TABLE OF CONTENTS Article One   Article of Organization Article II        Objectives Article III       Definitions Article IV      Membership Article V       Government Article VI Traveling League Administration Article VII Teams and Rosters Article VIII  Team Formation Article IX     General Rules Article X   Twilight Division Article XI    Junior Division Article XII       Junior Major Article XIII       Field Layout Article XV Tournament Rules Article XVI Scholarship Award Program

Welcome to G.I.R.L.S

1. To promote and assist in the organization of girls amateur softball.

1. To provide an organization wherein girls may compete with each other as members of a team for the pleasure and recreation they may derive therefrom.

1. To emphasize by example and direction the fundamentals of good sportsmanship in victory and defeat.

1. To stress the importance of organized team endeavor wherein individual ability and technical skill is secondary to the rewarding enthusiasm of sharing with each other the thrill of team accomplishments.

1. To adopt and publish uniform rules of competition.

1. To conduct an annual post season tournament (known as the Nancy Duncan Memorial Tournament) to determine the division champions and to award the Bill Jackson Sportsmanship trophies.

1. To organize traveling teams into a structured and controlled regular league season.

1. The GIRLS Association will establish a college scholarship award program.  The dollar amount of the program will be approved by a majority of members present at the January meeting of each year.  The funds, as approved, will be paid from the general checking account.  For further information of application and requirements, see ARTICLE XV, GIRLS COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD PROGRAM.

1. DIVISIONS:  A grouping of teams based on age and level of play.  GIRLS recognizes the following divisions: Twilight Minor (B), Twilight Major (A, B and B-Select), Junior Minor (A, B and B-Select), Junior Major (A, B and B-Select), Intermediate Minor (A and B), Intermediate Major (A and B) and Seniors (A and B).  For GIRLS tournament play teams will play in their division declared level.

2. AREA:  An area shall be a community or responsible group organizing one or more teams.  A member is one with teams holding membership in GIRLS.

3. LEAGUE:  A league shall be a group of two or more teams from one or more areas playing scheduled games with each other.

4. A, B and B-Select: Levels of team competition: B is generally recreation teams formed from a player evaluated blind draw.  B-Select is generally recreation teams formed from CORE roster and selected players.  A is generally select teams.

5. BLIND DRAW:  A method of player selection, which does not reveal their identity, for placement on a team

1. Area Membership

1. A community or responsible group organization (area) must make written application to be a member area of GIRLS.
2. A senior officer of the area making the application must commit their organization (officers, umpires, coaches and players) to abide by the goals, rules and provisions of the GIRLS Articles of Organization.
3. New member area must be approved by a majority vote of the current area membership.
4. Area membership is retained until a senior officer of the area declares non-membership in writing, or a member area fails to keep their commitment to a degree that their removal is proposed, seconded and agreed to by a majority vote of the current area membership at a regular or called meeting.
5. An area that does not participate in the GIRLS organization within any one-year period will automatically lose any and all rights of membership to GIRLS.
6. If any area missing three consecutive regular meetings without representation, the area will be placed on probation or expelled.

2. Team Membership

1. Team membership shall be teams formed, registered and maintained in accordance with these Articles.
2. Team Membership dues are  $15.00 per team per year. 
3. Membership areas must register all girls teams in the respective areas by April 1st of each new season (exceptions must be approved by the GIRLS executive board).  Teams are also encouraged to join ASA at the same time.

1. The Board of Directors shall be comprised of elected officers (president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and Chairman of the Board) and a representative from each area.  The Chattanooga District Junior Olympic Youth Commissioner is invited to serve ex-officio.  GIRLS shall be governed by the Board of Directors, which is empowered to interpret and direct these Articles and has sole authority to act upon their application.

1. Elected officers shall serve one year from October 1st through September 30th or until elections can be held

1. The Board shall appoint committees as necessary for the welfare of the organization.

1. The Board shall appoint a committee of three or more Board members to consider major protests and questions of unsportsmanlike conduct on the part of a team or area.  Board members from areas concerned shall not serve on the protest committee but may be present during deliberation.  The decision of the protest committee may be appealed to the Board of Directors to vote.  THEIR DECISION IS FINAL.

