Cornwall Kinsmen Girls Softball
Recreational Association Bylaws
Please Note: Cornwall Kinsmen Girls Softball follow Softball Canada and Softball Ontario rules first and foremost. For clarification on rules not written here, please refer to those governing bodies. The bylaws written below are put into place to help our games only.
NOTE: Updates for the 2024 Season are highlighted
General rules for all divisions
1. League provided jerseys must be always worn to be eligible to play. Black ball pants or black shorts (minimum 5” of length) must be worn. Jersey must not be covered up. If a jersey is not available, the player will have to sit out.
2. Each player must supply their own CSA approved batting helmet with face protection and functioning chin strap used for batting and running of bases. Helmets must be always worn in the dugout.
a. Teams will be charged 1 out for each offense. Defensive teams will have the out administered during the team’s next at-bat.
3. No jewelry can be worn, except for medical alert bracelets. No nose rings, earrings or hoops that cannot be covered with tape.
a. Team will be charged an out for each offense, the player will be ejected on the 2nd offense.
4. All players are to be rotated equally to the best of the coach’s ability.
a. Coaches, please consider using sportsmanship, and remind the opposing coach of players you feel have not been rotated within the division’s ‘official game’ time.
5. All divisions must have at least 7 players per team to officially play a game, except for the U9 division, which can start with 6 players.
a. There will be NO call ups this season.
6. The home team is responsible for score sheets, game balls and putting out the bases, for the early games, or putting away the bases at the end of night.
7. The chief umpire, or a member of the executives, will call rain delays for evening games prior to 6:30. Plate umpire will call rain delays on the field after 6:30.
a. Information will be posted to our Facebook page. Please follow us to receive updates.
8. Each team may have a maximum of 3 non-players (coaches), over the age of 18, on the team bench at the same time. This includes the 2 individuals helping on the field.
9. Catcher speed up rule is in effect for all divisions.
a. With 2 outs, if your catcher is on base, inform the umpire and switch out that player with the last recorded out. This gives time for the catcher to be ready, once the inning is over.
10. Late players can enter the game at any time. Their name will be added to the bottom of the lineup.
11. Game sheets MUST be submitted by the home team, through our website within 24 hours of game completion.
a. Failure to do so will result in the home team forfeiting the game.
12. Zero tolerance for abuse of players, game officials/umpires. Zero chances. The player or coach will be ejected from the game and MAY be required to appear before the executive committee for a hearing.
a. This includes the use of foul language in any situation.
NOTE: There will be a 2 game Penalty for ejections. The game currently being played and the following game.
U9 division
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All players must be younger than 9 years of age, as of the start of the calendar year
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Games will be played at Kinsmen park.
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Home team to use 1st baseline bench
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Home team to set up the bases and put them away
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Home team responsible to lock up bathroom, after the game
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Bases are 55 feet away.
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11” ‘practice’ ball will be used
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Players should play both infield and outfield in every game.
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Players will receive 5 pitches from the coach. If the batter is unsuccessful in hitting the pitched ball, the batter will have 2 attempts to hit the ball off the tee.
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An on-deck batter must be ready, in the circle, at all times.
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A runner can use the first base white bag only to avoid contact with the defensive player or trying to advance to second base.
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Runners can only advance once the ball is hit.
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Ball must be hit to the outfield to advance more than one base. If the ball is hit to the outfield, the player can run until the ball leaves the hand of the outfielder.
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If the pitcher (coach) is hit by a ball hit by the batter, the ball is considered dead, and the pitch doesn’t count.
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In case of an overthrow by an infielder to another base, play will stop, and the runner will return to the previous base unless over half way to extra base.
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Tip foul must be at least 6 feet in height to be called out, if caught.
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Infielders (other than 1st base) must throw to 1st base to attempt an out at 1st base.
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Maximum of 10 batters per inning or if less than 9 players, whole lineup.
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Only 10 players are allowed on the field at one time.
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Batting team can only have one coach pitching and a maximum of 2 coaches on the field, one each at 1st or 3rd. The defensive team is allowed a maximum of 2 coaches on the field.
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No new innings will start after 7:00.
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All players must be ready to play, before this time
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If the start of the game is delayed, for whatever reason, stop times must be adjusted accordingly to allow the game to complete enough innings to be considered official.
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Once an inning starts, it must be completed
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Official game consists of a minimum of 2 completed innings.
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Both team coaches will officiate the game.
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NO Coaches challenges on ANY play
U13/11 combined division
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All players must be younger than 13 years of age, as of the start of the calendar year
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Games will be played at Kinsmen Park.
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Bases are 60 feet away.
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Pitching plate will be set at 38 feet
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11” ball will be used
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Players should play both infield and outfield in every game.
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Players will receive 4 pitches from a player. If the batter is unsuccessful in hitting the pitched ball, the batter will receive 2 pitches from the coach. Unsuccessful attempts at hitting a ball from the coach will result in the player being 'out'. If the last pitch by the coach is fouled, another pitch will be given.
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Pitchers MUST wear a face mask. It is STRONGLY recommended that all infielders also wear a mask, but not enforced. Each team bag has some provided, but it is recommended that each player purchase their own.
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An on-deck batter must be ready, in the circle, at all times.
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A runner can use the first base white bag only to avoid contact with the defensive player or trying to advance to second base.
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Runners can only advance once the ball is hit.
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Tip foul must be at least 6 feet in height to be called out, if caught.
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Infielders (other than 1st base) must throw to 1st base to attempt an out with every hit.
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Maximum 4 runs per inning or 3 outs, whichever comes first
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The mercy rule is in effect.
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Only 9 players are allowed on the field at one time.
