H.A.A.A. 2009 Softball Rules
Hempfield Area Athletic Association
(14-and-Under)
and
(18-and-Under) Fast Pitch (age as of 1/1/11)

I.    Introduction 

      The rules listed below are additions, modifications, or exceptions to the
current youth softball rules and regulations for American Softball
Association of America (ASA).

a.      Age Qualifications – A player’s age as of December 31 determines
the age in which the player is eligible to play the following year. A player
born after December 31, 1991 is eligible for 18-and-Under and after
December 31, 1995 is eligible for 14-and-Under.

b.      Players of younger age classification may play in older age
classifications, but an older age classification player may not play
in the younger age classification.

II.   General  

      a.   Playing Field

1.      The home team shall furnish player’s benches for both home and
visiting teams.  Benches will be set a safe distance from the base
paths.

2.      The home team is responsible for having the field lined and any
safety problems (holes, rocks, low spots) corrected before the
scheduled start time of the game.

3.      Ground rules are to be reviewed prior to the start of each gamed
with both coaches and the umpire.  The umpire has the authority to
change any ground rule that he feels is unsafe or will be detrimental
to the game.

4.      A covering such as a tarp or canvas is to be placed over the
backstop behind home plate at all fields. 

      b.   Equipment

1.      Softballs must be in accordance with or equivalent to those
approved for play by ASA Rule 3, Section 3. The official 12-inch
ball shall be used. The 12-inch ball shall have a ball COR of .470
or under and a ball compression of 375.0 lbs. or less. The ball
shall have an optic yellow cover with red-stitch.

2.      Game balls are to be supplied by the home team – one new ball
and one ball in good condition are required. Both balls shall be
the same COR, compression, and color. 

3.      Bats must be in accordance with ASA rule designations and
limitations.  All bats must be marked OFFICIAL SOFTBALL. See
the Rules Addendum for additional bat requirements.

4.      Shoes – NO metal spikes are permitted. 

      c.   Game Postponements

1.      Postponements other than for weather reasons are acceptable
only due to extreme circumstances or conflicts with school activities.

2.      In case of inclement weather, the home team coach is responsible
to notify the visiting team coach and the umpire coordinator/assignor
(see Softball Rules Addendum) no later than one hour before game
time.

3.      The decision to cancel the game at the field is that of the umpire.
If a game is cancelled at the field after the umpire has arrived or
if it is postponed prior to being an official game, the umpire(s) are
pad half fee.

4.      The home team coach must make every effort to schedule a
suitable makeup game within one week. The HAAA board may
reschedule any game if a suitable reschedule has not been
arranged after this one-week period.  The home team coach must
contact the umpire coordinator/assignor to schedule an umpire. 

      d.   Player Rosters 

1.      No players can be added to the roster after April 23, 2011 for
14-and-Under and May 7, 2011 for 18-and-Under.

2.      A new player must play for the area in which they reside or the
area that is closest to their residence.  Any player wishing to
play in a different area must get a release from their home
commissioner.  If the home commissioner will not release the
player, then they can write a letter to HAAA and the board of
directors will make the decision.

3.      Final rosters are to be submitted to the league coordinator
by April 23, 2011 for 14-and-Under and May 7, 2011 for
18-and-Under.  To be eligible to play in playoffs, the player
has to have played in at least half of the regular season games
unless an injury occurred. A player has to have played more than
half when a team has played an odd number of games.

4.      A player of either age in the next youngest age group can move
up to the next older age group as a fill in player if the team in
their area needs a player to have enough to play their game. Fill
in players may be used to fulfill a team’s allowed number of
ten (10) players.  If that team ends up having enough of their
regular players to play the game, then the fill in player can play
no more than 2 innings in the field. The fill in player must bat no
more than once or must remain in the continuous batting order
throughout the completion of the game.  Once a player serves
as a fill in player for a team in the next older age group, she
cannot play with any other team as a fill in player. All fill in players
must be a permanently rostered player from within the area in
which they are rostered. 

      e.  Ejection Rule 

1.      Arguing, mistreatment and harassment of umpires will not be
tolerated.  Problems with umpires are to be communicated to
your area HAAA coordinator for discussion with the board of directors.

