GOAL - The Instructional Division introduces our youngest players to the game of softball. Only the most basic rules of the game will be used in this non-competitive atmosphere. Players will see team play as they learn to bat, throw, catch, and run bases.

ELIGIBILITY - The Instructional Division is open to any girl in Kindergarten and first grade who lives within or attends school within the boundaries of the Town of Wallingford. The maximum age is seven (7) years as of January 1.

RULES AND GUIDELINES - Instructional Division play shall conform to only the most basic rules of softball. Since the older divisions comply with the rules of the Amateur Softball Association (ASA), it is the intent of the League to gradually introduce Instructional players to these rules.

THE PLAYING FIELD
a. The pitching rubber shall be placed thirty (30) feet from the rear point of home plate.
- Bases shall be placed forty-five (45) feet apart. The home team coach will set the bases and pitching rubber before the game and return them to the locked field box after the game (if necessary). Batting distance arcs will be marked on the field at forty (40) feet (ARC 1) and ninety (90) ARC 2) feet to indicate the base award for each hit (see diagram A - Instructional Diamond).

EQUIPMENT
- Bats used in the League must be marked T-ball, "OFFICIAL SOFTBALL" and/or bear an ASA certification mark. In addition, the following bats will not be allowed for league play:
• All bats listed on the ASA bat ban list
• Bats marked triple-wall, double-wall or composite

- All approved bats must have a WGSL label affixed to the bat. Any player found to be using an illegal bat prior to, during or upon completion of their at bat within the current inning, will automatically be called out and the bat will be removed from the game.
. The League recommends using only the provided bats. Fewer bats will result in fewer accidents.
- The official game ball is the Cooper PolySoft (9"), provided by the League. The home team will provide a new ball each game.
- All batters and baserunners must wear approved batting helmets. Chinstraps must be used while wearing a batting helmet. Helmets must not be removed until the player is off the field. The other team will provide additional helmets upon request.
- Players must wear team shirts. League hats/visors (only) with the visor forward must be worn in the field. There are no exceptions. Warm clothing may be worn under uniforms at any time.
- Metal spikes are prohibited. Players must wear athletic shoes with socks. Non-athletic shoes, street shoes and boots are not allowed.
- All jewelry must be removed. Players should wait until after the season to have ears pierced. This is a safety concern that should not be compromised.
- All fielders must wear softball or baseball gloves (gloves are not supplied by the League).
- The head coach of each team will maintain all League distributed equipment in good working order and will request replacement equipment from the League's Equipment Manager as necessary. This equipment includes but is not limited to balls, bats, helmets, chin straps, equipment bags, score book, and other items supplied by the League.

BATTERS AND RUNNERS (OFFENSE)
- The batting order includes all players present and ready to play. Coaches will insist that players arrive at least ½ hour prior to a scheduled game, when most of the instruction is provided. Occasionally someone will show up late, new players may be added to the end of the order any time during the game. However, parents should be reminded of the importance of the instructional session.
- All players who are not playing in the field, batting, on deck, or running bases must remain in the dugout area (preferably on the bench) during the game without coach's permission to leave this area.
- All players throughout the season will use a batting tee.
- For safety, batters are not allowed to throw the bat. Coaches should be aware of girls who continually throw the bat and teach them to properly "lay the bat down" after hitting the ball.
- A team will remain at bat until each player has had her turn at bat and all play has stopped.
- No walks (base on balls) will be allowed in Instructional.
- Base awards will be awarded as follows:
1st base (single) - batter will be awarded 1st base for a ball hit in the air or on the ground that falls and stays in front of the 40 foot arc (ARC 1).
2nd base (double) - batter will be awarded 2nd base for a ball hit on the ground that passes the 40 foot arc (ARC 1).
3rd base (triple) - batter will be awarded 3nd base for a ball hit in the air that falls between the 40 foot arc and the 90 foot arc (ARC 2).
Home base (home run) - batter will be awarded home base for a ball hit in the air past the 90 foot arc (ARC 2).

- All baserunners must proceed and stop at the base they have been awarded regardless of the playmaking conducted in the field by the defensive team. Competed plays will be verbally rewarded But No outs will be called. Baserunners should hustle to their assigned base with direction and encouragement from the base coaches.

- - Runners can not advance on bad throws.
- There is no infield fly rule.
- Sliding is not allowed at the Instructional level.

