Midlothian Girls Softball Association (MGSA) Local Rules
Updated February 2025:
Rules are based on the USA Softball rulebook with specific additions and exceptions.
Safety:
Jewelry/Watches/Electronic Devices: No jewelry, watches, or electronic devices are allowed during games. (Refusal to remove after umpires warning may result in ejection from the game)
Cleats: No metal cleats.
Designated Pitcher (6U/8U/10U): Must exit the field immediately after the ball is hit. Interference results in a dead ball, with penalties escalating to outs and replacement for intentional interference.
Hats/Visors: Plastic visors are not allowed.
Sportsmanship:
At completion of the game both teams will line up to shake hands. Any player or coach that does not or instructs their team to not shake hands will be subject to discipline by the Board of Directors.
Any Harassment of Players/Coaches/Umpires is not tolerated. The person will be immediately ejected along with the head coach of the at fault team.
Cheering for your team is encouraged but chants or cheers at the opposing team or directly at any of its players. First occurrence will result in a verbal warning, the second occurrence will result in the ejection of the head coach.
NO Artificial noisemakers while the pitcher is in the pitching rubber.
Music: must not be of obscene nature
Equipment:
Batting Helmets: All batters and runners must wear approved helmets with facemasks during games (Batting and On Deck Circle) and practices.
Facemasks: Defensive facemasks are highly recommended for infielders.
Catchers: Catchers must wear full catcher's gear. (6U may wear batting helmet instead of catchers helmet)Wor
Bats: Bats must meet USA standards and be marked "Official Softball." Wooden bats are prohibited.
Balls: MGSA follows USA Softball certification for game balls (except T-Ball). Game Balls must have a USA Certification denoted with a Red Colored Marking & Stamp (Ball Ratings - Max 375 lbs & .47 cor)
Game Ball:
T-ball - 10” soft core ball (Rawlings Training Ball with Pink and Yellow Cover)
6U - 10” USA Certified poly core softball
8U/10U - 11” USA Certified cork core ball
12U/14U/16U - 12” USA Certified ball
Uniforms: All team members must wear matching jerseys with different numbers (exceptions for picked-up players). Uniforms must contain your registered MGSA team name.
Game Play:
Home or Away Team and Dugout: The team listed second on the schedule (Visitor @ Home) is the home team and will occupy the third base dugout.
Dugouts: Teams are responsible for cleaning their dugout. Failure to meet this requirement will result in loss of practice time and/or subject to a $30 clean up fee.
Coaches: When the team is on defense, all coaches must be within an arm's length of the dugout (with the exception of coaches assisting in the outfield in younger age levels). When the team is on offense, base coaches should be within 5 feet of their designated base in foul territory. Coaches may not make contact with the runners when the ball is live.
Pitching/Base Distances: Vary by division
T-ball/6U - Pitching Rubber 30 ft and 50 ft bases
8U - Pitching Rubber 35 ft and 55 ft bases
10U - Pitching Rubber 35 ft and 60 ft bases
12U - Pitching Rubber 40 ft and 60 ft bases
14U and Up - Pitching Rubber 43 ft and 60 ft bases
Run Rules:
Thrown Bats: Warning for each player, second offense is an out. Deliberate throwing can lead to ejection.
Timekeeping/Scorekeeping: Home plate umpire is the official timekeeper and scorekeeper. Home team keeps the official scorebook. Visiting team operates the scoreboard.
Game Time: Finish the Inning unless the home team is up or unable to tie or win.
Changes caused by Weather: We follow IUL guidelines for heat based on the WBGT (wet-bulb globe temperature).
Cancellations will be determined by the Midlothian Parks and Recreation Department or the MGSA Board. Communication for cancellations will be posted on social media and sent to coaches via Remind. Rescheduled games will be communicated by the Coach’s Director.
