NORTH JACKSON YOUTH BASEBALL, INC.
SPECIFIC RULES FOR ALL LEAGUES
Along with General Rules for All Leagues, the following are specific local league rules. The following specific local league rules supplement the General Rules and take precedence where there is a conflict.
NOTE: These rules are “working” rules and can be amended by NJYB as needed and as the season progresses. The league Commissioners will be responsible for notifying all involved personnel of these changes. Try not to use or abuse these rules to impede the progress and temper of the game. Keep in mind the spirit in which they are written and apply them with the same spirit in mind. Often, common sense will solve all the problems that will arise.
FINAL NOTE: The ultimate rules of NJYB is to teach every kid the basic fundamentals of baseball, to participate fairly, to enjoy and love the game of baseball while instilling the true meaning of sportsmanship. Every kid is looking at each coach as a role model, and therefore, the actions of the coaches will forever be instilled in that kid’s mind regarding baseball. Act accordingly.
3d/4th GRADE SOFTBALL - SPECIFIC RULES
GAME PROCEDURES:
1. Field/Equipment
a. Ball Size 11 inch ‘hard’ softball (11-inch USSSA approved ball, optic yellow in color with a maximum compression of 375# and a COR rating of 46.25 +/- 0.75)
b. Pitching Distance 35 feet
c. Base Path Distance 60 feet 55 feet [USSSA states 60, but we have played on 55]
2. A game consists of 6 innings, but no inning may start after 1 hour and 10 minutes of play. An inning starts at the moment the third out is made to end the prior inning. A game that is shortened due to time or weather becomes an official game after three innings or 2 ½ innings if the home team is ahead. Extra innings to break a tie score will not be played.
3. There is a maximum of 4 runs scored or 3 outs per half inning.
4. The faster the game, the better the game and the more innings we play which is more competitive and fun. To help move the game along:
a. Please have the pitching coach going to the mound as soon as ball four is called.
b. Have someone behind umpire to retrieve balls.
c. Please have catchers in equipment and ready to start the innings.
BATTING/OFFENSE:
5. An extended batting order shall be used. Each player is listed in the batting order, and she bats when her slots comes up. No changes in the batting order are allowed after the start of the game. Any player ariving late shall be added at the end of the batting order.
6. Helmets – all batters and runners must wear protective helmets at all times.
7. Bunting is NOT allowed.
8. No infield fly rule – a ball must be caught to be an out.
9. Stealing is allowed when the ball leaves the pitcher's hand.
a. Runners are not allowed to steal second or home.
b. Runners are not allowed to steal any base when a coach is pitching.
15. There are no pinch runners allowed, except in the case of injury. In the event of injury, the player committing the last out, either at bat or on the bases, shall be the pinch runner.
16. Girls are not required to slide. However, a runner shall be called out and removed from the game if she maliciously runs over a fielder who is holding the ball.
17. If a first or third base coach catches a foul ball that could have possibly been caught by a defensive player, the batter is out.
PITCHING:
10. This league is underhand fast pitch – coaches are required to pitch underhand.
11. Players pitch to the opposing team and coaches pitch to their own team.
12. Pitchers (and coach pitchers) are required to keep one foot on the rubber.
13. Pitching rubber is 35 feet.
14. There will be a chalk circle around the pitching rubber. When the coach comes in to pitch to their team, the pitcher (player) must have one foot inside the circle and no closer to home plate than the coach pitcher.
15. If the player pitcher throws 4 called balls to a batter, the batter’s turn at bat will be completed by a coach pitcher. The coach pitcher will pitch a minimum of 1 pitch and no more than 3 pitches (unless the at bat is extended by a foul ball) depending on the batter’s strike count (if the count was 4-0 when the coach enters, the coach gets 3 pitches; if the cound was 4-2, the coach gets 1 pitch). The player pitcher continues to play defense and resumes pitching with the next batter.
16. The batter cannot strike out on a foul ball.
17. If a batter is hit by a player pitcher, the batter will advance to 1st base. Bouncing/rolling pitch that hits batter is not considered a hit by pitch and the batter is not awarded first base. If a player is hit by a coach pitcher, it counts as a pitched ball.
18. Pitchers and catchers may only play a maximum of two innings per game. Innings can be played consecutively or non-consecutively (eg., 1st and 3rd inning).
DEEFNSE:
19. Positions – all players are to play in the infield and outfield as evenly as possible.
a. All players play in the field – no one in the dugout when playing defense.
b. Infield – only standard infielders are allowed – first, second, shortstop, third, pitcher and catcher; All players are to play in the infield each game.
c. Outfield – all outfielders must be at least 15 feet deep in the grass.
d. Catchers – catching gear is worn by the catcher and is located in the equipment shed.
20. No player may play more than 2 innings of infield in a game, unless the game goes five innings. Coaches are encouraged to “flip the infields and outfields” each inning to the extent possible.
21. Coach in field – only one coach is allowed in the outfield while their team is playing defense – no coach allowed in the infield.
22. Overthrows – On any play made at any base and there is an overthrow – the runner may advance at her own risk one base only (regardless the number of overthrows).
