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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 (full cost) of the player (approx $35-$40). The
player may not be permitted to play until a new jersey is acquired. No refunds
will be distributed for players who can’t play due to rule or policy violations.
Boys:
Baseball pants, shorts, sliding pants with shorts covering them are appropriate.
All of the above clothing must be no more than three inches above the knee and
may not be tight fitting. (RCYS Committee members discretion)
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 worn underneath.
In addition, there MUST NOT be any writing or text on the back of the players
shorts or pants.
EVERYONE:
For the player’s
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. (Umpire’s
Discretion)
IMPORTANT:
Neither RCYS nor its umpires will extend any latitude with respect to dress
code. Players will not be given any warnings. If a player arrives
at a game and is in violation of the dress code, he/she will not be allowed to
play until his/her attire meets the RCYS dress code. (Umpire’s Discretion)
Coaches:
Same as above plus a shirt with sleeves (no tank tops). Head coach must see that
all assistant coaches meet these standards. The head coach must wear his team
jersey to all games.
(1.2)
Hats
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. Umpires will be instructed to
not allow any hats on the field if they are not RCYS provided hats and if they
are not also the appropriate team color.
Jerseys & Hats will be provided for ONE head coach and ONE assistant coach.
Additional coaches Jerseys and Hats may be purchased.
·
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 might have seemingly missed a call. 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. You will be welcomed back the following week.
(Colossians 3:15…”Let
the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were
called to peace.”)
·
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. Part of raising a child correctly is to teach them that we are to
respect authority (regardless whether that authority is God the Father, Jesus
Christ, local authorities such as Police, etc…) Coaches and players are to
submit themselves to the authority of the umpires when they enter our ball
fields. Please demonstrate that respect for authority by submitting to the
authority of the umpires and the RCYS Committee who ultimately bare
responsibility for the entire program.
·
Spectators are not allowed in the dugouts.
Coaches and one team parent only are permitted in the dugouts. Other parents
must stay out of the dugout. Any child
under 8 years of age, including coaches’ children, should not be permitted into
the dugouts – Division 1 excluded of course.
·
Bat slinging will not be allowed. The batter may be called out at the umpire’s
discretion for slinging a bat, with or without warning. Any slung bat
that hits an umpire or catcher is an automatic out—no warnings.
·
Bethel Park is a Tobacco Free Zone. The use of Alcohol and Tobacco
products is strictly prohibited within the park and on all church property.
This includes ALL Tobacco products (Dip, Snuff, Chewing Tobacco, Cigarettes,
Cigars, etc… ALL TOBACCO products are prohibited.)
·
The use of ANY profane language will result in ejection from the game and or the
park. This set of rules may be the ONLY warning that will be given. This also
applies to using the Lord’s name in vain (God Almighty, My God, Jesus Christ,
etc… are all examples of using the Lord’s name in vain when used for any purpose
other than specific praise, worship and adoration of God.)
·
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 bag and the first baseman should use the white bag. The
runner must avoid a collision.
·
Coaches must not touch a runner while the ball is “in play” or live. If touched,
the runner may be called out if in the opinion of the umpire they assisted the
runner’s movement in any way (this means stopping them, pushing them, helping
them up, etc…)
·
(READ AND RE-READ)
Please note, our umpires have been instructed to
have zero tolerance for violations of league rules including dress code and our
code of conduct. Understand that our umpires will be quick
to eject people (Players, parents, coaches) from the game (and/or park) for
conduct violations. RCYS respects each person but for the sake of preserving
the peace and upholding our high standard of conduct, our umpires have been
instructed to enforce these rules
aggressively.
RCYS
follows
2006 “ASA Softball” rules and
guidelines with the
exception of stated differences in this document. A copy of the 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 the above mentioned
ASA rules
in conjunction with the RCYS rules and guidelines.
RCYS rules supersede ASA rules when a conflict exists.
Players who are between the age of 5 and 17 on
May 29th, 2010
are eligible to play in the Rockdale Christian Youth Softball League.
Each season, the age divisions of our league may change in response to the
number of players that sign up in each age group.
Games
will be seven innings or 55 minutes 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. The GAME CLOCK will begin
with the first pitch of the game. Rainout games are not likely to be
replayed. In the event of a rainout, the game shall be considered a TIE and no
winner will be declared, regardless of the score.
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:
1. Three
OUTS are made OR
2. 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
5th inning of each game. In other words, starting in the 5th
inning, each team may score as many runs as they can before incurring 3 outs.
Teams will only bat their “present” lineup with respect to the “5 Run
Advantage rule”. The balanced batters rule was revoked prior to 2009. It
doesn’t matter if team A has 14 batters and team B has 10 batters, you only bat
the number of batters in your lineup with respect to the “5 Run Advantage” rule.
3. 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.
(2.5)
Home Run Rule
(Home Run refers to
an “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 cannot 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.
NEW for 2010 –
(as stated in the previous paragraph) 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. The
RCYS committee has gone back and forth on this rule over the past couple of
years, but we feel that a “Single” best represents the intentions of our program
– which is to create an equal playing ground for all players.
