Little Girls Division Rules

1. All participants and spectators are to show good sportsmanship.
2. Applications must be signed and submitted, and registration fee paid, before any girl may play in a league game or practice.  Practices are to be held no sooner than May 1st -- no exceptions.
3. Rubber-cleated shoes are allowed.  Athletic shoes and appropriate clothing for softball are required.
4. Each player must have her own glove.  Players in the field must wear a fielder’s glove, but first base and catcher may wear a mitt.   Little Girls division uses a 10-inch flexi-ball.
5. Hair must be secured out of the eyes; no metal bands or fasteners are allowed.  No jewelry will be worn during practices or games.
6. The batter, base runners and all players on the batting team must wear a helmet when on the playing field, both at practice and during games.  This includes players coaching at first or third base.
7. The catcher must wear the mask, helmet, shin guards and chest and throat protectors provided by the league for that position.  She is to wear them whenever catching, both at practice and during games.
8. The Little Girls division will play with 10 players, 4 of which must be in the outfield on the grass, and a roving infielder between first and second base.  No player may stand closer than the pitching rubber before the ball is hit.
9. A team may start a game with only 8 players.  If playing with only 8 players, the 9^th player’s position in the batting order will be recorded as an out.  If an 8th player is removed (due to injury or departure), the game will be forfeited.
10. When a game is forfeited, a practice game may be played.  Only players from the opposing team may join the forfeiting team for the practice game.  This game will be played in accordance with all official rules.
11. During the course of the game, players may be added to the bottom of the batting order, or subtracted without penalty while adhering to rule #9.
12. There will be free substitution in the field.
13. Lineups will be set and exchanged at the beginning of the game.  Players arriving late will be added at the bottom of the batting order.
14. Warm-ups before games must be held in an isolated area, away from spectators and neighboring lawns.
15. Each team will provide an adult pitcher (usually a coach or parent).  S/he may not field the ball while on the field.  Adult pitchers must sign waivers before participating.
16. There is no infield fly rule.
17. There is no bunting.  After the lesser of 3 swinging strikes or 6 pitches from the adult pitcher, the tee will be used.
18. The ball must be hit cleanly off the tee.  An arc will be drawn from the first-base line to the third-base line, 10 feet from the point of home plate.  Any ball batted off the tee that stops or is played on the home-plate side of this arc will be treated in all respects as a foul ball.
19. Courtesy Step:  Once a pitched ball crosses the plate, base runners are allowed only one step off the base.  If the ball is not hit, the runners must return to their bases before the next pitched ball, or they are out.
20. One base will be given on an overthrow when the ball goes out of play (past the backstop angles).
21. Once the ball is in the vicinity of the adult pitcher, the play ends.  If a runner is less than halfway to the next base she must return to the previous base.
22. The runner must avoid contact at home plate when a defensive player has the ball there. 
23. The defensive team may have up to 2 coaches in the outfield for teaching purposes only.  The batting team will supply an umpire-coach behind home plate.
24. Games will be 7 innings, but games must be held within the time allowed.  Little Girls games will be 1¼ hours.  No new inning may begin after 1 hour and 5 minutes have elapsed.  (If, during the course of the game, the noon siren is activated, the game will be stopped.  This stoppage of play will not be included in the 1¼ hour playing time.)  Games may end in a tie. 
25. In instances of inclement weather or unacceptable field conditions, games may be canceled prior to their start by the respective division commissioners, who will promptly notify a coach from each team of that decision.  Games in progress may be stopped, and either resumed or suspended. It is a complete game if 3 or more innings have been played.  If not, it can be made up or resumed, upon the agreement of both teams’ head coaches and a division commissioner.
26. Each team will be limited to 4 runs per inning.
27. Each player may only play one position, one time, during a game.
28. A player may not sit out in back-to-back innings.
29. Practices must take place on designated fields, which are the Dyer School softball diamonds.
30. All adults, non players, coaches and umpires must sign a waiver before participating in league activities.
31. For the safety of all players, when there is a play at first base the orange safety base may be used by either the runner or the fielder so as to avoid a collision.
32. Rules may be added, deleted, or revised at the discretion of the BGSL Board.

