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Junior Division Rules click here to download Junior Division Rules file It is the objective of the Wallingford
Girls' Softball League to provide an organized slow pitch softball league to girls who live in the Town of Wallingford, while
providing a positive learning experience for all participants. The League stresses skill development, team play and fun. Fair
play, cooperation and respect among players, coaches, parents/spectators, umpires and officials shall always be emphasized.
All rules established by the League are directed to these ends and, therefore, shall be interpreted and applied by the coaches
in the way in which they are intended. Circumventing these intentions to win, though technically permissible in some cases,
is not considered in the best interest of the league, its participants and, most importantly, the girls. GOAL - It is our goal to provide a transition between the more educational
Clinic Division and the more experienced Senior Division. Competition is encouraged, though never above fair play. ASA rules
play a significant role in this division, though minor adjustments have been made to reflect the League objective and the
youth of the players. Players will be taught team play and encouraged to refine their individual abilities to bat, throw,
catch, and run bases. ELIGIBILITY -
The Junior Division is open to any girl in grades
4-7* who lives within or attends school within the boundaries of the Town of Wallingford. The maximum age is 13 years as of
January 1 prior to the playing season. * 7th
grade players must have approval from the
League Board of Directors to participate in the Junior Division. (See 7th grade option)
THE RULES The Junior Division conforms to Amateur Softball Association
(ASA) rules, exceptions below. The format below is consistent with the "ASA Playing Rules & Umpire Manual".
1. DEFINITIONS (ASA Rule 1) The following definitions have been emphasized, added and/or modified from ASA:
Base on Balls. There will be no intentional walks. Call-up. A call-up is a registered Clinic Division player who conforms to the Call-up procedures
noted herein. In general, a call-up is asked to substitute for a missing Junior player to prevent the forfeit of a schedule
Junior game Coach. Up to 3 offensive coaches are allowed on the field, but not in fair territory during active play. Also, a defensive
coach can stand behind the umpire to field errant pitches. The coach behind the umpire must remain silent. This provides an
opportunity to throw the ball back to the pitcher; not intended for the purpose of providing direction or coaching of the
players/game. Infield Fly. There is no infield fly rule in the Junior Division. League.
The Wallingford Girls' Softball League as represented
by its League Officers. Strike Zone. When the batter assumes a natural batting stance, the strike zone is that space
directly over any part of home plate between the armpits and knees. Exaggerated stances will not alter the strike zone. 2. THE PLAYING FIELD (ASA Rule 2) b. Bases shall be placed 60 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. The home team coach should identify the correct pitching rubber
and cover the others 3. EQUIPMENT (ASA Rule 3) a. Bats used in the League must be marked "OFFICIAL
SOFTBALL" by the manufacturer and/or bear an ASA certification mark. In addition, the following bats will not be allowed
for league play: a. All bats listed on the ASA bat ban list, b. Bats marked triple-wall, double-wall or composite.
Coaches must verify all bats with the Umpire(s) prior to the start of each game. 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 call must take place
before the first pitch is thrown to the next batter within the current inning. b. The official game ball will be a
Synthetic Softball (11") or a comparable softball as approved and provided by the League. Both teams will provide the
umpire with a new game ball prior to the start of the game. c. The catcher must wear all catchers’ equipment
while positioned behind the plate. This equipment includes a combination helmet/mask with a properly adjusted throat protector,
shin guards and a chest protector. d. All batters, base runners and player-base coaches 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 umpire will issue a warning on the first offense. For subsequent offenses, it will be up to the umpire’s discretion
if the offender will be called out or ejected from the game. If additional helmets are needed to address safety, the other
team will provide them upon request. e. Players
must wear their League approved jersey, visor, socks to every game. Players must wear either solid white/grey/black baseball
pants or their League approved softball shorts to every game. There are no exceptions. While in the field, players must wear
sweatshirts and other warm clothing under their uniforms. Players who fail to change into their proper uniform, upon request
by either the umpire or a League official will not be allowed to play in the game. f. Metal spikes are prohibited. Players must wear rubberized
cleats or other athletic shoes. Non-athletic shoes, street shoes and boots are not allowed. g. All visible jewelry
must be removed. Players who fail to remove the jewelry upon request will not be allowed to play in the game. (Note: players
should wait until after the softball season to have ears pierced.) h. The head coach will maintain all League distributed
equipment in good working order and will request replacement equipment from the League's Equipment Manager as necessary. 4. PLAYERS & SUBSTITUTES (ASA Rule 4) a. The minimum number of players needed to start and continue a game is 9 per team. If at least 9 players per
team are present and ready to play, the game will begin at the scheduled time. There is no out for the missing tenth player.
