Georgia USSSA Youth Recreational Program Girls Fast Pitch Softball Definitions and Playing Rules
Drafted League Program: The Drafted League Program gives traditional league based teams the opportunity to compete amongst teams formed by a similar system.Drafted League is a playing level for actual drafted league teams from USSSA Sanctioned Leagues.Age Divisions shall include 6/Under thru 18/Under. Leagues shall have an approved draft system for league play.This system shall include no more than four (4) protected/frozen players per team. Teams who are not part of a League drafted program and have more that 4 protected or frozenplayers must play in the Select League and will be classified as a B Class team by USSSA. These teams cannot play in the C Class League.They will play an (8) game schedule. Leagues shall submit their complete rules, by-laws, and schedules & team rosters for approval to the Georgia State Directors office. A League shall consist of a minimum of an eight (8) game schedule. The Georgia State Director shall set guidelines for teams to qualify for the Drafted League C Division World Series. Eligibility for a Class C Recreational Team A Class (C) Divison team cannot have (A) Class travel players on the roster.Established Class (B) travel teams are disallowed from Class (C) Recreational League play. All Class (C) Recreational teams must have verification from the League president or board that they are a drafted league team. This verification must be submitted to the State Directors office.
Georgia USSSA All-Star Program
All-star teams can be of the following age division. 6U, 7U, 8U, 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U, 18U. All-star teams must be chosen from a drafted league program as described in the Drafted League Program in the above League rules, and has at least 2 (two) teams in the age division in which the All-star team is chosen. All-star teams will be allowed to play in the B Division in All-star tournaments that do not make. All-star teams must participate in at least one (1) qualifying tournament in order to qualify for the USSSA All-star State Tournament. All-star teams who meet the qualifications to play in the Georgia State All-star Tournament and participate in the All-star State will qualify for the Class (C) USSSA World Series.
USSSA Class C General Playing Rules
Rule #1 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. Rule #2 10, 8 and 6 run rule in all games shall apply.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 6 or more runs respectively, the game will be called and the team with the 10, 8 or 6 run lead shall be the winner. Rule #3 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 of league play. Rules #4 Umpire & Director Abuse:Georgia USSSA Fast Pitch has a zero tolerance policy for players, coaches, or parents with respect to 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 game and possible suspension from further USSSA events. Rule #5 Roster batting will be required for the entire season for all age groups. Due to required roster batting, there are some additional rules that need to be clarified. Injury and or Sickness: Batter:If a batter cannot fulfill 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 Untilthey 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. If a batter or runner decides she want to re-enter the game, it will be at the discretion of the Director of Softball or any other Board member of the Association where the sick or injured player is playing.If no official is available, then the player will remain out of the game. Rule #6: Teams can score a maximum of 5 (five) runs per inning. Rule #7: In 9U and 10U 4 (four) outfielders may be employed on defense.The outfielders must play at least 10 feet outside of the baselines. Rules #8: In 6U thru 12U there is no dropped third strike.Whether the 3rd strike is caught or not, the batter is out and runners may not advance. Rule #9: In all age groups, base stealing is allowed under the following rules.Runners starting at first base or second base are entitled to steal one base per pitch with the liability to be put out. (Runners are not entitled to advance more that 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 dea, if a runner occupies a base beyond the one the runner was entitled to steal, the runner wll be returned to the correct base witout 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 including a pitch that goes out of play. d.An illegal pitch.