Young Girls Division Rules

1. All participants and spectators are to show good sportsmanship.
2. Applications must be signed and submitted, and registration fee paid, before any girl may play in a league game or practice.  Practices are to be held no sooner than May 1st -- no exceptions.
3. Rubber-cleated shoes are allowed.  Athletic shoes and appropriate clothing for softball are required.
4. Each player must have her own glove.  Players in the field must wear a fielder’s glove, but first base and catcher may wear a mitt.   Young Girls division uses an 11-inch ball.
5. Hair must be secured out of the eyes; no metal bands or fasteners are allowed.  No jewelry will be worn during practices or games.
6. The batter, base runners and all players on the batting team must wear a helmet with a face mask when on the playing field, both at practice and during games.  This includes players coaching at first or third base.
7. The catcher must wear the mask, helmet, shin guards and chest and throat protectors provided by the league for that position.  She is to wear them whenever catching, both at practice and during games.
8. The Young Girls division will play with 10 players, 4 of which must be in the outfield on the grass, and a roving infielder between first and second base.  No player may stand closer than the pitching rubber before the ball is hit.
9. A team may start a game with only 8 players.  If playing with only 8 players, the 9^th player’s position in the batting order will be recorded as an out.  If an 8th player is removed (due to injury or departure), the game will be forfeited.
10. When a game is forfeited, a practice game may be played.  Only players from the opposing team may join the forfeiting team for the practice game.  This game will be played in accordance with all official rules.
11. During the course of the game, players may be added to the bottom of the batting order, or subtracted without penalty while adhering to rule #9.
12. There will be free substitution in the field.
13. Lineups will be set and exchanged at the beginning of the game.  Players arriving late will be added at the bottom of the batting order.
14. Warm-ups before games must be held in an isolated area, away from spectators and neighboring lawns.
15. Each team will provide an adult pitcher (usually a coach or parent).  S/he will use the pitching machine provided and may not field the ball while on the field.  Adult pitchers must sign waivers before participating.
16. There will be no adults allowed on the field at any time during play except the pitcher.
17. A batted ball that hits the adult pitcher or the pitching machine will be played as a live ball.
18. There is no infield fly rule.
19. Bunting is permissible.  However, once 2 batters have bunted and reached base safely, there will be no more bunting allowed in that inning.  
20. After 3 swinging strikes or 6 pitches from the pitching machine, the batter will be out unless the last swing is a foul ball.  In that case, another pitch will be given.
21. There will be no walks.
22. Courtesy Step:  Once a pitched ball crosses the plate, base runners are allowed only one step off the base.  If the ball is not hit, the runners must return to their bases before the next pitched ball, or they are out.
23. One base will be given on an overthrow when the ball goes out of play (past the backstop angles).
24. Once the ball is in the vicinity of the adult pitcher, the play ends.  If a runner is less than halfway to the next base, she must return to the previous base.
25. The runner must avoid contact at home plate when a defensive player has the ball there. 
26. Games will be 7 innings, but games must be held within the time allowed.  Young Girls games will be 1¼ hours.  No new inning may begin after 1 hour and 5 minutes have elapsed.  (If, during the course of the game, the noon siren is activated, the game will be stopped.  This stoppage of play will not be included in the allotted playing time.)  Games may end in a tie. 
27. In instances of inclement weather or unacceptable field conditions, games may be canceled prior to their start by the respective division commissioners, who will promptly notify a coach from each team of that decision.  Games in progress may be stopped, and either resumed or suspended. It is a complete game if 3 or more innings have been played.  If not, it can be made up or resumed, upon the agreement of both teams’ head coaches and a division commissioner.
28. Each team will be limited to 4 runs per inning.
29. Each player may only play one position, one time, during a game.  Additionally, each player must play both the infield and outfield.
30. A player may not sit out in back-to-back innings. 
31. Practices must take place on designated fields, which are the Dyer School softball diamonds.
32. All adults, non-players, coaches and umpires must sign a waiver before participating in league activities.
33. For the safety of all players, when there is a play at first base the orange safety base may be used by either the runner or the fielder so as to avoid a collision.
34. Rules may be added, deleted, or revised at the discretion of the BGSL Board.

