MiddleEssex Rules
Middle – Essex Softball League Zero Tolerance Policy Purpose:
Coaches who argue or comment in a negative fashion shall immediately be ejected from the game and given a $100 fine. The ejection carries a two-game suspension. 2nd ejection you will be out of all USA softball events for the remainder of the season.
· Parents / Fans who argue or engage in negative behavior (yelling, teasing, taunting, etc.) shall be removed from the playing area. Time will continue in the game as this happens. If the parent or fan refuses to leave within one minute, the game will end with a forfeit charge against the offending team. · Any argument or disagreement that becomes physical, in any way, will result in an immediate, indefinite suspension for any adult involved. A team may exercise its right to play the game under protest based on the incorrect rulebook interpretation.
MIDDLE – ESSEX SOFTBALL LEAGUE BYLAWS & POLICIES PURPOSE: USA can change these at any time
Each team is allowed to list three (3) non-residents. Only one of which may be a pitcher but not a club pitcher unless it’s the A division. We may consider a club pitcher for the B division on a case-by-case basis. Also, your non-residents may not be from a town that has a team in the same division as your team unless they do not have room for her on a team.
ROSTERS: All players MUST be registered and insured through USA Softball by June 22nd. No exceptions. Anyone who uses a player not registered and insured that game will result in a forfeit. You can who add players onto the Register USA websitema.registerplay.com.com. Within a town, a player may only be listed on one (1) roster. If on a given night a team is going to be short on players, a girl may be called to play up one division. She may not play down even if age eligible. Likewise, she may not go from an “A” team to a “B” team. Furthermore, if there are two teams in the same division, she may not play for the “other” team. Roster violations will result in a loss by forfeit and a two-game suspension of the coach.
2025 FORFEIT POLICY: To eliminate the problem of teams failing to show up for games, the forfeiting team must pay a fee of $70 within 48 hours of announcing the forfeit. Second forfeit out of the league
UMPIRES: Umpires will be hired from the appropriate USA Softball umpire districts. The home team is responsible for canceling an umpire for rain or other factors. Phone numbers for the umpire assigners are posted in the league directory tab. Any cancellation, for a reason other than weather related, must be made before 12pm the day over the game; otherwise, you may be responsible for the umpire’s fee. The more notice you can provide, the better. Umpires that show up with team that is a“no-show” has been a problem in the past.
GAMES: · Scheduled game time is 6:15 PM. You may change that as long as the opposing team agrees to do so. Make sure you let your assigner know. · If a team has only 8 players, the USAshorthanded rule is in effect. · Umpires are responsible for ending games regarding darkness or other factors once a game has begun. ● Teams must play their games according to the league schedule. If for some reason your team is not able to play on an assigned date, you must take a forfeit. Teams are not allowed to reschedule games. If an event comes up, where youcan’t field a team, we will go case by case to determine to possibly reschedule that game. Assigners cannot change the dates pf the games. Bring players up from the lower division.This is why the schedule is being done the way it is. ● When posting a forfeit, the proper score per the USA is 7-0. ● Rainoutsare an exception to this rule. If a game must be postponed because of rain or other weather-related events, it can be played on a new date. If you see storms coming in on the radar you have until 4pm to cancel or you will pay the game fee.
RULES: The current rules of the USA are in effect unless noted.
Time limit --- No new inning may begin after 1 hour and 30minutes. ● Any game that plays to the time limit will be considered an official game regardless of the number of innings. If the home team doesn’t get to bat at the end of a game, the score reverts to the last completed inning. ● Divisions 14A and 14B pitch from 43 feet. The 12’s pitch from 40 feet and the 10’s pitch from 35 feet. · A team may use either a rule- book line up or a continuous batting order. Free substitution when using continuous batter order. If a player gets injured and cannotcontinue to play, it is not an out in the lineup. Any other reason is an out. The only restriction here regards the pitcher, if removed she may not return to pitch in the same inning but is free to pitch in any other inning. · The following Divisions are allowed (but not required) to play with ten (10) fielders – 12B and 10U. The 12B division you have the option. 1 team may choose to have 9 fielders while the other team might have 10 fielders. Teams choose what they want. Other Divisions will play with 9 fielders. · A 10-run mercy rule is in effect. It is invoked after 5 innings (4 ½ if home team) and at the point in which it occurs. ·SIX RUN RULE: This rule applies to all Divisions except 10u there’s will be 5 runs until the 4th inning then unlimited. An inning will end early if a team scores 6 runs before they are put out three times or 5 in the 10u. The play on which the 6th or 5th run scores will end at its normal conclusion. {Effect, if more than 6 or 5 runs score in the inning do notcount. (DO NOT ABUSE THE RULE) The rule is lifted in the5th, 6th and 7th inning.
10u special rules:
10B will have coach pitch once the batter has 4 balls to her. The count remains the same with strikes. She will either hit the ball or strike out. The girls can still steal with coach pitch. Coaches can not field the ball.
You can only steal 3rd base and home twice per inning. 2 steal period. Only 2 runs can score on steals
You can not run on an overthrow when a catcher is trying to throw a runner out at 3rd. Even if the ball goes into the outfield. If there is a runner at first, she cannot advance. You cannot advance on a throw that gets away from the pitcher.You can only advance when a ball goes out of play during live play.
No infield fly rule. No 3rd strike drop
10u will use 11-inch balls
Can’t leave the base until the ball crosses the plate
Example of the club pitching rule:
No pitcher from a club team can pitch in the B division team. If they are playing up on an older team it may be allowed under certain cases. USA will determine if this is allowed. If they are a good pitcher do not waste your time and ask. If you bring a pitcher up to fill in because you have under 10 players, they cannot pitch.
ALL STAR GAME: An All-Star Game will take place. Date will be Saturday July 11th. Rain day Sunday July 12th. More details to follow. Tee shirts will be handed out to the players and coacheswill receive a coach’s shirt. Coaches will be named the week of July.
Games are as follows. 10u and 14u are Monday and Wednesday. 14u game are on Tuesday and Thursday.
SCHOLARSHIP AWARD: The Middle – Essex Softball League will award one scholarship to a graduating senior. The recipient must have played on Middle – Essex teams for at least five seasons and be nominated by a coach. Other factors will be taken into consideration such as: giving back to the softball community by helping with teams, umpiring or in some other way promoting the game. Also, citizenship and financial need may be considered.
No coach or scorekeeper is allowed near the field. Any team who has not registered all their players, coaches, and volunteers will forfeit their games. Please get it done before game 1. No excuses.
2026 NEW WEBSITE is up and running The league schedule and standings will be on the USA softball Massachusetts www.ma.registerplay.com. Contact Larry Miller with any questions about the website from registering to inputting scores or your home pages.
Here is his contact info:
Email coachmillersb@gmail.com
Phone # 516-316-8246
Any issues at the field because of rules feel free to call me at617-212-5552. (Buddy)
USA Softball Ma has the right to change or add rules as needed.