Upper Makefield Youth Baseball League

1. All teams must submit a team roster prior to the start of the season. Any player on a travel team roster or playing for a travel team must be identified 

2. All umpires and coaches will receive a copy of these rules prior to the start of the season.

3. The umpire’s judgment is final. There are no protests allowed at any time. Only the manager and one of the coaches designated by the manager prior to the game is permitted to discuss any play in question with the umpire

4. All discussions with the umpire must take place away from the players and spectators, so that the conversation may not be overheard

5. No game shall be permitted to begin without a home plate umpire

6. The umpire may eject and/or banish from the game and/or field area any player, coach, or spectator for un-sportsmanlike conduct

• This includes, but is not limited to:
• Use of profanity
• Arguing
• Fighting
• Needling of the umpire
• Team coaches are responsible for the conduct of the players, parents, and spectators on his/her side of the field.

7. The assignment of the umpire is the responsibility of the home team.

8. At the first sign of lightning, or if thunder is heard, the game must be stopped and the players removed form the field immediately

• This is mandatory. No arguments, no judgments, no exceptions.
• The umpire may stop the game at any time due to unsafe field conditions. This includes inadequate lighting or adverse weather conditions.

9. The home team is responsible for preparation of the field prior to the game.

10. Any rule interpretation questions, suggestions for additions and/or revisions should be submitted to the Board. The Board may modify these rules during the season if deemed necessary. All coaches and umpires will receive a copy of any rule change(s) and the date the change(s) is effective.

11. Smoking is not permitted on or around the field by anyone on or associated with the team including coaches and score keepers.

12. Every girl bats for her team. The lineup remains consistent throughout the game. If a girl is injured and cannot bat when it is her turn, she is bypassed and the next batter in the lineup bats. The injured girl may be placed back in her original place in the lineup. Girls that arrive late are inserted at the end of the lineup.

13. Batting Helmets. In addition to the ASA rule requiring all offensive players to properly wear double ear flap NOCSAE-approved batting helmets; all offensive players must wear these batting helmets modified to have a face mask. These batting helmets will be provided by the club. If a player has her own batting helmet, it can be used provided it meets these requirements.

14. No player may participate wearing footwear other than sneakers or rubber spikes. Metal spikes are not allowed for the safety of the players.

15. The girls may wear no jewelry. This includes bracelets, earrings, necklaces, etc. Any earrings left in place must be taped over.

16. All players must have a fielding glove when taking the field.

17. All batters and base runners must wear a batting helmet at all times while on the field.

18. Only bats marked “Official Softball Bat” may be used. All wooden bats must be taped at the handgrip.

19. A courtesy runner can and should be used for the catcher and pitcher when she is on base and there are two outs. The courtesy runner should be the last girl at bat to make an out.

20. Any player identified on the team roster as playing for a travel team may not play the position of pitcher at any time. (12U and 14U only)

• Game forfeiture will be the penalty for any team found in violation of the above rule. This penalty will be enforced during the mid-season and playoff tournaments.
• If a team is found to be in violation of rule 20 during regular season play, the player must be immediately removed from the pitcher position.

21. A minimum of twenty-four hours notice must be given for rescheduling a game for any reason other than a rainout.

22. Rainouts or other inclement weather

• The home team coach is responsible for determining if the game is to be played
• The decision to postpone a game due to rain or other inclement weather must be made no later than two hours before the game time
• The home team coach must call the opposing team's head coach, and the head umpire. All required phone numbers would be provided to each coach.23. The home team coach must call the league commissioner as soon as possible, so that the commissioner can reschedule the game.

23. All games played will have a drop dead two hour time limit from the scheduled start time. If the score of a game is tied at the end of the two hours and the inning is not complete the game will end and the score will revert back to the last complete inning. The umpire will keep the official time.

24. All playoff seeding games will be determined from the results of the mid- season tournament. Any coach who can not field a full team during the mid-season and playoff tournament will forfeit the game.

25. With the exception of the Championship Game all playoff games will follow the tournament schedule and the tournament game time limit. If a game is interrupted by weather or other problems each team will be credit for a tie game. The Championship Game must complete 7 innings of play and the tournament game time limit will be waved. The Tie-Breaker Rule will be in effect.

26. Players must play at least 60% of regular season games to be eligible for the mid-season and play-off tournaments. Any coach is entitled to review the opposing team’s book to verify eligibility. (All age groups)

 
American Softball Association (ASA) rules will be used for play with the following modifications as specified for each age group.

14 & Under

1. A pitcher may pitch a maximum of four innings in a game. One pitch delivered in an inning will count as an inning pitched.

2. The inning ends when the team at bat has three outs or as a result of the ten batter rule.

12 & Under

1. The infield fly rule is not in effect.

2. A pitcher may pitch a maximum of four innings in a game. One pitch delivered in an inning will count as an inning pitched.

3. The inning ends when the team at bat has three outs or as a result of the ten batter rule.

4. Stealing is permitted only after the pitched ball crosses the home plate. runner is not permitted to advance on an overthrow by the catcher on an attempted steal.

5. The drop third strike rule is not in effect.

The Ten Batter Rule

1. If a team bats ten batters in an inning the tenth batter will be played as if there are two outs.

2. If a tenth batter in an inning hits a fair ball, play will continue until the third out is made at any base or at home plate.

3. If the tenth batter walks the inning is over. However, if the bases are loaded the runners will advance one base. The run at the plate will count and the inning is over.