IFPAA MINOR GIRLS SLOWPITCH SOFTBALL LEAGUE RULES

2008

The goals of Ponytail Softball are to keep the players safe, develop their skills, and have fun.  These rules are defined in the spirit of these goals.  The players will learn sportsmanship by the examples set by the Managers and parents. 

RULE I ñ PLAYERS

A.                 A team shall consist of the full roster of players whose positions shall be designated as follows: pitcher, catcher, first base, second base, third base, shortstop, and the balance of the roster in the outfield (ALL players are in the field each inning).  Players are not permitted to play the same infield position more than three innings per game except for pitchers, who may pitch a maximum of 4 innings per game.  Each player is required to play the infield a minimum of 2 innings; 3 innings is a suggested minimum.  Each player is required to play the outfield a minimum of 2 innings.  Catcher does not count as either infield or outfield. 

B.                 Each player on the roster must bat in turn.  Latecomers will be added to the end of the batting order.  A girl who becomes injured or ill or who otherwise leaves during a game may be removed from the lineup with no penalty to her team.  If that girl recovers or otherwise returns during the game, she shall return to the lineup in her former position.  Opposing team is to be notified of latecomers, removals, and returns to the lineup.

C.                 A team must be able to field at least eight Minor League players.  Managers may by mutual agreement postpone a game (for reasons other than weather) no later than twenty-four hours before the scheduled start of the game.  Games must be rescheduled so that each team plays a minimum of 16 games.

D.                 Qualified eight year old Ponytail Softball League girls may be called up on a game by game basis under the following conditions:

1.                  A minimum of eight Minor League girls are also playing.

2.                  The opposing managers and league commissioners agree that the Ponytail Softball League girlís skills are such that her safety will not be jeopardized.

3.                  The player is selected from a list of capable and willing players provided by the Ponytail Softball League Commissioner.

4.                  The Minor League game does not conflict with a Ponytail Softball League game that the call-up may be playing otherwise.

5.                  No more than two Ponytail Softball league girls may play on the same team during one game.

6.                  If a team calls up a Ponytail Softball League girl, she must play in accordance with Rules I-A & B, above.

RULE II ñ PLAYING FIELD

A.                 The distance between bases is sixty (60) feet.  All bases must be anchored.

B.                 Pitching lines will be marked thirty five (35) and forty (40) feet from the point of home plate. 

C.                 Base lines will be marked between home and first, and home and third.  Base lines run from the tip of home along the back of first and third.  A string line will be available in the equipment box to assist in lining the fields.  Use the string to line the fields with straight lines.

RULE III ñ GAME LENGTH

A.                 A regular game is six innings unless shortened because of time, darkness, or weather.

B.                 An inning is over when three outs are recorded, or the batting team scores five runs, except for the last inning.  The run limit in the last inning is 10 runs.  The managers may mutually agree to play to a 5 run limit in the last inning if time is an issue.

C.                 At the first appearance of lightning, the game will be stopped.  Players must move a safe distance from the playing field, preferably into a vehicle or building.  The game may continue if no lightning is sighted for ten minutes.

D.                 The time limit for the games is two hours whenever another game is scheduled at the same field following the current game.  Make every effort to complete all six innings.

RULE IV ñ PITCHING

A.                 Pitchers have the choice to pitch from either the 35í or 40í line until Memorial Day.  After Memorial Day, the pitching distance for 10 year olds is 40í.  9 year olds may pitch from the 35í line if they so choose.  The purpose of this is to align IFPAA more closely with ASA, while allowing younger players the chance to pitch from a closer distance.

B.                 The pitcher must deliver the ball toward home plate on the first forward swing of the pitching arm past the hip in an underhand motion.

C.                 The pivot foot must remain in contact with the line until the ball leaves the hand. 

D.                 The strike zone is the ASA definition that states ìwhen a batter assumes a natural batting stance adjacent to home plate, the strike zone is that space over any part of home plate between the batterís back shoulder and the front knee.î  The ball must be delivered with a perceptible arc and reach a height of at least 6í from the ground, while not exceeding a maximum of 12í from the ground.

E.                  As a training aid to assist both the pitcher and batter to learn the strike zone, a mat will be placed behind home plate, and used to help to judge whether a pitch is a ball or strike.  The mat extends 1î beyond each side of home plate so that batters are encouraged to be aggressive in selecting pitches at which to swing.

