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By Laws
Fast Pitch Softball
12U-A, 14U-A & 18U-A Leagues
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TIME |
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1) |
Games will start
promptly at the scheduled time. Each team may take
infield practice for 10 minutes before game time, if the
field is available (visiting team first). Managers
are to show the umpire a line-up of starting players and
then give a copy to the opposing team manager.
Substitutes should also appear on teh line-up. Home
team will be the official scorekeeper, will occupy third
base bench and will supply game balls (one new and one
near new). |
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2) |
All time limits
shall apply from the scheduled starting time of the game,
not the actual starting time. 12U-A & 18U-A
teams shall play up to seven innings prior to 1 hour and
30 minutes. No inning shall start after this time
limit. Games that have a tie score when the time
limit expires will be allowed to play one additional
inning and the tiebreaker rules will be in effect (see the
NSA rule book). If after the additional inning a
winner has not been determined, the game will be
called. A new inning begins immediately after the
final out of the previous inning (NSA rules allow for one
minute for warm-up between each half inning).
The curfew for 12U-A League shall
be 9:00 PM on school nights and 10:00 PM on other
nights. The curfew for 14U-A and 18U-A League shall
be 10:00 PM on school nights and 10:30 PM on other nights. |
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3) |
A team's turn at
bat shall end after three outs or five runs have been
scored. This rule applies to all innings. A
team may concede at any time. |
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Pitching |
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4) |
12U-A pitchers
may not pitch in more than three innings per game (unless
the game reaches the sixth inning). 14U-A &
18U-A pitchers may not pitch in more than four innings per
game (unless the game reaches the seventh inning when each
pitcher will be allowed to pitch an additional
inning). The pitchers plate shall be forty (40) feet
from home plate. |
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5) |
If batters are
hit with a pitched ball three times in the same game by
the same pitcher, that pitcher must be removed from the
pitching position for the game. It is considered a
hit by pitch even if the pitch bounces prior to hitting
the batter. No base award will be made unless the
batter attempts to avoid being hit. |
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Substitutions |
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6) |
Teams may play
with a minimum of eight (8) players (an out will be
assessed for the unoccupied ninth batting position
according to the NSA rulebook). Teams may borrow
players from another RAYSA team within the same age group
to prevent a possible forfeit due to lack of
players. These borrowed players may play only two
games for each "A" level team. Borrowed
players must play in the outfield on defense. Once a
player plays in an older age group, that player may not
return to the younger age group (i.e., a 10 year old may
not play for a 10U team after playing for a 12U team). |
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7) |
All
players must play twelve (12) consecutive outs or two
consecutive innings (offense and defense) during the
game. Players may re-enter any position in the
line-up provided the substitute has not played the
previous twelve (12) outs (two innings) and the player
being played the previous twelve (12) outs (two innings)
and the player being substituted for has played the
previous twelve (12) outs (two innings). |
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8) |
The team at bat
may use a courtesy runner for the pitcher and/or catcher
as soon as they reach base. The courtesy runner
shall be a player on the line-up, but not currently in the
game. |
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Equipment |
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9) |
A 12"
RIF-10 softball shall be used for games. Face guards
are required on batters helmets. Any one-piece
"OFFICIAL SOFTBALL" bat (not more that 34"
in length) may be used for league play. |
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General |
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10) |
Games will not
be played during a thunderstorm or a downpour of
rain. If a downpour comes in the middle of a game,
it will or will not continue at the umpire's discretion,
however, safety should always be the primary
consideration. Rained out or cancelled inter-league
games will not be rescheduled. |
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11) |
A batter who
releases a bat with such force, that in the opinion of the
umpire, could cause injury or impair the defensive player
from making a play, shall be called out for interference. |
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12) |
Head first
sliding is not permitted. Runners who slide
headfirst shall be called out. Diving back to the
base without a running start should not be considered
sliding. |
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13) |
No protests,
including umpire judgments or decisions, will be
accepted. If the rules are not being properly
interpreted, contact your RAYSA representative. Head
coaches will be held accountable for the sportsmanship and
conduct of their players, fans and coaching staff.
Incident Reports filed with RAYSA representatives will be
reviewed and, if applicable, appropriate sanctions
implemented. |
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14) |
Coaches should
notify the opposing teams coach at least a day in advance
if a game is to be cancelled. The host teams coach
is responsible for notifying the umpire assigner and field
scheduler of the cancellation. |
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