Stow Fast-pitch Softball 2006 Rules ~ I League Instructional Girls
Fast-pitch Softball League
The 2006 Stow Youth Softball General rules are the official rules
except as amended or changed by these rules.
1. The Instructional Girls Fast-Pitch Softball League is limited to
girls with playing ages of 8 or less on the date specified in rule 16 of
the Stow Youth Baseball/Softball General rules.
2. Pitching distance is 30 feet when a player is pitching (adjustable
when a Coach is pitching), 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" Softie softball.
3. The first 2 / 3 of the season will be Coach pitch. A Coach will
pitch to his or her own team. His or her interference defensively will be
called a no pitch. Up to 3 defensive Coaches are permitted on the field
for instructional purposes in addition to the Coach that may be pitching.
A Coach or player calling time out cannot stop the game while a play is in
progress. Play should be stopped at any time to teach and encourage.
4. Each batter may be pitched 7 balls (more if the last is fouled off).
She may swing and miss all 7 pitches and then be called out on strikes.
5. Balls and strikes will be called by an offensive Coach without the
intent to strike out or walk a batter.
6 The side is retired after 3 outs or 8 batters (which ever comes
first). In the last inning 3 outs will retire the side.
7. The last 1 / 3 of the season the Coaches will pitch the first 2
innings following the same rules as the first half of the season. The
players will pitch the last 4 innings with balls and strikes being called
with the intent to strike out or walk a batter. On the third strike, the
ball is dead and the batter is out. No runner may advance. Rule 6 applies.
Plus, with the player pitching an inning shall have a maximum of 5 runs.
8. All games shall consist of 6 innings. In the event of rain, 4
innings will constitute a complete game. All games shall have a 1 ½ hour
time limit from the actual start time of play.
9. Stealing will be permitted during the last 1 / 3 of the season, 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.
10. The strike zone will be the shoulder to the bottom of the knees.
11. Round Robin Batting is used, late arrivals are to be placed at the
end of the batting order.
12. The batter will be given only one warning if she throws the bat.
The next time she throws the bat, she will be called out. The bat should
be left in the batters box.
13. After the 7th pitch (Coach pitch) or the 3rd strike (players
pitching) the ball is dead, the batter is out, and no runner may advance.
14. The pitcher must stand within the 8' radius pitching circle. The
player pitching must pitch in a standard Fast Pitch manner with shoulders
lined up from 1st base to 3rd base and both feet on the pitching plate.
The first step must be towards home plate. No double windup or crow
hopping. Pitchers will have a maximum of 5 warm up pitches. All catchers
gear must be worn.
15. The infield fly rule will not be played.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. Chinstraps must be worn or the batter/runner is automatically out.
Teams to be given extra chin straps.
20. 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.
21. Optional and highly recommended: Use of the safety base at 1st
(first) base.
22. A maximum of ten (10) players will be allowed on the field at any
one time. Four (4) of the players (outfielders) must be positioned behind
the baseline. All players must be in the game by the 3rd inning.
23. 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.
24. 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, 2006 to
the softball executive VP. Final rosters are due by the first scheduled
game.
25. All players must have a player pass on approved format by SYB. For
2007, if the player does not have a SYB player pass, she will not be
allowed to play in the game.
26. There may be a team fee for the end of season tournament to be held
in Kent. The fee is due to SYB by May 31, 2006. For 2006, the fee is $65
per team. This fee will help cover the cost of the fields, umpires, and
trophies.
27. Violations of any of the SYB or Amateur Softball Association
rulings shall be subject to forfeiture of the game.
28. No players from the Cuyahoga Valley Elite Fast pitch League may be
signed up to play on a team in the Stow Youth Softball league. Penalty is
forfeiture of games played. An exception may be approved by the SYB board
prior to the start of the season.
29. If a school event (awards ceremony, carnival, etc) conflicts with a
scheduled game, the manager must notify the League VP by May 1st for
baseball and by May 12th for softball - the league VP will then reschedule
the game with the Umpire-in-Chief. Once school is out, June 9, 2006, NO
games will be rescheduled due to a school conflict.
30. If there is a community conflict, you must contact the League VP at
least 48 hours prior to the scheduled game time in order for consideration
for reschedule of the game. Community representatives cannot reschedule
games without the consent of the SYB League VP.
