Note: All rule changes for the 2012 Season are in Bold Italics

2-1	Number of Players:
		There will be ten (10) players on the field at starting time. If one team has either eight (8) or nine (9) players, the game will still be allowed to start. If a team starts with eight (8) players, an automatic out will be assessed in place of their ninth (9th) batter until such time as the ninth (9th) batter may appear. If, due to injury only, the game roster is reduced to eight (8) players, the game will be allowed to continue with no automatic out assessed. Further reduction will constitute a forfeit.
2-2	Base Coaches:
	a.	All Junior, Middle and Senior base coaches can be either team members or league approved coaches or assistant coaches. If a girl is injured and cannot play, she will be allowed to coach providing she wears her uniform shirt.
	b.	An adult coach may coach one (1) of the bases (either first (1st) or third (3rd)) as long as there is still at least one (1) adult bench coach. If a coach comes out at the beginning of the inning, he/she must elect which base he/she will be coaching for that inning (either first (1st) or third (3rd)). Once that election is made, the coach cannot change bases. If a team has three (3) adult coaches present, they have the option to have two (2) adult base coaches.
	c.	All base coaches will remain in the coaching box. Any base coach out of the coaching box during a play will result in the runner closest to the base coach being out. Only one (1) warning will be given by the umpire.
2-3	Official Bats and Balls:
		Only official softball bats and league supplied softballs will be allowed.
2-4	Cleats:
		Only rubber cleats are permitted.
2-5	Required equipment for players:
	a.	Catchers must wear shin pads, chest protector, helmet, mask and throat protector.
	b.	Batting helmets with face masks and chin straps must be worn at all times by the batter, player on-deck, base runners and base coaches, if they are players and not adult coaches.
	c.	For Middle/Senior: Any player intentionally removing a batting helmet shall be deemed out. Any player that inadvertently throws a bat, and such throw strikes another player or umpire shall be deemed out. Any thrown bat that does not strike a player or umpire shall first (1st) result in a warning to both benches, and any subsequent occurrence shall be deemed an out.
		For Junior: Any player intentionally removing a batting helmet shall first (1st) result in a warning to both benches, and any subsequent occurrence shall be deemed an out. Any player that inadvertently throws a bat, and such throw strikes another player or umpire shall also result in a warning to both benches, and any subsequent occurrence shall be deemed an out. Any thrown bat that does not strike a player or umpire shall also result in a warning to both benches, and any subsequent occurrence shall be deemed an out.
2-6	Infield Fly Rule:
		The Infield Fly Rule will not be used.
2-7	Bunting:
		Bunting is allowed.
2-8	Sliding:
		Sliding is allowed. Our bases are movable, so when they are dislodged from their location during a play, the base runners need only to remain as close to where the base should be as possible.
2-9	Stealing:
		Limited stealing is allowed in the Junior, Middle and Senior Leagues.
	a.	Stealing may occur only between second (2nd) and third (3rd) base and only when third (3rd) base is unoccupied.
	b.	Senior and Middle Leagues: If a steal is attempted, there are no restrictions on the steal attempt. Normal rules of base running apply. (For example, a runner that overruns 3rd base can be tagged out; if an overthrow is made, the stealing runner may advance at their own risk, etc.).
	c.	Junior League: If an attempt to steal is made, that will be the only active play and will end with the base runner being tagged out, safe at third base, or returning safely to second base at which time the ball will be returned to the pitcher’s circle.
	d.	No other base runners may advance. A runner who inadvertently advances will be sent back to their original base.
2-10	Pitching:
	a.	No player will pitch more than three (3) innings, defined as nine (9) consecutive outs, in a game.
	b.	Pitchers are allowed five (5) warm-up pitches when they enter or start a game and time for three (3) warm up pitches when they retake the field. If the pitcher warms up with someone other than the catcher, they do not warm up again when the catcher gets there.
	c.	The pitcher must start with both feet in contact with the pitching rubber. When ready to pitch, the pitcher shall start her pitching motion with both hands apart at her side, and then "present the ball", bringing both hands together before releasing the ball. In the act of delivering the ball, the pitcher shall not take more than one (1) step, which must be forward toward the batter and simultaneous with the delivery of the ball to the batter. One (1) foot must be in contact with the ground at all times. No rocking or backward motion is allowed.
	d.	All Leagues: After “presenting the ball”, the pitcher must release the ball on the first (1st) forward motion of the arm past the hip, or the pitcher may drop her arm to the side and to the rear before starting the windmill motion. There can be no stop or reversal of the forward motion and only one (1) revolution of the arm is allowed.
	e.	All Leagues: A pitcher, having hit three (3) batters in a game, must be removed from the mound. However, in the umpire’s discretion, the batter must make an effort to avoid being hit by a pitch.
	f.	Intentional Walks are not allowed.
	g.	If an illegal pitch is called, the ball is dead, the pitch is a ball, and there shall be no further advancement of the runners.
	d.	Pitching distances are measured from the back point of home plate to the front edge of the pitching rubber and shall be: Forty (40) feet for the Senior League, thirty-five (35) feet for the Middle League and thirty-three (33) feet for the Junior League.
