Northwood Falcons Softball Club - 2006/2007 Season Information

Extracted from the Waverley Softball Association Club Competition Manual

Waverley Softball Association Season

Waverley Softball Association Finals

Waverley Softball Association Representative Program

Softball Victoria State Championships 2007

Softball Australia National Championships 2007

Softball Australia Women's National Competition

Other Tournaments / Carnivals

Top of pageGame Times

Top of page Junior Competition Structure (What Grade should Juniors Play?)

Waverley Softball Association makes the following recommendations for players and teams entered in under age competition:

Age Recommendations (juniors playing up in senior comp)

Clubs are STRONGLY recommended that junior players must be 14 years of age before they participate in open senior competition

Top of page Code of Conduct - Parents and Spectators

Top of pageGround Rules

The following ground rules are to be read in conjunction with the Official A.S.F rulebook (updated 2001).

Abandoned matches

Washed out or abandoned matches will not be replayed, 2 points will be awarded to each team. In all games if the losing team has completed 5 innings then the game is regulation. In all timed games, if 3/5ths of the allocated time has been completed when the game is called then the game is also regulation. Time is taken from the advertised grade start time.

Balls

Bench Allocation

Bench Lists

Blocked Balls

Where there is no home run fence, the following shall apply:
When a fair batted ball is blocked beyond 220 feet (or out of plate umpires sight on D3), and the batter-runner has not yet touched home plate, the batter-runner and all other runners shall be awarded three (3) bases from the time of the pitch. If the batter-runner has touched home plate before the ball becomes blocked, then such a "4 base award" shall stand.

Battery Change

(Jnr Div 3 and Primary B only) The pitcher and catcher must be changed after ONE innings and may not pitch (or catch) again until the completion of a further one innings. ie. Can't pitch or catch in consecutive innings. At each change, only one of the previous battery may remain (pitcher may catch or catcher may pitch, not both).

Boys

Are eligible up to and including Primary B. Must be in grade 4 or below at the start of the season.

Club

Players may only be registered and play with one club during a season {the exception to this rule is that a player can play for a second club in a higher grade ONLY if their own club can not field a team in that grade.} This request must be put in writing to Match Committee.

Players may coach with another club.

Cones

To be used in A Grade & A Reserve, on diamonds, 2, 3, 4 & 9. Cones will be placed at 220 feet. The following rules will apply:

Dead Balls

The ball is played live off all nets, unless it is tangled. If tangled, the ball becomes dead. One base to be awarded from when the ball became dead (from a throw) or from the pitch (wild pitch).

Diamond Sizes

Designated Player (DP and DEFO)

Can only be used in A Grade & A Reserve, B, B Reserve & C grades.

Designated Runner (DR)

Can only be used in A Grade & A Reserve, B, B Reserve & C grades. A Designated Runner (DR) may be used once per inning for any player. The DR must be named on the bench list prior to commencement of the game.

Declaration Rule

In timed games only, in the last ten (10) minutes of the game, the coach of the batting side may declare an inning closed.

Double-Up Games

Players may play in higher ranked grades on any number of occasions during the season (refer Rankings List). Refer also to finals eligibility.

Dropped Third Strike (Primary B only)

Strike three is an automatic out whether caught by catcher or not.

Eligibility

Finals

A player must have played at least five (5) rounds (none of which can be a double up game) for the club to be eligible for finals. Subject to grade rankings, a player may play finals in both the grade in which she is registered and a higher grade.

A Grade & A Reserve: Game time for finals to be seven (7) innings or to a result (tie break from 8th).

All other grades: Rules for finals to be the same as played throughout the season, but must be played to a result. In a timed game, if the score is tied at time, the innings should be completed. If still tied, a tiebreaker will be played at commencement of the next innings.

