Harleysville Girls Softball Association Youth Softball 6U League Rules

Transcription

1 Harleysville Girls Softball Association Youth Softball 6U League Rules ASA rules will apply except as listed below. It is the responsibility of the coach and parents of children to enforce the rules. Uniform 1. Uniforms will consist of a team shirt. 2. Appropriate footwear must be worn (no metal cleats or sandals). 3. Hair must be pulled back and out of the girl s face. 4. Visors, pants and other uniform attire can be worn if desired. Safety 1. Safety is always first. 2. No throwing the bat. 3. All batters will wear a batting helmet while both at bat and on base. 4. All infield positions will be required to wear a face mask. 5. No sliding. 6. No base stealing. 7. Shoes with steel spikes are prohibited. 8. No jewelry of any kind will be worn with the exception of stud earrings. 9. Throwing the bat by the batter constitutes an out. Speak with the player first, point out the danger that is caused by throwing the bat, but if the problem continues the player will be forced to lose an at bat turn. Regulations for Games 1. A team should field a minimum of 6 players to complete a game. 2. If a team has fewer than 6 players and the opposing team has 10 or more players, then the coaches may select 1 or 2 players to play with the team which is short. 3. A team should appear at the field, ready for play, 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the game. 4. Each game will consist of approximately 1 hour of playing time. A new inning will not be started after 50 minutes of play. 5. All players present will be placed in the batting line-up and will bat in the order listed. 6. Games will be cancelled when light or other conditions make it to dangerous to continue. Games will be cancelled when lightning or thunder is observed. A decision to cancel once a game is started should be made by both coaches.

2 7. The home team will sit on the first base side. 8. There are no protests of any kind. All rule disagreements will be settled on the field between coaches from each team. If needed, the 6U commissioner should be contacted. 9. Each coach shall be responsible for the conduct of his players and fans/spectators. 10. Both Teams are responsible for cleaning up the area after each game. This includes dragging the field after each use including practice. During a game, the home team will be responsible for dragging the field. 11. No animals/pets of any kind are permitted on the fields during practices or games there is NO exception to this rule. Players and Positions 1. On defense, the players will be positioned at 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, and 1 pitcher. All other players will be positioned evenly in the outfield area. 2. It is required that coaches rotate their players at the different defensive positions both infield and outfield and not have a player play the same position for no more than two innings. 3. Coaches will ensure that all players have fair play time. No one should be on the bench for more than 1 inning. Coaches and Assistants 1. Each team should provide an adult to be an umpire (which can be a coach) or a parent willing to assist. 2. Coaches or assistants will be at the batting tee instructing the children while their team is at bat. Additional coaches or parents can assist runners at first and third base. 3. Coaches are not allowed to physically assist base runners; e.g. pushing the runner or helping the runner off the ground, while the ball is in play. 4. A maximum of 3 coaches from the defensive (fielding) team are allowed on the playing field. These coaches should be situated behind 1st 2nd and 3rd bases. These coaches are on the field for instructional purposes only, such as repositioning the fielders and relaying information. Game Play 1. Make the game fun. 2. There will be no official score keeping. This is a non-competitive league. 3. During the game, all players must remain in the designated team areas and on benches, except the batter at the plate. 4. The next batter will not approach the plate until called by the batting coach or umpire. 5. There are no walks or strike outs.

