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House League Rules for Mite/Squirt/Peewee Divisions 1. Regulations: a. DESA 2009 Age Classifications:
b. DESA Division Pitching and Base Distances:
2. Playing Field a. The Home Team will supply and install bases as well as the white rubber pitching plate. It is mandatory that the bases be installed 15 minutes before the game starts. b. The double base (safety bag) is mandatory for use at first base for all Mite, Squirt and Peewee divisions. § In the Squirt and Peewee division, if a runner goes through the 1st base and steps on the white portion of the base, the runner will be called out. If a runner makes the turn to 2nd base and steps on the orange portion of the base, the runner will be called out. If the first baseman is standing on the orange portion of the base, the runner is safe. § In the Mite division, players will not be called out, but the coaches are encouraged to teach proper use of the safety bag to prevent injuries and to encourage proper base running techniques. c. Jewelry MUST be removed. There will be no TAPING or COVERING up of any piercings, necklaces or any other type of jewelry. There will be an initial warning for the first offense to the team. The 2nd offense will result in the player being ejected. § Medic Alert is NOT considered jewelry d. The Home Team will supply 2 balls (1 new and 1 used) to the umpire prior to the game. 3. Equipment a. The Mites and Squirts Division will use an eleven (11) inch softball. The Peewee Division will use a twelve (12) inch softball. b. Batting Helmets with chinstraps fastened on both sides are MANDATORY for all batters and base runners in all age groups. If the batter or base runner removes his/her helmet or fails to do up or undoes the chinstrap before he/she crosses the out of play line, they will be called out. Helmets MUST be worn if a player or a minor person is coaching a base. Essentially, if you enter the playing field when on offense, a helmet MUST be worn and secured. § Umpires will be reminding all coaches of this rule as well as the Jewelry rule before the start of each game. c. There will be no use of any composite bats or wooden bats. All bats MUST be aluminum. If there are any questions as to whether a bat is composite or aluminum, remove the bat for the remainder of the game and consult the executive of DESA in writing, who will provide an answer for clarification. A detailed list of banned bats can be found under the equipment section in Tab 3 – Coaches Responsibilities of this binder. d. Pants are NOT mandatory, but encouraged, as sliding is part of the game and could result in injury, if proper precautions are not taken. 4. Players and substitutions a. All players MUST be rotated through the defensive line up so that no player sits twice before another player has sat. There is a rotation planner located in the Resources section of this binder which must be filled out to ensure each player is given the chance to play as much as the next player. b. A team MUST have nine (9) players present, however, a game may start with a team only having eight (8) players present and the ninth player will be recorded as an out. A team MUST finish the game with a minimum of eight (8) players. c. MITE DIVISION ONLY: Two coaches will be allowed on the field for the purpose of defensive positioning. Coaches must also rotate the players from outfield to infield and have each player rotated to new positions each inning. Pitchers are excluded from rotating but may only pitch two innings consecutively. d. If a player arrives late, they may be added to the bottom of the batting order without penalty. e. Offensive substitution is allowed for an injured player or to remove a catcher from a base to dress for the next inning. The substitution must be the last recorded player to be out. 5. The Game a. READ SCHEDULES CAREFULLY AND NOTE THE TIME AND PLACE b. Play will discontinued when lightening is spotted. c. Mites will play 1 hour and 30 minute games with no new inning starting after 1 hour and 15 minutes. Squirts and Peewees will play 1 hour and 45 minute games with no new inning starting after 1 hour and 30 minutes. d. All games will start at 6:30 p.m. (unless otherwise specified). Teams arriving late will be given a 15 minute grace period which will end promptly at 6:45 p.m. e. All games will be 7 innings or the maximum time allotment of 1 hour and 30 minutes for Mites or 1 hour and 45 minutes for the Squirts and Peewee Division. f. A game will be considered complete if: § 7 innings have been played; § There are at least 2 complete innings played (1 ½ innings if home team is ahead) § The mercy rule applies (if a team is leading by fifteen (15) runs anytime after 5 innings (see Rule 5 (i) below) § When in the opinion of the umpire, it is too dark to safely continue the game. g. Play will stop immediately when a player is injured. All runners, if forced, advance one (1) base, if the injury is to a defensive player. h. An Injured or ill player may be removed from the batting order providing there are still eight (8) players remaining on the team without penalty. If that number drops below eight (8) players then that team forfeits and the game is concluded, with the win being awarded to the opposing team. i. There shall be a Mercy Rule whereby a complete game will be declared if one team is leading by fifteen (15) or more runs after the completion of the fifth inning, or any succeeding inning. 