House League

The West Van Softball Association currently support players in the following divisions:

Division	Age Group (Dec. 31 prior year)
Mini Mites (Learn to play)	under 8 years
Mites	under 10 years
Squirt	under 12 years
Pee Wee	under 14 years
Bantam	under 16 years
Midget	under 19 years

Playing Rules

c.a.s.a. rule book to govern

Ground rules will be discussed and agreed upon by both umpires and both coaches before the start of the game.

umpires

The plate umpire shall be supplied by the home team (unless provided by the League).
The base umpire shall be supplied by the visiting team (unless provided by League).
The plate umpires decisions are final regarding condition of fields, weather and team readiness as of official game time.

games

All games will start at the time, date, and place indicated on the schedule. Unless there is prior agreement by both coaches and the plate umpire, the game will finish one hour and forty-five minutes (1 ¾ hours) from the scheduled start time, no new inning will start after one hour and forty-five minutes (1 ¾ hours) after the ACTUAL start of the game. The umpires’ decision on the start time will be the official time.
If game is tied at time of suspension of play due to darkness or other reasons, game will be officially declared a tie.
The reasons for cancellation of games are restricted to weather conditions, school functions or conflicting tournaments unless there is agreement between coaches to play the game BEFORE the schedule date.
Any player who arrives after line up has been turned in shall be added to the bottom of line up.
Wet grounds — The home team coach will examine the playing field at least forty-five minutes (45 minutes) before game time and notify the opposing coach if the grounds are unplayable.
All cancelled games are to be played as soon as possible before the completion of the regular schedule or forfeited. If an agreeable date cannot be reached between coaches the division coordinator will reschedule the game, and failure of either team to appear will result in a forfeit forth at team.
Any team not abiding by the two (2) inning rule for each player shall lose the game by default.
Sickness or injury during the game is the only exception to two (2) inning rule.
This is a no protest league – all umpire decisions will be final.

players

Players not listed on the C.A.S.A. forms are not covered by insurance.
All players who attend a game will be listed on the score sheet and the names given to the opposing team.
All players must be registered with the WVGSA and appear on the team roster forty-eight (48) hours prior to her first game.
Coaches who have just cause may sit out a player for one complete game with the prior consent of the Division Coordinator (this is intended to be used in cases of attendance and/or discipline problems).
NO SMOKING will be allowed by players, coaches or umpires on the playing field.
Helmets are to be worn by all players when batting. They will not be removed until the player has left the field. When running bases, no player will throw off her helmet. Chin straps are to be SECURELY FASTENED under the chin.
Catchers must wear a face mask, helmet, chest protector, shin guards and throat protectors that have been approved by the association. Any player, coach or parent must wear a face mask even when warming up a pitcher on the field or in practice on the sidelines.
All players must wear running shoes or APPROVED RUBBER CLEATS.
All equipment will be the responsibility of the coach. It will be their responsibility to see it is kept in good condition and returned at the time and place indicated. (I.e. not using bats to nail base spikes in the ground).
Softball B.C. states that all minor (Mite to Junior ladies) catchers must wear pelvic protection (i.e. Jill Straps) at all times. Failure to comply may result in the immediate removal of the player from the position.

injuries

All accidents must be reported to Risk Manager or President within forty-eight (48) hours of the accident in order to comply with the insurance company regulations.
Use your discretion when reporting accidents. It is not necessary to report on minor accidents not requiring a doctor, however, care must be taken and parents notified.
Parents must be contacted immediately should it be necessary to take a child to a doctor or an emergency ward.
Get a written statement from the umpire and a witness from each team, preferably adult spectators.
The completed Softball Accident Report Form must be submitted to your Risk Manager within
forty-eight (48) hours.
Accident Claim Forms should be given to parents of any player who required professional medical treatment. A set of these forms can be found at the back of this manual. Please copy as many as you need.

fields

Please be aware of the garbage that can accumulate during a game. Both teams are requested to ensure the field, dugouts and spectators area are cleaned up of debris. Most fields have a garbage barrel adjacent and it will just take a few moments if everyone contributes to this task.

mini mite division

These rules are being revised for 2007 to include the Learn to Play system, the purpose of which is to provide the basic skills in a more fun and engaging manner. Once finalized the new rules will be posted.