Complete Game (Regular Season): A game will be considered complete after 45 minutes or 3 innings
Forfeiture: Minimum player requirements vary by division. A minimum of 6 players are required for 6U. A minimum of 7 players are required for all other divisions. Forfeit time is at scheduled game time or 5 minutes after the previous game ends.
Picking Up Player: Teams experiencing a player shortage may, with prior approval from a Board Member, recruit up to two (2) registered players from the same or a lower MGSA division. These "pick-up" players may not pitch or catch and, once added to the lineup, must remain for the entire game. Players may not be used as pick-ups if their own team is playing at the same time.
Protests:
Protests must be based on rule violations or the use of ineligible players, and cannot be based on judgment calls. The protesting manager must sign the official score book as a protest and notify the home plate umpire immediately following the game. A written report, including the specific rule(s) violated and the reasoning behind the protest, must be submitted to the Board President within 24 hours of the game's completion, accompanied by a $25 cash deposit. This deposit will be refunded if the protest is upheld. All protest decisions are final.
The plate umpire can immediately refer any game rule dispute to a present Board Member before the next pitch. Otherwise, the umpire's ruling stands. If the coach disagrees with the board member's decision, they should consult the standing rules for protest procedures.
The Board of Directors will hear appeals of protested calls. The original decision-maker may present their case but cannot vote. The protesting coach must attend the hearing; otherwise, the protest is forfeited, and MGSA keeps the $25 fee.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Refer back to the Sportsmanship Section
Umpire Complaints: Umpire issues should be reported in writing to a Board Member, including the umpire's name and details of the incident. If the Board deems an umpire unfit, the President will notify the Head Umpire scheduler.
Board Member Presence: A Board Member will be present at the fields during games.
General Rules (All Divisions - Regular Season):
Innings should be completed unless a team can not mathematically catch up.
Mercy Rule: All games may be called after three (3) innings if one team has a twelve (12) run lead, or after four (4) innings with a ten (10) run lead, or five (5) innings with an eight (8) run lead.
Injury/Blood:
In case of an injury during the game, the umpire shall IMMEDIATELY call for a “Dead Ball” and make any base awards after treating the injured player(s).
Any player, coach or umpire can not continue to participate in the game with blood on their uniform. The uniform rule will be suspended for them if a uniform change is necessary.
In case of a significant injury, the game may be called with no make up game to be scheduled.
Any girl pitcher (10U and above) that hits three batters in a game will be removed from the pitcher position and not allowed to return as pitcher during the remainder of the game.
Team Rosters:
Substitution: Free substitution is allowed in all divisions. Each player must play at least one defensive inning. No player can sit two consecutive innings. If a team is found to be in violation of this rule, the game will be stopped, and a forfeit will be recorded against them.
Game Conduct & Pace of Play: Teams shall not intentionally stall or delay the game to gain an unfair advantage. Umpires have the discretion to issue warnings and take appropriate action if stalling is suspected.
Pitcher Visits & Defensive Changes: Each team is allowed one visit to the pitcher’s circle per defensive inning without requiring a substitution. Any additional visits to the circle in the same defensive inning must result in a defensive change (e.g., pitcher substitution or other position adjustment).
Batting Roster: Submitted before the game at Home Plate Meeting. All present players are included. Late arrivals are added to the bottom of the lineup.
An umpire may remove a player from the official roster due to illness or injury. In such cases, no automatic out will be recorded when the removed player's turn at bat occurs, unless the team's roster falls below the minimum required number of players.
Special Rules:
6U:
Each batter will receive 3 pitches from the designated pitcher. If the ball remains unhit after the third pitch, the batter will then have 2 attempts to hit the ball from a batting tee. If the ball is not put into play after the second tee attempt, the batter is out. However, if the batter fouls off the second tee attempt, their at-bat continues until they either swing and miss or put the ball in play. Swinging and hitting only the tee counts as a swing and miss (strike), not a foul ball.
The entire roster is played on defense, 6 infielders in their positions and the remaining players in the outfielders. Outfielders must be in the grass at time of pitch.
