Quad District Girls Softball League
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 8U
General Rules 8U
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 includes Tournament Play.
Run Rule
There shall be no run rule in the 8U Division.
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, shall be placed at the bottom of the batting order. If any girl was present for the original game, but not present at the rescheduled game, her place in the he batting order shall be skipped and no out declared.
Equipment
a. The catcher shall wear the full equipment, including helmet, face mask, and chest protector at all times while catching.
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.
8U Divisional Rules
Age
a. 8U Division is for all girls who are six (6), seven (7) and eight (8) years old on January 1 of the current season.
b. An eight year old may move up to the 10U Division with parental consent and league approval, provided there is an opening for the player.
Player Participation
a. A maximum of fourteen (14) players shall be used on defense. All players present shall play a minimum of three (3) offensive and defensive innings (using open substitution), except in the case of injury, discipline, rules violations or a game shortened because of darkness, etc. If only eight players are available, an adult may act as catcher, but cannot be involved in the game in any way other than to return the ball to the pitcher.
b. All players present shall be listed in the batting order that the manager wishes them to bat. Any team member arriving after the game has started shall be added to the bottom of the batting order. The batting rotation cannot be changed after the game has started. A player missing her turn at bat must wait until her turn comes up again. If any girl is not available to bat because of injury, illness, rest room, or other legitimate cause, her turn at bat shall be skipped and no out declared.
Playing Field
a. The distance between the bases shall be fifty-five (55) feet. The pitching rubber shall be thirty-five (35) feet from the back point of home plate.
b. A complete batter's box shall be outlined at home plate.
c. It is suggested that the umpire be positioned along the coaches' side line. He/she shall in no way interfere with the defensive team's efforts.
d. The base path line shall be drawn two (2) feet behind the bases.
e. A "pitcher's line" ten (10) feet long will be placed five (5) feet behind the pitching rubber and forty (40) feet from the back point of home plate.Picher/Player will not cross this line till the ball has been hit by the batter.
f. A line shall be drawn at the distance of fifty (50) feet, perpendicular to the first (1st) and third (3rd) base lines. These lines will be placed out of bounds. The purpose of these lines is a visual marker for the first(1st) basefielder.third (3rd) basefielder and umpire. Fielders will not cross this line till the ball has been hit by the batter.
Game Play
a. A complete game shall consist of six (6) 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).
b. An adult chosen by the team manager shall pitch underhanded to his own team. Pitches should be at least as high as the batter's head.
c. There shall be a maximum of five (5) pitches per batter. If a fair ball is not struck in these five pitches, the batter shall be declared out. There shall be no walks.
d. The adult pitcher shall not hinder a batted ball or in any way interfere with the defensive team's efforts to make a play. Adult pitchers shall remove themselves from the field of play as soon as possible to avoid interference. Unavoidable interference, as determined by the umpire, by the adult pitcher with a batted ball will automatically be called a "no pitch" and play will resume as before the ball was pitched. Interference with a defensive play by the adult pitcher will automatically be called as a "no pitch".
e. A half inning shall end after three (3) outs or six (6) runs scored, whichever occurs first. The sixth inning shall not have a run limit or a batting limit.
f. The infield fly rule is not in effect in the 8U Division.
g. A base path line shall be drawn two (2) feet behind the bases. A fair hit ball fielded within these lines limits the batter and any other base runner(s) to one (1) base with the liability to be put out. A fair hit ball fielded beyond these lines carries no restrictions until the ball is returned to the infield. On any ball hit beyond these lines, the batter and any base runners may continue to advance to the next bases or bases subject to being put out, but are only entitled to the next base once the ball is returned to the infield and only then if the runners are past the previous base when the ball is returned to the infield.
(For purposes of this rule, the infield shall be considered that area inside the drawn base path lines. "Returned to the infield" means when the ball crosses the drawn base path line.)
For clarification of this rule, refer to the following examples:
Example 1:
The batter hits the ball with a runner on first base. The ball is fielded by the pitcher inside the drawn base path line. A play is made at first base on the batter, but the ball is thrown beyond the first baseman into the outfield. In such case, the batter must stop at first and the base runner at second.
Example 2:
A batter hits the ball beyond the base path line with a runner on first. The batter goes to first and stops while the base runner rounds second and starts toward third at the time an outfielder throws the ball into the infield. In this case, the base runner may go on to third base subject to being put out, because she was beyond second base when the ball was returned to the infield. However, she must stop at third, even if a play is made on her and the ball is overthrown, because the runner is only entitled to the next base if she is already past the previous base at the time the ball is returned to the infield. In this case, the batter must stay at first base because she was stationary on the base at the time the ball was returned to the infield.
Example 3:
A batter hits a ball beyond the base path line with a runner on first base. The left fielder throws the ball to second in an attempt to put out the base runner, who has yet to reach the base, when the ball passes over the base path line and rolls into right field. In this case, the base runner must stay at second base even though the ball rolled back into the outfield.
h. The umpire shall call time out when the batter and all base runners can go no further, under Rule g.
i. Outfielders are to be positioned at least ten feet behind the base path line until the ball is hit. After the ball is hit, any player may make a play. Until the ball is hit, there shall be no more than seven (7) players in the infield, including the pitcher and catcher. No player may go in front of the "pitcher's line" until the ball crosses home plate.
j. The defensive team may have two (2) coaches in the outfield for instruction only. He/she shall in no way interfere or help in the play.
Revised on 2/9/09