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Georgia USSSA
Girls Fast pitch Softball
USSSA Fast pitch Official Playing Rules
With few exceptions, Georgia USSSA Girls Fast pitch will abide by the rules and by-laws governed by the 2012 USSSA Rulebook. The on-line rulebook supersedes any printed edition.
Below is a list of exceptions. This is for local Georgia tournament play only, including State Championships. These rules DO NOT apply when competing in any of the USSSA World Series events.
Courtesy Runner - The team at bat may use a courtesy runner for the pitcher and/or catcher any time after they reach base. The player in the batting order where the last out was recorded or any player with substitution rights not currently in the game may replace the current (the player physically playing the position when the 3rd out was recorded) pitcher or catcher as a courtesy runner at any time. The same runner may not be used for both positions in the same inning. Neither the pitcher nor the catcher will be required to leave under such circumstances Players who have participated in the game in any other capacity are ineligible to serve as a courtesy runner. A player may not run as a courtesy runner and be used as a substitute for another player in that half inning. If the pitcher or catcher reaches a base in the 1st (First) inning and there are no outs made and no eligible substitute the courtesy runner becomes the last person in the batting order.
All batting helmets must have an attached NOCSAE-approved face mask/guard. No exceptions!
Every effort will be made to complete every scheduled game. In the event of rain delays, the Tournament Director reserves the right to reduce the time limits of all remaining games and/or change the format of the tournament to reach a conclusion and determine a champion.
With the exception of the 8 and Under Division, 10, 8 and 6 run rule in all games. If one team is 10, 8, or 6 runs ahead after 3,4, or 5 complete innings, or after 2 1/2, 3 1/2, or 4 1/2 innings, if the home team is ahead by 10, 8, or 8 or more runs respectively, the game will be called and the team with the 10, 8 or 6 run lead shall be the winner.
Currently, USSSA uses a 15, 12, and 8 run rule. This applies to World Series play only. Georgia will use the 10, 8, & 6 mercy rule in all age divisions except the 8-and-Unders in local tournaments. . Currently, The Additional Players (AP) remains optional but up to Two (2) AP's will be allowed.
Umpire & Director Abuse: Georgia USSSA Fast Pitch has a zero tolerance policy for players, coaches, or parents for fighting, abusive tactics or language, or unbecoming acts that are deemed detrimental and not in the best interest of the Georgia USSSA Fast Pitch toward an umpire or tournament director. Penalty: Automatic ejection from the Tournament and possible suspension from further USSSA events.
Special Class C Division Recreational Playing Rules
All Class C tournaments will follow the general USSSA rules as outlined in the latest edition of the USSSA Rule Book, with the following exceptions or points of emphasis.
Eligibilty for a Class C Team: A class C Division team cannot have A Class travel players on the roster. Established Class B travel teams are disallowed from Class C tournaments. All Class C teams must have verification from their association President or Board that they are a recreational league team. Any team can request a re-classification from the State Directors office at any time.
Definition of a Drafted League Team: Any team who is drafted from within the association or league from a pool of players from a particular age group with no more than 4 protected/frozen players per team. A league shall consist of a minimum of eight (8) game schedule. Leagues shall submit their complete rule, bylaws & schedules for approval from the Ga State USSSA Offices.
Rule #1 Roster Batting will be required during the entire tournament for the 9U thru 12U Division. Due to the required roster batting, there are some additional rules that need to be clarified.
INJURY:
Batter: If a batter cannot fufill her time at bat due to injury or illness, that player will be eliminated from that entire game. Her spot will be skipped in the batting order. Teams will not be required to take an automatic out UNTIL they drop below 9 players.
Runner: If a runner cannot continue her time on the bases, that player will be substituted with the last batter not on base. She will not be allowed to participate in the remainder of the game. The line-up will compress when her spot comes to bat. An injured or sick batter or runner may re-enter the game with the approval of the Tournament Director and Umpire-in-Chief.
EJECTIONS:
A player ejection while roster batting will result in the team losing that player for the entire game. Her spot in the batting order WILL be an automatic out.
Rule #2 Teams can score a maximum of 5 runs per inning.
Rule #3 In 9U & 10U 4 (four) outfielders may be employed on defense. The outfielders must play at least 10 feet outside of the baselines.