24. If one team has the game mathematically won, the winning coach is required to flip the regular infield players and outfield players.
PLAY STOPS:
23. Play stops when ball crosses pitchers circle. Once the ball is thrown in from the outfield and it is under the infielder’s control and inside the baseline, third base coaches are encouraged to use their discretion not to take advantage of the other team’s infielders who are not developed enough in 3rd or 4th grade to throw a player out at home.
24. Base runners will adhere to the “half-way” rule: if you are halfway, you move forward to the next base; if you are not halfway, you return to the base behind you.
Umpires:
25. We have official umpires calling balls and strikes.
26. Umpires will be aggressive in calling strikes – they do not want four balls.
27. There is no arguing with umpires.
Other:
28. Please encourage kids to swing the bat and not to take all pitches waiting on the coach to pitch. Let them be aggressive at the plate.
29. Failure to field eight (8) uniformed players at game time shall constitute a forfeit.
31. Only coaches and players are allowed in the dugouts or on the field. The team at bat must have only the batter, the on-deck batter, the pitching coach, and the first and third base coaches out of the dugout. The first and third base coaches must remain in the coaching boxes and the on-deck batter shall stand near the dugout behind the batter. The team in the field shall have only the ten players and the fielding coach located in deep center field.
32. All equipment, including bats, must be kept behind the fence or in the dugout.
33. A coach cannot call time and go onto the field to talk to the players more than once an inning or twice in one game. Under no circumstances shall any team delay the game unnecessarily. The umpire may forfeit the game to the non-violating team after repeated delays and at least one warning.
3d/4th GRADE
TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES
Home Team Responsibilities:
1. Game balls – located in the concession stand – get 2 new game balls for each game.
2. Scoreboard – Home team sets up and operates the scoreboard. The scoreboard operation panel is kept in concession stand. Home team is responsible for having a parent volunteer to keep score and announce for each game – have this lined up early to avoid delays.
3. Press box – children under 12 are NOT allowed in the press box – please make sure parents are aware of this. Please keep them off the dirt piles behind the green equipment building.
4. Amp and microphone – Field 8 is set up with speakers to announce lineups, play national anthem, Lord’s Prayer and play music in between innings. We are the only field to do this. If home team does not want to do this, let visiting team know ahead of time.
5. Lord’s Prayer – home team players say a prayer before the game (e.g., Lord’s Prayer or any prayer). It does not matter if it is one or four of the kids who says it.
6. Return the amp, microphone, and scoreboard to the concession stand after the game.
7. Turn off power at end of last game – lights and scoreboard (two different locations).
Electronics/Lights:
8. Scoreboard – The power switch to the scoreboard is in left field on the other side of the bathrooms between Field 7 and 8. Same power box as Field 7 – do not to turn off anything on Field 7.
9. Lights – two light switches located behind the green maintenance shed behind home plate.
Pregame:
10. Dugouts – home team in third base dugout; visitor in first base dugout.
11. Do not enter the field until the previous team has left the field.
12. Batting cages – located in right field are for Field 8 use only; share them pre-game.
13. Equipment shed – our equipment shed is in front of the maintenance shed. Keep the lock on the equipment shed locked during games.
14. National Anthem – each team will lineup on their baseline starting at home facing flag.
15. Lineup card – each team needs to turn in a lineup pregame to the press box.
16. Pre-game warm-ups – The visiting team should take ten minutes of infield practice twenty minutes before game time. The home team then takes infield for the remaining ten minutes until game time. If the previous game runs late, the pre-game infield time should be reduced and split evenly between the two teams.
Post-Game:
17. Clean up your dugout prior to leaving the field after the game.
18. All balls and equipment needs to be returned to the shed after the final games.
19. Snacks/Tickets – It has been league standard for parents to buy tickets for kids after each game. This benefits our concessions and makes it easier on parents. Kids love it.
North Jackson Youth Softball
Conduct Rules
1. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products are not allowed at the ball parks. Any coach or parent found to be in possession of, or under the influence of, alcoholic beverages will be asked to leave the park by the umpire, commissioner, or other NJYB official. Any coach who violates this rule shall be suspended by the Commissioner.
2. Any player, coach parent, or other spectator heard booing or using profanity will be asked to leave the park by the umpire, commissioner, or other NJYB official. Any coach who uses profanity during practices or games shall be suspended by the Commissioner.
3. Any player who throws a bat, helmet, glove or other equipment in anger, or who displays any other unsportsmanlike conduct may be removed from the game at the discretion of the umpire. An ejected player’s spot in the batting order shall be ruled an out each subsequent time.
4. After one warning per team per game, a batter who slings a bat during her swing may be called out at the discretion of the umpire
5. No one may question the judgment call of an umpire, but a clarification of a rule may be sought.
6. Calling out at a batter to distract her is prohibited. This applies to opposing players, coaches, and spectators. If this occurs, the batter may be rewarded an extra strike at the discretion of the umpire.
7. Coaches are not allowed to talk to the umpires from the dugout, or to intimidate or criticize the umpires in any way. Violation of this rule can result in expulsion from the game and thereby the forfeiture of said game. The Commissioner shall have the authority to suspend said coach for subsequent games or for the season.