RULES FOR DIV. B (12U) LEAGUE 2023
(Revised 4/2023)

1. The age limit shall be 12 years old and younger, but not 13 before January 1.
2. All head coaches are REQUIRED to complete and pass a certified concussion training course.
A.  Coaches must keep a copy of their concussion certificate on their person during all practices and game.
B. Concussion certification: Certification is good for three years. All BVBL Head Coaches and Assistants must adhere to this state law. BVBL prefers the NFHS course. The NFHS site keeps track of all of the courses you complete. The link for this training is below. You will need to create a NFHS account to complete the course. Once on the web page, select Ohio on the Please Select your State. Select Order Course   and follow the prompts. There is no charge. www.nfhslearn.com/courses/concussion-in-sports-2
3. Pitching distance shall be 40’ from the front of the pitching rubber to the back point of home plate. An 8’ radius shall circle around the mound.
4. Base distance shall be 60’ between bases.
5.  Game balls shall be provided by the home team. Must use 12” optic yellow softballs with raised seams. No synthetic covers.
6.  The home team shall furnish the home plate umpire.  The home plate umpire MUST be an OHSAA certified umpire. If an OHSAA certified umpire cannot be scheduled, then the home plate umpire shall be at least 18 years of age.  The visiting team may provide a field umpire if the home team has not already provided one.
7. Managers and or coaches may not umpire a game in which their team is participating. Parents of players participating may not umpire behind the plate unless agreed upon by mutual consent of both team. Umpires are REQUIRED to complete and pass a certified concussion training course.
A. Umpires must keep a copy of their concussion certificate on their person during all games.
8. The HOME scorebook is the official scorebook.
9. The UMPIRE will be the official timekeeper.
10.  A regulation game shall consist of 6 complete innings, except in the case of a called game where 3 complete innings shall constitute a complete game.
A.  Tournament play: 3 complete innings constitute a complete game if game ends early due to weather and/or any unforeseen circumstance.
11. Tied games shall be settled by playing extra inning or innings.
A.               The International Tie Breaker will be used for all extra-inning games. The last batter from the previous inning will start on 2nd base. This is not sudden death. Both teams will bat.
B.                Provided time has not expired. If time has expired, then it’s a tie.
12. All games shall start no later than 7:00 p.m. (No lights) and no later than 9:00 p.m. (With lights).
13. All games shall have a 1:30 finish the inning time limit. No new inning can start after 1:30 from the start of the game. The game “start time” shall begin at the time of the 1st warm up pitch by the Home team pitcher. If the time limit is reached during an inning, then that inning shall be completed. If the home team is ahead when the time limit elapses, then the bottom half of the inning does not need to be completed or played at all. The "start time" of the new inning begins at the time of the last out of the previous inning.
A.                Game is considered complete if time limit expires before 3 innings are completed.
B.                Tournament games will have a 1:30 finish the inning time limit throughout the tournament.
• Exception ~ There will be NO time limit for the championship game.
C.               Tournament play will follow the same game time/score format as the regular season.
D.               Tournament games must have a winner. Tied games shall play extra inning(s) until a winner is determined.
14. The clock shall continue to run thru any play stoppages due to Thunder, Lightning, Injury or any unforeseen circumstance.
A.                If it is expected to be a prolonged delay, and 3 or more innings have not been completed, it is recommended the game be suspended at the point of interruption and resumed at another point in time
B.                If a game clock expires, no matter how many innings have been completed, the game will be considered complete. If the home team did not get an equal number of turns at bat, the score shall revert to the last completed inning.
15. Any game suspended due to Thunder, Lightning or other weather shall be resumed at the point of interruption at an agreed upon date and time by the coaches.
A. If 3 innings have been completed, then it can be considered a complete game.
16. A lineup card containing the name of players and subs must be completed by each team and exchanged with the opposing coach prior to the start of the game.
17.  All team members present at the beginning of the game must play a minimum of 6 consecutive defensive outs and bat at least once in a regulation 6 inning game. Substitutions must be made in innings 1-4. Starters relieved for subs may re-enter in the same batting position provided their sub has played 6 consecutive defensive outs and batted once.
A. Once a starter has been removed twice, she is done for the game.
B.       Once a sub has been removed a 2nd time she is done for the game.
18. Roster Batting (batting all players) is legal. When roster batting then free defensive substitution is allowed.
A.        When roster batting: if a player is removed for any reason, then an out must be taken for that player batting position.
