Effective Spring 2010
PWGFS Code of Conduct
Players & Parents
Please make an effort to be at all of your scheduled practices and games. If you are unable to attend, please let the coach know as soon as possible. Missing practices can directly affect a player’s playing time during games at the coach’s discretion (Minimum play time rules do apply). Show a reasonable amount of respect to other players, coaches, umpires and equipment belonging to PWGFS and other players. Always maintain good sportsmanship.
As a Player, I understand that I must follow these rules to remain in good standing:
1) Respect the game, play fairly and follow its rules and regulations.
2) Show respect for authority to the officials of the game and of the league.
3) Demonstrate good sportsmanship before, during and after games.
4) Help parents and fans understand the league philosophy so they can watch and enjoy the games.
5) Be courteous to opposing teams and treat all players and coaches with respect.
6) Be modest when successful and be gracious in defeat.
7) Respect the privilege of the use of public facilities.
8) Refrain from the use of drugs, tobacco, alcohol and abusive language.
As a Parent / Guardian, I recognize that parents/guardians are the most important role models for their children and sports help to develop a sense of teamwork, self-worth and sportsmanship. As such, I agree to abide by the following:
1) Encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, fans and officials at games, practices and other sporting events.
2) Place the well being of my child before a personal desire to win.
3) Advocate a sports environment for my child that is free of drugs, tobacco, alcohol and abusive language and refrain from their use during youth sporting events.
4) Encourage my child to play by the rules and respect the rights of other players, coaches, fans and officials.
Spectators
Watch & Enjoy let the coaches’ coach.
Cheer if you like, but keep it positive.
Always maintain good behavior. If you do not have anything nice to say, say nothing at all.
NOTE:
Code of Conduct violations are taken seriously by the PWGFS Board with the following course of actions for serious violations.
1) A verbal warning will be issued by a PWGFS Board Member.
2) A formal written notification will be hand delivered in print and via email copying in the Prince William County Park Rangers.
3) PWGFS will ban the offender from ALL PWGFS related activities for the calendar year. (The Park Ranger may also impose more serious penalties)
PWGFS Local Rule Modifications
All Divisions
Note:
Any and all rules clarifications or questions shall be delivered to the appropriate age division commissioner via email.
All pitchers, regardless of division, are required to wear a protective face mask while occupying the pitching position, whether physically pitching or not. There will be no exceptions.
No balls will be carried onto the field by fielders after the first inning. This is intended to speed up game play.
On deck batters - will be to the back side of the batter at the plate (Safety Reasons).
All players present shall be in the batting order.
The home team will forfeit any game during which they allow the lights to shut off (Safety Reasons). PWGFS will maintain an ample supply of tokens in the equipment box at Andrew Leitch. Please use them as needed but, do not waste. Each token costs $4.50 and is good for 30 minutes of lighting. If the lights go out, they must completely cool off before they will come back on. The timer starts when a token is dropped, not when the lights come on.
The rule numbers listed correspond with previous rule numbers in the ASA rule book. The section numbers do not correspond and will be updated during the 2011 spring season.
8U Division
1. An 11" softee will be used for game play. Coaches may introduce the regulation softball during practice time only, and at their discretion.
2. Pitching Machine shall be used for all games. The setting shall be in the range of 29-32 at a distance of 35 feet. Coaches shall simulate the pitching motion to allow the players get accustomed to the timing.
3. Each batter will receive 5 “good” pitches. The batter will be considered out if a fair hit does not occur. A foul tip on the last pitch will extend the “at bat” for the player. The player will then remain at bat until she either misses (strikes out) or hits a fair ball.
4. Runners are permitted to advance one base per hit or per overthrow.
5. 3 outs will retire the side. Coaches will expedite the change from offense to defense.
6. No sliding.
7. The game will be 4 innings with a time limit of 1 hours and 30 minutes.
10U Division Rules
Official Rules: Amateur Softball Association (ASA) with Local Modifications
The rule modifications for the 10 & Under Division are designed to allow players who have been playing instructional league or other various playing rules to make the transition toward a more competitive level of play.
RULE 3: Equipment
Section 6 - Players should wear the complete issued uniform during games. However, in the case of excessive heat/cold or inclement weather, jackets, sweatshirts, etc. may be worn. No team or player will be penalized for variations from official team dress. It is the umpire's responsibility to rule on clothing variances which may cause a safety concern or hinder play.
