GENERAL RULES FOR ALL AGES
All coaches and dugout parents must have taken the coaches safety course and have a certificate before you can be on the field. The certificate needs to be turned in to the concession stand before the first game of the season. If you fail to do so you will NOT be able to coach or be in the dugout until you have completed the course. (THIS IS A FEDERAL LAW!) The cost is free, the class is online at https://coachsafely.adh.arkansas.gov/. (Click on the link on the Home Page.)
Game Forfeiture:
An official forfeiture will take place if a team has less than 8 players at game time. However, it is encouraged to use as a practice game that will be played as a standard game. To avoid a forfeit, you may call your league board member at least 3 hours before game starts, and they will work on finding a substitute. The fill in girl/ girls must be registered within the participating league. Max of 3 substitutes for one game with max of 9 players. The coach may not choose who the fill in is.
Not Showing Up:
Head Coach needs to let one of their league board members know 48 hours in advance that their team will not be showing up to the field to play. If you DO NOT show up to play, and the coach has not notified one of the league board members 48 hours in advance then there will be a $200 fine for that team.
Early Departure:
All early departures by players before the game is officially over must be brought to the attention of the opposing coach and the official scorekeeper. No out will take place for the player leaving if due to an injury.
Substitution/batting:
All players must bat in batting order. Free substitutions may be made in the field only.
Equipment:
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Gloves: All players must have a glove.
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Helmets: All helmets must have a face mask and be up to date.
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Bats: USSSA approved.
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Facemasks: Required for all players both infield and outfield for all age groups.
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Playing Field: All team members, including coaches, team representatives, and players will remain inside the playing field during the course of the game. (Exceptions: warming up and restroom breaks with permission of the coach).
End of season tournament:
TBD, it will begin the week following the conclusion of the season. Tournament will be single or double elimination format based on season standings. Will have 5 runs allowed per half inning.
Protests may only involve the interpretation of a rule. Protests need to be made by the head coach.
Book Keeping:
Official books will be kept by the home team. Home team will be determined by coin flip.
Rules:
See USSSA Rule book.
MODIFIED RULES:
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No player is to sit out more than 1 consecutive inning.
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The full roster will bat.
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If a parent gets ejected, the head coach and parent will also be ejected for 2 games. Also, if the head coach gets ejected it will be for 2 games.
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If a player is picked up in the tournament, they can only play for that team for the remainder of the tournament.
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If there is a combined age division, rules to play by will be to the older age division.
Ejection:
ABSOLUTELY NO FOUL LANGUAGE FROM COACHES, PLAYERS, OR PARENTS! IF SUCH LANGUAGE IS HEARD YOU WILL BE EJECTED FROM THE GAME AND ASKED TO LEAVE THE COMPLEX. If you are heard a second time you will be asked not to come back ever! The coach is responsible to encourage and deescalate parents in the stands. If a coach throws a fit (showing no Sportsmanship) the coach will be asked to leave for the rest of the night. If any kind of threat towards an umpire any coaches, or a facility staff member he/she will be kick out of all complexes for a year.
