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2010 MINOR LEAGUE (8-YEAR-OLD-&-UNDER) RULES

Game Preliminaries-

• 2 Umpires per game with one designated to handle all pitching machine issues (loading, adjusting, etc.).  Adjustments should be made at the end of a complete inning, but may be adjusted during an inning if the machine throws 3 consecutive balls or is bumped during play.
• A pitching machine will be used for all games.  It will be set up directly above the pitcher’s plate.  The machine should be set to a speed of 36-37 mph on the machine readout, with speed determined at the machine.  If no mph read-out on machine, then it is to be radar gunned from where catcher’s glove would be to catch pitch & set at 36-37 mph.
• A “catcher’s area” will be marked prior to the game & will be from the front of the batter’s box and extend 6’ beyond the back of the batter’s box.  It will be from the outside of one batter’s box to the outside of the other batter’s box.
• A “halfway line” perpendicular to the base path will be drawn halfway between first and second base, between second and third base, and between third base and home plate in order to establish enforcement of the “halfway rule”.
• If a player who has started a game cannot finish it for any reason, the team will have to take an out in that players spot in the batting order.  A team may start a game with only 9 available players without having to take an out.  However, if a team is forced to start a game with less than 9 players, the team must take an out in the batting order in a spot designated by the coach. Rules 4.16 & 4.17 shall not apply.  Game must be played with 8 players, or forfeited.
• Before the start of each game, both coaches will be called either to the mound or home plate in an effort to ensure that all involved is in agreement as to where the machine is starting at, positioned & throwing at.
• District Tournament Rule:  A 2-hour time limit will be enforced for the first round of games & the first round of the loser’s bracket (games 1 through 6).  Any inning started prior to the time limit shall be completed.  Rule 4.10 applies.

Batting-

• All players on the roster available to play shall bat in the batting order, which allows for free defensive substitutions.
• Each batter shall receive 6 pitches or 3 swinging strikes before being called out.  If the sixth pitch is hit foul, the batter will continue his turn at bat until he does not swing, swings & misses, or hits the ball in play. No walks will be issued.
• If a batter is hit by a pitched ball, it shall be ruled as a no pitch and does not count towards the 6 pitch limit, unless swung at then it becomes a dead ball strike.  If it happens again, the umpire shall adjust the machine as needed.
• Bunting is allowed, but once a batter squares to bunt, he may not pull bat back & swing.  If batter swings once in bunt position, or attempts a slap or drag bunt, a dead ball will be called, batter is out & all runners return to previous base.
• If a batted ball makes contact with the pitching machine or the umpire, the ball will be ruled dead with the batter awarded a single, and all runners will advance one base.  Any ball that stops under the pitching machine will be ruled a dead ball.  The umpire has the final discretion on any calls with regard to safety around the machine.
• 6-run rule per inning for first 5 innings. In 6^th inning & beyond, unlimited runs may be scored until 3 outs are recorded.

Defense-

• Two defensive coaches will be allowed on the field, but must remain in the outfield foul territory area, beyond 1^st and 3^rd base and outside of the infield dirt area, or where dirt area would be.  Lines may be drawn to designate this area.
• The defense may use 10 defensive players.  No more than 6 players may start a play within the infield dirt area.  The tenth player is to be used as a 4th outfielder, not a rover or an extra infielder. 
• Outfielders may not receive the first throw from a defensive player on a batted ball to make a put out at any base, whether by forcing or by tagging.  They can make a put out in a ‘run-down pickle’ situation or any subsequent play following the first throw.
• The pitcher must start within the pitcher’s circle (10’ diameter) and not closer to home plate than the pitcher’s plate.  Any contact with the circle will be considered inside the circle either when ball is pitched or play is being made.
• Play is stopped when the pitcher has the ball within the pitcher’s circle.  Any runner that has reached the halfway line or forced from a base may proceed to the next base without the risk of being put out.
• If the pitcher fields a batted ball within the circle, he may make a play on a runner at any base from inside the circle.  Otherwise, the play is dead when runners reach base safely.  If the pitcher makes a play on a runner, the ball is declared dead once the ball is returned to the pitcher and he enters the pitcher’s circle.  Once the pitcher re-enters the circle, he cannot make a play on any advancing runner, the play is dead, and the halfway rule applies.
• No infield fly rule.

Baserunners-

• Base stealing is permitted, but only if the pitched ball leaves the “catcher’s area”.  The runner may not leave the base at all until the ball leaves the catcher’s area.  A ball on the line is still considered to be in the catcher’s area.  Any violation of this rule will be treated the same as the ‘leave early rule’ (7.07) in the Town & Country rulebook. 
• Any runner who has established contact with or beyond the halfway line will be allowed to advance to next base.
• If a runner crosses the halfway line, then crosses it back to head back to a base, he would have to continue to the previously occupied base unless forced to advance.

All other rules follow the Town & Country Rulebook.

