Eastern Girls FASTPITCH Softball League shall follow USA Softball FASTPITCH rules.  In addition to the USA Softball Rules, EASTERN has adopted the following rules for safety, accommodation and efficiency purposes.  Also refer to the 10U rules for specific additions or modifications applying only to that age group.

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!

USA Softball Rules apply unless noted below.

A. GENERAL RULES

• All single games will have a 1 hour and 45 minutes drop dead time limit. For Double Headers (2 games on the same day, games are limited to 1 hour and 20 minutes.
• 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 not 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.  Chin straps and 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
• Teams field 10 players.  If short of players, teams may play with 9 without penalty, and can also "borrow" players from the opposing teams for defense..  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.
• The umpire shall notify each coach/manger at the top of the inning that it is the last inning.
• 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.
• Games are 7 innings.
• Runs per inning shall be limited to five (5) PERIOD!  The 5 run rule is waived in the final inning.
• Each player must have played 2 full innings by the end of the 5th inning.  If the starting pitcher is removed from the circle during an inning, the pitcher cannot return to the circle during the same inning.
• If a player cannot bat for any reason, the player is removed from the game and cannot re-enter the game in any position.  The vacated batting position is not recorded as an out.

• Opposing coaches may agree to allow developmental pitchers to pitch from the L position during a game, with prior discussion. The "L" position is defined as "starting the motion with the ball in the pitching hand above and behind the head, glove hand out, lead foot in front of the rubber, and back foot on the rubber."
• Pitchers are permitted to pitch a maximum of 5 innings per game.
• All pitchers can re-enter.
• A pitching rubber must be installed at 40 feet from home plate.

• 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:
• 40 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.  The front 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 clearly defined and agreed upon (by umpires and coaches/managers) prior to the start of each game.