Rec League Rules
Major League Rules
MAJOR LEAGUE SOFTBALL RULES 5th - 7th grades
Teams will be formed based on player evaluations and coaches draft.
The purpose of this league is to have fun and develop players. While we want to be competitive, we also want to ensure that
this is a good experience for the players. Coaches and fans are asked to demonstrate high levels of sportsmanship.
- The following rules supplement the official USSSA rules.
- The score will be kept in all games. Coaches should use score cards and each coach turn in a score card at the end of the game.
- Games should not end in a tie
- There will be a post-season tournament with awards or medals given.
- Pitching distance is 35 feet, base distance is 60 feet and will play with an 11 inch ball
- Ten players will play in the field – with the tenth player located in the outfield and must be on the grass.
- All girls will be in the offensive line-up and all will bat (based on the batting order established at the start of the game).
- No player will sit out of the defensive lineup more than one inning per game. When re-entering the defensive line-up, she must replace a player who has not previously sat out in that game.
- The batting order is not affected by substitutions in the defensive line-up.
- During the season, a pitcher may not pitch more than 2 innings per game. If a girl pitches one pitch or more in an inning, she is considered to have pitched for a full inning for the purpose of this rule.
- This league is girl pitch with coach relief. League is intended to develop hitting, engage the defense and speed up the pace of the game.
- Walks will be allowed but after a pitcher walks 3 girls in an inning a coach will come in and pitch the remainder of that inning.
- If that pitcher has not pitched her 2 innings yet her walk count starts over at the beginning of the next inning…. meaning she is allowed up to 3 walks per inning before coach relief.
- During coach pitch the batter gets 5 pitches only. If the batter does not hit the ball within those 5 pitches then she will be considered out.
- If the batter gets 3 strikes on coach pitch she is still considered out and may not get the full 5 pitches.
- This rule applies during regular season, as well as postseason league tournament.
- If a batter is hit by a pitch by a girl pitcher, she will take her base. This rule does not apply if hit by a pitch by her coach.
- All games shall be 5 innings long or 1 hour. You will be allowed to finish the inning.
- No new inning is to begin if an hour has elapsed since the start of the game.
- In tournament games that are tied at the end of regulation play (innings or time limit), international rules apply. (Each successive inning will begin with the last batter from the prior inning on second base).
- First game starts at 7:45 p.m. and coaches will hold practice prior to the game starting at or near 7:15 pm.
- All games are to start on time.
- IMPORTANT: Proper emphasis given to timely transition between innings by coaches & umpires will result in more innings played ( i.e. having the catcher for the next inning dressed & ready to go when possible, using a coach to warm the pitcher when the catcher isn’t ready).
- Five practice pitches by the pitcher are allowed at the start of each inning and seven practice pitches for a new pitcher.
- If more than one minute elapses before the pitcher begins her warm up, the umpire may reduce the number of allowed pitches in order to keep the game moving.
- Mask, with throat protector is mandatory for any player catching or warming up a pitcher at any time , including practice. (When an extra mask is not available, a parent/coach should warm up the pitcher.)
- A protective fielding mask must be worn by all youth players.
- Base runners on any base may leave the base when the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand on a pitch.
- If the base runner leaves early, she is automatically out and a “no pitch” is declared.
- NO stealing allowed.
- The only way any runner may advance to home is on a hit ball, overthrow on a hit ball, or if forced to advance due to a walk.
- Baserunners may not steal during coach pitch
- The infield fly rule will NOT be in effect.
- No batter will be allowed to reach first base after the third strike (that is, the “dropped third strike” rule is not in effect).
- A maximum of 5 runs can be scored by a team per inning.
- After 5 runs are scored, the opposing team will take their bat.
- The game will automatically stopped when the time limit is reached if one team is more than 5 runs ahead .
- This rule also applies to tournament play during the years there is tournament play.
