WGSL
Junior Division Rules
SPRING SEASON 2024
It is the objective of the Wallingford Girls' Softball League to provide an organized slow pitch softball league to girls who live in the Town of Wallingford or in the surrounding towns, while providing a positive learning experience for all participants. The League stresses skill development, team play and fun. Fair play, cooperation and respect among players, coaches, parents/spectators, umpires and officials shall always be emphasized. All rules established by the League are directed to these ends and, therefore, shall be interpreted and applied by the coaches in the way in which they are intended. Circumventing these intentions to win, though technically permissible in some cases, is not considered in the best interest of the league, its participants and, most importantly, the girls.
GOAL - It is our goal to provide a transition between the more educational Clinic Division and the more experienced Senior Division. Competition is encouraged, though never above fair play. ASA rules play a significant role in this division, though minor adjustments have been made to reflect the League objective and the youth of the players. Players will be taught team play and encouraged to refine their individual abilities to bat, throw, catch, and run bases.
ELIGIBILITY - The Junior Division is open to any girl in the following grade who lives either in the Town of Wallingford or in any neighboring town. The maximum age is 13 years as of January 1 prior to the playing season.
· 4th-7th grade
THE RULES
The Junior Division conforms to Amateur Softball Association (ASA) rules, with certain exceptions noted below. The format below is consistent with the "ASA Playing Rules & Umpire Manual".
1. DEFINITIONS (ASA Rule 1)
The following definitions have been emphasized, added and/or modified from ASA:
· Base on Balls. There will be no intentional walks.
· Call-up. A call-up is a registered Clinic Division player who conforms to the Call-up procedures noted herein. In general, a call-up is asked to substitute for a missing Junior player to prevent the forfeit of a schedule Junior game
· Coach. Up to 2 offensive coaches are allowed on the field, but not in fair territory during active play. Also, a defensive coach can stand behind the umpire to field errant pitches. The coach behind the umpire must remain silent. This provides an opportunity to throw the ball back to the pitcher; not intended for the purpose of providing direction or coaching of the players/game.
· Infield Fly. There is no infield fly rule in the Junior Division.
· ·League. The Wallingford Girls' Softball League as represented by its League Officers.
· Strike Zone. When the batter assumes a natural batting stance, the strike zone is that space directly over any part of home plate between the armpits and knees. Exaggerated stances will not alter the strike zone.
2. THE PLAYING FIELD (ASA Rule 2)
a. The pitching distance is Forty (40) feet, from the front of the pitching rubber to the rear of home plate.
b. Bases shall be placed 60 feet apart.
3. EQUIPMENT (ASA Rule 3)
a. Bats used in the League must be marked "OFFICIAL SOFTBALL" by the manufacturer and/or bear an ASA certification mark. In addition, the following bats will not be allowed for league play:
1. All bats listed on the ASA bat ban list,
2. Bats marked triple-wall, double-wall or composite.
Coaches must verify all bats with the Umpire(s) prior to the start of each game. All approved bats must have a WGSL label affixed to the bat. Any player found to be using an illegal bat prior to, during or upon completion of their at bat within the current inning will automatically be called out and the bat will be removed from the game. The call must take place before the first pitch is thrown to the next batter within the current inning.
b. The official game ball will be a Synthetic Softball (11") or a comparable softball as approved and provided by the League. Both teams will provide the umpire with a new game ball prior to the start of the game.
c. The catcher must wear all catchers’ equipment while positioned behind the plate. This equipment includes a combination helmet/mask with a properly adjusted throat protector, shin guards and a chest protector. For their own protection, catchers should be in a swatting position and not knelling on one or both knees.
d. All batters, base runners and player-base coaches must wear approved batting helmets. Helmets must not be removed until the player is off the field. The umpire will issue a warning on the first offense. For subsequent offenses, it will be up to the umpire’s discretion if the offender will be called out or ejected from the game. If additional helmets are needed to address safety, the other team will provide them upon request.
e. Players must wear their League approved jersey, and socks to every game. Players must wear either solid white/grey/black baseball pants or their League approved softball shorts to every game. The WGSL visor is the only visor/hat that can worn during the game. There are no exceptions. While in the field, players must wear sweatshirts and other warm clothing under their uniforms. Players who fail to change into their proper uniform, upon request by either the umpire or a League official will not be allowed to play in the game.
f. Players must wear rubberized cleats or other athletic shoes. Non-athletic shoes, street shoes and boots are not allowed.
g. The only acceptable jewelry is stud jewelry.
h. Use of facemasks by all infielders is highly encouraged.
i. The head coach will maintain all League distributed equipment in good working order and will request replacement equipment from the League's Equipment Manager as necessary.
j. Batting Donuts and Hitting Sticks are prohibited from use during all League games.
