GIRLS SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL
The Quad District Softball League is made up of teams from (BBC) Brookville, (NABL) Northmont, (NRA) Northridge, (PGAA) Phillipsburg, Tri County North, (NRD) North Riverdale and are members of the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA). The Quad District Softball League follows USSSA rules and uses USSA certified umpires.
GENERAL RULES FOR 19U
Base Rules
All softball games shall be played under United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) rules, except where noted.
Player's Age
The player's age shall be determined as the player's age on January 1 of the current season.
Bat and Ball Usage
Only USSSA approved bats shall be used. This bat shall be marked "OFFICIAL SOFTBALL" by the manufacturer. If the words "OFFICIAL SOFTBALL" cannot be read due to wear and tear on the bat, the bat should be declared legal if it is legal in all other aspects. No titanium bats can be used. No bats with a rating higher than BPF 1.2 can be used. All balls used by the league must be an 11" red stitch with a maximum .47 COR rating.
School Conflicts
No player shall be penalized for participating in any school function that may conflict with softball activities.
Logos, Names and Advertisements on Uniforms
Alcoholic beverage names or symbols, and/or advertising deemed immoral, improper or portrays a bad example for children, shall not appear on their uniforms.
Disciplinary Notification
A team manager must notify the umpire and opposing team manager when a player, who is present, will not be playing due to disciplinary reasons.
Profane Language and Intoxication
The umpire is instructed to remove any player, manager, coach, or spectator using profane language or for showing signs of intoxication.
Tobacco
The use of tobacco on the bench, in the coach's box, or on the playing field is strictly prohibited. A second offense can result in removal from the team or from a managerial or coaching position.
Manager and Player Responsibility
a. The home team will supply the game ball and official scorebook.
b. The home shall return the bases to the equipment room at the completion of the game.
c. The players of each team shall clean up the area around the ball diamond after each game. This rule is to be enforced by the manager.
Uniforms
a. All players issued a complete uniform by their league must properly wear the complete uniform during a scheduled game. Hats must be worn properly, if issued by the league. Any girl not dressed in full uniform attire will be ineligible to play. (Eligible draftees picked up at the last minute to prevent a game forfeiture shall be exempt from the complete uniform rule).
b. If cleats are worn, the spikes must be rubber. No open toed shoes will be permitted.
c. Objects in pockets that may cause injury shall be removed. Hair must be secured away from the face. Jewelry (including earring posts) shall be removed. Medical jewelry must be taped to the player's body. Newly pierced ears must be taped.
Substitute Players
Must be a rostered player from a lower division within the Quad District.
Transfer of players to a higher division is permitted within the following regulations:
a. A player or players may be brought up from a lower division only to enable a team to fill all defensive positions.
b. A player brought up must be free from their own league games.
c. A player may be brought up by multiple teams, no more than twice for the same team, and no more than four times per season.
d. No player(s) brought up may be played over a roster player unless said roster player is being disciplined (see Disciplinary Notification).
e. Any player(s) brought up shall be placed last in the batting order.
f. A team may unilaterally use a player in the Quad District only to enable a team to fill all defensive positions. This rule Does Not Apply during Tournament Play.
Run Rule
If a team has scored fifteen (15) runs more than their opponent after five (5) innings, that team shall be declared the winner, provided the losing team has batted as many innings as the winning team. Five (5) complete innings shall constitute a complete game.
Ties and Uncomplete Games
Regular season games may end in a tie. No game shall end in a tie during the end of the season, Quad Tournament. If a game is called because of rain, darkness, etc., and the game is not complete, the game shall be rescheduled by the respective league presidents and reconvened where the game was stopped, under the following conditions:
The batting order shall remain the same. Any girl not present at the original game, but present for the rescheduled game, may be used as a substitute for any player. If a player was at the original game, but not at the rescheduled game and there is no substitute available to take her place in the batting order, her batting place shall be skipped and no out declared.
Equipment
a. The catcher must wear a helmet with face mask.
b. A batting helmet, with chin strap, must be worn at bat and while on base.
Thrown Bats
Umpires shall be asked to remind coaches that only one thrown bat will be allowed per game. The batter will be declared OUT on any bats thrown subsequent to the first bat thrown. Each team shall be given one warning before this rule shall be enforced.
Date Change of Games
A request for approval of a change in the date of a game may be made with the consent of both managers and the respective league presidents and must be done with sufficient time to notify the scheduled umpire. If the proper approvals are acquired, this change request must be given to the scheduler for action.
Start Time
All games are scheduled to start at 6:30 PM with forfeit time fifteen (15) minutes after that.
Practice Time
Both teams must be allowed fifteen (15) minutes of practice time on a diamond, with the home team to have the diamond from 6:00 PM to 6:15 PM and the visiting team from 6:15 PM to 6:30 PM.
Minimum Players
There is a minimum of eight (8) players per team. Less than eight players shall result in a forfeit. If neither team can field eight or more players, then a double forfeit will be called.
Protest
If a protest is made, it must be made to the home plate umpire before the next pitch is thrown and recorded in the official score book.
Protest Submission
A protest must be stated clearly in writing and be submitted to the League President whose manager is protesting the game. The protest must be submitted on the next weekday (Monday-Friday) and must be accompanied by a protest fee of $25.00 cash to be given to the President. The protest fee will be repaid if the protest is upheld and forfeited if the protest is overruled.
Protest Meeting
A protest meeting will be held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month at the Phillipsburg Shelter House. All protests will be decided by the Presidents (or their designees) of each League. All parties wishing to be heard on the protest shall be at the protest meeting or they forfeit their right to be heard.
End of Season Tournament
A Inter-League, end of the season tournament will be held. Each division will particapate. A random blind draw will be used to set the tournament brackets.This tournament will be a double elimination tournament.
Umpire No-Show
In the case of the umpire not showing up for the game, the game is not forfeited by the home team. If both team managers agree upon a substitute umpire, the game will be played as normal. If one or both team managers do not agree upon a substitute umpire, the game will be rescheduled as if it were a rain out.
Rain Outs
Call the respective home team manager.
Home team managers should make every effort to contact the visiting manager by 5:30 PM to advise if there is a rain out.
19U DIVISION RULES
Ages
19U Division: girls who are thirteen (13), fourteen (14), fifteen (15), sixteen (16), seventeen (17), eighteen (18), and nineteen (19) years old on or before January 1 of the current season.
Player Participation
a. A maximum of ten (10) players shall be used on defense. All players present shall play a minimum of three (3) offensive and defensive innings except in the case of injury, discipline, rules violations or a game shortened because of darkness, etc.
b. Teams will play standard batting orders and substitutions as required per USSSA rules.
c. Teams may have the option of using the Extra Player (EP), if so desired. If the EP is used, the team manager must notify the opposing manager and umpire before the start of the game. The team using the EP must start and finish with the EP.
d. A batter with (2) two strikes will be declared out after (2) additional foul balls.
Playing Field
a. The distance between the bases shall be sixty-five (65) feet. The pitching rubber shall be fifty (50) feet from the back point of home plate.
b. A complete batter's box shall be outlined at home plate.
Game Play
USSSA rules apply except:
A complete game shall consist of seven (7) innings. Five (5) complete innings shall constitute a regulation game. All season games have a two (2) hour time limit. No new inning may start after two hours. Game may end in a tie. (see General Rules, Ties).
Revised on 2/9/09