CASA GRANDE LITTLE LEAGUE
SOFTBALL
RULES AND REGULATION

Casa Grande Little League aspires to be an outstanding educational-athletic organization that provides a high-quality experience, in which every athlete:

• I coached to learn the fundamentals of the game and the importance of sportsmanship
• Feels like an important part of the team regardless of performance
• Learns “life lessons” that have value beyond the playing field
• Learns the skills, tactics, and strategies of the game and improves as a player; and
• Has fun playing the game.

Through proper guidance and exemplary leadership, the Little League program assists youth in developing the qualities of citizenship, discipline, teamwork, and physical well-being. By espousing the virtues of character, courage, and loyalty, the Little League Baseball and Softball program is designed to develop superior citizens rather than simply create superior athletes.

To meet these objectives, Casa Grande Little League provides a supervised program under the Official Regulations and Playing Rules of Little League Baseball (the “Official Rules”).  In addition to the Official Rules, Casa Grande Little League uses the following local rules, which are meant to complement and augment the Official Rules.  In the event of any conflict between these local rules and the Official Rules, the Official Rules will control.

Please read and familiarize yourself with the local rules and regulations of Casa Grande Little League.  If you have any questions, please contact a Board Member

PRACTICES

• The Casa Grande Little League will try to schedule times for teams to practice at the Little League fields at the best of their ability and tentatively.
• Teams may also practice in public open space areas.  Many teams also choose to practice in HOA owned or maintained parks.  If you are practicing in a private park, it is your responsibility to obtain any permission necessary from the HOA.
• Teams may not practice at the O’Neil Softball Complex, Kiwanis Field, or the Paul Mason Sportsplex without reserving through the City of Casa Grande. 

COACHES AND MANAGERS

Each team will have a manager and may have additional assistant coaches or volunteers to help with practices and games.  Any person who will have player contact - whether a manager, a coach, a parent, or a friend – MUST HAVE COMPLETED A VOLUNTEER FORM AND SUBMITTED ONLINE at www.CasaGrandeLittleLeague.com  No adult may have any player interaction until the President has conducted the appropriate background check and approved his/her volunteer application.  Please give us the names of any persons asking to be an assistant coach as soon as possible.

Any manager, coach, or volunteer that displays poor life skills or inappropriate behavior on the practice or game field in front of players may be suspended or removed from duty by the Board.  Profanity of any kind will not be tolerated. Please understand and help remind others that these rules are in place in order to help promote the safety and well-being of all players.

At this age, managers, coaches, and other volunteers should collectively encourage the constructive development of players’ sportsmanship, baseball knowledge, and skills.  You may stop playing for instructional purposes when appropriate - and for safety purposes at any time - keeping in mind the level of play.  It is the League’s policy, however, that such stoppages should not unduly slow play.

Managers are expected to ensure that any handouts, materials, or information given to the Manager is passed along to all parents.  Managers are expected to ensure that they, and their team, are at all scheduled League events, including but not limited to opening day, games, pictures, and the League’s annual celebration (which serves as “Closing Ceremonies” for these divisions).

FIELD AND GAME GUIDELINES

• The team designated as the VISITING TEAM on the schedule will use the 1^stbase dugout and will be responsible for setting out bases and pitching rubber for the game if needed, as well as picking up the game balls from the concession stand.
• The team designated as the HOME TEAM on the schedule will use the 3^rd base dugout and will be responsible for picking up and returning the bases (and pitching rubber, if any) to the clubhouse at the end of the final game of the day for that field.
• Sports drinks and water are allowed in the dugout to help ensure players remain hydrated during games.  At the discretion of the manager, players may be permitted to have snacks in the dugout, but clean-up of the dugout at the end of the game is the responsibility of the manager and coaches of that team.
• Our League relies heavily on concession stands to help provide funds to support the League so your help in reminding families of this rule is important.
• Hitting a baseball into the chain link screens at any time, such as by “soft toss” or off a batting tee, is prohibited except if using plastic balls.
  
• Persons on the field of play or in the dugout will not use cell phones or electronic devices.
• Any time limits on game times (on weekday nights) are measured from the scheduled start time.  Managers and coaches should arrive early to ensure the field is ready for play and that the game can start on time. 

UNIFORMS AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT

• Each player should wear a complete uniform, including a hat, jersey/shirt, socks, and appropriate pants.  Uniform shirts MUST have the Little League patch attached to the left sleeve. Players are not permitted to use metal cleats.  Please have your players look like baseball players while wearing their uniforms: Caps will not be worn backwards or tilted to the side, and players shirts will be always tucked in.

