Minor Girls (9-11)

 

 

 

1.         IHSA Rule Book will govern play with the following exceptions.

 

The field of play will include a 16 foot circle around the pitching mound/mat, coaches boxes on 1st and 3rd base foul lines and hash marks located on the base paths between all bases. 

Coaches shall remain in dugout when not in coaches boxes, or to tend to injury or issues on field. Coaches must request and be granted time out to enter field of play.

No coaching outside of dugouts will be allowed. 

Walk up music shall be allowed with following guidelines. Music must be age/public appropriate, must be played from outfield side of teams dugout, and will stop as soon as the batter enters the batters box. 

 

2.       A standard 11-inch softball will be used.

 

3.       A standard game may not exceed 6 innings in length. If a game is called due to inclement weather, 4 innings is considered a complete game. The score at the last full inning will be the final score. The first game will begin at 6:00pm, the second game at 8:00pm, or 10 minutes after the completion of the first game if it runs over.  No new inning will begin after one hour and forty-five minutes of play has elapsed; at that point, the game will be determined as a complete game.  Teams may start a game with a minimum of 8 players, but teams must also finish a game with no less than 8 players.  If starting with 8 players, an out does not have to be taken when the ninth spot comes up in the batting order.  The only way an out shall be taken is when a team starts with 9 players and one is ejected, or leaves the game for reasons other than illness or injury.

 

4.       If any game is tied after 6 innings or is tied at the bottom of an inning and the time limit of 1 hour 45 minutes has been reached, the gameplay will as follow: Each team will have a chance to complete ½ inning. Each team will begin their respective at bat with the player on their roster that was the last recorded out on 2^nd base. If then at the end of 1 full inning of play the score is still tied the game will be called complete and a tie will be scored.

 

5.       Suspended games will resume at the point at which it was postponed, and will continue in accordance with the amount of time and innings that remain.  If subs were used for the suspended game, they are not required to be present for the make-up date. Players not at the original game shall be placed at the bottom of the lineup.

 

6.       No pitches are required for intentional walks.

 

7.       No designated hitters allowed.

 

8.       No dropped third strike rule.

 

9.       Mercy Rule:  If a team is behind 12 runs in the 3^rd inning, 10 runs in the 4^th inning, or 8 runs in the 5^th inning, the mercy rule goes into effect and the game is over.  If the home team is behind, they must be allowed to bat in the bottom of the inning.

 

10.   6 run rules: if 6 runs are scored by a team in an inning, that half of the inning will end, and teams will switch positions on the field. If there are runners on base when the 6^th run scores, runs can score until play has been stopped. A maximum of 9 runs could be scored, if the bases were to be loaded. In the 6^th inning and after there will be no limit to the amount of runs scored.

 

11.   Pitching rubber is to be set at 35 feet. The use of a standard turf style pitching mat will be permitted. If during gameplay, the mat becomes a hazard, upon agreement with both coaches the mat may be removed. 

 

12.   Pitchers are required to wear protective face masks.

 

13.   Pitchers are allowed to pitch a total of 3 innings per game. 1 pitch constitutes an inning.  Starting pitchers may be pulled from the pitching position, and re-entered as pitcher 1 time. They still must not exceed 3 innings total. Normal re-entry rules apply. 

 

14.   Pitchers hitting 4 batters in a game shall be removed from the game as pitcher.  Re-entry in the pitching position shall be prohibited. Each batter struck by a pitch shall be counted toward the walk total for that inning.

 

15.   There will only be 3 walks allowed per inning. If the 3-walk limit is reached, the team at bat will designate a member of the of the coaching staff or designate, will then pitch for the remainder of the inning. The coach/designated person shall pitch from the mound in an underhand fashion. The batter will only receive 3 pitches total, unless batter fouls off the 3^rd pitch, in which case the at bat will continue until the batter either strikes out or bats the ball into field of play. There will be no bunting or stealing while the coach/designated person is pitching. If the batter is struck by a pitch during the coach pitch phase, the pitch shall be declared as a no pitch and the pitch will not count toward any pitch count. The next inning resets the walk count.

 

16.   During any coach pitch phase of the game, the pitcher of record will remain in play within the circle as a defensive player as a pitcher’s helper.