19.  A team may start the game with 9 players. However, if a team has only 8 players, the game may still be played. If the game starts with 8 players, the coach has the following 2 options before starting the game: Playing the entirety of the game with only 8 players and not receiving an out for the vacant batting position. OR 2. Taking an out for the missing batting position and then placing a late arriving player in 
A.         Late arriving players may be added to the bottom of the lineup and subbed into the game.
* Exception ~ If the 8-player rule is being used then the player will have to sit out the game.
20. A team beginning a game with 9 or more players may end a game with 8 players, taking an out in the spot of the player that was removed for whatever reason.
A.         A team beginning with or being reduced to 7 players shall declare a forfeit.
21.  OHSAA DP/Flex rules will apply if choosing to lineup bat.
22.  Courtesy runner may be used for the Pitcher and/or Catcher at any time. Must use the last out in your lineup.
23.  The batter’s helmet with a face protector mask is required. Player base coaches must wear a batting helmet with a face protector mask. Adult base coaches do not have to wear a helmet. The souvenir type plastic helmet is prohibited for any use.
24. Bats shall be stamped with either the ASA 2000, ASA 2004, USA Softball Certified or USA Softball certification mark and not be on the ASA/USA non-approved list which can be found at www.usasoftball.com.
25. The penalties for using bats not approved will be as follows: 1st offense using an unapproved bat is the bat will be removed from the playing field but kept within umpire’s view; the runners return to the previous base; the batter is out. 2nd offense will be the same as for 1st offense with the following addition: player using any illegal bat will be ejected from game. 3rd offense will be same as other 2 with the following addition: team using any illegal bat will forfeit the game.
26. All players must wear a uniform shirt. The remainder of the uniform shall consist of baseball/softball pants or athletic shorts. Cleats or tennis shoes are acceptable footwear.
27. Jewelry is permitted unless deemed distracting and/or unsafe by the umpire.
A.   No jewelry shall be worn on the pitching hand, wrist and/or arm.
28. Metallic spikes on playing shoes are prohibited.
29. The catcher shall wear full catching gear consisting of a catcher’s helmet with throat guard (hockey style masks with elongated throat protector frame are acceptable), chest protector and shin guards. 
30. All players who warm up the pitcher at home plate must wear a catcher’s helmet with throat guard (hockey style masks with elongated throat protector frame are acceptable).
31. Stealing and Leadoffs are legal. Runners may leave the base on the release of the ball from the pitcher’s hand.
32. Stealing home or any base on a throwback from the catcher to the pitcher is legal.
33. Stealing home on a passed ball is legal.
34. Sliding is allowed.
A. Runners are never required to slide. If they opt to slide, the slide must be legal. Runners cannot create malicious contact. If they do, they shall be decalred out.
35. The infield fly rule shall apply.
36. Bunting is allowed.
A.        A fouled bunt attempt on the 3rd strike is an out.
37.  A dropped 3rd strike is NOT an automatic out. It is a live ball. If 1st base is occupied with less than 2 outs, then batter is out. However, the ball is still live, and runners may advance at their own risk. If 1st base is occupied with 2 outs, then batter is not out and may attempt to advance to 1st base. All other runners may attempt to advance at their own risk.
38. No limit on innings pitched allowed per pitcher.
39.  Pitchers must start with their hands separated. Hands should then come together for at least 1 second before starting the pitching motion.
A.      1 warning per pitcher for illegal pitches (including crow hopping).
40. Pitchers must wear a protective face mask when pitching.
41. Any pitcher removed from the pitching position may return to the pitching position at any time during the game, even withing the same inning.
42.  A manager or coach may confer with any defensive player provided the conference is on the pitcher’s mound. A visit with any defensive player constitutes an official visit.
A.     3 official visits per game. Each additional visit requires a pitching change.
43. A base on balls is NOT a dead ball. The batter-runner may advance beyond 1st base at their own risk.
44. Intentional Walk: Tell the home plate umpire and batter shall be placed on 1st base.
A.    A request for an intentional walk may be made prior to, or during an at-bat (regardless of count), by the defensive coach, pitcher, or catcher.
45. The “Look Back” Rule is in effect:
A.      Once the pitcher has control of the ball in the circle all runners must immediately return to the previous base or attempt to advance to the next base with the liability to be put out or called out at the discretion of the umpire. Once a runner stops at a base for any reason, she will be declared out if she leaves the base.