1. The Board shall schedule regular meeting.  The President shall call special meetings upon verbal request of one-fifth or more of the area representatives.  A quorum shall consist of greater than 50% of the area representative.  The President shall preside at meeting of the Board.  The GIRLS Association will meet the second Wednesday of each month, except for July and August, at a time and place agreed to by a majority of the membership at large.

1. Meetings shall be open to all interested persons and anyone may have a “voice without vote”.  Only area representatives or their designated alternate may vote.  Board members can vote only as area representatives.  A majority of votes present shall decide all questions put to vote.

1. A checking account in the name of GIRLS shall be established with a local banking institution.  All receipts belonging to GIRLS shall be deposited in a timely fashion.  Use of GIRLS funds shall be by check signed by two unrelated officers.  Use of GIRLS funds must be approved by Board vote except $100.00 per playing season, which only requires two unrelated officers.  Treasurer’s report should be made at each meeting and must be made at meeting held in May and June.

1. The assets and debts of GIRLS are the obligation of the Board of Directors and shall be controlled by the vote of the Board.  No debts in excess of assets shall be incurred by GIRLS.  Should the organization be dissolved by vote of lack of attention, the debts shall be the burden of the members of the Board and the assets after debts shall be returned to the member areas prorated by team membership.

1. Changes to these Articles require passage in two consecutive meetings during the months of September through January.

1. The GIRLS Executive Board shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Chairman of the Board.

1. The Traveling League Commissioners (TLC) shall establish the traveling league schedule with appropriate input from the teams involved.  The schedule shall include any locally imposed time limits, names of coaches and their phone numbers.  The TLC will decide on any schedule changes.  Before a game is postponed, a second date must be set for the postponed game.  The TLC will be in charge of keeping, posting and disseminating the results of games, postponements and rainouts.  The Head Coaches of the winning team must inform the TLC of the score within twenty-four (24) hours after the game.

1. A forfeit fee of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) will be applicable to any traveling league regular season game.  Prior to the start of the regular season a check, from your association made payable to GIRLS, must be submitted.  If your association has no forfeits filed against it your original check will be returned at the end of the season.  You must contact the coach and the Area Representative to notify them of any cancellation twenty-four- (24) hours prior to game time to keep from paying the forfeit fee.
2. A protest fee of twenty-five ($25.00) will be applied to any traveling league season game.  Protest fees are made payable to GIRLS.  The TLC shall assemble a protest committee of at least three (3) knowledgeable but disinterested individuals to rule on protest.  If protest is lost, the $25.00 goes to the GIRLS treasury.  If protest is won, the $25.00 is returned to the protesting coach.  In the absence of the TLC, the protest committee shall be assembled by the local area representative, local league representative or local organization official.

1. Divisions are named as follows:

1. Twilight Minor                                                  Five (5) – Six (6)
2. Twilight Major                                                  Seven (7) – Eight (8)
3. Junior Minor                                                     Nine (9) – Ten (10)
4. Junior Major                                                     Eleven (11) – Twelve (12)
5. Intermediate Minor                                           Thirteen (13) – Fourteen (14)
6. Intermediate Major                                           Fifteen (15) – Sixteen (16)
7. Senior                                                              Seventeen (17) – Eighteen (18)

1. Clarification:  Teams are expected to play in the age bracket appropriate to their age.

1. Age for any season is that age attained on or before December 31st of the previous year.  Each area representative shall verify birth dates by birth certificates, hospital record or any other legal document.  Should protest take place questioning birth date, it is the responsibility of the alleged team to produce proof of birth date.

1. Any girl may play up one (1) age group, but after four (4) regular season games are played by the team, she may not change age groups during the current season.  Clarification:  This rule may not be used to such an extent as to circumvent the intent of the age bracket designation

1. GIRLS will furnish a standard roster form to be completed and signed as specified on the form.  This roster must be turned into the Area Representative by April 1st.  The Area Representative must turn the April roster into the GIRLS Secretary no later than the April meeting (The Executive Board must approve any exceptions).  A copy of this April roster, original if no changes or amended, with added players will be turned in at the time of the GIRLS Tournament draw if the team is going to play in the GIRLS Tournament.  NOTE:  Any violation of this rule by any team or teams will result in the offenders not being allowed to play in the GIRLS Organization until rosters are turned into the GIRLS Secretary or designee.

