SOFTBALL STUDY GUIDE
Softball originated in Chicago on Thanksgiving Day, 1887. A group of about twenty young men had gathered in the gymnasium of the Farragut Boat Club in order to hear the outcome of the Harvard-Yale football game. After Yale’s victory was announced and bets were paid off, a man picked up a stray boxing glove and threw it at someone, who hit it with a pole.
George Hancock, usually considered the inventor of softball shouted, Let’s Play Ball!” He tied the boxing glove so that it resembled a ball, chalked out a diamond on the floor (smaller dimensions than those of a baseball field in order to fit the gym) and broke off a broom handle to serve as a bat. What proceeded was an odd, smaller version of baseball. That game is now, 111 years later, known as the first softball game. Softball may have seen its death on the day of its birth if Hancock had not been so fascinated by it. In one week, he created an oversized ball and an undersized rubber-tipped bat and went back to the gym to paint permanent white foul lines on the floor. After he wrote new rules and named the sport indoor baseball, a more organized, yet still new game was played. Its popularity was immediate.
In the spring of 1888, Hancock’s game moved outdoors. It was played on a small diamond and called indoor-outdoor. Due to the sport’s mass appeal, Hancock published his first set of indoor-outdoor rules in 1889.
In 1895 Lewis Rober, Sr., (a fire department officer) needed an activity to keep his men occupied and in shape during their free time. He created his game to fit the confines of a vacant lot next to the firehouse and the result was instantly appealing. Surprisingly, Rober was probably not familiar with Hancock’s version of the sport because it was still concentrated in Chicago at that time. The following year, 1896, Rober was moved to a new unit with a new team to manage. In honor of this group’s name, the Kittens, the game was termed Kitten League Ball in 1900. The name was later shortened to kitten ball.
In order to reach the Olympics, the women’s sport of softball obviously had to grow greatly from its beginnings. The first women’s softball team was formed in 1899 and it was difficult to create interest among fans. However, only five years later, more attention was given to the women’s game. The Spalding Indoor Baseball Guide 1904 issue fueled this attention by devoting a large section of the guide to the game of women’s softball.
The Chicago National Tournament in 1933 also advanced the sport. At this competition, the male and female champions were honored equally. The International Softball World Championships in 1965 developed women’s softball by making it an international game, a step towards the Pan-American Games and the Olympics. Eleven years later, women softball players were given the closest equivalent to major League Baseball with the 1976 formation of the International Women’s Professional Softball League. Player contracts ranged form 1,000 dollars to 3,000 dollars per year, but the league disbanded in 1980 because of financial ruin. Vicki Schneider, a St Louis softball hall of Famer and former professional player, recalls this league as being the high point of her career (Schneider).
Flag Football Study Guide
International Competition rules
Rules
* A coin toss determines first possession. The winner of the coin toss has possession of the football. Losers of the coin toss have choice of end zone to defend.
* The team that loses the coin toss gets possession at the beginning of the second half starting at its own 5-yard line.
* There are no kickoffs.
* The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has four (4) plays to cross midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, it has four (4) plays to score a touchdown. If the offense fails to score, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team takes over on its 5-yard line. An automatic first down by penalty will overrule the other requirements regarding four (4) plays to make either a first down or score.
* If the offensive team fails to cross midfield, possession of the ball changes and the opposition starts its drive from its 5-yard line.
* All possession changes, except interceptions, start on the offense's 5-yard line.
* Teams change end zones after the first 20 minutes.
Number of Players
* In official NFL competitions Teams consist of 6 players (5 on the field with 1 substitute) and may consist of 7 players (5 on the field with 2 substitutes) if a female player is on the roster.
* In official EFAF competitions Teams consist of ten players (5 on the field with 5 substitutes).
* Teams may play with a minimum of four (4) players (due to injuries).
* If less than 4 players are available, the game is forfeited by the side that is unable to field a team.
Timing/Overtime
* Game length is 40 minutes. (2 x 20 minute halves)
* The time is running time except the last two minutes of each half will be ¡§official timing¡¨. If the ball carrier is out of bounds, the game clock will stop, if a pass is incomplete, the clock will stop ¡V time will NOT stop after every play. The players will learn how to manage the game clock as it is in professional football. Flag football is the educational tool to learn the mechanism of the football.
„h Officials can stop the clock at their discretion.
