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You are hereNGSSA Rookie Rules

NGSSA Rookie Rules

 

NGSSA Rookie Rules
[Effective Date: January 5, 2010]
Current USSSA Rules with the following exceptions:
(Click on this line for a link to the 2006 USSSA Rule Book)

 

 

General
1 Eligible girls are in the first or second grade. A player can onlyplay in a higher age class, if approved by the NGSSA Board of Directors.
2 Players cannot play on more than one NGSSA team at the same time.
3 Each girl shall play for the NGSSA team in the area in which she lives, unless approved by the NGSSA Board of Directors.
4 NGSSA Rookie Division uses only 10" U.S.S.S.A. approved softballs during games.
5 The home team will be responsible for furnishing the umpire and they will be a NGSSA TRAINED UMPIRE. If the home team has no umpire present, the visiting team may use their league certified umpire.
6 All regular season games will start at 6 PM unless previous arrangements have been made by the coaches. (Ten minute grace period.) Home team will have the choice of dugout.
7 No new inning will begin after 1 hour 30 minutes from the start of play. Maximum game time is 1 hour 45 minutes. If at the end of 1 hour and 45 minutes, the current inning hasn’t been completed, the game will be halted and the score reverts back to the last completed inning. If the game ends as a tie, it will stand as a tie through the end of the season. A tie will be considered as 1/2 a win when determining standings.
8 Minimum number of players to field a team, is 8 (eight).
LESS THAN 8 (EIGHT)
EFFECT: --- GAME FORFEIT – BUT PLAY THE GAME FOR FUN.  Possibly share players to balance the teams for the game.
9 No mercy rule will be in effect during regular season games. Please play a complete game.
10 Batters and runners only get 1 base advancement on a base hit unless ground rule double or homerun.

Rain Outs
10 RAINOUTS. The decision to play on all Northshore School fields will be determined the HOME TEAM UMPIRE. . It may be raining hard at 4:00, but sunny and playable at 6:00. It is imperative that the games get played due to field scheduling, so PLAY THE GAME IF CONDITIONS PERMIT.
11 An official game will be 4 innings or more with a maximum of 7 innings. If after 4 innings a game must be called, the score will revert back to the last completed inning. THE UMPIRES WILL HAVE COMPLETE AUTHORITY TO CALL A GAME DUE TO DARKNESS, WEATHER OR SAFETY
12 SUSPENDED GAME. A game that is stopped by the umpire because of rain, lightening or darkness that cannot be restarted within 30 minutes, and is less than 4 innings completed, can be resumed at a later date, to be arranged by the home team coach. The suspended game will be resumed at the point of interruption, with the same situation as when stopped, as in, batting order, batter count, positioning, etc.
13 All games must be rescheduled within 72 hours by the home team coach.

Substitutes
14 Every team will use the unlimited substitution format. All girls will be batted in a continuous order to be set at the beginning of the game. Any player may re-enter the field as often as desired as long as their position in the batting order does not change. Every girl will play at least 3 (three) innings in the field and be entered into the field by the start of the 3rd (third) inning. It is not necessary to report changes made in the field to the other team. Late comers will be added to the bottom of the batting order.
15 If a player leaves the game, that player’s spot in the batting order is eliminated without penalty. The player may not re-enter the game.

Field of play
16 Bases will be 55 (fifty five) feet.
17 Home run field radius, 110 (one hundred ten) feet.

Pitching
18 Pitching distance will be 30 feet. It can be closer if needed, but no closer then 20 feet.
19 The batting team’s adult coach, or representative, will pitch all innings.
20 The adult pitching coach cannot touch the ball after it is hit by the batter. The coach can not intentionally touch the ball, unless in self defense. Every effort will be made to not interfere with the field by the opposing team players, effect: batter is out.
21 The rookie girl pitcher will be placed within 2 (two) yards of the pitching rubber. Note: 2 (two) yards = 12 (twelve) foot circle. THE ROOKIE GIRL WILL RECEIVE THE BALL FROM THE CATCHER AFTER EVERY PITCH OR END OF PLAY.
22 Once the pitcher begins the delivery motion, the batter cannot request time out.
23 The pitched ball must be released within 5 (five) seconds from time the pitcher has the ball, and the batter has taken her position in the batters box.

