These are our adopted rules for the Fall 2008 Season.
Where RCYS rules are silent, we follow ASA rules.
RCYS rules take precedent over conflicting ASA rules.

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Download RCYS 2008 Rules & Parent Info

RCYS Adopted Rules for FALL 2008
The Rules Handed out by RCYS staff maybe more up to date.

PROPOSED CHANGES are in BOLD RED Type
Changes are pending RCYS Committee Approval

Statement of Purpose
To provide a Christ-like atmosphere for young people and their families to fellowship with others through a youth softball program.

Dress Code

Players must wear the league provided jersey FOR THE CURRENT SEASON.   Our sponsors are gracious in helping support our program and they expect that their name will be displayed on their team’s jerseys at every game.   RCYS JERSEYS MUST NOT be modified, cut or changed in anyway.  Any Jersey that is cut, modified, etc... must be replaced at the expense of the player ($35).

Boys: Baseball pants, shorts, sliding pants with shorts covering them. All the above clothing must be no more than three inches above the knee and may not be tight fitting. 

Girls: Shorts must be modest and loose.  To be straight forward, shorts should not be too tight and must come to mid-thigh which means the outer most shorts must come to mid-thigh regardless of slider shorts being warn underneath.  In addition, there MUST NOT be writing or text on the back of shorts or pants.

Hats: RCYS provides hats for every player.   Only RCYS hats are to be worn on the field during ball games.  All other hats are not allowed on the field during an RCYS game.

Coaches: Same as above plus a shirt with sleeves (no tank tops). Head coach must see that all assistant coaches meet these standards.

EVERYONE: For safety no jewelry will be allowed.  A jersey will be provided by the league and should be worn for each game. A player may not be allowed to participate in the game if they are deemed to be in violation of the dress code.  

Conduct

·         Umpiring is difficult.  Umpires will make mistakes.  We do expect everyone to honor the authority of the umpire and understand it is our policy that the umpire is ALWAYS right, even when they may be wrong.  It is necessary for every coach, parent and player to respect the umpires so we can maintain the integrity of the game and honor Christ with our actions.  Anyone who becomes disrespectful to the umpire, a coach or player will be asked to leave the park.   We will then look forward to seeing you the following week with open arms. 

·         In order to set a Godly example for our children in their attitude toward authority, spectators are asked not to yell at, or argue with the umpires or coaches.   

·         Spectators are not allowed in the dugouts.  Coaches and one team parent only.  Other parents must stay out of the dugout. 

·         Bat slinging will not be allowed. The batter may be called out at the umpires discretion for slinging a bat.  Any slung bat that hits an umpire or catcher is an automatic out—no warnings. 

·         There will be absolutely no tobacco or alcohol products used by anyone at any point inside the park or anywhere on Bethel Church property. 

·         Any profane language will result in ejection from the game and or the park. 

·         Anyone running over another player intentionally in the opinion of the umpire during a close play will be called out and may be ejected from the game. All runners must avoid a collision at the bases and home plate.   The best way to avoid the collision is to slide in most cases.  At first base, the batter-runner should use the orange base if a play is being made at first base by the defense.

·         Coaches must not touch a runner. If touched, the runner may be called out if in the opinion of the umpire they assisted the runner’s movement. 

Game Play

RCYS follows 2006 “ASA Softball” rules and guidelines with the exception of stated rules in this document.  A copy of 2006 “ASA Softball” rules can be downloaded from our website, www.rcys.net .   A complete understanding of RCYS rules and guidelines can only be obtained by reading ASA rules in conjunction with RCYS rules and guidelines. 

Eligible Players

Players who are between the age of 5 and 17 (Girls age 18) ON October 25th, 2008 are eligible to play in the Rockdale Christian Youth Softball League.  Each season, the age breakup of our league divisions may change in response to the number of players that sign up in each age group.

Game Length

Games will be seven innings or one hour in length. (The time may be shortened due to circumstances as deemed necessary by the umpire or RCYS committee.)    The game will be called after five innings if there is a lead of ten runs or more for all divisions.  The game shall also be called after four innings if there is a lead of 15 runs or more for all divisions.

Batting order
Every player present must be in the batting order and bat in his/her turn.  A team will bat in an inning until one of the following occurs:  

·      Three outs are made or

·      The team has batted through the entire batting order, unless they have less than a five run advantage, in which case they will continue to bat until they have made three outs or have gained a five run advantage/lead.  However, there is no 5 run-advantage-limit beginning in the 5^th inning of each game.  In other words, starting in the 5^th inning, each team may score as many runs as they can before incurring 3 outs.

If a player is determined by the umpire to have batted out of order, the player who batted out of order will automatically be called out if that batter has put the ball in play.  If the out of order batter is caught during his at bat, the correct batter should step in and assume the pitch count of the out of order batter.  An appeal from the head coach must be made to the plate umpire prior to the next batter receiving his first pitch.  If an appeal is not made before the next batter receives his first pitch, no penalty will be incurred by that batting team.

Home Run Rule (Home Run refers to a “over-the-fence” homerun)

In ALL DIVISIONS, a “one-up” home run rule is in effect.  Simply stated, one team may not have more than a “one” home run advantage over their opponent.   If “Team A” hits a home run, then they can not hit another home run until “Team B” hits a home run.   Once Team B hits a home run, both teams have now hit one home run.  Now, “Team A” or “Team B” may hit a homerun.  This is not an alternating rule.  It simply means that a team may not at anytime have hit anymore than “one more” homerun than their opponent.  So the following hypothetical order of homeruns would certainly be valid:   (Team A, Team B, Team B, Team A, Team A, Team B, Team A, Team B, Team B, Team A.)  Any home run that exceeds the “one up” rule will be deemed a “SINGLE” and all on base runners will advance ONE base from their starting positions. 

