Rules | The Farm League

RULES for The Farm League Park => * NO DOGS ALLOWED * NO SMOKING, VAPING or DIPPING * NO SHELLED NUTS * NO SUNFLOWER SEEDS * NO GUM * NO METAL SPIKES *

Breaking these rules will result in Head Coach ejection and forfeit of game. ALL BASEBALL FIELDS ARE TURF and some FLAG FIELDS ARE TURF.

RULES OF PLAY

Updated February 17, 2019 changes made at coaches meeting spring 2019

This is a REC LEAGUE. Our rules are made to help girls of all ages and abilities learn the game in a productive enviroment.

FARM LEAGUE CODE OF CONDUCT

If a coach or Parent is ejected from a game for any abusive behavior towards another parent, coach, player, or umpire that parent AND his child will be suspended for that game plus 1 additional game. This accountability rule is in place to make the parents know if they go to far it will effect their kids, their team, and the other familes. This same CODE OF CONDUCT applies for a coach that is caught cheating by playing player(s) that are not on the official roster. The Farm league's goal is to make softball a fun experience for everyone in the dugout and in the stands.

NEW OUT RULE, softball and baseball effective 5/20/21

Fan, Coach and Player Conduct Penalty - Unsportsmanlike conduct will be determined at the discretion of each umpire. Once that decision has been made the umpire can issue one team warning. If the behavior continues, whether from the same person or others on the same team, then an OUT will be called. If the team is currently batting, WHOEVER IS AT THE PLATE IS OUT. That player is not allowed to bat and is out and must return to the dugout and the batting order does not change. If the team is on defense and poor sportsmanship is called after their first warning, the OUT will be assessed to whoever leads off the next inning in the original batting order. That batter is OUT and is not allowed to bat and batting order does not change. This rule has been implemented so that we can maintain a good playing environment for everyone involved. Coach, fan and player outbursts are taken very seriously and unsportsmanlike conduct could now directly impact the outcome of a game. Those that have chosen to behave in that manner, will be held accountable to the coaches, players and other fans.

NO OUTSIDE NOISE MAKERS such as cow bells, horns, whistles, speakers or anything similar. Cheering & clapping are the ways to support the team and show good sportsmanship.

The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) “A” playing rules shall apply unless modified by a TFL local playing rule listed below. Each manager will be provided a copy of the current ASA Rule Book and it is his or her responsibility to be familiar with the applicable rules of play.

GENERAL INFORMATION

ALL PLAYERS ROTATE POSTIONS. move the girls around in this REC league. Change the batting order each week to give an equal number of at bats for the girls
MAX 4 adults / coaches in the dugouts. Parents sit in the bleachers or chairs outside the dugout
The is a recreational league. Players need to be rotated between infield and out field positions
NO METAL SPIKES OR SUN FLOWER SEEDS ON TURF FIELDS
NO DROP DEAD TIME. When the last out is made of a home team at bat a new inning has started. 1 minute left and a mathmatical chance for either team a new inning WILL be played
Home team is responsible for the official book, but each team should maintain their own book. Bookkeepers should verify score throughout the game, and ALWAYS write down the START TIME on the book. Sync up book periodically throughout the game.
Visiting team is responsible for scoreboard operation (if applicable); both teams should
Verify score with umpire between each inning. Have your book keeper NOTE THE START TIME at the plate meeting
The Home Plate Umpire is responsible for turning in the completed scorecard to the concession stand after completion of the game.
Both teams are responsible for making sure that the dugouts are cleaned out, the bleacher areas are clean, equipment is properly put away
Age groups may be combined if a division has 4 teams or less.. If a age level is combined, the division will be played based on the younger age level rules
The players on the official roster sent by The Farm League are the only players allowed to participate during the season. If a coach is caught cheating by playing players NOT on the official roster, then they have broken the FARM LEAGUE CODE OF CONDUCT. That coach AND his child will be suspended for that game plus 1 additional game. This accountability rule is in place to make the parents know if they go to far it will effect their kids, their team, and the other families.
In the event of a rain out during the game, after 3 complete innings the game is complete.
first rainout for divisions 8 and older is not made up due to the BOWL weekend games
2nd Rain outs will be scheduled where we can place them in the current schedule. We cannot honor or guarantee no play requests due to rain outs happening at any time. Once a rain out is placed it cannot be moved.
All rosters are final once a team has played a game. No additional late adds can be placed on that team.
We use Rawlings brand softballs. You can buy them easily on their website.
Batting order should be adjusted each week. Move girls around in the order like positions on a game to game basis.
CATCHERS GEAR will be provided at the games. Starting in 8U, CATCHERS must wear FULL GEAR, squat behind the batter and play the position.
ALL AGES play 60ft base distance.

