Diamond Girls Softball Association (DGSA) has created an Addendum to the USSSA - Fastpitch Softball Rules to support our learning league, allowing coaches and players to develop their skills and knowledge of fastpitch softball. USSSA rules will be used where not specified on this document.
These variations are intended to help newer players focus on the basics and fundamentals of softball, are are specific to our League. Coaches, players, parents, and umpires should familiarize themselves with the variations added to the USSSA Fastpitch Softball Rules.
Development and Learning First
DGSA is a learning league. When in doubt, choose what is in the best interest of the organization.
As a learning league, we do not contest games or umpire judgement calls when aligned with our rules. Umpires should never be addressed, approached, or followed off the field for any reason by a player, spectator, fan, or coach. When an umpire is not present for a league scored game, the game should be called by someone that both head coaches agree will be impartial and fair. Coaches should agree upon the final score before leaving the ballfield for the evening.
When a coach needs assistance understanding the call that an umpire has made, the head coach should respectfully ask for a timeout. The coach can ask the umpire who made the call for help to understand the rule, and/or seek clarification and from umpire or the other coach during the game. Both coaches should work together, using the Addendum, to resolve and discrepancies.
League Requirements
All players must wear a full conforming DGSA uniform during game play, unless previous league authorization has been granted.
Players should wear the current season jersey for games.
When there are duplicate jersey numbers or when rosters are contested, a roster check will be performed.
If it is determined that there are unauthorized players in a game, the unauthorized player will be removed from the game along with the Head Coach.
Defensive face masks are recommended for all infielders to reduce the risk of concussions and injuries. Batting helmets with face guard are required for all players. Helmets should have a chin-strap if they are not a compression helmets. All players must wear their batting helmet when outside the dugout; in the hole, on deck, batting, and running bases.
Pitchers and catchers are required to wear face masks during practices, warm-ups, and games.
If a specialty player does not conform to league rules, they will not be able to continue playing in the game in those positions.
Coaches, players, and fans will exhibit good sportsmanship at all times. Violation results in a warning, the second violation will result in an ejection from the game.
Players, parents, and coaches may not taunt an opponent.
Derogatory comments and offensive behavior is not allowed.
Profanity is strictly prohibited.
The umpire’s rulings are final and non-contestable.
Balls and strikes will not be argued. If the strike zone is unclear, the catcher can ask the umpire where it is missing.
Pitchers, batters, and catchers should adjust their approach with support from their coaches.
Parents are spectators and should never engage or question players, coaches, or umpires during the game.
Obtaining explanation of an umpire's call will take place between innings with both Head Coaches present.
Umpires will not engage in mid-inning or post-game confrontation. Violation results in a warning, the second violation will result in an ejection from the game or sitting the following game.
Diamond Girls Softball Association (DGSA) uses USSSA Rules and our DGSA game Rules Addendum to support our recreational softball league. DGSA coaches should familiarize themselves with both USSSA Fastpitch Softball rules and this Addendum. If there is a discrepancy during the game both coaches should work together, using this addendum, to resolve the issue.
Game Setup
Start Times:
All Scored games are scheduled to begin promptly at 5:45 pm and 7:15 pm, except for opening day.
● If a game is played without an official umpire present, the game begins no later than 5 minutes after the scheduled start time and up to the 80 minute mark.
● If an umpire arrives late to the game, they will pick up the time and pitch count where the teams are currently. Time and pitch count do not start over from the beginning.
Duration:
Scheduled events have prompt start/end times.
● 8u: 60-70 minutes, finishing the inning.
● 10u and above: 80 minutes, then finishing the inning.
End Times:
● Game is played until the official stopwatch indicates 80 minutes have passed.
● If an umpire leaves early, the game continues until 80 minutes have passed. Continuation of the game should not interfere with another game’s progress or start time.
● If there is less than 10 minutes on the clock and the away team doesn’t have the ability to overtake the score of the home team both coaches can agree to end the game after 70 minutes instead of starting a new inning. One coach cannot make this decision for both teams.
● When time expires:
○ If the home team is ahead and at bat, the game has ended.
○ If the home team is behind and at bat, the home team finishes their at bat.
○ If the away team is ahead and at bat, the home team has the last at bat.
