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There are two sets of official rules.
1. Laguna Niguel Girls Softball League Rules - These rules are league-specific
LNGS rules are based on USA Softball Rules and should be viewed first. If a rule is not included in the LNGS league rules, please refer to the USA Softball rules. In the event of a discrepancy between the rules listed on the website and the rules listed in the official LNGS Local League & Divisional Playing Rules book for the current year, the book will take precedent.
1.1 USA Softball (formerly ASA) is the national governing body for softball. The USA Softball Official Rules of Softball will apply and are distributed by USA Softball each year.
1.2 LNGS Local League Playing Rules are modified for the league and apply to all divisions.
1.3 LNGS Divisional Playing Rules are modified for specific age groups. PLEASE SEE LINKS TO INDIVIDUAL AGE GROUPS (6U, 8U, 10U, 12U AND 14U) TO SEE HOW THESE RULES ARE MODIFIED FOR EACH DIVISION.
1.3.1 Fairness Rules for all divisions outline the minimum playing time for all players.
1.4 These rules can be amended, omitted or modified during a Board of Directors meeting through a majority vote of those members in attendance.
1.5 Each coach is responsible for understanding and following the USA Softball Rules of Softball (provided to each coach) the LNGS Local League Playing Rules, and the Divisional rules.
1.6 Violations of USA Softball Rules, LNGS Local League Playing Rules, LNGS Divisional Rules, Player Code of Conduct, Coach's Code of Conduct, League Policy or any coach acting in a manner outside of typical decorum as a leader for his/her team, will be reviewed by the LNGS Board of Directors for appropriate action.
2.1 Home and Visitor teams will share field preparation responsibilities. A minimum of one (1) representative per team, for each game, should be present to prep the field. Please do not rely on the previous game's field condition.
2.2 Utilize foul territory and grass areas for warm ups. Infield warm ups will not be permitted.
3.1 Batting helmets must be equipped with a face mask, chin strap and are required during all practices and games in each division. Players on offense must continue to wear helmet until safely back inside of dugout.
3.2 Players are prohibited from wearing any jewelry (including hard hair barrettes) during games. Medical alert bracelets or necklaces are not considered jewelry and must be taped to the body with alert tags clearly visible.
4.1 A team must field at least (8) players in order to play a game. If a team drops below (8) players, a forfeit (7-0) will be recorded. Coaches must provide a written lineup to the opposing team.
4.2 Recreational Season - If a team begins a game with nine (9) or more players and a player must leave the game, there will be no out recorded for the player leaving the game.
4.2.1 Pool Play/Tournament - If a team begins a game with nine (9) or more players and a player must leave the game; an out will be recorded on their next at bat only.
4.3 Unlimited substitution is allowed. However, a player who starts an inning on the bench must remain there throughout the inning except in the case of an injury on the field or a substitution which corrects a fairness rule infraction. At no time can a player who starts an inning in the dugout be brought in to pitch.
4.4 Any players added to the lineup after the start of a game will be added to the bottom of the line-up card.
4.5 Any base coach under 18 years of age must wear a batting helmet equipped with a face mask and chin strap while on the field of play.
4.6 If an infraction of the fairness rules occurs, the opposing coach should notify the umpire. If the umpire confirms the violation, he will request that the coach correct the infraction. If the coach makes the appropriate change, play will resume. If the coach does not correct the lineup before the umpire calls for play to resume, the umpire can declare a forfeit. If a coach violates the fairness rules, regardless of intent, the Board will take appropriate action.
5.1 Home Team Determination
5.1.1 During Recreational Season Play, the team listed first is the visitor, takes the first base dugout and bats first. The team listed second is home, takes the third base dugout and bats last.
5.1.2 During Pool Play, the team listed first takes the first base dugout; the team listed second takes the third base dugout. Home team is determined based upon coin flip.
5.1.3 During Elimination Play, the higher ranking team is the home team, occupies the third base dugout and bats last.
5.1.4 During Closing Day Play, the higher ranking team occupies the third base dugout; home team is determined based upon coin toss.
5.2 Standings
5.2.1 Standings are not kept during Recreational Season Play.
5.2.2 Standings are kept during Pool Play leading up to the End Of Season Tournament.
5.2.2.1 In order to determine these standings, the following point totals will be awarded:
• Two (2) points for a win.
• One (1) point for a tie.
• Zero (0) points for a loss.
If teams are tied in the standings at the completion of pool play, the tie- break criteria will be the following:
• Runs allowed (lowest)
• run differential - maximum of 10 runs per game
• coin toss
5.3 Game Winner
5.3.1 Recreational Season Play - Games can end in a tie.
5.3.2 Pool Play - Games can end in a tie upon reaching the end of regulation time. If games are tied at the end of seven (7) innings and time is remaining on the clock, International Tiebreaker is in effect for each subsequent inning.
5.3.2.1 During Pool Play, if the home team is ahead at the completion of regulation time, and the visiting team has finished their at bat without tying the score or taking the lead, the game is over. If the home team is behind OR they are tied, they should complete the inning.
5.3.3 Elimination games must have a winner. If games are tied at the end of seven (7) innings or time has expired with a tie score, International Tiebreaker is in effect for each subsequent inning.
5.4 Conferences: The official scorekeeper will record as directed by the umpire.
5.4.1 Offense- One (1) offensive conference (time-out) will be granted per inning. Umpires will not grant a second conference in a given inning. (An offensive conference is recorded when the offense requests a suspension of play to allow the coach or other team representative to confer with the batter, another team representative, and/or runner(s).
