Posted March 26, 2010
Rule change approved at March 24th MAISL Board Meeting
“10 Batter” rule eliminated and replaced with “5 Run per Inning” rule
The 10 Batter Rule has been eliminated and been replaced with a 5 Run (maximum) per Inning rule. This rule is common in other local leagues and was discussed at the Coach’s Meeting receiving favorable approval by those in attendance.
An inning will now consist of 3 Outs or 5 Runs - whichever comes first. If a team already has 4 runs in an inning, runners on base and a multi-run play happens the play will continue until completion but the team will be awarded only 1 Run so as to comply with the 5 Run Rule. This rule applies to all innings. MAISL feels that this rule will allow for more innings to be played and more chances for players to bat and field the ball.
Teams are required to complete all innings. Failure to complete an inning will be considered a forfeit. If a team has 2 forfeits in a season (failure to complete an inning, to few players etc.) they will not be allowed to participate in their league’s End of Season Tournament. MAISL has also determined that non-participation in tournament events carries a $250.00 fine as participation is considered “mandatory” and it is a continuation of normal league play.
Posted March 16, 2010
Clarifications from Coach's Meeting held 3-16-10 at St. James School
Bunting
5/6 Grade League - No bunting
7/8 Grade League - Bunting allowed
Dropped third strike - Can the batter run to first base
5/6 Grade League - No
7/8 Grade League - Yes
Base Runner - Lead-off/Stealing
5/6 Grade League - No stealing and no lead-off
7/8 Grade League - May steal this includes home on a passed ball, lead-off allowed only after ball has left the pitcher's hand
2010 MAISL Girls Softball (R. 3-22-07)
Madison Area Independent Sports League
Rainout / Site Information – Call 845-2333
Reporting Scores
The umpires will be reporting scores.
Reporting methods - email Deanna Grahn at
(preferred method of reporting)
- call Ray Shunk (Cell number 575-3673) – Girls Softball Commissioner
- call Deanna Grahn (Cell number 772-1692) - Back-up Girls Softball Commissioner
Deanna Grahn will email standings to coaches and school representatives weekly and they will be posted to the MAISL website maislathletics.org
Rain Outs
Calls will be made to host schools regarding field conditions 1 ½ hour before the first scheduled game. Your school’s representative will get a call at least one hour prior to the start of games and will call you or your school’s designee. The MAISL Sports Information Line – Call 845-2333 for info (do NOT leave a message).
ONLY the Commissioner or Board Chairperson can delay, cancel or postpone games
Game Ball
11” for 5th and 6th Grade
12” for 7th/8th Grade
Each team will be given 4 new balls at the coaches meeting.
Length of Game
5 Innings or 1 hour – whatever occurs first.
No inning will start with less than 10 minutes left in the hour (umpire’s discretion)
Run Rule
Game may be called if there is a 15 run lead after 2 innings or if a team has a lead of 25 runs after three innings. If both coaches agree, the game can continue for the full time-limit or 5 innings whichever comes first
Stealing
5th and 6th Grade – No stealing – this includes stealing home on a passed ball
7th/8th Grade - Base runners may not leave the base until the ball has left the pitcher’s hand. A runner may steal home on a passed ball. Any runner who leaves a base prior to the pitch will be called out.
Sliding
Base runner must slide into base if there is a close play. This is to try to avoid serious player contact. Any player who does not slide will be called out. Close play is at the discretion of the umpire.
Infield Fly Rule
This rule is in effect for all MAISL games.
Detailed Definition of Infield Fly Rule
The infield fly rule applies whenever there are runners on first and second (or all three bases) with less than two outs and the batter hits a fly ball (not a line drive or bunt) into fair territory which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort. The umpire must invoke the rule - if no umpire calls "infield fly," the rule is not invoked. It is a judgment call.
When the infield fly rule is invoked and the ball remains fair, the batter is automatically out thereby removing the force for the runners on base. Runners may advance at their own risk. There is no need for a runner on base to advance. If an infield fly is caught, runners may tag up and advance if they choose. But note that they must still tag up if the ball is caught. If a called infield fly is dropped, runners may advance without needing to return to base to tag up. Really the only thing which occurs outside the normal play is the batter is out - there is no force.
Equipment
- All players on offense must wear a helmet w/facemask (batters, on deck and student base coaches)
- Catcher must wear a mask with throat protector, helmet, chest protector and shin guards.
- Baseball and/or soccer cleats may be worn (NO metal cleats are allowed)
- Mouth guards are recommended
First-Aid Kit
All teams must provide their own first-aid kit. (This is MAISL Policy for all sports teams.)
Jewelry/Casts
- No jewelry will be allowed (earrings, watches, rings, necklaces, etc. – this includes friendship bracelets). The exception to this rule is the medical alert identification. These must be taped or padded.
- Hard casts are not allowed. Soft casts will be allowed upon approval by both coaches.
Roster
5th and 6th Grade – 10 players on the field (rover in the outfield)
7th/8th Grade – 9 players on the field
A minimum of 7 players are needed to start a game
Batting
All players must be on the official roster at the start of the game. All players will bat. There is a 10 batter limit per inning or 3 outs depending on what occurs first. Batting team must inform the umpire and other team of 10th batter.
Pitching/Base lengths
5th and /6th Grade – 35 foot pitching distance
7th/8th Grade – 40 foot pitching distance
60 foot base distances
Pitcher Warm-ups
Beginning a game, or when a pitcher relieves another pitcher, not more than one minute may be used to deliver not more than 5 pitches. (Please have catchers ready.)
Courtesy Runners
Allowed
Playing Time
To comply with Diocesan Policy all players must play a minimum of ¼ of each game. If a player is on the bench due to injury and/or disciplinary reasons the opposing coach must be informed prior to the start of the game.
Tie-Breaker Procedure
The visiting team will place a runner (the last batter from the previous inning) on second base.
The visiting team has three outs to score as many runs as possible
After three outs, the home team will follow the same procedure.
The team that scores the most runs will be declared the winner. If the score is still tied at the completion of the additional inning the procedure will be repeated.
Tournaments and League Champion
Tournaments are at the discretion of the league and program commissioner. League champion will be determined by the best win/loss record. If more than one team has the same record, there will be multiple championship trophies awarded.
|
