- Adopted for use by the Newport Baseball & Softball Association, the Toledo/Siletz SET program, and the Waldport Junior League]
- All cities participating in LCGSA (Lincoln County Girls Softball Association) will follow the County League Rules set forth below:
1. CONDUCT: Most importantly, the coach should try and remember that their job is to teach the kids softball skills, to help them enjoy the game, and to foster good sportsmanship. They should set good examples for the kids, stay under control, and provide a safe environment in which to play the game of softball. This is for the kids, not the coaches. ABSOLUTELY NO FOUL LANGUAGE OR ALCOHOL, and it is preferred that you DO NOT SMOKE during games.
2. OFFICIAL RULE BOOK: OSAA , and therefore NFHS (National Federation of High School) rules will apply. Listed below are any exceptions to and/or reminders regarding these rules.
3. GAMES: Games shall start on time, with warm-ups to take place before this time.
4. HOME TEAM: The home team shall be denoted on the schedule provided at the beginning of the season. The home team shall provide the game balls, umpires, and the official scorebook.
5. No new innings are to start after 1 hour and 30 minutes, the time limit for a game.
6. 4 innings will be considered a complete game if the time limit has expired. If any team is behind by ten or more runs at the end of the 4th inning the game is over.
7. A half inning is complete when there are 3 outs, or at the time that 4 runs are scored. No more than 4 runs can be scored per team per inning.
8. Games will be no more than 5 innings in length. If it is a tie game at the end of the 5th, the game will be declared a tie, and neither team will be awarded a win or a loss.
9. All equipment must be softball approved.
10. It is the coaches responsibility to within (3) minutes of the end of an inning or half inning, have defensive or offensive players in position and ready to play ball. Failure to do so can result, at the umpire’s discretion, in the following consequences:
A) Defense not ready: Batter up will be called by the umpire. After 20 seconds, and every 20 seconds thereafter, a ball will be awarded to the batter.
B) Offense not ready: Batter up will be called by the umpire. After 20 seconds, and every 20 seconds thereafter, a strike will be called on the batter.
11. HELMETS: Beginning with the 2007 season, helmets must be equipped with proper faceguards, and chinstraps. The faceguard must bear the NOCSAE approved designation. Helmets are to be worn by offensive players at all times inside the playing area. A team will be given one warning for failure to comply; they will incur an out for each subsequent incident.
A helmet falling off is not considered as "not wearing" a helmet, and will not count. Players not batting, on deck, or in the field defensively, should be inside the dugout area for their safety.
12. SAFETY SLIDE: The safety slide rule is in effect, and will be enforced at the umpire’s discretion, i.e. where a close play exists at a base, and sliding is necessary to provide safety. Plays at first base are the only exception to the safety slide rule.
13. For LCGSA purposes, we will play with a minimum of 8 players and a maximum of 10 players on the field for defense (possible 4 outfielders). All players will bat.
14. Free substitution will be allowed for all players with the exception of the pitcher. (All regulations for substitution and re-entry apply, e.g. pitcher must remain in game defensively in order to be eligible to be re-entered as pitcher).
15. There is a 3 inning limit on the number of innings a pitcher can pitch per game.
16. Rubber cleats or tennis-type shoes must be worn.
NO METAL CLEATS WILL BE ALLOWED.
17. Games are cancelled only for reasons beyond control or due to weather. Cancellations for non-emergency reasons may be deemed a forfeit by the voting board. When it is necessary to justifiably cancel a game, it is the responsibility of the home team to notify the visiting team as soon as it is known the game needs to be re-scheduled. Make-ups must be initiated by the home team within two weeks. Failing to reschedule will result in forfeiture of that game by the home team.
18. The pitching rubber will be placed 35 feet from home plate. Bases will be at 60 feet. An 11" approved softball will be used.
19. OSAA rules regarding stealing apply. (Also see "Safety Slide"- #12 above)
WITH LIVE PITCHING
On an attempt to steal while the pitcher is in the process of pitching, the runner must wait for the ball to leave the pitcher’s hand before leaving the base. Stealing on the return throw to the pitcher by the catcher is allowed. The "Look-back"rule will also be used.
WITH MACHINE PITCHING
Stealing is NOT allowed! Stealing is NOT allowed on the throwback to the pitcher by the catcher either.
20. For the first half of the season schedule, pitching will be machine-fed for the first 3 innings of games, then completed with live pitching. For the second half of the season schedule, only live pitching will be used.
21. When pitching machines are in use, the umpire shall feed the pitching machine, and umpire from that position. The pitcher’s defensive position during use of the machine is generally to either side of the machine at a safe distance. Any pitch that is hit and makes contact with any part of the pitching machine or umpire, prior to being touched by a defensive player, will be declared a "dead ball." All runners will return to their bases prior to the pitch, and the batter returns to the batter’s box with the count prior to the dead ball. During live pitching umpires will officiate from behind home plate.
22. Any machine-fed pitch which is deemed incapable of being hit, at the umpire’s discretion, will be declared "no pitch," and will not contribute to the pitch count, and the machine should be adjusted if necessary.
23. Either windmill or slingshot pitching styles may be used by pitchers.
24. New rules must be approved at a regular meeting of the LCGSA.
