Billerica Girls Softball Association Rules

BGSA 2006 RULES

CLICK HERE FOR SECTION I - PRE-GAME RULES

CLICK HERE FOR SECTION II - RULES USED DURING THE GAME

SECTION III - INSTRUCTIONAL LEAGUE RULES
Note: There are no rule changes for the 2006 Season

3-1 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 One (1) of the season year and will not have reached their ninth (9th) birthday by September One (1) of the season year.

3-2 The registration fee for the Instructional League will be determined by the Board of Directors.

3-3 A separate Instructional League Commissioner will be selected by the Board of Directors.

3-4 Each instructional team will consist of approximately thirteen (13) players. Final determination will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

3-5 The Instructional League season will run concurrently with the other BGSA seasons and will be structured as follows:

3-6 Each team will be comprised of one (1) coach and as many assistants as will volunteer to help.

3-7 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:

a. The coach will pitch to the girls on their team.

b. One (1) 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.

c. If after six (6) pitches, a girl has not hit the ball, she must revert back to using the tee.

d. Balls and strikes will not be called in the Instructional League. Each girl must hit the ball at each turn at bat.

e. Each team will be allowed to bat through the batting order plus one (1) girl only once each inning or three (3) outs whichever comes first.

f. The decision of batters and baserunners being out or safe shall be the responsibility of the coach who is on the field pitching.

3-8 When a team is on defense, the following rules apply:

a. 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.

b. One (1) player will assume a defensive position on the pitching mound.

c. Coaches must ensure that all girls get equal playing time regardless of playing ability.

3-9 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.

3-10 Time rule for the Instructional League is as follows and will be strictly monitored and enforced:

a. Two (2) one (1) hour practices will be held the first (1st) week of the season.

b. Each Instructional League team will then play fourteen (14) games each consisting of one-half (½) hour practice followed by a one and one-half (1½) hour game. Practice is considered part of the two (2) hour game window and as such players and coaches should arrive ready to play and in plenty of time to start practice.

c. The half (½) hour practice will consist of the home team having the use of the infield for the first (1st) fifteen (15) minutes and then the visiting team having the use of the infield for the next fifteen (15) minutes.

d. Game will end no later than two (2) hours after the schedule start of the practice/game, regardless of score, who is at bat or what inning it is.

e. 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.

3-11 The field dimensions and pitching plate will be established at fifty-five (55) feet for basepaths and thirty-three (33) feet for pitching distance.

a. Instructional League should position fielders no closer to home plate than the pitching rubber at thirty-three (33) feet.

3-12 The "R.I.F." (Reduced Injury Factor) type ball will be used in the Instructional League.

3-13 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.

3-1	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 One (1) of the season year and will not have reached their ninth (9th) birthday by September One (1) of the season year.
3-2	The registration fee for the Instructional League will be determined by the Board of Directors.
3-3	A separate Instructional League Commissioner will be selected by the Board of Directors.
3-4	Each instructional team will consist of approximately thirteen (13) players. Final determination will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
3-5	The Instructional League season will run concurrently with the other BGSA seasons and will be structured as follows:
3-6	Each team will be comprised of one (1) coach and as many assistants as will volunteer to help.
3-7	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:
	a.	The coach will pitch to the girls on their team.
	b.	One (1) 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.
	c.	If after six (6) pitches, a girl has not hit the ball, she must revert back to using the tee.
	d.	Balls and strikes will not be called in the Instructional League. Each girl must hit the ball at each turn at bat.
	e.	Each team will be allowed to bat through the batting order plus one (1) girl only once each inning or three (3) outs whichever comes first.
	f.	The decision of batters and baserunners being out or safe shall be the responsibility of the coach who is on the field pitching.
3-8	When a team is on defense, the following rules apply:
	a.	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.
	b.	One (1) player will assume a defensive position on the pitching mound.
	c.	Coaches must ensure that all girls get equal playing time regardless of playing ability.
3-9	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.
3-10	Time rule for the Instructional League is as follows and will be strictly monitored and enforced:
	a.	Two (2) one (1) hour practices will be held the first (1st) week of the season.
	b.	Each Instructional League team will then play fourteen (14) games each consisting of one-half (½) hour practice followed by a one and one-half (1½) hour game. Practice is considered part of the two (2) hour game window and as such players and coaches should arrive ready to play and in plenty of time to start practice.
	c.	The half (½) hour practice will consist of the home team having the use of the infield for the first (1st) fifteen (15) minutes and then the visiting team having the use of the infield for the next fifteen (15) minutes.
	d.	Game will end no later than two (2) hours after the schedule start of the practice/game, regardless of score, who is at bat or what inning it is.
	e.	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.
3-11	The field dimensions and pitching plate will be established at fifty-five (55) feet for basepaths and thirty-three (33) feet for pitching distance.
	a.	Instructional League should position fielders no closer to home plate than the pitching rubber at thirty-three (33) feet.
3-12	The "R.I.F." (Reduced Injury Factor) type ball will be used in the Instructional League.
3-13	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.