Finals Eligibility

  1. (A Grade & A Reserve only): All players from the nominated pool of 16 will be eligible to play in the A Grade finals. A player may only play in A Reserve finals if she has played a minimum of 50% of the home and away season in that grade.
  2. Eligibility within Senior (A Grade to C Grade) and Junior (T-Ball - Div 1) grades:
    1. If a player is registered in a team and plays more games in that team than in a higher grade, the player is allowed to play in finals for both grades.
    2. If a player is registered in a team and plays 10 games in that grade, but also plays in a higher grade for 6 games, and another 5 games in a higher grade again, the player is allowed to play in all three grades in the finals.
    3. If a player is registered in a team and plays 8 games in that grade, but also plays up in a higher grade for 10 games, the player can only play finals in the higher grade.
    4. If a player is registered in a team and plays an equal number of games in that grade as in a higher grade, the player is allowed to play only the higher grade finals.
  3. Eligibility for Juniors playing up with senior grades: Players are not limited in the number of senior games played with respect to junior finals eligibility. That is, if a player is registered in a junior team and plays 8 games in that grade, but also plays up in a senior team for 10 games, the player is still eligible for finals in the lower junior grade provided they have played 50% of their junior grades scheduled games. Note: For finals eligibility within junior grades, grade rankings still apply as in (2) above.

Clarification of toss for finals (all grades)

Clarification of tie-break rule

If after the regular innings/time there is a tie, the team batting first begins the innings with a runner on 2nd base. The runner that goes onto 2nd is the player who will bat ninth in the tiebreak innings (DR can be used in B & C grades). The team batting second also receives a runner on 2nd, and the game is played like this until there is a result in equal innings.

Finals - Weather

In the event of any finals matches not being able to be played due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances and rescheduling of such finals is not practicable, the higher finishing team during the regular season shall be declared the winner.

Forfeit

The team that forfeits records a 7-0 loss & $100 fee. The opposition team is required to submit a player bench list with the scorecard for the game. If 7 days notice is received in writing by the match committee, no monetary fine will be incurred.

Game Duration

Hats

All junior players Under 18 years of age at 31st Dec. to wear a peaked cap while playing (in junior &/or senior grades). A visor is not considered to be a hat. Players will not be allowed to take the diamond without a hat. This rule also applies to any coaches and umpires who are under 18 years old.

Helmets

All members of the batting team must wear approved helmets when at bat and on base. All junior coaches (under 16 years of age) must wear helmets while on the diamond, bat boys/girls must wear helmets all the time, including while in the dugout. Applies on all diamonds.

Infield Fly

Will not apply in Primary B or T-ball.

Interchange

Where a club has more than one team entered in a grade, players cannot be interchanged between teams after they have played 2 games with any one team in the home and away games. Players playing up - after 5 games with any one team they cannot interchange with the other team in that grade.

Lights

May be used for any game/grade scheduled on diamond 1 when requested by umpire.

Match Points

4 points shall be awarded for each win, 2 points for a tied match. In the event of a forfeit, 4 points awarded to the team NOT forfeiting and having an eligible team.

Mercy Rule (as per Official ASF rules)

These mercy rules will apply: 20 runs after 3 innings; 15 runs after 4 innings; 10 runs after 5 innings.

Metal Cleats

Metal cleats may only be worn in A Grade and A Reserve.

New players during the season

A registration form must be lodged prior to the first game played by the new player or must accompany the scorecard. The player is then a member of the team with which she is registered.

Night Games

The HOME (1st named) team is to set up the diamond and provide a plate umpire. The AWAY (2nd named) team is to pack up the diamond and provide the line umpire. Teams will provide umpires for their own games (with the exception of twilight rounds for whole of a grade).

Ninth Batter (to apply in T-ball only)

If the batting team is not already retired (3 outs) the 9th batter shall be the last in every inning. If the 9th batter reaches base safely, all runners legally on base at time score. If the 9th batter is put out, but is not the 3rd out, then all runners on base score. If the 9th batter is the 3rd out, no runs score. All runners must touch each base in legal order for runs of 9th batter to score. Teams with less than 9 players do not play with a blank. The above rule applies and a continued rotation through the available batting order for 9 batters should proceed. Players should be listed in batting order. The BLANK must be listed in the 9th (or 8th & 9th) position for scoring.

Penalties

Playing an ineligible player will automatically mean a loss of four (4) points if the team wins and these points will be allocated to the opposing team.If the team loses, a fine of $100 will apply for the first offence and $250 for each subsequent offence.