• Any player with a bat in his/her hand MUST have a batting helmet on his/her head.
  • Helmets may not have decals applied or be painted by someone other than the manufacturer unless accompanied by written certification from the helmet manufacturer that the decal or paint does not affect the playability of the helmet.

• Softball bats shall be no more than 33 inches in length, not more than two and one-quarter (2¼) inches in diameter, and if wood, not less than fifteen-sixteenth (15/16) inches in diameter (7/8 inch for bats less than 30 inches) at its smallest part. Non-wood bats shall be printed with a BPF (bat performance factor) of 1.20. Bats may be taped or fitted with a sleeve for a distance not exceeding 16 inches from the small end. Colored bats are acceptable. A non-wood bat must have a grip of cork, tape or composition material, and must extend to a minimum of 10 inches from the small end. Slippery tape or similar material is prohibited.

•  11 inch softballs will be used for Minor Softball games.

• 12 inch softballs will be used for Major Softball games.

• Players are not permitted to swing a bat in the dugout or dugout area. 
  
• Little League also does not use an “on-deck” circle and hitters shall remain in the dugout area until it is their turn to bat.
• Other than using the restroom, all players shall remain in the dugout when not otherwise engaged in play on the field.
• No child may be left unattended in the dugout.  If you are short a coach or coaches for a game, please ask a Board Member for help in finding a qualified volunteer (who has filled out a form) for help.
• Please make sure your players (especially your catcher) are wearing a protective cup and neck guard (neck guard is required for the catcher).

RULES REMINDERS --> MINORS 

The official Rule book for each division governs the Rules of play. These reminders are simply highlights of specific issues or situations to assist the Manager. Questions concerning the interpretations of the Rules should be addressed to the Umpire-in-Chief.

Umpires- Umpires are human and we cannot have games without them. The Umpire has the sole authority to control the conduct of the game. No judgement calls, such as fair/foul, out or safe, balls or strikes may be argued by any coach, manager or player. All decisions involving judgement are final.

15- Run Rule - A manager whose team trails by fifteen or more runs after 3 innings (two and a half if the home team leads by fifteen), shall concede the game to the opposing manager. This rule is mandatory in all divisions.

10-Run Rule – A manager whose team trails by ten or more runs after 4 innings (three and a half if the home team leads by ten), shall concede the game to the opposing manager. This rule is mandatory in all divisions.

5 Run rule –a half-inning ends when three outs are made, or the offensive team scores five runs. A team may not score more than 5 runs in an inning, regardless of how many outs or whether the final batter gets a “home run.”

Continuous Batting Order – all players on the roster and present for the game are included in the batting order. If the team has 12 players, the full roster of 12 players will bat in continuous order.

3rd Strike Not Legally Caught Rule – This rule is not in effect. A batter is out on strike 3 regardless of if the catcher catches the ball.

Infield Fly rule- The infield fly rule is in effect. If the umpire calls the infield fly, the batter is out, and all runners are required to remain at the base they occupied at the time of the hit. Runners may tag up and advance at their own risk only after the ball has been caught or the ball hits the ground.

Mandatory Play – In all divisions every player must receive at least one at bat (as defined by the Rules), and a play a minimum of six defensive outs (Managers should review the rule relating to the application of the 5-run rule to this standard). Failure to meet this standard may result in the suspension of the Manager. In addition, there is a mandatory play penalty for any player not meeting the mandatory play for a game.

Softball Time Limits – Games will be 6 innings unless ended earlier due to the run rule. A team may concede a game if behind by more than 5 runs entering the 6^th inning

No new inning will start after 1 hour 45 minutes and the game will drop dead at 2 hours. If the inning is not complete at the drop-dead time, then the official game score will revert to the last completed inning.   

Base running- A base runner may not lead off. A base runner may leave their base upon the ball leaving the pitchers hand. A runner is required to slide or attempt to get around a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make a tag. A runner may not slide headfirst into a base they are advancing to. They may slide back to a base they previously occupied headfirst. Collisions should be avoided by both runners and players making a play on a ball. The safety of players is paramount.

Pitching – There are no balks in Softball. Any pitch determined to be a “No Pitch” is counted as a ball on the batter. Please review Rule 8.01 in the Little League APP for more details on pitchers.

“Look back rule” – If the pitcher has possession of the ball within the pitchers circle, and is not making a play (fake throw is considered making a play) runners not in contact with a base must IMMEDIATELY attempt to advance or return to a base. The runner is out if in the judgment of the umpire the runner violates this rule.

