League Rules

Version 2025.1

Section 1 – Conduct

1.1 Dress Code

STRICT ADHERENCE REQUIRED

Players must wear the current season's league-provided jersey, unaltered, to honor our sponsors who expect visibility at every game. Modifying jerseys in any way requires replacement at the player's cost (around $40), and they cannot play until a new jersey is obtained. There are no refunds for inability to play due to rule violations, nor after Evaluation Day.

Park Dress Code (All Guests & Participants):

Shorts and pants must be modest, loose-fitting, and extend to no more than 3 inches above the knee, even with slider shorts underneath
The back of these garments must not feature any writing or text

Jewelry: For safety, hard jewelry is prohibited. Soft jewelry may be permitted at the umpire's discretion.

Footwear: Steel cleats are prohibited for both coaches and youth at all times. All players and coaches must wear closed-toed shoes.

Coach Attire:

Coaches cannot wear sleeveless shirts
Head coaches must wear their team's jersey (provided by RCYS)
Head coaches are responsible for ensuring all assistant coaches comply
Additional jerseys available at www.RCYS.net

Hats: During RCYS games, only official RCYS hats are permitted on the field for both coaches and youth. Umpires will enforce this rule strictly. Official RCYS hats can be purchased at concessions.

1.3 General Conduct

Respect for Umpires: Umpiring is challenging, and mistakes can happen. RCYS policy requires everyone to respect the authority of the umpire, who is considered right, even if a call seems incorrect. Coaches, parents, and players must uphold the integrity of the game and honor Christ through respectful behavior. Disrespect toward an umpire, coach, or player will result in being asked to leave the park, with a warm welcome back the following week.

Spectator Conduct:

Spectators must avoid yelling at or arguing with umpires or coaches
Spectators are not allowed in the dugouts
Only coaches and one designated team parent may enter dugouts
Children under 8 years old (including coaches' children) who are not players are not permitted in the dugouts

Prohibited Actions:

Bat Slinging: At the umpire's discretion, a batter may be called out for slinging a bat. If a slung bat strikes an umpire or catcher, it results in an automatic out.
Tobacco & Alcohol: Bethel Park is a Tobacco-Free Zone. The use of alcohol, tobacco, and vape products is strictly prohibited within the park and on all church property.
Profanity: The use of any profane language, including taking the Lord's name in vain, may result in ejection from the game or park without warning.

Collision Avoidance: Intentional collisions, as determined by the umpire, will result in the runner being called out and may lead to ejection. All runners must avoid collisions at the bases and home plate. At first base, the batter-runner should use the orange bag, while the first baseman should use the white bag.

Coach Contact: Coaches must not touch a runner while the ball is live. If a coach touches a runner and assists their movement in any way, the runner may be called out.

Section 2 – Game Play

2.1 About Our Rules

RCYS follows 2006 ASA Softball rules and guidelines except for differences outlined in this document. RCYS rules supersede ASA rules when a conflict exists.

2.2 Eligible Players

Boys and girls aged 3 to 18 as of the tournament's last day are eligible to participate. Division age ranges are flexible and may change each season based on player enrollment. A child's age on the tournament's last day determines their "playing age."

2.3 Game Length & Mercy Rules

T-League (Ages 3-4):

40-minute time limit (clock starts on time)
No umpires - coaches coordinate together
Teams bat all players, then switch to defense
Score is not kept

Divisions 1-5 (Ages 5-18):

Seven innings or 50 minutes, whichever comes first
Clock starts with first pitch

Mercy Rule (Run Rule): A game ends if a team leads by:

20 runs after 3 innings
15 runs after 4 innings
10 runs after 5 innings

Rainouts: Rainout games are unlikely to be replayed and will be considered a tie.

2.4 Batting Order

General Rules:

Every player present must be included in the batting lineup
Late arrivals must be added to the end of the lineup card

Inning Batting Rules: A team bats until:

Three outs are made, OR
Every player has batted AND the team has achieved a five-run lead

If all players have batted but the team has fewer than three outs and does not have a five-run lead, batting continues until three outs or a five-run advantage is achieved.

5th or Last Inning: The 5-run advantage rule is no longer in effect. Teams may score unlimited runs until three outs are made.

Division 1 Special Rules:

5-Run Advantage Rule is in effect for the entire game
When a team has a lead of 10+ runs, coaches should refrain from allowing batters to use a tee
Coaches should (but are not required to) only allow base runners to move 1 base at a time when leading by 10+

2.5 Home Run Rule

One Up Home Run Rule: In all divisions, a team cannot hit more than one home run ahead of their opponent. Any home run exceeding the one-up limit is treated as a single. Base runners advance one base only if forced to move.

2.6 Pitching

In Divisions 1-5, coaches pitch to their own team. The pitching coach must avoid intentionally interfering with a hit ball.