3 6. The first half of the season it is strongly encouraged to have all batters hit from the tee to focus on batting stance and swing. It is up to the coach when to move batters to coach pitch. 7. Coach pitch must be under hand. 8. A batter may be given 5 pitches by the coach-pitcher, whether the batter swings or not (to encourage the players to swing the bat). Exception: A foul ball not legally caught on the last (i.e., 5rd pitch) entitles the batter to one more pitch. 9. If the ball is hit during coach pitching, the coach-pitcher must make his/her way off the field as quickly as possible and/or in a direction that will not affect the play. 10. If, after the (5) coach pitched balls, the batter has not put the ball in play, the batter will be moved to the tee. 11. The pitching coach will make the call as to whether the batted ball is fair or foul. If the tee is hit and the ball rolls, this will be considered a foul ball. 12. The batting coach will remove the tee from the playing field after the ball is hit. 13. The pitcher can make unassisted outs by running the ball to any base and does not have to throw the ball, with the exception of home plate. Upon fielding a hit, the pitcher must attempt a play at either 1B, 2B or 3B. 14. Runners may not advance to the next base on an overthrow out-of-play. Runners cannot advance on any foul ball. 15. The runner may not leave the base until the ball is struck by the batter. 16. Leading off is not permitted. 17. Base stealing is not permitted. 18. An inning is three outs or after each girl has batted once. 19. In setting up defensive positions, the pitcher shall not play closer to home plate than 35 feet. 20. A batter-runner or base runner that is put out must return to the dugout. 21. Catchers should be at a safe distance behind the batter. Additional 1. Forfeits There are NONE. Each team must have a minimum of six (6) girls to take the field. If a team doesn t have six (6) players, the opposing team may lend the players needed to play the game. There should NEVER be a forfeit. The player(s) on loan should be the ones at the bottom of the batting order. These players should be placed in the outfield. 2. Protests - THERE ARE NONE

4 Harleysville Girls Softball Association Youth Softball 6U League Goals HGSA makes every attempt to ensure all coaches are teaching the same skills and fundamentals at every age group. We ask the coaches to adhere to the below goal sheet. Familiarize players with the concept of teamwork and with the responsibilities of a teammember. Players will know and address all teammates by name. Familiarize players with the concept of sportsmanship. We will not run-up the score on any team. We will shake hands with the opponent after the game. We will cheer our team but not bask the other team. Players will learn knowledge of basic Tee Ball rules (not throwing bat, staying in dugout) Players will learn to demonstrate knowledge of basic offensive and defensive strategies. Players will learn to identify parts of the softball diamond. Players will learn to identify the positions played in the game. Players will learn to identify equipment used in softball. Players will learn to assume a proper batting position in the batter s box. Players will learn to hit either a pitched ball or a ball off the tee when at bat. Players will learn run the bases and score runs. Players will learn the following basic batting skills: Face tee with feet spread shoulder-width apart. Bend knees, body in slight crouch. Weight on balls of feet. Grip bat; hands together above knob.

5 Hold bat firmly; don't squeeze. Bring bat up and away from the body. Keep shoulders level; bat and head steady. Both elbows should be down Eyes on the ball. Short step with the front foot at start of swing. Swing level and bring the bat through the center of the ball. Watch bat hit ball; keep head down. Weight shifts to front foot; back foot stays on the ground. Drop the bat; do not throw it Helpful Tips: Adjust the tee with ball set even to the hitter's waist. Players will learn the following basic fielding skills: Always be in a ready position: Stand legs apart, shoulder-width or wider. Bend knees. Get low. Lean forward. Eyes on the ball. Watch the ball go into the glove. Cover the ball with the other hand Ground ball: Run to the ball. Keep body in front of ball. Glove low to the ground. Scoop or catch the ball and cover it. Fly Ball: Run to where the ball is going. Call for the ball: "I've got it." Stop and wait for the ball. Hands together, fingers up, shoulder high. Watch ball into the glove and cover. Thrown Ball: Bend knees slightly. Watch the ball. On a ball thrown to player above the waist: Hands together facing out; thumbs up. Catch and cover. On a ball thrown below the waist: Hands together facing down; little fingers touching. Catch and cover. Players will learn the following basic throwing skills: Thumb under the ball. Two or three fingers on top. Don't worry about the seams. Eyes on the target. Legs apart; foot on throwing arm side behind the body. Arm back and up, front shoulder and foot turned toward target. Step toward target with foot opposite the throwing arm. Elbow above shoulder height. Release the ball in front of body and follow through. Players will learn the following basic running skills:

6 Run on the balls of the feet. Pump arms back and forth. After the ball is hit Run behind the tee, unless left-handed. Look at first base, not where the ball has gone. Run outside the foul line. Run straight through first base; don't jump on it or slow down. Watch and listen to coach for instructions. When on base, keep one foot touching the base until the next batter hits the ball. When passing a base, try to touch it on the side without stopping. Touch every base and know which bases to run through and which ones to not over run.