The defensive pitcher must be in the circle when the designated pitcher is pitching. They can leave the circle to make a play on the ball once the batter has made contact with the ball.
"Tight bases" - runners cannot leave the base until contact.
No bunting, infield fly rule, or dropped third strike rule.
Two coaches are allowed in the outfield (behind the furthest outfielder).
Overthrows: On an overthrow to any base the runners may advance at their own risk to the next base only (NO MULTIPLE OVERTHROWS). If the play becomes dead wherein the play has stopped and no runners are making anymore advances but the ball is not back in the circle in the possession of the defensive team the umpire can call time at his or her judgment.
All play is stopped when a defensive player has the ball while inside the pitching circle. All runners must return to the base last touched regardless of where they may be when play has stopped.
8U:
The designated pitcher will deliver 5 pitches to each batter. If the batter fouls the fifth pitch, the at-bat continues. A batter swinging and missing three pitches is out (e.g., swinging and missing the first three pitches results in an out). The designated pitcher must pitch on or parallel to the pitching rubber. The home plate umpire will issue one warning to pitchers who fail to comply. Following a warning, any pitch not delivered from the proper position will be a dead ball, and the play will be replayed. After this warning, the umpire has the discretion to replace the designated pitcher. If the pitcher again pitches from an illegal position after the warning, the batter will be called out.
May only play 10 players in the field. 6 Infielders and 4 Outfielders, Outfielders must be in the grass at time of pitch. (New 2025)
The defensive pitcher must be in the circle when the designated pitcher is pitching. They can leave the circle to make a play on the ball once the batter has made contact with the ball.
"Tight bases" - runners cannot leave the base until contact.
No bunting, infield fly rule, or dropped third strike rule.
Two coaches are allowed in the outfield (behind the furthest outfielder).
Overthrows: On an overthrow into FOUL territory from an infielder, the runners may advance at their own risk to the next base only (NO MULTIPLE OVERTHROWS). If the overthrow occurs in fair territory the play will continue, with the runners advancing at their own risk until the defensive team has control of the ball inside the circle or the umpire has called time.
All play is stopped when a defensive player has the ball while inside the pitching circle. All runners must return to the base last touched regardless of where they may be when play has stopped.
10U:
Outfielders: 3 Outfielders (New 2025)
Stealing: Stealing is allowed, including stealing home. Girls may leave the base when the pitcher releases the ball. The dropped ball third strike rule is in effect when first base is not occupied and there are fewer than 2 outs. Stealing and dropped ball third strike rule is not permitted once the coach enters the game to pitch.
Bunting: Bunting is allowed. Bunting is not permitted once the coach enters the game to pitch.
Look Back Rule: When the pitcher has the ball within the pitching circle and is not making a play, runners must either return to their base or advance to the next base. Runners are allowed one stop or reversal of direction, but if they stop a second time or reverse direction again, they are out.
When a batter reaches ball four, the designated pitcher will take over pitching duties, delivering a maximum of three pitches while maintaining the current strike count. The batter may decline to swing at the first two pitches but must swing at the third. If the third pitch is not put into play, the batter is out, unless it is fouled off. A foul ball on the third pitch extends the at-bat until the ball is put in play or the batter strikes out.
Here's how the strike count affects the coach-pitch scenario:
One Strike: The batter gets up to three pitches, but the existing one-strike count is retained. Two swings and misses result in an out (unless the third strike is fouled off).
Two Strikes: The batter gets up to three pitches, but the existing two-strike count is retained. One swing and miss results in an out (unless the third strike is fouled off).
Postseason Rules (All Divisions):
Complete Game: In event of rain or other delay, a game will be considered complete after 45 minutes or 3 innings. If neither of those have been completed, make up of the game will resume where play was ended. Teams will not be penalized for a player that is unavailable for the make-up, but was in the line up of the original game.