All players must be enrolled in Rochester, Mattapoisett, Marion, and/or Wareham schools, grades K- 8 prior to the start of the season, or live in permanent residence of the aforementioned towns.

 

2.         Each League will use ASA/USA Junior Olympic fastpitch softball rules unless superseded by league rules.  The Minor/Junior League shall adhere to ASA/USA 10U rules and the Major/Senior League shall adhere to ASA/USA 12U rules as outlined in the most current ASA/USA rulebook.

 

3.         No team shall use a player who is not registered to play in Rochester, Mattapoisett, Marion, (RMML) or Wareham Girls Softball (WGS) under any circumstances unless approved by the WGS League Board.

 

4.         Wareham players shall be individually registered with ASA/USA Softball along with managers and coaches. All head and assistant coaches must have a complete background check done through the ASA/USA mandatory registration system (ACE certified).  All head coaches must complete an online concussion certification course through CDC-Heads up concussion training.  Violation of any of the above may result in a team and/or individual suspension or other disciplinary action.

 

5.         Each team will be allowed ten (10) players in the field with every player present hitting in the lineup. Players arriving after the official start of the game will be inserted at the end of the lineup that was submitted to the head umpire and opposing coach at the start of play.

 

6.         A team must have eight (8) players to start a game, with a 15-minute grace period allotted for the scheduled starting time before a forfeit is declared.  If there are not enough players from a given team to start a game (8), then the game must be forfeited by that team.  An exchange of players should be made so the game can still be played with a loss posted for the forfeiting team with an 8-0 score.  Teams shall not be allowed to use players from other teams in order to avoid a forfeit, subject to the following:

 

    In the Major/Senior League, if a team does not have enough players to play a game, that team may “call-up” registered players from the Minor/Junior League in order to fill out the roster.  The call-up system is intended to allow teams to avoid forfeits, not to improve their roster; therefore the following rules apply to call-ups:

 

• No team with 10 or more of its regular players in attendance and able to play shall be allowed to use Minor/Junior League players, meaning that no Major League player shall be benched in favor of a Minor/Junior Leaguer.

 

• When Minor/Junior League players are used, they shall be placed at the bottom of the batting order and must play a defensive position other than pitcher.

 

 

7.         Each player must play a minimum of two (2) innings of a game.  The only exceptions allowed are for injury, illness, or discipline.  Disciplined players must be noted on the lineup card given to the umpire prior to the start of the game.

 

8.         Free substitution is allowed subject to Rule #5.

 

9.         Each league will use a continuous batting order that will include all players on the team roster present for the game batting in order. Each player would be required to bat in her respective spot in the batting order. However, a player may be entered and/or re-entered defensively in the game anytime provided she meets the requirements of mandatory play. If a player is injured, becomes ill or must leave the game site after the start of the game, the team will skip over her when her time at bat comes up without penalty. If the injured, ill or absent player returns she is merely inserted into their original spot in the batting order and the game continues.

 

10.      The offensive team may use a courtesy runner for the Pitcher or the Catcher at any time in the game. A courtesy runner may be used for an injured player if agreed upon by the opposing coach before the start of the game. The opposing team has the right to deny the substitution of a courtesy runner for players not injured during the current game. If an injury occurs during the game, courtesy runners will be permitted to run for those players injured during the course of the game. The courtesy runner must be the last player who was called out by the umpire. A courtesy runner must be reported to the plate umpire.

 

11.      Major/Senior League games will be seven (7) innings with four (4) innings required for an official game.  Minor/Junior League games will be six (6) innings with four (4) innings required for an official game.

 

12.      Each half inning will consist of a maximum of 9 batters up until the game is deemed official OR each half inning will end after five (5) runs have scored up until the game is deemed official OR three (3) outs whichever comes first.  If the ninth (9) batter receives a base on balls and the catcher mishandles ball four, batter is allowed only first (1st) base, runners can advance only one base and the ball then becomes dead.  The same applies if batter is hit by pitched ball and if the runner would have been forced to run on a ground ball.  If the ninth (9th) batter in an inning when the maximum number of hitters is used reaches first on a hit, the play will continue until the umpire declares the play over.  All runners advance at their own risk until the play is declared over. Once a game is official, there shall be no per inning scoring limitation.  A twelve (12) run mercy rule will be in effect once the game is deemed official.