Our Programs
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6U LEAGUE RULES ● Ball: 11-inch USSSA approved ball. The league will provide game balls. ● Innings/Time Limits: There will be a 60-minute (drop dead) time limit with no more than 5 innings played. No new innings started after 55 minutes. Games can end in ties for regular games. ● Runs per inning: A maximum of 3 runs can be scored per half inning for each team. ● Teams only have 60 seconds between innings. ● You must stop the lead runner or get the ball back to the pitcher in the pitching circle (The umpire will call time). ● Coaches must coach their girls to throw the ball and not run the ball consistently. The first two games they will be reminded to throw the ball, any incident after that the base will be awarded to the runner if the ball is being run and not thrown. (We want to encourage teamwork, and develop throwing/catching skills). Girls need to be taught to cover play at bases. ● The defensive team must have a min of 8 players and a max of 10 players on the field. No outs taken if there are at least 8 players. ● Catchers must wear a helmet with a face mask while catching. ● The batter will be allowed 5 swings total. Coaches will pitch the first 3 pitches. If the batter swings and misses the ball, it will be counted as a swing. If the ball goes foul, or the ball does not go over the 15-foot arc, this will be considered a swing. If the first three swings are strikes, the batter may use tee for 2 remaining swings. On the 5th swing, If batter hits a foul the batter gets a 6th and final swing ● Bunting is NOT allowed. ● There is NO infield fly rule. ● The pitcher must rotate out after 2 consecutive innings and cannot re-enter the game as pitcher for the remainder of the game. ● A runner may not leave a base until the ball is hit. ● Home runs are allowed if not stopped by overthrow rule. ● Overthrow rule: A runner can only advance one base on an overthrown ball if the ball is thrown to that base. ● NO stealing is allowed. ● There will be a 25-foot mark for the coach to pitch from if needed. ● Time will be called when a defensive player has possession of the ball in advance of the lead runner or the ball is returned to the pitcher with at least one foot inside the pitcher’s circle. If a runner is more than halfway to the next base when time is called, the runner is awarded the next base. ● There is NO look back rule. ● Additional Coaches: In addition to base coaches, other coaches are allowed on the field of play to help set up tee when and if needed. The “Tee Coach” may provide assistance to the batter prior to the Umpire placing the ball on the Tee. Thereafter the coach must not assist the batter/runners vocally or with hand gestures. The “Tee Coach” will then be responsible for removing the Tee and bat from baseline.One coach will be allowed to stand in the on-deck circle while on defense. No other defensive coach will be allowed on the field.
8U LEAGUE RULES ● Ball: 11-inch USSSA approved ball. The league will provide game balls. ● Innings/Time Limits: There will be a 60-minute (drop dead) time limit with no more than 5 innings played. No new innings started after 55 minutes. Games can end in ties for regular games. ● Runs per inning: A maximum of 3 runs can be scored per half inning for each team. ● Teams only have 60 seconds between innings. ● You must stop the lead runner or get the ball back to the pitcher in the pitching circle (The umpire will call time). ● Defensive Positions: The defensive team will consist of 9 players on the field. 6 infielders including the catcher and 3 outfielders. If teams have 10 or more players, then prior to the start of the game both coaches and umpire can decide to have 10 players on defense, 6 infielders including the catcher and 4 outfielders. ● Coach Pitch Only: The player pitcher must have at least one foot in the pitcher’s circle when the batter’s coach is pitching. ● There will be a 25-foot mark for the coach to pitch from if needed. ● Batting: The batter will receive 5 pitches or 3 swinging strikes, whichever occurs first. Each pitch will count as one of the 5 even if the batter does not swing. If the 5th pitch is hit foul there will be a courtesy pitch, if the 6th pitch is foul then the batter is out. ● NO bunting ● The batter is out on the 3rd strike whether caught or uncaught. ● There shall be no Base on Balls (Walking) awarded. ● Batters hit by a pitch will not be awarded 1st base. ● Runner: May NOT leave any base until the ball is hit. ● Overthrow rule: A runner can only advance one base on an overthrown ball if the ball is thrown to that base. ● Stealing bases: NO STEALING allowed. ● If the ball hits the coach pitcher, ball/batter reset. ● No infield fly rule. ● Time: Time will be called when a defensive player has possession of the ball in advance of the lead runner or the ball is returned to the pitcher with at least 1 foot on the sideline of the pitcher’s circle. Runner in continuous motion rounding through 1st base, keeps the ball LIVE until play is made to stop the advance of the lead runner. ● Additional Coaches: In addition to base coaches, only a coach in the pitcher’s circle is allowed on the field of play. ● The pitching coach may not coach batters at ANY time. This will result as a strike against ● batter. ● The pitching coach must make an effort to avoid interfering with the play. ● If it is the umpire’s judgement that the coach interferes unintentionally with the batted ball and/or defensive play, the ball will be declared dead and the pitch replayed. If the umpire’s judgement is that a coach interferes intentionally, the lead runner is out, and the play replayed. If there are no runners, the batter is out.
