Greater Dane - League Rules

1. Ball – 11 inch ball is used

2. Bases – 60 feet between bases – Double safety base should be used if available

3. Pitcher’s plate – 35 feet from home plate

4. Game Length – play 7 innings or 1 hour 15 minutes time limit. No inning can begin after 1 hour

15 minutes. Any game ended due to a time limit is a complete game regardless of the number

of innings played.

5. Scoring – Keeping score at this level is not required. Teams should however provide one

another with a lineup prior to the game starting so each team knows how many batters each

team has.

6. Players – Teams can play with up to 10 players on defense in proper positions with 4

outfielders. A team must have at least 8 players to begin a game. If there are less than 8

players that team must forfeit, but the game can still be played as a scrimmage. If a team that

begins with 8 players loses additional players the game can continue, but an out must be

recorded each time a missing player’s turn to bat occurs. All players must be included in the

batting order. During the regular season, Teams are allowed to borrow from their other

community teams within the same level in order to make up a roster of up to 9 players - Abuses

of this rule for the purpose of a competitive edge will not be tolerated and may result in

forfeiture.

7. Jewelry – All jewelry must be removed prior to playing.

8. Cleats: All U10 and U12 players must wear composite cleats. No metal cleats are allowed in

U10 or U12.

9. Positions – All players must play at least 1 inning in the infield. Pitcher can pitch a maximum of

3 innings per game.

10. Play Stoppage – Play stops when the ball is in the possession of the pitcher in the pitching

circle (the 16 foot diameter area that includes the pitching plate in the center). If a base runner

is not on the base they must go back to the base unless 2/3 of the way to the next base.

11. Overthrows – A runner may take one base on an overthrow.

12. End of Inning – An inning is over when a team gets three outs or 5 runs are scored.

13. Leading Off/Stealing – A runner may lead off until after the ball crosses home plate and must

return to the base between pitches. No stealing allowed.

14. Helmets – Helmets must be worn in the on deck circle, batting, while base running and kept on

until player exits the playing field.

15. Bunting – No bunting or slap bunting is allowed.

16. No throwing bats – Player will be warned by umpire of dangers of this action.

17. Pitching –

a. 3 Weeks of Coach Pitch – Coaches will pitch the first three weeks to their own batters.

Every effort should be made to encourage the player in the pitchers position to field their

position. Coaches must pitch from the pitching rubber. If both coaches agree prior to the

start of the game, teams can allow their players to pitch prior to week 3.

b. Player Pitching – Players will begin pitching in the fourth week of games. Pitchers can

pitch using any underhand style which is comfortable for them.

c. Pitcher Mechanic Rule – Pitcher should begin with at least one foot on the pitching

plate with hands apart.

18. Walk Rule – (4 BALLS = WALK). There will be no walks, intentional or unintentional allowed in

this league. Once a pitcher has thrown 4 balls, the coach from the batting team will pitch to the

batter until the ball is put in play or the batter strikes out. The pitcher will return to the mound to

pitch after the coach pitches to that batter. After 4 consecutive walks by a single pitcher, the

team will need to change pitchers.

19. Hit By Pitch – A player does get first base when hit by a pitch.

20. Home Team Responsibilities – The home team is responsible for securing 1 umpire for behind

home plate and preparing the field for play (setting up bases and pitching plate). If a game is

cancelled for any reason it must be done by 4:00 p.m. and the home team coach must contact

the opposing coach by 4:00 p.m.

21. Umpire/Coach Pregame Meeting – Before each game there should be a meeting between the

umpire(s) and a coach from each team to go over the rules and field information (out of play

etc).

22. Sportsmanship – All players, coaches, parents and fans are expected to treat one another with

respect. Heckling of the umpire is not allowed and it will be the responsibility of the coach to

control his/her players, parents and fans and put a stop to this behavior immediately.

23. Fielding Masks are highly recommended for all infield positions.

24. ASA rules apply if not listed above.

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