NORTHERN ILLINOIS PRINCESS LEAGUE
BYLAWS
THE PURPOSE OF THIS LEAGUE IS TO PROMOTE SOFTBALL, ENCOURAGE SPORTSMANSHIP, AND GIVES YOUNG WOMEN A CHANCE TO SHOW THEIR ATHLETIC ABILITY, WHILE PROVIDING VALUABLE RECREATION.
1. Officers: The league’s governing board will consist of four officers:
-President -Secretary
-Vice-president -Treasurer
Officers will maintain their office for one year, but may be re-elected. Officer nomination and election to be
Held at final meeting of the season, to be determined by current acting officers.
2. Rule Book: The National Federation of State High School Associations rule book as used by the Illinois
High School Association will be used. This league will use fast pitch rules only. No additions or subtractions of these rules will be permitted, unless otherwise stated in the bylaws. (See attachments) This can be done only by a vote from the team managers, league board, or rules committee.
3. Dues: League dues will be sixty dollars ($60.00) per team per year.
4. Insurance: Each team must carry insurance to cover all girls participating. Policy number must be on the roster sheet.
No team will be allowed to play until they have shown proof of insurance . Practice sessions prior to being insured will be at your own risk.
5. Season: The playing season may start in May before school is out. The playing season will end in August before school resumes. Dates are subject to change each year.
8U-12U-17U – will play Tuesdays & Thursdays (plus weekends if needed)
10U-14U – will play Mondays & Wednesdays (plus weekends if needed)
6. League: This league will consist of five age divisions: 17U, 14U, 12U, 10U, and 8U. The number of teams in each division is unlimited, but must consist of at least four teams.
7. Age: 17U Division: 17 and Under – A player who is 17 years or less on Sept. 1, 2007 is eligible
14U Division: 14 and Under – A player who is 14 years or less on Sept. 1, 2007 is eligible
12U Division: 12 and Under – A player who is 12 years or less on Sept. 1, 2007 is eligible
10U Division: 10 and Under – A player who is 10 years or less on Sept. 1, 2007 is eligible
8U Division: 8 and Under - A player who is 8 years or less on Sept. 1, 2007 is eligible
8. Roster: The number of teams for each town, league fees, and rosters must be turned in by a date established at the first league meeting of each year. The roster should contain the following:
-Manager’s name -manager’s address
-Manager’s phone number -insurance policy number
-Player’s names -player’s birthdates
No players may be added or changed to a different roster after the turn in date. Girls that move in after the roster deadline can be added to that town’s roster. No girl may be on more than one NIPL roster. She may play up (10U can play on 12U etc.) but if she is on a 12U roster, she may not play for a 10U team, even if her age makes her eligible.
9. Diamonds: The home team manager must provide a suitable playing field by game time, which includes having a safety base for first base. If the game is called because of inclement weather, the home team manager must call the visiting manager by 4:00 p.m. (unless last minute weather problems occur). The home team manager shall, at this time, set a date for the make-up game. Please make every attempt to have fields striped for all games at all levels.
10. Game Time: Each game is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. 14Uand 17U may have games start as late as 8:00 p.m. if a lighted diamond is available and both coaches agree to this time change. A 15-minute delay will be allowed; however, after 15 minutes, the team causing the delay will forfeit the game and the score will be logged as 7-0.
11. Infield: Each team should be allowed infield practice at least 10 minutes before game time.
12. Line-up: Line-ups must be given to the other team 10 minutes before game time.
13. Umpires: Home team must furnish two (2) umpires, 10U and 12U may play with only one. 10U and 12U umpires must be at least 16 years old. 14U are to use a patched umpire behind the plate if possible, otherwise they must be a high school graduate or older. 17U is encouraged to have a patched umpire behind the plate; otherwise the umpire must be at least 21 years old. 8U teams do not use umpires since scores are not kept.
14. Balls: The home team at all divisions will provide one new and one slightly used ball for each game played. 8U will use an 11inch ball (safety or regular) – 10U will use an 11inch regular ball (not a rubber or safety ball) – 12U, 14U and 17U will use a 12 inch ball.
15. Time Limit: No new inning may start after 8:00 p.m. In the case of an 8:00 p.m. start time, no new inning may start after 10:00 p.m. Game will be considered official after 5 innings or 2-hour time limit. No new inning can be started after 2 hours of play.
16. Uniforms: The uniform is to be of decent and proper attire for softball. Shoes are to be tennis shoes or rubber spikes. No steel spikes allowed. A helmet, with a face mask, is mandatory for U17 and recommended for U14.
17. Scores: The winning team manager must report game results to division rep at the completion of each game. Any games not reported one (1) week before the end of that division’s season will be marked as a loss for both teams.
18. Divisional Ties: In the event of a tie in standings, the following would apply in the order listed below:
• division record
• head to head
• overall NIPL record
• one game playoff on a neutral diamond with neutral umpires and a coin toss to determine home team
19. Post Season tournament : Format for the post season tournaments will be determined on a yearly basis.
All Star Game : Format for the All-Star Game will be determined on a yearly basis.