1. A girl may play for only one (1) team whether it be GIRLS affiliation or any other organized team except:

1. As provided for in ASA, older players are also eligible to play in an adult program.
2. Girls playing in a school softball program during school months will be allowed to register in their respective areas for GIRLS softball.  A slot will be left for her on the team, but she will not be allowed to participate in any practice or regular season games until her school season is complete.
3. Tournament pickups roster for tournaments, which permits pickups, must include the names of pickups.  The GIRLS tournament does not allow nor permits pickups.  ASA permits two (2) pickups when advancing in Championship play.
4. League game pickups-lineup cards for game which permit pickups must indicate the player is a pickup.

1. Pickup players are permitted in some divisions to prevent forfeit.  Pickup players must be in the lineup at the beginning of the game.  If the regular team member arrives late, pickup players must be removed from the lineup at the end of the current inning.

1. Pickup players can come from her own division or one (1) division below.  A player may be picked up more than once to play in regular season league games, but not for the same team.

1. All girls playing under GIRLS affiliation shall not be allowed to participate in competition with any team if it conflicts with GIRLS scheduled league games or GIRLS sanctioned tournament from May 7th until the completion of the GIRLS tournament.  The GIRLS will schedule around teams participating in District and State tournaments.

1. GIRLS has adopted Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) softball fastpitch rules with some modifications and exceptions as delineated in these Articles for B Select and B Recreational competition.  It is incumbent upon each coach to join the ASA and obtain the Official Guide and RuleBook for the current years.  A complete knowledge and interpretation of the rules cannot be obtained by the use of these Articles.  Other elements of these Articles of Organization may also apply to this division.

1. There will be five (5) runs per half inning limit.

1. Any coach touching baserunner(s) while the ball is in play will cause the runner(s) to be out; other runner(s) may advance at own risk

1. The umpire has complete control of the game after he or she calls “Play Ball” and has the authority to eject any player, coach, assistant coach, parent or spectator from the ballpark.  Failure to abide by the umpire’s decision constitutes forfeit and /or removal of the offender from the game.

1. Coaches, assistant coaches and players will not be allowed to argue with judgement calls, such as, ball, strikes, balls being fair or foul and runners be safe or out, etc.

1. If a question should arise as to rule interpretation during a game, only the coach in charge may appeal.  This appeal must be made to the Umpire in Chief.

1. Prior to the start of the game, each coach or manager will give a batting order by name and number to the coach or manager of the opposing team.

1. Any player arriving after the beginning of the game will assume the last position in the batting order.

1. Each team must let all players bat according to the batting order.  If a player is sick, hurt or refuses to bat this must be brought to the other coaches and scorekeeper.  Failure to bat constitutes a team out.  The individual batters will resume their correct position in the batting order.

1. Batters and baserunners must wear ASA approved helmets with the face mask.

1. Throws must be attempted to be made overhand (intent is not to bowl the ball).  Violation of this rule will give the offensive coach the option of batting over or taking the results of the play.  (Umpire Judgement)
2. If a player is hurt or injured after the ball is batted, the offensive team may advance only one (1) base then time is called to attend to the injured player.

1. An injured player may reenter the game but must return to the same position in the batting order.

1. For safety reasons, coaches will caution players about slinging the bat.  Each child will receive one (1) warning from the umpire for slinging the bat.  Second offense per child results in an automatic out.  Umpires Judgement

1. Games will not result in a tie regardless of time limits unless the game is “called”.  Games tied after zero (0) extra innings will have subsequent innings started with the player making the last bat of the previous inning being placed on second base.  Regulation tie games are addressed in ASA rules.

1. One (1) time out will be allowed per one (1) inning per team one (1) minute each.  Time outs as a result of injury shall be an official time out and will not be counted against that teams number of allotted time outs.

1. A team failing to field at least nine (9) players within ten (10) minutes after game time shall forfeit the game.  When both teams fail to field nine (9) players within ten (10) minutes after game time, a double forfeit will result, resulting in a double loss.

