LGSA “Lassies” League - Information & Rules (7-8 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 7 and maximum age of 9 as of January 1st of the current year.
Bases are set at 60’. Home plate to pitching rubber is 30 ft. Pitching circle is 10’ in diameter. Lead off line is 8’.
Second team listed on the schedule is home team and will occupy the 3rd base dugout.
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 start game and monitor time. All games will be considered legal game at the end of the time limit regardless of the number of innings played.
One umpire will be used during regular season play. Two umpires will be used during tournament play.
Coaches will call time out to discuss issues with the umpire or other coaches in a respectful manner. Parents and non-coaching staff are NOT allowed to address the umpire regarding rules or game situations.
Any concerns with these rules or situations that arise during play should be directed to an Executive Board member or League Co-Commissioner.
No jewelry of any kind may be worn. LGSA Lassie League Rules KID PITCH RULES (first and third innings only)
Players will pitch following ASA guidelines which require both feet positioned on the pitching rubber. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Three strikes constitute an out and four balls is a walk.
HIT BY PITCH: If a batter is hit by a pitch during kid pitch then the batter will take first base. Per ASA rules, if the ball hits the ground and then the batter, the batter is awarded first base.
COACH PITCH RULES
Coaches will pitch following ASA guidelines which require both feet positioned on the pitching rubber. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Batters may only advance by a batted ball. No walks or hit-by-pitch apply.
Batter gets 3 swings or 5 pitches, whichever comes first. No called third strikes. Batter may continue batting if the fifth and any subsequent pitch is deemed a foul ball. An out will be recorded after the 5th or final, non-fouled pitch.
Pitched balls MUST have a flat trajectory.
If a batted ball hits the coach pitcher the result is a dead ball and the pitch is replayed. Runners may not advance.
If a coach intentionally interferes with a batted ball while pitching, the batter will be called out.
OFFENSIVE RULES
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.
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.
Drop third strike rule does not apply.
No bunting allowed.
International tie breaker rule only applies during tournament play (refer to ASA rule book).
All batters, runners and on-deck hitters will wear appropriate safety equipment provided. All batting helmets must have a face mask and chin strap. LGSA Lassie League Rules
BASE RUNNING
Runners may lead off once the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand (for both KID and COACH pitch) and may not exceed the lead off line (~8 ft from base). A runner that leaves a base early or goes beyond the lead off line will be declared out.
No stealing allowed.
Play is stopped when (1) the defense stops the lead runner, or (2) after the defense overthrows a base on a legitimate attempt to throw out a runner. • In the event of an overthrow, a batter or runner at her own risk may attempt only ONE extra base.
A runner may not attempt an additional base on a second overthrow.
Runners less than halfway to the next base when an overthrow occurs can advance only to that base on an overthrow
Runners more than halfway to the next base when an overthrow occurs can advance to that base and one more.
DEFENSIVE RULES
Ten defensive positions will be played each inning and all girls will play defense at least every other inning. There will be six infield positions (pitcher, catcher, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and shortstop) and four outfield positions (left, left center, right center, and right).
During COACH PITCH, defensive team will have a pitcher for fielding purposes. Defensive pitcher must have at least one foot within the pitching circle. • Outfielders must be positioned on the edge of the grass or beyond.
Defensive team coaches (limit 2) may be in the outfield or in foul territory assisting girls during play.
Players may not play first base and/or pitcher more than twice in the first four innings of a game. Example: a girl pitches the 1st inning and play first base the 2nd inning. She may not play first base or pitcher in the 3rd and 4th innings of the game. Coaches are encouraged to play each player in the infield at least once during the game unless they believe it presents a safety issues with the player. Coaches are encouraged to allow players to experience as many positions as their skill level allows.
Infield fly rule does NOT apply.
Catchers will wear catching equipment at all games, including practices, and are expected to assume a crouching position behind home plate.