Dixie Softball Rules - City of Hanahan

DIXIE DARLINGSThe Dixie Softball rule book except where noted below will govern all games.Playing Field:1. Baselines will be fifty feet (50’) in length2. Pitcher distance will be thirty feet (30’) from the front side of the pitching rubber to thepoint of home plate.3. A vertical line (hash mark) will be drawn at the halfway point between first andsecond base, second and third base, and third base and home plate.This line is to help the umpire determine the position of the base runner and todetermine which base the runner is entitled when the ball is ruled dead under the8 foot radius circle rule.Regulation Game:1. Both teams have completed five innings, and the visiting team has scored moreruns than the home team.2. The home team has scored more runs after four innings than the visiting team hasscored after five innings.3. If a team is ahead by ten (10) or more runs after three (3) innings of play or 2-1/2 innings, ifhome team is ahead, the game will be called and considered a complete game.4. The game shall be a regulation game after one hour and fifteen minutes. There will be afifteen (15) minute grace period for the first game. First Game only: The clock begins atthe scheduled game time.5. No new inning may begin after the one hour and fifteen minute time limit. Innings inprogress will be completed if needed to determine winner. Only exception will be a tiedgame. (See tie breaker rule below)Tie Breaker ruleTied games after regulation time has expired can play extra innings by using the following:Place the last batter of the last inning on second base and complete inning as needed.6. One team has mathematically reached the point that the other team cannot win thegame, the game shall be ended. This will continue in each inning to determine a winner.The Game:1. There will be ten (10) players on defense with only six (6) players in the infieldat the point of the ball being released to the batter by the pitcher.2. All outfielders must be at least ten (10) feet behind the baselines at the point ofthe ball being hit by the batter.3. The offensive team will be made up of the entire team roster. Offensive Innings: Will consistof ten (10) batters maximum or three (3) outs, whichever comes first. All players present will beDixie Darlings Continued:

listed in the scorekeeper’s line-up by name and number and will bat in the designated batting orderfrom the start of the game. Players arriving late will be added to the end of the batting line-up.All players will bat whether they are playing defense at that time or not.ALL PLAYERS MUST PLAY SIX (6) CONSECUTIVE OUTS ON DEFENSE4. An inning shall be ended with the third (3 rd ) out or end of play of the tenthbatter in that inning.5. End of play on the tenth (10 th ) batter shall be interpreted to be when an out isrecorded on the batter or any base runner on base at the time the tenth batterbats or the umpire declares the ball is dead.When the tenth batter steps to the plate and takes her position in the batter’s boxat that point two (2) outs will be called even though the batting team may in factnot have any outs.6. A team may start with eight (8) players with no penalty. Anything less than eight (8) will result in aforfeit. If forfeiture is called and both head coaches agree to play a game, then a practice game canbe played. The forfeit game will still count officially.7. No in-field fly rule.8. Each team roster may consist of one (1) manager and three (3) coaches.9. The offensive team is allowed one (1) time out per batter. The defensive team is allowed two (2)timeouts per inning. Requesting anything over will result in an out being called. The defensive teamwould be penalized with an out their next time at bat.10. Any coach or player ejected from a game will serve a minimum one (1) game suspensionwhich will take effect at the next game played by their team. If determined by the coachesrecreation department that the ejection deserves more than one game suspension thenthat penalty could be enforced beginning with the second game played by their team. If acoach is ejected a second time in the same season, he/she will be suspended for theremainder of the season.11. The umpire will warn both team managers, prior to the game, about batters who sling their bats.One (1) warning will be given to each team during the game, whose player slings their bat. Once awarning has been given each player who slings her bat shall be called out. If the said batter slingsher bat a second time the umpire will remove her for the remainder of the game. A player that hasbeen removed from the game will not be suspended for the next game. Note: When a warning isgiven, the official scorer will record warning in the official scorebook.12. Coaches are required to wear their coaches’ shirt when coaching on the field or in the dugout.Teams must shake hands after each game. Coaches, players and parents must show goodsportsmanship before, during and after each game.NOTE: Coaches must make sure that his/her parents and players are respectful towards theumpires and the opposing team.Baserunning:1. The base runner shall not steal.2. The base runner shall not advance on a wild pitch or passed ball.3. The base runner can only advance only when a ball has been hit into fair territoryby the batter or when a fly ball is caught in foul territory.

