of home plate.

The league will use regulation equipment: aluminum bats, balls, chest protectors, catcher's masks, helmets, etc.. Players may bring their own softball bats. If done, all players, both teams, must be allowed to use the bat.

Strikes and balls will not be called, in order to allow each batter to hit and put the ball in play. If the player does not hit the ball after three swings, the batter will hit from a tee.

Any judgment call by one umpire cannot be overruled by another umpire. Umpires may encourage and teach but may not coach.

Any team that cannot field a team by 6:15 PM may borrow spare girls from another team. A team may play with nine (9) or ten (10) girls but not less than nine (9). This practice shall be coordinated by the President or other league official. No game shall be declared canceled of forfeited except by the league President or his/her designated representative.

A batting order must be completed by the coach and followed throughout the game. All team members present will be placed in the batting order and will bat, even if they are not playing a defensive position in that inning. The only changes to be made to the batting order during a game shall be the addition of players arriving at the game.

Each girl MUST play three (3) innings in each game. Open substitution is allowed. A player injured during the game may return to play if she has recovered sufficiently.

If coaches agree, players may pitch. A player may pitch a maximum of three innings and may be removed in less. She may be entered in another position for the balance of the game. If injured, she may return to pitch. As an option, coaches may choose to pitch to their own team for all or part of the game. Coaches may not field the ball or be involved in any play. One defensive player will be positioned near the coach (offensive) to field the ball.

The pitcher must have one foot on the pitching rubber throughout the delivery of every pitch. The pitcher may not use a windmill wind up. The pitching arm may not go above the plane of the shoulder before delivery of the pitch.

Each player must wear the prescribed uniform, team jersey and hat while on the playing field. Sport shoes with rubber spikes are allowed.

The batter, on deck hitter and all base runners must wear protective helmets.

Catchers must wear a mask, helmet, chest protector, shin guards and glove.

First and third base coaches should be adults. Players may coach with an adult.

Coaches may choose to present participation trophies or awards. If done, all team members must receive these awards.

The league shall not compile standings or individual statistics.

Game Rules
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All base runners must hold the bag until the ball is hit. NO STEALING OR SLIDING will be allowed. A player sliding into a base shall automatically be called out.

Base runners may advance while the ball is in play in the outfield or is being made at a base. All play is dead when the pitcher is in possession of the ball in the mounded area.

In the case of an overthrow, the runner is allowed only one base, if she can make the next base safely. If another play is made, the runner may advance at her own risk. Runners may advance as long as the ball is in play. When the ball is out of play, the umpire shall declare a dead ball and advance the runners as stated in the rule.

Base runners are not permitted to steal. Base runners shall not leave their bases until the ball is hit. A runner caught leaving the base before the ball is hit may be called out at the discretion of the umpire.

Batters are not permitted to bunt.

Any girl carelessly throwing the bat (in such a manner ass to endanger the safety of other players and spectators) may be removed from the game at the discretion of the umpire. In any case, it is an automatic out.

An inning shall be declared over, regardless of the number of outs, if the team at bat has scored six (6) or more runs that inning. A maximum of nine (9) runs may be scored if five (5) runs are in and the batter hits a grand slam home run. Where this rule has not limited the number of runs the visited team has scored in any inning of the game, the rule will not apply to the home team in the bottom of the last inning.

Ground rules will be reviewed by coaches and umpires before the start of each game

NOTE: LMS does not use the infield fly rule

The Team
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The League will, at least ten (10) days prior to the first regularly scheduled game, establish the names of the players on each team. No team shall have more than seventeen (17) nor less than thirteen (13) players

If a team loses a player during the course of the season due to illness, injury, or some other justifiable reason, may apply to the league for a replacement in the same age group if available.

Any girl who will attain the age of seven (7) years old by June 1st and will not attain the age of twelve (12) years old before June 1st will be eligible to play i the Junior (Instructional) Division. Players new to the league will be asked to provide proof of age.

Last year's players shall remain on the same team. Where cause exists, parents may request and the Executive Committee may authorize a player to re-enter the blind draw rather than return to the same team. New players will be selected by age group in a blind draw which will spread the ages of players across all teams as evenly as possible. Girls must play on the team they are assigned to by the league.

Sisters may be assigned to the same team and may be exempted from the blind draw. Daughters of coaches or team sponsors may choose to play for that team or to enter the blind draw and be assigned to another team.

No girl will be allowed to play until the league has received a fully executed registration form(s) and registration fee.

No player may be added to any team roster without the expressed approval of the Executive Committee.

The Schedule
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The schedule will be provide for not more than two (2) games per week to be played on Monday and Thursday.

Exhibition games, including the Annual Mother-Daughter Game, are not to be included in the regular season.

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