2011 SOAC/P.V. BANTAMS LEAGUE RULES
A. AGE: Less than 8 years old on August 1, 2011
A. SOAC/PUTNAM VALLEY BANTAMS LEAGUE SOFTBALL PROGRAM:
(1) There will be (1) conference consisting of (6) teams. Each team will play a
regular season schedule.
B. PITCHING:
Parents will pitch first 5 games. Upon the 6th game, players will pitch from 25 ft.
At that time a parent from the opposite team will call balls and strikes (standing
behind the pitcher. If a batter hits 2 players or walks 4 batters in any one inning,
A parent/coach shall finish that inning. If a player is removed she/he cannot
re-enter as a pitcher the following inning. If a team doesn’t have a pitcher
available, coaches/parents should pitch. This decision should be between
coaches pre-game.
4 balls=walk
7 swings per batter
(only when players pitch)- 3 strikes or called strikes=out
3 outs per team per inning
C. GAME LIMITS:
Each league game will be 6 innings of duration, or played to a 1.5 hr. limit.
Scoring: We will keep a “friendly” score of games. It is great for the players to learn the basics.
We will not post records but we need to give the players a realization of what scoring is.
D. CANCELLATION:
Game cancellations will be at the discretion of both the managers. The decision should be
at least one hour prior to game time.
Generally, games will be cancelled only in extreme weather conditions, (i.e., heavy rains or
flooding). Threatening weather and/or damp grounds are not sufficient cause for
cancellations.
Games in progress may be "delayed" by the coaches. After a reasonable delay, games may
be terminated (if official) or suspended (if unofficial), at the discretion of the coaches,
based on existing conditions. Visible lightning causes immediate termination or suspension,
as appropriate.
If an entire day's slate of games is cancelled, the Commissioner will reschedule a full
replay program, probably pre-empting team practice.
TEN BATTER RULE: There will be a maximum of 10 batters in any half inning, providing
three outs have not occurred before the 10th batter comes to the plate.
Managers are encouraged to rotate players within the batting order and out in the field
from game to game. All players must play at least one inning in an infield position during
the game.
E. SAFETY REQUIREMENTS:
Players must wear protective batting helmets when "at bat" or waiting On-deck to bat
. All players on base must wear a protective running helmet.
. All players with the exception of those on the field or at bat must remain behind the
dugout fences.
. No spectators, players or coaches will be permitted to stay behind the home plate
backstop.
. Players shall not throw equipment. Such players are subject to ejection from the game.
F. BASE RUNNING:
Players must remain on the base before ball is “in play” Upon contact, baserunner can leave the base.
G. PRACTICES:
We will have (1) 1.5 hours of practice per week. We will be teaching players how to pitch at least ½ hour per practice and try to have the players pitching batting practice. All coaches will attend a class on how to teach pitching properly.
H. GOALS:
To learn the rules of the game, encourage team unity, respect and most of all, to have fun…