2014

MGSA - Morton Area League

Tourney Guidelines

    Tee Ball Division                             (Entering grade K and 1st) 

Instructional Division	(Entering grade 2^nd and 3rd)
Junior Division	(Entering grade 4^th and 5^th )
Intermediate Division	(Entering grade 6^th, 7^th and 8th)

The Tee Ball, Instructional, Junior, and Intermediate divisions will follow 2014 A.S.A. Softball rules with the following exceptions:

A. Exceptions for all three divisions:

1. A minimum number of five players must be present at game time or the game will need to be re-scheduled (unless the coached mutually agree to "share" players from the other team). As players arrive after the start of the game, they must be inserted until the maximum of 10 players in the field is reached. If it is known in advance of game day that five players will not be present, the coaches involved are expected to reschedule. Rescheduling is not necessary if five players will be present.

2. The Home Plate Umpire will keep the official time. See exceptions for each division for time limits.

3. Free substitution on any dead ball. Players at any position may be removed from the field and reinserted at a later time.

4. All players on the team roster will bat in a rotation submitted by the coach at the beginning of a game. A player arriving late will be immediately inserted at the end of the original batting order. If a player becomes ill or injured, that player may be temporarily removed from the batting order without penalty.

5. Players must wear the uniform shirt provided by the league (unless prior approval has been granted). Shirts must be tucked in at all times. Black shorts are provided as a part of the uniform and are required for all divisions. Compression or sliding shorts, and leg slider are highly recommended to be worn. Neither metal spikes nor hard plastic or polyurethane spikes similar to metal sole and heel plates are allowed.

T-Ball bats may be used in the Tee Ball, Instructional and Junior Divisions. All league bats are open to both teams.

The following are MGSA League Rules:

1. For tournaments ONLY: Each team shall designate an official scorekeeper. Both will compare scores at the end of each ½ inning. In the event of a disagreement, the Home Team book will be the official score, unless protested by the visiting team within the ½ inning. At the end of the game, the HOME TEAM shall turn in a copy of the score to the umpire to be filed in the concession stand. Both coaches shall sign the scorecard. Scorecards will not be used during the regular season.

2. The Home Team (occupying the bench on the third base side of the diamond) is responsible for putting away the bases after the last game of the evening or on Saturday.

3. The Home Plate Umpire has final authority on all game situations, and determination of when to call a game due to darkness or weather. The umpire shall turn in the scorecard at the end of each game.

4. Harassment of an umpire by any coach, player, or spectator will not be tolerated. This behavior will result in ejection from the ball field or park.

There shall be no harassment of a player by any coach, spectator, or player. This will include "baiting" members of one team by a coach, spectator, or other player(s). This behavior can result in forfeiture of the game.

Any coach or spectator that uses foul or abusive language or that is under the influence of alcohol or any other controlled substance will be ejected from the diamond or park complex. The MGSA Board has also adopted a NO SMOKING policy. Coaches are asked to refrain from smoking in the presence of our young athletes involved in the program. We encourage you to be a good role model for the girls.

5. Each player shall play in the field at least every other inning, unless circumstances (such as illness) warrant otherwise.

6. Any player or coach who throws equipment of any kind in a disrespectful manner is subject to ejection from the game.

7. Each coach is responsible for the conduct of his/her players and spectators. Unsportsmanlike conduct could result in either ejection from the field or complex, or forfeiture of the game.

8. PARK LITTER is a problem to all teams, players, and parents. Trash barrels are located by the concession stand. Each COACH is responsible for picking up the litter on their side of the diamond. The coach and/or team should do this clean up before leaving the park.

9. No one is allowed on the playing field during a game unless in a coaching capacity. All spectators should be seated away from the bench and not in such a manner as to interfere with any other activities in the park. This is the responsibility of the COACHES/UMPIRES to enforce.

10. This league is organized for the children. Our goal is to provide them with the opportunity to learn softball rules and athletic techniques, in addition to understanding the concepts of teamwork and good sportsmanship. Please remember that these children look up to you as an adult and their leader. Make sure they are emulating the right kind of behavior.

B. Exceptions to Tee Ball Division only:

1. There will be no base stealing. Runners can only advance when a ball has been hit. Only one base per at bat or hit ball.

2. An inning ends when six runs are scored or three outs are made.

3. The time limit for all games in the Tee Ball Division will be 60 minutes. Tee Ball games may end in a tie.

4. A batting tee will be utilized for all players.

5. There will be no "infield fly" rule.

6. Bunting will not be allowed.

7. All team members shall play in the field each inning. NO MORE than 7 players (including the catcher) can play in the field with both feet on the dirt. No player other than the catcher shall take a defensive position any closer to home plate than the arc of the pitcher's plate (30 feet).

8. Only participation trophies will be awarded to each player. In lieu of a season ending tournament, some other activity will be planned, such as a swim party.

9. Coaches shall be allowed to position him/herself in the field to coach the girls on defense. The intent of this rule is to help the girls in their decisions as to where to play the ball.

10. The "minimum number of players" rule does not apply.

11. Players may not play the same position more than one inning per game, unless circumstances deem this impossible (ex. not enough players, only certain players willing to play catcher). This is to encourage multi-position opportunities for all players to experience. 