Rule #4 In 9U & 10U there is no infield fly. The ball remains alive with all runners in jeopardy of being put out.
Rule #5 In 9U thru 12U there is no dropped third. Whether the 3rd strike is caught or not, the batter is out and runners may not advance.
Rule #6 In 9U & 10U base stealing is allowed under the following rules. Runners starting at first base or second base are entitled to steal one base only per pitch with liability to be put out. (Runners are not entitled to advance more than one base per pitch even in the event of an overthrow at any base.)
1. A runner attempting to advance beyond the one base they are entitled to steal may be put out while between bases or in contact with a base to which she is not entitled.
2. After all play ceases and the ball becomes dead, if a runner occupies a base beyond the one the runner was entitled to steal, the runner will be returned to the correct base without liability to be put out.
3. A batter runner, who has received a base on balls, can attempt to steal second base.
4. Awarded bases will apply to all runners. This includes an overthrow into dead ball territory.
5. Runners can only score on:
a) A batted Ball
b) A base on balls or hit batter with bases loaded
c) An awarded base when the ball goes out of play to include a pitch that goes out of play
d) An illegal pitch.
2012 Georgia USSSA All-Star Program
Rule #1 All-Star teams can be of the following age divisons. 6U, 7U, 8U, 9U,10U, 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U, 15U, 16,U and 18U.
Rule #2 All-Star teams must be chosen from a drafted league program which has at least 2 teams in the age division in which the All-Star team is chosen from.
Rule #3 All-Star teams that enter tournaments that do not make in the All-Star divison will be allowed to play in the B Class Division.
Rule #4 All-Star teams must participate in at least one qualifying tournament in order to qualify for the USSSA State All-Star tournament.
Rule #5 All-Star teams who meet the qualifications to play in the Ga State All-Star Tournament and participate in the Ga All-Star State will qualify for the C Class USSSA World Series.
Eight Under Playing Rules
Rule 1---The Playing Field
A. The base distance for 8 & under Division will be 60 feet.
B. The Pitching distance for 8 & under Division will be 35 feet
C. Thirty (30) foot slash marks will be placed between home and first, first and second, second and third, for the purpose of placement of base runners.
D. From the mid-point of the front edge of the pitcher’s plate, there shall be a circle drawn, which is 16 feet in diameter (8 foot radius).
Rule 2---Equipment
A. 8 & under Division will used the 11-inch, blue stitch Optic yellow softball, stamped USSSA Fast Pitch Classic.
B. Batting helmets with extended earflaps, which cover both ears and temples are mandatory for all batters, on deck batters, base runners, non-adult base coaches, non-adult bat and ball shaggers and any offensive player in live ball territory, even if the ball is dead.
Rule 3---Players and Substitutions
A. A team may play with and Optional tenth (10th) player on defense. This Optional player must be positioned in the Outfield and must stay a minimum of ten (10) feet outside of the baseline (umpires judgment) until the ball is hit.
B. A team must have 6 players within the baselines, including the catcher. A regulation infield must be used. All other players are considered outfielders and must play a minimum of ten (10) feet outside of the baselines.
C. A team must have a minimum of 9 players and can finish with 8 players if one becomes injured or ill .
D. All players on the roster will bat.and with free substitution on defense.
The Game
A. The USSSA Present Edition Rule Book will govern all play unless specified in this section.
B. A Coach will make a maximum of five (5) pitches. If the batter has not hit a fair ball, struck out, or been put out after receiving the maximum numbers of pitches without completing any of these situations will be called out by the umpire.
C. If after 2 strikes or five (5) pitches the fifth (5th) pitch is fouled off, the batter will receive another pitch until either a strike out, or the ball is put into play. If the batter does not swing at the sixth (6) pitch it is called an out.
D. There will be a maximum of six (6) runs per half inning. If after time has expired or beginning of the 5th (fifth) inning there will be no maximum run rule per inning.
E. The run rule is as follows:
15 runs after 3 innings
12 runs after 4 innnings
8 runs after 3 innings.
F. No Bunting
G. No Stealing
H. No leading off bases.
I. Play will stop when the lead runner has stopped or the pitcher has the ball and at least one foot inside the pitching circle.
The player pitcher must have at least 1 (one) foot in the pitcher’s circle when the batter’s coach is pitching.
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