AA Machine Pitch -
General
1. Regular season games consist of four innings, with a five-run limit applying to all
innings.
2. Each game has a time limit of 1 hour and 30 minutes, and no inning can start
after this time limit.
1. The drop-dead limit is 2 hours from the scheduled start time of the game.
If the 2-hour limit is reached during the last inning, the game will revert to
the last completed inning.
2. In case a game cannot reach the 4th inning due to time constraints, both
coaches, along with the umpires (if applicable), must designate the
upcoming inning as the; last inning; as the 1 hour 30-minute mark
approaches. Please refer to the ;Softball General Rules; for more details
on playoff time limits and weather-related interruptions.

 
Machine Pitch
1. Pitching machines will be used throughout the duration of each game for the
entirety of the season. 
1. The pitching rubber and pitching machine are situated 35 feet from home
plate, measured from the back; of home plate.
2. The pitching machine should be set at 35 MPH.

3. The home team is responsible for retrieving the pitching machine and
setting it up. Each machine will also have an accompanying bucket of 11”
machine balls with blue laces. Please see the Director on Duty if you need
assistance in setting up the machines. 

Hitting / Running
1. Teams will use a continuous batting order, meaning everyone in the lineup bats.
2. Base on balls is not allowed; batters face 3 strikes. Bunting is also prohibited.
Each batter is allowed a maximum of 7 pitches. However, if the 7th pitch results
in a foul ball, dead ball, or is declared un-hittable by the umpires/coaches, the
batter will receive another pitch. A player is out if she strikes out after 3 swinging
strikes. No more than three swinging strikes should be allowed

3. After hitting the ball, the batter can advance at their own risk. The maximum
advancement is as follows:
1. Infield hit: 1 base
2. Beyond the infielder (defined as reaching the grass of the outfield):
unlimited advancement assuming no fielding errors (see rule 7 below).

4. Base runners may not advance on an overthrow.
5. A batted ball hitting the pitching machine is considered a dead-ball single, and
the batter is awarded 1st base. Only base runners “forced” to run (ie. with other
runners behind them) will advance. 
1. For example, if there are runners at 1st and 3rd base and the batter hits
the machine, the batter is awarded 1st base, and the runner from 1st base
moves to 2nd. The runner on 3rd base would stay at 3rd.

6. Stealing is not allowed. Runners may lead off from the base once the ball leaves
the pitching machine.
7. Runners may advance at their own risk on a base hit according to the following
scenarios:
1. On an infield hit (not reaching the outfield grass), they must stop at their
current base once an infielder has possession of the ball on the dirt infield
or after there has been one play at a base. If the runner is not at least
halfway to the next base when possession is obtained, the runner must
return to the previous base, otherwise they may advance.
2. On an outfield hit (ball reaches the grass), runners must stop at their
current base once the outfielder has thrown the ball into the infield, hitting
the dirt (regardless of possession by an infielder). Runners may advance if
they are more than halfway to the next base when the ball reaches the
infield, otherwise they must return to the previous base. 

 
Defense
1. The defense will play with ten players on the field including four outfielders (Left
Field, Left Center, Right Center, Right Field) and 6 infielders (1st, 2nd, 3rd, SS, P,
C). Infielders are encouraged to throw the ball to the defensive player at the
base to make an out as opposed to running and tagging the base.

1. Teams are required to play a catcher each inning, even if they must move
players in from the outfield (including a scenario that results in only 2
outfielders). 

2. Outfielders must start no closer than 10 feet from the edge of the outfield grass
and cannot be used to play a base. If an outfielder fields the ball, they must throw
it back to the infield. The outfielder can make a play on a ground ball that gets
past the infielders and on a fly ball hit in front of them if the ball travels beyond
the infielders.
1. The outfielder may attempt to throw the batter or runner(s) out at any
base, however, the outfielder may NOT get an out by running and tagging
the base (or tagging the runner)

3. The girl playing the pitcher's position must wear a face mask. She must remain
even or behind the pitching rubber on either side of the pitching machine. When
fielding a batted ball, the pitcher must throw to the base and may not tag the
runner or the base for the out, including home plate.
4. All fielders are required to wear a face mask, and catchers must wear catcher's
gear (shin guards, helmet, chest protector).
*** The safety of the girls is the top priority***
5. The infield fly rule is waived.
 
Playing Time
1. Every player must play at least three defensive innings (with the exception of
injuries or late arrivals/early departures) with at least 2 innings at an infield
position. 
2. Players must be rotated at least every 2 innings to a new defensive position.
3. Players may only play a maximum of 2 innings at a specific defensive position.
This rule also applies to call-ups.
4. The catcher is considered an outfield position and cannot be played for more
than one inning consecutively.
 
Equipment
1. All players must wear a face-mask while playing a defensive position.

1. Families are encouraged to purchase a fielding mask for their child. If this
is not possible, each team’s equipment bag will contain one fielding mask
for the team to share.

2. Players are expected to provide their own softball glove, fielding mask, cleats
(optional, however, sneakers will be considered required if cleats are
unavailable), softball pants (white).
1. AGSL will provide each coach with an equipment bag that will be shared
with the team and includes: softball bats, batting helmets, catcher
equipment, fielding face-mask (limited quantity).