Big Spring Girls Softball Association

6 & Under Local Rules 2015

This season is dedicated to the child and future ballplayer.  Please look upon yourself as a teacher.  Remember that these children will be looking to us for instruction and guidance.  Teach them the fundamentals and they will remember you for years to come.

1. Age:  4, 5, 6 years old as of January 1, 2015

1. Teams:  Rosters of teams should be approximately 10 to 13 players.

1. Ball size:  11-inch Incredi-Ball or Soft-touch softball will be used for games.

1. Field Set Up / Bases:  Baselines/bases will be set at 60 feet.

1. Number of players on the playing the field:  Each player present for the game must be given a defensive position on the field.  There can only be 7 players on the infield, this includes a rover.  Infielders must be behind an imaginary line between 1^st and 3^rd bases. Outfielders must be behind the baselines until the ball is hit. Every attempt should be made for each player to play every position during the season.

1. Hitting:  Each player will be allowed three attempts from a Coach Pitcher and, if needed, two attempts to hit the ball from the Tee. If the player does not hit the ball from the Tee the player will be called out. If the batter hits the Tee only but makes the ball fall into fair territory it is a strike. The batter must make some contact with the ball to be ruled as a hit.

1. Pitching: 6U will be partially coach pitch. Pitching distance will be completely optional, depending on the batter. The coach pitcher is allowed to talk to, or coach, the batter. A windmill motion is not required. An underhand toss is acceptable. The coach pitcher pitches to his/her own team. A team can only change pitchers after an inning is over. The defensive player pitcher must be in the circle in a position to see around the coach pitcher.

1. The “coach pitcher” can wear a glove for protection but must avoid interfering with the play after the ball has been hit and when it is being thrown by a fielder. If, in the judgment of the umpire, the coach intentionally interferes with the play: (1) the ball is declared dead (2) the batter is out. If a batted/thrown ball that can’t be avoided hits the coach pitcher, the umpire will declare the ball dead. The batter will be awarded 1^st base, all other runners will advance one base. When a batted ball is in play the coach pitcher must move toward the foul line away from the play.

1. Advancing the bases:  When the ball is hit off the coach pitcher the player may advance around the bases until they are put out, or the pitcher has control of the ball in the circle, or the play is declared dead due to an overthrow (See Rule number 10). When the ball is hit off the Tee the player may only advance to first base.

1. Overthrow rule- As soon as the ball has clearly been thrown by a defensive player past first base, or through the pitcher’s circle when attempting to end the play, the ball will be declared dead by the Umpire. Runners will not be awarded extra bases on any overthrow to first base or the pitcher.

**Coaches should encourage players to throw the ball to the appropriate base according to normal defensive protocol. Even if the player is not physically capable to make the throw they can learn, conceptually, which base to throw to.

1. Defensive play:  A defensive player may not intentionally roll or run the ball to a base; and the ball cannot be intentionally rolled or run to the pitcher.  If, in the umpire’s judgment, a ball is rolled or run to a base, the base runner will be safe.  If the ball is intentionally rolled or run to the pitcher, the base runners will be given an extra base.  A player will not be allowed to run down the batter/ runner or base runner unless this would constitute a normal play.

1. Pitchers:  A player cannot play within the pitcher’s circle in consecutive innings.  Coaches must change pitchers after each inning.  The pitcher must stay within the circle until the ball is hit.  The pitcher will not be allowed to run down the batter or base runner to any base.  The pitcher must throw the ball to the base or the runner will be called safe.  EXCEPTION:  If, in the umpire’s judgment, a tag would be the normal play on the base runner, a pitcher would not have to throw the ball.  Encourage the pitcher to throw the ball in order to make an out.  When the ball has been thrown back to the pitcher, or the ball passes through the circle in an attempt to throw it to the pitcher, play is stopped by the umpire.  If the pitcher runs through the circle with control of the ball and both feet inside the circle, the play is also stopped by the umpire

1. Infield Fly Rule:  The infield fly rule does not apply.

1. Runner Obstruction:  If a fielder intentionally interferes with a base runner causing an out, the play is dead and the runner advances to the base they were going to.

1. Catchers:  All catchers must wear their mask and chest protector during the defensive inning.  Catchers are required to play in the catching position directly behind home plate a safe distance behind the Tee.

1. Player’s Replacement:  Any player may be moved from position to position during an inning as long as it does not cause a delay to the game. 

1. Coaches on the Field:  The offensive team may have coaches in each coaching box at first and third base.  The offensive team also will provide the pitching coach to pitch to their own team. A fourth offensive coach may assist players batting by helping them set up in the batter’s box, getting the ball on the Tee, and adjusting the Tee. Offensive coaches are not allowed anywhere else on the field.

Three defensive coaches are allowed on the field during play.  Two of the defensive coaches must be positioned behind the base lines between 1^st and 2nd base and between 2^nd and 3^rd base during game play.  This is to position the players, and direct them when making plays. A third defensive coach may assist the catcher in being in the proper/safe position and in getting the ball back to the coach pitcher. The third defensive coach must be near the backstop when the pitch is thrown or when the Tee is set up.

1. Batting order:  Each team will bat the entire roster every game.  Late arrivals should be added to the bottom of the roster.  The batting order will be determined by the coach prior to the game and cannot be adjusted.  Helmets with facemasks must be worn by the batter, all runners and the players in the on-deck circle.  Only one player can be outside the dugout at a time (with the exception of base runners and the batter).  All players bat at least one time per game.

1. Strike Out:  The batter will be called out if the ball is not hit after the 3 attempts with the coach pitcher and 2 attempts from the Tee. After one warning is issued, a batter who throws their bat will also be called out.

1. Base Runners:  Runners must stay in contact with the base until the ball is hit.  Once a runner is detected as not being in contact with the base, the runner will be called out.  On a fair batted ball Runners can advance at risk until play is stopped by the umpire. When the ball is thrown back to the pitcher and the pitcher has control of the ball with both feet inside the circle (see #10 also), the play is stopped by the umpire.  At this time, runners will go to the nearest base (the base paths should be marked designating a halfway point).  The runner is also out by running out of the path to avoid a tag.  Stealing and sliding are not allowed.

1. Runner Interference:  If a base runner intentionally tries to run forcefully through a fielder, the base runner is out, regardless of the fielder is in the possession of the ball or not.

1. Inning:  The side will be retired when the offensive team makes five runs or three outs. Coaches need to train the girls to get in and out of the dugouts quickly during inning changes.

1. Regulation game:  A regulation game will be five full innings, or 1 hour and 20 minutes, whichever comes first.  The batting order must be completed at least once before the game will be called. If each player has batted at least one time the game ends at the 1 hour and 20 minute mark. An inning will not be finished if everyone has batted.

1. Time Outs:  No more than 1 time out is allowed per inning, unless to care for an injured player. 

1. BSGSA Activities:  Games and/or practices will be limited to a maximum of three times a week.  Practices are limited to 1 ½ hours per session.

All other rules will follow the BSGSA Local Rules and the ASA Rule Book.

DEVELOPMENTAL GOALS FOR 6U GIRLS

Properly throw the ball- Point shoulder with glove hand, turn throwing hand out and draw back past ear, step with correct foot, release and follow through

Properly catch the ball- Use of both hands

Hitting- Stance, hand positioning on the bat, keeping eye on the ball, use of hips, level swing and follow through

Running the Bases- Running through first, stopping on the base (2^nd and 3^rd), running through home

Positions- Learn the names of the defensive positions on the field