Batting and Base Running
24 A safety bag shall always be used at first base. The safety bag is considered the same as first base. For safety reasons, a batter/runner will use the safety bag on any play involving the first baseman. The runner will use the regular base if remaining on first base after the completion of the play. THE DEFENSE CANNOT SUBSTITUTE THE SAFETY BAG WHEN MAKING A FORCE OUT. They must use the regular base.
25 All batters and base runners will wear protective helmets.
26 Base coaches may be team players and may have adult assistants. Player base coaches must wear protective head gear.
27 Home run line will be 110 (one hundred ten) feet. The ball must clear on the fly for a home run. 2 (two) bases for all runners if the ball rolls beyond the home run line. The result is not changed if the defense makes contact with the ball before it crosses the home run line. If the field is unmarked and the ball rolls beyond an outfielder, it will be an automatic 2 (two) bases.
28 There will be 5 (five) runs max. per inning, and sides change.
EXCEPTION: When a ball is hit in the air over the home run line, then all runs count, or if there are runners on 2nd and 3rd and a ground rule double is hit, the runners on 2nd and 3rd will both score.
Example 1: 4 (four) runs are already in, bases are loaded, and a ball is hit over the home run line.
EFFECT: 8 (eight) runs will score.
Example 2: 4 (four) runs are already in, there are runners on 2nd and 3rd, a ball rolls beyond the home run line.
EFFECT: Ground rule double, 6 (six) runs will score.
29 7th inning. Rookies will be allowed to score 7 (seven) runs max. Home run and ground rule double continuous play rule is in effect for this inning as well.
30 If a ball is overthrown and rolls past the cones, the ball is ‘out of play’, and the runners advance one base from the last base they had touched at the time the ball rolled past the cones.
31 6 (six) pitches per batter. If the batter does not get a hit after 6 (six) pitches, she is considered out. If the batter has a foul ball on the sixth pitch, she will receive another pitch. Unlimited foul balls on the sixth pitch. If a batter hits a foul ball directly behind them into the catcher's mitt on the 6th pitch it is still considered a foul ball and they are not out.
32 No walks.
33 Coach pitcher can give some minimal verbal assistance to the batter, but cannot coach the base runners (this is the base coach's job).
34 The batter cannot be called out on an uncaught foul ball.
35 No sliding! EFFECT: Runner is out.
36 When the batter delays entering the batters box, after the umpire signals play ball, after 10 (ten) seconds, the umpire shall declare dead ball and a strike will be called on the batter.
37 A play is considered complete when all forward motion OF THE LEAD RUNNER HAS STOPPED. Throwing the ball to the pitcher does not stop the play unless ‘TIME’ has been called by the umpire. Completion of play and the decision to call ‘TIME’ is at the umpire discretion.

Uniforms and Sportsmanship
38 Uniform is to be a team jersey, with a number on the back, and must be worn at all games. Baseball cap or visor is optional.
39 The catcher will wear a mask, protective helmet, along with a chest protector.
40 Rings, dangling jewelry, watches and metal cleats must not be worn at any game or practice. This is for the safety of all of the girls.
41 There will be no negative remarks said or made to opposing players by the players, coaches, parents, and or spectators. If no resolution, than the umpire shall have the authority to eject the offending coach, player, parent fan or whoever is causing the conflict or umpire can call a forfeiture of the game.

COACHES WILL BE RESPONSIBLE TO CONTROL THEIR TEAMS AND PARENTS.
EFFECT: First warning, by the umpire to the offending team. Second warning, results in suspension of play, until the problem is resolved.

IF NO RESOLUTION, UMPIRE CAN CALL FORFEITURE.
ENFORCEMENT OF THIS RULE IS THE JUDGMENT OF THE UMPIRE.

Code Of Conduct
 
PLEASE REMEMBER AND INFORM YOUR TEAM AND PARENTS
All teams are responsible for cleaning up the fields after practices and games. Failing to do this may result in the loss of the field.
No alcoholic beverages, smoking, sunflower seeds, or chewing tobacco are allowed on school or park grounds at games or practices.
No dogs or pets are allowed at the fields at games or practice.
It is recommended that all coaches, male and female find a ‘team mom or dad’ to be present at all practices.
The girls pay to play. Let’s make it fun for them! Have a great year!