Softball General Playing Rules
All Divisions
Play will be governed by USSSA rules except where local rules override.
Highlighted portions indicate a change in the rules for 2012.
1. CALLING GAMES AND COMPLETE GAMES
A game shall be considered complete when one of the following occurs:
a. Innings-- See respective divisions for maximum innings.
b. Time Rule --See respective divisions for time limits.
c. Tie-breaker-- If, after the completion of the maximum innings in ALL SOFTBALL DIVISIONS, or the time has expired and the game is tied in these same divisions, the following tie-breaker will be played to determine the winning team. Starting with the top of the next inning and each half inning thereafter, the offensive team shall begin its turn at bat with the player that is scheduled to bat last in that respective half inning being placed on second base.
d. Mercy Rule -
Novice, Miniette, Minorette- 10 runs after 4 innings; 8 runs after 5 innings
Majorette, Metroette- 12 runs after 3 innings; 10 runs after 4 innings; 8 runs after 5 innings
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2. GAME TIME
The first game shall start at the time shown on the playing schedule. The second or later game shall start no sooner than the time shown on the playing schedule or 15 minutes after the previous game. Games may start early with the approval of both managers and the umpire.
3. PRE-GAME WARM-UP--NOVICE, MINIETTE AND MINORETTE DIVISIONS ONLY
No players or teams will be allowed to practice on any infield prior to scheduled pre-game warm-up time once the fields are prepared for scheduled games.
a. Visiting team will warm up from 5:50 pm to 6:00 pm and home team from 6:00 pm to 6:10 pm on week nights. It is the manager's responsibility to see that their team begins on time.
b. When games run over the time limit each team of the following game will be allowed 7 minutes for infield warm-up after it has been cleared from the preceding game. The second game may not start ahead of schedule unless approved by both managers and the umpires.
c. In order to ensure proper starting time for each game the home plate umpire shall be at the diamond at 6:00 pm. The home plate umpire for the succeeding game will return to the diamond to make certain the following game begins 15 minutes after the field has been cleared from the preceding game.
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4. PLAYER MOVE-UP PROCEDURES AND PROTECTION GUIDELINES - ALL SOFTBALL DIVISIONS EXCEPT INSTRUCTIONAL
a. Applications to manage a team should be received by the Division Representative on or before November 1.
b. Managers will be given the protection form after they have been approved by the Board of Directors.
c. A total of nine (9) players in Novice may be protected and must be submitted to the Division Representative on the official protection form. This includes players that did or did not play at Ken Berry the previous year. The protection form MUST include the daughter (s) and any sister (s), if they wish to be protected on that team.
d. The remainder of each team will be filled via the player draft or assigned by the division representative through a waiting list.
e. Players drafted to a team will be tied to that team for one season.
f. All players who played the previous season will be guaranteed a roster spot provided their registration form and fees are submitted prior to January 15th.
g. Completed Player Protection Forms, Individual Player Registrations and fees must be turned in to Division Rep by January lst for the team to be eligible for the USD 437 practice diamond lottery.
h. Any player requesting a withdrawal from a protection list will be placed on the draft list. Once a protection list is signed, that player will not be allowed to switch to another team's protection list.
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5. PLAYER'S AGE DATE
Age is determined by how old the player is on January 1 prior to the start of the season.
6. PLAYER'S EQUIPMENT
All batters, including the on-deck batters and base runners must wear NOCSAE approved batting helmets with face masks. All catchers must wear a catchers helmet with throat protector, this includes when players are warming up pitchers. A player may not participate without the required equipment.
Metal cleats will be allowed in the Metroette division only.
7. POSTPONED GAMES
The softball scheduler shall reschedule all postponed or suspended games at the first open calendar date. A league team may be required to play two games on the same day in League play, provided games are not in succession. The official notification of rescheduled or suspended games shall be the website, www.kenberryleague.com. It will also be posted in the breezeway by the concession stand. It is the responsibility of each manager to check the website/board for rescheduled games. Once rescheduled and posted game times will not be changed.
8. SOFTBALLS
Each team will furnish one (1) acceptable or new ball for every regular season games and tournament games. ONLY USSSA approved .47 optic yellow softballs will be allowed for league and tournament play. All softballs MUST be leather covered. Exception: Instructional division will use an 11" optic yellow RIF ball.
Novice and Miniette Division shall use the eleven (11) inch softballs.
Minorette, Majorette and Metroette shall use the twelve (12) inch softballs.
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9. FULL AND PLAYABLE TEAMS
A full team shall consist of ten (10) players in Novice and nine (9) players in Miniette, Minorette, Majorette and Metroette Divisions.
A playable team shall consist of seven (7) girls in all divisions. Only one automatic out must be taken in the batting order if a team is below a full team, regardless of whether there are 7 or 8 players present. Exception: Novice Divisions Only --an automatic out will be assessed if the number of players falls below nine (9). A player must be interested in the line-up as soon as they arrive if a vacant position exists.
10. CONTINUOUS BATTING LINEUPS
Every team member present must be included in the batting order for the entire game. Players coming late are to be added at the end of the batting order. No changes in the batting order may be made once the order is entered into the official scorebook.
11. DOUBLE SAFETY BASES
The double safety bases will be used in all divisions.
12. PARTICIPATION AND SPORTSMANSHIP AWARDS
All players not receiving a placement award will receive a participation award in the Novice and Miniette Divisions. A sportsmanship award will be given in addition to any other awards received in all Softball Divisions.
13. DRAFT, MANAGERS' MEETING AND PRESEASON RULES MEETING
Draft, Managers meetings and Preseason rules meetings--all managers or a team representative must attend all of these.
14. SCHEDULE CHANGES
See General Information Rule 26..
15. COLLISION RULE
The runner will be called out for failing to slide or avoid contact with a defensive player when:
a. A defensive player has the ball waiting to make a tag on the base runner.
b. Any other instance in which the umpire deems contact could have been avoided without unfair advantage to the defense.
c. The effect of the Collision Rule is that the ball is dead. The runner is out. All other runners must return to the last base touched. If the act is determined to be flagrant, the offender shall be ejected.
Note: Any defensive player taking advantage of this rule and setting up in the base path without the ball will be called for obstruction.
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