Pigtail League Rules

Updated Wednesday August 22, 2018 by Paul Bolejack.

Rule Summary for AGSA Pigtail League.

The full rules are included here and as an attachment below that can be downloaded.

AGSA PIGTAIL RULES Pg 1.
Spring - Fall- 2018
Rules Summary:
● Game length : 90 minute – no new inning can start after 75 minutes
● Umpires : Yes, when available.
o If official umpire, they make all calls
▪ Umpire can call a meeting between head coaches to discuss a play and a
rule but the Umpire has final call
o If no umpire, base coaches make calls at bases and defensive coach makes calls
at plate.
▪ Pitching team assigns a coach to call 6 good pitches
● Defensive Coaches : Two defensive coaches (one in the outfield and one in the infield).
● Offensive Coaches: 1B and 3B base coaches, and the coach-pitcher.
● Stealing : Not permitted
● Outs : 3 per side
● Max. runs per inning : 5
● Ball : 11″ Soft
● # of players on Field : 6 infield, 4 outfield
o Outfield must be in the grass and can run in after a ball is placed in play
● Pitching :
o Coach Pitch - No Tee.
o 2nd Grade only - 6 good pitches called by the umpire
o 2nd Grade only - 6 swings and you are out
o 3rd Grade only - 3 swings or called strikes by the umpire and you are out
o 3rd Grade only - Kid pitch to first batter for each inning only for up to 6 pitches
(optional).
▪ Defensive substitution of the pitcher can happen when done pitching to the
one batter. They do not have to stay at the mound.
● Mound : 35 feet
● Batting Order : Continuous
● Called balls : No
● Foul Balls : Unlimited
● Overthrows : No extra bases
● Interference : Any ball that hits a player, base, umpire (on the field), or coach is a LIVE ball
○ Bucket Rule: If a ball hits the bucket of balls used by the coach, the umpire will
call a dead ball.
● Hit to outfield :
○ For 2nd grade teams, one extra base
○ For 3rd grade teams, run until ball in control in infield as determined by umpire or
1st base coach if no umpire
1) Pigtail League Objectives
a) Introduce girls to the basic rules of softball, such as strikes, outs and scoring.
b) Maximize player development of fundamentals (hitting, fielding, throwing).
c) Keep the game moving at a decent pace.
d) Introduce older Pigtail girls to pitching.
e) Make the environment positive and fun.
f) Leave as many girls as possible wanting to return to play the following season.
2) Umpires
a) The AGSA Umpire Coordinator will attempt to schedule an umpire for every game.
b) In the event that an umpire is not available, a offensive coach will call pitches and plays at home
and the offensive 1st and 3rd base coaches will call plays at 1st, 2nd & 3rd base.
3) Game Start
AGSA PIGTAIL RULES- Pg. 2.
Spring/Fall- 2018
a) Game start times are determined by the Master Pigtail Schedule.
b) “Batter up” shall be called by the umpire. Umpire may begin calling balls and strikes at that time.
Umpire shall keep official time.
c) Exception to 3.a – The game may be delayed for up to fifteen (15) minutes to await the arrival of
additional players to satisfy the minimum player requirement. For Pigtail, a 5 Players minimum is
required to start a game. (Catcher is not required.)
4) Forfeits
a) Any team that cannot field the minimum (5) number of players within fifteen (15) minutes of the
designated game start time shall forfeit the game for official purposes. Teams shall proceed with
an unofficial game and may “loan” players to the team that is short in order to create a better
experience. All other rules shall remain in effect for the unofficial game.
5) Game Length
a) A game shall be terminated and considered official under the earlier to occur of the following:
i) After 6 complete innings (or 5½ innings if the home team is ahead)
ii) Time Limit.
(1) Regular Season: No New Inning may start after 75 minutes. Time is kept by the umpire.
Ties are allowed. No Drop Dead rule.