- After a hit ball, once the ball is in possession of the pitcher while in the pitchers circle, runners must return to the prior base if they have not reached the half-way point to the next base.
- They are permitted to return to the prior base without risk.
- Once the pitcher has possession of the ball in the circle, the runner must return to the closest base.
- If a base runner does not slide and the fielder is interfered with, or in the judgment of the umpire there is a risk of collision/injury, that runner is out and potential subsequent outs are declared.
- NO bunting is allowed.
- Treat tickets will be NOT be handed out. Players will use their jersey as their treat ticket at the concession stand. Coaches will be given a menu of items for players to look at prior to going to the concession stand.
*** At the end of the season, a medallion will be given to each participant in the league. ***
Minor League Rules
MINOR LEAGUE SOFTBALL RULES 3rd - 4th grade
Revised April 2023
Teams will be formed based on player evaluations and coaches draft. The purpose of this league is to have fun and develop players. While we want to be competitive, we also want to ensure that this is a good experience for the players. Coaches and fans are asked to demonstrate high levels of sportsmanship.
- The following rules supplement the official USSSA rules.
- The score will be kept in all games.
- Games can end in a tie- scores are recorded
- There will be a post-season tournament with awards being given for first and second places in tournament play
- Pitching distance is 35 feet; base distance is 60 feet.
- Ten players will play in the field – with the tenth player located in the outfield.
- Outfielders must be on the grass.
- All girls will be in the offensive (batting) line-up and all will bat (based on the batting order established at the start of the
game). - No player will sit out of the defensive lineup more than one inning per game.
- When re-entering the defensive line-up, she must replace a player who has not previously sat out in that game.
- The batting order is not affected by substitutions in the defensive line-up.
- ALL season will be coach pitch. League is intended to develop hitting, engage the defense and speed up the pace of the game.
- There will be no walks (bases on balls) as currently known in softball. (Maximum of 5 coach pitches.)
- If a batter is hit by a pitch, she has the option to continue batting or can take her base.
- Bunting is NOT permitted.
- All games shall be 5 innings long OR 1 hour (whichever comes first).
- No new inning is to begin if an hour has elapsed since the start of the game.
- In tournament games that are tied at the end of regulation play (innings or time limit), international rules apply. (Each
successive inning will begin with the last batter from the prior inning on second base). - First game starts at 7:45 p.m. and coaches will hold practice prior to the game starting at or near 7:15pm. All games are to
start on time. - IMPORTANT: Proper emphasis given to timely transition between innings by coaches & umpires will result in more innings
played, i.e. having the catcher for the next inning dressed & ready to go when possible, using a coach to warm the pitcher when
the catcher isn’t ready. - A protective fielding mask must be worn by all players.
- There will be NO stealing in this league. Runners may lead off of the bag once the ball has left the pitchers hand.
- The infield fly rule will NOT be in effect.
- No batter will be allowed to reach first base after the third strike (that is, the “dropped third strike” rule is not in effect).
- A maximum of 5 runs can be scored by a team per inning.
- After 5 runs are scored, the opposing team will take their bat. The game will automatically stop when the time limit is
reached if one team is more than 5 runs ahead. This rule also applies to tournament play during the years there is tournament
play. - After a hit ball, once the ball is in possession of the pitcher while in the pitcher’s circle, runners must return to the prior base if they have not reached the half-way point to the next base. They are permitted to return to the prior base without risk.
- Once the pitcher has possession of the ball in the circle, the runner must return to the closest base.
- On an overthrow runners may only advance 1 base. Period. Example: if a ball gets thrown into a dugout or over a fence. Overthrow 1 st = dead ball, players return it to the pitcher.
- Treat tickets will be NOT be handed out. Players will use their jersey as their treat ticket at the concession stand. Coaches will be given a menu of items for players to look at prior to going to the concession stand.
