3830 Valley Centre Dr.,

Suite 705 - Box 201,

San Diego,

CA 92130

(858) 643-9790

(Revised 1-5-10)

(Click here for the Word document version)

General Provisions

The following North Shore Girls Softball League (“NSGSL”) league rules supplement and augment the Amateur Softball Association of America (“ASA”) rules as amended year-to-year.  If there is a conflict between league rule(s) and ASA rule(s), the league rule(s) shall be controlling.  If a situation is not covered by the league rules, the ASA rules are controlling.  Although the league rules and the ASA rules are meant to cover as many situations as possible, they do not cover all.  In the rare circumstance where a situation is not covered by the league or ASA rules, the judgment of the umpire will be upheld and the NSGSL rules coordinator should be notified.  NSGSL Rules Committee will later consider the situation so that future rules can be clarified.  All parties concerned will be provided with a fair opportunity to be heard. However, no protests are allowed.

Teams should not deviate from or alter these rules during the course of any regular season or post-season game, even by mutual agreement.

Division 6U

This division’s main objectives are to have fun, develop basic skills and prepare the player for the next level of play.

Team Rules

1.  Player Evaluations: Players do not need to be evaluated for this division.

2.  Scheduling: It is the responsibility of the team manager to ensure that his or her team is available to play at the times scheduled.

3.  Rescheduling: Only games postponed because of rain or field unavailability or due to umpire issues, may be rescheduled.

4.  Minimum Number of Players: There is no minimum number of players necessary to play a game.

5.  Call ups: Not Applicable

6.  Play ups: A player wishing to play up to the next highest level must be evaluated at the next level up. Play up requests will be evaluated and determined by the Executive Board.

7.  Team Vacancies: If a vacancy occurs, the manager is to contact the Player Agent who will assign an appropriate player from the waiting list on a first-come first-served basis.  If there is no waiting list, the vacancy will be filled on a case-by-case basis.

8.  Team Responsibilities: Both the home and away team are responsible for field set up before the game and field clean up after the game.  This includes setting the bases for the game, and putting the bases away at the end of the game if this is the last game of the day. The home team supplies a new ball for the start of the game and the away team supplies a good back up ball.

9.  Team Dugout Position: The home team occupies the first base side of the field.

10. Pre-game Warm-up: Time permitting, the home team may warm up on the infield 15 minutes before the start of the game and the away team may use the infield the previous 15 minutes.

Playing Fields

1.  Pitching Rubber: The pitching rubber is thirty (30’) feet from the back of home plate to the front of the mound.

2.  Base Distance: The bases are set sixty (60’) apart.

3.  Pitcher’s Circle: The pitcher’s circle is an eight (8’) foot radius from the middle of the mound.

Equipment

1.  Helmets: All players must wear a helmet when batting, base running, coaching a base or when on-deck. The helmet must be NOCSAE approved with facemask and chinstrap. Players provide their own helmets.

2.  Catcher’s Gear: Not Applicable as catcher will be an adult.  

3.  Cleats: Rubber cleats only, no spikes.

4.  Game Ball: 10” yellow reduced impact.

5.  Jewelry: Jewelry may not be worn.  Medical alert bracelets or necklaces are not considered jewelry and may be worn.  If worn, medical alert bracelets or necklaces must be taped to the body so that the alert tag is clearly visible.

6.  Uniforms: Players must wear league issued uniforms during the games.

Game Rules

1.  Game Length (Regulation): The game is completed after six innings or no new inning may start after one hour and fifteen minutes. An inning starts immediately after the final out of the previous inning even if the new inning runs past the one hour and fifteen minutes limit. Once an inning starts, it will be completed in its entirety.

2.  Game Start: Both coaches must agree on the start time of the game.

3.  Complete Game: A game is complete after an inning is completed after one hour and fifteen minutes.  

4.  Game Called:  A game may be called at any time, at the discretion of the coaches, due to darkness, rain, or any other condition threatening the players, coaches or spectators.

5.  International Tie Break Rules: Not Applicable

6.  Tie Game: Not Applicable

7.  Run Limit: There is no run limit

8.  Mercy Rule: Not Applicable

9.  Umpires: Coaches will act as umpires.

10. Scoring: Score will not be kept.

11. Protests: There are no protests.

12. Defensive Players: There is no limit on the number of defensive players who can take positions on the field. All team members should be on the field when on defense.   

13. Defensive Infield: There is a limit of five players playing infield positions. A defensive player is allowed to stand to the side of the pitcher, but no closer to the batter. All other defensive players must be positioned in the appropriate defensive infield position.

14. Defensive Coaches: A maximum of two coaches from the defensive team are allowed on the field at any one time. The purpose for coaches being on the field is to instruct players.

15. Playing Time: Every player must play a minimum of one inning in the infield and one inning in the outfield.  

16. Catcher: The catcher will be an adult (19 years or older). No team player shall play the catcher’s position

17. Pitching: A coach will pitch to their own team. The pitching distance for coaches is twenty-five feet (25’) from the back of home plate.

18. Maximum Number of Pitches: Each batter will be given a MAXIMUM of 3 pitches from the coach. The batter must hit the ball into fair territory by the third pitch or must then use a batting tee. The batter can take as many swings as necessary to hit the ball into fair territory from the batting tee.

19. Charged Conference Rule (ASA 5-7): Not Applicable.

20. Look Back Rule (ASA 8-7T): Not Applicable.

21. Bunting: Bunting is allowed on coach pitch.

22. Balls and Strikes: Balls and strikes will not be called.

23. Batting Order: The Manager will determine a batting order for ALL members of their team (whether or not playing a defensive position) before the game begins and will place this order on the lineup card.  The players will bat in this order throughout the game.  If a player is late to the game (arrives after first pitch) she will be placed in the last position in the batting order and will bat when this position comes up in the order.

24. Defensive Substitutions: Not Applicable

25. Injury Substitutions: Not Applicable

26. Injury/Absence Rule: Not Applicable

27. Duration of Team-at-bat: A team shall remain at bat until every player on their line-up has had one plate appearance.

28. Outs: Outs are acknowledged and the runner(s) who are out will leave the base at the time of the out(s). There are no maximum outs and the team completes their at bat until the last player on the roster has batted.

29. Stopped Play: A play is stopped when the ball is thrown to the pitcher. The intent of the throw must be to the pitcher. The pitcher does not have to catch the ball.

30. Base Running: At the moment the ball is thrown to the pitcher, a runner who is more than halfway to the next base will be awarded that base. If the runner is not more than halfway to the next base, then the runner must return to the last base occupied.

31. Dropped 3rd Strike: Not Applicable.

32. Leading Off: Base runner may not lead off. Base runners can only leave the base when the ball is hit.

33. Stealing Base: Stealing base is not permitted.

34. Sliding: Sliding is not required.

35. Infield Fly Rule: Not Applicable

36. Overthrow: A player may not advance on an overthrow.

37. Batter Hit by Pitch: Not Applicable

38. Batter’s Safety: Not Applicable

39. Playoffs: There are no playoffs.

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