RULE 4- Players and Substitutes
Section 1 (a) (Also Rule 7, Section 2 (a) (b)) - All players present will be in the batting order and will bat in turn. Players arriving after the start of play will be placed at the end of the batting order upon arrival. A player who is injured, becomes ill, or leaves early will be removed from the batting order without penalty.
Section 1(d) - A team must have a minimum of 7 players to start or continue a game. In NO case, will teams agree to play a legal game with less than 7 players.
Section 4 (d) (1)(c) - A team will not be penalized nor charged an out due to an unoccupied spot in the batting order.
Section 1(d) (2) - The eighth or subsequent players may enter the game upon arrival and must be added to the end of the batting order.
Section 5 - A starting pitcher may re-enter the game as a pitcher only once. She may return as a pitcher in the same inning after one batter has been pitched to by the relief pitcher and that batter completes their turn at bat; whether an out has been made or the batter reaches base. Relief pitchers, after being removed from the pitching position, may not return as a pitcher.
Section 6 -There will be open substitutions on defense except for the pitcher. This means a team may make defensive changes at will and as many times as they want as long as all players meet the minimum play requirements.
(General)- Except for illness, injury or special situations, the defensive innings played must constitute a minimum of 2 innings (6 outs). A player who arrives after the first pitch is thrown is "not subject" to minimum play rules. However, a coach should try to use the player as much as possible.
Section 9 - “Playing Up Rule”- When a team is short-handed and needs to borrow additional players to field a full team;(max. 10 players), they MUST pull players from the next lower age division ONLY.
10U shall pull players from the 8U division.
RULE 5- The Game
Section 3 - Games will be six innings. Each inning has a 4 run limit except for the 6th inning which has a 6 run limit. Games have a 1 hour and forty five minute time limit; no new regular inning will begin after that time.
No new ITB inning will begin after the 2 hour mark. All innings started will be played to their conclusion. In case of a tie after 6 innings, the game will continue using International Tiebreak Rules (ITB) with no new ITB inning beginning after the 2 hour mark. (ITB - The last player who completed their turn at bat in the prior inning, will begin the next inning as a runner on second base with no outs, the next regularly scheduled batter will lead off.) ITB innings will follow a 4 run limit.
Section 4 - A team has a fifteen minute grace period to field a legal lineup before the game is declared a forfeit. In the case of doubleheaders, the second game is scheduled to start 10 minutes after the completion of the first game. A team has 25 minutes grace to field a legal lineup at the end of game one.
Section 9 - The game is over if a team is behind by 10 runs or more after a legal game (4 innings) is established, and the losing team has had its rightful turn at bat. The losing team MUST have its turn at bat even if it's the last inning and they are more than 10 runs behind. In this situation, they cannot win the game but, they can close the score to assist their record in case of tie breaker rules for determining a team's finish in the league.
(General) - Each inning will have a 4 run limit except for the 6th inning which has a 6 run limit.
NOTE:
Doubleheaders involving same two teams will be five innings each with a 1 hour and 30 minute time limit for each game.
Rule 6- Pitching Regulations
RULE 6 Pitching Regulations: (Also affects Rule 8 Section 1(c)) this local rule modifies the Pitching Regulations. The intent of the rule is to improve the play of the game, both on offense and defense while also developing pitching.
NOTE: Prior to the start of the game, the head coaches shall designate a coach or parent to assume the position of coach/designated pitcher. This pitcher will pitch to batters issued a 4th ball following the 3rd walk or subsequent walks per half inning.
The team batting may only take three bases on balls (BB) per half inning. After the 3rd BB in a half inning, should any subsequent batter receive “Ball 4”, she will not proceed to first base. A coach/designated pitcher will then pitch to that batter through the completion of the at-bat. The batter will keep the current strike count in the “at-bat” which now, may only result in a strike out or any other legal play other than a BB. Once that “at-bat” is completed the player pitcher then resumes pitching to the next batter.
NOTE: If the coach/designated pitchers are called upon, this will not count as a player pitcher leaving and returning as a pitcher unless she is moved to another position or removed from the game.