Four Base
Award: 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 does not count towards the homerun totals. (The ball must have
been fair, never hit the ground inside the fence, touched a plyer, and exited
the homerun fence line). The batter runner will be awarded all four bases.
Colossians 3:15
– Let the
peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you
were called to peace.)
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, the batter/runner shall
be called out. If the pitching coach is standing inside
the pitchers circle and is hit by the ball, then the ball is dead and deemed a “No
Pitch” and the batter will continue his/her at bat. 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 the pitching rubber or pitchers box if one
exists. When the coach releases the ball, one foot must be touching the
pitchers rubber (or one foot must be in the pitchers box). EXCEPTION:
Division 1 coaches may pitch outside the circle however the umpire may give
limitations at his discretion.
Coaches MUST show respect to each other and to each other’s teams. While this
means MANY things, we specifically want to point out that it means a pitching
coach will wait until the defense is ready before pitching the ball to his/her
batter. At RCYS, we hold “fair play” as one of our highest values and for a
pitching coach to try and “quick pitch” to his batter in order to catch the
defense off guard is contrary to our goals and values.
Division
1 Only:
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, 4 and 5: Each batter will receive up to five pitches to hit the ball.
NEW for
2010 – For
Division 1 Only – At the start of the 5th inning, a 7
run limit will be in effect. Starting in the 5th inning, teams may
only score a maximum of 7 runs per inning. The team that is behind may score as
many runs as needed to tie the other team.
This is NOT to be confused with the 5 run advantage rule that is in place for
the first four innings. Both rules are in effect for Division 1.
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. All players who are present
MUST bat in the lineup even if they aren’t playing defensively on the
field.
2.9.1
In all divisions the pitcher-player must be within 6' of the pitching rubber
when the ball is hit, however the pitcher player cannot be forward of, or in
front of the pitchers 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).
Exception - the pitcher must be even
with or behind the pitching rubber.
· Outfielders
must start behind the encroachment line (a painted line in the outfield).
However, one FLOATING OUTFIELDER
may play in front of the encroachment line.
They must remain STATIONARY or STILL during the
pitch.
VIOLATION of Above Rule:
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.
2.9.2
One roaming outfielder may play (but isn’t
required to) inside the encroachment line he/she must stay at least 20 feet from
the dirt of the infield. During the pitch, no outfielder may move around or
become a distraction to the batter. The out fielders don’t have to be
absolutely still by any means, but they may not become a distraction to the
batter by moving or jumping around.
2.9.3
On defense, once your players have started a
defensive position for a particular inning, they may not change defensive
positions during that inning. (e.g. The shortstop may not suddenly
decide to switch with an outfielder just because a “big hitter” is coming to
bat.) The only exception to this would be in case of injury. If there is an
injury, the coach may make reasonable changes to compensate.
2.9.4
Defensive players may not gather around home plate
when a runner is potentially running from 3rd base to home plate.
The Catcher and ONE additional BACKUP person may be at home plate. The backup
person should be behind and away from home plate. If the umpire sees THREE or
MORE defensive players in the immediate area around home plate, the UMPIRE will
declare DEAD BALL and award the runner at or near 3rd base, Home
Plate. All other runners will advance ONE base. This is to PREVENT collisions
at home plate. Coaches should TRAIN their catcher and backup player on this
procedure. The runner must avoid the collision (except for sliding) and allow
the umpire to make the right call.
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. Any player may request a timeout from anywhere
on the infield. The umpire will grant a timeout only when he feels it is
appropriate. In ALL other divisions anyone 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 demonstrate that they have reasonable
control of the runners.)
NEW for 2010
– Coaches will be limited to just three “coaches timeouts” per game. Umpires
may STOP the clock at their discretion if they feel that a team or coach is
attempting to delay a game.
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.
Colossians 3:15
– Let the
peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you
were called to peace.)
Regulation (11” inch) softballs 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 on the bat AND the bat does not appear on the ASA Banned Bat List.
In Division 5 ONLY, boys will hit 12” softballs. Girls will hit 11”
softballs.
· Players
must remain in the dugout unless they are the “on deck batter”.
· At
RCYS, we do not invoke an automatic “infield fly” rule. The umpire, at his
discretion, may award bases where appropriate if in his opinion, a defensive
player drops a fly ball to gain defensive advantage.
· In
Division 1 the pitcher cannot 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 (any other 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.
· On
an infield play in which a defensive player is attempting to get the
batter-runner out at first base by throwing or rolling the ball to first, an
attempt to throw the ball to first base must be made. If a defensive player
intentionally rolls the ball to first base, the runner MAY be called safe at the
umpire's discretion. This does not mean that the first baseman or second
baseman can't get the ball and step on first.
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 base runners will receive one extra base. When the 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 double. Defensive
players should hold both arms in the air when a ball goes under the fence or
through a crack in the fence to signal to the umpire the ball is out of play.
NEW for 2010 -
Every
effort shall be made to install temporary fences for the appropriate divisions.
(Division 4 for 2010). However, if the fence is not able to be installed prior
to a game, the following rules shall apply:
The Base
Umpire shall, at his discretion, call a hit ball a “ground rule double” when the
hit ball rolls well beyond the temporary fence line (painted on the ground).