(2) Post Season (playoffs & championship): Must have a winner. See 5.b - Tie breaker rule.
iii) Inclement Weather Rule – In the event of inclement weather (as defined below), a game shall
be considered official after 2 complete innings or 1½ innings with the home team leading. The
official final score shall revert back to the last complete inning unless the home team is ahead
or tied the away team in that inning. Games that are cancelled due to inclement weather will
be rescheduled except when considered official or when precluded by season or post season
schedule limitations or time/field limitations.
iv) In his/her sole discretion, an umpire shall terminate any game when the conditions of play (for
example, rain, hail, field conditions) unreasonably place any player or other person at risk of
injury
v) An umpire shall immediately terminate any game when informed of the observation of
lightning by any person.
vi) Darkness Rule – In the event of a game being called because of darkness (as determined by
the umpire in his/her sole discretion), the game shall be official after 2 complete innings or 1½
innings with the home team leading. The official final score shall revert back to the last
complete inning unless the home team is ahead or tied the away team in that inning. Ties are
allowed.
b) Tiebreaker Rule
i) Regular season games: Ties are allowed. No tiebreaker rule.
ii) Post season games: Must have a winner. If the game is tied at the the end of regulation time,
the international tiebreaker rule will be used, as follows: at the beginning of each half inning,
the player who had the last completed at bat assumes a position as a base runner on 2nd
base. This continues so long as the game is tied at the end of each full inning.
6) Maximum Runs per Inning
a) A team may score no more than five (5) runs per inning. This rule applies for the entire game,
including the last inning.
7) Distance of Pitching Rubber and Bases
a) The pitching rubber shall be thirty-five (35) feet from home plate.
b) Bases shall be sixty (60) feet apart.
8) Number of Players
a) Throughout the duration of a game when batting or in the field, a team must have a minimum of
five (5) players (inclusive of pitcher or player at the pitcher position).
b) If possible, a team must field ten (10) players but not more than ten (10) players (inclusive of a
pitcher and a catcher). Only 10 Players may be in the field at one time.
c) A team shall use up to a maximum of six (6) infielders (inclusive of a pitcher and a catcher) and
four (4) outfielders (unless more outfielders are mutually agreed upon).
AGSA PIGTAIL RULES- Pg. 3.
Spring/Fall- 2018
9) Bunting
a) Bunting is only allowed when facing a player pitcher. An offered bunt will be called a strike. A foul
tip bunt on the third called strike is a strike and the batter is out.
b) Bunting is NOT allowed during coach pitch situations.
10) Infield fly rule – not in effect.
11) Dropped 3 rd strike – not in effect.
12) Stealing and Sliding
a) Stealing is NOT permitted in Pigtail League.
b) Sliding is permitted (feet first only). Coaches are encouraged to seek out guidance on instructing
players in the proper sliding technique to avoid injuries. It is also important for coaches to instruct
defensive players on where to position themselves to make a play on a bassrunner while avoiding
collisions.
c) Leading off is NOT permitted.
13) Pitching – Pigtail West – 2 nd grade teams
a) Coach Pitch only
i) Coach must begin with plant foot no further forward than the pitcher circle (27 feet – 8 feet in
front of the rubber). As players improve, Coach is encouraged to move back towards the
rubber.
ii) The coach will pitch up to 6 hittable pitches per batter. The umpire is responsible for
determining which pitches are hittable using a liberal strike zone (see 15.b).
iii) The umpire will call swinging strikes only. There will be NO "called" (non-swinging) strikes in
these games. Fouls are strikes unless it is the third strike.
iv) The batter is out after 6 strikes or 6 hittable pitches, whichever comes first.
v) There is no walking and no Hit-by-Pitch.
14) Pitching – Pigtail East – 3 rd grade teams
a) Coach Pitch
i) Coach must begin with plant foot no further forward than the pitcher circle (27 feet – 8 feet in
front of the rubber). As players improve, Coach is encouraged to move back towards the
rubber.
ii) The coach will pitch until batter hits or strikes out.
iii) There are 3 strikes per batter, swinging and called (non-swinging). Fouls are strikes unless it
is the third strike.
iv) There is no walking and no Hit-by-Pitch.
v) Kid Pitch - Spring only and optional per Coach decision
(1) At the start of each inning a kid can pitch up to 6 pitches to one batter.