 

13.      Games will start at 6:00 pm.  No new inning will start after 7:30 PM during the regular season (the current inning will be completed if started prior to 7:30pm, which includes warmups prior to the first pitch).  In the playoffs there will be no time limit, games shall be played until completed or until the umpire deems conditions to be unsafe.  Minor/Junior games will be played on Monday and Wednesday nights.  Major/Senior League games will be played on Tuesday and Thursday nights, with exceptions deemed by league officials or rescheduled games.

 

14.      If an umpire does not show up for a scheduled game, managers may agree to umpire the game themselves or an approved umpire may step in to umpire a game. It is strongly recommended that a volunteer umpire be found rather than rescheduling of the game. If no umpire is found for the game then the game is postponed and rescheduled.

 

15.      Once issued, uniforms must be visible when worn during play.  Players will have their uniform shirts tucked in when at bat.  Once uniforms have been issued, players without uniforms will not be allowed to play.  During cold weather, appropriate clothing may be worn over uniforms.

 

16.      The home team is responsible for providing 2 new game balls and for retrieving foul balls batted out of the playing area, providing secured pitching rubber at division required distance, supplying Double First Base, prepping field prior to game, and paying ASA/USA certified umpire.

 

17.      There will be no passing the ball in the infield after a put out.  The pitcher will be allowed five (5) warm-up pitches at the start of the game.  Between innings, the pitcher will be allowed three (3) warm-up pitches or one (1) minute whichever comes first.

 

18.      No smoking is allowed on the playing field or in the bench areas.  Alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited at any field.

 

19.      Safety is the top priority.  If an umpire deems it necessary, a game may be “called” due to ANY unsafe condition.  An umpire may call timeout whenever deemed necessary.  Metal cleats, street shoes and dangling jewelry may not be worn or carried.

 

20.      The only members of the offensive team allowed on the field during play are the batter, base runners, base coaches, and the on-deck batter.  All other team members and coaches must remain in the bench area and are not allowed behind the backstop.  No coaches from either team will be allowed on the field unless they are coaching first or third base.  No parents are allowed on the field or in the dugout areas.

 

21.      No more than three (3) individuals will be permitted on a team's bench during games. For example: any combination of head coach, assistant coaches, and/or trainer -- a total of three.  These three people will be in addition to the regular players.

 

22.      Protective Gear:  All members of the offensive team on the field must wear a batting helmet with facemask.  Catchers must wear approved catcher’s helmet (with face mask and throat guard), chest protectors and shin pads.

 

23.      After the first obvious throwing of the bat, each team will be warned.  Each subsequent throwing will result in the batter being called out at the umpire’s discretion.

 

24.      At the Minor/Junior league level, batters are called out and may not advance when a third strike gets past the catcher unless both head coaches agree to implement the drop third strike rule (Spring only).  At the Major/Senior league level, batters are allowed to attempt to reach first base if a third strike is dropped by the catcher, and the base is unoccupied or there are two outs (ASA/USA Rules).

 

25.      Infield fly rule will be in effect in the Major/Senior League.  In the Minor/Junior League, the infield fly rule will not apply.

 

26.      If a pitcher hits three batters with a pitched ball during an inning, the pitcher must be removed from the pitching position and replaced with another pitcher for the remaining batters of that inning. The pitcher may return to the pitching position the next inning noting that the same rule will continue to apply.

 

27.      MAJOR/SENIOR LEAGUE: Stealing, bunting, or advancing on passed balls is allowed in the Major/Senior League.  A foul ball on a bunt attempt with two strikes on the batter will result in a strikeout.  Runners may steal any base, leaving their current base when the ball is released by the pitcher.  Any runner leaving base before the ball leaves the pitchers hand will be called out. 

 

28.      MINOR/JUNIOR LEAGUE: Bunting is allowed in the Minor/Junior League.  A foul ball on a bunt attempt with two strikes on the batter will result in a strikeout.  Runners may steal second and third base only, leaving their current base when the ball is released by the pitcher.  Runners stealing a base may not advance on any overthrow by the catcher while attempting to catch the runner stealing.  Runners may not steal home in this division on a pass ball or on an overthrow to second while attempting to throw out a runner advancing to second base.  Runners may not take a lead off base until the ball is released by the pitcher.  Runners leaving base before the ball is released by the pitcher will be required to go back to their original base.