Coaching Visits- A manager or coach may come out 2 times in one INNING to visit with the pitcher. On the 2^nd visit to the same pitcher in the INNING the coach is required to remove the pitcher from the position of pitcher. A manager or coach may come out 3 times in one GAME to visit with the pitcher. On the third visit to the same pitcher in the game the coach is required to remove the pitcher from the position of pitcher.

RULES REMINDERS --> MAJORS 

The official Rule book for each division governs the Rules of play. These reminders are simply highlights of specific issues or situations to assist the Manager. Questions concerning the interpretations of the Rules should be addressed to the Umpire-in-Chief.

Umpires- Umpires are human and we cannot have games without them. The Umpire has the sole authority to control the conduct of the game. No judgement calls, such as fair/foul, out or safe, balls or strikes may be argued by any coach, manager or player. All decisions involving judgement are final.

15- Run Rule - A manager whose team trails by fifteen or more runs after 3 innings (two and a half if the home team leads by fifteen), shall concede the game to the opposing manager. This rule is mandatory in all divisions.

10-Run Rule – A manager whose team trails by ten or more runs after 4 innings (three and a half if the home team leads by ten), shall concede the game to the opposing manager. This rule is mandatory in all divisions.

Continuous Batting Order –all players on the roster and present for the game are included in the batting order. (So, if the team has 12 players, the full roster of 12 players will bat in each game continuously.

3^rd Strike Not Legally Caught Rule – the dropped third strike rule will be in effect. Please remember that this rule allows a hitter to become a runner on a 3^rd strike that is dropped or not caught before the ball hits the ground if either (a) first base is unoccupied, or (b) there are two outs.

Mandatory Play – In all divisions every player must receive at least one at bat (as defined by the Rules), and a play a minimum of six defensive outs (Minors managers should review the rule relating to the application of the 5-run rule to this standard). Failure to meet this standard may result in the suspension of the Manager. In addition, there is a mandatory play penalty for any player not meeting the mandatory play for a game.

Infield Fly rule- The infield fly rule is in effect. If the umpire calls the infield fly, the batter is out, and all runners are required to remain at the base they occupied at the time of the hit. Runners may tag up and advance at their own risk only after the ball has been caught or the ball hits the ground.

Base running- A base runner may not lead off. A base runner may leave their base upon the ball leaving the pitcher’s hand. A runner is required to slide or attempt to get around a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make a tag. A runner may not slide headfirst into a base they are advancing to. They may slide back to a base they previously occupied headfirst. Collisions should be avoided by both runners and players making a play on a ball. The safety of players is paramount. 

Pitching- – There are no balks in Softball. Any pitch determined to be a “No Pitch” is counted as a ball on the batter. Please review Rule 8.01 in the Little League APP for more details on pitchers.

“Look back rule” – If the pitcher has possession of the ball within the pitchers circle and is not making a play (fake throw is considered making a play) runners not in contact with a base must IMMEDIATELY attempt to advance or return to a base. The runner is out if in the judgment of the umpire the runner violates this rule.

Coaching Visits- A manager or coach may come out 2 times in one INNING to visit with the pitcher. On the 2^nd visit to the same pitcher in the INNING the coach is required to remove the pitcher from the position of pitcher. A manager or coach may come out 3 times in one GAME to visit with the pitcher. On the third visit to the same pitcher in the game the coach is required to remove the pitcher from the position of pitcher.

Softball Time Limits – Games will be 6 innings unless ended earlier due to the run rule. No new inning will start after 1 hour 45 minutes and the game will drop dead at 2 hours. If the inning is not complete at the drop-dead time, then the official game score will revert to the last completed inning. 

End of Season Tournament

In addition to your regularly scheduled games, each division shall compete in an end of season tournament to determine the League Champion. The tournament format shall be double-elimination and teams should be prepared to play on any day (except Sunday) during the tournament period. Seeding for the tournament will be based on the regular season record. If two teams are tied at the end of the regular season, the first tiebreaker will be head-to-head and if they tied head-to-head, the second tiebreaker will be decided by runs allowed, then runs scored, then a coin flip. If more than two teams are tied, the first tiebreaker is fewest runs allowed, then runs scored, then a coin flip. If after breaking a tie, there are only two teams left tied, then the tiebreaker starts again using the tiebreakers for a two-team tie.

Please make sure your players/parents know about the tournament and that there is a possibility the tournament will run through the last week of May or the first week of June AND there may be games played during graduation week

All-Star Selection

For the Majors All-Star team, the All-Star Manager must conduct a tryout for any eligible candidates who wish to be considered. The All-Star Manager will consult with managers from the division for their input on the All-Star roster after which the All-Star manager will make the final roster determination.

All All-Star teams will consist of at least twelve players unless the Casa Grande Little League board determines that there are not twelve eligible candidates.