Girls Softball Regulations
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2012 Girls Softball Regulations
1. The
softball season is determined by the NDHSAA Board of Directors and is published
in the NDHSAA Calendar. The season length shall be 11 weeks.
2. Each player must have 9 daily practices (counting only one per day) prior to
the first interscholastic competition.
3. Members of high school softball teams may not participate on independent or
town teams until after the high school season is over or high school
eligibility in softball will be lost for six contests for each game played
outside of the high school team or the remainder of the season, whichever is
less.
4. NEW: Teams may play a maximum of 36
games in 23 dates prior to the state tournament.
5. A team may play in no more than 2 dates per week which are followed by a
school day.
6. NEW: An individual may play in a
maximum 252 innings prior to the state tournament.
7. Each
team may carry a maximum of 18 players for NDHSAA state tournaments. If a coach
removes a player for violating association rules or a verified illness, said
player may be replaced on the roster. If the coach removes a player for other
disciplinary reasons, said player may not be replaced. Any changes in the
roster must be cleared with the tournament manager beforehand.
8. All state tournament games will be 7 innings unless the score is tied (extra
innings will be played) or is terminated by the 10-run rule (Rule 4-2-2) as
provided in the current Federation Softball Rules Book. Suspended games will be
played to completion from the point of interruption.
9. Protective equipment for the batter, base runner and catcher shall be
required as provided in the current National Federation Softball Rules Book.
(Please note the warning and ejection rule pertaining to failure of base runner
to wear a helmet.)
10. The use of a double first base will be required for all
regular and post season games
11. All
bats shall meet the 2004 ASA Bat Performance Standard, bear either the 2000 or
2004 ASA certification mark, and not be on the ASA non-approved list as found
on www.asasoftball.com.
12. The substitution rule permitting re-entry into the game will be in effect
as provided in Rule 3-1-3 in the current Federation Softball Rules Book.
Likewise, the designated hitter rule as provided in Article 4 of the same rule
will be in effect.
13. Anytime a coach is in live-ball area to confer with players or an umpire,
or to occupy a coach's box, the coach shall be attired in school uniform or
jersey/coaching shirt with coaching shorts/slacks or warm-up suit in school
colors or colors of khaki, black, white or gray. Cutoffs or any type of jeans
are prohibited. Jackets are not considered part of the coach's uniform.
14. The team at bat may use courtesy runners for the pitcher and/or the
catcher. The same runner may not be used for both positions. Neither the
pitcher nor the catcher will be required to leave the game under such
circumstances.
a. Players who have participated in the game in any other capacity are
ineligible to serve as courtesy runners.
b. A player may not run as a courtesy runner for the pitcher or the catcher and
then be used as a substitute for another player in that half inning.
NOTE: An unreported courtesy runner is an illegal substitute.
15. No protests will be permitted relative to any NDHSAA tournament game and
the decisions of the officials will be accepted as final.
16. All umpires (must be registered) and coaches are to attend a NDHSAA rules
clinic annually.
17. State Awards: Individual awards will be presented to18 rostered players and
1 coach (plaques will be given to members of 1st and 2nd place teams, 18 &
1 as above). Trophies will be presented for places 1 through 7 and extras can
be purchased.
Calendar dates:
Opening day of practice - March 19, 2012
Regular season competition is to be concluded on or before the deadline, May
26, 2012 as set by the NDHSAA Board. It is suggested to schedule regular season
while allowing for inclement weather that may otherwise cause teams to play
past the deadline date.
State Tournament - May 31, June 1, 2,
2012
The NDHSAA Board of Directors has approved a division of softball programs into
a Class A and Class B Divisions.
Proposed by the Softball Advisory Committee:
Class B
South Region (7): Central Cass, Enderlin/Maple Valley, Hankinson, Hillsboro,
Kindred, May-Port CG, Northern Cass.
Class B North Region (7): Dakota Prairie, Des Lacs-Burlington, Grafton, Kenmare-Bowbells-MLS, North Border/Cavalier, Thompson, Westhope,
Class A
East Region (9): Devils Lake, Fargo Davies,
Fargo North, Fargo South, Fargo Shanley, Grand Forks Central, Grand Forks Red
River, Valley City, West Fargo
Class A West Region (7): Bismarck, Bismarck Century, Dickinson, Jamestown, Minot, Minot Bishop Ryan, Turtle Mountain
Teams declaring after January 1, 2012 are not eligible for post-season until 2013.
Eight
teams will qualify for the state tournament, four from each region. Each region will be responsible to determine
the teams that will advance to the state tournament. In the event a region schedules a season end
region tournament, it shall count toward the regular season limitations (#4, #5
and #6 above).
State
Tournament:
The "home team" or nearest team to the tournament site will play the
last game of the state tournament's first round. If there are multiple teams
from the tournament site, the highest seed will be the "home team".
The pairings will remain the same, but game times will be adjusted.
2012 State Tournament Bracket:
Class A:
Team 1 West vs. Team 4 East
Team 2 East vs. Team 3 West
Team 2 West vs. Team 3 East
Team 1 East vs. Team 4 West
Class B:
Team 1 North
Region vs. Team 4 South Region
Team 2 South Region vs. Team 3 North Region
Team 2 North Region vs. Team 3 South Region
Team 1 South Region vs. Team 4 North Region
Page Updated 4/18/12