The Menifee Valley Girls Softball Association (MVGSA) Board of Directors (BOD) has established the following rules and policies to work in accordance with the “Official Rules of Softball” ASA Code. Any rule not covered within this policy will be governed by the ASA “Official Rules of Softball” current year release. In the event that there is a conflict between the ASA Rule book and these ground rules, MVGSA Ground Rules shall take precedence. Our 8U Division shall follow the ASA 10U Division rules except where specified within this document.

1.   The Home Team will be responsible for the Official Scorebook. Each team must provide his or her own scorekeeper, who will not be permitted on the field or in the dugout, but must remain in proximity to the official plate umpire. Team Coaches (both), Scorekeeper and the Umpire must sign the Official Scorebook at the end of every game.

2.   In the event a coach chooses to file a protest on a specific ruling of a game the scorekeeper will note the actual protest time, score, batter, outs, innings, and pitcher. The protesting Coach must complete a MVGSA Form 101 and pay a $35.00 protest fee, which is non-refundable unless the protested call is overturned. The BOD will call a protest hearing to obtain the facts of the protest and then request assistance of a certified ASA umpire (not affiliated with the league or the umpire service) if necessary to make the proper ruling. Upon completion of the hearing an MVGSA Umpire in Chief (UIC) will notify the protesting coach on the final ruling of the protest.

3.   Both teams are responsible for the field equipment and/or field maintenance, which will be returned to the equipment box at the conclusion of the day’s game(s) (tarps, batting T’s, Pitching mounds, etc).

4.   In keeping with the rules of ASA and MVGSA, possession of alcoholic beverages or tobacco products at games or practice fields is strictly prohibited.

Playing Rules

5.   Games may be canceled by the game umpire or Umpire-in-Chief if the playing fields are not deemed safe or in reasonable playing condition, and cannot be put into safe and playable condition in a short period of time.

6.   For 16U, 14U, 12U and 10U games, a minimum of four (4) innings must be played to constitute a complete game (Non League Games are exempt from this rule) and 3 innings for 8U. Time limits will always take precedence over innings.

MVGSA Game Time Limits:

16U, 14U,                      1:20        Will finish inning if started prior to time limit.

         
10U, 12U                       1:20        Will finish inning if started prior to time limit.

     
8U                                  1:15         Will finish inning if started prior to time limit.

Tee-Ball                          1:00         or two innings, whichever comes first.

7.   The following run limitations will be applied for every game unless specified by the Umpire in Chief (UIC):  

16U, 14U -        4 Runs per inning – first 3 innings, unlimited 4th and beyond.

         
12U, 10U -        4 Runs per Inning – first 3 innings, unlimited 4th and beyond.

8U -                   3 Runs per inning -- first 3 innings, unlimited 4th and beyond.

Mercy rule shall apply for all games, unless specified by the UIC;

       Mercy Rule:               
            12 runs after 4 innings
            10 runs after 5 innings
              8 runs after 6 innings

8.   Coaches may make defensive substitutions every inning throughout the game, unless otherwise specified by the UIC. However, no player shall sit three innings unless everyone has sat at least one. Coaches are encouraged to make defensive changes often to promote less “bench sitting”.

9.   The Tee-Ball teams do not record wins or losses (there are no standings and every team is tied for first place!). Coaches will bat the entire team and move the players around on the field to encourage change and develop understanding of all positions. Tee-Ball will not have a catcher position. Encourage all players!

A.   Every Tee-Ball player shall play an infield position at least one inning per game. The ball must travel at least 6 feet to be considered at batted ball.

B.   Tee-Ballers will bat in the first inning from lowest to highest jersey number then reverse in the second inning. Coaches can reverse this order game to game. The last batter of the order will hit a home run or be tagged out.

Pitching Rules

10.  MVGSA has adopted the following pitching restrictions to eliminate pitcher dominance and encourage new pitchers.

16/14U Division (pitching distance 40feet)

Unlimited

12U Division (pitching distance 40feet)

"A" Pitcher must pitch a minimum of 4 innings and a maximum of 7 innings per week.

"B" or developmental pitchers will not have a minimum, but will have a 6 innings per week maximum.

10U Division (pitching distance 35feet)

"A" Pitcher must pitch a minimum of 4 innings and a maximum of 7 innings per week.

"B" or developmental pitchers will not have a minimum, but will have a 6 innings per week maximum.

 8U Division (pitching distance 30feet)

"A" Pitcher must pitch a minimum of 4 innings and a maximum of 7 innings per week.