„h In the event of a tied game, overtime will be played. The period between the end of the game and the start of the overtime period will be 2 minutes. A coin toss determines first possession of overtime. The team winning the coin toss starts with the ball on its own 5-yard line. Play continues as in regulation until one team scores. There will be no time outs granted during the overtime period.
* Each time the ball is spotted the offense has 30 seconds to snap the ball.
* Each team has two 60-second timeouts per half. These cannot be carried over to the second half or overtime.
* Timeouts can be called by Head Coach and on field players only.
* Clock will stop for the length of the timeout.
* Clock will stop to warn teams that there are two minutes left to play in each half (no time out is given).
* Period for half - time will be 2 minutes.
* The clock will start at the snap after it has been stopped.
Scoring:
Touchdown: 6 points.
Extra point: 1 point. (played from midpoint of 5-yard line only)
Extra point: 2 points (played from midpoint of 12-yard line only)
Safety: 2 points.
Note: An Interception return to opponent¡¦s end zone on any extra point play by the defense will result in the defense scoring 2 points plus possession for next series at its 5-yard line.
Running:
* To start the play, the ball must be snapped between the legs of the snapper.
* The center is the player who gives the ball to the quarterback via a snap.The center cannot take a direct hand off back from the quarterback (no center sneak play).
* The quarterback is the player who receives the ball directly from the snap.
* The quarterback cannot run with the ball past the line of scrimmage, unless he has handed the ball off, tossed or pitched, and it has been returned to him.
* An Offense may use multiple handoffs behind the line of scrimmage. Only backward & lateral handoffs are allowed during the down.
* Tosses or sweeps behind the line of scrimmage are allowed and are running plays.
* Once the ball carrier has crossed the line of scrimmage the ball cannot be handed off, tossed, pitched or passed in any way.
* "No-running zones," are located 5 yards in front of each end zone. When the ball is on or inside the 5-yard line going towards the opponent¡¦s end zone, the offense cannot run.
* The player who takes the handoff, toss or pitch can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage.
* All defensive players are eligible to rush once the ball has been handed off or tossed, or there is a play action fake or fake handoff.
* Spinning is allowed, but the ball carrier cannot dive forward or jump to avoid a defensive player or gain yardage (no diving).
* The ball is spotted where the ball carrier's feet are placed when the flag is pulled, not where the ball is.
Receiving:
* All players are eligible to receive passes (including the quarterback if the ball has been handed off or tossed behind the line of scrimmage).
* As in the NFL, one player may be in motion, but not in motion towards the opponent¡¥s end zone at the snap.
* A player must have at least one foot inbounds when making a reception.
PASSING:
* Only players starting 7 yards from the line of scrimmage can rush the passer.
* The quarterback has seven seconds to throw the ball. If a pass is not thrown within seven seconds, the play is dead, with a loss of down and the ball is spotted at the previous line of scrimmage.
* Only one forward pass thrown from behind the line of scrimmage is allowed in a down.
* Interceptions change the possession of the ball.
* Interceptions can be returned by the defense.
* On Interceptions that occur and remain in the end zone, the ball will become dead and will result in the ball belonging to the intercepting team at its 5-yard line. Should an interception occur in the end zone and the ball carrier leave the end zone, the ball will belong to the intercepting team at the spot the ball becomes dead. However should the ball carrier return to the end zone and be deflagged or the ball become dead the result would be a safety for the other team.
Dead Balls:
* Substitutions may be made only when ball is dead.
* Play is ruled "dead" when:
* An official blows his whistle.
* Ball carrier's flag is pulled or becomes illegal.
* Points are scored.
* When any part of the ball carrier¡¦s body, other than his hand or foot touches the ground.
* If a ball carrier's flag falls off, the play will be whistled dead and the ball will be spotted at the spot where the flag fell off.
* Players are ineligible to catch a pass or receive the ball by hand off toss or pitch, if their flag has fallen off.
NFL Flag Football
International Competition rules
Rules
THIS EVENT IS NON-CONTACT, BLOCKING AND TACKLING ARE NOT ALLOWED.
* A coin toss determines first possession. The winner of the coin toss has possession of the football. Losers of the coin toss have choice of end zone to defend.
* The team that loses the coin toss gets possession at the beginning of the second half starting at its own 5-yard line.
* There are no kickoffs.
* The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has (3) plays to cross midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, it has (3) plays to score a touchdown. If the offense fails to score, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team takes over on its 5-yard line. An automatic first down by penalty will overrule the other requirements regarding four (4) plays to make either a first down or score.