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Infield fly rule in effect, but Time will be called and no runner(s) can advance
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All players must play outfield or sit out, for one inning, in every game
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Outfielders must play on grass, in fair territory.
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Runners can attempt to advance 1 base only on an overthrow.
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Coaches must keep records of rotation of players, to be presented if challenged by other coaches, umpires or executive members.
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No new innings will start after 7:10pm or 8:40pm.
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All players must be ready to play, before this time
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If the start of the game is delayed, for weather reasons, stop times must be adjusted accordingly to allow the game to complete enough innings to be considered official.
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Once an inning starts, it must be completed
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Official game consists of a minimum of 2 completed innings.
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1 umpire system
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NO Coaches challenges on ANY play
U15 Division
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All players must be younger than 15 years of age, as of the start of the calendar year
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Pitching plate will be set at 40 feet
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Bases will be set to 60 feet
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12” ball will be used
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Games will be played at King George park.
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Home team will use the bench along the 1st baseline.
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Home team to set up the bases, if early game, and put them away, if late game
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Home team responsible to lock up bathroom, after the late game
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Maximum 5 runs per inning or 3 outs, whichever comes first
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The mercy rule is in effect.
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Pitchers
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Maximum innings pitched is 3 and CANNOT be the 1st 3 consecutive innings.
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Any new pitchers entering partway through an inning, will have the inning counted towards their number of innings pitched.
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No more than 3 hit batters in any 1 inning, or 5 over 3 innings. Pitcher must be removed and can no longer pitch in that game
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MUST start with one foot touching the mound.
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Ball can be in hand, or glove, when receiving the signal from the catcher
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MUST pause for 2-5 seconds before delivering the pitch
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Cannot step back before delivering the pitch
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Can leap to deliver the pitch, but no ‘crow hopping
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No player can play one position more than 3 times per game
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All players must play outfield or sit out, for one inning, in every game
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Outfielders must play on grass, in fair territory.
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All players playing in the infield MUST wear a face mask. Each team bag has some provided, but it is recommended that each player purchase their own.
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Coaches must keep records of rotation of players, to be presented if challenged by other coaches, umpires or executive members.
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An on-deck batter should be ready, in the circle, at all times.
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Batter must keep one foot in the batter’s box at all times unless it is a wild pitch or a player is attempting to steal home
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Infield fly rule in effect.
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Dropped 3rd strike rule is NOT in effect.
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A runner can use the first base white bag only to avoid contact with the defensive player or trying to advance beyond first base.
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Defensive players cannot touch the orange bag
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Defensive players cannot block the plate, for any play at home.
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Runners can only come off the bag/base, or steal, once the ball crosses home plate. NO LEADING
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No new innings will start after 7:30/9:30
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All players must be ready to play, before this time
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If the start of the game is delayed, for weather reasons, stop times must be adjusted accordingly to allow the game to complete enough innings to be considered official.
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Once an inning starts, it must be completed
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Official game consists of a minimum of 3 completed innings.
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1 or 2 umpire system
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Maximum 2 Coaches challenges allowed throughout the game
U21 Division
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All players must be younger than 21 years of age, as of the start of the calendar year
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Pitching plate will be set at 43 feet.
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Bases set to 60 feet
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12” ball will be used
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Games will be played at King George park.
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Home team to use bench along 1st baseline
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Home team to set up the bases, if early game, and put them away, if late game
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Home team responsible to lock up bathroom, after the late game
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Maximum 7 runs per inning or 3 outs, whichever comes first, for the first 4 innings.
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5th inning on, innings will be considered OPEN, requiring 3 outs to complete the inning.
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The mercy rule is in effect.
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Pitchers
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Maximum innings pitched is 4 and CANNOT be the 1st 4 consecutive innings.
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Any new pitchers entering partway through an inning, will have the inning counted towards their number of innings pitched.
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No more than 3 hit batters in any 1 inning, or 5 over 4 innings. Pitcher must be removed and can no longer pitch in that game
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MUST start with one foot touching the mound.
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Ball can be in hand, or glove, when receiving the signal from the catcher
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MUST pause for 2-5 seconds before delivering the pitch
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Cannot step back before delivering the pitch
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Can leap to deliver the pitch, but no ‘crow hopping
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No player can play one position more than 4 times per game
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All players must play outfield or sit out, for one inning, in every game.
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Outfielders must play on grass, in fair territory.
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All players playing in the infield MUST wear a face mask. Each team bag has some provided, but it is recommended that each player purchase their own.
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Coaches must keep records of rotation of players, to be presented if challenged by other coaches, umpires or executive members.
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Dropped 3rd strike rule in effect.
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Batters may attempt to advance to 1st base if the 3rd strike is dropped by the catcher, or if the ball hits the ground before reaching the catcher, IF 1st base is open (before the pitch) OR there are 2 outs.
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Infield fly rule in effect.
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Batter must keep one foot in the batter’s box at all times unless it is a wild pitch or a player is attempting to steal home
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A runner can use the first base white bag only to avoid contact with the defensive player or trying to advance beyond first base.
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Defensive players can touch the orange bag only when receiving a throw from the catcher from the 1st base side of foul, due to a dropped 3rd strike.
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Defensive players cannot block the plate for any play at home.
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An on-deck batter must be ready, in the circle, at all times.
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Runner can come off the bag/base or steal, once the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand. NO LEADING
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No new innings will start after 7:40/9:40.
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If the start is delayed, for whatever reason, stop times must be adjusted accordingly to allow the game to complete enough innings to be considered official.
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Once an inning starts, it must be completed
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Official game consists of a minimum of 4 completed innings.
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1 or 2 umpire system
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Maximum 2 Coaches challenges allowed throughout the game