1. The purpose of this league is to give the girls a good experience in organized softball. Sportsmanship is to be stressed by the girls, coaches, parents and spectators. Unsportsmanlike acts such as malicious contact between fielders and runners, a player taunting another player, players, or coaches reacting negatively to an umpire's call, shall not be tolerated. Likewise, liberal or casual use of profanity by coaches, players, and spectators is unacceptable, even if such language is not directed at anyone. Additionally, coaches should watch what they say and how they act when addressing umpires, as well as their team. Furthermore, coaches and parents are role models they should make every effort to practice good sportsmanship.
2. Any girl is eligible to play in this division who is not 15 before January 1st 2007. Rosters and copies of birth certificates for each team (with name, age & date of birth) must be sent to league president before July 1st 2006.
3. Each team must schedule at least one game with every team in their league. Players must participate in league (50% of Games) to be eligible for tournaments. Teams must be made up of girls from the same school district and according to Division II 14 & under age limits. Girls are not eligible to play in this league if they have played spring high school softball. If a girl is enrolled in a school district different from the one she lives in she must play for a team from the school district she is attending. Players can only play for one Northwest Ohio Girls Softball League team in any calendar year. Rosters will be submitted to the League President by June 1st of each year. This includes league play and league tournament. Girls may play on teams outside of the 12 & Under Upper & Lower the 14 & Under Upper and Lower League and it will not affect their eligibility. Players can't play for other teams in the same league; the game will be considered a forfeit for the team on which she played.
4. The National Federation Rule Book is the official rule book (High Schools rules). Rulebooks can be ordered by calling 1-800-776-3462. They are $6.50 plus shipping and handling. 14 & Under League rules and the exceptions to the National Federation rules are on page two.
5. A $25.00 League entry fee and $150.00 tournament fee is charged to each team in the league ($175 total). Have your money turned in by June 1, 2007. Make checks payable to – Northwest Ohio Girls Softball - and turn in to Gary Ebaugh PO Box 896 Bryan, OH 43506. The entry fee is used to provide trophies for the girls on the first place teams. The league will pay for 15 trophies. The team will pay for additional trophies.
6. First place will be determined by the best league win/loss record. The League game is the first game that you play a team. In the case of equal records, head-to-head league games will determine the winner. If there are three or more teams in first place after the full schedule is played, then play-off games at a neutral field will be required.
7. The plate umpire must be a qualified adult (the league prefers a certified umpire). Umpires must have a copy of these rules: be sure to supply your home field umpires with a copy.

Exceptions & reminders to the National Federation rules are as follows:

• Nine players on the field. A game is forfeited if seven players and a coach are not available at the official start of the game.
• Games are seven innings starting at the time listed on the 2007 league schedule. No new innings shall begin after 1 hour & 45 minutes have passed since the official start of the game or otherwise agreed upon by the coaches before the start of the game. The game can not end in a tie, even if the time limit is up, teams will play till a winner is decided with home team having last at bat, if needed. If the score is tied after 7 innings or the time limit is up, the team up to bat at the top of the next inning will start with a runner on second base. This is used for the rest of the game. This runner will be the player whom is listed ahead of the legal first batter of the inning. The official time and place of the game is set on the league schedule. If there is a need for a change, both coaches and league president must be notified at least the day before. Failure to notify will result in forfeiture of the game by the offending team (be courteous and notify as soon as possible).
• The home team supplies the balls (1 new and 1 good)- the Dudley Thunder is not to be used - the official rulebook, keeps the scoreboard, and puts away equipment.
• Pitch from 40 feet - bases 60 feet.
• Six run limit per inning.
• A player may steal any base and home plate. The runner cannot leave the base until the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand. The runner is out if she does so. Game play is dead once the pitcher has possession of the ball inside the pitcher’s circle, and the runner or runners have stopped their forward advances.
• The batter may advance on a third dropped strike if first is open or if there are at least two out.
• Helmets with face guard are worn while on deck, batting, and on the bases. When an umpire witnesses a runner deliberately and intentionally remove her helmet (as opposed to the helmet accidentally falling off while running or sliding) while the ball is alive, the umpire shall issue a warning to the coach of the involved player's team. All subsequent players on that team who violate the rule shall be ejected from the game. Batting helmets bearing the NOCSAE stamp and exterior warning label must be used.
• Every player that is on the bench or in the dugout (unless injured, ejected, or being disciplined) must play defense at least one inning per game.
• Expanded Batting Order. The amount of batters for each team will be determined by the team with the fewest batters available, but no fewer than nine for each team. (For example, if one team has 11 players, and one has 14, each team would only be required to have 11 players in the batting line-up) A team may play with seven players, but the opponent may not reduce batters below nine batters. However, the team with more players has the option of including all players in their batting line-up. Regardless, all players must bat at least once during the game. If a player is injured or becomes ill, her name will be removed from the batting order and will not be allowed to re-enter the game (on offense or defense). If the player is injured by a pitched ball or while on base, her turn on the bases will be taken by the last previous out if no subs are available. If it is the 1st inning of the game before any outs are made, her turn on the bases will be taken by the last player in the batting order. If a batter is injured (not by a pitched ball) or for some reason can not complete her time at bat then the player next in the batting order will take her place with a new ball and strike count. Once the injured player's turn on the bases is over, her name is taken out of the batting order for the remainder of the game. If a player shows up after the batting order has been established (established meaning presented to the Umpire and the opposing scorekeeper or official scorekeeper) she will be put at the bottom of the batting order.
• Free defensive substitution. You may remove and re-enter every player that is in the batting order. All players must play at least one innings on defense. The pitcher may re-enter as the pitcher.
• The catcher may not talk, yell or verbally interfere with the batter once the pitch begins. A ball is awarded to the batter or the offense may take the result of the play. The catcher may call out defensive plays (ie:Bunt) The catcher MUST wear helmet, throat protector, and mask. Any player warming up a pitcher must wear a helmet, throat protector, and mask.