Softball Minuteman Rules

[ Home ] [ Up ] [ T-Ball Rules and Guidelines ] [ Farm League Rules and Guidelines ] [ Rookie Rules ] [ Ripken Rules ] [ Babe Ruth Rules ] [ Softball Rules ] [ Softball Minuteman Rules ] [ BBSA ByLaws ]

Burlington's Senior Softball teams play in a league called The Minuteman, an organization which has teams from many area towns. Because of the number of teams in this league, it is divided into 2 divisions, American and National

 

2005 Minute Man Softball Rules

Purpose:

The Minuteman Softball League is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting all the positive aspects of amateur his/her softball. Emphasis will be placed on the development of good, sound, softball skills without sacrificing the enjoyment of playing the game.  Our goal is to ensure that softball is used as a tool to: Teach the girls softball fundamentals.  Help the players build their confidence and self-esteem.  Foster special interaction in a team setting.  Teach the responsibilities of being a good team player.

Most of all – Play The Game To Have Fun! 

Commissioner Note:

Each team is responsible for keeping the game in control for the sake of letting the girls have fun. By no means shall a coach/team run up the score.  The league will eliminate any teams running up the score or playing unfair softball the following year. (Unless the commissioner feels it is necessary to eliminate the team immediately.)

The coaches are charged with promoting good sportsmanship and leading by example.

 

Membership:

Teams wishing to join the league must attend the annual meeting and be voted in by a majority of towns in that particular division. Coaches are selected by the softball admin. From their own towns and are expected to follow the rules set forth  by the Minuteman League.  It is the philosophy of the league to have players only from that specific town represented on that team.

 

Divisions:

The league shall consist of U16 girls.  In the group, all players must not have reached there 17th birthday by Jan. 1st and must reached their 17th birthday before Jan 1 to be eligible to play.

 

Rosters:

It is recommended that each team submit a roster to the league commissioner.  The roster should include: Name, address, and birth date.  Within a town, a player may be listed on one (1) roster.  Further if a town has two or more teams in the same age group, they may not play on the “other” teams.  A game cannot start with less than 8 players.  12 year olds are eligible to be called up from younger levels.  No more than 12 players allowed, when calling up a younger player.  For playoff games, girls shall have to have played in ½ of regular seasons games to participate.

Teams shall not consist of High School Varsity players!!

Junior Varsity girls are permitted to play, however shall not pitch in games.

Commissioner/Meetings

The league commissioner shall be Chief Officer of the League.  The commissioner shall oversee administrative matters and control finances of the league and settle disputes between any coaches, teams or umps.  Each April a meeting shall be called and attended by a representive from each town.

 

Fee: ***************

Each town shall pay $150.00 (+25$ for each team with more than two teams) before season starts.  This money shall cover trophies and any other related costs (ASA fee’s) of this league. ASA fee will be adjusted each year for discussion the home field team shall pay umpires. The 2005 price is $33.00 for one ump.

 

Teams:

The number of teams in 2005 will be determined.  (16-22 teams)

Towns included are Lexington, Burlington, Woburn, Winchester, and Bedford.  Belmont

 

Forfeit Policy: ***********************

Any forfeiting team will pay for umpire issued for that game.  The league commissioner will eliminate any 2nd forfeit by any team.

There must be a one-week notification to re-schedule a game due to any excuse/functions.  Team making changes are responsible for calling umps and rescheduling game.  If a game is not made up – the opposing team gets the win.

Last season there were 98$ in forfeit fee’s paid out

 

Insurance:

Each town shall be responsible for purchasing insurance for each team represented in the league.

 

Umpires:

Umps will be hired from the appropriate ASA umpire district. Each home field team shall pay $33.00 for each game. If an ump does not show (it happens) – Please try to have a volunteer officiate game and be paid.  Please do not allow this situation to cheat the kids out of playing a fair, fun game. Any changes to game schedule by any team must notify the commissioner of league and also make a call to the umpire rep. in your district.  We suggest to have a couple of umps trained in your town to assist with this league. If your in the need of an ump due to umpire not showing or unable to schedule an ump for a game.

Equipment:

  1. ASA approved equipment must be used at all times.
  2. Any team members warming up pitchers shall wear a catcher’s mask.
  3. The home field team shall supply two new softballs each game
  4. Each team shall wear a uniform with same colors ect.. A player must wear the uniform during game.

 

Suspension Rule

Any coach ejected by an ump in this league shall be not allowed to coach for the next three games. The commissioner shall be notified by the umpire for any ejections and will enforce this rule. Any 2nd ejections – coach shall be removed from league indefinitely.

RULES: 

**1.  A player may pitch a maximum of twelve innings each calendar week, including makeup games with no more than (4) innings pitched per game. (Monday-Sunday)  Once a pitcher is removed from a game, she shall not return to pitch in that same game. 

2.If a pitcher hits a batter three (3) times in a game, the pitcher shall be removed from pitching the rest of the game.

3. Any game called for darkness in which at least 90 minutes has been played will be considered an official game regardless of how many innings have been played.

4.. Two points for a win – One point for a tie.

  1. No inning can start after 1-3/4 hours from the first pitch. (Umpire shall keep time.)
  2. A game may begin with 8 players. Any less will be considered a forfeit.  Players can be called up from younger leagues or other teams during season.

No players can be called up in playoffs with out permission from league commissioner.

  1. If a pitcher delivers one pitch in an inning, that pitcher shall be charged for one inning pitched.
  2. Pitching distance is 40ft. back of home plate to pitchers mound.
  1. A 12-run slaughter rule is in affect: also limited to no more runs after the 6th run has crossed the plate.  Play continues on batted ball, however runs will be stopped after the 6th run crosses home plate. 

Last inning, this rule is waived.

  1.   Base Coaches – may be adults or players.  (Players must wear a helmet.)
  2.  No smoking is allowed during game.
  3.  No Varsity high school players allowed to play in the league.  Junior varsity can play, however are not allowed to pitch in the Minute Man League
  1. Stealing is allowed after release of the pitch. Third drop strike is also in affect- bunting is allowed.
  1. There shall be FOUR outfielders allow to play in the outfield. Teams can choose to play three if they prefer.