8U - LEAGUE RULES & PLAY GUIDELINES
Fast-pitch softball skill development will continue in this division. Emphasis will be placed on
teaching the fundamentals of the game. These fundamentals are taught and skills developed
during practice and games to provide an element of healthy competition. All managers,
coaches, and parents should stress good sportsmanship, safety, and having fun at all times
throughout the season.
1) No league standings will be kept for this division.
2) Game length will be 6 innings or 1 hour 20minute drop-dead time, but a batter is up
at-bat, she can finish the at-bat.
3) There will be a maximum run rule of 4 runs per inning per team. Once one team has
scored 4 runs, the half inning is ruled over and the next team takes its turn at bat.
4) Bunting will be allowed against player pitcher or off a coach pitcher.
5) A thrown bat is an automatic out for that player after one (1) warning.
6) Play can begin with 7 players (fewer than 7 must be agreed to by coaches) however,
when and if another player arrives, that player must be inserted into the line-up in
the last position.
7) Outfielders must play 10ft behind the baseline until a ball is batted.
8) Ten (10) defensive players will be allowed to take the field with 6 standard infield
positions (including catcher) and 4 outfield positions. The fourth outfielder must be
positioned no closer to the infield than any other standard outfield position of at
least 10 feet behind the baseline.
9) Round Robin batting is used meaning all players present will be in the batting lineup
and will take their turn at bat.
10) Up to two defensive coaches may be positioned on the field, beyond the base path,
to help instruct the defensive team during play.
11) The base path distance will be 60 feet. Safety bases at first base will be used if
available.
12) Line-up cards or computer generated line-ups are expected and should be
exchanged at home plate with the opposing coach and scorekeeper.
PITCHING
Pitching is in its fundamental training stage in this division and shall be governed by modified
pitching rules. The season will be split into two portions, as determined by the 8u Director. The
two portions will be coach pitch after 4 balls from the pitcher and batter takes
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1) The pitching distance is 30 feet.
2) In the event the player pitcher pitches four balls to a batter, or if the batter has
been hit by a pitch while attempting to avoid the pitch, an adult coach of the batting
team will enter the game to pitch to his/her own team.
3) The strike count on the batter will remain the same and the adult pitcher will
continue to pitch until the batter hits the ball in fair territory, strikes out or is called
out but, the coach can only pitch a maximum of four pitches.
4) Umpires will not call balls or strikes on coach pitch. Strikes will only be awarded on
coach pitch when a batter hits a foul ball or on a swing and miss.
5) Each pitcher may pitch a maximum of 2 innings per game. One pitch to a batter in
an inning constitutes an inning.
Second half of the Season:
1) Pitcher may walk batters until the bases have become loaded.
2) If the batter has been hit by a pitch while attempting to avoid the pitch they will be
awarded first base, unless the bases are loaded.
3) In the event that the bases become loaded, either by walks, hits, or hit batters then
the normal Coach Pitch rule returns on any ball 4 situations (with the bases loaded).
4) Each pitcher may pitch a maximum of 2 innings per game (unless otherwise directed
by the league). One pitch to a batter in an inning constitutes an inning.
5) There will be a maximum run rule of 3 runs per inning per team in the second
half of the season.
Additional Rules:
1) The coach pitcher must pitch from the pitchers' plate.
2) The player pitcher shall remain in the pitching circle (both feet inside the circle)
while the adult pitcher is pitching and must play no closer to the batter than the
pitchers' plate until the ball is hit.
3) The coach pitcher must make every reasonable effort to get out of the way of the
ball and/or defensive players. If a batted ball hits the coach pitcher, the ball is live
and the batters and runners can attempt to advance.
4) Sliding is encouraged in this division.
5) It is the responsibility of the runner to avoid any collision with a defensive player.
6) Stealing is allowed in this division, but home is closed. Runners starting at first or
second base are entitled to steal one base per pitch. If a ball goes out of play, the
ball is dead and the umpire will award the runners the appropriate base(s),
including home plate if necessary.
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7) A runner can only leave the base when the ball leaves the pitchers hand. If the
runner leaves early they are out if so called by the umpire.
8) Runners may advance on batted balls and may take as many bases as they dare
should the ball stay in play.
9) Runners must stop advancing on batted balls when the ball is returned to the
pitchers' circle or thrown through the circle, whether or not the pitcher catches the
ball. (Runners must be over halfway to the next base in order to be awarded that
base).
10) When the coach is pitching, no stealing is allowed.
11) An adult coach should stand behind the umpire at home plate to retrieve passed
balls and return them to the pitcher in order to keep the game moving.
12) Courtesy runners may be used for the pitcher and catcher of record. The last
recorded out is the courtesy runner, or the last two players scheduled to bat if the
situation calls for this.
13) Each player must play 2 full defensive innings (12 outs) prior to the completion of
the 4th inning and no player may sit more than 2 consecutive innings during a game.
After these requirements are met, unlimited substitution is available.
14) Each player must play the infield (unless otherwise Board approved) at least once by
the 4th inning.
15) Each team must supply a scorekeeper and keep a scorebook for each game;
however no league scores or standings will be kept.
EQUIPMENT
1) All players must have the proper equipment to take the field including cleats and
glove.
2) Catchers must wear protective equipment including helmet, mask, chest protector,
and shin guards.
3) All batters and runners will wear a batting helmet.
4) Helmets must include chinstrap and approved softball face guard
5) On deck batters must wear protective helmets.
6) All bats used must be approved ASA/USA fastpitch bats with logo
7) An ASA/USA approved, regulation 10" RIF 1 softball will be used.
8) Each team will provide new 1 game ball to the umpire prior to the start of the game.
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