Lehigh Valley Softball Umpires

B. Changes to League Playing Rules 

1. Age Divisions may adopt rules and regulations for the current year which are not specifically prescribed in the By-Laws with the approval of the League Officers. 

2. Changes to playing rules are not permitted after the season starts 

3. Changes to field or playing rules for the next season should be brought up at the June meeting. Votes on any proposed changes can be taken at the June meeting as deemed necessary by the League officers to allow teams to plan for next season 

C. The Eastern PA Girls Softball League will play under PIAA Softball rules except where noted. 

ARTICLE XIV GAME SCHEDULES & POSTPONEMENTS 

A. Preliminary Schedule 

1. Will be issued by the Age Division Commissioner no later than two weeks after the March Roster Review meeting for 8U, 10UD1,10UD2 & 12UD2 and no later than two weeks after the April League Meetings for 12UD1,14U,16U, & 19U 

2. The preliminary schedule is just a starting point and teams will be given approximately 7-10 days to check for any conflicts such as field availability for home games, school dances, music recitals, dance recitals, proms, girl scouts, bands, vacations, etc. When a conflict is identified, the coach will contact the other coach and mutually agree on a new date. This is a preliminary schedule so coaches are expected to be reasonable and accommodating in making changes. When the conflict is resolved, the coach needs to notify the Age Division Commissioner of the new time/date so it can be modified in the official game schedule. 

3. The Game Schedule should include at least 2-3 days at the end of the season for late year rainouts and potential tiebreakers as outlined in Article XXI 

B. Final Game Schedule 

1. Will be issued by the Age Division Commissioner a few days prior to the April League Meetings for 8U,10UD1,10UD2,12UD2 and a few days prior to the May League Meetings for 12UD1,14U,16U, 19U 

2. Game Schedule is deemed final for 8U,10UD1,10UD2, & 12UD2after the April League Meetings and final for 12UD1,14U,16U & 19U after the May League Meetings 

3. No changes are permitted by Age Division Commissioners to the final game schedule after these meetings. In very rare circumstances, a change request may be made to the Age Division Commissioner to change a game if the conflict can be proven to not be known at the time the game schedule was finalized. Age Division Commissioner must get approval from the League Officers to make the change. 

C. Postponements 

1. Postponement of games is only permitted for weather and field conditions. Teams should attempt to notify visiting teams at least 90 minutes before game time that there field is unplayable to avoid unnecessary travel unless near game time weather conditions cause a postponement in which case the 90-minute target is not achievable. 

2. Home teams must notify umpires of any postponements at least 60 minutes prior to game time to avoid a show-up fee. 

3. If the Home team’s playing field is unplayable due to weather from the previous day, the Home team should notify the opposing team as early in the day as possible in case the visiting team has an alternative field that could be used rather than rescheduling. During the playoffs, the Home team must notify the opposing team by 1:00 pm if their field is unplayable due to the previous day’s weather to facilitate moving the game and keeping the playoffs moving forward. 

4. A team may also postpone a League game if its rostered players are scheduled (not just anticipated) to play in a PIAA sanctioned game or PIAA State playoffs. Teams are encouraged to not postpone games if only a few players are involved in PIAA games due to the difficulty of finding a suitable date to reschedule the game. If a team postpones a game under this PIAA provision, that team accepts and understands that weekend games, doubleheaders or many back-to-back games may be necessary to complete the playing schedule within the time limits their Age Division has established 

D. Game Stoppages for field conditions, time, darkness or weather 

1. Before the game starts – Home team decision for field conditions and weather only. 

2. After the game starts – Umpire decision for all categories. 

3. Game is deemed complete after 5 full innings or 4-1/2 innings if home team is leading except in the playoffs per Article XXI, Rule C3. The 8U, 10U Division will utilize a complete game in the regular season after 4 full innings or 3-1/2 if the home team is leading. 

4. All games have a 2-hour time limit with finish the inning except the playoffs. 

E. Rescheduling Games 

1. The new date for any postponed, incomplete or tie games must be agreed to by both coaches within one week of the initial postponement. If teams are unable to agree, the Board of Control/Age Division Commissioner has the option to set the date, time and place. 

2. Incomplete (weather/darkness) games in the regular season that are not “official” per Article XIV, Rule D3 Will be replayed from the beginning. 

3. Tie games that are “official” per Article XIV, Rule D3 in the regular season will remain as ties for the standings and not be replayed 

4. To facilitate completing the League schedule, the Age Division Commissioner may authorize a change in the playing date of postponed games already rescheduled. For Example: Team A needs to make-up a game with Team C. Team A has already rescheduled a make-up game with Team B on the only day Team A & Team C can agree upon. If Team B is willing (cannot be forced) to play another date, the Age Division Commissioner can make the change. This rule applies only to rescheduled make-up games and does not apply to games from the original schedule. 