F.                  When the mat is in place, rule IV.D. applies except that the ball hitting the mat will be used to determine whether or not the ball properly crossed the space over home plate.  If the ball strikes the mat, the pitch is a strike as long as the pitch is otherwise in accordance with rules IV.A, B, C, and D.

G.                 A pitch that strikes the white part of home plate is a ball.

H.                 If a pitcher walks 4 consecutive batters in one inning, she must be replaced with another pitcher.

I.                    Until Memorial Day, this rule will be in effect: Should a pitcher pitch 4 balls to a batter, the batter will not walk, and the batterís coach will come in to pitch to the batter.  When the coach comes in to pitch, the strike count from the youth pitcher will remain, and the batter will receive pitches until she either strikes out, or puts a ball in play.
After Memorial Day, this rule is not in effect, and batters will walk after 4 balls.

RULE V ñ BATTING

A.                 The batter must wear a helmet whenever the batter is swinging a bat.  This includes warming up.

B.                 Batters waiting for their turn to bat are only permitted to swing a bat in the warm up cage unless under the supervision of a manager or coach.

C.                 The scorekeeper is responsible for keeping the batting order correct, and the safety of the warm-up cage.

D.                 The batter is out on 3 strikes.  After Memorial Day when the Rule IV, Section I ends, the batter can walks on 4 balls.

E.                  If the batter does not swing at a pitch that is called a strike, then their count of balls goes to 0.  For example, if a batter with a 3-1 count takes strike 2 without swinging, the count goes to 0-2.

F.                  The batter is out if a foul ball is caught outside the batterís cage, or the foul ball is over the batterís head.  All other fouls are considered foul tips. The batter is out if the catcher catches a foul tip on the last strike.

G.                 Bunting is not permitted.  Any attempt to bunt will be called a strike.

H.                 A batter may not hit a fair ball with the bat a second time in fair territory.  The ball will be called dead, the batter is out, and the baserunners may not advance.

I.                    If the batter throws a bat, the batterís team will be warned that upon the next incident of a thrown bat by any batter on that team, the batter will be called out.

RULE VI ñ BASERUNNING

A.                 A base runner is entitled to continue to advance on a batted ball until the umpire calls time.  The umpire calls time when:

1.   A ball is thrown to a base at which an out is recorded, or a ball is caught in the infield to record an out.  

2.      A ball thrown from the outfield is received and under control of an infielder at a base at which an out could be recorded.  The intent of the rule is to begin to teach fielders to throw the ball to the proper base, while not allowing runners to constantly challenge the fielders to make an out by continuing to advance bases.

3.      The ball is thrown out of play.

B.                 Balls thrown past the first or third base line, but not out of play, all runners may advance at their risk to the next base only.  The base runners may advance only one base on the overthrow even if the defensive team attempts a put out at the advanced base.  Should the runner be put out while attempting to advance to an additional base, the runner will be called out.

C.                 If the ball is thrown outside the field of play, the runners advance to the next base only.

D.                 The base runner is out if the base runner leaves the base path in an attempt to avoid a tag.  A fielder may not block the base path during play, or otherwise obstruct the runner.

E.                  The base runner may not interfere with a player attempting to field a batted ball.  The base runner is not out when she runs behind or in front of the fielder and outside the base path in order to avoid interfering with a fielder attempting to field the ball.  Base runners are encouraged to run behind the fielder in order to avoid interference.  Should the base runner interfere with the fielder, the base runner is out, the ball is dead, and the other base runners may only advance to the base to which they were headed.

F.                  The base runner is out when struck with a fair untouched batted ball while not in contact with a base and before it passes an infielder, excluding the pitcher, or if it passes an infielder and any fielder has an opportunity to make an out.

G.                 A base runner may ìtag-upî and advance to the next base after a catch has been made for a putout in the outfield.  The base runner must contact the base that she is leaving after the catch has been made prior to advancing.  This encourages the outfielder to throw the ball quickly to the infield.

H.                 If a base runner leaves the base before the ball is hit, the base runnerís team will be given a warning.  If a base runner leaves the base before the ball is hit subsequent to the warning, the base runner will be called out.

I.                    Base stealing is not permitted.

J.                   Sliding is permitted only in a feet-first manner.  Proper sliding is encouraged, as it is a means to protect both the runner and fielder from collisions.