2-11	Leading:
		Runners may lead off the base as follows: Only one (1) lead per pitch is allowed. A player is not allowed to tag up and take a second (2nd) lead after the pitch has been delivered.
		i) Junior League: Once the ball crosses home plate.   ii) Senior/Middle Leagues: Once the ball is released from the pitcher’s hand.
		Leaving the base too early:
		i) Junior League: One (1) warning will be issued to both teams at the time of the first (1st) offense: thereafter, "no pitch" will be called and the runner is out.   ii) Middle/Senior League: "No pitch" and the runner is out.
2-12	Base Running:
	a.	Runners must return back to base after a pitched ball even if a pickoff is attempted. A tag must be applied by the fielder on a pickoff attempt. The runner that was involved in the pickoff attempt may advance at their own risk after re-tagging the base if a pick-off is attempted. Other runners cannot advance, and are not subject to being thrown out; they will be sent back to their original base at the end of the play. This does not apply to the runner at second (2nd) base in a steal attempt as defined in Rule 2-9.
	b.	If an overthrow lands out of play, the ball is dead and one (1) base is automatically allowed. If a thrown ball hits a fence in foul territory, ball is still live; base runner(s) can advance at their own risk. A dead ball will be called by the umpire based on dead ball area which was specified before the game.
	c.	A dead ball will remain dead until the pitcher is on the pitching rubber prepared to deliver the next pitch. Junior League only: a dead ball will exist after each pitch not hit by the batter.
	d.	Fielders must not block the base unless they have the ball on a tag play. Fielders blocking the base shall be deemed to have committed obstruction and the runner will be awarded the base.
	e.	When necessary to replace the base runner the player that made the "last out" will be the substitute. If there are two (2) outs and the last out was either the catcher or the pitcher for the next inning, then the player that made the first (1st) out will be the substitute. If the "last out" was the catcher or pitcher, it will revert to the previous "last out." If other than the "last out" is put in as the pinch runner and the defensive coach recognizes this and objects, the remedy is simply to put the correct "last out" as the pinch runner. There is no penalty, even if the incorrect runner has scored.
	f.	When there are two (2) outs and either the catcher or pitcher for the next inning is on base, a pinch runner may be utilized to allow the catcher or pitcher to get ready to retake her position.
2-13	Maximum Lead:
		If after four and a half (4½) innings the home team, (or five (5) innings for the visiting team) has amassed enough runs to lead the other team by fifteen (15) runs, the game will end and the team in the lead will be the winning team. This rule will not be in effect for playoff games.
2-14	Pitcher's Circle:
	a.	After a ball has been “live”, and is returned to the circle, any runner must immediately decide to advance, or return to the base she just left. After a commitment has been made, a change of direction will be an automatic out to the runner.  Runners must have touched a base prior to the moment the ball is considered “in the circle” to continue to the next base.  Any runner approaching close to a base at the time the ball is considered in the circle, but did not actually touch the base prior to the ball being in the circle, will be allowed to “round the base” a few steps due to momentum, but must stop and return to the base.  After rounding a base, stopping and distinct visual movement to fake continuing on will be considered a change of direction.  If the ball comes back out of the circle for any reasons, runners can advance at their own risk.  A change in direction is only allowed if the ball is considered out of the circle.
	b.	The ball is considered to be within the eight (8) foot circle even if it is sitting on the ground or is in the possesion and control of any fielder within the eight (8) foot circle. Any ball that is clearly passing through the eight (8( foot circle shall be deemed not to be within the circle, and runners may advance at their own risk.
	c.	If the ball bounces outside the circle on a throw back from the catcher it is a live ball except following a foul ball or a "dead" ball call. Any time the ball has been declared a "dead" ball, it does not become live until the pitcher is ready to pitch.
	d.	If the catcher steps in front of or onto the plate to return the ball to the pitcher, it is a live ball except following a foul ball or a "dead" ball call.
	e.	The lines drawn around the pitcher's plate to define the pitcher's circle are considered to be inside the circle.
	f.	The pitcher/fielder must have both feet in the pitching circle to be considered in the circle.
	g.	If a runner is called out due to the Pitcher's Circle rule, no other runners may advance; they must return to the last base they held when the runner was called out.
2-15	Substitutions:
	a.	All Leagues: All girls must play three (3) innings in the field except the pitcher who can be removed by the coach.  Once a girl has been put in the field (except pitcher), she can be substituted at any time but must play three (3) innings. Girls present for a game which was not played to completion and did not get to play three (3) innings will start the next game. Only the pitcher must pitch consecutive innings (no more than three (3) in a game)
	b.	deleted
	c.	A pitcher who pitches less than three (3) consecutive innings and is removed from the game must return later at another position to complete her three (3) innings.
	d.	Set batting orders will be made up of a rotation of the full roster for a given game.
	e.	A reasonable attempt should be made by each coach to see that each player plays approximately the same number of innings.
2-16	[DELETED]
2-17	Player Removed for Injury:
		Any player removed from the game because of injury shall be allowed to re-enter the game at any time.
