AGSA Coaches Handbook
AGSA has put together information for our Coaches. Please take a look at some of the links below for more information.
AGSA Coaches Handbook:
The AGSA Coaches Handbook has been brought together by members of the AGSA board. This document will serve as a technical guideline for coaching in all levels of our Airdrie Angels Fastpitch program.
U10 Modified
To add even more excitement to the U10 division, in 2006 Calgary Minor Softball implemented the “No Walk Rule”. Combined with the home run line, the U10 division should end up being the most exciting division to both play and to watch!
Batter # 1 (B1) is at the plate. The game is played normally up until the batter receives a 4th ball, which would normally result in a walk. This is where the game changes. After the 4th ball, the batter will have a count against him/her. It will either be 4 balls, 0 strikes (4-0), 4-1 or 4-2. The coach, or designated pitcher for the offensive team (B1’s coach or selected parent), will now come in to pitch to his/her own batter. The number of pitches that the batter will receive from the coach/parent is dependant upon the number of strikes that the pitcher had achieved against that batter prior to throwing the 4th “ball”. All batters continue using the same rules.
If the count was 4-0, and the batter did not have a strike, the coach parent may throw up to 3 pitches.
If the count was 4-1, and the batter had 1 strike against him/her, the coach parent may throw up to 2 pitches.
If the count was 4-2, and the batter had 2 strikes against him/her, the coach parent may throw only 1 pitch.
There is no opportunity to walk. Every pitch will be considered a called strike. If the batter has 2 or 3 pitches to work with, he/she may leave the pitch and wait for a potentially better pitch. The coach/parent will pitch from the pitching rubber (normal distance) and may pitch orthodox (underhand toss) or regular fastpitch.
If the batter uses up all of his/her strikes without hitting the ball, he/she is out. Once again, every pitch is considered a called strike no matter where the pitch is thrown. The batter does not have to swing to strike out, nor does the pitch have to be in the strike zone.
On the third strike only, if the batter hits a foul ball, he/she will be granted an additional pitch, unless of course the foul ball is caught! This will be the same as regular rules in regards to a third strike foul ball.
The defensive pitcher will remain on the field to field balls hit into play.
Should a ball be hit into play by the batter and this ball comes in contact with or is touched by the parent/coach, whether intentional or accidental, as determined by the umpire, the play will be called dead. If there is any interference on the play in regards to the coach/parent acting as the pitcher, as determined by the umpire, the play will be called dead. In both cases, the batter will be ruled out and the runners will return to their original base prior to the hit ball.
The implementation of this section will have many major benefits.
1 – No walks means that every run will have come off of a hit ball!
2 – More hits means more defensive plays for the infield!
3 – Less pressure on parent umpires in regards to calling balls and strikes.
4 – Wider variety of pitchers may be used. Every player that wants to pitch can try without having to worry about walking in 5 runs.
5 – Lower scoring games. There will an increased number of strikeouts and hopefully defensive outs, which should result in less 5 run innings.
6 – Innings will be quicker which should result in more innings played per game.
7 – The home run line will become a major factor and the home run will be an exciting play for all players and fans to look forward to.
8 – Base stealing is not permitted. Can advance on a passed ball or wild pitch and only one base max. Runners cannot advance to home except on a hit ball.
9 – Indoor Softie bals will be used for all modified league play
10 – Batters will not be permitted to bunt when the coach/parent comings into pitch
See the Calgary Minor Softball Rulebook for playing rules.
This combination of changes has been implemented for a many different reasons. The three main reasons are to make the games more fun for the kids, to assist in the development of skills through more involvement from all of the participants and to make the game more exciting to watch for the parents and families.
9.1 U10 Traditional {9 Player} Specific Rules 
9.1 Once two walks including hit by pitch have occurred anytime per half inning, the U10 Modified Rules come into effect. See Section 8. 9.2 Bunting is not permitted when the coach/parent is pitching.
9.3 A player can only advance a maximum of one base on a steal attempt; overthrow; passed ball or wild pitch.Exception to this would be an overthrown ball that leaves the field of play. In this case the standard 2-base award would apply.
9.4 On a batted ball, it is a live ball, therefore, the players can advance more than one base as this is not a steal attempt.
10.3 Player Rotation
9.10 Infield Fly (Softball Canada 1.52)
This rule will not apply to the U10 and U12 categories.
A. Is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive or a bunt)
1. When first and second, or first, second, and third bases are occupied with less than two out
2. That can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort
3. If two are out the infield fly rule does not apply, runners can advance at their own risk
4. The pitcher, catcher, and any outfielder that positions himself in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for the purpose of this rule.
5. When it seems apparent that a batted ball will be an infield fly, the umpire shall immediately declare, “INFIELD FLY, IF FAIR THE BATTER IS OUT,” for the benefit of the runners
6. The ball is live, and runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught, or retouch and advance after the ball is touched, the same as on any fly ball
7. If the hit becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any foul
8. If a declared infield fly is allowed to fall untouched on the ground, and bounces foul before passing first or third base, it is a foul ball
9. If a declared infield fly falls untouched to the ground outside the baseline, and bounces fair before passing first or third base, it is an infield fly
Coaches Frequently Asked Questions:
Please see the Coaches FAQ page for a breakdown of what coaches can expect each season.
AGSA Policies and Procedures:
Please see our Polices and Procedures Page for the recently updated AGSA Policies and Procedures handbook which includes a Coaches Policy and Procedure section as well as a Coaches Application form.