EQUIPMENT/GEAR

1. Tennis shoes or rubber cleats must be worn during the game. No metal cleats.

2. No jewelry should be worn during the game, and no foreign objects will be allowed in pockets.

PRACTICES 

3. Practice time on the diamond is 1 hour, two times weekly.

TEAMS

4. Each team will start with all of their players. All players will play the field and bat. 

5. All attempts will be made to field games as scheduled.  Coaches can lend players to opposing teams if they have significantly fewer players.  Rescheduling of games that are canceled will be made by the board.

6.  Do not field the catching position.

GAME DAY RESPONSIBILITIES:

First game (only game):

HOME TEAM - lining of the field (put bases away)

VISITING TEAM - sets out bases (rakes field)

Second game:

HOME TEAM - puts bases away 

VISITING TEAM - rakes the field

GAME RULES

7. Teams will bat until they have three (3) outs or eight (8) players have batted.

8.  ASA rules will govern any rules not addressed here.

9. Players are required to wear a face mask.  If parents choose to allow their fielders to play without a mask, the appropriate waiver form must be filled out. Pitchers are always required to wear a mask.

10. Each game will be 6 innings or 1 hour, whichever comes first. The second game for each night will start 15 minutes or less after the first game has ended. Coaches must be prepared to begin play early and are responsible for letting parents know this rule.

11. Thirty-minute rule - Once lightning has been recognized, we will wait at least 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning is witnessed or thunder is heard. Any subsequent lightning or thunder after the beginning of the 30-minute count should reset the clock and another count should begin.

12. The infield fly rule does not apply.

PITCHING

13. Pitchers are required to wear a protective mask when fielding at the pitching machine and live pitching. If they do not have one we will have a mask available in the concession stand for players to use. If you have a pitcher that does not have one, please contact the board.

14. Belles will use the pitching machine for all innings.  After 4 pitches, the player will be allowed to hit off the tee until the ball is put into play.

15. The pitching machine is set at 38-40 mph, placed at the 36-foot mound. The coach will feed the ball into the pitching machine. 

16. The pitcher’s mound is 36 feet from home.

BATTING

17. Bats must have both the ASA and the USSA certification stamp. We recommend players have their own bat and helmet with a mask.  If you have a player who does not have a bat or a helmet with a mask, please contact the board.

18. The batter must wear a helmet with a facemask at all times. If a batter intentionally removes her helmet while running the bases, she will be called out. The batter must wear the helmet until she leaves the field.

19. The batter and the on-deck batter are the only two allowed outside the dugout.

20. No bunting is allowed. If the batter does not make the effort to make a full swing, it will be called a bunt. This is a dead ball and the batter will be given a warning on their first offense and called out on their second. 

21. A batter may take one pitch off of the pitching machine without it being called a strike. All other pitches will be strikes. Exception- if the ball comes out of the machine improperly, the coach will call no pitch, even if the batter swings.

22. If a hit ball hits any part of the pitching machine or protective barrel, it will be considered a dead ball. The batter will advance to 1st base, and the other base runners will advance to the next base if it were a forced base.

23. There shall be no walks or strikeouts. After a batter gets 4 pitches, the batter’s coach will place the ball on a tee.  The batter will swing until the ball is put in play.

BASE RUNNING

24. A player may not stand on or guard a base in a manner that interferes with a base runner.

25. Dead ball will be called on all overthrows.

26. Players may not advance more than two bases on any batted ball.

27. Stealing bases is not permitted. The base runner cannot leave until the ball is hit. 

ETIQUETTE/MISCELLANEOUS

28. There will be no throwing of the bats and helmets, abusing any equipment, digging holes in the field, foul language, unnecessary roughness, unsportsmanlike conduct, or arguing with the umpire during the game. A participant will receive one warning. Umpires have complete authority to eject any player, coach, or fan from the game. Board members also have the authority to eject any player, coach, or fan from the game.

29. Coaches and/or parents may discipline a player by keeping them out of a game or start of a game (for a set number of innings). This must be reported to the opposing coach, umpire, and one board member prior to the game. The disciplined player’s name must be listed on the roster, and the batting order, and the number of innings they will not be playing must be stated. If a coach is disciplining a player for the second time, the coach needs to talk to one of the board members and set a time for the player’s parents, coach, and board member to meet and resolve the issue.

30. If a parent, coach, or fan is asked to leave the game for any reason, the board will have a meeting following the game to decide future attendance. The individual will not be allowed to attend a game or practice until the meeting occurs.