2008 Angleton Girls Softball Rules and Regulations

I.REGISTRATION AND TRYOUTS

A.To be eligible for assignments to a team, players will register approximately January 1st through January 31, at a time to be announced through the local press and/or schools. Membership in the AGSA will be for the following year unless suspended.

B.No players will be allowed to register after draft day, except atthe discretion of the Board of Directors.

C.Players addedafter draft day will be placed on teams at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

D.A Photostatted copy for proof of date of birth must be submitted to the Division President before the child will receive a uniform and be allowed to play.

E.Players will be assigned to leagues in accordance with rules established by Amateur Softball Association and must play within their respective age groups. Players wishing to play in the next higher age group must be approved to do so, before tryouts, by the Board of Directors.

F.At the time of registration each player shall declare whether she is trying out for Division I or II play.

G.All players not having played on a team or returning to a league team must attend tryouts for Division I or Division II play.

H.All players not having played on a team or returning to a league (Rev. 2008)team must attend tryouts at a time announced at registration in order to be eligible for draft.Tryouts will not be required for option or protected players.

I.The list of eligible draftees will be submitted by the Division President to each manager of his or her respective league prior to tryouts.

J.Age groups for the current season will be as follows:

Senior (18&U)—Age 17 before Jan.1st but not 19 before Jan.1st.

Junior II (16&U)—Age 15 before Jan.1st but not 17 before Jan.1st.

Junior I (14&U)—Age 13 before Jan.1st but not 15 before Jan.1st.

Sophomore (12&U)—Age 11 before Jan.1st but not 13 before Jan.1st.

Freshman (10&U)—Age 9 before Jan.1st but not 11 before Jan.1st.

Pixie II (8&U)—Age 7 before Jan.1st but not 9 before Jan.1st.

Pixie I (6&U)—Age 4 before Jan.1st but not 7 before Jan.1st.

Any variance in age group will be at the discretion of the board.

  1. An approved manager may not choose an assistant manager or coach during actual tryouts. An assistant manager and coach must be chosen prior to tryouts and draft being held.
  2. Only approved Managers, Assistant Managers and Coaches may be on the field during tryouts to evaluate players.(Rev. Jan. 5,2006)

II.DRAFTING RULES

A.Division teams will draft before League teams allowing League teams to replace players in the supplemental draft lost to Division teams prior to the regular draft. Players drafted will be replaced on the team as returning players in the established drafting order. For each player lost to a AGSA Division team, that slot in the draft order shall be open for a new draftee beginning in the fifth round. (Rev. Jan. 5, 2007)

1.All players attempting to be placed on a Division team must tryout for that team and will not automatically be returned to the Division team.

2.Division teams will be drafted by the approved Division Manager and Assistant Manager. The Division draft will be monitored by that Division’s President.

3.Players who were unable to attend tryouts for the Division teamsmay be considered for Division atthe discretion of the Board of Directors.

4.Each team will have a first round draft pick starting in reverse order of overall finish.

B.If a team has one option player, that option player will be placed in the second round (Rev. Jan. 5, 2006) draft slot. If a team has two option players, those option players will be placed in the second and third round (Rev. Jan. 5, 2006 ) draft slots. If a team has three option players, those option players will be placed in the second, third, & fourth round.
(Rev. Jan.5,2007 ) "Option players" are defined as approved manager’s, assistant manager’s and/or coach’s daughter or sister. “Returning players” are not “Option players”.

1. "Protected players" are defined as sisters, and any of the following living under the same household. (I.e., half-sisters and stepsisters). Protected players shall be placed in the next draft slot after the last returning player.

2.Pixie I – will abide by same drafting rules as all other leagues.

C.All returning players will be placed on the draft roster beginning with round five. (Rev. 2008) (All divisions) (Rev. Jan. 5 , 2006 )

D.Each round of the league draft will begin with the expansion teams drafting, as determined by random draw, followed by the low roster teams in reverse order of their finish, followed by established teams drafting in reverse order of their finish.

1."Low Roster Team" is defined as an existing team with 3 or less returning, protected or option players.

2."Established Team" is defined as an existing team with 4 or more returning, protected or option players.

3."Expansion Team" is defined as a team that did not exist in the previous year, notwithstanding the name of that expansion team.
Note: If there were 6 teams in the previous year, in order for there to be an "Expansion Team" there must be 7 or more teams. If there are more than one "Expansion Team" the draft will begin with the expansion team drafting, as determined by random draw.

4.Pixie II – As per regular drafting procedures.

E.As a manager announces the draft choice the player’s name will be removed from the master draft list.

F.If a newly approved manager, an assistant manager and/or a coach move a daughter or a sister to another team, then that team will transfer its first optionedplayer spot, meaning the first spot after the first round spot, to the team losing the player, and the player receiving the transferred player. If more than one player is involved, then the receiving team forfeits its first and second optioned player spots to the donor team or teams. The player selected with the transferred draft choice shall be placed as returning player on the roster of the team who lost the transferred player in the first available returning player slot.

G.All players not attending tryouts will be assigned to a team by random draw immediately after draft. The Draft will conclude when the last player has been drafted.

