Softball Victoria Regulations for Victorian Championships

VICTORIAN U15 CHAMPIONSHIP GROUND RULES

A Summary of Variations from the SAL Rule Book, and other interpretations, based on the

Softball Victoria Regulations for Victorian Championships.

Time Rules

·  Games are 1 hour 15 minutes or 7 innings, except for Finals as below. All games must finish at the scheduled finish time even if they start late. (Exception: Use of the 5 minute rule or protests.)

·  There is a 5 minute rule in all games (i.e. no new innings to start within 5 minutes of the scheduled finish time.)

·  The Grand Final is 1 hour 20 minutes or 7 innings, and even innings are played (even when finishing the innings makes the game go past the scheduled finish time); tiebreaker starts next innings after scheduled finish time if needed.

·  Time is taken from the Official Clock.

Pre-Game Rules

·  Teams are to toss 20 minutes prior to start time. The team batting first is always on the First Base Bench.

·  Game cards are to be collected by the first named team and brought back by the winning team. Umpires are not responsible for the return of cards.

·  Teams give the umpires a bench list prior to the start of the game.

·  Umpires will provide match balls from the rooms before each game. Teams do not need to supply match balls.

·  The Batting team’s diamond warm-up commences 11 minutes before scheduled start time, the fielding team’s warm-up 6 minutes before scheduled start time.

·  Equipment checks may be required prior to any game starting.

·  1 minute before, there will be a Pre-game meeting at home plate.

Game Management Rules

·  The ISF run-ahead rule will apply to all games. 15 runs after 3 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings, 7 runs after 5 innings.

·  There is NO Intentional Base On Balls (IBB) in any grade.

·  Pitchers get a maximum of 5 warm-up pitches when they first start, then a maximum of 3; they get less than 3 if they’re too slow.

·  Teams while batting can declare their innings closed once per game.

·  The 9 batter rule will be played in all grades at Under 15 Championships.

·  If the ball is blocked outside 220 ft on an open field, it is 3 bases (unless every runner gets home before the ball is blocked).

·  On an enclosed field, any blocked ball beyond the boundary, it is 3 bases for Females and 2 bases for Males.

·  The Catcher Speedup rule is mandatory (if the DR is used, it will be counted as being used in that inning).

·  Tie-breakers start in the 8th innings if necessary, except as defined for Finals (see above).

·  Sledging or dissent is not to be tolerated by any umpire; a team warning may be issued for the first offence after which ejection is the penalty.

·  Metal Cleats are not to worn at any underage tournament.

The Weather

·  The Plate Umpire can SUSPEND play if it is felt to be unsafe; if lightning is seen in the vicinity, it is always immediately unsafe. The TCU and Tournament Committee may be called and will advise about rescheduling if necessary.

·  Registered warm-up jackets can be worn on the diamond if it is raining or cold (not while pitching).

The Bench Area

·  Only team members and officials in uniform are allowed in the bench area.

·  Smoking is not permitted whist in uniform.

·  No team member can be outside the bench area without umpires’ permission.

Uniforms

·  All players must have correct uniform with legal number.

·  No Victorian State Uniforms, paraphernalia or Helmets can be worn.

·  Caps and other registered headgear must match the designated association colours.

·  Coaches must wear the correct uniform as registered with Softball Victoria.

·  If a person who is under 19 as at in the year of the Championships coaches at First or Third Base they must wear a helmet.

·  Metal cleats are NOT allowed.

·  Jewelry is allowed at the players’ own risk and responsibility. If deemed distracting or a danger to others, the umpire shall ensure it is removed or taped.

·  Protective Arm/Leg Guards may be worn by the batter and/or on-deck batter. To be removed once on base.

Illegal Pitches

·  The first illegal pitch by each pitcher may, but not always, be a warning.

·  Pitchers may not have anything on their person below the elbow of their pitching arm. A long sleeve undershirt is legal.

·  The pitching distance is 40ft for Girls and 43ft for Boys.

Blood Rule

·  Anyone bleeding must come off. They can stay off being cleaned up for the whole of the innings in which the bleeding happened (top and bottom) plus one more complete innings. After that if they’re not ready they must be substituted. Any eligible replacement player can be used - even if they would otherwise be ineligible (not removed or ejected players).

·  If there is blood on the ground, call the grounds staff to clean it up.

·  Time will not be added for injuries. If a serious injury happens, needing the ambulance to be called and with the player not being able to be moved from the diamond, the umpire will send for the TCU or Deputy who will advise what is to occur.

Protests

·  Teams may protest. If a senior umpire/examiner appointed by the TCU is watching, he/she may hear the protest. If not, the protesting team is responsible for sending someone to alert the TCU. Time will not be added for protests - the person(s) resolving the issue may add only the amount spent actually deciding the protest.

Judiciary

·  Softball Victoria judiciary procedure is in force for this tournament.

·  Anyone found in breach of the Judiciary Procedures is to be reported by the Umpire/s concerned to the TCU immediately (or upon completion of the game in the case of an ejection.)

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