Per ASA rules, if a ball is hit into the air (and the ball does not touch the ground) and a fielder touches that ball while it is still in the air causing the ball to go over the fence in fair territory, then that hit ball shall be declared a “four base award” and not count towards the homerun totals.  (The ball must have been fair, never hit the ground inside the fence, and exited the homerun fence line).   The batter runner will be awarded all four bases. 

Pitching

A coach will pitch to his own team in all divisions.  Coaches who pitch must not intentionally interfere with the play of a hit ball or his/her batter may be called out.  If the pitching coach is standing outside the pitchers circle and is consequently hit by a ball off the bat of his player, it is an automatic out.  If the pitching coach is standing inside the pitchers circle and is hit by the ball, then the ball is live.  If a coach catches a “hit ball” in defending himself while pitching, the pitch will be deemed “No pitch” and the batter will continue his/her “at bat” and hit again.  The pitching coach MUST pitch from within the pitchers circle (both feet) or the pitch will be deemed NO PITCH.  The coach may not step out of the circle during the pitch.

Division 1: Each batter will receive up to five pitches to put the ball in play fairly. There will be no 3 swing strikeouts.  If the batter does not hit the ball by the 3rd pitch, they may choose to use a tee to aid in hitting the ball for their remaining two swings.  Divisions 2, 3, 4and 5: Each batter will receive up to five pitches to hit the ball.

Team Size on the Field

All divisions will consist of eleven players (five in the outfield).  No team will be forced to forfeit a game for not having enough players.

Positions

In all divisions the pitcher-player must keep one foot inside the pitcher’s circle until the ball is batted.  The pitcher-player must not be positioned in front of the pitching rubber.  In all divisions when the ball crosses the plate the players must be in the following positions:

• Infielders must be behind the base path (which is a direct line between bases).

• Outfielders must start behind the encroachment line (a painted line in the outfield).  However, one FLOATING player may play in front of the encroachment line.

At the umpire’s discretion, the batter will be awarded first base and each runner will be advanced one base if the above rules are violated.   

In division 1, the fielding team will automatically receive timeout by returning the ball to the pitcher inside the pitching circle once the pitcher has demonstrated control of the ball. In all other divisions anyone on the infield may request timeout from the umpire, but such timeout will only be granted when the umpire determines that the play is dead. (The defensive team must prove they have reasonable control of the runners.)

Team Assignments

Only the head coach’s children and those of one previously designated assistant coach will be guaranteed to be placed on a specific team. There will be no other special consideration for placing players.

Equipment

Regulation women’s softballs (11”) will be used in all divisions.  Either softball or baseball bats may be used in division 1. In all other divisions only softball bats may be used.  For ages 10 and up, only ASA approved bats may be used. ASA approved means they have the ASA stamp and the bat does not appear on the ASA Banned List. 

Game Start Time for Tournaments
The start time of a tournament game can begin as early as 20 minutes before the scheduled start time.  It is the responsibility of the coaches to make sure their players are ready to start 20 minute before the posted game time.   Tournament schedules are difficult and we must begin games as soon as we can.  If your players aren't present when the game starts, add them to the bottom of the batting order when they arrive.

Additional Rules

Players must remain in the dugout unless they are the “on deck batter”.   At RCYS, we do not invoke an “infield fly” rule.  In Division 1 the pitcher can not tag the batter going to first nor may he tag the first base bag to get the batter out. He must throw or transfer the ball to another player who then tags either the batter or the bag.  In all other divisions, the pitcher may tag the runner or step on first to get the runner out.  In all divisions, catchers must wear a protective helmet.  All runners while on base as well as the batter and the on-deck hitter must wear a batting helmet.  Every player must play at least two innings on defense per game.

Ground Rules

When a ball is thrown and enters a dugout, all runners will receive one extra base.   If a ball is overthrown and leaves the playing field (i.e. Over the fence), all runners will receive one extra base.   When ball is hit and bounces over the fence, it will be ruled a “double”.   When a ball is hit and leaves the playing field (i.e. Rolls through an opening in the fence or open gate), it will also be ruled a ground rule double. 

It will be the coach’s responsibility to inform the parents and the players of all of the league’s rules.

Each coach is responsible for the conduct of his/her players and parents.  Practice is restricted to one, “one hour” practice per week.   Teams may not enter the field earlier than 10 minutes prior to game time.  All questions can be directed to the church office at 770.845.0330 or 770.483.2371.

 Coaches

Coaches should take special note of the following:

a.            Returning coaches must choose a team color that is different than they have used in the past two seasons.

b.            All coaches are to keep the bats, helmets and balls picked up in and around the dugout.

c.            All coaches are to absolutely refrain from engaging in any argument with other coaches, parents and umpires.   All complaints are to be communicated directly to Kenny Stokes or T.J. Martin of the RCYS Committee.  

d.            All coaches are to carefully guard their speech.   All speech is to be uplifting and encouraging.  A coach is to never yell at any player, parent, coach or umpire.

e.            All coaches are to maintain good communication with their players and parents.

f.             Practices are not to be cancelled without first notifying TJ Martin or Kenny Stokes except in the case of rain.

 
Regarding Rain – Rain does not necessarily cancel practices or games.   All three fields at Bethel Park can withstand a lot of rain without becoming unusable.  Always contact Ken Stokes at 770.845.1320 or Kenny Stokes at 770.845.0330 if in doubt.