○ If the away team is behind and at bat, the away team finishes their at bat. If the home team is still ahead, the game has ended. If the team is ahead after their at bat, the home team will finish their at bat.
Home Team:
Home team is in the 3rd base dugout, as listed on the schedule. Home team provides the game ball and takes the field first.
Field Positions:
A scored game requires 8 players from 1 roster, but can use up to 2 additional pick up players, when needed. If a team has less than 8 players for a scheduled game, their official game is considered a forfeit (1:0). However, both teams can choose to use this paid field time for an unofficial scrimmage.
● 10u: Can field 9 positions and an additional player (Rover) in the outfield.
● 12u and above: Can field up to 9 positions, no Rover.
● Pick up Players: All pick up players must be registered and active during the current season to be eligible to play. The pick up player can borrow a team jersey from the team they are helping, wear their own team jersey, or wear a plain black shirt during their pick up game.
● If a pick up player is scheduled for their own game at the same time as the requested pick up game, their own game takes precedence over the pick up game and they will not be eligible to pick up.
● Pick up players cannot play as pitcher or catcher for their pick up game and should be added to the batting line up.
● Respectfully, if a pick up player is picking up at the 5:45 game before their scheduled 7:15 game, the pick up player should notify their own coach to let them know that they will be ready to play at their designated game time.
Batting
Batting Line-Up:
Players bat in a continuous batting order, which cannot be rearranged throughout the game. At the start of each inning, the batting order continues from the last player to bat in the previous inning.
Batting line ups are exchanged between teams at the beginning of the game and should include every player present for the game. Coaches can appeal to the umpire if they believe a batter is batting out of turn. If a mistake is made, and no appeal takes place during the at-bat, the game will continue as normal. If the mistake was appealed, the batter is out.
● If a player is running late, they should be added to the end of the line-up, only after they arrive, and the other team has been notified.
● If a player needs to leave early (or is injured and cannot safely continue) after taking at least 1 at-bat, it is an automatic out each time it is their turn to bat.
● If an injured player can not safely return to the game, after they have received an automatic out, they will return to their same batting order.
Substitutions:
All players must be fit to play, not injured at the start of the game. A substitute “courtesy” runner is permitted for pitchers, catchers, and batters who are injured after they have safely made it to or past first base, and should be the last batted out.
● If a player is injured during the game, but can safely take their next turn at bat, they can continue with the option to have a courtesy runner replace them after safely making it to first base. The substituted player would be the last batted out.
● If a team has 9 or more players in the lineup and there is an injured player who cannot continue, they will receive an auto out for the remainder of that player’s at bats.
● If a team has less than 9 players in the lineup and there is an injured player who cannot continue, there will not be a penalty. The player is crossed off the lineup without an auto out.
Fielding
Obstruction:
When a fielder, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner, it is considered obstruction. The obstructed runner is awarded at least one base beyond their position on base when the obstruction occurs.
● If any preceding runner is forced to advance by the awarding of a base or bases to an obstructed runner, the umpire shall award this preceding runner the necessary base or bases.
In Field Fly Rule:
If first base and second base are occupied with runners, or all three bases are occupied, and the batter hits an infield fly ball, the batter is automatically out.
Pitchers:
There is no limit to the number of pitchers or maximum pitch count on a particular team. It is encouraged to have, train, and develop more than one pitcher throughout the season. Any player on a designated team may pitch.
● Pick up players from other teams are not allowed to pitch in their pick up game.
● Pitchers are given a designated number of warm-up pitches or an appropriate amount of time to warm up the pitcher.
● Umpires will notify the catcher how many warm up pitches are remaining, and the pitcher/catcher should promptly conclude their warm up and begin the inning.
● Pitchers can be replaced in the circle at any time but may not come back to the circle in the same inning unless they stay in the field at another position.
● If they return to the circle in the same inning, they are not allowed a second warm up period.
A pitcher will be asked to leave the circle after they strike 5 players that are walked due to the strike (hit by pitch). A dead ball strike does not count. If a pitcher is removed from the circle due to hit by pitch rule, they can stay in the game in another position but cannot pitch the rest of the game.
Leaping is a legal delivery when the pitcher has both feet off the ground at the same time, and the pitcher does not replant the pivot foot.