 

29.      Runners may not advance when the ball is controlled by the pitcher in the pitcher’s circle in the Minor/Junior League.  The Major/Senior League shall adhere to the “lookback rule” as described by ASA.

 

30.      Final standings will be determined by each team’s Win/Loss/Tie record.

 

    Points shall be awarded for each completed scheduled game on the following basis: WIN = 2 points. TIE = 1 point. LOSS = 0 points.

 

    In case of a tie in the final league standings, positions will be decided as follows:

      a. Head to head record between the two teams affected.

      b. If still tied, team having the least total runs against them.

      c. If still tied, team having the most total runs scored.

      d. If still tied, Coin toss.

 

31.      Rainouts and unofficial games will be made up or completed at a location and time to be determined by the coaches involved.  Makeup games must be completed no later than the second Saturday following the cancelled or unofficial game.

 

Rainouts and Unofficial games: Weather or field conditions may require cancellation of the game on the scheduled day.  If this happens, the home team must notify both the visiting team and the Umpire Assigner/Coordinator (Ralph Stefanelli at 401-225-8481) at least one (1) hour before the scheduled game.  E-mail messages are not acceptable. Thereafter, we must pay the Umpire if he/she shows. If the home team does not give that notice prior to 5:00pm, teams must appear at their game location and the field supervisor and/or umpire coordinator will make the final decision.  The game is on unless the umpire(s) rules otherwise at the field.  Do NOT use the fields during or after heavy rain, or when wet or muddy.  When any of the above reasons require that a game be canceled or postponed, the game shall be rescheduled.

 

After a game has started, the weather and field conditions will be judged by the umpire(s). If a game is halted due to rain or other adverse conditions, teams must not leave the park for 15 minutes.  The umpire(s) will make a definite decision whether the game will be continued or canceled.  If the umpire(s) decide to continue the game and either of the teams have left or are not ready to play at the end of the 15-minute period, the team at fault will forfeit.  Games are not usually canceled for drizzle, cool weather, or wind.

 

Make Up Games/Rescheduled Games: Due to the heavy demand for diamond space, make up games may be rescheduled on any day of the week including Saturdays and Sundays at a location and time to be determined by the coaches involved.  Games, which are rescheduled, will have field priority over previously scheduled team practices.  Rescheduled games will not be scheduled to accommodate the availability of players and coaches.  The home team must initiate make-ups within two weeks.  Failure to reschedule will result in forfeiture of that game by the home team.  The rescheduling of games must be accomplished or verified by email, initiated by the home team requesting that the game be rescheduled. To reschedule a game that has been canceled or postponed, the home team must contact the visiting team, the League/Division Coordinator, and the Umpire Assigner/Coordinator (Ralph Stefanelli 401-225-8481). Do not call the umpire originally scheduled to umpire the canceled game. Umpires have been advised not to accept a game directly from any coach without first clearing it through the WGS League President/Vice President. The umpire may already have another game or the assigner may be in the process of giving them another game and the umpire may not yet be aware of it.

 

         If a school event (awards ceremony, etc) or a community event conflicts with a scheduled

         game, the head coach must notify the League coordinator(s) at least 48 hours prior to the

         scheduled game time in order for consideration for reschedule of the game.  The League

         may deem cancellations for non-emergency reasons a forfeit.  Once school is out, no

         games will be rescheduled due to a school conflict or any other reason other than rain/bad

         Weather.

 

32.    MINOR/JUNIOR LEAGUE: During an inning, if a pitcher walks 3 batters, they may be

         relieved by a coach from that team to complete the inning.  This needs to be approved by

         both head coaches prior to the start of the game.  The pitcher can return the next or any

         subsequent inning to try again, with the same 3 walk limit in place.  WAREHAM VS

         WAREHAM and WAREHAM VS ROCHESTER.  All umpires need to be aware of this

         agreement prior to the start of the game.  This is all to promote fundamentals and

         development of the players.  Any issues please work it out amongst each other for the

         greater benefit of the players.

 

33.    MINOR/JUNIOR LEAGUE & MAJOR/SENIOR LEAGUE: Coaches will be able to take

         one trip to the mound one time per inning.  If a coach decides to make a second trip to the

         pitcher’s mound that same inning, the pitcher will be removed from her pitching duties.