Junior Girls Division Rules

1. All participants and spectators are to show good sportsmanship.
2. Decisions and judgments of the umpires are final.  There are no protests.
3. Applications must be signed and submitted, and registration fee paid, before any girl may play in a league game or practice.  Practices are to be held no sooner than May 1st -- no exceptions.
4. Rubber-cleated shoes are allowed.  Athletic shoes are required.
5. Each player must have her own glove.  Players in the field must wear a fielder’s glove, but first base and catcher may wear a mitt.   Junior division uses a 12-inch ball.
6. Hair must be secured out of the eyes; no metal bands or fasteners are allowed.  No jewelry will be worn during practices or games.
7. The batter, base runners and all players on the batting team must wear a helmet with a face mask when on the playing field, both at practice and during games.  This includes players coaching at first or third base.
8. The catcher must wear the mask, helmet, shin guards and chest and throat protectors provided by the league for that position.  She is to wear them whenever catching, both at practice and during games.
9. All players must wear black softball pants or black shorts with sliders.  If a player comes to a game with shorts but not regulation sliders, that player will be ineligible to play in that game.
10. Umpires are to wear the protective gear assigned to them.  Umpires are to switch to another field before any game in which there may be a conflict of interest arising between them and any participant (e.g. relatives, friends or persons with whom there has been personal discord).
11. The Junior division will play with 10 players, 4 of which must be in the outfield.  A team may start a game with only 8 players.  If playing with only 8 players, the 9^th player’s position in the batting order will be recorded as an out.  If an 8th player is removed (due to injury or departure), the game will be forfeited.
12. When a game is forfeited, a practice game may be played.  Only players from the opposing team may join the forfeiting team for the practice game.  This game will be played in accordance with all official rules.
13. During the course of the game, players may be added to the bottom of the batting order, or subtracted without penalty while adhering to rule #11.
14. There will be free substitution in the field.
15. Lineups will be set and exchanged at the beginning of the game.  Players arriving late will be added at the bottom of the batting order.
16. Warm-ups before games must be held in an isolated area, away from spectators and neighboring lawns.
17. Games will be 7 innings, however, no new inning may be started after 1 hour and 20 minutes have elapsed.  If, during the course of the game, the noon siren is activated, the game will be stopped.  This stoppage of play will not be included in the 1 hour and 20 minutes of playing time.  Games may end in a tie. 
18. In instances of inclement weather or unacceptable field conditions, games may be canceled prior to their start by the respective division commissioners, who will promptly notify a coach from each team of that decision.  Games in progress may be stopped, and either determined to be completed or suspended by home-plate umpire. If 4 or more innings have been completed, the game is considered complete. If after 4 innings a game is stopped by the umpire in the middle of an inning, the outcome will be determined from the score of the last completed inning. But if fewer than 4 innings have been played, the game is suspended. Games suspended will be resumed at the point the game was suspended, with the same players playing in the same position.  Suspended or canceled games will be made up on dates designated in the schedule, but with no more than two such games per team.
19. Standings will be kept for the Junior division.  For the purpose of keeping the standings, 2 points will be awarded for a win and 1 point for a tie.
20. Each team will be limited to 6 runs per inning.
21. Junior division players may bunt.
22. Once a pitched ball crosses the plate, base runners are allowed to lead off or steal.  If the player does not steal, or the ball is not hit, the runner must return to their base once the pitcher has the ball in the pitching circle, or they may be called out by the umpire.  Delayed steals, where the base runner advances to the next base on the throw from the catcher to the pitcher, are not allowed.
23. A batter is awarded first base if hit by a pitched ball that bounces before it crosses the plate, provided the batter makes an attempt to avoid the ball.  If the batter does not attempt to avoid the ball, the batter can not advance to first and a "ball" will be added to the count.
24. A base runner may not advance home after attempting to steal 3^rd if there is an overthrow by the catcher after a pitched ball.  If an attempt is made by a position player to throw out a runner advancing to 3^rd base and the ball is overthrown, the runner may advance home. Base runners may steal home on a passed ball or wild pitch.
25. In an instance where there are runners at 1st and 3rd bases, the runner at 3rd base may not advance home on a throw from the catcher in an attempt to throw out the runner from 1st base attempting to steal 2nd base.
26. A runner advancing to home plate should attempt to avoid contact with the catcher by sliding if there is a play at home. 
27. A batter may attempt to take first base on a dropped 3^rd strike.  However, the batter will be out if she leaves the batters box and leaves the field of play (past the foul lines) to return to her bench.
28. Practices must take place on designated fields, which are the Dyer School and Bushnell Park softball diamonds.
29. All adults, non players, coaches and umpires must sign a waiver before participating in league activities.
30. For the safety of all players, when there is a play at first base the orange safety base may be used by either the runner or the fielder so as to avoid a collision.
31. All players may only play a maximum of two innings per position per game, with the exception of the pitcher and catcher, who may play a maximum of three innings in those positions per game.  An inning consists of three outs.  Thus, a pitcher may pitch 9 outs, and a catcher may catch 9 outs.
32. The Junior division may not use intentional walks, and there is no infield fly rule.
33. Rules may be added, deleted, or revised at the discretion of the BGSL Board.