B. Exceptions to the Instructional Division only:

1. There will be no base stealing. Runners can only advance when a ball has been hit.

2. There will be no walks issued. At the umpire's discretion, pitched balls may be called strikes.

3. There will be no "dropped third strike" rule.

4. There will be no "infield fly" rule.

5. Bunting will not be allowed.

6. An inning ends when six runs are scored or three outs are made.

7. The time limit for all games in the Instructional Division will be 70 minutes. Instructional games may end in a tie.

8. Pitching machine will be utilized at a distance of 30 feet from home plate. Coaches shall feed the machine for their own team. The speed of the pitching machine will be set at the outset of the game and be may altered during the game only by mutual agreement for special circumstances (wind speed/ direction change). Batters with two missed strikes will hit the ball from a tee. Batters hitting foul balls will continue to receive pitches until two missed strikes occur, at which time they will hit from a tee. Only one player designated as the pitcher shall stand with at least one foot in the pitching circle until the ball is hit, with the exception of receiving the return throw from the catcher and relaying it to the coach. Players designated as the pitcher must stand further from home plate than the pitching coach.

9. Runners may advance one base on hits to the infield. If the ball reaches the outfield without error, the runners may advance at their own risk. Runners may not advance on an overthrow from the infield, or any throw to 1^st base. Only one base shall be awarded per overthrow to the infield from the outfield. Only one overthrow shall be allowed per "hit ball”. When the ball is returned to the infield, no advancement will be allowed. The umpire shall rule whether the advancement was legal and shall send the runner back if necessary.

10. All team members shall play in the field each inning. NO MORE than 7 players (including the catcher) can play in the field with both feet on the dirt. No players other than the catcher shall take a defensive position any closer to home plate than the arc of the pitcher's plate (30 feet).

11. Only participation trophies will be awarded to each player. In lieu of a season ending tournament, some other activity will be planned, such as a swim party.

12. A maximum of two coaches shall be allowed to position him/herself in the field to coach the girls on defense. The intent of this rule is to help the girls in their decisions as to where to play the ball.

13. The "minimum number of players" rule does not apply.

14. Players may not play the same position more than one inning per game, unless circumstances deem this impossible (ex. not enough players, only certain players willing to play catcher). This is to encourage multi-position opportunities for all players to experience. 

C. Exceptions to Junior Division only:

1. A complete team shall consist of ten (10) players in the field.

2.  Runners may only steal second and third base. Runners may steal second or third base once the pitcher releases the ball. To encourage catchers to make a play when a runner is attempting to steal, the runner may only steal that one base.

3. Runners may advance one base on hits to the infield. If the ball reaches the outfield "without error", the runners may advance at their own risk. Runners may not advance on an overthrow to first base. Only one base shall be awarded per overthrow to the infield from the outfield. Only one overthrow shall be allowed per "hit ball". Once the ball is returned to the infield, no advancement will be allowed. On-base runners may advance only as many bases as the batter. The umpire shall rule whether the advancement was legal and shall send the runner back if necessary.

4. An inning ends when six runs are scored or three outs are made.

5. Games shall be completed within the 90-minute limit. No new inning may be started after 75 minutes, unless the game is tied. A new inning begins when the third out of the previous inning is recorded or the 6th run is scored. If a game is tied at the 75-minute limit, only one extra inning shall be played (90 minutes is still the total time allowed).

6. Players will pitch utilizing an 11" softball from a distance of 30 feet. A player may pitch no more than 4 innings total per game. One pitch in an inning counts as an inning pitched. In an extra inning game, each pitcher will be allowed one extra inning.

7. All team members shall play in the field at least every other inning. NO MORE than 6 players (including the catcher) can play in the field with both feet on the dirt.

8. The "drop third strike rule" is not applicable

9. The "infield fly" rule is not applicable.

10.  An enlarged strike zone shall begin at the hitter's shoulders and end at the hitter's knees. The shoulder and knee areas will be determined by where the batter's knees and shoulders would be "without crouching." The purpose of this rule is to promote hitting, not walking and to assist beginning pitchers. The Home Plate Umpire has final jurisdiction on the strike zone. Arguments and harassments over the strike zone will not be tolerated. The latitudes of this rule are to help promote the flow of the game.

11. There will be a tournament at the end of the year. Team placement in tournament brackets will be determined by blind draw.

D. Exceptions to Intermediate Division only:

1. A complete team shall consist of not more than ten players and no more than six of those players (including the catcher) can play in the infield with both feet in the dirt (four infielders must play BEHIND THE PITCHER).  All four outfielders must be standing with both feet in the grass. Outfielders may advance to the infield once a ball has been hit to assist with fielding.

2. To encourage catchers to make a play when a runner is attempting to steal, the runner may only steal that one base.

3. An inning ends when six runs are scored or three outs are made.

4. Games shall be completed within the 90-minute limit. No new inning may be started after 75 minutes, unless the game is tied.  If a game is tied at the 75-minute limit, only one extra inning shall be played. (A new inning begins when the third out is made or the 6^th run is scored of the previous inning.)

5. Players will pitch from a distance of 35 feet. A player may pitch no more than a total of four innings per game. One pitch in an inning counts as an inning pitched. In an extra inning game, each pitcher will be allowed one extra inning.

6. A tournament will be held at the end of the season.  Team placement in the tournament brackets will be determined by a blind draw.

Updated 3/12/10