2/12/05

Rules - Shoals Summer League(SSL) Ages 6,7, & 8 

 

 

  1. Board members have final say on all rule decision-making, changes, and interpretations.
  2. Each game will consist of 5 innings.  The first 4 innings will be played with a 5 run rule limit on each team.  The 5th inning is an open inning.  The game will last no longer than 1 hour and 30 minutes.  If the game has less than 10 minutes remaining before the start of the 5th inning, the game is called.  If the game has more than 10 minutes @ the start of the 5th inning, then the teams will be allowed to continue until the 5th inning is complete.  If the score is tied at that time the game will be called.
  3. 3 full innings will be considered a full game when weather conditions cause a game to end early.  Less than 3 full innings will result in the game being rescheduled with the new game starting from the beginning.
  4. All team members will be allowed to bat and play in the field.
  5. All team members must have on the team hat and shirt during the game.
  6. A team is allowed only 6 members on the infield during the game.  The remaining team members shall be placed in the outfield and must remain in the grass.
  7. Players on the field are not allowed to get in front of the pitching hash mark until the ball is hit by the batter, and the pitcher must have at least 1 foot inside of the pitching circle until the ball is hit.
  8. There will be a maximum of 6 pitches per batter, with 3 swinging strikes being a strike out.  If a batter fouls a pitch on the 6th pitch, then the batter is allowed to continue until he or she either hits the ball fair, or swings and misses regardless of the count.
  9. A coach may pitch to a first year player, with the exception of an 8 year old.  An 8 Year old player does not count as a first year player and must be pitched to from the pitching machine from inside the pitching circle.
  10. The pitching line for first year players must be 20 feet from home plate and the coach must have one foot behind this line at all times in order to pitch.
  11. If a coach pitches to a player from the 20ft line, then as soon as the player hits the ball, the coach must go to foul territory between 3rd base and home plate.
  12. A team is allowed only 2 coaches on the field while the team is in the field, and 3 coaches are allowed while the team is at bat.
  13. A team may play with only 8 players during the regular season if the coach chooses to.  If there are less than 8 players, then the game will be rescheduled at the earliest date.  A team must play at least 9 players for any and all tournaments or it will be considered a forfeit.
  14. If a bad pitch is called because of the pitching machine, the umpire will call time, the batter will step out of the batters box, and the pitching machine will be readjusted.  The bad pitch will not count against the batters ball count.
  15. If the ball hit by a better strikes the pitching machine, a coach, or an umpire, Then the ball is called dead.  The batter must re-bat.
  16. If a batter throws a bat while batting, then it is a warning for the first offence.  For every time there after it is an out for that player, not the team.
  17. Before a play can be called dead, the pitcher must have control of the ball and 1 foot in the circle. The pitcher may make a play on the runner as long as he/she doesn’t step completely outside the circle and then back into the circle. Once the pitcher has stepped out of the circle completely and then back into the circle, play is dead.
  18. There must be a hash mark made on the base path between 1st & 2nd base,  2nd & 3rd base, and 3rd base & home plate.  If the pitcher has control of the ball in the pitching circle before the base runner crosses the hash mark with both feet, the runner must go back to the previous base.  If the runner has both feet across the hash mark first, then the runner advances to the next base.
  19. On all close plays at home plate, the runner must slide or it is an automatic out.
  20. The home plate umpire has the final decision on all calls on the field.
  21. The pitching machine is an option in inclement weather.
  22. There is to be No rough housing during the ballgame.  This type of behavior will not be tolerated, and it will be up to the umpire whether to eject the player from the game or not.
  23. If a player shows up late for a game, then they may be put in the game, and inserted at the bottom of the line-up provided the team hasn’t gone through the entire line-up.  If the team has gone through the entire line-up already, then the player may play in the field, but is not allowed to bat.
  24. If a player is injured while base running, than a coach may put another player in place of the injured one.  If a player is injured while fielding, and cannot bat, then the player is removed from the line-up and the batting order is moved up one spot.  If the player misses his or her turn at bat, then they are not allowed to go back in the game.  The home plate umpire has the final decision on this matter.
  25. There is no lead-off.  The player must keep one foot on the base while the pitcher controls the ball or until the ball is hit.
  26. There is to be NO Tobacco products used of any kind by players or coaches on the field during the game.

 

 

Sportsmanship Conduct

 

All coaches, parents, and players are to conduct themselves as respectful citizens of Shoals at all times.  We will not tolerate abusive language and unruly conduct.  We will give you one warning, after that you will be expelled from the Ball Park.  If someone (Man, Woman, or Child) starts a fight, they will be expelled from the ball park for the entire year.

 

Everyone please remember that this league is for the kids.  Let’s have fun and make everyone proud of our Shoals Summer League.

 

Thanks You,

SSL Board