4. If a base runner leaves her base before the ball is hit, the umpire willsignal “delayed dead ball” to indicate the violation at the time it occurs. TheDixie Darlings Continued:defensive team shall have the privilege of having nullified any portion of the playthat occurred on the violation.5. The ball is dead and all base runners must stop at the base the umpire rules theyare entitled when: the pitcher or player-pitcher has possession of a thrown ballinside the eight-foot (8) radius circle.6. The umpire shall declare play dead when a base runner cannot advance withoutbeing put-out because a fielder is holding the ball between her and the nextbase the base runner is going to or when a defensive player is touching homeplate with the ball in her possession. Note: If the runner that is held up is notthe lead runner the umpire shall allow the lead runner to advance to the nextbase if the lead runner has passed the hash mark.7. When attempting to throw the runner out going to first base from home, any overthrownball at first that hits the fence will be called dead ball and play will stop immediately. Playwill be dead and all runners will advance one (1) base.If the ball does not hit the fence, it is a live ball and runners may advance at their own riskof being put out. It is the COACHES’ responsibility to see strategies are fair and in asportsman-like manner.8. If any outfielder is not at the proper distance when the ball is hit, then theoffensive team shall have the privilege of having nullified any portion of the playthat occurred on the violation.9. No Headfirst slides10. There will be no base on balls11. Hit batters are not allowed a base.12. No BuntingCoach Pitcher:1. The player-pitcher shall stand with both feet inside the eight foot radius circle even with orbehind the pitchers plate.2. The coach pitcher shall pitch from a distance of thirty (30) feet. He/she shall pitch the ballunderhanded only.3. The coach pitcher must make every effort to avoid interfering with any ball put into play byeither a batted ball or thrown ball by a defensive player. The coach should make everyeffort to leave the ball field opposite where the ball is hit.4. If in the judgment of the umpire a coach-pitcher intentionally interfered with the play, thepenalty shall be: The batter is out and the ball is dead. All baserunners must return to thelast base they legally occupied. If it is determined the coach unintentionally interfered withthe play the play will be ruled dead and the pitch shall be replayed.

Dixie Darlings Continued:Pitching Rules:1. A player-pitcher shall be limited to three (3) innings of play at that positionper game. After three (3) innings on the mound the player- pitcher must be moved toanother position.2. A player-pitcher removed from that position shall be allowed to return to the pitcherposition one (1) time only during a game., unless they have already play the max of three(3) innings in that game.Batter Rules:1. Each batter will be allowed five (5) pitches to be thrown to her in which she can:A) Strike at and miss three (3) pitches.B) Hit the ball into fair territory.If after five (5) pitches the batter has fouled off the last pitch the batter shallcontinue batting until she either swings and misses or puts the ball in play.2. Batting helmets must be worn and must have chinstraps and faceguards.Eight Foot Radius:The eight foot radius circle will be drawn around the forty foot (40) pitchers plate distance.The Recreation and Parks Departments reserve the right to amend any rule as deemednecessary for the improvement of this program.

DIXIE ANGELSPlaying Field:1. Baselines shall be sixty feet (60) in length.2. The pitcher distance shall be thirty-five feet (35’) from the front side of the pitching rubberto the point of home plate.3. The eight foot radius circle will be drawn around the thirty-five foot pitcher rubber.Regulation Game:1. It shall be a regulation game when both teams have completed five (5) innings.(Exception) If the home team is leading after the visiting team completes five inningsthe game will be called.2. When one team has mathematically reached the point that the other team can’t win thegame, the game shall be ended.3. If a team is ahead by ten (10) or more runs after three (3) innings of play or2-1/2 innings, if home team is ahead, the game will be called and considereda complete game.4. When a team is ten (10) runs ahead after two (2) complete innings of play and thegame is called because of darkness, rain or any other cause it will be a regulationgame.5. No new inning will start after one hour and thirty minutes. There will be a fifteen(15) minute grace period for the first game. First Game only: The clock begins at thescheduled game time. The official scorekeeper will document the time that the gamebegins, in the scorebook.6. Innings in progress after time has expired will be completed if needed to determine winner.Only exception will be a tied game. (See tie breaker rule below)Tie Breaker ruleTied games after regulation time has expired can play extra innings by using the following:Place the last batter of the last inning on second base and complete inning as needed.This will continue in each inning to determine a winner.The Game:1. The catcher shall not be required to catch the third strike.2. There will be ten (10) players on defense with only six (6) players in the infieldat the point of the ball being released by the pitcher.Note: Players listed in the lineup as infielders shall remain identified as infieldersregardless of where they are placed on the field. EXCEPTION: If a player is changedfrom an outfield to an infield position or vise versa, the change has to be noted to theumpire and scorekeeper. When position changes are made between outfielders andinfielders during an inning, the pitcher shall be removed from the pitchers position on thesecond time-out request to change Infielders and outfielders. This rule overrides the third

