Stow Fast-pitch Softball
2005
Rules ~ A League
10 and Under Girls Fast-pitch Softball League
The 2005 Stow Youth Softball General rules are the official rules
except as amended or changed by these rules.
1.
The 10 and Under Girls Fast-Pitch Softball League is limited to
girls with playing ages of 10 or less on the date specified in rule 16 of
the Stow Youth Baseball/Softball General rules.
2.
Pitching distance is 35 feet, from the front of the pitching rubber
to the back point of home base. Base
path distance is 60 feet. The
distance from home plate to second base is 84 feet 10 inches.
Official ball will be the 11” softball; the RIF (limited flight)
softball may be used as long as it is 11” softball.
3.
Every girl must play at least three (3) innings in the field.
All substitutes must be in the game by the third inning.
The game shall consist of six (6) innings.
4.
A pitcher may pitch at most three (3) innings (9 outs) during the
first six innings of a game. There
are no restrictions for any inning after the sixth inning.
The outs do not have to be consecutive.
5.
If the score differential is ten (10) or more at the end of any
inning after five (5) or more innings have been played, the umpire shall
declare the game over. If the
home team is leading they will not bat in the sixth inning. All innings must be played if there is not a 10 run lead.
A maximum of five (5) runs
per inning or three outs.
6.
All games will have a 2-hour time limit from the actual start time
of the game. No new inning will begin once the 2-hour mark is reached, the
teams may finish the inning they are involved in at the 2-hour mark. The
umpire will track the time and it is up to the teams to ask the umpire the
start time of the game.
7.
Stealing is permitted, but NO stealing home. Only one base at a
time may be stolen. Scoring can only result by being hit in or walked in
with the bases loaded. (e.g. if attempting to throw out a runner stealing
second base with a runner on third, the runner on third is not allowed to
score. No scoring on passed balls.) One exception, a runner on third
may score if the catcher throws behind her trying to pick her off because
of an excessive leadoff.
8.
On a dropped third strike the batter is out (no advancing to first
base).
9.
The strike zone will be the shoulder to the bottom of the knees.
10.
The infield fly rule will not be played.
11.
Home plate will be 21” wide; the extension will be the black part
of the plate and will be used for calling balls and strikes.
12.
When the pitcher gains possession of the ball in the pitcher's
circle, all runners less than half way to the next base must return to the
last base. All runners more than half way to the next base may continue on
at their own risk.
13.
Each team may supply a person to assist by retrieving passed
balls. If the ball is touched by this person, any steal in process
(umpire’s judgment) would be completed and the ball is dead.
14.
Chinstraps must be worn or the batter/runner is automatically out.
Teams to be given extra chin straps.
15.
All players must wear
batting helmets that have a protective face guard/mask on them. It will be
worn while batting and while running the bases. If a face guard/mask is
not on the batting helmet, the batter/runner is automatically out.
16.
Optional: Use of the safety base at 1st (first) base.
17.
A maximum of ten (10) players will be allowed on the field at any
one time. Four (4) of the players must be positioned behind the baseline.
18.
If a manager, coach, players, or parents attempt to stall a game
in any way, the umpire can allow the game to continue without regard
to a time limit or if darkness is an issue, the game can be rescheduled by
the Umpire-in-chief and League VP to be completed.
19.
Each community outside Stow and Munroe Falls will contribute $2.50
per signed up player to the Stow League for administrative purposes. This
fee may be waived if each Community provides to SYB the number of teams
they will have, field availability, and team rosters by April 8, 2005 to
the softball executive VP. If the team rosters are not final, please
provide preliminary rosters by April 8, 2005 with final rosters due by the
first scheduled game.
