🥳Happy New Year!

The OVGSL 2024 Spring Season starts the week of April 22. The OVGSL continues to expand in 2024 and will include a new 18U age division along with new communities. Last year the OVGSL had 62 teams competing across 4 divisions. The OVGSL is meeting monthly so stay tuned for more updates. If interested in joining the OVGSL, please reach out to Butch Brown at 740-497-3792. 

• 8U Coach Pitch
• 10U Beginner's Fastpitch
• 12U Division
• 14U Division
• 18U Division - New this year and will begin in late May!

2023 Fall Ball will start the week of August 21st and will run for 9 weeks in the following age divisions: 8U, 10U, 12U, 18U/15U combined.  

• Games will be 6 or 7 innings and completed without mercy rule. It's all about the reps!
• Games will be scheduled on Tuesdays (8U/12U) and Wednesdays (10U/15-18U).
• Communication is key among head coaches in case of scheduling conflict/inclement weather.
• Fall Ball is more relaxed and about getting more reps in so have FUN!

The OVGSL is excited to announce the start of the 2023 Spring Season! There will be 62 teams competing in 4 age divisions in 2023 from over 16 communities across the Ohio Valley. 

• Opening Week for 8U/10U/12U begins April 17th
• Opening Week for 15U begins May 15th
• Playoffs start at end of Regular Season with TENTATIVE Dates below:
  • 8U Playoffs:  June 5-9th
  • 10U Playoffs: June 5-9th
  • 12U Playoffs:  June 12-16th
  • 15U Playoffs: June 26- 30th
• Schedules will be posted online in April**** check with Head Coach to confirm in case of changes due to inclement weathr/etc.
• Head coaches contact info is listed on team page.
• Rules are posted below. 

Below are the league contacts for each age division: 

•   8U League Rep:  Eric Smith (304-904-0795)
• 10U League Rep:  Butch Brown (740-497-3792)
• 12U League Rep:  Matt Murray (304-374-5386)
• 15U League Rep:  Nicole Hilbert (330-708-8778)

Play Ball!

2023 OVGSL Rules – 8U Coach Pitch Division

8U Division will follow USA rules unless otherwise noted below:

Regulation games are 6 innings with 10 fielders using 11" ball and 35' pitching distance. Girls playing in 8U must have been born in the year 2014 or later. Eight players needed to begin game. Remember this is to teach the girls the game of softball, keep it POSITIVE and FUN!

PLAYING FIELD – Bases are 60 feet apart. Pitcher’s plate is 35 feet from home plate and Pitching Circle is 8 feet radius around the pitcher’s plate. Outfield is an area behind a straight line from the back side of each base from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd shall be designated as the outfield. Coaches must pitch with one foot in the pitching circle.

TIME LIMIT - 90 minutes (no new inning can begin after 90 minutes - new inning begins as soon as 3rd out is recorded after home team bats).

FIELDING - Each player must play at least 2 innings in the field.

SCORING - 5 runs max per inning (play is dead when 5th run crosses plate) except 6th inning (entire batting order can bat or until there are 3 outs, whichever comes first).

MERCY RULE - 12 runs after 4 innings and 10 runs after 5 innings.

BATTING – Continuous order and all girls must bat in the same order. If a player comes to the game late, she will be added to the bottom of the batting order with no penalty to the team. A batter shall receive 6 pitches or 3 strikes (whichever comes first). Note a batter cannot foul out on the 3rd strike so proceed with another pitch. All batters must wear a helmet with a face guard. Only bats that have an ASA-approved stamp can be used, no more than 34 inches long or 2 ¼ inches in diameter. Wooden bats are NOT allowed. No bunting allowed.

DEFENSIVE POSITIONS - No more than six (6) infielders including pitcher and catcher may occupy the dirt infield. Infielders must remain within six (6) feet of the baseline until the ball is hit. The baseline is the straight line between the bases. All outfielders shall be positioned in the outfield AND must stay at least ten (10) feet behind the baseline until the ball is hit. The player-pitcher shall take a position within the pitcher’s circle and not be directly in front of the coach/pitcher.

FIELDING - Play stops when the player-pitcher or infielder gains possession of the ball within the infield and calls time. The coach umpire will call time and instruct the runners to advance or retreat to the nearest base. Hash marks will be drawn at midpoint between bases to serve as the decision point for awarding bases. Runners that are ON or BEYOND the hash mark when time is called by the coach umpire will be awarded the next base.

NO INFIELD FLY rule in effect.

OVERTHROWS – Only one base is allowed on an overthrow to a base runner where a play is made on them. Note they are live runners and can be tagged out if they choose to advance. All other base runners can advance at own risk until time is called.  (i.e. If there is an overthrow at 1st base, a runner may only advance to 2nd base – even if a play is made to get runner out at 2nd base and another overthrow occurs.). Reset and pitch to next batter. Teams will actively work to limit game chaos.

