Collegedale Recreation Association

USA Softball (formerly known as ASA) rules will govern play along with the following list of Collegedale Recreation Association home/local rules:

All Divisions (rules written in BOLD indicate new changes for 2022)

- Length of game is 7 innings and/or 60 minutes (75 minutes for all-star games; 70 minutes for postseason tournament) EXCEPTION: no clock on championship games

- Tied games will now be played out until there is a winner via the official International Tie-Breaker rule! This rule will now be in effect for all games that exceed 7 innings & still have time remaining on game clock with the score remaining tied, AND/OR for all games that have a tied score & are starting a brand new inning after the game clock has expired (applies to regular season AND postseason tournament AND all-star games)

- Minimum number of players required is 6 (meaning a team must have 6 players from its own official roster in order to avoid a forfeit). Short-handed teams who only have between 6 and 9 of their own players present are now allowed the following options: a maximum of 4 play-up players if only 6 are present, a maximum of 3 if only 7 are present, a maximum of 2 if only 8 are present, or a maximum of 1 play-up player if only 9 are present. Play-up players MUST come from the division immediately below and MUST wear their own team's uniform in order to be eligible to play in game. A team's late-arriving player(s) MUST substitute in for the play-up player(s) IF it gives their team more than 10 total players! (meaning they MUST take over the same exact spot in the batting line-up that was held by the exiting play-up player... also, if this scenario happens while the team is currently in the field for defense, a simultaneous swap will occur once play stops and "time" is called, resulting in the play-up player[s] exiting the game and the late-arriving player[s] entering the game) PLEASE NOTE: this entire home rule now applies to all regular season games AND post-season tournament!)

- Teams must bat all of their players

- Teams may field a maximum of only six players in the infield (which always includes catcher & pitcher) at the start of each play. All remaining players must be in the outfield grass prior to the pitch! (Please note: this rule does not apply to Intro & T-Ball divisions)

- Players and coaches from both teams will line up for pre-game prayer, and are now encouraged to participate in post-game prayer together

- A team's batting line-up is considered "official" at the time of pre-game prayer and no changes can be made after this point! (i.e. moving players to different spots in the order; subtracting listed players who are not present) EXCEPTION #1: players who arrive late (including play-up players, if a team's numbers warrant such of course) can be added to a team's batting line-up at any point during game and will be added to the bottom of their line-up (unless they were already listed on the starting batting line-up & left on there despite being absent, or unless they are substituting in for a play-up player, in which case they would then take over the same exact spot in the batting line-up that was held by the exiting play-up player. PLEASE NOTE: teams are NOT allowed to replace a play-up player[s] with another play-up player[s] in their batting line-up!) EXCEPTION #2: players may exit game entirely, without penalty, due to health and/or employment!

- There is now a 10-minute grace period for all games! This 10-minute grace period only exists to allow teams to reach their minimum requirement of 6 of their own players! GAME CLOCK WILL STILL START AT GAME TIME! A team will lose its game via forfeit if they do not have 6 of their own players at the conclusion of the 10-minute grace period. If neither team has their 6 players at the conclusion of the 10-minute grace period it will result in the game being a "double forfeit"

- A team will lose their current game via forfeit if they are forced to finish the game with less than 6 of their own players, regardless if they currently have more runs than their opponent or are currently tied with their opponent (game will end in a "double forfeit" if both teams encounter this scenario simultaneously) ONLY EXCEPTION: players may always exit game entirely, without penalty, due to health and/or employment!

- If a player experiences an in-game injury which affects their ability to walk or run, a "courtesy runner" will be granted once the batter-runner safely reaches first base (or for a base runner who has the status of "safe" when play stops). the "courtesy runner" is whichever player was the last "put out". this option may only be used once per player per game! EXCEPTION: any current base runner who experiences blood-related interruptions and has a status of "safe" when play stops can be granted a "courtesy runner", regardless of if they have already previously reached their one-time limit for that game (Reminder: players may exit game entirely, without penalty, due to health and/or employment)

- Ball is "live" if a batter's final "foul" is caught in the air while in foul territory

- For safety reasons, an automatic "dead ball out" will be called on a batter for slinging their bat during their swing

- For safety reasons, metal/steel cleats are not allowed!