*** At the end of the season, a medallion will be given to each participant in the league. ***
Beginner League Rules
BEGINNER LEAGUE SOFTBALL RULES 1st- 2nd grade
Revised April 2023
Teams will be formed based on player evaluation and coaches draft.
The purpose of this league is to have fun and develop players. While we want to be competitive, we also want to ensure that
this is a good experience for the players. Coaches and fans are asked to demonstrate high levels of sportsmanship.
- Defensive team will consist of all players. One extra player will be positioned in the infield between first and second base (the rover), and the rest will be outfielders. All other players will play the regular positions.
- Players must be rotated to a new position each time they take the field
- All girls will be in the batting order, and they all will hit every inning. The batting order may be changed each inning. After the last girl has batted, play continues until the batter-runner scores.
- In the Beginner league, coaches will pitch to their own teams. Each girl will receive a maximum of 5 pitches. If the batter does not put the ball in play after 5 pitches, she will hit from the tee to put the ball in play.
- A semicircular line 7 feet from home plate and from the first base foul line to the third base foul line will define a dead ballarea. Any batted ball stopping in this area will be ruled a dead ball and the batter will hit again. Any batted ball from the tee within this area, the coach has the discretion to honor the batter another hit.
- There are no walks or strikeouts, and bunting is prohibited. These provisions will apply whether hitting off a tee or if the coach is pitching
- The infield fly rule will not be in effect.
- Base runners are allowed to advance only on a hit ball. Runners will not advance more than one base on a hit ball.
- If an overthrow occurs, a dead ball is declared and runners will be positioned on the base they were closest to at the time of the overthrow.
- All Beginner league games will be one hour, or 4 innings long (whichever comes first). Coaches will have practice prior to the game.
- A protective fielding mask must be worn by all players.
- THERE WILL BE NO SCORES KEPT IN ANY GAMES and no standing will be listed. Coaches are asked to encourage all parents and other adults to follow the spirit of this rule.
- Treat tickets will be NOT be handed out. Players will use their jersey as their treat ticket at the concession stand. Coaches will be given a menu of items for players to look at prior to going to the concession stand.
*** At the end of the season, a medallion will be given to each participant in the league. ***
T-Ball League Rules
T-Ball LEAGUE SOFTBALL RULES Pre K - K
Revised April 2023
Teams will be formed based on random draw.
The purpose of this league is to have fun and develop players. While we want to be competitive, we also want to ensure that this is a good experience for the players. Coaches and fans are asked to demonstrate high levels of sportsmanship.
- Defensive team will consist of all players. One extra player will be positioned in the infield between first and second base (the rover), and the rest will be outfielders. All other players will play the regular positions.
- Players must be rotated to a new position each time they take the field
- All girls will be in the batting order, and they all will hit every inning. The batting order may be changed each inning. After the last girl has batted, play continues until the batter-runner scores.
- In the T-Ball league, players will hit from a tee.
- A semicircular line 7 feet from home plate and from the first base foul line to the third base foul line will define a dead ball area. Any batted ball stopping in this area will be ruled a dead ball and the batter will hit again. Any batted ball from the tee within this area, the coach has the discretion to honor the batter another hit.
- There are no walks or strikeouts, and bunting is prohibited.
- The infield fly rule will not be in effect.
- Base runners are allowed to advance only on a hit ball. Runners will not advance more than one base on a hit ball.
- If an overthrow occurs, a dead ball is declared and runners will be positioned on the base they were closest to at the time of the overthrow.
- All T-Ball league games will be one hour, or 4 innings long (whichever comes first). Coaches will have practice prior to the game.
- THERE WILL BE NO SCORES KEPT IN ANY GAMES and no standing will be listed. Coaches are asked to encourage all parents and other adults to follow the spirit of this rule.
- Treat tickets will be NOT be handed out. Players will use their jersey as their treat ticket at the concession stand. Coaches will be given a menu of items for players to look at prior to going to the concession stand.
*** At the end of the season, a medallion will be given to each participant in the league. ***