2010 Town & Country  -   5th Annual Softball Tournament

Entry Fee: $150.00 per team; paid in advance  to Town & Country, P.O. Box 75, Delphi, IN 46923 to be eligible

*Advancement fee - $65 per team paid directly to next host site upon arrival for those who advance in tourney.

Tournament Host Rules

• Host site shall establish a “Tournament Director”.  The Tournament Director shall not coach or manage and can be more than one person filling the role during a given round.
• The Tournament Director must check each player’s birth certificate that plays in your district.  No player shall be allowed to play until proof of age has been provided.  The Tournament Director must initial in the far right column beside each player’s information and mail appropriate copy upon completion to address listed above.
• After district round, the Tournament Director verifies that each player has already been cleared to play upon check-in, then oversees play, coordinates dispute resolution, reschedule games as needed & mails forms as denoted at end of round.
• The Tournament Director will appoint a “Protest & Rules Committee” for each game of the tourney.  Protest will be resolved before play resumes & decision is final.  The protest committee shall consist of the Tourney Director & a coach or parent from each team involved in the dispute & may require the adjournment to a quiet area away from conflict.  The team manager or head coach cannot be involved in the protest committee.
• The tournament host shall provide 2 “patched” umpires & 1 adult scorekeeper per tournament.
• Host will provide all game balls needed to run a successful tournament.  Any player that hits a home run shall be awarded the ball.
• Softball host sites may charge a nominal fee upon entry to help offset the costs of hosting a tournament.

Team Roster Rules

• A team cannot exceed 13 players, 1 manager, & 2 coaches. A scorekeeper may accompany the team in the dugout. The roster must be selected from players who have participated in at least one-half of their regular season team’s scheduled games. Rosters may not be changed once a team starts play of their first District tournament game.
• Each player must furnish a legal birth certificate or document from Bureau of Vital Statistics to be eligible for tournament. The Town & Country Board of Directors must approve all other documents used for proof of age.
• Ages determined by age as of January 1st, as per ASA guidelines.
• A player can be listed on two different tournament team rosters from the same league, BUT, can only play for one team per weekend round, i.e. a 10-yr.-old plays for 10u team at Districts, then the 12u team at Semi-State.

Tournament Playing Rules

• The tournament will follow ASA guidelines, with modifications as noted.
• 2-hour time limit on all 10u, 12u & 14u games except championship games -- No new inning shall start after 2-hour time limit, unless there is a tie.  All 8u games, except championship games, shall have a 1:45 time limit.
• A new inning shall be considered started upon the completion of the third out in the bottom-half of the inning.
• A Starting Pitcher can only re-enter one time to pitch as long she is occupies the same spot in the batting order.  Same as any starting player can only re-enter one time as long she is occupies the same spot in the batting order – Normal substitution rules apply.
• All Town & Country sanctioned softball tournament games shall be scheduled for six innings in duration, unless extra innings are needed.

2010 Town & Country 10U Summer Softball Tournament

1. Teams participating in Town & Country Sanctioned tournaments shall be allowed to play a maximum of four games per day, but no more than two consecutive, except for bracket game order situations and games re-scheduled for any reason when more games per day & more consecutive are allowed. In case of a bracket game order situation, if a team is scheduled for more than two consecutive games, that team will be allowed a minimum of a ½-hour break before the next game, unless shorter break is agreed upon by both coaches. Original bracket times are scheduled to try to take into account for this situation.
2. 6 inning games. 10-run rule is in effect after 4 innings. 15-run rule after 3 innings. 6 runs per inning maximum, except last scheduled inning and beyond when 3 outs must be recorded.
3. There is a 2-hour time limit on all first round games and the first round of the losers’ bracket.
4. A new inning is started immediately after the 3rd out is recorded in the bottom half of the previous inning.
5. All extra inning games shall use international tie-breaker. This means the player who made the last out of the previous inning shall start on second base to start the team’s next at-bat.
6. Normal substitutions rules apply.
7. All runners’ can steal all bases.
8. No dropped third-strike rule.
9. 13 allowed per roster, play 10 in field, bat 10 in line-up.
10. Normal at-bats with no maximum or minimum pitch count per batter ― balls & strikes will be called & pitcher will pitch until batter has reached base safely by any means including a walk, or been recorded out by any means including a strikeout.
11. Pitching rules per pitcher: maximum 6 innings per game, 24 maximum per tournament.
12. Host team shall maintain the supplied pitcher’s log to track innings pitched.
13. Any protests must be based upon rules interpretation, not judgment calls. The tournament director, or his representative, and umpires will review protest. Their decision will be final.
14. The tournament director reserves the right to change the format (or game times) of the tournament due to weather or other extenuating circumstances.
15. Tournament shall use ASA guidelines, but non-critical items such as the use of a chin strap for all batter’s & the use of a regular mitt by the catcher shall have some leeway allowed for team’s that are not equipped & could not do so on short notice. However, we strongly recommend the use ASA guidelines everywhere appropriate.
16. Host sites will also have concessions and would appreciate your support.
    
