Single A Rules
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2024 AGSL 'Single A' Rules:

We will follow the 2024 “Official Softball Rule Book” and the House League Rules with the following exceptions: 

 

 Skills / Game Times

Each time slot will consist of about 45 minutes of skills / drills, a break to get the girls ready for the game on their respective benches, followed by an approximate 1 hour game (typically 2-3 innings).  A team can start with 5 or 6 players.    Any player coming after the game starts should be added at the bottom of the line-up.    Borrowing players from the opposing team can also be utilized but no player should miss a turn at bat if playing for the other team.    Remember this is an instructional league.  Once the one hour is up, the game ends.  As the season progresses, the coaches can agree to decrease the skills to 30 minutes and increase the game to 1 hour and 15 minutes.

All players from each team participate in the skills / drills together.   The players will stretch, play catch and then work on throwing, fielding, pop flies, hitting and running bases.    The coaches and assistant coaches will divide up the girls and conduct drills in stations and will rotate stations.

Uniform and Equipment

The teams will use safety type 10 inch balls provided by the league to make it easier for the girls to field, throw and catch. The home team supplies both game balls to the umpire.

 Umpire

 In the A (Instructional) Level, coaches will serve as umpires to determine safe and out on the bases.

 Defense 

  1.  All players may take the field.
  2. All outfielders must be on the grass
  3. 6 infielders: First base, short second, second base, shortstop, third base and there will be 1 player at to act as pitcher, who will stand to the right of the coach. There will be a catcher used, provided that enough players are present. All extras are put in the outfield.
  4. All players should rotate positions and no player should play in the outfield or the same position for the entire game. Players are allowed to enter the game at any time.    Please make every effort to give players the opportunity to try different positions in the field.  If possible, please rotate positions ever batter or every other batter.
  5. The infield fly rule is NOT in effect

All bases are 60 feet apart. It is the responsibility of the home team to provide two game balls. Playable territory, in which the ball will be considered “LIVE” is defined as the region within two imaginary lines extending from the ends of the backstop, and parallel to the first and third base lines.  The backstop bounds the playable territory behind home plate.

 Coaches are to exchange line-ups at the beginning of the game. The coaches are the umpires and are responsible for calling safe and out.

 

 Offense:

    1.  Each team will bat its entire order. Players arriving late should be inserted at the bottom of the order.

     2. A batter will receive a warning the first time a bat is thrown in such a manner as may result in injury. If a bat is thrown again, by any member of the team, an out will be called, and a no pitch will be the ruling.

      3. All games are coach pitched. If a batter fails to hit the ball after 5 pitches the batter will then use a tee, unless the last pitch is hit in foul territory, then the batter will get a sixth pitch. Coaches pitch to their own teams and provide someone to stand near the batter to help instruct the batter, assist with setting up the tee as necessary, and assist the catcher as needed. 

     4. There are no lead-offs and no stealing of bases. Players must wear helmets when running the bases, and if necessary, opposing coaches must share all available helmets for this purpose.

     5. Base runners will be called out if they run outside the base paths (approximately 3 feet on either side of a direct line between bases) to avoid tags, but they are not penalized for trying to avoid a fielder in the base path who is not in possession of the ball. A runner is out if they run with great force into a fielder securely possessing the ball in an attempt to jar it loose.  The ruling of interference situations between runners and fielders in the base path depends on whether the fielder involved is in the process of fielding a batted ball. The fielder has the right of way and any contact by the runner will result in the runner being called out.  If the fielder is not playing the ball, the runner has the right of way and any obstruction by the fielder will result in the runner being awarded the next base.

     6. After a ball has been hit in fair territory, base runners are allowed to attempt one base at a time. If a batted ball reaches the outfield in the air 2 bases may be taken.  The exception to the one base rule is the last batter.  After the last batter has batted, all base runners will advance to home plate to end the half inning. Defensive fielders should stay on the field until all runners have crossed home plate.

     7. Bunting is NOT allowed.

     8. Base runners thrown out at a base will return to the team dug out.

     9. Sliding is NOT allowed at this level. Sliding for “the fun of it” creates a DANGEROUS situation for all involved.

     10. Base runners may NOT advance on an overthrow.