Eastern Girls FASTPITCH Softball League shall follow NFHS rules. In addition to the NFHS Rules, EASTERN has adopted the following rules for safety, accommodation and efficiency purposes.

PURPOSE: to foster, to the youth involved with the sport, the ideals of good sportsmanship by providing supervised, FASTPITCH softball games.  "It is the responsibility of ALL ADULTS to bear in mind, that the attainment of exceptional athletic skill or the winning of games is secondary to that of molding future citizens".  The other team, coaches, players, fans, etc. ARE NOT THE ENEMY!

NFHS Rules apply to middle school, junior varsity and varsity level leagues.

A. GENERAL RULES

• For the health and promotion of recreation league play, individual player and/or coach activity and team activity must be controlled and limited to encouragement, cheering, and good sportsmanship.  BE SUPPORTIVE! THE UMPIRES SHALL CONTROL SPECTATOR ACTIVITY.
• Only team members, coaches, managers, and official scorekeepers for the team are permitted on the team bench and in the playing area.  There is to be NO use of tobacco products on any team bench in any community.
• Decision of the umpire is final.  Umpires may eject players, coaches, and managers from the game for unsportmanlike conduct, foul language, continuous arguing and/or harassment of the umpire.  Coaches must conduct themselves in a civil manner at ALL times.  Violation of this rule may result in game forfeiture and/or disciplinary action.
• BLOOD RULE - A player, coach, or umpire who is bleeding or who has blood on their uniform shall be prohibited from participating further in the game until appropriate treatment can be administered.  If medical care or treatment is administered in a reasonable length of time, the individual will not have to leave the game.

• Appropriate shoes must be worn. Rubber cleats are recommended.  Metal spikes are allowed.
• Helmet, mask with throat protector, chest protector, and shin guards must be worn by all catchers.  Any players warming up a pitcher must wear a mask!
• The batter, on-deck batter, bat person, and any player who might fill-in as a base coach must wear batting helmets.  Face masks are mandatory on all batting helmets, and mouth guards are highly recommended.
• FOR PITCHERS ONLY- Any covering or bandage may be worn due to injury.  Covering must be flesh tone.  Pitchers may have only neutral tones of nail polish, undershirt, or sweatshirt while playing the position.

• Number of Players
• The junior high and high school teams field 9.  All age groups may play with 8, however must take an out in the 9th position of the batting order.  A late arriving player that is to be inserted into the game by her coach should be added to the bottom of the batting order.
• All leagues are continuous batting order.    We want the girls to play.  If a girl becomes injured during the game and does not play the rest of the game, no out will be recorded in her spot in the batting order, however, she cannot reenter the game unless an out was taken in her spot in the batting order.  If the girl leaves a game for any other reason than injury, when it is her turn to bat, an out will be taken (unless her departure was discussed and agreed by opposing coaches prior to the game`s start).  Continuous batting order allows for free substitution.
• Games are 1 hour and 20 minutes.
• COURTESY RUNNER - a courtesy runner may be used for the pitcher or catcher at any time during the game.   A courtesy runner is mandatory for the catcher with 2 outs.

• At the beginning of each inning the pitcher shall have 5 warm-up pitches.
• When a new pitcher is entered in the middle of an inning she shall receive no more that 7 warm-up pitches.

• Home teams are responsible for lining and dragging the playing field.  Bases must be secured.  *For safety purposes it is the strong recommendation of League Official that "pop up" bases are utilized. Measurements of field:
• 43 foot pitching distance.
• 16 foot circle around mound (8 ft. radius)
• Bases: 60 feet distance apart w/30 foot Running Lane for 1st Base
• Batters box shall measure 3 feet by 7 feet, inside line shall be 6 inches from home plate.  Thefront line shall be 4 feet to the front and the rear line shall be 3 feet to the back of the obtuse corner of home plate.
• The use of a Double First Base is recommended
• All ground rules should be clearlydefined and agreed upon (by umpires and coaches/managers) prior to thestart of each game.