6U Tball

1. No scores no standings league

2. 5 runs per inning

3. Three outs per inning. (once a baserunner is tagged out they must leave the base)

4. As many parent coaches as needed can be in the field

5. No catcher position in this league.

6. Outfielders must be in the outfield. EX we dont want 8 kids in the infield

7. 60 ft base distance

8. Station to station base running. (no bunt turning into a triple)

9. Parents ump the games

10. 5 swings at the ball on the T

11. 75 minute games or 6 innings

12. BALL: 10" soft core softball.

13 Teams are made to maximize infield position time. No catchers in 6U

14. NO OUT MAY BE MADE BY RUNNING TO HOME PLATE. A player can tag a base runner going from 3rd base to home, however they can not run to the plate. Collisions happen we want to avoid those

8U RULES

1. Shall use an 11” soft core softball (Rawlings RIF 1 - 11" Sof-Dot, or like-level ball) or other provided league ball at the coaches meeting

2. Games are 75 minutes or 6 innings, finish the inning; or 45 minutes/3 innings in the event of inclement weather.

3. There is a five (5) run limit per ½ inning.

4.. A batter will receive up to seven (7) pitches from the coach. The coach may coach/instruct his batter. A batter may swing at up to five (5) pitches. If the batter swings and misses strike five before receiving (7) pitches, the batter is out. If a batter hits a foul ball on the 7th pitch they get another 7th pitch as a last pitch and keep going if another foul. A hit or swing and miss will end the at bat on a 7th pitch or whatever pitch they may be on due to fouls

5. A regulation game may start with six (6) players. A total of ten (10) players are permitted on the field with six (6) infielders. All players on the team shall bat.

6. A Baserunner and or the Batter-Runner shall not be allowed to advance due to an overthrow.

7. Players must have a foot on the base until the ball is hit

8. Facemasks on batting helmets are optional.

9. May have up to two (2) defensive coaches positioned in outfield.

10. Team should have one coach or assistant at backstop to help with passed balls. If coach is younger than 18, batting helmet is required.

11. The “coach pitcher” may coach the batter but is prohibited from coaching baserunners while on the field. They must get off the field as soon as a hit is made. One warning will be given and thereafter the ball is dead and the runner closest to home is declared out.

12. NO EXTRA BASE ON AN OVERTHROW TO ANY BASE. A hit on the infield dirt or infield area is at max a single. We want the girls to throw the ball to try to make a play and them and coaches not worry about bad throws. 8U we want them always to attempt to make an out. This is a throw to any base.

13. TIME will be called once the pitcher has control of the softball

14. Station to station running on a base hit

15. Hit to the outfield grass the player can run until the ball gets back to the pitcher for time to be called

16. Coaches start with a foot on the 35 foot rubber

17. Outfielders must be in the OUTFIELD GRASS. Infield consists of only a pitcher, first base, second base, short stop, and third base. No extra players allowed in the infield.

18. Coach pitchers must immediately exit the field when a hit is made. They must stay in foul territory until the play is over. Faliure to do this will remove this coach from being a pitcher during the game

19. Coach pitchers must have one foot on the rubber at the release.

20. 60 ft base distance.

10U RULES

BASE RUNNING- On a hit a gril can advance until she is stopped by a defensive player. D must stop the lead runner or pitcher must control the ball in the infield dirt. Does not have to be in the circle. The umpire will call time when the lead runner is stopped or moves backwards to a base. Overthrow to a base rule still applies

1. Games are 75 minutes or 6 innings, finish the inning; or 45 minutes/3 innings in the event of inclement weather.

2. After a pitcher walks a batter (4 balls), a “coach pitcher” from the offensive team will enter the game and pitch to the batter and will assume the strike count. For example, if the Batter has one strike when the “coach pitcher” enters the game, she may receive up to to (3) pitches from the “coach pitcher.” players may foul off the last pitch and continue as a "last pitch" until the batter strkes out or hits the ball .

3. The “coach pitcher” is prohibited from coaching baserunners while on the field. One warning will be given and thereafter the ball is dead and the runner closest to home is declared out.

4. While pitching, the “coach pitcher” is required to have his foot on the pitching rubber

5. No bunting is allowed when the “coach pitcher” is pitching

6. There is a five (5) run limit per ½ inning.

7. A player may not advance home except on a batted ball.

8. A regulation game may start with six (6) players. A total of ten (10) players are permitted on the field with six (6) infielders. All players on the team shall bat.

9. Pitching distance is 35’. Players and coach pitchers must start with a foot on the rubber

10. A Baserunner and or the Batter-Runner shall be limited to advance only one base due to an overthrow, however, the Baserunner or Batter-Runner is subject to being put out while attempting to take the additional base.

11. May have one (1) defensive coach positioned in outfield.

12. Pitching arch MAY NOT be higher than the batters head.

13. Hit batter. A player does not get a base. She will receive 3 pitches from a coach pitcher .

14. NO STEALING. 2/17/19

15. Girl pitchers may pitch 6 outs per game. Mix in multiple girls to pitch. A girl may leave the circle and return to pitch in the same game, however 6 outs is the max per game. The out count restarts in the case of a double header at 0 for game 2 . If a 5 run limit is made during a girls time pitching that is equal to 3 outs.. IE 6 outs = 2 innings

16. Players must have a foot on the base until the ball is hit

17. Teams use the balls provided at the coaches meeting. 11' hard standard softball

19. If a ball bounces before it gets to the batter it is a dead ball. A player can still swing to hit the ball but if the ball hits her she is not a hit by pitch batter due to bounce prior to reaching the batter.