4. PLAYERS & SUBSTITUTES (ASA Rule 4)
a. The minimum number of players needed to start and continue a game is 9 per team. If at least 9 players per team are present and ready to play, the game will begin at the scheduled time. There is no out for the missing tenth player. Rule # 4.d.
b. The batting order must include all players present and ready to play. New players may be added to the end of the batting order at any time during the game.
c. Teams will use 10 players on defense, including 4 outfielders. If shorthanded, 3 outfielders will be used. All outfielders must be positioned no less than 10 feet beyond the normal infield dirt area prior to the pitch. If the infield is poorly defined, then outfielders must be positioned at least 20 feet behind the bases. For safety, the 4 base players will be positioned no closer than 50 feet from home plate, no more than 5 feet in front of the base and in fair territory prior to the pitch. No infielder is permitted to stand on a base or in foul territory (except for the catcher) at the time of the pitch.
d. The ASA Shorthanded Rule does not apply (i.e., no automatic out for missing batters).
e. The ASA Re-Entry Rule (ASA Rule 4.5.) does not apply. Defensive substitutions are permitted within the following restrictions:
1. Each girl must play a minimum of 3 innings on defense.
2. Defensive substitutions from the bench or the field must be made prior to the start of each half inning unless: a fielder is injured or must otherwise leave the game or if a team is playing with nine players, the late tenth player may be introduced by calling for a time-out and informing the opposing team. All other rules apply.
3. Any pitcher who is removed from that position cannot return to the pitching position in the same inning nor more than once during the game.
f. All players who are not playing defense, coaching, batting, on deck, or running bases must remain in the dugout/bench area during the game without coach’s permission.
5. THE GAME (ASA Rule 5)
a. Game time is as indicated on the game schedule. A team with less than nine (9) players present at the scheduled game time will be granted up to fifteen (15) minutes of grace. After the grace period, a team or teams with less than nine (9) players will forfeit the game. No coach, umpire, or other League official has the authority to extend the grace period beyond fifteen (15) minutes.
b. For the first half of the season, the games will be 6 innings. For the second half of the season, the games will be 7 innings. If the score is tied at the end of 6/7 innings, as many complete innings as necessary to break the tie will be played.
c. Umpires have the authority to suspend or postpone any game should conditions warrant, i.e. insufficient visibility, wet conditions, lightning, excessive cold, continuous harassment from anyone present, etc.
d. A new inning cannot start after 7:30pm with the exception of any game scheduled to start at 7pm or later. For these games, a new inning cannot start after 10pm.
e. A game called by the umpire shall be regulation if five or more complete innings have been played, or if the team second at bat has scored more runs in four or more innings than the other team has scored in five or more innings. All Playoff games will not be considered regulation until 7 innings are completed and/or a winner is declared. (see 5b above). Games that are not considered regulation shall be resumed at the exact point where they were stopped. Players not present for the original game must be placed at the bottom of the batting order of the rescheduled game.
f. Postponements: In case of inclement weather, the League no later than one hour-fifteen minutes before game time will post the status of all games on its website, (www.wgsl.org); it is the responsibility of the Head Coach (or his/her designate) to confirm the status of his/her team’s game. It is then the responsibility of the Head Coach (or his/her designate) to inform his/her players within a reasonable timeframe of any postponement. Teams must report to the field of play, unless otherwise notified. Postponed and suspended games will be rescheduled by the League to be played at the next earliest available makeup date.
g. Playoff games will be scheduled by the League at the conclusion of the regular playing season. The League will determine the playoff format and announce the format to all coaches prior to start of the regular season. However, the League reserves the right to change the playoff format prior to the start of the playoffs if extraordinary circumstances arise. Playoff seeding will be determined by the final standings during the regular season; tie breakers will be determined by the League and announced prior to the conclusion of the regular season. The highest seed will be the Home team in all playoff games unless the highest seed has incurred a loss in the playoffs and it is facing a team without a playoff loss; in the case the lower seed is the home team. If both teams have incurred a loss in the playoffs, then the Team with the highest seeding will be the home team.
h. All players and coaches will hustle on and off the field between innings. All players will be ready and in position when the umpire declares "play ball". If, in the judgment of the umpire, either team unnecessarily delays play, the umpire will call a ball (or balls) for a defensive delay or a strike (or strikes) for an offensive delay.
i. The travesty (run ahead limit) rule must be used after 4 innings are completed and one team has scored 20 runs or more than the other team or after 5 innings are completed and one team has scored 15 runs or more than the other team. Complete innings must be played unless the home team scores the run ahead limit. Whenever the run ahead limit is used and the visiting team reaches the limit in the fifth or later inning, the home team must have an opportunity to bat in the bottom half of the inning. If the home team reduces the lead to less than 15 runs in the fifth or sixth inning, the game will continue.