● A replant occurs when the pitcher pushes off the playing surface from anywhere other than the pitcher’s plate in the act of delivering a pitch.
Pitching Distance/Ball Size:
Division | Pitching Distance | Game Ball Size |
10u | 35’ | 11-inch |
12u | 40’ | 12-inch |
14u and above | 43’ | 12-inch |
Base Running
Base Distance:
The distance between bases measures 60 feet between first, second and third bases. If a coach believes the distance is set incorrectly by the field maintenance crew they should contact field maintenance no later than 15 minutes prior to the game start time (see contact information).
Pitching Circle Violations:
The play is dead when the pitcher is in the circle with the ball. If the batter is walked to first and the player turns to go to second, she is committed to continue to second or immediately return to first base. IF the runner stops or does not commit to go one way or the other, she is out. The only exception is if the pitcher tries to make a play on her.
Dropped Third Strike:
If the catcher fails to catch the ball on a third strike, and first base is open, or there are two outs, then the batter becomes a runner.
Stealing Bases:
There are no lead offs. All base runners must wait until the pitcher has released the ball before they leave their base. On a passed ball at home plate, players can advance and third can steal home. When a runner is stealing home the batter should move safely out of the way of the play for safety reasons.
● If the pitcher starts her wind up and the runner is off base, they will be called out.
● If a runner attempts to steal a base and the pitcher enters the pitching circle, the runner is committed to continue to the next base or immediately return to the previous base.
● If the runner stops or does not commit to go one way or the other, she is out. The only exception is if the pitcher tries to make a play on her.
Sliding:
Whenever a tag play is evident , a runner should slide or seek to avoid contact with the fielder or catcher. Malicious contact shall supersede all obstruction penalties.
Scoring Games
Runs Per Inning:
Each team alternates offense and defense in an inning. The inning ends after each team has 3 outs, or:
● 10u: Up to 5 runs plus continuation, with a maximum of 8 runs.
● 12u and above: Up to 7 runs plus continuation, with a maximum of 10 runs.
Continuation of runs is allowed until the play is over in one of the following:
● The lead runner stops moving forward.
● The play is dead and the ball is returned to the pitching circle.
Score Keeping
After the game ends (see Game Setup), both scorekeepers should confirm scores for each team. Both team coaches will report final scores in Team Snap before leaving the field for the evening. Regular season games can result in a win, loss, tie, or forfeit. Forfeit will result in a 1:0 score.
An incomplete game due to severe field/weather condition issues, confirmed by the umpire/field maintenance crew, may revert back to the last completed inning. If there is not a last completed inning this will result in a tied 1:1 score. Games are unable to be rescheduled due to city permits and field availability.
Playoffs (Quarters/Semi/Finals) will require a game winner to advance to the next bracket. If there is a tie at the end of any of these games, the international tiebreaker rule will apply and the overtime inning will begin with a runner on second base. The runner will be the last batter out.
Contact Information (Coaches Only)
Field Maintenance:
It is the head coach’s responsibility to respectfully report concerns related to your designated field reservation and field conditions, such as lights, un-chalked game fields, inaccurate pitching or base distance, base placement, locked gates, water, uneven dirt/holes, no later than 15 minutes prior to the start of the first game.
If the 7:15 pm game is running longer than 8:40, the coach should call the respective park field maintenance to extend the lights no sooner than 8:30. Extended lights are an additional cost to the league and should only be used for game situations where there is not a clear winner by the designated end time.
Rain Out Hotline | 623-773-7575 |
Park Ranger Hotline | 623-773-7700 |
Pioneer Park | Office: 623-773-7060 Mobile: 623-888-1770 |
Rio Vista Park | Office: 623-773-8608 Mobile: 623-888-1566 |
Gates may open at 5:30 pm and warm ups can be done in open fields by the softball fields at Rio Vista and Pioneer Parks. Please do not call to have the gates opened sooner. Extensions to permits are an additional cost to the league and should not be done without prior consent from a board member.
Umpire:
For concerns related to an umpire’s attendance (see game setup) please contact your Divisional Coordinator by the start of the game.
For other concerns regarding umpires, please email Registrations@DGSAaz.com. The email should contain the date, time, location, summary of the incident, your role in the incident, and the solution you would like to help implement.
Sometimes you win, sometimes you don't. Every time you play with class.