A: Playing Time

1. A player may be substituted in the field whenever time is called.
2. A player may re-enter a game whenever time is called.
3. No player may sit out more then two innings in a six-inning game.
4. Every player must play at least one full inning in the infield and one full inning in the outfield. Managers are required to give each girl their turn in both the infield and outfield during the first four innings to avoid issues with shortened games . The only exceptions to this rule are in the case where a team has the minimum of seven players or for the visiting team in a 3 1/2 inning game. Each manager shall be required to keep a record of the defensive position played by each of their players, by inning. Failure to comply with this rule will result in a forfeit. The violation must be reported to the opposing coach immediately after the game. If there is any disagreement, the violation must be reported to the Division Coordinator, who will examine the "official" score book after which he/she will issue a FINAL ruling.
5. A pitcher may re-enter the game as a pitcher, but not in the same inning.

  B: Pitching

1. A pitcher may pitch no more then three innings per game. Delivery of a single pitch constitutes pitching a full inning.
2. Managers will notify the scorekeeper and opposing team of any pitching changes.
3. The umpire shall simply call an unintentional illegal pitch a "ball". Runners will not advance, if the umpire notices minor illegalities, the umpire and coaches will help the pitcher learn the correct delivery
4. Pitchers will pitch from 35 feet. This distance is consistent with distances used by surrounding townships and will help our less experienced pitchers.  Pitchers have the option of pitching from 40'. Once a pitcher established a position in a game, they must remain at the distance.
5. A batter hit by a pitch will be awarded first base. It is not a "hit by a pitch" if the
   pitch is delivered with significant arc or rolls into the batter, and the umpire determines that the batter did not attempt to move and could have gotten out of the way of the pitch.
6. Intentional walks are not permitted.
7. Two hit batters (according to rule B.5) in one inning or three in a game disqualifies the pitcher from pitching for the remainder of the game.
8. Pitchers will be required to wear mouthpieces/guards while pitching.

C: Batting

1. All players will be listed in the batting order and will bat even if they are not playing in the field. If a player cannot bat because she is injured or leaves or is removed by an umpire because of the blood rule, that player's spot in the lineup will be skipped, and no out shall be called. A player who is taken out for an injury or blood rule is permitted to re-enter the game.
   
2. The batting team can score no more then 5 runs in one inning, except for the sixth inning, in which a limit of 10 runs is in effect
   
3. Bunting is permitted. No fake bunt with a transition into a swing is allowed. The penalty for fake bunt is dead ball and the batter is out.
   
4. "Dropped third strike" rule is not in effect.
   
5. A courtesy runner may be used for the catcher with two outs. The courtesy runner will be the last put out.
   
6. The batter, all base runners, the on deck batter, and any non-adult bat/ball "shaggers " within the fences must be wearing batting helmets.
   
7. A thrown bat will evoke a team warning from the umpire. The next batter from that team who throws a bat will be called out: the ball is immediately "dead," and no further play is permitted. Runners return to the bases they were on at the time of the pitch. Even on the first thrown bat (the one that gets the warning), the batter is still called out if the thrown bat hits a fielder and prevents her from making a play.
   
8. Any batting helmet used must have a full face mask/guard and a chin strap.
   

D: Fielding and Base Running

1. Ten players (if available) will be used in the field: four outfielders must play beyond the edge of the outfield grass and six infielders. Outfielders can come in to the infield on a play once the ball is in play. .
   
2. The infield fly rule will NOT be in effect.
   
3. Stealing will be permitted of second and third base only. See "stealing notes" on last page.
   
4. Rule on overthrows is as follows. A runner is permitted to advance one base on an overthrow to which that runner is approaching. Each time a runner is played on and an overthrow occurs, that runner can advance one base.
   
5. Runners who are still advancing at the time control is gained may continue to run to the next base only. A runner who stops less then half way to the next base must return to the previous base, unless a following runner is entitled to that base, in which case play would continue. The umpire can declare play stopped and place runners on appropriate bases whenever the pitcher gains control in the circle.
   
6. On a base on balls, the batter cannot advance past first base, and no runner can advance past the next base. This is regardless of whether the pitcher has control of the ball in the circle.
   
7. All catchers must, at a minimum, wear a catcher’s mask/helmet with throat protector, chest protector and shin guards.
   

• Runners "ahead" of the "played on" runner are not bound by this rule. They must stop when the ball returns to the circle. (See D.5.)
• Runners " behind" the "played on" runner can only advance as far as the play allows.

EXAMPLE: Runners on the first (R2) and second (R1). After batter hits ball the ball is thrown to second base in an attempt to get R2 out. Overthrows to outfield R2 can attempt to go to third base only. R3 (the batter) can go as far as second base R1 can score. If there is a second attempt to get R2 who is going for third base and there is an overthrow then R2 can try and get home. (A second attempt and overthrow can give the runner another one base ever though from the beginning of the play she has already received one base on the overthrow.)

None of these bases are automatic. The base runner must earn the base with liability to be put out.

E: Games

1. A team must have seven players for a game to start and to be official. Late players are added to the bottom of the lineup as they arrive. No penalties for missing a turn at bat. The team scorekeeper shall notify the scorekeeper of the opposing team, and the scorer in the press box whenever a player is added or dropped from the batting order.
   
2. A game is six innings long.
   
3. Games must start on time.
   
4. Game time will be 1 hour and 45 minutes long. No new inning may start after 1 hour and 45 minutes from the actual starting time. The umpire makes the decision to end the game. The umpire and the two managers shall agree to the actual start time to be used for the
   1 hour and 45 minute limit at the start of the game, with the official time to be kept by the umpire.
5. Games will have a hard stop time after two hours of play.
   
6. A legal game requires 4 full innings if the visiting team is ahead or the game is tied and only 3 ½ innings if the home team is ahead.
   