10U LEAGUE RULES ● Ball: 11-inch USSSA approved ball. The league will provide game balls. ● Innings/Time Limits: There will be a 60-minute (drop dead) time limit with no more than 5 innings played. No new innings started after 55 minutes. Games can end in ties for regular games. ● Runs per inning: A maximum of 3 runs can be scored per half inning for each team. ● Teams only have 60 seconds between innings. ● There are free substitutions in the field. ● If a player cannot continue due to an injury or illness, that player will be skipped and no out will be counted, just be sure the bookkeepers are aware of this rule. ● Live arm only. No Machine pitch. Pitchers must pitch from 35 feet. ● No Infield fly rule ● 3rd drop strike ● No overthrow rule. ● 3rd base can only advance home if a play is at the player. ● Look back rule-is in effect when the ball is live, the batter-runner has touched first base or has been declared out, and the pitcher has possession of the ball (e.g. has the ball in their hand, glove, under arm or chin, between their legs) within the 16-foot circle. Any runner(s) in motion may continue without stopping or may stop once. Any runner who is stopped or stops their motion must immediately move directly back to the last base touched or attempt to advance to the next base. Once the runner stops at a base for any reason, they may not move off that base. A batter-runner who overruns first and does not without delay attempt to advance to second is committed to return to first and stop. The runner, off base, may not stand motionless. There does not need to be any motion or recognition by the pitcher. Failure of the runner to respond as indicated shall cause the Umpire to signal the runner out. The ball shall be declared dead. ● If play is made at home, it is the umpire's discretion of the out, if the catcher has possession of the ball.
12U LEAGUE RULES ● Ball: 12-inch USSSA approved ball. The league will provide game balls. ● Innings/Time Limits: There will be a 60-minute (drop dead) time limit with no more than 5 innings played. No new innings started after 55 minutes. Games can end in ties for regular games. ● Runs per inning: A maximum of 3 runs can be scored per half inning for each team. ● Teams only have 60 seconds between innings. ● There are free substitutions in the field. ● If a player cannot continue due to an injury or illness, that player will be skipped and no out will be counted, just be sure the bookkeepers are aware of this rule. ● No metal cleats. ● Infield fly rule ● 3rd drop strike ● Look back rule-is in effect when the ball is live, the batter-runner has touched first base or has been declared out, and the pitcher has possession of the ball (e.g. has the ball in their hand, glove, under arm or chin, between their legs) within the 16-foot circle. Any runner(s) in motion may continue without stopping or may stop once. Any runner who is stopped or stops their motion must immediately move directly back to the last base touched or attempt to advance to the next base. Once the runner stops at a base for any reason, they may not move off that base. A batter-runner who overruns first and does not without delay attempt to advance to second is committed to return to first and stop. The runner, off base, may not stand motionless. There does not need to be any motion or recognition by the pitcher. Failure of the runner to respond as indicated shall cause the Umpire to signal the runner out. The ball shall be declared dead. ● If play is made at home, it is the umpire's discretion if out. ● Pitcher: Pitchers will pitch from 40ft distance
14U LEAGUE RULES ● Ball: 12-inch USSSA approved ball. The league will provide game balls. ● Innings/Time Limits: There will be a 60-minute (drop dead) time limit with no more than 5 innings played. No new innings started after 55 minutes. Games can end in ties for regular games. ● Runs per inning: A maximum of 3 runs can be scored per half inning for each team. ● Teams only have 60 seconds between innings. ● There are free substitutions in the field. ● If a player cannot continue due to an injury or illness, that player will be skipped and no out will be counted, just be sure the bookkeepers are aware of this rule. ● No metal cleats. ● Infield fly rule ● 3rd drop strike ● Look back rule-is in effect when the ball is live, the batter-runner has touched first base or has been declared out, and the pitcher has possession of the ball (e.g. has the ball in their hand, glove, under arm or chin, between their legs) within the 16-foot circle. Any runner(s) in motion may continue without stopping or may stop once. Any runner who is stopped or stops their motion must immediately move directly back to the last base touched or attempt to advance to the next base. Once the runner stops at a base for any reason, they may not move off that base. A batter-runner who overruns first and does not without delay attempt to advance to second is committed to return to first and stop. The runner, off base, may not stand motionless. There does not need to be any motion or recognition by the pitcher. Failure of the runner to respond as indicated shall cause the Umpire to signal the runner out. The ball shall be declared dead. ● If play is made at home, it is the umpire's discretion if out. ● Pitcher: Pitchers will pitch from 43ft distance