ARTICLE XV FORFEITS 

A. Teams will forfeit games for the following reasons: 

1. Canceling or postponing a game and failing to notify the other team and umpire assignor. 

2. Any team unable to start a game due a lack of players per Article XVII Rule C. Despite being a forfeit, you can play the game with borrowed players for practice 

3. Heckling and distraction made by players, coaches, or spectators at any umpire, opposing player or team. The umpire will generally issue a warning and any additional warnings will result in a forfeit of the game. 

4. Dropping to eight players because of an ejection 

5. Use of an Illegal Player (Article VII, Rule G) whether intentional or unintentional. All games that the Illegal Player was used will be declared forfeits 

B. Any game changed and played without the consent of the Age Division Commissioner and the Board of Control will result in a double forfeit 

C. The Age Division Commissioner must also be notified that same evening by the winning team that a forfeit has occurred. The Age Division Commissioner will then notify the Board of Control so that the umpire can be paid directly by the League, if necessary, per the contract. 

D. Any umpire fees because of a forfeit will be paid entirely by the forfeiting team. 

E. Forfeit scores will be 7-0 for calculating League standings tiebreakers 

F. Any team forfeiting two games in a season is prohibited from participating in the Playoffs  

 

G. Any team forfeiting two games in a season is also subject to suspension proceedings per Article IV in these By-Laws 

H. If a team is suspended due to forfeits, all games previously played with that team and scheduled to be played the rest of the season will be registered as wins for calculating the League standings 

ARTICLE XVI GENERAL FIELD RULES 

A. Field set up 

1. All bases, home plate, pitching rubber and backstops must be securely anchored 

2. A double first base is required on all fields 

3. Foul lines, batting boxes, foul markers in left & right field and a 16’ diameter pitching circle must be chalked on the field 

4. Pitching distances measured from back point of home plate to front of pitching rubber 

8U 25 feet 

10U 35 feet 

12U 40 feet 

14U, 16U, 19U 43 feet 

5. Base lengths are 45 feet for 8U, all other Divisions are 60 feet. 

B. Improper playing conditions may result in suspension for a League member or rejection for new applicants. The Board of Control may appoint three (3) members to inspect and report to the Board of Control within 7 days on the following: 

1. Playing fields of applicants for new membership 

2. Playing fields of established member when their home field changed 

3. Upon written request of two (2) League members to inspect the playing conditions. 

C. Pre-game conference consisting of umpires, team coach and team captains (registered players) will be held to discuss home team ground rules and any special rules 

D. Field positions of team personnel: 

1. Team at bat: All players except the on-deck batter will be on the bench or in the dugout. On deck hitter is permitted to only be in the on-deck circle next to their dugout which is different than ASA rule 

2. Base coaches are to be in the coaching box 

3. Team on defense – players not in regular playing positions must remain in the dugout. Coaches must also remain in the dugout 

4. No team personnel are allowed behind the backstop 

5. No parents or outsiders not on the League Roster are allowed on the bench or in the dugout unless there is a medical emergency 

E. No smoking, tobacco products or alcoholic beverages are permitted on the bench or playing field 

ARTICLE XVII PLAYING RULES for LEAGUE GAMES 

A. PIAA rules apply for all Divisions unless noted in these By-Laws 

B. Pitchers will use PIAA rules. 

C. Teams are permitted to start a game with eight players in all Divisions. If an extra player arrives, they must first play defense and then can be added to the bottom of the batting order. The 10U Division can add up to two players under this provision since they play with 10 defensive players. 

D. Teams may end a game with only eight players due to injury or a player having to leave early. out for a batter skipped in the lineup due to this rule. A team that drops to eight players because of an ejection can’t use this rule and the game is declared a forfeit per Article XV, Rule A4. 

E. If the game is tied after the regulation number of innings and the 2-hour time limit has not expired, the international tie breaker will be applied per PIAA rules. If the 2-hour time limit has expired, the game will remain a tie for the regular season. A winner needs to be determined for playoff games so the 2-hour lime limit is waived as long as lighting is sufficient to continue play. 