7. There is no "Mercy Rule". All games shall continue for either six innings, or until the
   1 hour and 45 minute time limit is reached, whichever comes first.
   
8. During playoff games, the International Tiebreaker rule will be used to break ties after six innings, with no time limit.
   

F: Conduct

1. No abusive language or behavior will be tolerated on or around the field. The umpire will have the power to remove violators from the game or field area.
   
2. Sportsmanship and respect toward the other team will be expected of all players, managers, coaches, parents, and fans.
   
3. Cheering for your own team is allowed however you may not cheer against the other team.
   
4. Managers are responsible for their team's conduct in the dugout and on the field.
   

G: General Notes

1. Base coaches are reminded not to physically assist any runners in any way. It is best for base coaches not to touch runners at all.
   
2. When running out a ground ball, runners are reminded to run to first base on the outside of the baseline, to step on orange base, and to run through the base when attempting to beat the throw.
   
3. Runners are reminded to avoid interference with the fielders attempting to field a batted ball.
   
4. Fielders are reminded not to interfere with the runners and get out of the way of runners unless making a play.
   
5. When taking a throw, the first baseman is reminded to step on the white base, and to reach into fair territory if possible. The ONLY time the first baseman can legally use the orange base is to cover a throw originating from the foul side of the first base line. Such a throw is usually a result of a dropped third strike.  Since the dropped third strike rule is not in use, this can only occur if a ball is touched by a fielder in fair territory before it rolls/falls into foul territory, or if a ball is caught in foul territory and a throw is made to double up a runner who has left first base.
   
6. Crash play. The runner is out for interference if the fielder has the ball or is about to receive the ball (that is, the ball is between the fielder and the runner) and the runner remains on her feet and crashes into the fielder.  In flagrant cases, the runner is also ejected from the game. To avoid collision, the runner MAY slide, go around the fielder (within the three foot lane), jump over the fielder, return to the previous base if another base runner is not entitled to it, or give up by slowing down significantly or by stopping
   • The runner is NOT out if the fielder does not have the ball and is not about to receive the ball; or if a runner, ball, and fielder arrive simultaneously; or if the throw draws the fielder into the runner.
   • Fielders are reminded that if they do not have the ball and are not about to receive the ball, they can be called for obstruction if they fail to give the runner a path to the base.

H: Procedure

1. The manager of the home team shall declare rain outs no later than one hour before
   starting time and will inform the opposing manager and the scheduler (John Rittley,
   908-806-0055 (W); 908-310-2525 (C); or mailto:jrittley@rittleylaw.com) of the decision (All emails to the scheduler should be followed up with a phone call).  Home team managers are encouraged to make their decision on rainouts as early as possible, in order to allow sufficient time for notification of the umpire and visiting team players.  If the teams arrive at the field, the authority to declare a rain out becomes the umpire’s.
   
2. All rainouts or postponed games must be rescheduled within one week. John Rittley must do all rescheduling.
   
3. No request to postpone a game will be considered within 48 hours of game time.
   
4. At each game, the home team will line the field, run the concession stand and do the 50-50. After the game the home team must rake the field, clean the concession stand, empty the restroom waste baskets, and lock up. (Running the concession stand and doing the 50-50 are NOT required at Hansen)
   
5. The visiting team will assume the scorekeeping and announcing duties of each game. They are also responsible for emailing the newspaper write up to the Hopewell Valley News (se@pacpub.com) and calling/emailing in the score to the division coordinator. There must be an adult supervising the pressbox.
   
6. Each team is responsible for cleaning around its own dugout and stands. This includes emptying trashcans in the immediate vicinity of the dugout and stands.
   
7. All makeup games must be completed by 5/31/09 or both teams shall forfeit.
   
8. If the umpire does not arrive for the start of the game, the manager of the home team shall immediately contact the scheduler (John Rittley, 908-806-0055 (W); 908-310-2525 (C)) by phone to arrange for a replacement umpire.  If a replacement umpire is not available, by mutual agreement of the two managers the game may either be played or postponed.  If the game is played, the manager of the team at bat shall call balls and strikes for their team, while the opposing manager shall call plays in the field.
   
9. The managers of both teams shall meet with the umpire prior to each game in order to review the rules.
   
10. Everyone involved should help keep the game moving. Teams are expected to hustle on and off the field. The catcher should be ready to start the inning. The on-deck batter should be ready to go when it is her turn. Coaches are reminded to expedite the transfer of helmets between half-innings. Infield warm-up must not delay the game.
    

I: Stealing Notes

1. Runners cannot leave their bases until the ball has crossed the plate. A runner who leaves early is out, the ball is dead immediately; no play is possible.
   
2. Runners can steal only one base on a pitch, regardless of overthrows, either on the play or in an attempt to return the ball to the pitcher.
   
3. There is no stealing of home.
   
4. A runner who advances beyond the base she is allowed to steal or who attempts to steal home when she is entitled to can put out if tagged while off base. If a runner safely reaches a base she is not entitled to, she must return.
   

Examples:

(a). A runner steals second and continues to run on an overthrow. She reaches third safely. She must return to second.

(b). A runner steals second and continues to run on an overthrow, but she is tagged out between second and third. She is out.

(c). A runner steals second, on an overthrow continues to third, then attempts to score, but is put out at home plate. She is out. If she reaches home safely, she has to return to second.

(d). Runners on first and second. Runner on second steals third, but the runner on first does not advance. Throw goes into outfield. Runner who reaches third cannot advance, but the runner on first can run to (steal) second.

(e). Runners on first and second. Runner on second steals third, but the runner on first does not advance. Third baseman throws ball away in attempt to return to pitcher. Runner who reached third cannot advance, but the runner on first can run to ("steal") second.