Dixie Angels Continued:(3 rd ) visit time-out rule of section 11:003. All outfielders must be at least ten feet (10’) behind the baselines at the point of the ballbeing hit by the batter.4. The offensive team shall be made up of the entire team roster.5. Offensive Innings: Will consistof ten (10) batters maximum or three (3) outs, whichever comes first. All players present will belisted in the scorekeeper’s line-up by name and number and will bat in the designated batting orderfrom the start of the game. Players arriving late will be added to the end of the batting line-up.6. All players will bat whether they are playing defense at that time or not.7. All players must play at least six (6) consecutive outs on defense.8. An inning shall be ended with the third (3 rd ) out or end of play of the tenth (10 th ) batter inthat inning. If the tenth batter walks, is hit by a pitch, or catcher interference occurs allrunners whether forced or not shall advance two (2) bases.Note: When the tenth (10 th ) batter steps to the plate and takes her position in the batter’sbox at that point two (2) outs will be called even though the batting team may have less.Remember all players must play at least six (6) consecutive outs on defense.9. End of play on the tenth (10 th ) batter shall be interpreted to be when an out isrecorded on the batter or any base runner on base at the time the tenth batterbats or the umpire declares the ball is dead.10. The infield fly rules does apply11. Each team roster may consist of one (1) manager and three (3) coaches.12. The offensive team is allowed one (1) time out per batter. The defensive team is allowed two (2)timeouts per inning. Requesting anything over will result in an out being called. The defensive teamwould be penalized with an out their next time at bat.13. Any coach or player ejected from a game will serve a minimum one (1) game suspensionwhich will take effect at the next game played by their team. If determined by the coachesrecreation department that the ejection deserves more than one game suspension thenthat penalty could be enforced beginning with the second game played by their team. If acoach is ejected a second time in the same season, he/she will be suspended for theremainder of the season.14. The umpire will warn both team managers, prior to the game, about batters who sling their bats.One (1) warning will be given to each team during the game, whose player slings their bat. Once awarning has been given each player who slings her bat shall be called out. If the said batter slingsher bat a second time the umpire will remove her for the remainder of the game. A player that hasbeen removed from the game will not be suspended for the next game. Note: When a warning isgiven, the official scorer will record warning in the official scorebook.15. Coaches are required to wear their coaches’ shirt if one is supplied by their recreationdepartment.Teams must shake hands after each game. Coaches, players and parents must showgood sportsmanship before, during and after each game.NOTE: Coaches must make sure that his/her parents and players are respectful towards theumpires and the opposing team.

Dixie Angels Continued:Baserunning:1. The base runner shall not steal.2. The base runner shall not advance on a wild pitch or passed ball.3. The base runner shall advance only when a ball has been hit into fair territoryby the batter or when forced to advance on a base on balls and/or hit batter, orwhen a fly ball is caught in foul territory.4. If a baserunner leaves her base before the pitch reaches the batter, the base umpireshall signal, “delayed dead ball” to indicate the violation at the time it occurs.The defensive team shall have the privilege of having nullified any portion of the playthat occurred on the violation.This rule allows the runner to leave the base when the ball reaches the batter but doesnot allow her to steal a base.Note: If any outfielder is not at the proper distance when the ball is hit, then the offensiveteam has the privilege of rule 4. If both teams are in error the ball is ruled “dead”.Pitching Rules:1. A pitcher shall not pitch more than seven (7) innings in one week. The week runs Mondaythrough the following Sunday.2. A pitcher shall not pitch more than five (5) innings in one game. The starting pitchermay pitch in the sixth (6 th ) inning in the event of a tie game provided she has not usedher allotment of innings for the week.3. A pitcher removed from the mound will be allowed to return to the mound one (1) time inthe same game.The Recreation and Parks Departments reserve the right to amend any rule as deemednecessary for the improvement of this program.