F. Extra Player (EP) Rule 

1. Any team may use one (1) or two (2) extra players (EP) per game provided it is made known prior to the start of the game and properly indicated in the lineup 

2. EP must remain in the same position in the batting order for the entire game 

3. EP may be substituted for at any time per league substitution rules with the substitute becoming the new EP. The substitute must be a player who has not yet been in the game 

4. The EP may play defense at any time without her status being changed. She may go in or out of the defensive lineup as often as needed as long as her position in the batting order is not altered 

5. The EP rule does not apply to the 10U Age Division since they bat all players 

G. For 19U, 16U, 14U, and 12UD1 a team can bat either 9 to 11 players or can bat the entire bench. 12UD2, 10UD1 and D2 teams must bat the bench. Max bench to bat is considered 18 players. Any team selecting this option can utilize completely free defensive substitutions in the field during the entire game. If a team selects this option, it must be declared prior to the start of the game on the official lineup card given to the umpire by the head coach desiring to bat the entire bench. It is permissible for either one or both teams to use this option during a game.” 

H. Courtesy Runner Rule 

1. A courtesy runner may be used for either the pitcher or the catcher at any time regardless of the number of outs or number of pitches thrown to subsequent batters 

2. The pitcher or catcher is defined as the pitcher or catcher who last played defense or if in the first inning, the player so designated in the lineup 

3. The same courtesy runner cannot be used for both the pitcher and catcher in the same inning 

4. The courtesy runner must be a player from the bench who has not yet appeared in the game. If all players have participated, then the courtesy runner will be the last batted out. Should the last batted out be either the pitcher or catcher, then the option exists to utilize the prior last batted out 

5. The courtesy runner is still eligible to enter and leave under normal PIAA substitution rules starting in the next inning 

I. The Excess Run Rule will be used for all regular season and playoff games 

1. Once teams have completed an “official game” per Article XIV Rule D3, the game will be called if a team is ahead by 15 runs after 3 innings or 10 runs after 5 innings. The 10UD1 will use 15 runs after 4 innings and 8 runs after 5 innings. 10UD2 will use 20 runs after 4 innings or 15 after 5 innings. 

2. If the home team is trailing, they still have the opportunity to bat in that inning 

3. Game that starts on time, but are stopped due to weather or darkness will also be subject to Excess Run Rule and deemed complete if enough runs have been scored to invoke the rule 

J. The 8U, 10UD2, 10UD1 and 12UD2 Division have additional special rules that apply as documented in Appendix 2 and Appendix 3 to teach basic playing fundamentals, good sportsmanship, the "language" of softball and have fun. In addition, the players & coaches are eased into the competitive League environment. 

ARTICLE XVIII UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT 

A. Minimum uniform required is a numbered (no duplicate #'s) jersey. Coaches PIAA uniform requirements  are waived. 

B. Only PIAA approved bats, softballs, gloves and shoes may be used. The 1B/C mitt is allowed to be used anywhere in the field. 

C. Home Team will supply two game balls to ensure that both teams are using the same balls. The 8U, and 10U Division only will use the smaller 11” softball. 

D. Batting helmets that are approved by the PIAA are required on all batters, baserunners and anyone in the “on deck circle” 

E. PIAA mandated catcher combination helmet with ear protection, mask, protective throat guard plus chest protector, and leg equipment are required for the catcher position 

ARTICLE XIX UMPIRES 

A. The League will contract for EPGSL umpires for all League games. The number of umpires and fees for each Age Division are established in the contract which is posted on the EPGSL website (www.epgsl.org) 

B. The HOME team is required to contact the umpires at least 24 hours before the game to confirm that the umpire knows field location and game time. 

C. Fees are split between the two teams unless the Age Division Commissioner establishes different procedures. 

1. If an umpire fails to show up for a game, a substitute umpire may be used if mutually agreed to by both teams. Any umpire who fails to show up for a game should be reported to the Age Division Commissioner. 

ARTICLE XX TROPHIES 

A. Regular Season Champion 

1. Individual player trophies or medals will be given to each rostered team member 

2. Team trophy for the Regular Season Champion 

B. Playoff Champion 

1. Individual trophies or medals will be presented to all rostered players on the Playoff Champion and the Runner-up in the final round of the Divisional playoff tournament 

2. Team trophy for the Playoff Champion and the Runner-up in the final round of the Divisional playoff tournament 

ARTICLE XXI PLAYOFFS 

A. If the Regular Season ends in a tie, there will be no playoff to determine the Regular Season Champion. The same criteria used to seed the playoffs which can be found in Article XXI Section B Rule 4 (a-d) & Rule 5 below will be used to determine the Regular Season Champion. In the unlikely event that tiebreakers get all the way to line “e” (coin flip), a playoff game may be required after discussion with the Board of Controls. 

B. All Divisions will hold a Playoff Tournament at the end of the season