Rule # 4.d. c. Teams will use 10 players on defense, including 4 outfielders. If shorthanded, 3 outfielders will be used.
All outfielders must be positioned no less than 10 feet beyond the normal infield dirt area prior to the pitch. If the infield
is poorly defined, then outfielders must be positioned at least 20 feet behind the bases. For safety, the 4 base players will
be positioned no closer than 50 feet from home plate and in fair territory prior to the pitch. No infielder is permitted to
stand on a base or in foul territory (except for the catcher) at the time of the pitch. d. The ASA Shorthanded Rule
does not apply (i.e., no automatic out for missing batters). e. The ASA Re-Entry Rule (ASA Rule 4.5.) does not apply.
Defensive substitutions are permitted within the following restrictions: (1) Each girl must play a minimum of 3 innings
on defense. (2) Defensive substitutions from the bench or the field must be made prior to the start of each half inning
unless: a fielder is injured or must otherwise leave the game or if a team is playing with nine players, the late tenth player
may be introduced by calling for a time-out and informing the opposing team. All other rules apply. (3) Any pitcher
who is removed from that position cannot return to the pitching position in the same inning nor more than once during the
game. f. All players who are not playing defense, coaching, batting, on deck, or running bases must remain in the dugout/bench
area during the game without coach’s permission. 5.
THE GAME (ASA Rule 5) a. Game
time is as indicated on the game schedule. A team with less than nine (9) players present at the scheduled game time will
be granted up to fifteen (15) minutes of grace. After the grace period, a team or teams with less than nine (9) players will
forfeit the game. No coach, umpire, or other League official has the authority
to extend the grace period beyond fifteen (15) minutes. b. All games are 7 innings. If the score is tied at the end of 7 innings, as
many complete innings as necessary to break the tie will be played. c. Umpires have the authority to suspend or postpone
any game should conditions warrant, i.e. insufficient visibility, wet conditions, lightning, excessive cold, continuous harassment
from anyone present, etc. d. A new inning cannot start after 8:30 pm with the exception of any game scheduled to start
at 7pm or later. For these games, a new inning cannot start after 10pm. e. A game called by the umpire shall be regulation
if five or more complete innings have been played, or if the team second at bat has scored more runs in four or more innings
than the other team has scored in five or more innings. Games that are not considered regulation shall be resumed at the exact
point where they were stopped. f. Playoff games will be scheduled by the League at the conclusion of the regular playing
season. The League will determine the playoff format. h. Make-up of postponed games are a continuation of the game and all rules apply, with the
exception of 4.e. where as if there are girls that could not be present at the make-up date to complete their three (3) consecutive
innings of play, they may be substituted with available players i. All players and coaches will hustle on and off the
field between innings. All players will be ready and in position when the umpire declares "play ball". If, in the
judgment of the umpire, either team unnecessarily delays play, the umpire will call a ball (or balls) for a defensive delay
or a strike (or strikes) for an offensive delay. j. The travesty (run ahead limit) rule must be used after 4 innings
are completed and one team has scored 20 runs or more than the other team or
after 5 innings are completed and
one team has scored 15 runs or more than the other team. Complete innings must be played unless the home team scores the run
ahead limit. Whenever the run ahead limit is used and the visiting team reaches the limit in the fifth or later inning, the
home team must have an opportunity to bat in the bottom half of the inning. If the home team reduces the lead to less than
15 runs in the fifth or sixth inning, the game will continue. a. The pitcher must
begin her delivery in a stationary position with one or both feet on the pitching rubber and she must hold this position for
at least one second before starting the pitching motion. After starting the motion, the pitcher is allowed only one step toward
the plate until the ball is batted. No windup is allowed. b. The Junior Division will use a 5 to 10 foot arc measured
from the ground. c. A maximum of three (3) warm-up pitches will be allowed between half innings. d. The catcher
shall be in full gear and ready to take her position at the end of each half inning, unless she was the last batter, on deck
or a base runner. In this case, another player or the coach will take the three (3) warm-up pitches as the catcher dresses.
a. Each team shall submit a batting order to the opposing coach before the start
of each game. The batting order must include all players present and ready to play. Players who arrive after a game is in
progress will be placed at the end of the batting order. c.