* All possession changes, except interceptions, start on the offense's 5-yard line.
* Teams change end zones after the first 20 minutes, possession does not change, the clock does not stop.
Number of Players
* In official NFL competitions Teams consist of 10 players (5 on the field with 5 substitute
Scoring:
Touchdown: 6 points.
Extra point: 1 point. (played from midpoint of 5-yard line only)
Extra point: 2 points (played from midpoint of 12-yard line only)
Safety: 2 points.
Note: An Interception return to opponent¡¦s end zone on any extra point play by the defense will result in the defense scoring 2 points plus possession for next series at its 5-yard line.
Running:
* To start the play, the ball must be snapped between the legs of the snapper.
* The center is the player who gives the ball to the quarterback via a snap. The center cannot take a direct hand off back from the quarterback (no center sneak play).
* The quarterback is the player who receives the ball directly from the snap.
* The quarterback cannot run with the ball past the line of scrimmage, unless he has handed the ball off, tossed or pitched, and it has been returned to him.
* An Offense may use multiple handoffs behind the line of scrimmage. Only backward & lateral handoffs are allowed during the down.
* Tosses or sweeps behind the line of scrimmage are allowed and are running plays.
* Once the ball carrier has crossed the line of scrimmage the ball cannot be handed off, tossed, pitched or passed in any way.
* "No-running zones," are located 5 yards in front of each end zone. When the ball is on or inside the 5-yard line going towards the opponent¡¦s end zone, the offense cannot run.
* The player who takes the handoff, toss or pitch can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage.
* All defensive players are eligible to rush once the ball has been handed off or tossed, or there is a play action fake or fake handoff.
* Spinning is allowed, but the ball carrier cannot dive forward or jump to avoid a defensive player or gain yardage (no diving).
* The ball is spotted where the ball carrier's feet are placed when the flag is pulled, not where the ball is.
Receiving:
* All players are eligible to receive passes (including the quarterback if the ball has been handed off or tossed behind the line of scrimmage).
* As in the NFL, one player may be in motion, but not in motion towards the opponent¡¥s end zone at the snap.
* A player must have at least one foot in bounds when making a reception.
PASSING:
* Only players starting 7 yards from the line of scrimmage can rush the passer.
* The quarterback has seven seconds to throw the ball. If a pass is not thrown within seven seconds, the play is dead, with a loss of down and the ball is spotted at the previous line of scrimmage.
* Only one forward pass thrown from behind the line of scrimmage is allowed in a down.
* Interceptions change the possession of the ball.
* Interceptions can be returned by the defense.
* On Interceptions that occur and remain in the end zone, the ball will become dead and will result in the ball belonging to the intercepting team at its 5-yard line. Should an interception occur in the end zone and the ball carrier leave the end zone, the ball will belong to the intercepting team at the spot the ball becomes dead. However should the ball carrier return to the end zone and be deflagged or the ball become dead the result would be a safety for the other team.
Dead Balls:
* Substitutions may be made only when ball is dead.
* Play is ruled "dead" when:
* An official blows his whistle.
* Ball carrier's flag is pulled or becomes illegal.
* Points are scored.
* When any part of the ball carrier¡¦s body, other than his hand or foot touches the ground.
* If a ball carrier's flag falls off, the play will be whistled dead and the ball will be spotted at the spot where the flag fell off.
* Players are ineligible to catch a pass or receive the ball by hand off toss or pitch, if their flag has fallen off.
Note: There are no fumbles. The ball will be spotted where the ball left the ball carrier¡¦s hand(s). If the ball is fumbled during the snap, the ball will be placed at the line of scrimmage
Rushing the Quarterback:
All players who rush the passer must be a minimum of seven yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. Any number of players can rush the quarterback. Players not rushing the quarterback may defend on the line of scrimmage. Once the ball is handed off or tossed, or there is a play action fake or fake handoff, the seven-yard rule no longer is in effect and all defenders may go behind the line of scrimmage. A special marker, or a game official, will designate seven yards from the line of scrimmage.
REMEMBER, BLOCKING AND TACKLING ARE NOT ALLOWED.
Sportsmanship/ Roughing:
If the referee witnesses any acts of flagrant contact, tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking, or any unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and the player will be ejected from the tournament.
FOUL PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
Trash talking is illegal. (Trash talk is talk that may be offensive to officials, opposing players, teams, or spectators.) Officials have the right to determine offensive language. If trash talking occurs, the referee will give one warning. If it continues, the player or players will be ejected from the game.