H.There will be no Trades.

I. Only the approved manager, assistant manager and coach may attend the draft. Any substitutions must be approved by the Board of Directors.

III.MANAGERS,AND ASSISTANT MANAGER AND COACH RESPONSIBILITIES

A.The home team will mark the field, must provide the official scorekeeper, and set the bases at least five minutes prior to game time. Visiting managers must provide someone to keep the scoreboard. The visiting team will store away the bases at the conclusion of their game if their game is the last scheduled game on the day. (Rev. Jan. 5,2006) If an AGSA team is playing a non-AGSA team then the AGSA is responsible for storing away the bases.

PENALTY: First offense, manager may be subject to disciplinary action as described in Section III.H. Subsequent violations could result in forfeiture of the next league game. However, if the violation occurs after the final game of the season, one victory will be forfeited.

B.Returning managers should have a letter of intent to manage submitted to the Board of Directors no later than the second league registration date. Prospective managers should have a letter of intent to manage submitted to the Division President prior to tryouts. All Managers, Assistant Managers and Coaches must be approved by the Board of Directors. Managers will have a right of refusal of any assistant manager and/or coach.

C.Each manager must hold a parent meeting prior to the beginning of the season.

D.A manager may not assist another manager during games within their own division.

E.Managers will be held responsible for equipment and uniforms issued to their team.

F.Managers, Assistant Managers and Coaches must be eighteen years of age or older at the time of draft.

G.Managers, Assistant Managers and Coaches must follow the rules and regulations of the AGSA and insure that their team follows all rules and regulations as well as established principles of good sportsmanship.

H.Managers, Assistant Managers and Coaches may be suspended by the Board of Directors for not carrying out the rules and regulations of the AGSA, or for disorderly conduct during AGSA activities. Any individual with a complaint or concern must follow the AGSA Grievance Procedure, as follows:

All complaints and concerns must be discussed or put in writing to the manager of team. If no satisfactory results are obtained, concerned party must express concern in same fashion to appropriate league president. If the concerned party is still dissatisfied or concerned, the party must then submit in writing a letter stating their concerns and the steps they have taken to remedy situation to the Board of Directors.

J.A manager/ assistant manager may be removed from participation with the AGSA by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors

K.A manager may not suspend a player without the approval of the Board of Directors. Request for suspension must be in written form outlining reasons for suspension, and should be made available to the parents of child in question.

L.Managers, Assistant Managers and Coaches or their own immediate family may not move laterally or down in their own league. Examples: Assistant managers or their immediate family cannot accept an assistant manager’s role for another team in his/her league from year to year. Managers or their immediate family cannot accept a manager’s role or assistant manager’s role for another team in his/her league from year to year.

M.If a manager or assistant manager is ejected from a game, while representing AGSA, the Board of Directors shall consider whether or not that person shall be suspended from AGSA for the remainder of the season, or any part thereof.

N.If a manager resigns prior to the draft, after being approved by the Board of Directors, their child is no longer considered an option player and must go into the draft. In this situation the assistant manager can become the manager of the team and will be allowed to protect an option player other than his own option.

O.Managers must inform in writing to their Division President prior to any deletion of players from their rosters as they occur.

P.Managers, Assistant Managers and Coaches or a team representative, from each team, must have attended a rule change/coaches clinic, approved by AGSA, before the first regular season game. Any member of the AGSA Association may attend.

Q.All coaches will be expected to clean their dugouts, fields and surrounding stands.

R. If a returning player chooses to be placed back in the draft, then that player cannot be drafted by the team she played for the previous year. (Rev. Jan. 5, 2006)

S. A list of all approved coaches will be placed on the association web site as soon as available.

T.8U A (Division 1) Teams:
1. 8U Division 1 teams will follow the same guidelines as other division 1 teams in 10u – 18u
Ref: Section XV.DIVISION Teams
2. All players must be from Tx ASA District 27 , unless released in writing by the commissioner of a adjoining association.

U.League Team Restrictions:
1. League teams (Division II (B)) can not pick up players from other league teams in other District 27 associations for tournament play in “Open” tournaments.

III-B. Team Responsibilities

1) All girls must wear the current year's league uniform during league play. Any proposed modifications to a team uniform must be approved by the appropriate Division Director.

2) The home team will mark the field, must provide the official scorekeeper, and set the bases at least five minutes prior to game time. Visiting managers must provide someone to keep the scoreboard. The visiting team will store away the bases at the conclusion of their game if their game is the last scheduled game on the day. If an AGSA team is playing a non-AGSA team then the AGSA is responsible for storing away the bases.

3) The visiting team of the last scheduled game on a field is responsible for taking the dugout trash cans to the trash cans located adjacent to their field.

PENALTY: First offense, manager may be subject to disciplinary action as described in Section III.H. Subsequent violations could result in forfeiture of the next league game. However, if the violation occurs after the final game of the season, one victory will be forfeited.

4) At the end of each game, the managers of both teams will report the official score and sign off on the official record kept in the Concession Stand, reflecting their approval of the final score.