This rule is in effect regardless whether or not a player “touches” the ball.
If a hit ball rolls just a few feet beyond the “painted fence line”, the umpire
may allow the ball to be played live. If a hit ball rolls more than a few feet
beyond the fence line, then the umpire should call a “ground rule double”.
Because of the subjectivity of this rule, the umpire’s ruling is always correct
and it must not be argued at anytime.
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 their game 20 minutes prior to 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.
During
the last day of tournament, when a game is rained out, the
tournament is over. The RCYS Committee (those present in the park) will make the
decision as to when a tournament game is rained out and thereby ending the
tournament. If the game is cancelled and thereby the tournament is cancelled, no
team shall be declared the winner. It was fun, but the game and tournament is
over. We’ll see you at the picnic the following day and we’ll all laugh about
it together. It is not possible to reschedule tournament games.
Parents
are expected to be an example to all children. We will not tolerate parents
yelling at any children in the park, including their own. Parents are to be
encouraging to all players - even those on the other team. We will not tolerate
any parent displaying negative attitudes toward their own team, own coach or the
opposing team or coach.
(Colossians
3:15 –
Let the peace of Christ rule in your
hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.)
Once a
team organizes, parents should work together to create a schedule for post-game
snacks, drinks, etc…
Parents
can really make a significant impact on a player’s experience. We encourage all
parents to get involved with their respective team and be a part of the
experience – not just a spectator.
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 RCYS Director at 770.845.0330 or
770.483.2371.
Any
adult working with the youth for more than 2 games must complete a coach’s
application. This includes any base coaches, dugout coaches, etc… Anyone
working with the children and teaching them the game of softball (for more than
2 games) will be considered an assistant coach. The head coach needs to insist
that any adults that would serve as assistant coaches go to our website and
complete a coach’s application (the same coach’s application works for both head
coaches and assistant coaches).
Coaches
should take special note of the following:
1.
Returning coaches must choose a team color that is
different than they have used in the past two operating seasons.
2.
It is the coaches’ responsibility to DO WHAT IS
RIGHT, regarding all situations. INTEGRITY is of the utmost importance. If you
know someone on your team is breaking the rules, using illegal bats, using
shaved bats, etc… you are OBLIGATED to correct the problem. Any problems or
infractions that you discover become your responsibility to correct.
3.
PROFANITY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. Ejection from
the game and or park will result.
4.
YELLING or ABUSIVE LANGUAGE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
Ejection from the game and or park will result. A second offense on the part of
a coach will result in removal from the RCYS program for the remainder of the
current season.
5.
COACHES MUST treat their own children as equals to
others on the team. No favoritism. And the coach must not be
harder on their own child than they would be someone else's child.
6.
Using the Lord’s name in vain will not be
tolerated (e.g. Shouting Jesus, Jesus Christ, God, God Almighty, and any other
derivative IS using the Lord’s name in vain – that is unless you are sincerely
worshipping God and using is name in a reverent way.)
7.
ARGUING with umpires will not be tolerated.
Questions by the HEAD COACH are fine. Arguing IS NOT!
8.
All coaches are to keep the bats, helmets and
balls picked up in and around the dugout.
9.
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 the RCYS Director.
10.
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.
Colossians 3:15 –
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
since as members of one body you were called to peace.)
11.
All coaches are to maintain good communication
with their players and parents.
12.
Practices are not to be cancelled without
notifying the RCYS Director first, except in the case of rain.
13.
Coaches are to communicate with your team weekly.
We recommend using Calling Post to notify your teams of practices, games,
rainouts, etc…
Visit
www.callingpost.com
to get signed up. It’s cheap and saves hours of phone calls.
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.
ASA
Non-Approved Bat List
Any bat used in RCYS Youth League must have the
ASA Approved logo on the bat. The bats listed below may have the ASA Logo, but
are banned from play in RCYS youth league.
The official bat in RCYS Play must meet all of the
requirements of ASA rules and:
must bear either the ASA approved 2000
certification mark or the ASA 2004 certification mark as shown below, and must
not be listed on an ASA non approved list, and
must be included on a list of approved bat models
published by the ASA National Office; or
must, in the sole opinion and discretion of the
umpire, have been manufactured prior to 2000 and if tested, would comply with
the ASA bat performance standards then in effect.
Combat
VIRSP3 Lady Virus
Easton SCX2 Synergy
Easton SCX22 Synergy 2
Louisville Slugger FPC305 Catalyst (-8)
Louisville Slugger SB304
Louisville Slugger SB34 Genesis
Louisville Slugger SB404
Miken MSF Freak
Miken Ultra
Miken Ultra II
Miken Ultra Maxload
Nokona Tomahawk
Schutt Red/Silver Schutt Bat
Worth EST9
Worth QESTFP
Worth SBWK(Wicked)
Worth SBWKA
Worth WWSC Wicked Comp. (SP Only)
Worth WWSCA
Worth XEST9X
Worth XGold
Worth XPST4
Worth XRed
Worth XWICKX Wicked (SP Only)
Colossians 3:15
– Let the
peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you
were called to peace.)
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