Coaches Information

AGSA Coaches Roster

Oakland Coaches Roster

The OGSL coaches roster can be downloaded here.

Piedmont Coaches Roster

The Piedmont coaches roster can be downloaded here.

San Lorenzo Coaches Roster

The SLGSL coaches roster can be downloaded here. The modified schedule with the updated San Lorenzo teams and contact information is available here.

AGSA Practice Schedule

The 2008 practice schedule can be downloaded here. Note: This schedule is effective from March 8th through the end of the season.

Interleague Rules

Note: A downloadable copy of the 2008 Interleague rules are available here. Complete text below.

Interleague Girls Softball Playing Rules 2008  
(Adopted by Oakland, Alameda, Piedmont, San Lorenzo, and Albany-Berkeley)

The Interleague Girls Softball Playing Rules will follow the ASA rule book for the 2008 season.  This document outlines agreed upon Amendments and/or Clarifications which all leagues agree to follow.  

RULE 1.   DEFINITIONS

Adoption of all ASA definitions with amendments a follows:

Dead Ball

6U – 8U

Coaches will request time-outs from the umpire (when applicable) to clarify when the ball is “dead” and not in play.   This will be interpreted to be when a defensive player has possession of the ball at or near the pitching circle, or when no further action is underway and the ball is near a base, when an outfielder attempts to return the ball to any infielder, or when an infielder attempts to return the ball to the adult pitcher. The purpose of this definition is to motivate outfielders to return a batted ball immediately to an infielder and to motivate infielders to make plays on or stop the forward progress of runners with the least number of throws.

Inning

6U

8U – 10U

3.  The Nine Batter Option:  after the third inning when the 4 run limit rule is used, a half-inning (1/2) will end when the defense has recorded three outs or when the first batter batting ninth or later in the inning either strikes out or puts the ball in play by hitting the ball.  All runs scored before the end of the half-inning (1/2) are counted.

The ninth batter could score if:

The only way a tenth, eleventh or other batter would bat would be if the pitcher walks or hits the batter and then play will continue.  (i.e. inning cannot end with a “hit by pitch”)

Note=> the intent of the rule is to not let the defensive team end an inning by walking a batter or hitting a batter with a pitch.  All batters in the inning can score a legally counted run.  (e.g.  the bases are loaded with one out.  The ninth batter is up and four runs have already scored in the half-inning.  The ninth batter walks.  Therefore a tenth batter bats.  The tenth batter walks.  Therefore an eleventh batter bats.  The eleventh batter hits a grand slam.  The team has scored ten runs for the half-inning and the half-inning is over because the batter put the ball in play by hitting the ball.)

 Strike

6U

There are no strikes called or charged in 6U division games.  All rules that involve strikes or called strikes do not apply to the 6U division.

RULE 2.  THE PLAYING FIELD

Section 1

Official Distance Table:

Pitching Distances are measured from the front edge of the pitching plate to the back point of home plate.

No Play Arc(6U):  A curved line in fair territory ten feet out from home plate that a ball batted from the tee must pass to be considered legally batted and behind which defensive players must play.

Section 3.

h. Double Base

A double base should always be used (when available) at first base for all divisions

NOTE => If, during the game, the base or the pitching distances are found to be wrong, correct the error at the start of the next full inning and continue playing the game.

RULE 3.  EQUIPMENT.

All ASA equipment rules will be followed with certain additions and clarifications:

Sec.3 – Official Softball

Section 6 – Uniform

RULE 4.  Players, Coaches, and Substitutes

Section 1 – Players

A. Required Number of Players

Eligible Players - All coaches MUST make attempts to play all eligible players a minimum of two (2) innings in the field.  Players can exit and re-enter the line-up at all times.

D – Short-Handed Rule

Adopted with the following additions and clarifications:

Section 8 –Coach

A – Responsible for team on the field

Amended to read –

RULE 5. THE GAME

Section 3 – Regulation Game

A - Number of innings

Maximum number of innings per division as follows:

Section 9 – Run-Ahead Rule

Run Ahead

Section 10 - Time Limit Rule

RULE 6.   PITCHING RULES

Pitching Machine (8U)
A significant change in 8U rules takes effect in 2008, in an attempt to move games at a faster pace and engage more play, by both batters and fielders. For games played prior to April 26, 2008, all Alameda home games will make use of a pitching machine. A spring-loaded pitching machine, located in the pitching circle at the distance of 32 feet and set to deliver the ball to the strike zone at a speed and location mutually agreed upon by both coaching staffs, will be operated by the umpire. A player will receive 5 pitches at which to swing; the first ball struck into play by the batter will constitute a live ball and effectively be in play. In the event that the fifth pitch results in a foul ball, the at-bat continues until the ball is put into play or the batter strikes out.
The batter is called out if:
1. the batter swings and misses at 3 pitches
2. the batter does not make contact or chooses not to swing at up to 5 pitches that enter the mutually agreed upon strike zone.
3. the batter puts the ball in play and is put out by a defensive play
A foul tip caught cleanly by the catcher shall constitute a strike. The umpire, at their discretion, may allow additional pitches if the pitching machine comes out of adjustment. In the event that a pitching machine becomes damaged or inoperable, a coach from the batting team shall be responsible for pitching, with the same limitations on the number of pitches. For games played on or after April 26, the use of pitching machines will be eliminated, unless agreed upon by opposing coaches.