Permits and Clearances

All players must be registered and permitted or cleared if changing clubs. Paperwork to be completed prior to playing.

Players

Protests (Div 3, Primary B, T-ball only)

No protests will be allowed. The decision of the umpire is final.

Protective Equipment

Catchers must wear full regulation equipment both in the game and during warm up.

Provisional Permits

Are required for all external Association players awaiting a permit or clearance. They are valid for 28 days. They do not apply to internal WSA players. All permits/clearances must be completed by home club prior to player taking the diamond and/or accompany scorecard.

Ranking List

(1) A Grade; (2) A Reserve; (3) B Grade; (4) B Reserve; (5) Secondary Div 1; (6) C Grade; (7) Secondary Div 2; (8) Junior Div 3; (9) Primary B; (10) Primary B1; (11) T-Ball. NB. C grade registered players cannot play up in Secondary Div 1 unless they meet the age eligibility rules.

Re-entry

Is permitted in ALL grades.

Seven (7) Run Rule (To apply in Secondary Division 2 and Junior Div 3)

If the batting team is not already retired (3 outs), the team continues to bat until they have scored 7 runs. (The play to score the 7th run must be completed (even if more runs cross the plate) however the most runs a team can score in an innings is seven runs.

Score Cards

These must be completed in alphabetical order. If a player is playing in a higher grade, her usual grade must be shown on the card. The umpire is to take the scorecard to the game. The winning side is to organise the return of the scorecard within 15 minutes of completion of the game.

Scoring of runs

Rule 5 Sec. 4 (a): The score of a called regulation game shall be the score at the end of the last complete innings, unless the team second at bat has scored more runs than the first team at bat in the incomplete inning. In this case, the score shall be that of the incomplete inning.

Speed-up Rule

If the next inning catcher is on base with two out, any runner (except the DR) may replace her as a base runner to enable the catcher to get ready for the fielding inning.

T-ball

Players must be in grade 4 or below.

Uniforms

All teams and coaches must be in standard, approved uniform. Combination of shorts and long pants are not acceptable. Hats/visors to be club colors.

Players playing up from a lower grade may play in a different uniform with match committee approval. All A and A Reserve uniforms must have numbers on shirts (or pants). Coaches must wear the approved playing tops or jacket. Umpires to note players/coaches not in uniform, on the scorecard.

Warm Up (Junior Div 3 and Primary B)

Only two (2) warm up pitches are allowed between innings.

Warm Up Batting Practice

For all teams Div 2 and above, pre-game batting warm up MUST be undertaken using wiffle balls.

Umpires

Where W.S.A Senior Umpire or other authorized official observes abuse of junior umpires, the umpire will be instructed to issue a warning. Subsequently the umpire may eject the coach from the game. Offenders will be required to attend WSA tribunal where further action may be taken where appropriate.

Primary B Competition Rules

Primary B can start and finish a game with 6 or more players with no penalty.

It is important that players be given the best chance to participate and get a fair and even go playing each week throughout the season. If there are more than 9 players in a team in any given week, flexibility for batting players and player substitution is allowed.

Game time

Batting

Pitching

Coach Pitch

Fielding

Baserunning

Timed Innings

Refer to WSA ground rules for all other grade specific rules.

Seven Run Rule (To apply in Secondary Division 2 and Junior Div 3)

If the batting team is not already retired (3 outs), the team continues to bat until they have scored 7 runs. The play to score the 7th run must be completed (even if more runs cross the plate), however the most runs a team can score in an innings is seven runs.

Teams with less than 9 players do not play with a blank. The above rule applies and a continued rotation through the available batting order should proceed.

Clarification NOTE

  1. The blank must be listed at the bottom of the available players in the batting order (ie position 8 and/or 9)
  2. The blank must be listed as BLANK, not as a player name
  3. Eg. If there are 8 players and 1 blank;
    1. Batters should be listed in positions 1-8 by name, Blank as 9th in line-up
    2. Scorers should only use positions 1-8 to record the game, beginning each innings in a separate column after the last batter in the preceding innings.

WSA 2005/2006 Season Ground Rules V2 (42 KB) Waverley Softball Association 2005/2006 Season Ground Rules V2 (42 KB)