In order to insure the continuity of the game, coach/designated pitchers must be prepared to pitch should the 3rd BB be issued in any given half inning. While a coach is pitching, the player pitcher shall assume a defensive position within the pitching circle.
NOTE: Runners are not allowed to steal while the coach/designated pitchers are pitching.
Rule 8 - Batter- Runner and Runner
Section 1(b) -There will be no dropped third strike rule.
Section 4(a) -Runners are allowed to steal one (1) base per pitched ball regardless of any put out attempts or overthrows resulting from the runner's attempt to advance.
Section 4(f)(2)- Base Stealing -If, in the act of the catcher returning the ball to the pitcher, the ball leaves the 16 foot circle, the runners may NOT advance. The intent here is to keep the game moving by eliminating catchers walking the ball back to the mound and to minimize over aggressive base stealing while the ball is in the air between the catcher and pitcher. There will be no delayed stealing allowed.
NOTE: Runners are not allowed to steal while the coach/designated pitchers are pitching.
Section 4 – Overthrows -
We have now added a distinction between "infield" and "outfield" overthrows. On a batted ball that leaves the infield (including fair or foul fly balls allowing the runners to tag up), runners may continue to advance at the risk of being put out until the ball is returned to the pitcher within the 16 foot circle regardless of the number of overthrows. On a hit fair ball to the infield, runners are allowed a maximum advancement of one base at the runner's risk of being thrown out following a throwing error. If a second overthrow results while attempting to put out the advancing runner, the runners may NOT advance again - it is a dead ball situation after the second overthrow. Once the pitcher has the ball within the pitching circle, runners must immediately return to the last base touched or break to the next base. Failure of a runner to immediately return to the base or break to the next base will result in the umpire calling the runner out.
A. Infield Overthrows -Any throw originating from an infielder - result, the runner(s) may advance one (1) base at the risk of being put out.
B. Outfield Overthrows -Any throw originating from the outfield - result, the runner(s) may advance in an "all you can get" situation at the risk of being put out.
12, 14 and 16 & Under Divisions
Official Rules: Amateur Softball Association (ASA) with Local Modifications
Rule 2 - Equipment
Section 1- Players should wear the complete issued uniform during games. However, in the case of excessive heat/cold or inclement weather, jackets, sweatshirts, shorts, etc. may be worn. No team or player will be penalized for variations from official team dress. It is the umpire's responsibility to rule on clothing variances which may cause a safety concern or hinder play.
Rule 3 - Players and Substitutes
Section 1 - All players present will be in the batting order and will bat in turn. Players arriving after the start of play will be placed at the end of the batting order. A player, who is injured, becomes ill, or leaves early will be removed from the batting order without penalty.
Section 2 -A team must have a minimum of 7 players to start or continue a game, this constitutes a “Legal Line up”. A full team will consist of 9 players.
Section 3 - The eighth or subsequent players may enter the game upon arrival and must be added to the end of the batting order.
Section 4 - A team will not be penalized nor charged an out due to an unoccupied spot in the batting order.
Section 5 - In NO case, will teams agree to play a legal game with less than 7 players.
Section 6 - There will be open substitution on defense except for the pitcher. This means a team may make defensive changes at will and as many times as they want as long as all players meet the minimum play requirement.
Section 7 - A starting pitcher may re-enter the game as a pitcher only once. She may return as a pitcher in the same inning after one batter has been pitched to and an out has been made or the batter reaches base.
Section 8 - Except for illness, injury, or special situations, all players must play a minimum of 3 defensive innings (9 outs). In doubleheader games, players must play a minimum of 2 defensive innings (6 outs) per game. A player who arrives after the first pitch is thrown is "not subject" to minimum play rules. A team will not be penalized for not meeting the minimum play rule if a game ends early, a player is injured, becomes ill, or leaves early, etc. Willful disregard of the minimum play rule by a manager or coach is grounds for a protest and forfeiture of the game.
Section 9 - “Playing Up Rule”- When a team is short-handed and needs to borrow additional players to field a full team;(max. 9 players), they MUST pull players from the next lower age division ONLY.
12U shall pull players from the 10U division.
14U shall pull players from the 12U division.
16U shall pull players from the 14u division.
Exception: In the event the 14U and 16U divisions are combined, 12U players may play up to 14U/16U.