DEFENSE (FIELDERS)
- All players will hustle on and off the field between innings to provide as much playing and instruction time for the girls as possible in the limited time available. Coaches should set an example for the girls by hustling themselves.
- Teams will use all available players on defense.
- Only five (5) players can play in the infield at any one time (there is no catcher).
- The base players and shortstop shall be no closer than 40 feet from home plate prior to the pitch.
- Only one (1) player-pitcher can play in the pitching area. She will stand no closer than 30 feet from home plate prior to the pitch (the player-pitcher fields batted balls but doesn't actually pitch).
- All fielders must be properly positioned before each play. No fielder is permitted to stand on a base prior to the ball being hit.
- Infielders must not block baserunners advancing to the next base.
- The remaining players will play the outfield. All outfielders must be positioned no less than five (5) feet beyond the normal infield dirt area prior to the pitch. If the infield is poorly defined or larger than Instructional dimensions, then outfielders must be positioned at least 15 feet behind the bases.
- Instruction being the primary objective of Instructional, coaches shall rotate all players through the various infield and outfield positions throughout the game. However, it is recommended that only the more capable girls play the player-pitcher position due to their proximity to the batter.
- We encourage all defensive players to make an attempt to finish the play. Infielders should be directed to throw caught balls to 1st base, outfielders should be directed to throw caught balls to 2nd base. This is the only way to learn how to make an out.

THE GAME
- Games in the Instructional Division are simply an extension of the learning process. Coaches shall concentrate on teaching skills to their players in a game setting without worrying about the score. Each Coach will have a scorekeeper assigned to count the number of bases attained on offense and the number of plays completed properly on defense. Scores will have no meaning beyond that particular game and should be utilized to motivate the team and determine the teams progress. Specifically, there are no division standings or playoffs.
- Chances are most of these young players have never touched a softball before. Therefore, there will be a mandatory 30 minutes instructional session prior to each game. Coaches are expected to hold additional practice sessions outside of the game schedule.
- Games will continue for one hour. Play will not continue past 7:30 p.m.
- Either coach has the authority to suspend any game prematurely should conditions warrant, i.e. insufficient visibility, wet conditions, lightning, excessive cold, etc. No game should be started or continued if the players are at risk. Games will not be rescheduled if at least one (1) inning of play has been completed or play is halted after 7:00 p.m.

- Postponements: In case of inclement weather, the League no later than one hour-fifteen minutes before game time will postpone games. A division field representative will contact the team's designated contact person by the above time, otherwise the team will assume that the game is still scheduled. The head coach will provide the League with the best home and/or work numbers, which will result in someone in a position of authority on the team answering the call. DO NOT call the field representatives or the President. Teams must report to the field of play, unless otherwise notified.
- Postponed or incomplete suspended games will be rescheduled by the League to be played at the earliest available makeup date.
- Games will not be forfeited due to a lack of players.

OTHER
- Coaches: The League encourages each head coach to use as many parents/coaches as can be managed to teach the girls.
- On defense (in the field), three coaches will be allowed to roam the outfield to help guide the girls. No defensive coach will be allowed in the infield area during normal play. Nor will any coach be allowed to physically interfere with a ball in play. A coach can provide fielding instruction from the sidelines or outfield. Coach not in the outfield should remain in the dugout area.
- On offense (at bat), there will be the two base coaches and a batter coach. For the safety of the girls, a coach should be assigned to the bench to maintain discipline and prepare girls for batting. Players who are not on the field, at bat, on deck or on base are to be in the dugout-bench area preferably on the bench. Scorekeeper help is needed to keep score (more importantly the batting order) and at team practice.
- Coaches should be positioned themselves behind the outfield players to provide assistance and instruction to players without physically interfering with them or the ball in play. A coach from the offensive (batting) team should be stationed behind the plate to retrieve the ball and place balls on the tee; however, this coach will not interfere with a ball in play- There are no umpires in Instructional.
- There will be no division standings or division playoffs in Instructional.
- Conduct: All coaches are reminded that players and spectators may copy their actions. Coaches will set the proper example by reflecting those values and intentions herein. The League will review all complaints relative to the conduct of coaches, players or spectators and respond accordingly.
- For the safety of our girls, the playing area must be kept clear of equipment not being used. Players who are not in the field, at bat, on deck or on base should remain on or immediately around the bench. Spectators and equipment must remain behind the backstop or behind an imaginary line drawn from the end poles of the backstop parallel to the foul lines. A bench coach should be used to enforce this rule, since failure to comply will seriously compromise player safety.
- Smoking/Alcoholic Beverages: Smoking/Alcoholic Beverages: There shall be no drinking of alcoholic beverages allowed in the parks. There shall be no smoking on the playing fields and the surrounding areas. Per Town Ordinance, smoking is only allowed in the parking lot areas of the parks including the Gaylord Field Complex.
Coaches committing an infraction of the smoking rule will receive a written warning after the first infraction. Coaches committing a second infraction of the smoking rule will be suspended indefinitely and subject to review by the respective Division Vice-President, League Vice-President and League President.
Coaches committing an infraction of the alcoholic beverages rule will be suspended indefinitely and subject to review by the respective Division Vice-President, League Vice-President and League President.

Prepared by the League Officers of the
Wallingford Girls Softball league, Inc.

Last Revision Date:
2/1/09 E. Horton