Game Timing/Length

Game consists of 6 innings unless called due time constraints.

For weeknight games, the umpire will call the game when they see fit due to sunlight. Weekend games should run approximately 1 hour 45 minutes if there is a game immediately following on that field. If there is no game immediately following, the game may continue until there is a winner. A game is complete if stopped for darkness or weather after 5 full innings (4 1/2 if the home team is winning)

Uniforms

Team shirts and long pants must be worn for all games.
Softball shoes with rubber cleats are strongly encouraged, metal cleats are not permitted.
No jewelry is permitted: i.e. bracelets, necklaces, or rings

Equipment

Helmets with face masks must be worn by all base runners and batters.
Any defensive player can wear a facemask, but they are required for the pitcher, and strongly recommended for infielders.

Field Dimensions

Bases are 60 ft apart
Pitcher’s rubber is 40 ft from home plate
The pitcher’s rubber will have a 16-foot circle drawn from the center of the rubber, it will extend in a 8 ft radius in every direction from the center of the rubber. The line drawn is considered inside the “circle of control.”

Players

Players should report 30 minutes prior to scheduled start time of the game.
A 15 minute grace period will be allowed before a forfeit is declared.
If a team has 7 players, the game may start. Upon injury, 6 players will be allowed
If prior to the game, a team knows they cannot field 10 players, a player from a younger division can be brought up to play. Request for replacements should be handled by the coach of the team needing a replacement contacting the commissioner and informing them of the need. If at game time, the team has 10 players of their original roster players, the younger player may not participate during the game. In no instance can a player from the same division play for another team in that division. Players may NOT be pulled up from another division during playoffs.

Defense

• The defensive team consists of 10 players; 6 infielders including pitcher and catcher, and 4 outfielders
• No infielder may be positioned closer to the batter than a radius of 40 feet from the batter before a pitch is thrown unless the batter is showing a bunt
• Outfielders must be positioned on the outfield grass before a pitch is thrown, however after the pitch is made they may move in to cover a base
• Every player must play a minimum of three (3) innings per game. All players must play at least one (1) inning in the infield.
• There are no other inning requirements for any other position but pitchers (i.e. one player can catch an entire game)
• Managers may substitute freely in the field while playing on defense.
• Drop 3rd strike will not be used Infield Fly Rule: An Infield Fly is a fair fly ball (not a line drive or bunt) that, in the judgment of the umpire, can be caught by an infielder, pitcher, or catcher with ordinary effort and when there are runners on first and second or first, second, and third and less than two outs. When the umpire calls "infield fly” the batter is out, regardless of whether the ball is subsequently caught or dropped. The ball is live, and runners already on base may advance (at their own risk) if the ball is not caught or tag up and advance if it is caught.

Offense

• The batting order will run consecutively throughout the game. If a player arrives after the game has begun, she is to be placed at the end of the lineup.
• Please have a written batting order available for the opposing team.
• Bunting is allowed and a runner on third can attempt to score on a bunted ball.
• Continuous walk will not be used
• If the batter is hit with a pitch, even if it bounces off the ground first, the batter will advance to 1st base.
• However, if in the opinion of the umpire, the batter did not attempt to avoid being hit, the batter shall not be awarded first base, unless it’s ball four.
• One warning will be issued per player for throwing her bat. After which it is the umpire’s discretion whether the batter will be called out for a second violation.

Pitching

• In an effort to speed up play, pitchers will have 5 warm-up pitches between innings
• Pitchers may only pitch a maximum of four (4) innings per game with the exception of extra innings. A pitch thrown in an inning will be considered one (1) of the four (4) innings allowed. A pitcher who hits three batters in one inning must be removed from pitching for the remainder of that inning. (This will count as one of the four innings per game).
  
• Pitchers must begin the motion with at least 1 foot in contact with the mound. Pitchers may have both feet off the ground at the same time when delivering the pitch as long as both feet remain within the 24" width of the pitching plate and the pitcher does not replant the pivot foot for a 2nd push off. 
• PITCHERS ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR A FACEMASK!!!!
• The strike zone will be defined roughly from the under arms to the knees. Coaches cannot question called balls and strikes. The umpire’s judgment will prevail.

