Wildfire 10U Girls SoftballRules and Guidelines

Wildfire 10U softball follows the same rules of play as described in the ASA Rule Book. However, the following exceptions/situations should take precedence over the ASA rules. During game conditions, the umpire has absolute discretion over rules, and all coaches and players will abide by their decision.

1. The game:a. 7 innings in length; if the score is tied after 7, teams may play 1 extra inning, time permitting, and at

the discretion of the umpire and coaches. A tie is scored if no one is ahead by the end of the 8 th inning.

b. When there is a game following: Games will attempt to go 7 innings. However, after approximately 1hr 45min of play the umpire shall declare "last inning". Next full inning will complete game.

c. Rain-Outs and Darkness: A game will be considered complete when four (4) full innings have been played. If a game proceeds beyond the 4th inning, and the visiting team has taken the lead, and it is then called for rain, the score reverts back to last completed inning. If a game is rained out the Home coach will attempt to reschedule with opposing coach, if no resolution then contact Beth Douglass.

d. A half inning ends when the defense makes 3 outs or the offense scores 4 runs. (There is a maximum of four (4) runs per inning). There is unlimited scoring in the last inning. The umpire may call the last inning before the 7th inning if it is getting too dark or raining. Track the time it is taking to complete and inning to assist umpire in proper timing of the unlimited run inning.

e. Mercy Rule. 12 run lead after 5 innings (or 4 1/2, if home team is ahead) ends the game.

f. 11” softballs will be used at all games. The home team provides two game balls.

g. The league provides a plate umpire for each game. In the event of a cancellation, the Home coach will call Phil Brown, the umpire assignor, to notify the umpire(s) of the game cancellation.

h. Scores will be kept for all league games. League standings will be kept and there will be playoffs at the end of the season at the leagues discretion based on division size and schedule availability. Home coach will enter the final score on the website.

i. Bunting is allowed and encouraged.

j. Stealing is allowed and encouraged. A runner may not leave a base until the pitched ball crosses the plate. A runner may steal only one base per play. A team may steal 2 bases per inning (a double steal counts as one attempted steal). Stealing home is NOT permitted at any time. Delayed stealing is permitted but continuation (batter stealing 2nd base on a walk) is NOT permitted. Stealing during coach pitch is NOT permitted.

k. Base runners advance at their own risk on overthrows. One base Maximum advance on an overthrow. Base Runners cannot advance on an overthrow from the catcher during an attempt to throw out a runner that is stealing; they can only advance to the base they were running to.

l. Infield fly rule will be called and is the umpires discretion. (see below for explanation)

m. There is NO advancement of the batter after a dropped third strike.

n. Players must slide on all close plays or may be called out at the umpire’s discretion; particularly at Home. WE USE SIDE BY SIDE FIRST BASES - INSIDE WHITE BAG FOR THE FIELDER, OUTSIDE ORANGE BAG FOR THE RUNNER. INSTRUCT BASERUNNERS TO USE ORANGE BAG UNLESS BALL HIT TO OUTFIELD THEN FIELDER MUST YIELD THE INSIDE WHITE BAG!

2. Players:

a. Ten (10) players will participate on defense – using 4 outfielders. Outfielders must play at least 15 feet behind the baseline.

b. Teams must have at least seven (7) players to start and finish a game. Games must start by 15 minutes after game time or a forfeit will be issued. If a team fields at least 8 players we encourage the opposing team to provide 1-2 players, last batters in order that inning, to supplement the outfield.

c. All girls showing up to the game will bat, whether they are playing defense that inning or not. Bat the entire roster. Any girl showing up after the last batter in the line up has batted must be added to the bottom of the order, no penalty outs will be issued.

d. Each player will play a minimum of three (3) innings of defense per game. All players with the exception of the pitcher and catcher will play at least one inning in the infield and outfield. The coach will determine player position based on safety and skill set. A player will not sit out 2 innings in a row unless injured.

e. Pinch Runner. If a pinch runner is needed due to an injury but the injured player will remain in the game (not be substituted for), the player who made the last out may be used as the pinch runner. Courtesy runner for the catcher is permitted to speed up between inning delays.

3. Pitching:a) Players will pitch from 35 feet, measured from back tip of home plate to front of pitching plate.b) There will be strikeouts and walks.c) After 1 walk, a coach will step in to complete the remaining batters after 4 balls. No walks will be

counted. Strike count will stay with the batter and only swinging strikes will be counted. THIS RULE WILL NOT APPLY TO PLAYOFF GAMES

d) Players may pitch the entire game. A pitcher may reenter as a pitcher if she has not been removed from the game, this can be done by taking her off the mound and putting her in another position on the field. Once a player leaves the game as a pitcher, the player may not return to that game as a pitcher.

e) If a pitcher hits 3 batters in one inning, she must be removed from pitching (not the game).f) Please note: the idea is to develop pitchers. If a team does not have a strong pitcher, the coach can

step in at any time their pitcher needs relief if no other pitcher is available. The only requirement is that the girl finishes pitching to the current batter. THIS RULE DOES NOT APPLY TO PLAYOFF GAMES

**** COACHES NEED TO ENCOURAGE GIRLS WHO WANT TO PITCH TO PRACTICE. WE NEED TO MAKE THE PITCHERS AWARE THAT IF THEY CONSISTANTLY STRUGGLE THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PITCH IN GAMES UNTIL THEIR SKILLS IMPROVE***

****ALSO, AS A GENERAL RULE, PLEASE ENCOURAGE ALL BATTERS TO SWING AT ANYTHING THAT IS CLOSE. NO BATS ON THE SHOULDERS WAITING TO BE WALKED!***

1(l). The Infield Fly Rule The purpose the Infield Fly Rule is to prevent infielders from intentionally dropping a pop-up to get a double play.  The Amateur Softball Association defines it in the Official Rules of Softball as: "Infield Fly: An infield fly is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive or an attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort when first and second bases or first, second, and third bases are occupied before two are out.  Any defensive player who positions herself in the infield at the start of a pitch shall be considered an infielder for the purpose of the rule.  The infield fly is ruled when the ball reaches the highest point based on the position of the closest fielder regardless of who makes the play.  When it seems apparent that a batted ball will be an infield fly, the umpire shall immediately declare, "Infield fly, the batter is out," for the benefit of the runners.  If the ball is near a foul line, the umpire shall declare, "Infield fly, the batter is out if fair." “The ball is alive and runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught.  The runner can tag up and advance once the batted ball is touched (prior to catching), the same as on any fly ball.  If a declared infield fly becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any foul.” Here are some things to remember about the infield fly rule:   

It must be called by the umpire It only applies when there are less than two outs It only applies when there are runners on first and second bases, or runners on first, second and third

bases When the umpire calls it, the batter is automatically out The ball is not dead An infield fly is treated as a regular fly ball; base runners are not forced to run, but they must tag up,

before advancing with the risk of being thrown out.