Wachusett Softball Association Rules 2023

All coaches, spectators, and players must adhere to the WSA’s codes of conduct below.  Failure to cooperate with these codes could result in you losing the right to coach, watch, or compete in the WSA.

Coaches Code of Conduct

By volunteering to coach softball games in the WSA, you are agreeing to the following Code of Conduct.  Your town softball organization or the WSA Board of Directors reserve the right to suspend you from coaching for violations of this code.

• You will treat every player on your team with respect and dignity.  

  • E.g. You will not berate or humiliate any player on your team.

• You will treat the umpire(s) with respect and dignity.

  • E.g. Yelling at an umpire or showing disrespect to them can result in an umpire ejecting the coach from the game and league sanctions.   

• You will treat the coaches and players on the opposite team with respect and dignity.

  • E.g. You will not heckle or be disrespectful to an opposing coach or player, nor will you tolerate it from your players.  You will practice good sportsmanship at all times.

• You will treat the game of softball with respect and dignity.

  • E.g. You will not run up the score unnecessarily or create a situation where any player could be injured because of the way you coach your team.  You will win or lose gracefully.

• You will comply with your town’s softball organization’s rules and the rule of the league which governs play (the WSA).

  • E.g. It is up to you to know the rules of the game and to follow regulations set down by your town coordinator and by the WSA Board of Directors.

• You will model good behavior for your players, fellow coaches, and fans.

  • E.g. You will not use profanity or show poor sportsmanship.

• If the fans for your team show bad sportsmanship, you will intercede with them.

  • E.g. As a coach, you can help defuse situations.  If your fans are being inappropriate, you will attempt to stop their behavior.  

Spectators Code of Conduct

By attending a game governed by the WSA, you are agreeing to all of the rules below.  A violation of the rules can result in your being asked to leave the game by the umpire, your town softball coordinator, or any member of the WSA Board of Directors.  We want you to cheer on your player and her team.  However, poor sportsmanship by fans will result in the privilege to attend these games being revoked.  In extreme circumstances, inappropriate fan behavior can result in penalties for their team.

• Be positive, not negative. Athletes have the right to compete in an environment that is safe and supportive. You will limit yourself to positive cheering.  You may cheer for your team’s players, but you may not boo, jeer, taunt, or heckle the other team. No player deserves to be targeted by opposing fans.  Be respectful at all times and remember that every player is someone’s daughter.

• Respect the umpire.  Game officials have the right to make calls in an environment that allows them to do their job.  Umpires are human and the human element is part of the game.  You will be respectful of the umpire(s) at all times.  Negative comments, yelling, booing, taunting, or undermining the umpire can result in a fan being ejected from the field and losing the privilege to attend WSA games.

• Coaches are volunteers.  Coaches on both sides have the right to manage their team in a positive environment.  You will be respectful of the coaches on your team and the opposing team.  Coaches in the WSA are volunteer parents donating their time to your player and her teammates.  Yelling at coaches is inappropriate and will not be tolerated.

• Stay off the field. You should not enter either dugout or the field of play unless you are a registered coach who has undergone a background check with your town’s softball organization.  

• You will set a positive example for the players.  When parents or other adults act inappropriately, it signals to players that it’s okay to be disrespectful.  It is not okay.  You will not engage in poor sportsmanship.  Nor can you use substances, profanity, or violence at a youth softball game.  Any of the above could result in your ejection from the game, penalties on your team, and/or your town softball organization or the league revoking your privilege to attend games.

• Rules are not optional: You will comply with any regulations the town hosting the game or the league requires.  This includes measures meant to keep players and coaches safe from COVID-19.    

Players Code of Conduct

It is a privilege to play softball in the WSA.  Coaches and parents should communicate to the players that we expect all players who compete to comply with these rules.  Players who show poor sportsmanship may be benched by their coaches, ejected from the game by an umpire, and/or suspended from league play by their town softball organization or the WSA Board of Directors.

• Everyone deserves an opportunity to play softball without fear of being made fun of.  Good sportsmanship is extremely important and you are expected to be a good sport whether you win or lose.

• All cheering should be positive.  It’s okay to encourage your teammates and to cheer when they do well.  You cannot boo, taunt, or single out a player negatively on your team or on the opposing team.

• Once a pitcher starts her motion, you should not yell with the intent of interfering with her focus.  

• Your play should never intentionally seek to injure any other player.  

• You must respect the umpire.  If he or she makes a call and you disagree with it, you should not argue or complain.  Disrespecting an umpire can lead to a player being thrown out of a game and even being suspended from league play.  Umpires are human and that is part of the game.  

• Even if you lose the game, you still must line up to respectfully wish the other team well.  Real softball players win gracefully and lose gracefully.    