Five (5) Run per inning Rule: A team remains at bat until three (3) outs are declared or the Team scores five
(5) runs. Said rule shall not be applicable for the final inning (or extra innings) as determined by the umpire. During the
final inning (or extra innings), a Team may score an unlimited number of runs. 8. BATTER-RUNNER AND RUNNER (ASA Rule 8) a. A base on balls will be awarded to the batter if the bases are loaded. b. There will be no intentional
walks. c. Bat throwing is not allowed. The umpire will issue a warning on the first offense. For subsequent offenses
it will be up to the umpire's discretion if the offending batter will be called out or removed from the offensive line-up
for the remainder of the game. d. There is no infield fly rule in this Division. e.
Sliding is permitted in this Division. (1) A misinterpretation of a playing rule which must be protested
before the next pitch. (2) An illegal substitution or re-entry must be protested while she is in the game and before
the umpires leave the playing field. (3) An ineligible player which can be protested anytime. Any protest must
be presented in writing to a League Vice-President or President with in 24 hours to be considered. The final step of any protest
is resolution by the League Officers. The final interpretation of any and all by-laws, rules, and/or procedures is the sole
responsibility of the League Directors. 10. UMPIRES (ASA Rule 10) a. Umpires are given charge of the game. They represent the League and are required and authorized
to enforce the rules and to make decisions on situations not specifically covered by the rules. Umpires will be treated with
the respect due all participants in the League. b. a. The umpire will call time when, in the judgment of the umpire,
all action in progress has been completed. Time will not be automatically called by the umpire simply because a player or
coach requests it. 11. SCORING (ASA Rule 11) a. The home team is the official scorekeeper. Each scorekeeper
will confirm the score at the end of each half inning by conferring with the opposing team scorekeeper. Discrepancies will
be resolved before play is allowed to continue. b. The score of a forfeited game shall be 7-0 in favor of the team
not at fault. If both teams forfeited, their individual records will each reflect a 7-0 loss. Coach
responsibilities: See "Coaches Agreement" Conduct:
All coaches are reminded that players and spectators will
emulate their conduct. Coaches will set an example by providing a model reflecting those values and intentions herein. Any
coach ejected from a game for unsportsmanlike conduct or abusive language/behavior will be required to leave the field area
within three (3) minutes of notification by the umpire. Failure to leave in the designated time will result in the forfeit
of the game. Any coach ejected from a game will automatically serve an additional one game suspension to be enforced the next
game the team plays. The offending coach's continued participation in the League will be subject to review by the respective
Division Vice-President, League Vice-President and League President. Safety:
The playing area must be kept clear of equipment not being
used. Spectators must stay behind the fence. Players not in the field, at bat, on deck or on base should remain in the dugout-bench
area. Where there is no fence, spectators and equipment must remain behind an imaginary line drawn from the end poles of the
backstop parallel to the foul lines. Failure to comply with this rule will seriously compromise player safety and may end
in a forfeit by the team at fault. 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. JUNIOR CALL-UP PROCEDURES 2. At the start of the season, the League will provide each Junior team head
coach with the name and phone number of each Clinic team head coach. If there is reason to believe that a team will be unable
to field 9 players for a scheduled Junior game the Junior head coach may contact the parents of girls on the call-up list
from the Clinic team that has a BYE for that day. If, in an emergency situation, enough girls are no available from the BYE
team to complete the roster, the Junior division head coach may contact the Clinic division head coach of the teams that are
schedule to play for no more than one girl from a team. It will be the discretion of the head coach and the parent of the
player to agree to give a player the opportunity to play in the Junior division game and miss her own Clinic division game.
No Junior division coach may contact a Clinic division player’s family without the prior expressed permission of the
parent. 4. The Junior head coach
shall report the use of a call-up player to the League when reporting the game scores. The League will provide phone numbers.
5. Any coach violating these call-up rules and procedures will be reprimanded. Subsequent violation will include suspension.
In addition, the team's performance will be evaluated by the League Officers to determine if unfair advantage was gained by
using the illegal call-up. If so determined, further sanctions (including forfeiture) may be imposed. Senior Call-Up Procedures 1. All Junior Division head coaches will evaluate their teams
during the pre-season for the expressed purpose of selecting 2 or 3 players who have skill, knowledge and attitude to complete
at the Senior level. These selections may be eligible for call-up subject to risk playing with the older girls 2. Junior
coaches will obtain permission from the parent of each girl before submitting her name and phone number to the League. Depending
on the number of eligible girls, the League will place the players on any number of call-up lists, which may be updated at
any time. Approved by the Wallingford Girls Softball League, Inc. Last Revision Date: November, 2010
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