- For safety reasons, all batters and base runners and on-deck batters MUST wear helmets when they step out of the dugout onto the field of play and are subject to being called "out" if they remove their helmets before entering their dugout (this would be their first "out" if they were "safe" on the play, or their second "out" if already called "out" on the play... also, if this occurs subsequent to or during a run, the run counts, but the player will be called "out") PLEASE NOTE: chin straps are now optional!

- For safety reasons, no child under the age of 16 is allowed to be used as a base coach, PERIOD! In addition, minors who are ages 16-17 MUST wear a batting helmet if being used as a base coach!! In addition, minors who are ages 16-17 MUST pitch from the pitcher's plate (a.k.a. rubber) if they are being used as a "coach pitcher" for Junior and Intermediate divisions!

- For safety reasons, a batter-runner who carries their bat with them and reaches or touches first base while still having the bat in their possession will now be called "out" (this "out" can occur on a live play or on any scenario where the batter is awarded first base)

- For safety reasons, the following types of jewelry are not allowed: all watches, all types of bracelets, all types of necklaces/chains, all dangling piercings (players who refuse to remove said items will not be eligible to play in game!) EXCEPTION: medical ID's may remain but must be taped to player's body face-up

- Players must be in their league-provided uniform (shirt) in order to be eligible to play in game (league-provided hat is now optional!). The league asks that its league-provided uniforms not be intentionally altered! (including the use of duct tape, etc. on shirts) In addition, long pants (baseball style, jeans, etc) are required--NO SHORTS ALLOWED! (please note: long pants should not have any exposing holes in them prior to start of game)

- Coaches who wish to issue a protest during game MUST inform the umpire(s), prior to next pitch, of their decision to protest (i.e. to continue playing current game "under protest" if done during regular season) and MUST provide a $20 fee which will be returned back to them if final ruling goes in their favor. The requirement of this $20 fee applies to regular season and postseason tournament. Reminder: ruling on a protest will be made on the spot during postseason tournament, but not during regular season!

- There shall be no agreement between coaches of teams in conflict with any article in these rules. Coaches will be expected to enforce all rules. When coaches make an agreement to disregard or disallow a rule or disallow a rule or policy, the infraction can be protested by teams other than those playing in the actual contest, a penalty will be a double forfeit with both teams given a loss in the standings. There is no statute of limitation on filing the protest; the matter need only be brought to the attention of league officials (the league officials may request a written protest based on the circumstances)

Senior Girls *USA Softball slow pitch rules will govern play along with the above list of CRA home/local rules, plus the following division-specific home rules:

- This division uses an 11-inch USA Softball [formerly ASA] certified softball and approved USA Softball [formerly ASA] certified bats

- Per official USA Softball slow pitch rules, batters will now start with a count of 1-1 (1 ball, 1 strike)

- Batters are allowed only 1 "extra foul" once they have 2 "strikes" against them

Senior Boys *USA Softball 10-man modified pitch rules will govern play along with the above list of CRA home/local rules, plus the following division-specific home rules:

- This division uses a 12-inch USA Softball [formerly ASA] certified softball and approved USA Softball [formerly ASA] certified bats

- Batters are allowed only 1 "extra foul" once they have 2 "strikes" against them

- A "courtesy runner" is required for the catcher if on base with 2 "outs"

- Base runners must remain in contact with base until the pitched ball reaches the front edge of home plate

JV Boys *USA Softball slow pitch rules will govern play along with the above list of CRA home/local rules, plus the following division-specific home rules:

- This division uses a 12-inch USA Softball [formerly ASA] certified softball and approved USA Softball [formerly ASA] certified bats

- Per official USA Softball slow pitch rules, batters will now start with a count of 1-1 (1 ball, 1 strike)

- Batters are allowed only 1 "extra foul" once they have 2 "strikes" against them

Intermediate *the above list of CRA home/local rules applies, plus the following division-specific home rules:

- The division uses an 11-inch USA Softball [formerly ASA] certified softball and approved USA Softball [formerly ASA] certified bats

- A team's maximum number of runs per inning is 7

- Maximum number of pitches per batter is 5; however, a batter's at-bat is now final if they swing-n-miss while already having 2 "strikes" against them

- If a batted ball hits the pitching coach it is ruled as a "dead ball, no pitch" (which does not count as a pitch against batter)

- Intentional walks are NOT allowed in this division

- Infield Fly rule does not apply to this division

- Maximum number of players allowed on defense is 10 (coaches are NOT allowed in the outfield while their team is playing defense)

- The little/player pitcher spot is no longer required at time of each pitch if a team has less than its max of 10 players on defense. REMINDER: little pitcher MUST always start with at least one foot inside (or touching) the circle until batter makes contact with pitch and, for safety reasons, MUST wear a fielder's mask! (league-provided hat is optional for player[s] wearing a fielder's mask)

Junior *the above list of CRA home/local rules applies, plus the following division-specific home rules:

- This division now uses a 10-inch softball and approved USA Softball [formerly ASA] certified bats PLEASE NOTE: "baseball bats" are no longer allowed for this division!!