6. PITCHING/CATCHING REGULATIONS (ASA Rule 6)
a. The pitcher must begin her delivery in a stationary position with one or both feet on the pitching rubber and she must hold this position for at least one second before starting the pitching motion. After starting the motion, the pitcher is allowed only one step toward the plate until the ball is batted. No windup is allowed.
b. The Junior Division will use a 5 to 10-foot arc measured from the ground.
c. A maximum of three (3) warm-up pitches will be allowed between half innings.
d. The catcher shall be in full gear and ready to take her position at the end of each half inning, unless she was the last batter, on deck or a base runner. In this case, another player or the coach will take the three (3) warm-up pitches as the catcher dresses.
e. If a team's catcher (for the subsequent defensive inning) is on base when there is two outs, the Head Coach in his/her sole discretion may replace said player (catcher) with the player that created the last out.
7. BATTING (ASA Rule 7)
a. Each team shall submit a batting order to the opposing coach before the start of each game. The batting order must include all players present and ready to play. Players who arrive after a game is in progress will be placed at the end of the batting order.
b. Foul Tip Rule: If the batter has two strikes and the player hits a foul tip that is caught by the catcher the batter is declared out. However, if the batter has less than two strikes, and the player hits a foul ball, if in the sole discretion of the umpire, the ball is hit higher than the batter’s head and the catcher catches the ball then the batter shall be declared out.
c. Five (5) Run per inning Rule: A team remains at bat until three (3) outs are declared or the Team scores five (5) runs. Said rule shall not be applicable for the final inning (or extra innings) as determined by the umpire. During the final inning (or extra innings), a Team may score an unlimited number of runs.
d. Batter steps on Home Plate: A player that hits the ball into fair or foul territory while stepping outside of the batter's box will receive a warning prior to be called out.
8. BATTER-RUNNER AND RUNNER (ASA Rule 8)
a. A base on balls will be awarded to the batter if the bases are loaded.
b. There will be no intentional walks.
c. Bat throwing is not allowed. The umpire will issue a warning on the first offense. For subsequent offenses it will be up to the umpire's discretion if the offending batter will be called out or removed from the offensive line-up for the remainder of the game.
d. There is no infield fly rule in this Division.
e. Sliding is permitted in this Division.
9. PROTESTS (ASA Rule 9)
Judgment calls made by an umpire cannot be protested. These include strikes, balls, outs, fair/foul balls, illegal pitches, touching a base, leaving a base too soon, interference, obstruction, game suspensions due to conditions, and other judgment calls. Protests may be considered for the following:
1. A misinterpretation of a playing rule which must be protested before the next pitch.
2. An illegal substitution or re-entry must be protested while she is in the game and before the umpires leave the playing field.
3. An ineligible player which can be protested anytime.
Any protest must be presented in writing to a League Vice-President or President within 24 hours to be considered. The final step of any protest is resolution by the League Officers. The final interpretation of any and all by-laws, rules, and/or procedures is the sole responsibility of the Board of Directors.
10. UMPIRES (ASA Rule 10)
a. Umpires are given charge of the game. They represent the League and are required and authorized to enforce the rules and to make decisions on situations not specifically covered by the rules. Umpires will be treated with the respect due all participants in the League.
b. The umpire will call time when, in the judgment of the umpire, all action in progress has been completed. Time will not be automatically called by the umpire simply because a player or coach requests it.
11. SCORING (ASA Rule 11)
a. The home team is the official scorekeeper. Each scorekeeper will confirm the score at the end of each half inning by conferring with the opposing team scorekeeper. Discrepancies will be resolved before play is allowed to continue.
b. The score of a forfeited game shall be 7-0 in favor of the team not at fault. If both teams forfeited, their individual records will each reflect a 7-0 loss.
12. OTHER RULES
a. Discipline: If a player displays unsportsmanlike conduct (as referenced below 12.d) while representing the League, the Head Coach, has the ability to discipline this player in an appropriate manner; said player, regardless of their ability, can and should be withheld from the balance of the game in which the unsportsmanlike conduct was displayed and from the next game in which her team plays. If such disciplinary action is enforced, the Head Coach is required to inform the player’s parents as soon as possible. The Head Coach is also required to inform the opposing Head Coach of any disciplinary action that affects his/her batting order. The Head Coach is required to inform all players of the League’s code of conduct, in writing and prior to the start of the season, and if any disciplinary action is taken, it should only be taken if it is clearly stated in the team’s rules and they are uniformly enforced with all players, regardless of ability. Last, the Head Coach is required to report disciplinary issues (that result in a game suspension) to both the League President and the respective Junior Division Commissioner.