Using players from the same division or random players not on a PWGFS roster is not permitted under any circumstances. Players who are “playing up” are only present on a “fill-in” basis, not to replace a player on the team’s roster who is present. As players who are on the borrowing team’s roster arrive, they MUST replace the “fill-in” players in defensive positions by the next new inning and be inserted at the bottom of the batting order. “Fill-in” players will remain in their spot in the batting order for the entire game, regardless.
NOTE:
“Playing up” players must be identified to both score keepers and opposing coaches prior to the coaches meeting with the umpire.
Section 10 - “Playing Up Rule” for Pitching Situations -Teams may borrow pitchers from the next lower division ONLY,when the normal pitcher/s who are on the borrowing team’s roster are not present or will arrive late. Borrowed pitchers will serve as a back up to the borrowing team’s normal pitcher when they arrive after the start of the game and shall occupy no other defensive position/s.
12U shall pull players from the 10U division.
14U shall pull players from the 12U division.
16U shall pull players from the 14u division.
Exception: In the event the 14U and 16U divisions are combined, 12U players may play up to 14U/16U.
Rule 5 - The Game
Section 3 - Games will be seven innings. Each inning has a 5 run limit except the 7th inning which has a 7 run limit. Games have a 1 hour and forty five minute time limit; no new regular inning will begin after that time. No new ITB inning will begin after the 2 hour mark. All innings started will be played to their conclusion. In case of a tie after 7 innings, the game will continue using International Tiebreak Rules (ITB) with no new ITB inning beginning after the 2 hour mark. ITB innings will follow a "5" run limit.
Section 4 - A team has a fifteen minute grace period to field a legal lineup before the game is declared a forfeit. In the case of doubleheaders, the second game is scheduled to start 10 minutes after the completion of the first game. A team has 25 minutes after the end of game one to field a legal lineup.
Section 9 - The game is over if a team is behind by 10 runs or more after a legal game (5 innings) is established, and the losing team has had its turn at bat. No exceptions to this rule.
(General) - Each inning will have a 5 run limit except for the 7th inning which has a 7 run limit.
NOTE:
Doubleheaders involving same two teams will be five innings each with a 1 hour and 30 minute time limit for each game.
High School Division
Official Rules: ASA rules will be followed with the following modifications:
A) To allow maximum flexibility for pitchers, there will be open substitution for the pitcher position. This means any and all pitchers may return to the pitching position multiple times the same as any other fielder position. Each relief pitcher must face a minimum of one batter. (This rule is intended to allow maximum opportunity for pitchers and not as a strategy tool for coaches. If abused, it will be revisited)
B) Batting Lineup - Coaches may choose to include 9 or more batters in the lineup or use "alternating batters" but must declare so at the start of each game. If batting the entire lineup or "alternating batters", a tardy player may be added to the lineup during the game. A batter removed for a substitute may re-enter the batting order only in her original position in the order. In case of injury, illness, or a player leaving early, a player not in the current batting order may replace the player leaving. The first order of substitution MUST be a player who has not been in the batting order. If no other subs are available, then a player who has batted in the lineup in a different position in the order may replace the player who is leaving. Alternating batters may be used at will but must stay in the same position in the lineup.
C) A pinch runner may be used for any batter who reaches base safely. The batter who made the last out at the time of substitution must be used as the pinch runner. Should a pinch runner's turn at bat occur while they are still on a base, the runner will remain on base and an automatic out will be charged for their turn at bat. A pinch runner may not be used for another pinch runner.
D) Tie games will be resolved using the International Tiebreak Rule (ITB) beginning in the 8th inning.
E) No new regular inning will start after the 1 hour 45 minute time limit. In case of a tie, the game will proceed under ITB and no new ITB inning will begin after the 2 hour time limit. An inning started will be played to completion.
F) A ten (10) run mercy rule will apply after five (5) innings.
G) A team may play with eight players without penalty. Tardy players may be added to the lineup as they arrive and may enter the game immediately.
H) A team has a ten (10) minutes grace period to field a legal lineup (8 players). In case of doubleheaders the team has an additional twenty (20) minute grace period to field a team for the second game before a forfeit is declared.
I) No protests are allowed. Umpires have final say. Arguing with the umpires will not be tolerated.