(2) If the batter his the ball, it is a live ball.If the umpire calls 3 strikes it is an out
(3) After the six pitches, if there are still strikes or good pitches remaining, the Coach pitch
will take over
(a) There are no walks or hit by pitch
15) Strike Zone
a) The strike zone is defined as the area above home plate, from the batters armpit to their knees.
b) A liberal strike zone enlarges the normal strike zone on all sides by the width of the ball
(approximately 3½ inches). This effectively increases all dimensions by approximately 7 inches.
16) Speed-Up Rules
a) Courtesy runners are recommended for the following inning’s catcher and pitcher with two (2)
team outs.
b) Inning may start before the catcher is ready in order to speed up the game.
c) Infield practice between innings is at the umpire’s discretion but shall be limited to the time
allowed to the pitcher for warming up. The umpire may begin calling balls and strikes after two (2)
minutes.
17) Home Team
a) The Home Team uses the dugout along first base
AGSA PIGTAIL RULES- Pg. 4.
Spring/Fall- 2018
b) Home team keeps the official score. The home team coach is responsible for reporting the game
score through the SIPlay app or team website, or as an alternative, to the Pigtail Commissioner.
18) Game Rainouts
a) See 5.b.iii above.
19) Player Safety Gear
a) All players in the field must be wearing a glove.
b) The catcher must wear full protective equipment (to include shin guards, chest protector,
catcher’s helmet/mask).
c) Batter or player on base must wear a NOCSAE approved helmet with facemask.
20) Ball Specifications
a) All Pigtail divisions Games will use the 11” Easton Incrediball (softie ball).
21) Obstruction
a) The base runner unequivocally owns the baseline.
b) A defensive player cannot intentionally block any baseline, base, or home plate unless she is in
possession of the ball.
c) A defensive player must get out of the way of the runner unless she is fielding a hit ball or she is
drawn into the baseline or path of the runner by the act of actually receiving a throw at a
base/plate (that does not mean anticipating or waiting for a throw to be made).
d) If the defensive player is actually receiving a throw at a base/plate, the base runner must avoid
contact with the defensive player. If the runner goes into the base standing and causes serious
contact with the fielder, the umpire may call the runner out.
e) Some collisions may be unavoidable. Use good judgment and make every effort to avoid
collisions. A base runner that is perceived by the umpire to have intentionally “run over” another
player shall be called out and possibly ejected from the game based on umpire discretion.
22) Interference
a) A base runner must avoid contact with any hit ball and the defensive player attempting to field the
ball.
i) If the base runner makes contact with a hit ball, while advancing to a base, first, they will be
called out.
ii) If the base runner makes contact with a ball after it touches a defensive player, and is safe at
the base, they will be safe.
iii) If a base runner purposely interferes with a ball that changes the outcome of the play (picks
up the ball, kicks it away from the defense), the umpire will call them out.
b) The runner may run out of the baseline to avoid contact with the defensive player fielding a hit
ball or a defensive player that is drawn into their path or the baseline by any act of actually
receiving a throw.
c) A base runner may not run out of the baseline to avoid a tag.
d) A batter must get out of the way of the catcher if any play is being made at home plate. If the
batter interferes with the catcher’s ability to field a hit ball, receive a throw, or otherwise make a
play at home plate, the batter may be called out and/or the runner advancing to home plate
returned to 3rd base (both of which are at the discretion of the umpire based on perceived intent
and recidivisms.
e) If a ball hits the bucket of balls at the pitching mound, that hit will be deemed a dead ball
23) Offense
a) Players must bat in the batting order shared by her coach with the opposing coach.
b) Players shall bat in a continuous batting order. The lead off batter for each inning after the first
inning is the batter that follows the last batter to complete their at bat in the previous inning.
c) Every player shall be included in the batting order. Late arriving players shall be placed at the end
of the batting order.
d) A batter must bat within the batter’s box.
e) A batter shall not throw the bat. The first infraction shall result in a warning from the player’s
coach. Subsequent infractions, the player will be called out.
AGSA PIGTAIL RULES- Pg.5.
