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Subscribe to our NewsletterMSA Jr Division Rules
Mountainside Softball Association
Junior Division Transitional League (Grades 3-5)
Rules Sheet
MSA Program Objective: Teach our girls the fundamentals of softball, provide them with an opportunity to practice and develop their skills, and help them learn good sportsmanship while having a positive, enjoyable experience as a participant.
Junior Division Program Objectives: The Junior Division will build on the basic skills learned in the instructional division (1st & 2nd grade). An emphasis will be placed on proper mechanics, learning and playing field positions, and sportsmanship. The milestone skills the girls should achieve in this league are the following:
· Development of throwing and catching skills
o Stepping with correct foot
o Catching with two hands
o Catching with glove fingers up
· Development of fielding skills
o How to field ground balls
o How to field fly balls/ pop ups
o Basic situational plays
· Basics of pitching and catching
· Fundamentals of hitting
· Development of base running skills
o Introduce concept of bunting, leading, and stealing
o Introduce concept of tagging up
*** Before moving on to the Senior Division (Grades 6-8), every player should know how to properly throw, catch, and hit.
Rules: The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) playing rules for Fast Pitch will be the standard set of rules with the following changes:
1. ALL jewelry should be removed before playing begins. This includes earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.
2. 11” ball will be utilized.
3. Pitching distance should be 35 feet. Base distance should be 60 feet.
4. With regards to pitching, there will be NO coach pitching and all styles of softball pitching will be acceptable. There will be an umpire to call the game. If the pitcher walks 4 batters in a row OR hits 2 in a row OR hits 3 per inning, the pitcher MUST be removed and replaced with another player. No one pitcher will pitch more than 2 consecutive innings in a row or a total of 4 innings per game. During an at bat, the batter shall hit the ball, walk or strike out.
5. Drop-3 strike does NOT apply.
6. Bunting is permitted and coaches are required to instruct this aspect of the game. Three bunts per game will be permitted. The league strongly recommends all 3 bunts to be utilized during the game.
7. Any player throwing the bat will be warned along with the rest of the players on that team. The next player from that team to throw a bat, will be called OUT.
8. Leading is permitted after the ball crosses the plate. The “look-back” rule is in effect. Coaches are encouraged to instruct these aspects of the game.
9. Stealing is permitted but only between second and third base, with a maximum of 2 steals per inning. Coaches are encouraged to instruct this part of the game. Runner cannot advance to home on an overthrow.
10. Slide or surrender is in effect.
11. An inning will end once three outs has been made, or 5 runs scored in an inning. The five run rule will be in effect except for the last inning. The five run rule is as follows: the inning will end upon the offensive team making three outs, or after a play in which the offensive team has scored the fifth run of that inning. All runs scored after the 5th run will not count. The offensive team will then take the field. There is no limit on runs in the last inning.
12. Only 10 defensive players may be on the field at one time. A minimum of 7 seven players is required in the field at all times. Players are to play both infield and outfield positions, and are to be given the opportunity to play all positions on the field (based on skill level and coaches discretion). Short players (less than 9 players): when there is a need to ask players you must exhaust the existing MSA players from YOUR division before considering MSA players from younger divisions.
13. Catchers are to wear a helmet, approved mask, chest protector and shin guards at all times. (They may use a regular fielding glove)
Roster batting.
14. Free substitution. No player must be out of the field for 2 consecutive innings, and no player shall sit out for the second time until everyone has been out once.
15. Helmets with face guard must be worn by batters, base runners, and on deck batters.
16. Infield fly rule is not in effect.
17. Complete uniforms must be worn to all games. (Uniform shirt, softball pants, socks, cleats) Metal cleats are NOT permitted.
18. Only one girl may be in the on deck circle at any one time, and no player is allowed to practice swinging a bat in any other location. Coaches are to remind the girls of the importance of this (and all other) safety rules and are to insist that they be followed at all times.
19. Safety rules and regulations may not be altered.
Game times: No new inning after 2 hours.
After the first inning, no infield, outfield warm up balls. Continuing pitcher limited to 5 warm up pitches, including “coming down.” New pitcher gets 8. With 2 outs, use courtesy runner for catcher, so she can gear up.
A completed game is 4 1/2 innings if the home team has the lead. If the game is suspended prior to a completed game, when the game is replayed, the same runner shall be put on the same base and the same batting order shall resume until the game has been declared complete.
ALL RULES are subject to change, modification or clarification during the course of the season by the league directors, should they think it necessary.