DIXIE PONYTAILSPlaying Field:1. Baselines shall be sixty feet (60) in length.2. The pitcher distance shall be forty (40) feet from the front side of the pitcherplate to the point of home plate.3. The eight foot radius circle will be drawn around the forty foot pitcher rubber.Regulation Game:1. It shall be a regulation game when both teams have completed six (6) innings.(exception) If the home team is leading after the visiting team completes six inningsthe game will be called.2. If a team is ahead by ten (10) or more runs after four (4) innings of play or 3-1/2 innings, ifhome team is ahead, the game will be called and considered a complete game.3. When a team is ten (10) runs ahead after three (3) complete innings of play and thegame is called because of darkness, rain or any other cause it will be a regulationgame.4. No new inning will start after one hour and thirty minutes. There will be a fifteen (15)minute grace period for the first game. First Game only: The clock begins at thescheduled game time. The official scorekeeper will document the time the game beginsin the scorebook.5. Innings in progress will be completed if needed to determine winner. Only exception will bea tied game. (See tie breaker rule below)Tie Breaker ruleTied games after regulation time has expired can play extra innings by using the following:Place the last batter of the last inning on second base and complete inning as needed.This will continue in each inning to determine a winner.The Game:1. The catcher shall not be required to catch the third strike. The batter shall be out andBaserunners advance at their own risk.2. All outfielders must be at least ten feet (10’) behind the baselines at the point of the ballbeing hit by the batter.3. The offensive team shall be made up of the entire team roster.4. Offensive Innings: Will consist of ten (10) batters maximum or three (3) outs, whichever comesfirst. All players present will be listed in the scorekeeper’s line-up by name and number and will batin the designated batting order from the start of the game. Players arriving late will be added to theend of the batting line-up.5. All players must play at least six (6) consecutive outs on defense.6. The infield fly rules does applyDixie Ponytails Continued:

7. Each team roster may consist of one (1) manager and three (3) coaches.8. The offensive team is allowed one (1) time out per batter. The defensive team isallowed two (2) timeouts per inning. Requesting anything over will result in an out being called.The defensive team would be penalized with an out their next time at bat.9. Any coach or player ejected from a game will serve a minimum one (1) game suspensionwhich will take effect at the next game played by their team. If determined by the coachesrecreation department that the ejection deserves more than one game suspension thenthat penalty could be enforced beginning with the second game played by their team. If acoach is ejected a second time in the same season, he/she will be suspended for theremainder of the season.10. The umpire will warn both team managers, prior to the game, about batters who slingtheir bats. One (1) warning will be given to each team during the game, whose player slings theirbat. Once a warning has been given each player who slings her bat shall be called out. If the saidbatter slings her bat a second time the umpire will remove her for the remainder of the game. Aplayer that has been removed from the game will not be suspended for the next game. Note: Whena warning is given, the official scorer will record warning in the official scorebook.11. Coaches are required to wear their coaches’ shirt if one is supplied by their recreationdepartment.Teams must shake hands after each game. Coaches, players and parents must showgood sportsmanship before, during and after each game.NOTE: Coaches must make sure that his/her parents and players are respectful towards theumpires and the opposing team.Baserunning:1. If a baserunner leaves her base before the pitch reaches the batter, the base umpire shallSignal “delayed dead ball” to indicate the violation at the time it occurs. The defensiveTeam shall have the privilege of having nullified any portion of the play that occurred.2. The infield fly rule is in effect.Pitching:1. A pitcher shall not pitch more than eight (8) innings in one week. A week runs Mondaythrough the following Sunday night except that in a tie game at the end of six (6) inningsthe starting pitcher may pitch the seventh (7th) inning, if they have not exceeded theirweekly allotment of innings. This rule does not apply to a pitcher who was removed fromthe mound and returned to the mound.2. A pitcher removed from the mound will be allowed to return to the mound one (1) timeduring the same game.The Recreation and Parks Departments reserve the right to amend any rule as deemednecessary for the improvement of this program.

