Home

NYSA: Major 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.		High School Varsity and Junior Varsity Uniforms are not permitted.

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

5.		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.

6.		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 of any cancellations and reschedules.

7.		Seven (7) 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).

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

9.		Each team is limited to scoring six runs per inning. 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 seventh inning or whatever inning the umpire declares to be the final inning. The
		declaration from the umpire must occur prior to the beginning of any inning.

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

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

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

13.		A twelve (12) inch ball will be used as standard for all games.

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

15.		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.

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

2.		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.

3.		The windmill pitching is permitted, however if a windmill delivery is to be used the pitcher must deliver the
		ball from a pitching rubber that is forty (40) feet from home plate. This distance may be adjusted in to
		thirty five (35) if the adjustment is mutually agreed upon by both coaches and the umpire in charge.

4.		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 permitted, the base runner is allowed to leave the base when the ball leaves the pitchers hand,
		however, is only allowed to steal (1) one base at a time. If an over throw occurs in an attempt to prevent a
		runner from stealing, the ball is considered dead and the runner must hold their position on that base.

2.		The infield fly rule will be in effect.

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.		Sliding is permitted.

6.		Base runners must make every attempt to slide or avoid a collision on close plays at all bases.

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 are allowed to lead/steal upon release of the ball from the pitchers hand.

9.		Runners are allowed to steal home plate on passed ball only and must make every attempt to slide or
		avoid collisions at the 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 be added to
		the end of the existing batting order.

2.		A batter hit by a pitch does walk. After three (3) batters are hit, the pitcher must be removed from the mound.