2006 LOCAL GROUND RULES
MINORS SOFTBALL
Coach's Guidelines
(For girls age 7 to 9)
Our Minors Softball
division gives our young ballplayers their first experience with "real"
softball. At this level, the coaches have the added responsibility
of fine tuning the player's techniques and skills in preparation for
entry into the more advanced Majors program. We have developed the
following general guidelines to help assist them.
Field Layout & Positions
-- Review and reinforce the player's knowledge in this area early
in the season.
-- Give all players the opportunity to develop new skills by allowing
them to play as many positions as possible.
-- Avoid keeping your best players on the pitcher's mound and at first
base.
-- All players should play the field even if the number of players
that you have exceeds 9; no players should sit the bench.
-- A catcher is required at this level; catchers must wear full gear.
-- Pitchers may stand on either side of the pitching machine.
-- Only 6 players (including the pitcher and catcher) should be in
the infield. All other players should be placed in the outfield.
Batting
-- Use a continuous batting order; all players should be placed in
the batting order.
-- Coaches feed balls into the pitching machine for their own hitters.
-- Each hitter gets a maximum of 5 swings; the hitter is out after
the fifth swing. If the hitter tips or fouls off the ball on the last
swing, the hitter gets another pitch.
-- If the batted ball remains in the infield, the batter and any runners
may advance one base only (unless a putout is made) and may not take
an additional base on any over-throws. The batter and any runners
may advance additional bases if the batted ball clearly goes into
the outfield and may continue to advance until the ball is returned
to the infield (the ball does not have to be in a fielder's possession
to be considered back in the infield).
-- Runners may not advance on overthrows to any base.
-- Stealing is not permitted.
-- There is no leading; runners cannot leave the base until the ball
reaches home plate.
-- There is no infield fly rule.
-- Any batted ball that hits the pitching machine is a base hit and
the ball is dead; thrown balls that hit the pitching machine also
are dead.
-- Helmets must be worn at all times.
Games
-- Games are no longer than 5 innings and should not exceed 1 ½
hours; there are no extra innings.
-- Coaches should use discretion, especially early in the season when
daylight is limited, and should not begin a new inning if it cannot
be completed under the circumstances.
-- There is a five (5) run maximum per half (1/2) inning or three
(3) outs, which ever comes first.
-- League approved adult coaches should be used as base coaches on
the 1st and 3rd baselines.
-- Coaches are permitted on the playing field when their team is in
the field.
• GLocester,
Rhode Island ~ USA •