1. All Bats for play in Girls shall have the ASA logo on the bat along with BPF 1.20 stamped on it.

1. Two (2) pickup players will be permitted per game to avoid forfeit for a maximum of nine (9) players.  Teams shall field at least seven (7) players from their regular season roster.  If a team uses pickup players, the coach must notify the opposing coach, umpire and scorekeeper before the start of the game by noting pickups on the lineup card.  Pickup players must play outfield and bat last.

1. Home team provides a new ball and visitors provide a playable ball.  Home team provides the official scorekeeper.

1. It is recommended, but not required, that two (2) umpires be assigned to each game and both umpires should be certified by some commonly recognized certifying organization.

1. If a time limit is used in the area where a game is being played, the home team must notify the visiting coach, umpire and scorekeeper before the start of the game.  Third out constitutes the start of the next inning.  Time limit to be put on the traveling league schedule.

1. CLARIFICATION:  The word A competition uses ASA rules without exceptions were not intended to prevent the use of the pickup rule.  Accordingly, the provisions of the pickup rule permitted in A competition.

1. CLARIFICATION:  The efforts of GIRLS to adopt ASA rules was not intended to invoke all  the rigor associated with player uniforms and coaches attire found in the ASA Official Guide and Rule Book.  Accordingly, pickup players are not expected to have uniforms, ball caps, sweatbands, visors can be mixed:  and coaches can dress as they please.  Should a player end up at the field with uniform problem; work it out and play ball.

1. CLARIFICATION:  The ASA words “Deliberately wearing the helmet improperly or deliberately removing the helmet during a live ball play and seen by the umpire as a deliberate act, shall cause the violator to be declared out immediately” do not apply when the helmet accidentally comes off.  It is the umpire’s judgement.

1. CLARIFICATION:  Whenever possible, play ball and protest whether or not the game should have been played later.  If you think you have a legitimate protest, inform the umpire and the other team that you are playing under protest, note the circumstances on the score book and play ball.  Resolve your protest in accordance with the rules within the allowable time limits.
   

1. Pitching rules of the ASA do not apply because a coach pitches.  Pitching coach must pitch past the twenty (20) foot arc and not past the thirty (30) foot arc, between the limits of the pitching circle.

1. Each team will play a regular six-(6) girl infield, 1b, 2b, 3b, SS, pitcher and catcher.  Outfielders must stay behind the three-(3) foot outfield line until the ball has been hit.  Violation of this rule will give the offensive coach the choice of batting over or taking the result of the play.  SS, 1b, and 3b players will be allowed to position themselves anywhere on the playing field between the foul lines.

1. The player playing the pitcher circle must keep one foot in the circle until the ball is hit.  Violation of this rule will result in the offensive team having the choice of taking the results of the play or declaring a no play.  EXCEPTION:  The defensive coach, for safety reasons, may move the pitcher straight back and vacate the circle.  The player must remain within the diameter of the pitching circle.  The pitcher may not move to the left or right of the pitching circle.

1. When the defensive team stops the progress of the front runner, the umpire will call “TIME”, play will stop and the ball will be dead.  Any other runner(s) pass the halfway mark will continue to the next  base unless occupied.  Any other runner(s) not to the halfway marker will go back to the previous base.  Base Runner(s) do not have to be on base to establish “stopping of progress”.   Umpires decision.

1. In the 5 and 6 year old each batter will be allowed five strikes (5) in five (5) pitches to hit the ball.  After the fifth (5) pitch the batter is out unless she fouled the ball on the fifth (5) pitch.

1. In the 7 and 8 year old each batter will be allowed three (3) strikes in five pitches to hit the ball.  After the fifth pitch the batter is out unless she fouled the ball on the fifth pitch

1. No more than two (2) defensive coaches allowed on the playing field at one time.  Defensive outfield coaches must stay behind the three (3) foot lines when the ball is in play and out of the way of advancing runner(s).  1st offense draws a warning or ejection based on the severity.  2nd offense draws an ejection.  Any actual obstruction is governed by ASA rules.

1. Offensive teams will be allowed three (3) coaches as follows:  one first base coach, one third base coach and one pitching coach.

1. If the batted ball hits an adult pitcher the ball is dead.  The adult pitcher must make an effort to keep from being hit by the batted ball.  (Umpires judgment, if no effort is made then the batter is out.)  1st offense draws a warning or ejection based on the severity.  2nd offense draws ejection.