Additional rules

Following rules are added to Rule 6 of the ASA Rules:

Adult Pitchers (6U – 8U):

In order to move the game along, an adult member from the batting team may pitch to a batter when:

6U Pitching Rules

8U Pitching Rules

1. There are no walks, and strikes are counted
2. If the count to the batter reaches four balls, as judged by the umpire, an adult pitcher will enter the game.
3. The strike count on the batter by the player pitcher will remain, and the ball count will revert to no balls.
4. After entering the game, the adult pitcher has up to four (4) pitches and until the batter
a. Reaches base safely
b. Strikes out
c. Ball four is called
EFFECT: The batter is called out
5. If the batter is hit by a ball pitched by a player, then it is ruled a hit-by-pitch and the batter is awarded first base. If the

Hitting Three Batters

A pitcher who hits three batters in one game will be immediately removed from pitching during that inning. 

Pitching Eligibility

Pitching eligibility will be recorded by innings per game.  One pitcher will be allowed to pitch all BUT two innings per game.  One pitcher may not pitch more than two (2) of the first four (4) innings (4 run rule innings and 9 batter innings count as one inning).

(14U Exception)  Once a pitcher has allowed four (4) runs, the pitcher may be replaced by another pitcher for the remainder of the game.

Out of the Defense Pitching Rule

Charged Conferences

RULE 7.   BATTING.

Batting Lineup:  All bat, even if not playing a defensive position that inning.  Players do not have to be in the defensive line-up presently in the field in order to hold a spot in the batting order.   (i.e. a substitute player presently on the bench may bat in initial player order).  All players must retain the same spot in the batting order no matter if they are presently in the line-up, a substitute, or re-entered for defensive purposes.    If a player exits the field and is no longer in the line-up, when that players turn in the batting order is up, their spot is skipped in the order.   If the skipped player returns to the field and re-enters the game, they must re-enter in the same spot in the order they were originally placed.

Section 4 – 8U Division Only - A strike is called by the Umpire

A. (Fast Pitch Only) For each legally pitched ball entering the strike zone.
EFFECT: (8U) The ball is dead (No stealing See Rule 8 – Batter Runner)
C. (Fast Pitch Only) For each legally pitched ball swung on and missed by the batter.
EFFECT: (8U) The ball is dead (No stealing See Rule 8 – Batter Runner)
D. (Fast Pitch Only) For each foul tip. 
EFFECT: (8U) The ball is dead (No stealing See Rule 8 – Batter Runner)

NOTE => Strikes are not called in any 6U division game.
NOTE => Refer to Section 4. J – K for strikes caused by failure of a batter to get into batting position in a timely way.

Section 5 – 8U Division Only - A ball is called by the Umpire

A. (Fast Pitch Only) For each pitched ball…
EFFECT: (8U) The ball is dead (No stealing See Rule 8 – Batter Runner)

NOTE => Balls are not called in any 6U division game.
NOTE => Refer to Rule 6, Section 6 B for other balls caused by the pitcher or catcher

RULE 8.   BATTER/RUNNER AND RUNNER.

Section 1 – The Batter become a Batter-Runner

B. When the catcher fails to catch the third strike before the ball touches the ground…
EXCEPTION: This rule will NOT be applied in 10U and below (8U, 6U)

Section 4 – Runners are entitled to advance with liability to be put out

A. Amended: 10U – and up When the ball crosses home plate after leaving the pitcher’s hand on delivery.
EXCEPTION: See H below. 6U - 8U - Runners may only advance when the ball is put in play by the batter.

H. (10U) 
ASA tournament rules pertaining to stealing/runner advancement will be adopted for the 10U Division to encourage the development of defensive plays without jeopardy on allowing the opposing team to score, as follows:

For purposes of interpretation of this rule, a ball will be considered “dead” when a catcher is returning a pitched ball back to the pitcher.   E.G. The runner on third cannot advance from third base on an errant return throw from the catcher back to the pitcher after a pitch.

A catcher or pitcher can make an attempt to catch a runner off any base without penalty of runner advancing from third and scoring. (e.g. A runner can be tagged OUT if caught off a base by a defensive player, but a runner on third cannot score, on an errant throw or defensive misplay in an attempt to catch a runner off any base)

Sliding – Head first sliding in Divisions 10U and up will be allowed except at home base for safety reasons.

RULE 11 – Scoring

Field Allocation Policies and Procedures

The ARPD Field Policies and Procedures are available here for reference.

A copy of the AGSA Injury tracking report is available here.