BGSA 2001 INSTRUCTIONAL LEAGUE RULES

1. The Instructional League is open to all girls wishing to join the Billerica Girls Softball Association who will be at least seven (7) years of age as of September 1 of the season year and will not have reached their ninth (9th) birthday by September one of the season year.
2. The registration fee for the Instructional League will be the same as for the other leagues sponsored by the Association.
3. A separate Instructional League Commissioner will be selected by the Board of Directors.
4. Each instructional team will consist of no more than thirteen (13) players.
5. The Instructional League season will run concurrently with the other BGSA seasons and will be structured as follows:
6. Each team will be comprised of one (1) coach and as many assistants as will volunteer to help.
7. All girls will use the batting tee for the first four (4) weeks of the season. Commencing with the fifth (5th) week of the season, the following rules will go into effect:
1. The coach will pitch to the girls on their team.
2. One of the assistants will assume the position of catcher to ensure an expedient game. If this person gets right behind a batter like a catcher, a mask must be worn. Otherwise, stand far enough back so that a foul tip can be reacted to properly.
3. If after six (6) pitches, a girl has not hit the ball, she must revert back to using the tee.
4. Balls and strikes will not be called in the Instructional League. Each girl must hit the ball at each turn at bat.
5. Each team will be allowed to bat through the batting order plus one girl only once each inning or three (3) outs whichever comes first.
6. The decision of batters and baserunners being out or safe shall be the responsibility of the coach who is on the field pitching.
8. When a team is on defense, the following rules apply:
   • Both the coach and the assistants will be permitted onto the playing field so that they may coach the team in defensive strategies. They are not to interfere in any way. The girls must make the plays.
   • One (1) player will assume a defensive position on the pitching mound.
   • Coaches must ensure that all girls get equal playing time regardless of playing ability.

9. Scores may be maintained for the purposes of friendly game competition. Keeping score must be a mutual agreement of both coaches. Team standings will not be kept.
10. Time rule for the Instructional League is as follows and will be strictly monitored and enforced:
• Game will end no later than two (2) hours after the schedule start of the game, regardless of score, who is at bat or what inning it is.
• If game score is maintained, the score will revert back to the last full inning that was completed. However, if the home team has scored enough runs to tie or take the lead, then the score will be what it was when the game was called.

11. All field dimensions and pitching rubbers will concur with the Junior League rules of play.
12. The "R.I.F." (Reduced Injury Factor) type ball will be used in the Instructional League
13. All girls who participate in the Instructional League will receive a small trophy or memento from the Association. This will be presented at the "Instructional League Awards Day" which is held toward the end of the season in June.

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©2001 Billerica Girls Softball Association