The old rules are:

note:

The batting tee provided can be used for batting practice as an excellent teaching tool.

three-pitch

Three pitchers shall be played for the first (4) games:

Coach (or designated parent) pitches with player stationed next to him.
“Three pitch” means there must be three good pitches in the strike zone to hit – NO WALKS – umpire to call strikes only.
Foul ball on third strike, the batter is out.

note:

Eleven (11) players on the field, according to general rules.

For the balance of the season, the standard divisional rules apply in addition to the following special rules printed in bold:

After four games with the coach pitching, players are encouraged to pitch.
For each at bat, the pitcher will throw the first two pitches. The coach will then pitch to the batter until the “at bat” is complete. This will continue for each batter until the inning is completed. “Balls” and “Strikes” will be called.
There will be a new pitcher for each inning. All girls on the team are encouraged to have an opportunity to pitch.

1. Six (6) innings shall constitute a game and a legal game shall be four (4) innings or one hour and fifteen minutes (1 ¼ hours).

2. No inning shall start after 7:45 p.m. on a scheduled 6:30 p.m. start.

3. All players who attend a game must be listed on a score sheet and must play at least two (2) complete innings and no player may sit on the sidelines for more than two (2) consecutive innings.

4. Eleven (11) players will be used on the field instead of nine (9) with an extra short stop between first (1^st) and second (2^nd) base and an extra outfielder.

5. There shall be unlimited substitution in the field at any time. It is hoped that coaches will ensure that players gain the experience of playing a variety of positions over the course of the year.

6. Rotational batting. All players shall bat as listed on the score sheet.

7. Runs shall be limited to five (5) runs per inning.

8. On balls that are hit into the field of play there shall be no advance beyond the base the runners are going to on any over throws whether the ball stays in fair or foul territory or goes out of bounds.

9. On balls hit to the outfield, the batter/base runner and all other base runners shall only advance to the base they were going to when the ball enters or goes through the infield if they are not put out.

note:

It is not necessary that an infielder catch or have control of the ball thrown or brought in from the outfield.

10. Catchers must wear helmet and mask during game and warm up. Any person or player warming up any pitcher before or during a game or practice MUST wear at least a protective mask.

11. The pitching distance is twenty-five (25) feet.

12. The baselines are forty (40) feet.

13. No infielder shall be positioned closer than thirty (30) feet from home plate.

PENALTY: Stop play make player move back.

14. No stealing – PERIOD – therefore no lead offs.

15. There is no infield fly rule.

16. Two coaches on the defensive team may be on the field but at no time can they physically participate in the game. (By physically participating we mean touching any player on the field or the ball during a play).

PENALTY: Player called safe — repeat infractions, forfeit game. One defensive coach shall set up next to pitcher and direct infield – other coach sets up in outfield. Two coaches on the offensive team may be used. One at first (1^st) base and one at second (2^nd) base. One shall handle setting and adjusting team.

mite division
RULES

1. Seven (7) innings shall constitute a game and a legal game shall be five (5) innings or one hour and forty-five minutes (1 ¾ hours) whichever occurs first.

2. With agreement of both coaches, no inning shall start after 8:00 p.m. on a scheduled 6:30 p.m. start, otherwise no inning shall start after one hour thirty minutes (1 ½ hours) from the actual starting time.

3. All players who attend the game must be listed on the score sheet and no player may sit on the sidelines for more than two (2) consecutive innings and a maximum of three (3) innings in the game.

4. There shall be unlimited substitution of players in the field at any time that time has been requested and given.

5. Each team member shall bat as listed on the score sheet whether playing defensively or not.

6. Ten (10) players may be used on the field instead of nine (9) with an extra short stop between first (1^st) and second (2^nd) at the discretion of either coach. In any game the number of players on the field may be 10 or 9 and need not be the same for both teams.

7. Runs shall be limited to five (5) runs per inning. There is no “Mercy Rule” for league games.

8. A pitcher shall be limited to pitch for a maximum of three (3) innings per game. ONE PITCH IS TAKEN AS AN INNING.

9. The conference rule for pitchers is waived.

10. The infield fly rule is NOT in effect.

11. Catchers must wear helmet and mask during game and warm up. Any person or player warming up any pitcher before or during a game or practice MUST wear at least a protective mask.