 

17. During player pitch phase of game, runners may steal when the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand. Runners may advance at their own risk on an overthrow or passed ball. Stealing home is allowed. Stealing during the coach pitch phase of play is not allowed, however, runners may continue to leave the bag to time the release but will not advance on any pitch during coach pitch.  if any defensive player attempts to make an out, with a throw the runner may advance.

 

18.   Both teams will receive the same warning from the umpire for a player leaving the base too early. If either team receives a second infraction, the player is out.

 

19.   In a 6 inning game, each player must play at least 6 defensive outs, or 2 full innings.  Within these 2 innings, a player shall be allowed to play defensively in the field throughout the 2 innings.  The only exceptions are games that are governed by the “10 Run Rule.”  Violation of this rule is a forfeit.

 

20.   A legal line up is 10 players.  If one team has less than 10 players, the team with 10 can still play all 10 players.

 

21.   Hats, visors, or headbands are an optional part of the uniform.

 

22.   If a player is not allowed to participate but sits in the dugout dressed to play, then a written explanation must be received by the umpire prior to the start of the game.

 

23.   All players must stay in their respective dugouts when not participating on the field.

 

24.   Steel spikes are not allowed.

 

25.   Every player must wear protective headgear while batting and running the bases. If a helmet is taken off intentionally, both teams shall be issued a warning on a second infraction the runner can be called out at the umpire’s discretion.  All players, or legal minors, that are used to coach the bases must wear protective headgear. 

 

26.   If a team is short players, the coach may call up a limit of 4 players from the rookie division in their respective towns. Called up players may play any defensive position except pitcher. They must bat after regularly rostered players.  A player may not be called up when the time of the game is in conflict with the players regularly scheduled game.  Players that are called up may not start in the field before a regular rostered player. The called up players will play the minimum playing time, unless circumstances permit the need for more playing time. The consequences of an infraction of this paragraph are forfeiture.  Teams may only pull players up if they have less than 11 players at game time. 

 

 

27.   Games will be cancelled due to weather related reasons only.  If there is any sign of lightening by an umpire, coach, or league administrator, everyone will be pulled off the field for a waiting period of 15 minutes after the last sighting before play can resume.  If the weather is still threatening, the game shall be cancelled.  If weather breaks, and the grounds permit, the second game (if applicable) may be played.  Games shall not be cancelled due to the lack of players, or upon “coach’s agreements.” 

 

28.   When rainouts occur, it is the responsibility of the home team’s board to reschedule the games.  Games must be scheduled within 2 weeks of the rained out game. 

 

29.   If the game has not been rescheduled, within 14 days, it will be ruled as a forfeiture by the home team.  If the game is rescheduled and both teams have been informed, any team failing to show will forfeit the game.  A rescheduled game may or may not include the same players.  If original line up is available it is expected to remain the same. In the event that the same lineup is not available free substitution is allowed.

 

30.   It is important that if you wish to file a protest that you follow the following rules:

 

1.       The coach must notify the umpire at the time of the rule infraction that he/she is protesting the rule violation.

2.       You have 24 hours to submit a written account of what has happened to a Tri-Conference board member along with a protest fee of $20.

 

31.    No infield fly rule.

 

32.   Substitution Rule:  Free substitution.  This means a player may enter the game at any time, and in any spot on the field.  Players must meet the playing requirements as stated in rule 31.

 

33.   A courtesy runner may be used for the pitcher or catcher at any time during the game. The person making the most recent out shall be used as the courtesy runner.

 

34.   Any pitcher hitting 4 batters must be removed as pitcher.  Re-entry as pitcher is prohibited if she is pulled because of the hit batter rule.

 

35.   To stop play, any player that has the ball in front of the lead runner may call “time” and play will be stopped.  The pitcher may also stop play but must have control of the ball with at least one foot in the circle. 

 

 

36.   Every player will be in the batting order throughout the game.  If a player becomes ill or injured and is removed from the game, her place in the batting order may be skipped with no penalty.  Once removed for illness or injury, they may not re-enter the game. If a player leaves the lineup for any other reason than illness or injury, when that players spot in the lineup comes to bat the team shall be issued an out.

 

37.   These rules are intended for the benefit of the young athletes, and timely proceedings of the game.  These rules are not in place to be manipulated for personal gain.  Any protest will be handled with the intent of this rule.