11.   Pitching rules and violations. It is the responsibility of each coach and their scorekeeper to monitor the pitchers and the pitching changes. In the event that a pitching change has been made and not reported to the umpire and the opposing scorekeeper, the opposing scorekeeper must notify the umpire. Additionally, if a pitcher has exceeded their innings pitched and continues to pitch this is also a violation. Safety of our girls is always the number one priority on the field and with that MVGSA has adopted a pitcher removal clause for excessive hit batters (see below)

a. The illegal pitcher (the one not reported) will be removed from the pitching position and will be ineligible to pitch during any portion of that game.

b. In the event that a pitching change is made without being reported and one batter has completed a legal at bat, the following violation rules apply:

1.   The batter who was previously up to bat (if out) may retake her turn at bat and no previous out will be recorded.
               
c. If a pitcher has exceeded her innings pitched and it is discovered. The team in violation will forfeit the current game and the pitcher will be ineligible to pitch in the next game.

d. If a pitcher hits an excessive amount of batters, it will be up to the home plate umpire's judgement to warn and/or remove the pitcher from the game.
   
12.  MVGSA has adopted a maximum of 2 defensive conferences per inning. The Coach must remove the pitcher from the pitchers position if they make a second defensive conference to the pitcher within the same inning. In the event, that a coach makes a third defensive conference to a single pitcher within the same game, the pitcher must be removed from their position. If the pitcher were removed from her position by the coach, not applicable to this rule and then returns to the pitchers position during the course of the game, these rules would then apply as new pitcher.

13.  8U’s will player pitch until the batter hits, strikes out or ball four is called. NO COACH PITCH ALLOWED! 

14.   Tee-Ballers will be COACH pitched for the entire game. The coach will pitch four (4) pitches per child. If the player does not hit the ball within four (4) pitches, the player will then use a tee until she hits the ball.

Batter/Base Running Rules

15.   Teams will bat the entire line-up, unless otherwise specified by the UIC. If a player is removed from a game due to injury there will not be an out taken when the batter cannot fulfill their batting obligations. If a player is removed from the game for any other reason an out will be recorded for their first at bat. If a player is ejected form the game an out will be recorded each time her batting position comes up.

16.   8U runners may steal one base per pitch, once the pitcher has released the ball. Home plate is closed and runners may only advance home on a batted ball, awarded base or an over throw due to a batted ball. A batter who receives a walk cannot steal second base on the same pitched that she walked. 8U have no drop third strike rule.

17.   10U and up will adhere to the ASA rule book

18.   Applies to 8U ONLY:

If the runner is caught leaving early they will be sent back and the coach will receive one team warning. In the event another runner leaves early from that team for the remainder of the game they will be called out.

Safety Rules

19.   In accordance with ASA rules all batter/runners must wear a chinstrap and face mask in an appropriate manner. There are no exceptions to this rule.

20.    Player must be dressed in the appropriate uniform with their shirts tucked inside shorts to reduce the risk of injury. Players who are positioned on the field of play whether offensively or defensively must wear hats and helmets in an appropriate position. Players who wear their hats/helmets worn inappropriately will be removed from the game. A players who does not tuck their uniform in, will be removed from the game.

22.    Players may only use ASA certified/approved Bats.

23.    A player injured during the game will be allowed one pinch runner after she reaches first base. The pinch runner must be the last player who was recorded out by the official scorekeeper.

24.    No player will be allowed to continue in a game when blood is present on her uniform. The coach may allow a substitute for the player until they have changed into fresh clothes and can return to the game. If the player is removed from the game and does not return, the coach must make a legal substitution for the remainder of the game. . In the event that a player returns to the game the substituted player will not be considered a re-entered player.

25.    No player under any circumstance shall operate, assist or work in or around the snack bar area or facility. Exception to this rule applies to individuals who are employed by the company, which was contracted by MVGSA to provide food services.   
   
Player/Coach/Parent Etiquette

26.    If a player, coach or parent is caught throwing equipment the umpire may give them a warning, however, if in the judgment of the umpire, the act of throwing the equipment was severe enough the player, coach or parent can and will be removed from the game/field.

27.    MVGSA is committed to ensuring our league remains a cut above the rest and therefore, no player, coach or spectator shall vocally, mechanically or by any other means make noise, movements or acts to distract a player or disrupt the umpire from their purpose of the game. This shall include chants or songs that can be considered degrading to another individual. This shall also include the “Swing” that defensive players sometimes yell.

Make your cheer/chants positive toward your team – do not direct a cheer at the other team.

28.    Our Menifee Valley Girls Softball Association exists for one reason and that is to provide a positive outside recreational activity for our children to learn discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship and the thrill of competition. If someone or something is found to be in direct conflict with the goals of our league, the BOD will address the issue until complete resolution has been accomplished.