2.      The umpires are instructed to immediately eject a player, coach,
parent or fan that is demonstrating poor behavior.  Coaches are
responsible for maintaining order with their players and fans. 
Anyone ejected has to leave the premises immediately to the
satisfaction of the umpire.  The umpire has the authority to award
a forfeit for failure to adhere to this by player, coach, parent or fan.

3.      Other grounds for ejection include runners intentionally colliding
with fielders, unruly behavior, throwing objects and/or swearing.

4.      If a player is ejected from a game, she will also be suspended
from the next game played.  If a violation of this occurs, the head
coach will be suspended for the remainder of the season
including playoffs. 

      f.  Game Record 

1.      The winning team coach is responsible to report the game
results in accordance with the Softball Rules Addendum.

2.      The umpire is to sign both teams’ scorebooks, recording the
winning team’s score as well as the losing team’s score. 

      g.  Games

1.      There will be a 15-minute grace period allowed after the scheduled
starting time for either team to have enough players to play.

2.      There will be a 15-minute grace period allowed for an umpire to
show up. If no umpire shows up by the end of the 15-minute grace
period, a substitute umpire can be used if both coaches agree.
This substitute must have proper safety equipment. As a minimum,
a mask and chest protector is required.  If no acceptable umpire
can be agreed upon, the game is cancelled and is to be
rescheduled as soon as possible. 

III.  Playing Rules 

      a.  14 years-and-under and 18 years-and-under – Fast Pitch 

1.            Pitching rules will be in accordance with Fast Pitch rules.  A
fast pitch (i.e. windmill) or modified pitch delivery is allowed.
Before starting the delivery (pitch), the pitcher shall comply
with the preliminary regulations identified for the method of
delivery performed. A pitcher may not change the method of
delivery during an at-bat. A change of pitchers may result in a
change of the method of delivery.     

2.            Pitching rules:  The pitcher shall take a position with both feet in
contact with the pitcher’s plate to start.

3.            Catchers must wear a mask, chest protector, shin guards and
helmet.

4.            The batter is entitled to take one base when hit by a pitch
(regardless of pitching method).

5.            Bunting is allowed.

6.            Batter is out on a caught foul tip third strike. The third strike
rule is in effect (primarily ASA Rule 8, Section 1, Article B).

7.            Batter/runner must keep their helmet on until they are out of
the play area or until the umpire calls time out and has control
of the ball.  Helmet chinstrap mandatory.

8.            Base runners are entitled to advance with the liability of being
put out when the ball leaves the pitchers hand on the delivery.

9.            Stealing permitted (no limit).

10.        Games are 7 innings.   4 ½ innings constitutes a legal game.

11.        Ten players are permitted on the field (players positioned in the
outfield shall be a minimum of 20 feet behind the base lines).  No
Rover.  A team must have a minimum of 8 players to begin the
game.

12.        Playing field will consist of 60’ bases.  With a 40’ pitching rubber
(a 24” long by 6” wide pitching rubber required).

13.        A team is not permitted to score more than 7 runs in an inning.
This rule is waived for both teams in the 7^th inning and in extra
innings.  The 12-run rule is in effect after completion of 4 ½ or 5
innings.

14.        All players must play at least 2 innings in the field.

15.        Free substitutions are permitted in the field.

16.        There will be a continuous batting order of all players that are
at the game.  In case of injury, the injured player’s spot in the
line-up is skipped until the player is able to return.  There will not
be an out charged when this occurs. A player’s spot in the line-up
cannot be skipped over due to a player illness. An out must be
taken or the player may be removed from the line-up and will be
ineligible to return.

17.        Infield fly rule is in effect.

18.        Over throw at bases – ASA rules will apply.

19.        Stealing home permitted.

20.        8’ radius circle around pitching rubber is required.

21.        Any rules not covered, refer to current ASA Manual.

22.         Girls will be allowed to play in our league as well as another.