Spring/ Fall 2018
f) It is the duty of the batter to avoid being hit by a pitch. No batter shall be awarded a base for
being hit by a pitch.
g) No batter shall be awarded a base on balls.
h) A base runner may overrun 1 st base only. All other bases, the runner may be tagged out if they
are off the base.
i) Runners (including the batter runner) may take only one base on a hit that stays in the infield.
j) Hits to the outfield
i) A hit to the outfield occurs when the ball touches the outfield grass as a result of only the
force of being hit with the bat.
ii) For second grade teams, runners are allowed to advance one extra base but may be thrown
out at the next base.
iii) For third grade teams, runners may advance until the ball is in control in the infield. Runners
may be thrown out at any base. Runners not on a base at the moment that the defense gains
control of the ball in the infield are entitled to take the next base, but they are also liable to be
put out either advancing to the next base or retreating to the previous base. At any point that
a runner is on base after defensive infield control of the ball, that is the base they must stay
on.
k) One base runner may not pass another baserunner that is ahead of them.
l) Botched Plays - Any play to retire a runner at any base or return the ball to the pitcher that results
in the defense losing control of the ball is considered a dead ball.
m) An inning is over when three (3) outs are achieved by defending team or five runs are scored by
the offensive team.
n) Umpire shall be responsible for making all calls on bases.
o) Other than the designated coach pitcher at the appropriate times and 1 st and 3 rd base coaches,
no coach may be on the playing field or on the sidelines whether along the infield or outfield.
24) Defense
a) No player may sit more than one consecutive inning per game, unless injured or exhibiting poor
sportsmanship. Coaches are encouraged to give all players equal playing time.
b) Coaches are encouraged to play all players at different positions.
c) The designated outfielders must be positioned in the outfield grass when the ball crosses home
plate. If there is not any grass, then the players should be positioned beyond an invisible arc
which starts ten (10) feet behind first base, continues ten (10) feet behind second base and ends
ten (10) feet behind third base.
d) The defensive team is allowed a maximum of 1 coach on the infield and no more than 2 coaches
can be on the field of play (infield and outfield combined).
25) Other
a) Coaches must immediately report any incidents (including, but not limited to, injuries, umpire
abuse, etc.) to the Pigtail Commissioner.
b) No player, coach and/or parent shall argue with, assault, berate, or otherwise harass or intimidate
any umpire. No player, coach and/or parent shall unduly influence or question any call of any
umpire except as otherwise provided herein. In full force and effect is a “hands off” policy by any
player, coach and/or parent with respect to any umpire. Any call by a umpire is presumed correct.
Violators will face penalties, including, but not limited to, immediate suspension from coaching
duties or playing time or being suspended from the field/stands area for future games. Any
problem with an umpire must be immediately reported by the coach to the Pigtail Commissioner.
Any corrective action taken by the Pigtail Commissioner shall not alter the outcome of a game but
shall be for instructional purposes only.
c) Coaches are responsible for encouraging their players, other coaches, and players’ parents to
maintain the highest standards of sportsmanlike conduct.
26) Post Season Play (Spring Only)
a) For spring only, game scores will be reported and standings will be maintained.
AGSA PIGTAIL RULES- Pg.6.

Spring/Fall- 2018
b) Scores are to be reported by the home team by the end of the day that the game is played using
the SIPlay app or the SIPlay team website. If technical difficulties are encountered, scores may
be emailed to the Pigtail Commissioner.
c) Standings are automatically maintained by the SIPlay system and are available on the app, team
website and AGSA website.
d) Standings will be determined first by win/loss record within the division using the “games back”
method. Ties are broken using the following methods, in the listed order: head-to-head record,
total run differential (total run for minus total runs against), runs for and then runs against.
e) The exact playoff format shall be determined by the Pigtail Commissioner and will depend on
number of teams and field availability. Tournament seeding will be based on regular season
standings. Typical tournament formats are:
i) Pigtail West (2nd grade) – Single elimination or round robin. The goal is to keep the
tournament to a single day and have teams play no more than two games.
ii) Pigtail East (3rd grade) – Single elimination tournament with preliminary rounds played on a
Saturday and the championship game played on the following day.
27) The Pigtail Commissioner reserves the right to add to, amend, change, modify and/or clarify the
above rules during the course of the season. Any such amendments, changes, modifications and/or
clarifications shall have prospective effect and shall not be retroactively applied.
28) The effective date of the above rules is March 21, 2018.

Pigtail Rules - Spring 2018 (1).pdf