46. Run Rule: The “5 up” run rule will be in effect. Each team can accumulate 5 runs more than the opposing team or 5 runs more than they themselves had at the end of the previous inning. All consecutive runs count that are scored off the batted ball that hits in the 5th run..
47. If a team is leading by 15 or more runs after 4 complete innings, then the game shall be terminated and the team leading declared the winner.
48. Players and /or spectators are prohibited from standing within a 10-foot area extending behind the backstop. People in that area must be seated. Coaches and umpires need to enforce rule.
49. Coaches may NOT borrow players laterally from another Div. B League team. Coaches may borrow from a Div. C League team from within their own organization in an emergency. All the original roster players must be used before emergency players are used. The opposing coach must be notified of the situation before the game starts.
50. During DCGS tournament play coaches may borrow players from a Div. C League team from within their own organization in an emergency, provided that team does not already have a game scheduled that day. Players must play for the team they are rostered on if a tournament game is scheduled and played. Players may NOT be borrowed laterally from another Div. B League team.
51. Team rosters complete with birth dates must be submitted to the Delaware County Softball Association President a minimum of 14 days before the first game of the season.
52. Additions to rosters for new move-in residents may be made any time up to and including May 31 of the current season. Any additions MUST be approved by Delaware County Softball Association.
53.  Any team using an ineligible player shall forfeit all wins acquired while that player was on the team roster and/or used in a game. If age is questioned, satisfactory proof shall be furnished.
54. Any person demonstrating unsportsmanlike conduct ~ such as throwing a bat or any equipment in anger, using abusive or profane language, or making unnecessary violent contact ~ shall be immediately ejected from the game and the confines of the ballpark.
55.  Any player ejected from a game will be suspended for the remainder of the game. A.                Repeat offenders will be dealt with on an individual basis.
56.   Any coach ejected from a game will be suspended for the remainder of the game. A.                Repeat offenders will be dealt with on an individual basis.
57.   Smoking is not permitted on the playing field or in dugouts.
58.   Designated coaches in dugout area will consist of 2 base coaches, 1 dugout coach and 1 scorekeeper.
59.    Speed Up Rules: To speed up play, all teams will abide by the following:
A.       Defense: Coach-Pitchers will be permitted to throw 5 warm-up pitches in the 1st inning they pitch and only 3 warm-up pitches in subsequent innings.
B.       Defense: There will be NO infield/outfield balls after the 1st inning.
60. If a regularly scheduled game cannot be played due to special circumstances (i.e., School and/or 4-H camps and activities) and the opposing team has been contacted at least 2 weeks prior to game. In Canceled game situations, both coaches should make the best effort to get game rescheduled.
61.  For a team to be eligible to play in the DCGS year end tournament, teams must record at least 8 games played.
62.   DCGS tournament at the end of the year will be a BLIND DRAW double elimination tournament. All regular season games are played for experience and sportsmanship of all girls. The Blind draw tournament allows us to play all teams and have the best two still face off in the end.
A.     While coaches are encouraged to play competitively during the regular season, it is important to develop all players as you may not know who is available for the year end tournament.
63. Home team in winners’ bracket and in first round of last chance bracket will be determined by a coin flip. Once the bracket has begun on the last chance side, the team that remained in the winning bracket longer will have the choice of home or away. All games where teams are equally seated by advancement will be determined by a coin flip.
64.  Once the tournament draw is complete; all teams will be expected to compete at their scheduled time. If a team cannot play for any reason, then it will be considered a forfeit. If both teams cannot play, then both will forfeit.
65. There shall be NO protests during regular season games.
66.  Roster protests are permitted at any game but must be addressed before the game starts. 
67.   Any other protest allowed during the DVCS Div. B. Tournament only. Coach shall inform the umpire of intent to protest. Game and game clock shall stop immediately. The DCGS Div B. Tournament Director (or assigned representative) shall be summoned to hear protest. A $50.00 protest fee shall be paid in cash before protest can be heard. Fee is refundable if protest is ruled in plaintiff’s favor. Game and game clock shall resume as soon as the protest is concluded.
68.  The host tournament site, in conjunction with the DCGS President, reserves the right to alter the tournament format due to weather and/or any unforeseeable circumstance.
69.  Rules not covered herein shall be referred to the Ohio High School Athletic Association rule book.