12. Pitching distance is thirty (30) feet.

13. Baselines are to be forty-five (45) feet.

14. Eleven (11) inch ball.

15. If the batter is awarded first base as a result of having four balls called, the batter is not allowed to advance beyond FIRST base on the walk.

16. STEALING BASES:

Base runners may leave their base and advance only when the ball has CROSSED THE PLATE. A runner may advance (stealing base) only 1 base from the base she is occupying at the time of the pitch. This applies regardless of how many over throws occur. WHEN THE CATCHER THROWS THE BALL TO THE PITCHER THE RUNNER CANNOT STEAL BASES, INCLUDING OVER THROWS TO THE PITCHER.

Clarification: This rule does not apply on a hit ball. All runners on a hit ball may advance as many bases as they wish until they are put out or the ball has been returned to the pitcher in the pitchers circle.

17. The batter is out on a dropped third strike, but the ball is alive.

18. Home to second is sixty-three feet, eight inches (63’ 8”).

SQUIRT division
RULES

1. Seven (7) innings shall constitute a game and a legal game shall be five (5) innings or one hour and forty-five minutes (1 ¾ hours).

2. With agreement of both coaches, no inning shall start after 8:15 p.m. on a scheduled 6:30 p.m., start otherwise no inning shall start after one hour forty-five minutes (1 ¾ hours) from the actual starting time.

3. All players who attend the game must be listed on the score sheet and no player may sit on the sidelines for more than two (2), consecutive innings and a maximum of three (3) innings in the game.

4. There shall be unlimited substitution of players in the field at any time that time has been requested and given.

5. Each team member shall bat as listed on the score sheet whether playing defensively or not.

6. Runs shall be limited to five (5) runs per inning. There is no “mercy Rule” for league games.

7. A pitcher shall be limited to pitch for a maximum of three (3) innings per game. ONE PITCH IS TAKEN AS AN INNING.

8. The conference rule for pitchers is waived.

9. The infield fly rule is in effect.

10. Catchers must wear helmet and mask during game and warm up. Any person or player warming up any pitcher before or during a game or practice MUST wear at least a protective mask.

11. Pitching distance is thirty-five (35) feet.

12. Baselines are to be fifty-five (55) feet.

13. Eleven (11) inch ball.

14. The batter is out on a dropped third strike, but the ball is alive.

Home to second is seventy-seven feet, nine and one-quarter inches (77 – 9 ¼”).

pee wee division
RULES

1. Seven (7) innings shall constitute a game and a legal game shall be five (5) innings or one hour and forty-five minutes (1 ¾ hours).

2. With agreement of both coaches, no inning shall start after 8:15 p.m. on a scheduled 6:30 p.m. start, otherwise no inning shall start after one hour forty-five minutes (1 ¾ hours) from the actual starting time.

3. All players who attend the game must be listed on the score sheet and no player may sit on the sidelines for more than two (2) consecutive innings and a maximum of three (3) innings in the game.

4. There shall be unlimited substitution of players in the field at any time that time has been requested and given.

5. Each team member shall bat as listed on the score sheet whether playing defensively or not.

6. Runs shall be limited to five (5) runs per inning. There is no “Mercy Rule” for league games.

7. A pitcher shall be limited to pitch for a maximum of four (4) innings per game. ONE PITCH IS TAKEN AS AN INNING.

8. The conference rule for pitchers is in effect except that the pitcher shall remain in the batting order and may play any other position.

9. Base running, infield fly, and dropped third strike rules are in effect.

10. Catchers must wear helmet and mask during game and warm up. Any person or player warming up any pitcher before or during a game or practice MUST wear at least a protective mask.

11. Pitching distance is thirty-eight (38) feet.

12. Baselines are to be sixty (60) feet.

13. Twelve (12) inch ball.

14. Home to second is eighty-four feet ten and one-quarter inches (84’ 10 ¼”).

bantam division

RULES

1. Seven (7) innings shall constitute a game and a legal name shall be five (5) innings or one hour and
forty-five minutes (1 ¾ hours) whichever occurs first.