2-18	Wild Pitch/Passed Ball:
		There is no advancement on a wild pitch or passed ball to the catcher. This does not apply to the runner at second (2nd) base in a steal attempt as defined in Rule 2-9.
2-19	[DELETED]
2-20	Player's Bench:
	a.	All players must remain on the bench.
	b.	Only players, the coach, and two (2) assistant coaches are allowed on the bench during a game.
2-21	Coaching Area:
		Bench coaches must remain in the area of their bench, defined as follows:
		i) Coach may not get closer to home plate than the end of their bench closest to home plate.   ii) Coach may not get closer to the field than a distance half-way between the fence in front of their bench and the foul line. If no fence, then the “imaginary line” established during the pre-game ground rule discussion applies.
2-22	[DELETED]
2-23	On-deck Circle:
		Only the next batter will be allowed in the on-deck circle.
2-24	Score Checked:
		The score must be checked every half (½) inning.
2-25	Game Balls:
		Each team must have one (1) new softball at each game. Home team will supply the game ball. If another ball is needed, the away team will supply a new ball.
2-26	Suspensions:
	a.	If a coach or umpire wishes to suspend a player, the circumstances on which the suspension is based must be represented to the League Commissioner. The League Commissioner will rule on the suspension as soon as possible.
	b.	If any coach or umpire benches or ejects a player during a game for whatever reason, the League Commissioner must be informed as soon as possible and all facts relating to this must be presented.
2-27	Batters:
	a.	Any player batting or found playing in the field without a complete uniform must be removed from the game at that time. The player is considered to be batting as soon as she enters the batting box. If the player later does return to the game in full uniform, they will be placed at the bottom of the batting order.
	b.	If a player is batting out of order and it is discovered prior to her completion of her at bat, then the correct batter shall take her place and assume the count of the incorrect batter. If the incorrect batter is discovered after her completion of her at bat, then the defensive coach shall call time out, notify the umpire of the mistake, and have the option of either taking the play that had occurred, or taking an automatic out to the batter with no advancement of the runners. If the play is discovered after a pitch has been thrown to a subsequent batter then the play will stand as if the correct batter had batted and no penalty will result. The batting order shall resume with the next scheduled batter in accordance with the batting lineup.
	c.	Set batting orders will be made up of a rotation of the full roster for a given game.
2-28	Junior League Only:
	a.	Each team will be allowed to bat through nine (9) batters or three (3) outs each inning, whichever comes first. The inning is over when the third (3rd) out is made, the ninth (9th) batter strikes out, or the ball is returned to the pitcher's circle following the ninth (9) batter's at bat when a strikeout is not made. Runners may not advance beyond the base they are going to at the time the ball arrives in the pitcher's circle.
	b.	Offensive coach will notify the umpire after the ninth (9th) batter has completed her at-bat, the play is completed, and the ball has been returned to the pitching circle.
	c.	Pick off attempts are allowed, after the pitched ball has passed home plate.  Runners cannot advance (with the exception of a stealing eligible runner) under any circumstance.  The only live play is the pick-off attempt and the runner returning to the occupied base is either safe or out.
	d.	Starting in the top of the sixth (6th) inning: The offensive team is no longer restricted to the maximum of nine (9) batters. Teams will play regulation innings with the defensive team required to make three (3) outs to complete each half (½) inning.
2-29	Conflicts in Rules:
		If a conflict in rules takes place or a protest is lodged by a coach, the League Commissioner must be notified within forty-eight (48) hours. At time of discrepancy or protest, both coaches and the umpire must be notified and notation must be made on the scoresheet describing what took place. Example: Runs at the time, players on base and on field, number of outs, balls and strikes.
2-30	Game Rules:
		Coaches must have Game Rules with them at every game.
2-31	Safety Points:
	a.	Only one (1) infield practice ball and two (2) outfield practice balls should be on the field between innings.
	b.	Base Coaches shall stay away from the bases during infield practice.
	c.	Equipment must be kept on the bench and out of the playing area.
	d.	Dangling earrings or jewelry that might cause injury must not be worn during play.
	e.	Players warming up the pitcher must wear a mask.
	f.	Umpires must wear a mask behind the plate.
	g.	[DELETED]
	h.	The use of mouthguards is encouraged, but not required.
	i.	The use of face guards by pitchers and fielders is encouraged, but not required.
2-32	ASA Rules:
a.		Each team is entitled to one (1) defensive timeout each inning. Each team is entitled to one (1) trip to the mound per pitcher without necessitating a pitching change. Each second (2nd) trip to the mound per pitcher shall result in a mandatory pitching change.
	b.	Each team is entitled to one (1) offensive timeout per inning.
2-33	Unsportsmanlike Conduct:
		Any Player or Coach that deliberately attempts to cause injury or engages in unsportsmanlike conduct may be ejected from the game.
2-34	ASA Rules:
		In most cases, the Official Playing Rules and Regulations of the Amateur Softball Association of the United States (ASA) shall be binding on the BGSA. In the event of a conflict, the rules set forth in this BGSA document shall take precedence.