5.4.2 Defense- One (1) defensive conference will be granted per inning. A defensive conference is recorded when the defense requests a suspension of play and the coach or other team representative enters the playing field to confer with any defensive player, or a defensive player approaches the dugout and receives instruction. Any mid-inning substitution of a catcher is recorded as a defensive conference. If two (2) defensive conferences occur during one inning, the pitcher must be removed from the mound for the remainder of that inning.
5.4.2.1 A total of three (3) defensive conferences will be granted per game. On the fourth and each subsequent conference, the pitcher must be removed from the mound for the remainder of the inning. If she had been removed mid-inning two (2) times previously, she would not be eligible to pitch the remainder of the game, including any International Tie Breaker.
5.4.3 In the event of an extra inning game, there will be one (1) defensive conference allowed per additional inning. Each subsequent conference will result in the pitcher being removed from the mound for the remainder of the inning. If the pitcher had been removed from the mound mid-inning two (2) times previously during the game, the pitcher would not be eligible to pitch the remainder of the game.
5.4.4 If the clock has less than 10 minutes left, any time out will require the stoppage of the clock.
5.5 Dugout conduct
5.5.1 Coaches, Managers, players and spectators may not harass the pitchers, players, coaches or spectators. All "cheers" should encourage players. No derogatory cheers will be tolerated.
5.5.2 Coaches are responsible for the actions of their players and spectators. Unsportsmanlike conduct or abusive language will not be tolerated. Continued unsportsmanlike conduct towards an official, team or spectator shall be grounds for the umpire to declare a forfeit against the offending team.
5.5.3 Other than players, a maximum of 4 additional individuals (Head Coach, 2 Assistant Coaches, and Chaperone) are in the dugout during the game. These individuals shall not be outside the designated dugout area except when the rule allows or justified by the umpire.
6.1 Two (2) mid-inning pitching changes are allowed during any inning. (See 5.4.2)
6.2 An individual pitcher may only be removed from the mound mid-inning a total of three (3) times in a game including International Tiebreaker. If removed a third time (mid-inning) she may not pitch for the remainder of the game including International Tiebreaker.
6.3 If a pitcher is removed from the mound mid-batter, and an out occurs during that at bat, an out is recorded against both pitchers.
6.4 If a maximum run rule applies during an inning, all remaining outs are recorded against the pitcher on the mound when the 5th run scores. If the pitcher was changed mid-batter, all remaining outs will be recorded against both pitchers.
6.5 If a game ends mid-inning (time is expired when home team goes ahead), the pitcher on the mound will only get charged for the number of outs already recorded during that half inning.
6.6 Pitching outs during International Tiebreaker play are not recorded towards the 21 (10U) and 24 (12u) out limit.
6.7 In the event of a forfeit, teams will utilize the pitcher's outs recorded in the previous
game to determine available outs for the game following the forfeit.
6.8 Pitchers' outs are reset to zero (0) at start & end of pool play. All pitchers start with zero (0) outs pitched for the first game of Elimination Play.
7.1 All players will bat round robin during the game.
8.1 A pinch runner may be used in the case of an injury. The pinch runner must be the last recorded out.
8.2 No automatic courtesy runner for pitcher and catcher unless injured.
9.1 There will be no protests allowed during Recreational Season Play.
9.1.1 Any clarification regarding Recreational Season Play should be reviewed with the Divisional Representative.
9.2 During the End Of Season Tournament Play, all protests will be finalized on the field by the home plate umpire and the Umpire in Chief or League Representative. ALL DECISIONS OF THE UMPIRE IN CHIEF ARE FINAL
10.1 ASA Umpire
10.1.1 Payment: LNGS will provide umpire fees to the head coach of each team.
10.1.2 Each team is responsible for paying the ASA scheduled umpire.
10.2 Umpire Late or Missing
10.2.1 If the ASA scheduled umpire is not present at game time, arrange for a board member to contact the umpire staffing service.
10.2.2 If the service is unavailable or the service confirms that no umpire is available, then the umpires present will be assigned by priority to the oldest divisions. The youngest division will need to select a mutually agreeable volunteer umpire and start their game as soon as possible.
10.3 Volunteer Umpire
10.3.1 The Volunteer Umpire must be an adult.
10.3.2 Protective equipment, stored behind the snack bar, must be worn at all times.
10.3.3 Umpires must work behind the plate if possible, not the pitching mound.
10.3.4 If the volunteer umpire is challenged in any manner, including rules interpretation, the volunteer should immediately seek assistance of any LNGS Board member.
10.4 UIC Report: Report the missing umpire to the UIC, including the game number and field that had a missing umpire.
11.1 Each home team must supply an official scorekeeper to record the game in the team scorebook. Score by inning and pitching outs will be recorded. At the end of the game, the official scorekeeper will get each coach and the umpire to initial the book.
11.2 In the event of a forfeit, the official score will be recorded as 7-0.
11.3 For the first four (4) innings, there will be a maximum run rule of five (5) runs per inning per team.
11.4 Beginning with the 5th inning, teams may score an unlimited number of runs.
11.5 A mercy ruling of eight (8) runs after the 5th inning will be observed.
11.6 Maximum run differential will be recorded at 10 runs. Once the runs surpass this maximum, the scoreboard will be zeroed out until the differential is less than 10. Scores during "zeroed out" period will still be kept in the official book. All other scoreboard functions will remain active.