b. Courtesy Runner: A Team will be allowed a courtesy runner for one batting position during the game due to injury or illness. The player who represented the last out prior to the player needing a runner will be the courtesy runner. In the event, a second player becomes ill or is injured, the Coach may request a second courtesy runner and provided that there is no substitute players available, then a second courtesy runner will be allowed. Similar to the first courtesy runner, the second courtesy runner will represent the last out prior to the player needing a courtesy runner.
c. Conduct (coaches): All coaches are reminded that players and spectators will emulate their conduct. Coaches will set an example by providing a model reflecting those values and intentions noted herein. Any coach ejected from a game for unsportsmanlike conduct or abusive language/behavior will be required to leave the field area within three (3) minutes of notification by the umpire. Failure to leave in the designated time will result in the forfeit of the game. Any coach ejected from a game will have 24 hours to file an appeal. If no appeal is made, the coach will automatically serve an additional one game suspension to be enforced the next game the team is plays. The offending coach’s continued participation in the League will be subject to review by the respective Junior Division Commissioner, League Vice President, and League President. If the coach is removed from participating in the League, the coach will have 24 hours to file an appeal with a League official.
d. Conduct (players): All players are subject to the Players Code of Conduct. All players should display good sportsmanship at all times, whether it is before, during or after the game. Coaches are not to tolerate players that are swearing, using derogatory remarks, chants or cheers or any disrespect toward coaches, players or umpires. Any player found in violation of the Players Code of Conduct is subject to league discipline. Any player ejected from a game will be required to leave the field area within 5 minutes of umpire notification. Failure to leave the designated area will result in a forfeit of the game. Any player ejected from the game will have 24 hours in which to file an appeal. This appeal must be in writing and submitted by the player. No other submissions will be accepted, such as character references. The appeal will be reviewed by the President, Vice President, and Junior Division Commissioner. If further review is needed, the board of directors will hear the appeal and determine the discipline. If a player is ejected from a game prior to the game being official, the player will only be suspended for the remainder of that game. If a player is ejected or if the Players Code of Conduct is violated after the 3rd inning or before the next game, the player will be suspended for that next game.
e. Safety: The playing area must be kept clear of equipment not being used. Spectators must stay behind the fence and out of the dugouts. Players not in the field, at bat, on deck or on base should remain in the dugout-bench area. Where there is no fence, spectators and equipment must remain behind an imaginary line drawn from the end poles of the backstop parallel to the foul lines. Failure to comply with this rule will seriously compromise player safety and may end in a forfeit by the team at fault. There is no live hitting during warm ups. Hit sticks and weighted balls are permitted only inside the fences. No player should be swinging the bat outside the fences
f. Smoking/Alcoholic Beverages: There shall be no drinking of alcoholic beverages allowed in the parks. There shall be no smoking or vaping with in the Gaylord Complex. Coaches committing an infraction of the smoking rule will receive a written warning after the first infraction. Coaches committing a second infraction of the smoking rule will be suspended indefinitely and subject to review by the respective Junior Division Commissioner, League Vice-President, and League President. Coaches committing an infraction of the alcoholic beverages rule will be suspended indefinitely and subject to review by the respective Junior Division Commissioner, League Vice-President, and League President.
Approved by the Wallingford Girls Softball League, Inc.
Last revision date:
November 2022
JUNIOR CALL-UP PROCEDURES
1. All Clinic Division head coaches will evaluate their teams during the pre-season for the expressed purpose of selecting players in the 3rd grade who have the skill, knowledge, and attitude to compete at the Junior level. These players may be eligible for call-up. Clinic coaches will not consider any girl who could be at serious risk playing with the older girls. Coaches may reconsider their selections at any time.
2. The clinic coach will supply the players names to the Jr Division commissioner.
3. Any Jr coach in need of a call up will reach out to the Jr Division commissioner, who will give them the name and contact information for the next player on the list to be called up. The Jr Coach must obtain a call up name and number from the commissioner every time a call up is needed.
4. There can only be use of 2 call ups to make 9 players, any call ups must be placed at the end of the batting order and are only allowed to play in the outfield.
5. Any coach violating these call-up rules and procedures will be reprimanded. With a forfeiture of the game. Subsequent violation will include suspension.
6. All coaches, parents and players are reminded that the sole purpose for call-ups is to avoid forfeiture, not to enhance a team's chances against an opponent.
Senior Call-Up Procedures
1. All Junior Division head coaches will evaluate their teams during the pre-season for the expressed purpose of selecting 2 or 3 players who have skill, knowledge and attitude to complete at the Senior level. These selections may be eligible for call-up subject to risk playing with the older girls
2. Junior coaches will obtain permission from the parent of each girl before submitting her name and phone number to the League. Depending on the number of eligible girls, the League will place the players on any number of call-up lists, which may be updated at any time.
Approved by the Wallingford Girls Softball League, Inc.
Last revision date:
November 2022