RUNNERS - No stealing or leading off is allowed. Base runners may not leave base until the batter puts the ball in play. If a runner leaves early, 1 warning is issued per offending player and then all other occurrences result in an out for that specific player.

EQUIPMENT – All pitchers are required to wear a face guard and heart guard.  All 3^rd base players are REQUIRED to wear a face guard. And all other infielders are highly encouraged to wear face guards and/or heart guards for safety.

2022 OVGSL Rules – 10U Division (Revised 4.18.21)

10U Division will follow USA rules unless otherwise noted below:

Regulation games are 6 innings with 10 fielders using 11" ball and 35' pitching distance. Girls playing in 10U cannot turn the age of 11 before January 1, 2023. Eight players needed to begin game.

TIME LIMIT - 1 hour 45 minutes (no new inning can begin after 1 hour 45 minutes - new inning begins as soon as 3rd out is recorded).

SCORING - 5 runs max per inning (play is dead when 5th run crosses plate) except 6th inning (entire batting order can bat or until there are 3 outs, whichever comes first).

MERCY RULE - 12 runs after 4 innings and 10 runs after 5 innings.

PITCHING – Each team must use at least 2 pitchers in a game AND a second pitcher must pitch one (3 outs or 5 runs mercy rule) of the first 4 innings. A pitcher can only pitch a maximum of 4 innings in one game (an inning is 3 outs – 1 out is 1/3 of an inning. If a pitcher gives up 5 runs prior to obtaining 3 outs then that will constitute an inning). These innings do not have to be in a row. Free substitution otherwise. All pitchers are required to wear a face guard. High School (NFHS) pitching rules will be used (one foot in contact with mound) for the starting position of the pitcher before delivery.

NEW PITCHING RULE (effective April 2021)

1. Once a pitcher has thrown ball 4 to any batter in an inning, the following rules will be applied:
1. A coach from the batting team will come into pitch the remainder of the at bat.
2. The batter will retain the number of strikes.
3. The arc of the pitch from the coach must remain under six (6) feet.
4. The coach will have up to four pitches to complete the at bat.
5. If a pitch from the coach results in a swinging 3^rd strike or any other out, the at bat is over and an out recorded for the batting team, regardless of the number of pitches the coach has thrown.
6. If the batter fails to make contact with the ball on the fourth pitch, she will be out.
7. The umpire does not call coach pitches balls or strikes. The umpire can declare the pitch illegal if arc is above 6 feet; if so, dead ball and the pitch counts as one of the 4 pitches.
8. If the 3^rd strike is fouled off, the batter continues to bat until the ball is put in play, she fails to swing at pitch four or greater, or the batter is out.
9. Once the batter’s turn is complete, the pitcher may re-enter the game for the next batter or another pitcher may take the mound.
10. NO stealing of bases when a coach is pitching.

FIELDING - Each player must play at least 2 innings in the field. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture by the offending team. NO INFIELD FLY rule in effect and NO advancement on dropped 3rd strike.

BATTING – A team can choose between 2 options but must declare which option prior to game:

1. CONTINUOUS order - all girls bat and must stay in the same order

2. MATCH Order – all girls must bat but a team can match the order of opposing team and substitute all remaining girls the second time through the order. For example, if Team A shows up with 10 players and Team B has 14 players, Team B can elect to “Match” Team A and bat 10 players through the order. Team B must bat the remaining 4 players the second time through the order in any predetermined spots (i.e. 6th, 7th, 9th, and 10th spot).

MATCH ORDER MUST BE DECLARED AT BEGINNING OF GAME TO UMPIRE AND OPPOSING TEAM. The girls in the sub spots will alternate each time through the order. If a player comes to the game late, she will be added to the bottom of the batting order with no penalty to the team. All batters must wear a helmet with a face guard. Only bats that have an ASA-approved stamp can be used, no more than 34 inches long or 2 ¼ inches in diameter. Wooden bats are NOT allowed.

RUNNERS can lead off when ball crosses the plate. If runner leaves early, one warning will be issued to the entire team and the runner must return to the original base. A 2nd team offense will result in the runner being called out. No player shall intentionally collide with any other player while running the bases or fielding the ball. If a close play exists, the runner coming into that base must attempt to avoid contact or be called out (umpire judgment).

RUNNERS DO NOT HAVE TO SLIDE. Runners cannot advance on an errant throw from the catcher back to a pitcher in the circle. During play, if the ball is returned to the pitching circle, the runner must make commitment to proceed or retreat or will be called out. A walked batter must stop at 1st base and cannot advance to 2nd base until another pitch is thrown.

STEALING - permitted only when ball gets passed the catcher. If the catcher knocks the ball down to the side or keeps the ball in front of them the runner is not allowed to steal(umpire judgment). Player cannot advance to 2nd base on a walk. No advancement on overthrow by catcher to 2nd or 3rd base. Stealing HOME is permitted only on a passed ball.

BUNTING is allowed, if batter shows bunt they may not pull bat back and swing away (automatic out).