Kickball Study Guide
Kickball is a playground game and also a competitive league game, similar to baseball, invented in the United States in about 1942.
American World War II correspondent Ernie Pyle reported it being played by U.S. soldiers during the North African campaign, 1942-1943.
Also referred to as "soccer baseball," it is typically played on a softball diamond with a 10- to 16-inch (250- to 400-mm) inflated rubber ball. The pitcher bowls the ball towards the catcher, and the "batter" kicks it with his foot. In some games, batters request a certain type of pitch-- rolling, bouncing slightly, or bouncing 1" to 2" off the ground. Once the ball is kicked, the batter's objective is to reach base. In addition to tagging a base to get a forced runner out, or getting a runner out by touching them with a held ball, fielders may throw the ball at a runner to get them out (though hitting a runner above the shoulders with a thrown ball is often either discouraged or illegal; the latter being the more common rule). Sometimes, in pickup-type games, a "pitcher's hand" rule may be used. When this rule is in effect, the batter may be out if the pitcher has the ball at the mound before the runner reaches base. If a player catches the ball but has a body part on the ground the runner is safe.
Since a good kicker will often connect with a rolling ball, strikes and strikeouts are infrequent. The ball is very large and soft in comparison to a baseball or softball, so fielding is different as well: catching fly balls can be easier, but throwing the ball can be harder. Thus, the dynamics and strategy considerations of kickball turn out somewhat differently from those of baseball, softball, or over-the-line. Some leagues do not allow the bunt, emphasizing more on kicking for power; the bunt is considered "cheap" by some, as the defense cannot field it very well. By analogy with baseball, a bunt is a very light kick that sends the ball only a few feet from the home plate. This allows the batter to run to first base safely, while the pitcher or another player gets the ball. Even if the ball hits a runner, the ball is still a live ball.
Other rules, often introduced at children's games where there are insufficient members of a given team, include the "ghost runner" rule, where a player on base can return to the plate leaving a "ghost runner" who advances one base for each base advanced by the kicker.
Kickball Rules
1. Kickball's will be provided on site.
2. A team consists of eight players. A minimum of six is needed to start and continue a game.
3. Games are 7 innings or 50 minutes. Kickball is played on a regulation softball field.
4. Everyone bats each inning. When the last batter of an inning puts the ball in play, the inning will end either when the batter has been put out, or when the defense is in possession of the ball while touching home plate. No tag is necessary at home plate.
5. The batter is out in situations similar to softball (force outs, pop outs, etc.). In addition, a runner is out when he/she is hit by a thrown ball below the waist.
6. The ball is put in play when the pitcher (a player on the defensive team) rolls the ball toward home plate and the batter attempts to kick the ball. The batter must wait for the ball to be within three feet of home plate before kicking the ball. If the batter does not like the pitch, he/she should not attempt to kick it, and another pitch will be thrown. There are no strikeouts or walks. A batter gets only one attempt at kicking the ball. A missed attempt or foul ball is an out.
7. A runner who leaves the base before the pitch reaches home plate or is hit, is out and the ball is dead. Leading off and stealing bases between pitches is not allowed.
8. In order to prevent injury and protect the defensive player attempting to make a play on a base runner, the base runner must be called out, if he/she remains on his/her feet, and deliberately, with great force crashes into a defensive player holding the ball, waiting to apply a tag. If the act is determined to be flagrant, the offender shall also be ejected.
9. Bunting will not be permitted and is a dead ball and an automatic out.
10. A line will be placed along the infield base path. The line will extend from the left infield foul line to the right infield foul line. ALL infielders will be required to remain behind this line until the ball is swung at by the batter. If the pitch is not swung at and the infielder is in front of the line, there is no penalty. If the ball is caught by an infielder who
was illegally across the line, the ball is dead. The batter is awarded first base and all runners are awarded one base whether they are forced to advance or not. If the ball is not caught, a delayed dead ball shall be called. If the batter reaches first base and all runners advance one base, the ball shall continue to be in play with runners being liable to be put out.
11. There are no umpires. Each batting team will provide a first and a third base coach. These first and third base coaches will be responsible for calling runners safe or out when a close play on the bases occurs; they will use an honor system to call plays fairly. The team in the field will not call close plays on the bases and abide by the decisions of the first and third base coaches.
12. No infield practice is allowed after the first inning.
13. Any player can play any position defensively.
14. REPORTINg SCORES: Report scores to the supervisors on duty.
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