6. Pitching Regulations a. Pitchers in the Mite division may only pitch 3 innings per game, but can only pitch 2 consecutive innings. Pitchers in the Squirt and Peewee division may pitch a total of 4 innings, however they cannot pitch in more than 2 consecutive innings. b. Pitchers MUST start with both feet on the rubber pitching plate. c. Pitchers will be allowed to have 5 warm up pitches each inning. Warm up catcher MUST be wearing a mark. 7. Batting a. All players MUST bat. There will be no more than 7 runs per inning for any one team. After three (3) outs or seven (7) runs are scored, the offensive side will be retired. The only difference will be the last inning, where an umpire will notify both coaches that it is the last inning and teams can score as many runs as they can. b. The infield fly rule will be in effect for the Squirt and Peewee divisions. It will NOT be used for the Mite division. c. The batter is out if the catcher drops the ball on the 3rd strike. Runners may advance is they wish. d. If a batter is struck by a pitch, they will be awarded first base and all other forced runners will advance. e. A batter MUST move out of the batters box when a runner is coming home. A batter who remains in the batter’s box when this play happens, will be called out for interference and the runner coming home will be called out. 8. Base Running a. There will be NO stealing in the Mite division. In the Squirt and Peewee divisions, a runner may steal once the ball has left the pitcher’s hand. b. Runners may advance beyond 1st base on a walk, if the ball I not in the control of the pitcher. If the pitcher has the ball and is on the rubber plate, all runners must be on a base or moving to a base. A runner who does not immediately make a move to a base will be called out for a lead off. c. Leading off is NOT permitted. d. The umpire will issue warnings to both teams prior to the start of the game in regards to: § Throwing of the bat § Removal of a helmet/chinstrap before leaving the playing field § Lead offs § Jewelry Failure of the umpire to issue the warnings will negate the effect: EFFECT: Any batter called out for throwing the bat, leading off, wearing jewelry or removing their helmet/chinstrap will be declared out and the play will be ruled dead. e. If a base runner passes another base runner, the one who passes will be called out. f. There will be touching or assisting any runners while they are running the base lines. 9. Dead Ball/Ball in Play a. In the judgment of the umpire, if the batter is called out for throwing his/her bat, the ball will be deemed dead and the runner cannot advance. b. A player from the infield who has control of the ball may ask for a time out from the umpire, at which time the umpire can call the play dead and runners cannot advance. c. If a player removes their helmet, is leading off or is caught wearing jewelry, the umpire will call time out, issue an out and the play is deemed dead. 10. Protests and Suspensions a. There will be NO PROTESTS b. Players, spectators or team officials ejected during a play or at the conclusion of a play by the umpire, will leave the playing field immediately, and if so designated by the umpire, the park itself. c. Penalties will be as follows: § First Offense – Suspension of one (1) complete game § Second Offense – Suspension of three (3) complete games § Third Offense – Suspension for remainder of the softball season d. All suspensions and ejections MUST be reported to the executive by the umpire and by the coach of the suspended individual, failure to do so will result in the team forfeiting their next game. e. Coaches, players and spectators are expected to behave in a sportsmanlike manner. If in the opinion of the umpire, the principle of sportsmanship is not being adhered to, the umpire has the authority to eject these individuals from the game and from the park. 11. Rescheduled Games a. Games will be rescheduled for the following reasons ONLY: § Weather/Field Conditions § At the direction and or requirement of the Executive as required with a minimum of two (2) weeks notice for rescheduling, if possible. b. The determination of whether a diamond is playable is the umpire’s decision and that decision will be final. 12. Other a. The Home Team will be responsible for submitting the proper score. The score should be checked with the visiting team at the end of each inning. b. Smoking is not allowed by anyone in the proximity of the diamonds. Please proceed to the parking lot if you wish to smoke. c. Players signed to either O.A.S.A. or P.W.S.A. certificates are NOT eligible to play. Players released from O.A.S.A. or P.W.S.A. certificates may play, but only after receiving approval from the DESA Executive. ~Rules, penalties and fines will be enforced at the discretion of the Executive Committee~ |
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