If a live ball hits the coach outside the pitcher's box, the batter-runner is called out
If the coach is hit while inside the pitcher's box, the ball is ruled dead and declared a "No Pitch"
If the pitching coach catches a hit ball, it is ruled a "No Pitch"

Pitcher Position: The pitcher (coach or player) must pitch from within the pitcher's box. Both feet must be within the box when the ball is released.

Exception: Division 1 coaches may pitch forward of the circle at the umpire's discretion.

2.7 Batting

Helmet Rule: Players must keep helmets securely on during the game. A batter or runner called out must keep their helmet on until inside the dugout. Violations may result in the runner closest to home plate being called out.

By Division:

T-League: Each batter swings until they put the ball in play. No strikeouts.
Division 1: Up to five pitches. After the 3rd pitch, batters may choose to use a tee (with coach's permission).
Divisions 2, 3, 4: Up to five pitches. If the ball is not put in play by the 5th pitch, the batter is out. No walks.
Division 5: Up to five pitches with "Swinging Strikeouts" in effect. Three swings and misses results in an out.

2.8 Team Size on the Field

T-League & Division 1: ALL players are placed in the field. Infield limited to 6 players; remaining players in outfield.
Divisions 2-5: Eleven players (five in the outfield). No team will forfeit for not having enough players.

2.9 Player Positions

Pitcher-player must have both feet within the pitcher's box until the ball is hit
Infielders must start behind the base path when the ball is pitched
Outfielders must start behind the encroachment line and remain relatively still during the pitch

Violation: At the umpire's discretion, the batter may be awarded first base and runners advanced one base.

Home Plate Rule: When a runner is running from 3rd to home, only the catcher and one backup defender can be near home plate. The backup must be positioned behind and away from home plate. If three or more defenders are near home plate, the runner scores and other runners advance one base.

Division 1 Pitcher Fielding: The pitcher can field a batted ball within fair territory but cannot pursue it beyond the infield baselines.

2.10 Timeout

Division 1: Automatic timeout when the ball is returned to the pitcher inside the pitching circle
All Other Divisions: Timeout granted only when the umpire determines play is dead
Coaches are limited to two timeouts per game
Game clock generally does not stop (umpire discretion for injuries, etc.)

2.11 Training League (Ages 3-4)

When a team has batted all batters, they take the field
No run rules
4 innings or 40 minutes
Coaches and volunteers oversee the game (no umpires)
Every child hits from a tee - no strikeouts
Parents allowed on field at coach's discretion (one per child)
Pitcher's circle rules apply for timeout
T-League parents on field are not required to purchase matching team shirts

Section 3 – Miscellaneous

3.1 Team Player Assignments

Only the head coach's children and those of one previously designated assistant coach will be guaranteed placement on a specific team. There will be no other special consideration for placing players.

3.2 Equipment

Regulation 11" softballs used in all divisions
Division 5 boys hit 12" softballs
Division 1: Softball or baseball bats may be used
Divisions 2-5: Only USA Softball or ASA approved bats

3.3 Additional Rules

Players must remain in the dugout unless they are the on-deck batter
Batters will be called out for slinging their bat
Umpires may require chin straps on helmets if needed
No automatic infield fly rule (umpire discretion applies)
Division 1: Pitcher cannot tag batter-runner or first base - must throw to another player
Divisions 2-5: Pitcher may tag runner or step on first
Catchers must wear protective helmet with face mask
All runners, batters, and on-deck hitters must wear batting helmets
Every player must play defense for minimum of two innings per game (three or more expected)
Defensive players must throw or toss to first base (no intentional rolling)

3.4 Ground Rules

Ball entering dugout or overthrown out of play: runners awarded one extra base
Ball bouncing over fence: ground rule double
Ball exiting through fence opening or open gate: ground rule double
Ball contacting tree limb: foul ball (counts as one of five allotted pitches)

3.5 Portable Fence

Temporary fences will be installed for Division 4 when possible. The umpire may call a ground-rule double for balls rolling significantly beyond the painted fence line. The umpire's decision is final.

3.6 Weather & Cancellations

Rain does not automatically lead to cancellation. Bethel Park's fields can handle significant rainfall. For updates, refer to the RCYS Facebook page.

Section 4 – Tournament Games

4.1 Tournament Rules

Tournament games may start up to 20 minutes before the scheduled time. Coaches are responsible for ensuring players are prepared early. Players not present at the start will be added to the bottom of the batting order.

International Tie-Breaker Inning: If a game is tied at the end of regulation:

Last batter from previous inning begins on second base
Each team starts with one out
Gameplay proceeds as normal
Additional tie-breaker innings may be played if still tied

Rain Cancellation: If a final-day game is canceled due to rain, the tournament ends. No team will be declared winner and no trophies awarded. The RCYS Committee may choose to resume the tournament the following week.

Note: The RCYS Director may modify the tournament to Single Elimination due to weather or other unforeseen issues.