Becker - Big Lake - Monticello
8U In-house league, Rules and Regulations
2009 Summer Season
General rules:
1) This league is for the girls to learn the game of softball and have fun.
2) All team members must get equal playing time.
3) Each Coach and parent is to be a good example for the players.
4) No jewelry is allowed during games or practices.
5) Equipment:
- Players will wear a league t-shirt, tucked in.
- Players must wear tennis shoes or RUBBER cleats.
- Batters, base runners, and on-deck batter must wear helmets at all times.
- Catchers must wear full gear. (Helmet with mask, chest protector, and shin pads.)
- League approved aluminum softball bats allowed only.
- Will be using an 11 inch soft (incrediball or similar) ball.
6) The home team will provide 2 new game balls, and an umpire.
7) Game start times are at 6:30.
Games will consist of 7 innings or 1 hour & 20 minutes whichever is less.
Any inning started must be finished (even if batting team can’t win the game).
There is to be no tie breaker unless both coaches and the umpire agree unanimously.
Game Rules:
1) Games will be played with 10 players in the field. You can play with 9 if needed.
2) Every player bats in a continuous order; if players come late they are to be placed at end of batting order. No batter can hit twice until everyone has batted.
3) A half inning ends at the earliest of 3 outs or when 5 runs are scored.
4) Bases are 60 feet.
5) Pitching mound is to be placed at 30 feet.
6) Players can play each position a max of three innings per night. Pitchers can only pitch 2 innings per night.
7) No stealing.
8) Only batter and on-deck hitter should be swinging bats.
9) Collision avoidance is mandatory. Sliding is recommended but not required. An umpire can call a runner out if she could have avoided a collision.
10) There are no walks, after 4 balls are pitched by player then the coach of the batting team steps in and continues the at-bat, the strike count remains the same. A player can strike out. The coach must pitch with reasonable speed keeping in mind the emphasis is on the players hitting the ball.
Hitting rules:
1) Bunting is not allowed.
2) Batters cannot advance on a dropped 3rd strike.
3) The batter may take first base after getting hit by a pitch, but to do so must have made an effort to avoid the pitch. This is up to the discretion of the umpire.
4) Throwing of the bat results in a warning the first time then an out. A bat is deemed thrown if it hits a player or flies more than 8 feet.
Fielding rules:
1) When a ball is over thrown, players can only advance one base.
2) Infield fly rule does not apply. Unless ball is dropped on purpose.
3) If a play is being made on a base runner they are not to continue running past the base in which the play was attempted.
Umpire rules:
1) Umps are to be at least 16 years old.
2) Must have a general understanding of the game.
3) Judge fair and impartial.
4) Keep control of the game.
5) Multiple umpires may be used to assist out in the field.
6) Umpire may stand behind the pitcher if necessary.
The rules and regulations above shall govern, for all other rules of softball ASA rules should be followed when possible. Keeping in mind these are girls under 8 yrs old.
Each City will have their own practice schedules and times.