20. Voting: One (1) team per town equals one (1) vote. Two or more teams per town will only be able to cast two (2) votes per town.
21. Awards: Individual trophies will be awarded to all divisional champs. A different trophy will be awarded to the league champs as a result of the Post Season Tournament. All star team members will also receive awards.
22. Secretary: The league secretary will receive $125.00 each year for his-her time.
23. Elections: Election of officers for the following year will be at the first meeting of the year.
24. Rescheduling: The home team will present the opposing manager with two (2) options for rescheduling a game within two (2) weeks of the original date. If the game is not rescheduled or played within this time frame, the team causing the delay will forfeit. If a game should need to be rescheduled again due to inclement weather, it must be done within one (1) week or team causing the delay will forfeit. If the last game of the season is postponed, it must be played within 72 hours of the original date or the team causing the delay must forfeit. Rescheduling should only be done in the event of graduation ceremonies or inclement weather, unless the two teams decide otherwise. In the event of a dispute, the deciding rule on forfeiture will be decided by the President and the Scheduling Committee.
25. Protesting a Game: SEE RULE 4-4-1 AND 10-2-3I
YOU MUST MAKE YOUR PROTEST KNOWN AT THE TIME OF THE INFRACTION OR EVENT CAUSING THE PROTEST. NOTIFY OPPOSING COACH AND THE OFFICIALS YOU WISH TO PLAY THE GAME UNDER PROTEST –FOLLOW UP WITH NOTIFICATION OF THE RULES COMMITTEE .
A team wishing to protest a game must submit the protest to any member of the Rules committee within 24 hours via e-mail, fax, or phone. This must be followed up in writing along with a $10.00 filing fee within 3 days. In the event your protest is upheld, your filing fee will be refunded. The opposing coach will then be notified by a member of the Rules Committee and will have three (3) days to submit their interpretation of the infraction. Failure to do so will result in an automatic forfeit. The rules Committee will review and notify both coaches of the decision made. All decisions are final and are not up for review.
26. NO SLIDE RULE: SEE RULE 8-4-2 , Page 58 of NFHS RULE BOOK
In the middle of the page, it states: “NOTE: Runners are never required to slide, but if the runner elects to slide, the slide shall be legal.”
SEE RULE 2-15, pages 24-25 of NFSH RULE BOOK for the definition of a legal slide.
27. HOME PLATE IS FAIR: SEE RULE 1-3-2 , page 13.
SEE ALSO ATTACHMENTS FOR SPECIAL LEAGUE RULES AND SPECIAL DIVISION RULES
LEAGUE RULES 2007
*(New Rule Changes for 2007 Season)
1. You must have 9 players to start a game, but may continue with 8 if one is injured, etc. If at any time during the game a player who is in the batting line-up at the beginning of the game (continuous with all batters or just batting nine players) is injured and must be removed from the game the following applies: When the injured players next time at bat occurs – 1. She may be removed from the line up for the remainder of the game – No out will be charged for her at bats, but she may not return to the game. 2. She may forfeit her at bat for this round with the option of returning to the lineup at a later time if able – An out will be charged for each time she does not bat for the remainder of the game. This rule applies to 14U and 17U divisions. 12Uand 10U will not be charged and out for injured players not batting. (See 12U and 10U by-laws)
2. Slaughter Rule – 15 run rule applies after 5 complete innings – 20 run rule applies at the end of 3 or 4 complete innings
3. No designated hitters are allowed
4. You may borrow up players with notification to opposing manager prior to start of game.
5. Helmets are mandatory (with face masks are mandatory for U17 and recommended for U14); to be worn while batting, while running bases, and by players coaching bases.
* ( Face mask will be required on helmets for 14 U and 12 U for 2008 season and 10 U in 2009 season)
6) * Umpires are required to were a face mask at all times when behind Home Plate.
7. The number of scheduled games will be a minimum of 12 per season. (If possible)
8. 14U and 17U division teams may use a continuous batting order and free substitution. Opposing coach and umpire must be notified at the time of line-up exchanges.
9. GAMES ENDING IN A TIE – Use international tie breaking rules.
After the 6 th or 7 th inning (depending on the age group), if the game is tied and must go into
Extra innings to determine a winner, the following would apply:
--The visiting team would place their last out from the previous inning on second base, then that half of the inning would be played as usual. Same applies to the home team when they bat in the bottom of the inning. This would continue until one team has won. Please note, this is the last out of the previous inning, not the last batter of that inning.
U8 FORMAT 2007
*New Rule Changes for 2007 Season.
1. PURPOSE: To provide a level of play for girls who are not quite ready to play at the
10U Girls Softball level and to provide a more competitive level for
Older Tee Ball girls.
2. AGE : The ages of the present T-Ball and Girls Softball will remain the same so
that towns which do not have enough children to fill an extra roster can still compete at the old level, and families with more than one child on a team may stay together. Children with more advanced softball skills should be encouraged to move up to the next level.