Baserunning

• Managers may substitute a runner only in the event the runner on base is the catcher in an effort to speed up play. The player who recorded the last out will be the substitute runner.
• Once the ball is hit into the field of play, runners may advance until the ball is returned to, and controlled by the pitcher in the circle of control (in the pitcher’s hand or glove while standing in the pitching circle). If the runner is between bases when this control occurs, they must either return to the previous base or attempt to advance to the next base. Runners advance or return at their own risk. Please see “overthrows on ball hit in the field of play” for ruling on in the event there is an overthrow on this type of play.
• A baserunner will be “out” if a hit ball strikes them while they are in-between bases in fair territory. This will be considered a dead ball and the batter will be awarded first base. The runner will not be out if they are on a base and struck by a batted ball or if the ball strikes a fielder first.
• Players are required to slide if there is a play at any base in an effort avoid a collision. For purposes of this rule, a ‘play’ is defined as the defensive player having control of the ball and attempting to make the out. In order to protect the defensive players attempting to make a play on the runner, the runner will be called out if she remains on her feet and collides with the defensive players at 2nd, 3rd or home.
• Please note the specific rules on overthrows related to stealing in the previous section.
• If there is an overthrow to a base, runner(s) may advance one (1) base only at their own risk. Once they reach that base, the ball is dead.
• Once the ball has been returned to the pitching circle (Does not apply on a ball hit to the pitcher) and is in control of the pitcher in the pitching circle, all runners may not advance beyond the base they are headed. (If the ball is returned to the pitcher, and the pitcher then makes an overthrow in an attempt to throw a runner out at any base, all runners may only advance one base at their own risk.)
• Balls batted into the outfield are live until the ball is returned to the pitcher within the “circle of control”. Once the ball is in possession of the pitcher within the circle, the batter/runner may not advance
• When stealing, runners may leave the base as soon as the pitcher releases the ball.
• Stealing is allowed. When stealing a base, a runner cannot advance further than the base she is attempting to steal unless there is an overthrow, If there is an overthrow on the attempt to throw the runner out, the runners can only advance “one” additional base.
• If there is a runner on third base, they may attempt to score if the catcher throws to first or second base or third base in an attempt to get a runner out.
• A baserunner can attempt to score from third base on a passed ball or on an error throwback to the pitcher. They cannot advance if the pitcher has the ball in the circle of control.
• Catchers may throw to any base to try to get a base runner out after they take a lead. If the ball is overthrown, it is considered a live ball. The runners on base may try at their own risk to advance to the next base. The runners are only allowed to advance “one” base on an over throw.

Scoring

• An inning is ended with 5 runs or 3 outs, whichever occurs first.
• There is no limit in the 6th inning or extra innings.
                 o In the event the 6th inning will not be reached (i.e. darkness), coaches and umpire will gather to discuss and agree on                          when the final inning with unlimited runs will occur
• If the score is tied at the time of discontinuation, the game will end in a tie. If you start an inning, you must finish it or you revert back to the previous inning.
• The home team’s book is the official record and games scores and out-comes will be sent to the league Commissioner by the winning coach via e-mail.

Home/Away Team Responsibilities

The home team is responsible for preparing the field and supplying game balls. The visiting team is responsible for breaking down the field.

Umpiring

All JR 2 games will have official paid ASA umpires. All official ASA softball rules will be followed, with the exception of the drop third strike and continuous walk rules as noted above.

Cancellations/ Weather Delays

• The Talleyville Board is responsible for canceling games due to inclement weather.
• At least one of the listed background checked coaches (head or assistant) must be present for a game to be played.
• A cancelled game must be re-scheduled within 1 week of the cancellation and played within 3 weeks. Coaches from both teams will communicate to come up with 3 dates that work and then contact the Scheduler to re-schedule.
• If games are not re-rescheduled and played it will be logged as a forfeit.
• In the event of weather-related stoppage during a game (any sign of lightning – play must be suspended for a minimum of 20 minutes), the coaches will agree on the game outcome (To Delay, call the game, or continue at a later date). Please consult with the other teams and commissioners and use your best judgment for the safety of everyone.

Playoffs/All stars

All teams make the playoffs
Travel team players may not be selected to play on the JR2 all-star team, unless/except in rare circumstances in which player joins a team during the spring softball season and the President approves their inclusion.