- Regular fair/foul territories will now dictate play

- A team's maximum number of runs per inning is 7

- Maximum number of pitches per batter is 5

- If a batted ball hits the pitching coach it is ruled as a "dead ball, no pitch" (which does not count as a pitch against batter)

- Intentional walks are NOT allowed in this division

- Infield Fly rule does not apply to this division

- All players play on defense

- The little/player pitcher spot is no longer required at time of each pitch (regardless of how many players a team has on defense) Reminder: little pitcher must always start with at least one foot inside (or touching) the circle until batter makes contact with pitch and, for safety reasons, MUST now wear a fielder's mask! (league-provided hat is optional for player[s] wearing a fielder's mask)

- Up to 2 coaches are allowed in the outfield (in the grass and in fair territory) while their team is playing defense

Rookie (formerly known as Intro)

- The following items must be worn at all times during a game: league provided uniform shirt and hat. Pants without holes. Shorts are not allowed. Metal cleats are not allowed.

- This division now uses a 9.5" ball. The use of a batting tee is optional for every swing. The following safety gear is required at all times: catcher's mask for the catcher, batting helmet(s) for all batters, on-deck batters, and base runners (chin straps are now optional)

- Outs are counted in Intro. When a player is out, he/she must be removed from the field of play, however, each team takes a turn and bats through their line-up and then switches sides. The game is 60 minutes. Score is not kept. Each player is allowed up to 5 swings at batting, either by coach pitch or by tee. All players are allowed to play defense. All players must bat. For safety reasons, a player will be called out if he/she throws the bat while in the process of swinging at the pitch, whether contact with the ball is made or not. Coaches need to practice and emphasize this during practice time. No more than 6 players may play in the infield, this includes little pitcher and catcher; all others must be beyond the baseline. The Little Pitcher must start each play with at least one foot inside the pitching circle. Bunting is NOT allowed, a player must take a full swing. A batted ball hit into fair territory will be considered legal ONLY if the ball goes beyond the chalked arc in front of home plate or the batters box. A batted ball that does not go beyond the chalked arc or batters box will be considered a dead ball and counts as one of the five pitches.

T-Ball

- The following items must be worn at all times during a game: league provided uniform shirt and hat. Pants without holes. Shorts are not allowed. Metal cleats are not allowed.

- Players must wear a helmet at all times while on the playing field. Chin straps are required! The use of a tee is optional for every swing. T-ball uses a Flexi-ball.

- There are no outs in t-ball, if a player gets tagged the player can remain on base. Each team takes a turn and bats through their line-up and then switches sides. The game is 60 minutes. Each player is allowed up to 5 swings at batting, either by coach pitch or by tee. All players may play on defense. All players bat. T-ball does not use a player in the catcher position. Little Pitcher must start each play with at least one foot inside the pitching circle. Due to T-ball being introductory, there is no limit to the number of infielders.

Ground rules for VM fields

- Baseline fencing outlines field of play

- Batted balls that hit wires over the infield or outfield, regardless of occurring in foul territory or fair territory, are ruled as a "dead ball" (redo pitch)

- Batted balls that stay in fair territory and hit wires beyond the home run fence are ruled as a "home run"

Ground rules for CA field

- Baseline fencing outlines field of play

- Batted balls that stay in fair territory and make contact with the ground prior to entering the outfield trees/bushes are ruled as a "ground rule double"

- Batted balls that stay in fair territory and directly reach the outfield trees/bushes while still remaining in the air are ruled as a "home run"

Field dimensions for all CRA youth league games

- Distance between bases: 60' for all divisions (measured from the back point of home plate to the back edge of first/third base)

- Distance for pitcher's plate: 50' for Sr Girls and JV Boys (measured from back point of home plate to the front edge of pitcher's plate)

46' for Sr Boys

- Radius for pitcher's circle: 8' (does not apply to Sr Girls and JV Boys)

* rules written in BOLD indicate new changes for 2022 *

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