1. All players present must play each inning with a maximum of fifteen (15) players.

1. A base runner(s) must be in contact with the base until a legally pitched ball reaches home plate.  Violation constitutes an out and ball is dead.

1. Catcher may play anywhere from the catcher’s box to the back screen.  Catchers must wear approved mask until the ball is hit, then it may be discarded to field the ball.

1. A regulation game is five (5) innings.  Both teams will play five (5) innings regardless of the score, provided both coaches agree before the start of the game.  If coaches cannot agree then the game will be called when the team behind cannot tie or score more runs than the team ahead before the end of four and one half (4 ½) innings or five (5) innings or the time limit is up.

1. If a game is “called” before three (3) complete innings of play, the game shall be played from the beginning at a later date.  If the game is “called”  after three (3) complete innings of play, the game will be declared a completed game unless it is tied, in which case it is a regulation tie game and is handled by ASA rules.

1. A base runner hit by a batted ball, before it passes an infield player (other than the pitcher) in the infield, is out.

1. The official ball of the 5 and 6 year old division shall be the 11”  47core  yellow optic.  This ball is to be used in all games; league and/or tournament play by the 5 and 6-yard old division.

1. The official ball of the 7 and 8 year old division shall be an eleven-(11) inch softball (optic yellow with a 47 core or ASA approved ball).  Home team provides a new ball and visitors provide a playable ball.   Home team also provides the official scorekeeper.

1. All other rules refer back to the General Rules Section

1. Ten players shall constitute a playing team; however, a team may play with nine (9) players to avoid a forfeit.

1. A regulation game is seven (7) innings.  Games shall be considered complete, if at the end of the 5th inning, a team is ahead by eight (8) or more runs.

1. Time limit shall be 1-½ hours.  Third out constitutes the beginning of the next inning.

1. If a game is “called” before four (4) complete innings of play, the game shall be played from the beginning at a later date.  If a game is “called” after four (4) complete innings of play the game will be declared a completed game unless it is tied in which case it is a regulation tie game and is handled by ASA rules.

1. Designated Player (DP) and Defense Only Player (DEFO) will not be used.

1. No infield fly rule.

1. No dropped third strike rule.  Base stealing refer to ASA rule.

1. The official ball is the 11” optic yellow or white ball with a 47 core or less, or any ball approved by ASA.

1. Stealing of bases shall be limited to one base per pitch including home. NO MORE.  Upon receiving a walk a runner cannot advance to second until another pitch has been thrown.
2. All other rules refer back to the General Rules Section.
3. Any rule not covered refer back to the ASA rulebook.

1. Ten (10) players shall constitute a playing team; however, a team may play with nine (9) player to avoid forfeit.

1. The official ball is the 12” optic yellow or white ball with a 47 core, or any ball approved by ASA

1. A regulation game is seven (7) innings.  Games shall be considered complete, if at the end of the 5th inning, a team is ahead by eight (8) or more runs.

1. If a game is “called” before five (5) complete innings of play, the game shall be played from the beginning at a later date.  If the game is “called” after five (5) complete innings of play the game will be declared a completed game unless it is tied in which it is a regulation tie game and handled by ASA rules.

1. Designated Player (DP) and Defense Only Player (DEFO) will not be used.

1. All other rules refer to the General Rules Section

1. Any rule not covered refer back to the ASA rulebook.
   

1. Bases are 60 feet.  There shall be a twenty (20) foot arc and a thirty (30) foot arc.
2. The ball must pass the twenty-(20) foot arc to be fair, the defensive player must remain behind the thirty-(30) foot arc until the ball is hit.
3. There shall be a 10ft line drawn behind first base and continue all the way around the field to behind third base. 
4. The pitching circle will be sixteen-(16) foot in diameter.
   Section B – Junior Minor (9-10)

1. Base paths will be sixty feet.
   

1. The GIRLS tournament will award alternately between the North and South of the river area.  Host area records is as follow

1. No pickup players allowed.  April roster is the official roster.  April rosters violating roster rules will not be accepted and therefore such teams(s) will not be eligible to play in the GIRLS Tournament.

1. $100.00 cash protest fee.  Fee returned to team(s) if protest is won.  $50.00 of this will go the to GIRLS and $50.00 will go to the host area treasury if protest is lost.  Protest must be made and settled before either team(s) next game.