K.                A base runner is out if her manager, coach, or teammates touch her while the ball is alive.

RULE VII ñ FIELDING

A.                 The fielding team should be encouraged to throw the ball to the proper base, and proper coverage of bases should be emphasized.  The rules on running are intended to encourage proper infield play, and not penalize fielders for attempting to make the proper play. 

B.                 An out is recorded if a fielder catches a batted ball in the air, catches a throw at a base before a forced base runner reaches the base, tags a runner that is not on a base, or as otherwise indicated in these rules.

C.                 The outfielders must be situated in fair territory at least ten feet beyond the normal base lines.  Outfielders cannot make a putout by tagging a base or a runner, receiving a throw at a base, or catching a fly ball in the infield.  The intention of this rule is to encourage proper coverage of bases, and to teach the outfielders to throw the ball to an infielder.  (An outfielder may assist a putout by throwing the ball to an infielder.)

D.                 The infield fly rule is not in effect.

RULE VII ñ EQUIPMENT

A.                 Players must wear the shirt issued by IFPAA.

B.                 Players must wear black uniform pants or black athletic shorts.

C.                 Players may wear shoes with rubber spikes.  Metal spikes of any type are not permitted.

D.                 Catchers are required to wear a mask, chest protector, and shin guards.

E.                  Batters, base runners, and batters on deck are required to wear helmets at all times.  Helmets must have chinstraps, and the chinstraps must be properly attached.

F.                  Players may not wear jewelry.  Newly pierce ears must be covered and protected.

RULE IX ñ MANAGERS

A.                 The manager is responsible for team conduct during the time his/her team is at the field site.  The team manager will carry on any communications with the umpire.

B.                 The home team manager must provide one new game ball for each game.  Only balls issued by IFPAA are permitted.

C.                 The home team manager is responsible for distributing the helmets, bats, and catcherís equipment.  The home team manager is responsible for returning the equipment to the proper boxes after the game.  This equipment will be placed in its own box; this equipment shall never be placed in the box with the field supplies (bases, field white, field dry).

D.                 Both the home and away team managers are responsible for preparing the field.  This includes setting and lining the bases, dragging the infield, remove standing water (never remove standing water from the infield by sweeping it into the outfield), treat damp areas (spread field dry, allow it to work, and rake it in), and repair holes. Do not remove standing water from the infield by sweeping it into the outfield.  Field equipment shall be kept in a separate box from the helmets and catcherís equipment.

E.                  The home team will occupy the bench on the first base side of the field.  The away team will occupy the bench on the third base side of the field.

F.                  The home team may use the infield from 15 minutes prior to the game until game time.  The away team may use the infield prior to the home team.  The managers are responsible for starting the games on time. 

G.                 Each manager will provide a scorekeeper to record runs and outs, maintain the proper batting order, and have players ready to bat when their turn comes up.

H.                 It is the home team managerís responsibility to contact the away manager to cancel game due to weather.  The home team manager should visit the field to determine if the field is in playable condition, and may confer, if necessary, with the visiting manager to make a mutual decision.  The home manager must contact the commissioner to reschedule a canceled game, and coordinate the rescheduled date and time with the away manager.  The home manager must notify the umpire that the game is cancelled.

RULE X ñ UMPIRES

A.                 Minor softball uses paid youth umpires.  The fee is $15/game, and is paid by the home team manager.  The fee is paid by IFPAA, and funds will be provided to all managers prior to the start of the season.  Once the game has started, the umpire is owed the fee even if the game is note completed.

B.                 In the event that a paid youth umpire is not available for a game, the home team manager provides the home plate umpire.  The home plate umpire is responsible for safe/out calls at first, third, and home.  The home plate umpire is responsible to stop play and control the advancement of runners in accordance with Rule VI.  The away team manager provides a field umpire.  The field umpire is responsible for safe/out calls at second base, and outfield calls.  The field umpire may assist the home umpire with calls at first and third if there are multiple base runners.

C.                 There will be no arguments with the umpire, managers, or parents.  If there is a question on interpretation of the rules, both managers will refer to the rules, discuss the issue, and settle the issue amicably.

RULE XI ñ SNACK SHACK

A.        Minor softball is responsible to staff the Blueberry Snack Shack for all games played at Blueberry Park.  The home team is responsible for providing one volunteer for innings 1 though 3, the visiting team is responsible for providing one volunteer for innings 4 through 6.  Each manager must insure that the snack shack is staffed for the innings for which they are responsible.