2006 Rules Update
These rule modifications super cede the rules in the 2006 ASA rule book..
 These rules can be modified if needed and shall be posted on the league website. www.mwgsl.org.

Junior division: Ages 11- 12  &  Senior division: Ages 13 - 18

1.        A 12” Fast pitch softball shall be used for this division.

2.        Home team manager is responsible for setting up the bases and pitchers plate.
   1. The pitchers plate will be located 40 feet from Home Plate. (Measured from the back of home to the front of the pitchers plate.) Do not use bats as hammers to nail spikes into pitchers plate. If you ruin a bat you will replace it.
    2. The Bases are to be placed 60 feet apart. (Measured from the back of home plate to the back of 1^st and 3^rd bases.)
    3. 2nd base will be 84'-10" from the back of home plate to the middle of 2nd base. 

3.   There shall be a 15 minute grace period. After 15 minutes from the official start time a team that has less than 7 players shall forfeit the game. Both Managers and the Umpire may agree to give extra time, but agree to abide by rule #4.

4.        No inning may start after 1 hour and 45 minutes from the official game start time. All players must be off the field 2 hours after the official start time. If an inning can not be completed by the 2 hour limit the score will revert back to the last full inning.

5.        7 players is the minimum needed to start and finish an official game. There shall be no automatic out for 8^th, 9^th or 10^th missing players. 10 players is the maximum allowed on the field while playing defense. 6 defensive players in the infield and 4 outfielders. Unlimited substitutions are permitted. Unlimited substitutions is when everyone gets a turn at bat but only ten players are in the field.

6.        The home team, listed second on the schedule, shall be responsible for supplying a new game ball. The visitors shall supply the best used ball of the same type as the new game ball. The home team shall take the first base dugout.

7.        All girls shall be placed on a continuous batting order.

8.        Pitchers shall only be allowed three hit by pitcher, per game. After the third batter is hit by a pitcher, the pitcher must come off the mound. She will be allowed to play any other position but pitcher for the remainder of that game.

9.        3 complete innings shall constitute a complete game. 2 ½ innings if home team is ahead. Managers must play the last ½ inning unless the game is called.

10.     There shall be no penalty if a player has to leave the game early as long as the team still has a minimum of 7 players left on the batting order. If a player misses her at bat and hasn’t left the game that shall constitute an out as per ASA rules. Batting out of order.

11.     A 5 run mercy rule, per inning will be in effect.

12.     There shall be no protests and no arguing judgment calls by umpires. Clarification of calls shall be asked respectfully after the play is dead and time has been called.

13.     Throwing the bat is illegal. Players may receive a warning or may be called out.

Novice division: Ages 9- 10

All the above rules shall be in effect except the modifications outlined below:

1.        An 11” Fast pitch softball shall be used for this division.

2.       Home team manager is responsible for setting up the bases and pitchers plate.
   1. The pitchers plate will be located 35 feet from Home Plate. (Measured from the back of home to the front of the pitchers plate.) Do not use bats as hammers to nail spikes into pitchers plate, get a small hammer and carry it with you. If you ruin a bat you will replace it.
    2. The Bases are to be placed 60 feet apart. (Measured from the back of home plate to the back of 1^st and 3^rd bases.)
    3. 2nd base will be 77'-9" from the back of home plate to the middle of 2nd base.

3.        Pitchers shall only be allowed two hit by pitcher, per game. After the second batter is hit by a pitcher, the pitcher must come off the mound. She will be allowed to play any other position but pitcher for the remainder of that game.

4.        2 complete innings shall constitute a complete game.

5.        There shall be No, “Infield Fly Rule.”

6.        The only base that players can steal is 2^nd base.

7.        One base on an overthrow, except a throw down from the catcher to second on a steal. Runner shall not advance on that over throw from the catcher.

8.        A player shall only be allowed to play a position for 3 innings in any one game.

9.       The, "Drop 3rd Strike" rule,  is not in effect.

 Explanations of rules.

                         Infield Fly Rule

1. The Infield Fly Rule will be in effect when there are less than two outs and:

2. There are runners on first and second or

3. The bases are loaded

4. The umpire will announce, “Infield Fly” when one of the above conditions exists and a batter hits a pop-fly in the infield. Please note that an infield fly is a judgment call by the umpire and NOT subject for controversy.
   When the Infield Fly Rule is declared, the batter is automatically OUT. The ball is alive and runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught. The runner may also tag-up and advance after a defensive player has touched the ball.

Dropped Third Strike
 The batter becomes a runner when ...
(b) the third strike called by the umpire is not caught, providing
(1) first base is unoccupied, or
(2) first base is occupied with two outs.
"When a batter becomes a base runner on a third strike not caught by the catcher and starts for the dugout, or his position, and then realizes his situation and attempts to reach first base, he is not out unless he or first base is tagged before he reaches first base. If, however, he actually reaches the dugout or dugout steps, he may not then attempt to go to first base and shall be out."

All other information is listed in the ASA rule book that you have received at the beginning of the year.