1. Any team(s) forfeiting a tournament game due to inability to field a team within ten minutes (10) grace period, provided it is the team(s) 1st loss, will have the forfeit counted as a loss and must present $50.00 forfeit fee to the host area before their next scheduled game.

1. Umpires will be the responsibility of the host area. Paid by the host area

1. Daily admission will be $3.00 for adults, Monday through Friday, $5.00 for Adults Saturday and Sunday.  Senior Citizens will be $1.00 everyday.  Children twelve and under will be admitted free.  Teams will receive three (3) coaches passes to be used by the coaches only.  GIRLS elected officials and special guests will receive guest passes to be issued by the GIRLS secretary.  Umpires in uniform will be admitted free.  Host area workers, officials and special guests will be issued passes by the host area.

1. GIRLS organization will receive Twenty (20) percent of the tournaments gate and will supply all trophies.

1. After each game the umpires will rate the team(s) on a scale of 1 (poor) to 10 (great) relative to sportsmanship and provide this information to the tournament director.  Umpires shall vote for sportsmanship trophies making use of the information given to the tournament director.  Bill Jackson Sportsmanship Trophies will be awarded in all divisions.

1. Before the start of the game, the tournament director shall be the sole interpreter in declaring if a field is playable.  After the start of the game, the plate umpire shall be the sole interpreter in declaring if a field is playable.

1. “A” league teams will play “A” division only.  Intermediate Major and Senior Divisions (13-14 only) shall be divided into “B” and “C” divisions based on a regular season win/loss record of greater than fifty percent (50%) (“B”) and fifty percent (50%) or less being (“C”) at the time of the tournament draw for all “B” league teams only.  There must be a minimum requirement of six (6) teams for each division.

1. Time limits of 1-½ hours in all age division except there will be not time limit in the championship game.  Twilight games are one-(1) hour time limits except for the championship games where there is no time limit.

1. There is a $50.00 entry fee for each team entering the GIRLS year-end tournament.  This fee belongs to the host area.

1. A no show fee of fifty ($50.00) is due at the time of the tournament draw.  It is preferred this is to be a check made payable to the host area and clearly marked with the team name(s).  These fees are held by the GIRLS treasurer or their designee.  A no show fee may be reclaimed by the team(s) after their second loss unless the team(s) did not show up.  In which case, the fee may be claimed by the host area.  A forfeit paid for in accordance with Rule 4 is not considered a “NO SHOW FEE”.

1. Traveling team(s) with three (3) or more forfeits in the regular season of play will not be allowed in the GIRLS tournament.

1. The completion of the GIRLS tournament for a team(s) shall be interpreted to be when the teams(s) has been eliminated from competition.  A team(s) which intentionally forfeits games in the GIRLS tournament in order to play elsewhere in another tournament will be in violation of this rule.  Any infraction of this rule will result in immediate suspension of player, coaches and adults involved for the remainder of the current season and the following season.  Anyone allowing a suspended individual to participate before the suspension is lifted will be subject to further disciplinary action by the GIRLS Board of Directors.  This applies to team(s) playing traveling schedule and team(s) playing in closed leagues.

1. The host area will provide officials scorekeepers, scorebooks and pencils for all games.  Official scorekeepers must communicate to the teams through the plate umpire and not directly to the teams.  Score books must be retained until the end of the tournament.

1. A protest committee will be established by the Umpire in Chief.

1. At the time of the draw, each area representative will be responsible for the final roster for each team participating from his/her area in the tournament.  The final roster is the GIRLS tournament roster and must match the GIRLS April 1st roster player for player.  A violation of roster rule will cause offending team(s) to be ejected from the GIRLS tournament.

• The applicant must be a graduating senior.
• The applicant must have a grade point average of 3.5 based on a 4.0 scale.
• The applicant must have a minimum SAT score of 975 or minimum ACT score of 18
• The applicant must have played two years of varsity fast-pitched softball.
• The applicant has NOT been accepted to an accredited college on an athletic scholarship either partial or full.
• The applicant must have distinguished herself in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Character.
• There must be two (2) letters of recommendation.  One must be from the high school coach.
• The GIRLS Association reserves the right to select the applicant on an as needs basis

 

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