Ladder Style Draft Rules & Player Freezes
Each team is allowed a maximum of 2 freezes
A coach must have the parent's & player's consent before freezing that player. Failure to do so could result in forfeiture of that player & freeze.
Freezes should be submitted at least one week prior to the tryouts.
There will be absolutely no freezing of players at the tryouts.
Any team with less than 2 freezes on the day of the draft will be allowed to select players from the tryouts prior to the start of the ladder style draft in order to fill out their allotted 2 freezes. This process will be done in accordance with the determined draft order.
SISTER RULE: If a coach picks a player with a sister, the sister must be taken following the next pick. For instance, the first sister is picked in round 3; the next sister is automatically placed on that team with the 5th round pick. The only exception to this rule is based on a parent request for both daughters to play on separate teams, in which case, they won't be listed as sisters.
Freezing sisters will work the same as freezing 2 daughters.
(SEE COACH DAUGHTER RULE BELOW)
COACH DAUGHTER(S) RULE: Coaches have the option to waive freezing their daughter(s) however, if a coach decides to waive freezing his/her daughter(s), they will be eligible to be drafted by another coach. If still eligible, a coach must pick up his daughter no later than the 4th round of the draft. If the coach has a second daughter, she will be the 5th round pick. If a coach has 2 daughters and intends to freeze them both, it is only necessary to freeze 1, while the other will be inserted as his/her 4th round pick prior to the draft.
EXAMPLES:
1) A coach has 1 daughter and elects to waive freezing her. The draft begins: Round 1 - the coach picks up a third player. Round 2 - the coach picks a 4th player who has a sister. By rule, the sister now becomes the 4th Round pick. This now means that the coach must use the Round 3 pick to get his daughter if she is still eligible to be drafted.
2) A coach has 2 daughters and elects to waive freezing them. The draft begins: Round 1 - the coach picks up a third player. Round 2 - the coach picks a 4th player who has a sister. By rule, the sister now becomes the 4th Round pick. This now means that the coach must use the Round 3 pick to get the first daughter if she is still eligible to be drafted and pick the other daughter up in Round 5 if she is still eligible.
3) A coach has 2 daughters and decides to freeze them both. With the 2nd freeze, the coach decides to freeze 2 sisters. Prior to the draft, one sister would be inserted as the 3rd Round pick and the second daughter will be inserted as the 4th Round pick.
Spring Ladder Style & Hat Pick Style Draft Procedure (Example 4 teams)
Each team will pick a number from the hat to determine their order in the draft.
Only players present at tryouts are eligible for the initial draft process.
Each team with less than 2 freezes chooses a player in order until each team has their authorized number of freezes.
Ladder style draft selection begins with team #1 and continues ladder style for each round as follows (1,2,3,4,4,3,2,1,1,2,3,4) until all players have been selected.
Following the initial ladder style draft, a blind hat pick style draft will continue for the purpose of drafting the remaining registered players who were not present at tryouts. This round of the draft will continue from where the ladder style draft concluded.
At the completion of the draft, the floor will be opened for trades. Once the trading floor is closed, ONLY the Board of Directors can approve any additional trades upon recommendation of the PWGFS Registrar Player Agent.
Once registration is officially closed, if necessary, PWGFS reserves the right to extend registrations for the purpose of filling in remaining roster spots. The PWGFS Registrar Player Agent will accept and hold the registrations until he calls the coaches together to continue the blind hat pick style draft. This separate draft will usually take place about 1 week following the regular draft process.
Once again, the floor will be opened for trades. Once the trading floor is closed, ONLY the Board of Directors can approve any additional trades upon recommendation of the PWGFS Registrar Player Agent.
Fall Draft Procedure
The fall is treated as a continuation from the spring meaning the teams are kept intact and we fill in open spots on the rosters. New teams will be formed if needed based on the fall registration totals. For the fall, we do not hold tryouts; the players are drafted by the board using a blind hat pick style draft.
New teams will be allowed 2 freezes prior to the Fall Draft however; from time to time the PWGFS Board will make special allowances for teams to enter with complete rosters.
Existing teams from the spring are allowed to replace lost freezes prior to the Fall Draft but, cannot freeze players who are already on another roster.
On occasion, two or more teams may be combined if necessary if approved by the PWGFS Board.