Senior Girls Division Rules

1. All participants and spectators are to show good sportsmanship.
2. Decisions and judgments of the umpires are final.  There are no protests.
3. Applications must be signed and submitted, and registration fee paid, before any girl may play in a league game or practice.  Practices are to be held no sooner than May 1st -- no exceptions.
4. Rubber-cleated shoes are allowed.  Athletic shoes are required.
5. Each player must have her own glove.  Players in the field must wear a fielder’s glove, but first base and catcher may wear a mitt.   Senior division uses a 12-inch ball.
6. Hair must be secured out of the eyes; no metal bands or fasteners are allowed.  No jewelry will be worn during practices or games.
7. The batter, base runners and all players on the batting team must wear a helmet with a face mask when on the playing field, both at practice and during games.  This includes players coaching at first or third base.
8. The catcher must wear the mask, helmet, shin guards and chest and throat protectors provided by the league for that position.  She is to wear them whenever catching, both at practice and during games.
9. All players must wear black softball pants, or black shorts with sliders.  If a player comes to a game with shorts but not regulation sliders, that player will be ineligible to play that game. 
10. Umpires are to wear the protective gear assigned to them.  Umpires are to switch to another field before any game in which there may be a conflict of interest arising between them and any participant (e.g. relatives, friends or persons with whom there has been personal discord).
11. The Senior division will play with 9 players, 3 of which must be in the outfield.  If both teams have enough players to field 10 players, 4 players must be in the outfield.  A team may start a game with only 8 players.   If an 8th player is removed (due to injury or departure), the game will be forfeited.
12. When a game is forfeited, a practice game may be played.  Only players from the opposing team may join the forfeiting team for the practice game.  This game will be played in accordance with all official rules.
13. During the course of the game, players may be added to the bottom of the batting order, or subtracted without penalty while adhering to rule #11.
14. There will be free substitution in the field.
15. Lineups will be set and exchanged at the beginning of the game.  Players arriving late will be added at the bottom of the batting order.
16. Warm-ups before games must be held in an isolated area, away from spectators and neighboring lawns.
17. Games will be 7 innings, however, no new inning may be started after 1 hour and 35 minutes have elapsed.  If, during the course of the game, the noon siren is activated, the game will be stopped.  This stoppage of play will not be included in the 1 hour and 35 minutes of playing time.  Games may end in a tie. 
18. In instances of inclement weather or unacceptable field conditions, games may be canceled prior to their start by the respective division commissioners, who will promptly notify a coach from each team of that decision.  Games in progress may be stopped, and either determined to be completed or suspended by home-plate umpire. If 4 or more innings have been completed, the game is considered complete. If after 4 innings a game is stopped by the umpire in the middle of an inning, the outcome will be determined from the score of the last completed inning. But if fewer than 4 innings have been played, the game is suspended. Games suspended will be resumed at the point the game was suspended, with the same players playing in the same position.  Suspended or canceled games will be made up on dates designated in the schedule, but with no more than two such games per team.
19. Standings will be kept for the Senior division.  For the purpose of keeping the standings, 2 points will be awarded for a win and 1 point for a tie.
20. Each team will be limited to 6 runs per inning.
21. Senior division players may bunt.
22. Once a pitched ball leaves the pitchers hand, base runners are allowed to lead off or steal.  If the player does not steal, or the ball is not hit, the runner must return to their base once the pitcher has the ball in the pitching circle, or they may be called out by the umpire.
23. A batter is awarded first base if hit by a pitched ball that bounces before it crosses the plate, provided the batter makes an attempt to avoid the ball.  If the batter does not attempt to avoid the ball, the batter can not advance to first and a "ball" will be added to the count.
24. A batter may attempt to take first base on a dropped 3^rd strike.  However, the batter will be out if she leaves the batters box and leaves the field of play (out of the baseline) to return to her bench.
25. A runner advancing to home plate should attempt to avoid contact with the catcher by sliding if there is a play at home. .
26. Practices must take place on designated fields, which are the Dyer School and Bushnell Park softball diamonds.
27. All adults, non players, coaches and umpires must sign a waiver before participating in league activities.
28. For the safety of all players, when there is a play at first base the orange safety base may be used by either the runner or the fielder so as to avoid a collision.
29. Pitchers may pitch a maximum of 4 innings.  An inning consists of 3 outs.  Thus, a pitcher may pitch 12 outs.
30. Rules may be added, deleted, or revised at the discretion of the BGSL Board.

