STARK COUNTY TRAVEL LEAGUE RULES

Questions concerning USA rules and Stark County Girls Fastpitch should be

directed to Mike Block 330-936-7802 or Michelle Grooms 330-412-1537.

Rule 1: Current USA rule in effect in any season will govern play unless superseded by

the following Stark County Softball Travel League rules.

Rule 2: Coaches and players must wear proper attire (complete uniforms with tennis

shoes or spikes). All equipment must be worn properly. All offensive players must wear

batting helmets with an attached facemask. All infielders in 10u and 12u must wear a

facemask on defense. All pitchers in all age groups must wear protective face masks

while pitching. Face masks / batting helmets have to be USA approved.

Rule 3: The use of the designated player is not permitted. The line-up for all may start

with 8 players with the 9th position being an automatic out. The line-up for the 12u and

10u age will consist of 9 players. For all age groups in case of injury or ejection 8

players may finish the game. The team with the missing player(s) will bat according to

the line-up less the missing player(s). If the missing player(s) is due to an ejection, an

out will be charged each time the missing player’s turn at bat occurs. The ejected player

(s) must attend, but not play the next scheduled game. Courtesy runner allowed for

catcher or pitcher only. The Courtesy runner will be the batter that is last out / furthest in

lineup. Courtesy runner must be announced to the opposing team and to the home

plate umpire. A player that has a medical condition and cannot run can have a courtesy

runner at any time, after the batter runner reaches first base. The coach that has the

player(s) with a medical condition must inform the opposing coach at the beginning of

the game. On deck batter can use either circle.

Rule 4: Games will consist of 90 minutes finish for all age groups. Five warm up pitches

for a new pitcher for the first inning, 3 warm up pitches each inning after that. First

inning only infield practice after that no practice. No new inning will start after the time

limit is up. Game starting times may be delayed up to 15 minutes to permit a team to fill

minimum players required for an official game. Failure to do so after a 15 minute delay

will result in a forfeit. If the game is delayed, the time of delay will be included as part of

the overall game time.

Rule 5: A run rule ahead will be in effect, use the following:

15 runs after 3 innings

12 runs after 4 innings

8 runs after 5 innings

Innings must be completed if home team is behind by runs

Rule 6: Teams can bat 9 or entire roster. If you bat the roster, unlimited substitutions are

permitted as long as all players remain in the same position in the batting order. If an

injury occurs after all players have been inserted into the line-up, and a substitute has

not already played in that position, a substitute from the injured players team not playing

at that, will be selected by the opposing coach and inserted into the injured player’s

position on the line-up.

Rule 7: Only the manager/coach or the designated representative may question an

Umpire’s decision and then only in the case of a rule interpretation. Never on a

judgment call! The penalty for violation may result in an ejection. If an ejection occurs,

the ejected party must leave the area of the playing field ( out of sight, out of sound) and

can only return after the umpire has left the area. Penalty: All Managers/Coaches and

Designated Representatives that are ejected will be banned from the remaining portion

of initial game and next scheduled game. If a second ejection occurs for the same

individual that season, including tournaments.

Rule 8: All protest (s) must be made to the umpire immediately according to USA rules.

The manager making the protest must file the protest in writing 24 hours after the

beginning of the game. The umpire involved must also file a written report with the chief

umpire within 24 hours of the beginning of the protested game. Please send protest to:

scgsaumpire@yahoo.com

Rule 9: The use of alcoholic beverages and / or illegal drugs is strictly prohibited. Use of

tobacco products, E-cigs and vaporizers are strictly prohibited in the areas of the team

bench. Anyone found using such substances during the game or found in a state of

intoxication from use of any such substances will be immediately ejected. Profanity or

obscene gestures by managers, coaches or players is prohibited (this rule covers all

actions before, during and after the game until the field is vacated). There will be no

warning given and offenders will be immediately ejected.

Rule 10: No manager, coach, spectator, or player is permitted behind the backstop

during the game. Managers are responsible for the actions of their coaches, players,

parents and other team followers at all games as stated in the Code of Conduct for

Parents; failure to control may result in a forfeit. If a parent is ejected, the head coach of

the team representing the offending individual, will also be ejected. If the ejection occurs

during the play of the game both parties will miss the rest of the current game and the

next scheduled game played.

Rule 11: All scores must be entered by the winning team within 24 hours.

Rule 12: Team rosters for all Divisions must be turned in on or before scheduling

meetings.

Rule 13: Players can be on multiple team rosters within SCGFA Travel League, but not

in the same age division. Players can only pitch for one team during the season and it

must be declared prior to the first game.

Rule 14: Games that result in a tie, play on to ITB. Only way a game can end in a tie is

due to darkness / weather.

Rule 15: If a game is called due to rain, darkness, field conditions, and cannot be

resumed, it is an official game (3) three innings have been completed or if the home

team has scored more runs in two and one-half innings than the visiting team has

scored in three innings. Games that are not “official” shall be suspended games and

resumed from the exact point where it has stopped using the same batting order. For a

game to be considered complete and official the home team must receive an equal

number of at bats if trailing in the game regardless of what inning the game is in.

Scheduling Meeting

* Coaches or representative must attend and make their schedules for the season.

* Teams should have scheduled all tournaments prior to the scheduling meeting

so that they can schedule league games around the tournament dates.

* Scheduling meeting for 10 & 12u will be on Mar. 24th at Jackson Twp Hall

* Scheduling meeting for 14u & 16u will be Saturday, April 6th at Jackson Twp Hall

* Specific times per age group will be announced later.

* Teams will be placed in an age group division with teams of a similar competitive

level.

* Our league goal is to play a 16-20 game schedule with 10-11 teams in a division

playing each team twice. If you register for a partial schedule you will be

instructed prior to the meeting on how your game schedule will be constructed.

The final schedule will be determined by the league's final numbers in each age

group.

During the Season

Games are played as scheduled. Games that are rained out must be updated by

the home team along with the reschedule date. Please contact Michelle Grooms at

330-412-1537 prior to rescheduling. The reschedule date will be posted on the

website master schedule. Winning team will report the score to Mike Block.

SCORE REPORTING PROCEDURE:

* WINNING TEAM ONLY NEEDS TO REPORT SCORE

* REPORT SCORE TO scgsascores1@gmail.com

* DIVISION ex. ( Travel 10u ,12u,14u, or 16u)

* AWAY TEAM #

* HOME TEAM #

* SCORE (EXAMPLE TEAM 3 WINS 10-3)

The League provides the division winner a banner and individual player medals

for each team that finishes first in their Division. Please feel free to pass on this

information to all teams or organizations that may be interested. Call / text or

email us with any questions that you may have. We welcome you to our Fastpitch

League!!