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NYSA: Minor 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 of any cancellations and reschedules.

6.		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).

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 to be the final inning. The
		declaration from the umpire must occur 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 twelve (12) 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 forty (40) feet. With the consent
		of both coaches, this distance may be adjusted to 35 ft. to accommodate the introduction of the pitching
		skill to new prospective pitchers.

5.		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.		Base runners will be allowed to steal to (3rd) third base only. The base runner may steal only
		after the ball crosses home plate. 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 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..

		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.

3.		Batters should be instructed not to throw their bats. If this occurs, one warning will be given to the team. If the
		infraction occurs again all other batters will be called out.

4.		Batting helmets with chin straps secured must be worn while batting and running the bases.