20. The girl pitchers must have full circle arm swing when pitching. The hand must be above the shoulder on the swing. approved coaches meeting fall 2024

21. A pitchers foot needs to be anywhere on the rubber ... front heel is ok

22. Time will be called when the lead runner is stopped or pitcher has the ball CONTROLLED not on the ground in the infield dirt

23. 60 ft base distance.

12U - 14U SENIOR RULES

all asa rules apply

1. Games are 75 minutes or 6 innings, finish the inning; or 45 minutes/3 innings in the event of inclement weather.

2. There is a five (5) run limit per ½ inning.

3. ** UPDATED FALL 2022 A regulation game may start with six (6) players. A total of nine (9) players are permitted on the field. All players on the team shall bat - roster bat

4. Pitching distance for 12U and 14U is 40 feet.

5. no coaches on the field

6. open bases and stealing allowed. Ball must CROSS THE PLATE prior to a girl leaving the base to steal

7 Girl pitchers may pitch 9 outs per game. We want many girls to learn to pitch. A girl can leave pitching and return to pitch later in the game. However 9 outs is the max for each game. They can pitch in multiple games per day.

8. 12" standard softball, ASA

9. If a ball bounces before it gets to the batter it is a dead ball. A player can still swing to hit the ball but if the ball hits her she is not a hit batter due to bounce

10. The girl pitchers must have a full legal arm circle for the pitch.

11. A pitch can not have a high rainbow arch that is an illegal pitch. Can not be higher than the batters head.

12. You must stop the lead runner before time will be called by the umpire. Time is not called just because the pitcher has the ball in the senior division.

13. All pitchers must have a foot on the rubber when they release the ball

14. High arch "rainbow" pitches are illegal and a ball

15. 60 ft base distance.

MATCHUP WEEKEND - GIRLS

On the final weekend for girls seasons (all sports), we match up teams with like-level records for their MATCHUP games - each team will have 2 games. In these divisions we have teams with a wide range of abilities and we want to make the finals games fun and competitive for all teams - thus the MATCHUP WEEKEND. Teams can still opt out, however we have seen the participation increase a lot with these schedules. Coaches will be emailed towards the end of the season to confirm participation. The MATCHUP weekend will be the weekend following the last regular season games - weather permitting.

Every player receives an commemorative AWARD SHIRT, even if the team does not participate in MATCHUPS.

* This is only for age divisions that have standings. Due to this being added, the first rainout is not made up for standings divisions - same as in baseball and flag.

The TFL has the right to remove any coach, parent, or player during the season due to issues within in the league or their team for either behavior, rules violations, or safety.

A game can only be protested for illegal rosters or rules quesiton. Not judgement calls. A game must be "played under protest" coaches must notify the umpire they are playing the game under protest during the game. A game can not be protested after the game is over.

PLAYING TIME chart

Here is a PLAYING TIME CHART. Please click the image to download the PDF and print. This is an easy way to keep track of what positions everyone has played, making sure to ROTATE POSITIONS among all players.

SCORECARD suggestions

* HOME TEAM has the official book, but each team should maintain their own book. Bookkeepers should verify score throughout the game, and ALWAYS write down the START TIME on the book. Sync up book periodically throughout the game. Umpires will be updating score as the game ends, so you can confirm final score with the ump.

GameChanger App: (gc.com). You can use the app as your official scorecard
Amazon: Just search AMAZON to order any scoreing books: like Murray Sporting Goods Baseball & Softball Scorebook. Franklin Sports Baseball + Softball Scorebook. Rawlings System-17 Baseball & Softball Line-Up Cards
Google "FREE PRINTABLE BASEBALL SCORECARD”:
https://www.doctemplates.net/printable-baseball-scoresheets/
https://templatelab.com/baseball-score-sheet/
https://www.pdffiller.com/jsfiller-desk15/?flat_pdf_quality=low&mode=force_choice&requestHash=7db8b837c14ceef9d22331d853d71cc2d091919e9c7d2f80e7889e82bcac1986&projectId=1453020138&loader=tips&MEDIUM_PDFJS=true&PAGE_REARRANGE_V2_MVP=true&richTextFormatting=true&isPageRearrangeV2MVP=true&jsf-page-rearrange-v2=true&LATEST_PDFJS=true&jsf-document-scroll-zoom=true&jsf-redesign-full=true&act-notary-pro-integration=false&jsf-dss-v2=false&routeId=b71f900e16dceaa634a175ae6e3fedec#de7726adb3284882a05d1544979bbb58