FACE GUARD – All pitchers and 3^rd base players are REQUIRED to wear a face guard. And all other infielders are highly encouraged to wear one for safety.

2023 OVGSL Rules – 12U Division

12U Division will follow USA rules unless otherwise noted below:

Regulation games are 7 innings with 10 fielders using 12" ball and 40' pitching distance. Girls playing in 12U cannot turn 13 before January 1, 2023. Eight players needed to begin a game.

TIME LIMIT - 1 hour 45 minutes with international tiebreaker in effect if game is tied before time limit is reached. No new inning can begin after 1 hour 45 minutes and new inning starts as soon as 3rd out is recorded. If game is tied before time limit is reached, use international tiebreaker rule (last batter out starts extra inning on 2nd base).

SCORING – 5 runs max per inning (play is dead when 5th run crosses the plate) except for 7th inning which is unlimited.

MERCY RULE is 12 runs after 4 innings and 10 runs after 5.

PITCHING - free substitution and High School (NFHS) pitching rules will be used (one foot in contact with mound) for the starting position of the pitcher before delivery. Pitchers are highly encouraged to wear a face guard.

BATTING – A team can choose between 2 options but must declare which option prior to game:

1. CONTINUOUS order - all girls bat and must stay in the same order

2. MATCH Order – all girls must bat but a team can match the order of an opposing team and substitute all remaining girls the second time through the order. For example, if Team A shows up with 10 players and Team B has 14 players, Team B can elect to “Match” Team A and bat 10 players through the order. Team B must bat the remaining 4 players the second time through the order in any predetermined spots (i.e. 6th, 7th, 9th, and 10th spot).

MATCH ORDER MUST BE DECLARED AT BEGINNING OF GAME TO UMPIRE AND OPPOSING TEAM. The girls in the sub spots will alternate each time through the order. If a player comes to the game late, she will be added to the bottom of the batting order with no penalty to the team. All batters must wear a helmet with a face guard. Only bats that have an ASA-approved stamp can be used, no more than 34 inches long or 2 ¼ inches in diameter. Wooden bats are NOT allowed.

STEALING - permitted on pitcher's release. No player shall intentionally collide with any other player while running the bases or fielding the ball. If a close play exists at any base, the runner coming into that base must attempt to avoid contact or be called out (umpire judgment). RUNNERS DO NOT HAVE TO SLIDE. PINCH RUNNERS – courtesy runners are allowed for pitcher and catcher and must be last batter out.

INFIELD FLY rule is in effect.

Dropped 3rd Strike in effect.

NOTE:  STEEL Cleats are NOT allowed and pitchers/infielders highly encouraged to wear a face guard.

2023 OVGSL Rules – 15U Division

15U Division will follow USA rules unless otherwise noted below:

Regulation games are 7 innings with 9 fielders using 12" ball and 43' pitching distance. Girls playing in 15U cannot turn 16 before January 1, 2023. Eight players needed to begin a game.

TIME LIMIT - 1 hour 45 minutes with international tiebreaker in effect if game is tied before time limit is reached. No new inning can begin after 1 hour 45 minutes and new inning starts as soon as 3rd out is recorded. If game is tied before time limit is reached, use international tiebreaker rule (last batter out starts extra inning on 2nd base).

SCORING – 6 runs max per inning (play is dead when 6th run crosses the plate) except for 7th inning which is unlimited.

MERCY RULE is 15 runs after 3 innings, 12 runs after 4 innings and 10 runs after 5.

PITCHING - free substitution and High School (NFHS) pitching rules will be used (one foot in contact with mound) for the starting position of the pitcher before delivery. Pitchers are highly encouraged to wear a face guard.

BATTING – A team can choose between 2 options but must declare which option prior to game:

1. CONTINUOUS order - all girls bat and must stay in the same order 2.

MATCH Order – all girls must bat but a team can match the order of an opposing team and substitute any remaining girls the second time through the order. For example, if Team A shows up with 10 players and Team B has 14 players, Team B can elect to “Match” Team A and bat 10 players through the order. Team B must bat the remaining 4 players the second time through the order in any predetermined spots (i.e. 6th, 7th, 9th, and 10th spot). The girls in the sub spots will alternate each time through the order. If a player comes to the game late, she will be added to the bottom of the batting order with no penalty to the team. All batters must wear a helmet with a face guard. Only bats that have an USA-approved stamp can be used, no more than 34 inches long or 2 ¼ inches in diameter. Wooden bats are NOT allowed.

STEALING - permitted on pitcher's release. No player shall intentionally collide with any other player while running the bases or fielding the ball. If a close play exists at any base, the runner coming into that base must attempt to avoid contact or be called out (umpire judgment).

RUNNERS DO NOT HAVE TO SLIDE.

PINCH RUNNERS – courtesy runners are allowed for pitcher and catcher and must be last batter out. INFIELD FLY rule is in effect. Dropped 3rd Strike in effect.

EQUIPMENT:  STEEL Cleats are NOT allowed and pitchers/infielders highly encouraged to wear a face guard.