2005 Div. 3 Rules and Regulations: (As of April 11, 2005)
- It is the responsibility of the HOME team to provide a playing field, bases, foul line markers, at least
one new game ball, and one marker pad (see rule 5). The visiting team must provide one new game ball to
be used as a replacement if needed. Balls must be Dudley SB-12 (white stitch only). Thunderball
(unrestricted), Red Seam (restricted), Green Dot (WASA) are NOT permitted. Teams participating in
the league Championship Series are required to provide 3 new game balls to be used as replacements if
needed.
- A team must field no fewer than eight or no more than ten players. When fielding 10 players, at least
one of the fielders must be a woman. Division III teams must field at least two women except during
League Championship play, where Division III rule exceptions do not apply. To begin play, a team must
field 8 players. In the event that teams can only field eight players, the opposing team can provide a
catcher for the purpose of moving the game along but cannot make defensive plays.
- All games must start at 6 p.m. and continue for seven innings. If a team cannot field the minimum number
of players (see rule 2) to start the game by 6:15 that team will forfeit the game. Division III teams
that do not have nine players, including two women by the end of the second inning will forfeit the
game. A regular season game is considered official after four and one half innings. Playoff games are
considered official only after seven complete innings are played. If nightfall or weather causes the
postponement of a playoff game, the rescheduled game will resume at the point following the last completed
inning, including the score at the end of the last completed inning. Any runs scored during unfinished
innings will not count.
- The pitcher must pitch from the mound/rubber, or in the absence of either, from a spot an equivalent
distance from home plate. The pitcher may take one step off the mound while delivering the
pitch. A pitcher must be able to throw consistent strikes or the opposing team's captain may request a
substitute.
- The pitcher must throw strikes and MUST deliver the ball with his/her palm facing the batter. There is
no spinning of the ball allowed. The pitch must be thrown slowly, with a small arc. THE HIGHEST
POINT OF THE ARC CANNOT EXCEED TEN FEET AND CANNOT BE LESS THAN SIX FEET. Pitches that do not have the
proper arc are illegal and will be called a ball. If a batter swings at an illegal pitch, the ball is
then in play, and the pitch cannot be called illegal. Marker pads (18" wide and 36" deep) must be placed
behind home plate. All pitches that strike any part of the pad and have the proper arc are considered
strikes. The catcher must call outs and keep track of balls and strikes. Marker pads can be made of any
material. (Plywood works well).
- Unless waived by both coaches prior to the start of the game, each team's batting order must include two
women. In the event that a team cannot include a second woman in the batting order, that team must take
an out in the tenth spot of the batting order. In the event that a team cannot field two, that team
can only place nine players in the field, including one woman.
- From the sixth inning onward, if a pitcher issues either an intentional or unintentional walk to a male
batter who is immediately followed in the order by a female batter, the female may choose to either
automatically walk or bat. The female player must make this decision prior to the pitcher's first pitch
or she forfeits her opportunity to accept the automatic walk.
- There is no restriction on switching field positions, however, unless substituting (see below), players
cannot switch positions in the batting order. Players added to the batting order after the start of the
game must be added to the bottom of the order. If the new player is replacing another player, they must
be inserted into the same slot in the batting order. In addition, if the batting order has not completed
one cycle since the substitute last batted, they must wait for the order to bat around before
substituting. If a player plays the field, they must bat once before being replaced. The only
exceptions to Rule 7 would be the replacement of injured players, or mutually agreed to modifications
prior to the start of the game. Batting orders must be exchanged prior to the start of the game. The
batting order cannot exceed 15 batters.
- The batter must take a full swing. Bunting is not allowed. NO half swings.
- No pinch runners are permitted except for injured players. The opposing team's captain must approve all
pinch runners.
- A base runner cannot leave the base until the batter hits the ball. Runners who leave the base early
will be called out.
- Sliding is permitted, provided the intent is not harmful to the fielder. Contact with an opposing player
that is deemed malicious is reason for ejection from the game, and possible expulsion from the league.
- Rubber or plastic cleats are allowed; steel cleats are prohibited.
- Markers (cones) should be used to delineate the foul lines in the outfield. Division II and III teams
will utilize a "Freeze Rule" as follows: Outfielders, (including the short fielder) cannot move in for
women batters. This means that they must be positioned at least the same distance from the infield that
they were for the prior batter even if there is a woman leading off an inning. The outfielder must play
as deep as they were on the last out of the previous inning.
- The offensive team must provide first and third base coaches. The first base coach makes all umpiring
calls at home plate, first base and down the first base line (foul & out of play balls). The third base
coach makes all umpiring calls at second base, third base and down the third base line (foul & out of
play balls). The umpire's call is final unless BOTH team captains decide to overrule. The team
captains, who are responsible for the adherence of their team members to the rules, must resolve all
disputes. The league will provide ASA umpires for all Division III playoff games. If two teams decide
to have umpires during the regular season or during divisional playoffs, they must share the cost equally.
- The captain of the home team must confirm the game with the visiting team's captain on the Tuesday prior
to the game. In cases of inclement weather or poor field conditions on game day, the home team captain
must initiate contact regarding postponement or replay by 3:30 p.m. on the day of the game. It is the
decision of the home team captain to postpone a game for this reason. If the game is not postponed by
3:30 p.m., both teams are obligated to report to the field, unless otherwise agreed upon by both
teams. All rescheduled games must be agreed to by both teams. Games postponed in the first half of
the season must be replayed as two five-inning games when the teams meet for the second time. The
home team's captain must notify the division commissioner of any rescheduled games no later than the day
after the cancellation.
- Any team that forfeits four games in one season, may not be allowed to participate in post-season
play. This rule is not intended to disqualify teams who forfeit games due to unanticipated
work/family/school business etc.
- Players must compete in at least 5 games during the regular season in order to compete in the
playoffs. Again, eligibility problems should be discussed with the division commissioner. This rule is
not intended to disqualify players who miss games due to unanticipated work/family/school business, etc.
- The captain of the winning team must call or email the division commissioner the day after a game to
record the score.
- The first round of the division playoffs are single elimination. The Division Semifinals and
Championship are best 2 out of 3. The format of the League Championship Series will be decided prior
to the regular season by the Division Commissioners. The format will be geared towards the number of
divisions each year.
- Division III exceptions will NOT apply during League Championship play. However, the Freeze Rule
will be in effect during the League Championship play.
- The "Slaughter rule" is in effect for the regular season. If a team is winning by 15 or more runs at the
end of the fifth inning, the game can be called. The game can continue, only if both coaches agree to
continue.
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