Longview Girls Softball Association
LOCAL LEAGUE RECREATIONAL PLAY RULES
As permitted by USA Softball, Local League Rules are adopted by the League Board of Directors. They are intended to address specific needs of the local league. Official Regulations and Playing Rules not amended by Local League Rules will be stated in the current USA Softball Play Rule Book.
It is mandatory that all coaches familiarize themselves with the both the Local League and USA Softball rules and adhere to them at all times.
The following will apply to all games played at LGSA's 7th Ave Park. Where USA rules may contradict these, what’s included herein shall supersede.
General Rules for All Age Divisions
- One (1) Head Coach and two (2) Assistant Coaches per team will be allowed on the playing field during games. others must stay in dugout.
- All games times will be set per season based on League schedule.
- All players in every Division must wear a face guard on their batting helmets
- If during a game, a team is unable to field nine (9) players, but can still field eight (8), the game may continue and will be considered an official game. Less than eight (8) players will agreed upon by both coaches.
- Up until game time, the decision on whether or not the playing conditions are bad enough to prevent play shall be made by a member of the Longview Girls Softball Association Board.
- Coaches are allowed to substitute their players in and out of the lineup freely. Each player is required to play at least two (2) innings on defense per game.
- The dropped third strike rule is in effect for all League games in divisions 12U and older.
- If a game is shortened due to weather or other rule, a player that has not completed the stated play requirement must start the next game.
- LGSA reserves the right to add or amend the “Local League Rules” before each season.
Team Responsibilities:
for ALL games played at the 7th Ave. (LGSA) softball fields
Home team responsibilities
- Preparing the field of play prior to the start of the game.
- Maintaining the official score book or allocating responsibility to a trained scorekeeper.
- Ensuring dugouts and surrounding area are free of garbage.
- Check garbage cans at designated field - take out and replace with new bag if necessary.
Coaches Pitch (8U)
The following special consideration of rules will apply to the Coaches Pitch (8U) Division.
- An 11” leather-soft ball will be used for all games.
- There is a maximum of ten (10) defensive players allowed to play the field.
- In field – Catcher, Pitcher, 1st baseman, 2nd baseman, shortstop, 3rd baseman
- Outfield – Right Fielder, Right Center Fielder, Left Center Fielder, Left Fielder
- Pitching distance from the front of the pitcher’s rubber to the point of home will be 35 feet.
- Each batter will receive 3 strikes or a max of 5 pitches. Unless the fifth pitch is a foul.
- There will be no walks in 8u Coach Pitch
- Stealing bases is not allowed
- Outfielders will be required to stand in the grass or ten (10) feet beyond the baseline, whichever is closer.
- Each team may have one coach in the outfield while playing defense. At least one coach must remain in the dugout at all times.
- Coaches who are pitching are permitted to communicate with offensive players, but not after the ball is released.
- There is a five (5) run maximum per inning rule regardless of outs. No batter will come to bat once five (5) runs have been scored in that team’s half-inning. No more than five (5) runs will be allowed to score regardless of how many girls are on base at the time.
10U Division
The following special consideration of rules will apply to the 10U Division.
- An 11” leather ball will be used for all games.
- Ten (10) players will be allowed to play defense per inning, In field – Catcher, Pitcher, 1st baseman, 2nd baseman, shortstop, 3rd baseman, Outfield – Right Fielder, Right Center Fielder, Left Center Fielder, Left Fielder
- The pitching distance from the front of the pitcher’s rubber to the point of home plate is 35 feet
- Pitchers to pitch no more than 2 innings per game
- There shall be no intentional walks
- The base runner may only leave a base when the ball is released from the pitcher’s hand. If the base runner leaves before the ball is released from the pitcher’s hand, the base runner will be called out.
- Stealing is allowed and runners may advance one base on a passed ball or an overthrow.
- NO stealing bases when coach is pitching.
- The coach will pitch after ball 4, The coach will inherit the strike count and will pitch the remaining strikes, every pitch will be considered a strike. (Exception: an uncaught foul on a 3rd strike will get one (1) more pitch, Additional pitches will not be allowed for each foul ball.)
- The coach, when pitching, must stand in or on the pitching circle.
- No new innings will be started or played after 1 hour and 20 minutes.
- There is a five (5) run maximum per inning rule regardless of outs. No batter will come to bat once five (5) runs have been scored in that team’s half-inning.
12U Division
The following special consideration of rules will apply to the 12U Division.
- A 12” leather ball will be used for games
- The pitching distance from the front of the pitcher’s rubber to the point of home plate is 40 feet.
- Only nine (9) players will be allowed to play defense on the field at a time
- a. In field – Catcher, Pitcher, 1st baseman, 2nd baseman, shortstop, 3rd baseman
- b. Outfield – Right Fielder, Center Fielder, Left Fielder
- There shall be no intentional walks
- The base runner may only leave a base when the ball is released from the pitcher’s hand. If the base runner leaves before the ball is released from the pitcher’s hand, the base runner will be called out.
- There is a five (5) run maximum per inning rule regardless of outs. No batter will come to bat once five (5) runs have been scored in that team’s half-inning. No more than five (5) runs will be allowed to score regardless of how many girls are on base at the time.
14U Division
The following special consideration of rules will apply to the 14U Division.
- A 12” leather ball will be used for all games.
- The pitching distance from the front of the pitcher’s rubber to the point of home plate is 43 feet.
- Only nine (9) players will be allowed to play defense on the field at a time
- In field – Catcher, Pitcher, 1st baseman, 2nd baseman, shortstop, 3rd baseman
- Outfield – Right Fielder, Center Fielder, Left Fielder
- There shall be no intentional walks.
- The base runner may only leave a base when the ball is released from the pitcher’s hand. If the base runner leaves before the ball is released from the pitcher’s hand, the base runner will be called out.
- There is a five (5) run maximum per inning rule regardless of outs. No batter will come to bat once five (5) runs have been scored in that team’s half-inning. No more than five (5) runs will be allowed to score regardless of how many girls are on base at the time.
Run Rule
The USA Softball ‘mercy rule’ of 15 runs after 3 innings, 12 runs after 4 innings, and 8 runs after 5 innings will apply. A game may also be called early if, at the Umpires discretion, the score of one team is not within reach of the other in the amount of time left.