2011 FREEDOM PARK SOFTBALL GROUND RULES

Freedom Park’s Mission is to put forth every effort to make playing games” FUN” These rules are designed to protect our girls and at same time help the flow of our games run “Smoothly” These rules are for the girls and are not to be used as a “Tool” to create a Win for a Team.

“Rec Ball is FUN”

1)       Rule Modification

  1. 10 Players should be used in the field of play except Sr..
  2. No Designated Hitters
  3. Free substitution for the pitcher.
  4. Courtesy Runners are allowed at any time for the pitcher or catcher. The runner must be the girl which made the last out. (or Batted Last)
  5. Pitchers may pitch with one or two feet on the rubber.
  6. All teams may drop down to 8 players to prevent a forfeit. Ex: If your team plays with 8 players then when the ninth batting slot comes up there will be an out recorded, the umpire shall be notified when that slot comes up. If your team plays with 10 and you drop to nine you will be penalized an out for the 10th slot. (10 and 12 will only be penalized once so if you drop to 8 only the 9th slot is out not 9 and 10.)
  7. If a player becomes injured or is removed from lineup for health issues the team shall not be penalized.(If player leaves for any reason other than specified 10 or under players will be declared out)
  8. There is a 15 minute grace period on all first games and first games only. Game clock will start at game time.  1. Grace Period is only to be used if a team doesn’t have enough players.  2. If game is scheduled to start at 6:00, the game clock will start at 6:00 and at 6:15 the game will be called if either team doesn’t have enough players.  3. If both teams have enough players then the expectation is for both teams to be on field and start game.

2)       Length of Games

  1. 6 & under 1 Hour 15 Minutes or 3 innings.
  2. 8 & under 1 Hour 15 Minutes or 5 innings (3 innings regulation game)
  3. 10 & under 1 Hour 15 Minutes or 6 innings (3 inning regulation game)
  4. Jr, Sr. 1 Hour 30 Minutes or 7 innings ( 4 inning regulation game)
  5. No new inning shall start after time limit has expired unless there is a tie. If there is a tie after time has expired teams will play the International Tie Breaker. The girl that made the last out from the previous inning will be placed on Second base. Score keeper will advise the umpire which player will be placed on 2nd.
  6. Run rules: 10 after 3, 8 after 4, and 6 after 5.
  7. Each Team has 1 minute between innings Umpire may start balls and strikes count at 1 minute

3)       Cancelled or Suspended Games

  1. All games cancelled by game director  shall be rescheduled by game director and Notification will be made through E-Mail or Phone call. It is coaches responsibility to clarify the schedule change and notify their team.
  2. Games that are suspended will be played where the game left off outside 1st inning.
  3. If game is cancelled there will always be a reasonable attempt to make the game up if possible.

4)       Line up and Playing Time

  1. Home Team is Responsible for Book and Visiting Team for Scoreboard.
  2. All Line ups shall be turned in 10 minutes prior to game time.
  3. All line ups shall have players Numbers, first initial and last name or will not be accepted by Score keeper.
  4. All Players shall be listed on lineup. If not there it should be noted.
  5. All Players will be placed in line up and will bat.
  6. Players shall play in the field every other inning no girl shall sit out consecutive innings.
  7. Any coach sited for not rotating players properly is subject to disciplinary action by the FPGSA Board of Directors. Team is subject to “Forfeit.”
  8. Players do not have to receive ample playing time if disciplinary problems. However league representative shall be notified before game.

5)   Equipment

  1. Each team shall be furnished 5 Batting Helmets, and Catchers gear with Helmet, Shin guards and chest protector
  2. Teams shall wear Freedom Park uniforms only No Modifications. (Unless Approved by League President)
  3. Any player warming up a pitcher must wear a catcher’s mask. No Exceptions
  4. Protective batting helmets shall be worn by players which are in the field of play while batting or base running until player is in dugout.
  5. Players shall not wear visible jewelry at any time during game failure to comply with umpires request could result in player ejection.

6)   Managers and Coach’s

  1. Managers shall be held responsible for his players, coaches and parents.
  2. Managers are responsible for cleaning out dug out and if last game the lock gates.
  3. There shall be a manager for each team and up to 3 coaches’. Only the manager shall communicate with umpires as well as League reps.
  4. Managers are responsible in making sure team is legally equipped failure to comply could result in player ejection and Manager being confined to dugout.(Jewelry)
  5. Managers cannot manage two teams.* No 2 sets of coaches can coach same team.
  6. All Managers and any assistant coach’s shall go through the City of Macon background check. Failure to comply will result in that coach being removed
  7. No Tobacco products of any kind shall be allowed in dugouts or playing field.
  8. All gates shall be closed during league play
  9. No Manager or coach shall use any profane language or any statement deemed disrespectful toward player, umpire, other coach’s or FPGSA Board of Directors. Disciplinary action will be taken by FPGSA Board of Directors.
  10. No Bat boys or girls are allowed because of insurance purposes.
  11. All managers and coaches shall be approved by FPGSA Board of Directors.

7)   Post Season Tournament

  1. Teams will be seeded in the order in which they finish.
  2. Teams tied seed will be determined by Head to Head competition.(By runs allowed) Teams still tied will flip a coin.

8)   Protest

  1. Team must notify umpire and game director of protest.
  2. *Team Manager must reveal to FPGSA Game Director of Protest and shall be resolved before game can be continued. No Protest can be mad after half inning is complete.
  3. Teams cannot protest a judgment call made by umpires. Protest only applies to rules.

9)    Add On Player

  1. A team can call up a girl from league below to prevent forfeit.
  2. Player must be on list in sole possession of League President.
  3. Player along with parents must sign consent form.
  4. If Player is called up she must play entire game.
  5. Notify League President he will give Manager, player name and phone number of girl who is next in line.
  6. No girl will be assigned a second time until list has been exhausted.

This will eliminate rescheduling of games.

Updated 4/29/2011