DIXIE BELLESPlaying Field:1. Baselines shall be sixty feet (60) in length.2. The pitcher distance shall be forty-Three (43) feet from the front side of the pitcherplate to the point of home plate.Regulation Game:1. It shall be a regulation game when both teams have completed six (6) innings. (LocalLeague) (exception) If the home team is leading after the visiting team completes sixinnings the game will be called.2. If a team is ahead by ten (10) or more runs after four (4) innings of play or 3-1/2 innings, ifhome team is ahead, the game will be called and considered a complete game.3. When a team is ten (10) runs ahead after three (3) complete innings of play and thegame is called because of darkness, rain or any other cause it will be a regulationgame.4. No new inning will start after one hour and thirty minutes.There will be a fifteen (15)minute grace period for the first game. First Game only: The clock begins at thescheduled game time.The official scorekeeper will document the time the game begins in the scorebook.5. Innings in progress will be completed if needed to determine winner. Onlyexception will be a tied game. (See tie breaker rule below)Tie Breaker ruleTied games after regulation time has expired can play extra innings by using the following:Place the last batter of the last inning on second base and complete inning as needed.This will continue in each inning to determine a winner.The Game:1. (A) The catcher shall not be required to catch the third strike except for a foul tip if first base isoccupied with less than two (2) outs. The batter is out and baserunners advance atTheir own risk.2. (B) The catcher shall be required to catch the third strike when there are two outs or when firstBase is unoccupied. The batter may advance to first with liability to be put out, whether bythe catcher touching the batter with the ball or throwing to first base for the put out, if thecatcher misses third strike. All baserunners advance at their own risk.3. The offensive team shall be made up of the entire team roster.4. Offensive Innings: Will consist of ten (10) batters maximum or three (3) outs, whichever comesfirst. All players present will be listed in the scorekeeper’s line-up by name and number and will batin the designated batting order from the start of the game. Players arriving late will be added to theend of the batting line-up.5. All players will bat whether they are playing defense at that time or not.6. All players must play at least six (6) consecutive outs on defense.Dixie Belles Continued:

7. An inning shall be ended with the third (3 rd ) out or end of play of the tenth (10 th ) batter inthat inning. If the tenth batter walks, is hit by a pitch, or catcher interference all runnerswhether forced or not shall advance two (2) bases.Note: When the tenth (10 th ) batter steps to the plate and takes her position in the batter’sbox at that point two (2) outs will be called even though the batting team may have less.Remember all players must play at least six (6) consecutive outs on defense.8. An inning shall be ended with the third (3 rd ) out or end of play of the tenthbatter in that inning. If the tenth (10 th ) batter walks, is hit by a pitched ballor there is catcher interference, all base runners whether forced or not, shalladvance two (2) bases.9. End of play on the tenth (10 th ) batter shall be interpreted to be when an out isrecorded on the batter or any base runner on base at the time the tenth batterbats or the umpire declares the ball is dead.10. The infield fly rules does apply11. Each team roster may consist of one (1) manager and three (3) coaches.12. The offensive team is allowed one (1) time out per batter. The defensive team is allowed two (2)timeouts per inning. Requesting anything over will result in an out being called. The defensive teamwould be penalized with an out their next time at bat.13. Any coach or player ejected from a game will serve a minimum one (1) game suspensionwhich will take effect at the next game played by their team and is subject to more if foundneeded for the ejection by the Athletic Directors and or league commissioner. If a coach isejected a second time in the same season, he/she will be suspended for the remainder ofthe season.14. The umpire will warn both team managers, prior to the game, about batters who sling their bats.One (1) warning will be given to each team during the game, whose player slings their bat. Once awarning has been given each player who slings her bat shall be called out. If the said batter slingsher bat a second time the umpire will remove her for the remainder of the game. A player that hasbeen removed from the game will not be suspended for the next game. Note: When a warning isgiven, the official scorer will record warning in the official scorebook.15. Any coach or player ejected from a game will serve a minimum one (1) game suspensionwhich will take effect at the next game played by their team. If determined by the coachesrecreation department that the ejection deserves more than one game suspension thenthat penalty could be enforced beginning with second game played by their team. If acoach is ejected a second time in the same season, he/she will be suspended for theremainder of the season.NOTE: Coaches must make sure that his/her parents and players are respectful towards theumpires and the opposing team.Baserunning:1. If a baserunner leaves her base before the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand on the delivery toThe Batter, the baserunner shall be called out. The pitch shall be declared “no pitch”. Theball is Dead and no baserunner shall advance.Pitching:

1. A pitcher shall not pitch more than ten (10) innings in one week. The week runs Mondaythrough the following Sunday night except that in a tie game at the end of seven (7)innings the starting pitcher may Pitch the eighth (8th) inning. This rule does not apply to apitcher who was removed from the Mound and returned to the mound.Dixie Belles Continued:2. A pitcher removed from the mound will be allowed to return to the mound one (1) timeduring the same game.The Recreation and Parks Departments reserve the right to amend any rule as deemednecessary for the improvement of this program.