3. FORMAT: This league will combine the rules of T-Ball and 10U Softball
a. The game will last no longer than 1 1/2 hours
b. Games will start at 6:00 p.m.
c. * each batter will have 5 pitches thrown by a coach or a pitching
machine
d. After three swings the batter must hit off the tee.
e. There will be no strike-outs, walks, stolen bases or lead-offs
f. All players will bat in a continuous order
g. Field dimensions will be the same as 10U softball – 30 foot
Pitching plate, 50 foot bases
h. A 5 run per inning rule (similar to 10U) will apply
i. No final score will be taken
j. KEEP IN MIND THIS IS STILL AN INSTRUCTIONAL
LEAGUE – GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP, TEAM PLAY AND
BASIC SOFTBALL FUNDAMENTALS SHOULD BE
STRESSED!!!
GAMES SHOULD BE PLAYED IN A FUN ATMOSPHERE
4. THE 8U LEAGUE IS EXCLUDED FROM ANY POST-SEASON TOURNAMENT OR ALL STAR GAME
* New Rule Changes for 2007 Season.
1. * (No Coach pitching after 4 walks.) All pitching must be done by the players.
(In the final inning of the game after 8 walks by any number of pitchers, the offensive team’s coach will finish pitching the inning a coach can not walk a batter but can strike out a batter.)
2. Home team supplies 11” softball - one new and one slightly used – not a rubber or safety ball
3. Only 5 runs per inning may be scored by either team, except for the 6 th inning and after. For slaughter rule see RULE #2 under League By-Laws. (If a player hits a home run, etc. with runners on base, there may still be only 5 total runs scored for that inning.) Regular games consist of 6 completed innings.
4. *Use 35’ pitching distance – 60’ base distance
5. No stealing.
6. No dropped third strike
7. May field 10 players, all fielders may be anywhere in fair territory, except the catcher, which must be in the catcher’s box.
8. No infield fly rule
9. No bunting
10. Everyone must play 2 defensive innings
11. Free substitutions with no restrictions. (This refers to any position)
12. Must bat everyone not just defensive players. The batting order must remain the same for the entire game.
13. If a team drops players from the original batting lineup due to injury at any time during the game – there will be no out charged for missed batters.
14. If a rule is on this page…IT IS A LEAGUE RULE AND THE GAME SHALL BE PLAYED ACCORDING TO THIS RULE. If the rule is not listed on this page, the IHSA Rule Book for the current year shall be the rule which will be enforced.
15. *NOTE: A runner may not leave the base until the pitch has left the pitchers hand. In other words, as soon as the ball leaves the pitchers hand, the runner may jump off the base she is on and begin running to the next base. Coaches should instruct their players in proper base running (watching for grounders, tagging on fly balls, and returning to the base by the time the pitcher has the ball and is in the pitchers circle or on the mound). There will be NO picking off of runners returning to the base after a leadoff.
16. If a batter is hit by a pitch after it has hit the ground, it is the judgment of the umpire if the batter made some attempt to get out of the way of the pitch. If the umpire feels the batter made an attempt, then the batter will be awarded 1 st base. If the umpire feels no attempt has been made, a ball will be called.
17. If a batter is hit by a pitch, it will be considered one of the four walks which the pitcher is allowed that inning
U12 RULES 2007
*New Rule Changes for 2007 Season.
1. No dropped third strike
2. May field 10 players
3. No infield fly rule
4. Maximum of 5 runs may be scored in an inning, except for the last complete inning as determined by the umpire. (If a player hits a home run, etc. with runners on, there may still be only 5 total runs scored for that inning) Regular games consist of 7 completed innings .
5. * 35’ pitching distance and 60’ base distance
6. Everyone must play 2 defensive innings
7. Free substitution with no restrictions. (This refers to any position)
8. Must bat everyone, not just defensive players. Batting order must remain the same for the entire game.
9. If a team drops players from the original batting lineup due to injury at any time during the game – there will be no out charged for missed batters.
10. * Stealing – will be allowed during ALL innings and from ALL bases unless the team has established a 7 run lead. At that time a player may not advance by stealing the next base unless this is the final inning of the game then stealing is unlimited. Lead offs will be allowed when the pitched ball leaves the pitchers hand.
11. Bunting IS allowed
12. If a rule is on this page… IT IS A LEAGUE RULE AND THE GAME SHALL BE PLAYED ACCORDING TO THIS RULE. If a rule is not listed on this page, the IHSA Rule Book for the current year shall be the rule which will be enforced.
13. * NOTE: A runner may not leave the base until the pitch has left the pitchers hand. In other words, as soon as the ball leaves the pitchers hand, the runner may jump off the base she is on and begin running. Coaches should instruct their players in proper base running. (Watching for grounders, tagging on fly balls, and returning to the base by the time the pitcher has the ball and is in the circle or on the mound.) Each team will be awarded one warning about leaving early before the umpire begins to call the runner out.
14. If a batter is hit by a pitch after it has hit the ground, it is the judgment of the umpire if the batter made some attempt to get out of the way of the pitch. If the umpire feels the batter made an attempt, then the batter will be awarded 1 st base. If the umpire feels no attempt has been made, a ball will be called.