All coaches, players, and fans are bound by the WSA Codes of Conduct.  Everyone who participates in WSA events as a player, coach, fan, etc. must be in compliance with the Code of Conduct.

In the event there is a concern or potential violation of the Code of Conduct the involved part(ies) shall report the issue through the formal complaint process of the WSA.  Said complaint will be reviewed and appropriate parties will be notified of any action taken.

Additional Coaching Rules

Safety:

• An adult coach must not leave the field until "ALL PLAYERS" have left their practice or game.  

• All volunteers must be CORI cleared. Only CORI-cleared volunteers should be on the field with the players.

• Coaches should ensure their players are using safety equipment, including USA Softball-approved helmets/bats.  Fielding masks are recommended for pitchers and infielders.  Metal cleats are not allowed in the WSA.

Fields, umpires, and dugouts:

• Coaches are responsible for having PLAYERS clean the dugout and surrounding areas after each game or practice. There should not be any water bottles or wrappers of any kind left in the dugout.

• Home coaches are responsible for helping to prepare the field by raking around the pitcher’s mound, around the bases, and around home plate before each game. This includes putting out bases. Please report any unsafe conditions to your league coordinator. 

Behavior:

• Home and visiting coaches must have a home plate meeting before the game to review the rules and make sure everyone is on the same page and all field safety rules are covered.

• Coaches must set a positive example to the player at all times. The players should have fun and learn the fundamentals of the game.  Town coordinators and the WSA board reserve the right to enforce appropriate behavior from their coaches. 

• Coaches are asked to refrain from using electronic devices (cellphones) on the field during the game. If the need arises, coaches are asked to remove themselves from the field and replace themselves with another individual as needed

Cancellation:

• In the WSA, it is the home team coach’s responsibility to make the determination in the case of inclement weather.  The visiting coach should be consulted before the decision.  

• Cancellations must be made at least 90 minutes prior to the start of the game. In the case of a cancellation, a make-up game must be scheduled within 1 week of the cancellation. The game does not need to be played within one week, but a new date must be chosen.  If two contacts are made with the other team’s coach without a response, the league president and secretary have the right to declare a forfeit.  

• The board members for each town NEED to be aware of all cancellations and game changes via the league email address. This will allow for the local board member (s) to avoid any unnecessary cancellations especially those that are not weather related. 

• There are no cancellations allowed for non-weather reasons without the approval of the town coordinators for both towns and the umpire assignor.  If a coach cannot make a game, then his/her assistant can manage the team.  If a team is short players, do your best to fill the essential positions of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, shortstop and pitcher to ensure the game is played. An assistant coach can perform the role of catcher.

If a game is canceled for weather, please notify the following at least 90 min before game time: 

1. Both teams

2. WSA Board: 

• Cancellation e-mail: 

Wachusett Softball Association League Rules, Effective April 2023

I.    Pitching

1. 8U: Coaches may adjust their pitching distance as needed.  They should use an 11” Softie Ball.  If a player cannot hit the coach’s pitches after a reasonable number of pitches, the coach can put the ball on the tee for the player.

II.    Defensive Player Requirement:

1. 8U: minimum number of players is 4 to complete infield. Infield positions include pitcher’s helper; first; second; shortstop; third and catcher. All remaining players will play in the outfield. 

Game Play Regulation:

9. Batting:

1. 8U: all players will hit during their offensive half inning and switch possessions once the full team has batted.  If a hitter or a base runner is out, she will need to leave the bases and return to the dugout.  The inning does not end after 3 outs, but players should get used to the idea of being “safe” and “out”.  The coach closest to the play makes the call.  Being “out” should be used as a teaching opportunity about the way the game works. 

2. All divisions: no outs for shorthanded teams

3. All divisions: there will not be an out for a player who is injured during the game and unable to continue competing.  

4. Players who come late should be put at the end of the batting order.  

5. Teams will not be penalized if a player must leave early or arrives late.  Their spot in the order will just be skipped

6. Slashing is not allowed at any level of WSA play

II.  Time limits and number of innings

1. 8U: No new inning will start after 1 hour and 15 minutes

III. Overthrows and Stealing

1. 8U: no stealing or leading 

Selected USA Softball Rules

Equipment

Helmets must have a face guard properly attached. 

Lightning

If lightning is seen by an umpire or brought to his/her attention, all play will cease for a minimum of 30 minutes. All players will seek shelter.  Umpires will not instruct players and coaches where they should go.

Double Base

• No play at first base: Runner can touch either color bag

• Play at first from fair Territory: Runner touches orange/Fielder touches white

• Play at first from foul territory - Runner and fielder can touch either bag

• Return throws to first - Runner and fielder may touch either bag