    We look forward to having a great tournament. Good luck to you all!
    

2010 MINOR LEAGUE (8-YEAR-OLD-&-UNDER) SOFTBALL RULES

Game Preliminaries-

• 2 Umpires per game with one designated to handle all pitching machine issues (loading, adjusting, etc.).  Adjustments should be made at the end of a complete inning, but may be adjusted during an inning if the machine throws 3 consecutive balls or is bumped during play.
• A pitching machine will be used for all games to be set up directly above the pitcher’s plate, 40 feet from home plate & set to a speed of 35 MPH on the machine readout.  If no mph read-out on machine, then it is to be radar gunned from where catcher’s glove would be to catch pitch & set to the same speed of 35 mph.
• A “catcher’s area” will be marked prior to the game & will be from the front of the batter’s box and extend 6’ beyond the back of the batter’s box.  It will be from the outside of one batter’s box to the outside of the other batter’s box.
• A “halfway line” perpendicular to the base path will be drawn halfway between first and second base, between second and third base, and between third base and home plate in order to establish enforcement of the “halfway rule”.
• If a player who has started a game cannot finish it for any reason, the team will have to take an out in that players spot in the batting order.  A team may start a game with only 9 available players without having to take an out.  However, if a team is forced to start a game with less than 9 players, the team must take an out in the batting order in a spot designated by the coach. Rules 4.16 & 4.17 shall not apply.  Game must be played with 8 players, or forfeited.
• Before the start of each game, both coaches will be called either to the mound or home plate in an effort to ensure that all involved is in agreement as to where the machine is starting at, positioned & throwing at.
• District Tournament Rule:  A 1:45 hour time limit will be enforced for all games, except for the championship game that will use a 2 hour time limit.  Any inning started prior to the time limit shall be completed.  Rule 4.10 applies.

Batting-

• All players on the roster available to play shall bat in the batting order, which allows for free defensive substitutions.
• Each batter shall receive 6 pitches or 3 swinging strikes before being called out.  If the sixth pitch is hit foul, the batter will continue his turn at bat until he does not swing, swings & misses, or hits the ball in play. No walks will be issued.
• If a batter is hit by a pitched ball, it shall be ruled as a no pitch and does not count towards the 6 pitch limit, unless swung at then it becomes a dead ball strike.  If it happens again, the umpire shall adjust the machine as needed.
• Bunting is allowed, but once a batter squares to bunt, he may not pull bat back & swing.  If batter swings once in bunt position, or attempts a slap or drag bunt, a dead ball will be called, batter is out & all runners return to previous base.
• If a batted ball makes contact with the pitching machine or the umpire, the ball will be ruled dead with the batter awarded a single, and all runners will advance one base.  Any ball that stops under the pitching machine will be ruled a dead ball.  The umpire has the final discretion on any calls with regard to safety around the machine.
• 6-run rule per inning for first 5 innings. In 6^th inning & beyond, unlimited runs may be scored until 3 outs are recorded

Defense-

• Two defensive coaches will be allowed on the field, but must remain in the outfield foul territory area, beyond 1^st and 3^rd base and outside of the infield dirt area, or where dirt area would be.  Lines may be drawn to designate this area.
• The defense may use 10 defensive players.  No more than 6 players may start a play within the infield dirt area.  The tenth player is to be used as a 4th outfielder, not a rover or an extra infielder. 
• Outfielders may not receive the first throw from a defensive player on a batted ball to make a put out at any base, whether by forcing or by tagging.  They can make a put out in a ‘run-down pickle’ situation or any subsequent play following the first throw.
• The pitcher must start within the pitcher’s circle (10’ diameter) and not closer to home plate than the pitcher’s plate.  Any contact with the circle will be considered inside the circle either when ball is pitched or play is being made.
• Play is stopped when the pitcher has the ball within the pitcher’s circle.  Any runner that has reached the halfway line or forced from a base may proceed to the next base without the risk of being put out.
• If the pitcher fields a batted ball within the circle, he may make a play on a runner at any base from inside the circle.  Otherwise, the play is dead when runners reach base safely.  If the pitcher makes a play on a runner, the ball is declared dead once the ball is returned to the pitcher and he enters the pitcher’s circle.  Once the pitcher re-enters the circle, he cannot make a play on any advancing runner, the play is dead, and the halfway rule applies.
• No infield fly rule.

Baserunners-

• Base stealing is permitted, but only if the pitched ball leaves the “catcher’s area.” The runner may not leave the base at all until the ball leaves the catcher’s area.  A ball on the line is still considered to be in the catcher’s area.  Any violation of this rule will be treated the same as the ‘leave early rule’ (7.07) in the Town & Country rulebook.
• Any runner who has established contact with or beyond the halfway line will be allowed to advance to next base.
• If a runner crosses the halfway line, then crosses it back to head back to a base, he would have to continue to the previously occupied base unless forced to advance.