X-play IN DIXIE ANGELS & PONYTAILS

In 2011, Dixie Softball experimented with what will be called X-play rules in the Dixie Belles and Debs World Series. Everything went well and the decision was made to expand X-play rules into the Dixie Angels and Ponytails divisions. This will mean that in the Dixie Angels and Dixie Ponytails divisions only, there will be two World Series for each division.

X-play rules will allow leagues that want to play a more X-cellerated, X-panded style of play for their girls to do so. A league may choose to play the TRADITIONAL style of softball for their girls, that Dixie Softball has offered since 1976, or a league can choose to offer both X-play and TRADITIONAL styles of play to their programs.

Below will be the rules that will govern the X-play style of play. All other rules of Dixie Softball will remain the same:

X-play DIXIE ANGELS

Regular season and tournament play:

1. Baserunners may leave the base when the ball reaches the batter. If a baserunner leaves the base early, the umpire shall signal "delayed dead ball" to indicate the violation at the time it occurs. The defensive team shall have the privilege of having nullified any portion of the play that occurred on the violation.

2. Baserunners may attempt to steal only one (1) base at a time. There will be no further advancement on overthrown balls or missed throws by any baserunner. Following an attempted steal the ball will be ruled "dead".

3. Baserunners may steal home. No stealing is allowed on throw backs to the pitcher, any other player or coach.

4. If the catcher of record is on base with two (2) outs, a coach has the option of putting in a courtesy runner for the catcher. The courtesy runner will be the player who made the second (2nd) out of the current inning.

X-play tournament play only:

1. The consecutive game rule for pitchers will NOT be in effect.

2. A coach will be allowed to use the number of innings allotted a pitcher in any manner he chooses. EXAMPLE: A coach may pitch a pitcher the first eleven (11) innings of a tournament or he may choose to spread out the eleven (11) innings over the course of the tournament.

3. A starting pitcher cannot pitch more than six (6) innings in one day when a double header is played. Otherwise, the pitcher has her allotment of five (5) innings per game with the one (1) extra inning in case of a tie game and the pitcher is the starting pitcher and has pitched the complete game.

X-play DIXIE PONYTAILS

X-play regular season and tournament play:

1. Baserunners may leave the base when the ball leaves the pitcher's hand.

2. The third (3rd) strike rule will be in effect.

3. If the catcher of record is on base with two (2) outs, a coach has the option of putting in a courtesy runner for the catcher. The courtesy runner will be the player who made the second (2nd) out of the current inning.

4. The batter's box will be measured seven feet (7') by three feet (3'). The batter's box will be measured four inches (4") out from the side of home plate and from the center of home plate the batter's box will be measured with four feet (4') extending toward the pitcher's plate and three feet (3') extending toward the backstop.

X-play tournament play only:

1. The consecutive game rule for pitchers will NOT be in effect.

2. The coach will be allowed to use the number of innings allotted a pitcher in any manner he chooses. EXAMPLE: A coach may pitch a pitcher for the first thirteen (13) innings of the tournament or he may choose to spread out the thirteen (13) innings over the course of the tournament.

3. A pitcher cannot pitch more that seven (7) innings in a day when a double header is played. Otherwise, the pitcher has her allotment of six (6) innings per game with one (1) extra inning in case of a tie game and the pitcher is the starting pitcher and has pitched the complete game.

NOTE: Leagues may choose to play by "TRADITIONAL" rules only or play by "X-play" rules only. A league may choose to offer both styles of play if they so choose. If a league offers both styles of play they must register that they are playing both styles and pay the proper fees. Players cannot play on the "TRADITIONAL" tournament team and the "X-play" tournament in the same season.

If the interest is there for both "TRADITIONAL" and "X-play" styles of play the district and state will offer tournaments for both styles of play. THERE WILL BE WORLD SERIES PLAY FOR BOTH "TRADITIONAL" AND "X-play" teams.