High School Division Rules

1. All participants and spectators are to show good sportsmanship.
2. Decisions and judgments of the umpires are final.  There are no protests.
3. Applications must be signed and submitted, and registration fee paid, before any girl may play in a league game or practice.  Practices are to be held no sooner than May 1st -- no exceptions.
4. Rubber-cleated shoes are allowed.  Athletic shoes are required.
5. Each player must have her own glove.  Players in the field must wear a fielder’s glove, but first base and catcher may wear a mitt.   High School division uses a 12-inch ball.
6. Hair must be secured out of the eyes; no metal bands or fasteners are allowed.  No jewelry will be worn during practices or games.
7. The batter, base runners and all players on the batting team must wear a helmet with a facemask when on the playing field, both at practice and during games.  This includes players coaching at first or third base.
8. The catcher must wear the mask, helmet, shin guards and chest and throat protectors provided by the league for that position.  She is to wear them whenever catching, both at practice and during games.
9. All players must wear black softball pants, or black shorts with sliders.  If a player comes to a game with shorts but not regulation sliders, that player will be ineligible to play that game. 
10. Umpires are to wear the protective gear assigned to them.  Umpires are to switch to another field before any game in which there may be a conflict of interest arising between them and any participant (e.g. relatives, friends or persons with whom there has been personal discord).
11. The High School division will play with 10 players, 4 of which must be in the outfield.  A team may start a game with only 8 players.  If playing with only 8 players, the 9^th player’s position in the batting order will be recorded as an out.  If an 8th player is removed (due to injury or departure), the game will be forfeited.
12. When a game is forfeited, a practice game may be played.  Only players from the opposing team may join the forfeiting team for the practice game.  This game will be played in accordance with all official rules.
13. During the course of the game, players may be added to the bottom of the batting order, or subtracted without penalty while adhering to rule #11.
14. There will be free substitution in the field.
15. Lineups will be set and exchanged at the beginning of the game.  Players arriving late will be added at the bottom of the batting order.
16. Warm-ups before games must be held in an isolated area, away from spectators and neighboring lawns.
17. Games will be 7 innings, but games must be held within the time allowed.  High School games will be 1¾ hours.  No new inning may be started with less than ten minutes remaining.  Games may end in a tie. 
18. In instances of inclement weather or unacceptable field conditions, games may be cancelled prior to their start by the respective division commissioners, who will promptly notify a coach from each team of that decision.  Games in progress may be stopped, and either resumed or suspended by home-plate umpires. If 4 or more innings have been completed, and if in any partial inning the lead has not changed hands, the game is complete.  But if fewer than 4 innings have been played, or if the lead has changed hands in a partial inning, the game is suspended. Games suspended or cancelled will be resumed or made up on dates designated in the schedule, but with no more than two such games per team.
19. Standings will be kept for the High School division.  For the purpose of keeping the standings, 2 points will be awarded for a win and 1 point for a tie.
20. There will not be a run limit per inning. Instead, the High School league will follow the 15 run slaughter rule after 5 innings. The team losing by 15 runs or more at the completion of their at-bat in the 5^th inning will forfeit the game at that point, unless the time limit has expired earlier, as stated in rule 17.
21. High School division players may bunt.
22. Once a pitched ball leaves the pitchers hand, base runners are allowed to steal.  If the player does not steal, or the ball is not hit, the runner must return to their base once the pitcher has the ball in the pitching circle, or they may be called out by the umpire.
23. A batter may attempt to take first base on a dropped 3^rd strike.  However, the batter will be out if she leaves the batter’s box and leaves the field of play (out of the baseline) to return to her bench.
24. Practices must take place on designated fields, which are the Bushnell Park softball diamonds.
25. All adults, nonplayers, coaches and umpires must sign a waiver before participating in league activities.
26. For the safety of all players, when there is a play at first base the orange safety base may be used by either the runner or the fielder so as to avoid a collision.
27. Rules may be added, deleted, or revised at the discretion of the BGSL Board.