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NYSA: AAA League Rules and Guidelines

		General:

1.		All players must be registered members of the Douglas, Mendon, Northbridge and Upton Youth
		Softball League.

2.		All players must wear uniforms consisting of shirts and hats/visors. They must also
		wear rubber spikes or sneakers.

3.		Players are not allowed to wear jewelry of any kind.

4.		Each team will field 10 players if available on defense, consisting of 4 outfielders. All
		outfielders must remain in the outfield area until the ball is live. The ball is considered
		live when the ball is hit.

5.		The decision to call a game off due to weather/field conditions or due to school events
		will be made by the head coach of the home team scheduled to play. The coach may cancel
		the game prior to the starting time. Make up games, if needed, will be played at the
		end of the season. Home team head coach must notify the league umpire.

6.		Six (6) full innings define a complete game. An official game has a minimum of four (4) complete
		innings (3 1/2 if the home team is ahead).

7.		Players must remain in the dugout or on the bench when not playing in the field. The on-deck batter
		may warm-up.

8.		If the team that is at bat is leading the game at the time their turn to bat begins, then that team will be
		limited to scoring (6) six additional runs during the current inning. If however the team coming to bat
		is trailing at the time their turn to bat begins, that team will be allowed to score as many runs as
		needed until such time as their lead totals (6) runs. Both teams will be allowed to score
		unlimited runs in the last inning of the game. For the purpose of this rule the final inning
		of the game is defined as either the sixth inning or whatever inning the umpire declares
		must be the final inning. The declaration from the umpire occurs prior to the beginning
		of any inning.

9.		All injuries must be reported to the leagues of those teams participating in the game.

10.		All coaches will have on hand the emergency forms (registrations forms) at all practices and games.

11.		Each team must have an emergency kit on hand with gloves, band aids, ice packs, gauze, etc.

12.		A eleven (11) inch ball will be used as standard for all games.

13.		Each player can only sit out one (1) consecutive inning.

14.		Catchers must wear catcher's equipment as provided by the league, or equivalent, and wear
		personal protective equipment, as necessary, which is furnished by the player. This rule is in effect
		for both games and practices.

15.		The top of a new inning will not begin in any game after 7:45 P.M. while school is in session.

		Conduct:

1.		Profanity, kicking equipment or other unsportsperson like conduct by coaches, players, or parents
		will cause the umpire to give the team a warning. Continuation of this behavior by a player or coach
		after the warning will result in ejection from the game. If a parent continues to display unacceptable
		behavior after being warned, the team for whom their daughter plays may be forced to forfeit the
		game at the umpires discretion.

2.		Coaches shall assume the responsibility for the conduct of his/her players. They will also be
		responsible for assisting the umpire in managing unacceptable behavior displayed by the parents
		of girls on his/her team.

3.		Coaches should encourage their players to cheer for their teammates. Chanting and singing of
		limericks will be allowed as long as they are not derogatory or degrading to the other team. Once
		pitcher presents the ball, all chanting and singing stops.

		Pitching:

1.		Pitching will be fast pitch regardless of the pitching motion utilized.

2.		The starting pitcher, once relieved can return to pitch once during a game (provided that rule #2
		under batting has not occurred).

3.		Prior to the pitch, the pitcher shall take a position with the pivot foot on or partially on the surface of
		the pitcher's plate. All steps must be forward in motion.

4.		The distance from the pitching rubber to home plate will be a minimum thirty five (35) feet.

5.		Pitcher will not be able to walk in a run. If ball 4 is called with bases loaded the coach of the team
		that is at bat will come in and pitch to his/her batter. The batter will keep the strikes she has in
		the count. The batter can either hit the ball in play or strike out. She can not walk. When the
		coach comes on the field to pitch, player who was pitching will stand to the side of the pitcher's
		mound and play defense. Coach can throw at whatever speed he/she feels appropriate for
		batter at plate. When the next batter comes to plate, the pitcher resumes pitching.

6.		Pitchers will be limited to pitching half of the total innings played by their team in a given week,
		running from Sunday to Saturday.

		Base Running:

1.		Stealing is not permitted.

2.		The infield fly rule will not be used.

3.		The dropped third strike rule will not be in effect.

4.		If a ball is caught in the air, runners may tag up. (fair or foul territory).

5.		The advancing base runner may not collide with the person covering the base. Upright collision
		results in automatic out.

6.		Sliding is permitted. A runner is required to slide into home, if the potential for a close play at
		home exists.

7.		A ball is considered dead when it is returned to the pitcher following a play. Runners may not
		advance after the ball has been returned to the pitcher's mound.

8.		Base runners may not leave the base until the ball reaches home plate.

		Batting:

1.		The batting order which is established prior to the game shall include all girls on the team that are
		present and shall remain unchanged for the duration of the game. If a player arrives late she shall