LGSA “Juniors” League - Information & Rules (9-12 Year Old Division)
Coaches are appointed on an annual basis and are voted upon by the Executive Board. Teams are selected by the League Commissioner and emphasis is placed on the equality of age rather than school. LGSA firmly believes the socialization aspect of the sport should be considered with the introduction of players from different schools. Attempts are made to retain the previous year’s roster; however movement may be necessary in order to have equality by age. Open teams will have a lottery for coaching assignments. Coaches should wear the provided LGSA team shirt during all games. Coaches should refrain from wearing clothing with tobacco, alcohol or other potentially offensive content during any LGSA activity whether practice, game, fundraiser, etc. Additionally, foul language will NOT be tolerated by coaches, parents or players. Please report any misconduct to an Executive Board member or the League Co-Commissioner. Skills clinics will be conducted weekly for approximately one month prior to the first game for Lil Lassie, Lassie, and Junior divisions. All coaches and/or assistants must assist with their respective skills clinics. Coaches are encouraged to have individual team practices as well. Remember the main focus of this division is skills development and fostering a passion for softball.
LISTED BELOW ARE THE EXCEPTIONS TO THE ASA RULES. These rules are an attachment to the LGSA by-laws.
Minimum age of 10 and maximum age of 12 as of January 1st of the current year.
2. No new inning shall be started after 75 minutes of play. Current inning shall be completed OR game will stop at 90 minutes whichever comes first.
LGSA umpire will keep official time. All games will be considered a legal game at the end of the time limit regardless of the number of innings played. 3. No more than three minutes are allowed between innings. Home plate umpire will call balls and strikes when the three minute time limit has expired.
4. A minimum of 7 players is required at the start of the game otherwise a forfeit will be declared.
Teams may pick up other Junior division players but may not exceed 9 players total.
Pitchers and catchers from other teams may be used but may not pitch or catch in the game.
If an original team member arrives late resulting in a team total of more than 9 players, then the borrowed player will be dismissed.
Player pool is not permitted during tournament play. 5. Offensive half of the inning will consist of three outs or three runs. Teams will bat their entire roster with no changes.
If a player comes late, she will be added to the bottom of the lineup.
If a player is injured while batting and cannot continue, the last scheduled batter may take her place and assume the batter’s count.
If a player is injured while on the bases, the last scheduled batter may take the runner’s place. January 2015
If a player is injured, cannot bat, or leaves before the game ends, her spot in the lineup is skipped with no out charged to the team. She can reenter the game but only in her original batting order.
If a player cannot play defense due to an injury, she is not allowed to bat. 6. A 10 run rule will apply after 5 innings (or 4 ½ if home team ahead).
International tie breaker rule does apply and is used in the event of a tie game. For the offensive team, the last batted out from the previous inning will start on second base. 8. Drop third strike rule applies for all innings except during international tie breaker innings.
ASA designated hitter rule does not apply.
ASA courtesy runner for pitchers and catchers does apply.
There is a mandatory pinch runner for the next inning’s catcher after two outs in the offensive inning. The pinch runner will be last recorded out.
Runners may steal, including home plate, on passed balls, wild pitches, or overthrows.
Runners must slide to avoid contact. At the umpire’s discretion, a player may be called out for not sliding.
Pitchers will follow ASA guidelines which require both feet positioned on the pitching rubber.
Per ASA guidelines, the pitcher will be removed from the pitching mound and replaced for the rest of the inning on a coach’s second trip to the pitching mound. She may play another position on the field.
All girls will play defense at least every other inning and free substitution is allowed.
Only coaches and players are allowed on the bench or in dug-out areas. NO EXCEPTIONS.
LGSA approves two coaches per team annually. Only the two approved coaches are allowed on the field of play and only the approved coaches may approach an umpire for clarity.
Umpire decision is final. Protests are not allowed. If you have questions and are a coach, call time out and confer with the umpire.
All batters, runners and on-deck hitters will wear appropriate safety equipment provided. All batting helmets must have a face mask and chin strap.
Catchers will wear catching equipment at all games and during practices.
No jewelry of any kind may be worn.
Home team will keep official score.
Second team listed on the schedule is home team and will occupy the 3rd base dugout.