IV.PLAYER RESPONSIBILITIES

A.Players must participate in 75% of games and practices to be eligible to be considered for post season teams within the Association. In the event an injured player is unable to meet the participation guidelines, eligibility will be considered at the discretion of the Board of Directors. (Rev. Jan. 5, 2006)

B.Players will not be permitted to use any foul language, gestures, or demeaning conduct toward another player, coach, team, or general public. Any violation of the "Players Responsibilities” must follow the grievance procedures. Any individual with a complaint or concern must follow the AGSA Grievance Procedure, as follows:

1. All complaints and concerns must be discussed or put in writing to the manager of team. If no satisfactory results are obtained, concerned party must express concern in same fashion to appropriate league president. If the concerned party is still dissatisfied or concerned, the party must then submit in writing a letter stating their concerns and the steps they have taken to remedy situation to the Board of Directors.

2. A player may be removed from participation in the following game by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors.

V.PLAYING AND EQUIPMENT SAFETY

A.All equipment shall be obtained through the Equipment Manager. All equipment will be turned in after the last game of the season to the Equipment Manager. .The manager is responsible for all equipment issued to his/her team and must see to it that all equipment is turned in to the Equipment Director at the end of the playing season. Under no circumstances will any person intentionally throw a bat or headgear on the ground or in the dugout. Punishments for such violations will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

  1. All players must have numbered shirts and the Board of Directors must approve any additional printing on any part of the uniform.
  2. Players will be responsible for picking up their own headgear and bats from the field during play. Non-team members will not be allowed in the dugout or on the field during play.

E. All players must wear a certified chin strap and approved face guard

VI.LEAGUE AND GAME RULES:

A.Rules regarding the base distance, pitching distance and the type ball will be governed by the Amateur Softball Association. Specifically, those rules will be as follows.

1.Pitching:

a.Senior (18&U) - - 43 feet

b. Junior II (16&U), Junior I (14&U)and Sophomore (12&U).- - - 40 feet

c.Freshman (10&U) and Pixie (8&6U) - - 35 feet

2Bases:

a.Senior (18&U), Junior II & I (16&14U), Sophomore (12&U) and Freshman (10&U) - - 60 feet

b.Freshman &Pixie (8&6U) - - - 60 feet

3Balls:

a.Senior (18&U), Junior II & I (16&14U) and Sophomore (12&U) - - - 12 inches

b.Freshman (10&U) - - - 11 inches

c.Pixie (8&6U) - - - Same as authorized for State Tournament. (i.e. Safety Ball)

B.Regulation game times will be as follows:

1.Pixies (6u / 8u)- - 1 hour or 5 innings. (Rev. Jan. 5, 2006)

2.Freshman and Sophomore - - 1 hour and 10 minutes or 6 innings (Rev. Jan. 5, 2006).

3.Junior I, Junior II and Senior - - 1 hour and 10 minutes or 7 innings (Rev. Jan. 5, 2006).

C.Run rules will be as follows:

1.Junior and Senior - - 20 after 3, or 10 after 4. 15 runs after 3 innings, 12 runs after 4 innings or 8 runs after 5 innings.
This change will match the 2008 Run Rule for Fast Pitch from ASA.

2.Sophomore - - no more than 6 runs will be scored in one inning with no continuation runs allowed. A game will end if one team is ahead 7 runs after 5 innings or 13 runs after 4 innings. 15 runs after 3 innings, 12 runs after 4 innings or 8 runs after 5 innings. This change will match the 2008 Run Rule for Fast Pitch from ASA.

3.Freshman and Pixie - - no more than 6 runs will be scored in one inning with no continuation runs allowed. A game will end if one team is ahead 7 runs after 4 or 13 after 3 innings. 15 runs after 3 innings, 12 runs after 4 innings or 8 runs after 5 innings. This change will match the 2008 Run Rule for Fast Pitch from ASA.

D.All games shall be regulation games if called by the umpires, because of weather after 3 innings or fifty-five minutes of playing time. If an inning is not complete, it shall revert to the last full inning to determine status of the game, unless the home team is batting and ahead, the score will remain.

E.Rules specific to Pixie:

Adopt the State rules with the following exceptions:

1.A team will be allowed to start a game with 9 players if only 9 are present, but must start all 10 if 10 or more are present per state rule. A team will also be allowed to start and play with 8 players with the 9th position being an out.

2.Fifty-five minute game time will be extended to 1 hour, for league play. (Rev. Jan. 5, 2006)

3.Pickups may not play pitcher position or first base.

4.(Pixie I only) A dead ball will be called if the ball hits the fence on the first playthat is intended to get a runner or batter runner out at any base. The runner or batter runner will be awarded the base in which they were going to when the ball was released.

F.Rules specific to Freshman:

1.The dropped third strike will be in effect. (Rev. 2008)

2.The infield fly rule will be in effect. (Rev. 2004)

3.Players will be allowed to steal all bases, including homeplate. (Rev. 2004) (Rev. 2008)

4.Players will be allowed to steal home in an AGSA Tournaments. (Rev. 2008)