Rec League Rules
Senior League Rules
Senior League Rules
URBANDALE GIRLS RECREATION ASSOCIATION
SENIOR LEAGUE SOFTBALL RULES
Grade : 6th, 7th & 8th
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.
1. The following rules supplement the official USSSA rules.
2. The score will be kept in all games. Coaches should submit their scores via the TeamSnap app in the group chat for Senior
league coaches so that everyone has visibility to the scores and everyone is in agreement.
a. Games can end in a time.
b. There will be a post-season tournament with medals given.
3. Pitching distance is 40 feet, base distance is 60 feet and will play with a 12 inch ball.
4. Nine players will play in the field. Pitcher, Catcher, 1st Base, 2nd Base, Short Stop, 3rd Base, Right Field, Center Field, Left
Field.
5. 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).
a. 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.
b. The batting order is not affected by substitutions in the defensive line-up.
6. 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.
7. This league is girl pitch with no coach pitching relief. League is intended to develop hitting, engage the defense and speed
up the pace of the game.
a. Walks will be allowed.
8. If a batter is hit by a pitch by a girl pitcher, she will take her base.
9. All games shall be 5 innings long or 1 hour. You will be allowed to finish the inning.
a. No new inning is to begin if an hour has elapsed since the start of the game.
b. 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).
10. First game starts at 7:30 p.m. and coaches will hold practice prior to the game starting at or near 7:00 pm.
a. All games are to start on time.
b. 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).
11. Five practice pitches by the pitcher are allowed at the start of each inning and seven practice pitches for a new pitcher.
a. 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.
12. 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.)
13. A protective fielding mask must be worn by all youth players.
14. Base runners on any base may leave the base when the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand on a pitch.
a. If the base runner leaves early, she is automatically out and a “no pitch” is declared.
15. Stealing is allowed, but players may only steal one base at a time.
16. The infield fly rule will NOT be in effect.
17. Drop third strike rule is in effect.
18. A maximum of 5 runs can be scored by a team per inning.
a. After 5 runs are scored, the opposing team will take their bat.
b. The game will automatically be stopped when the time limit is reached if one team is more than 5 runs ahead .
c. This rule also applies to tournament play during the years there is tournament play.
19. 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.
a. They are permitted to return to the prior base without risk.
b. Once the pitcher has possession of the ball in the circle, the runner must return to the closest base.
20. 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.
21. Bunting is allowed.
22. Treat tickets will be handed out at the conclusion of the game for the players in attendance for that game. Only one treat
ticket may be redeemed per player per night. Treat tickets may only be redeemed on Monday and Wednesday evenings.
*** At the end of the season, a medallion will be given to each participant in the league.
Major League Rules
Major League Rules
URBANDALE GIRLS RECREATION ASSOCIATION
MAJOR LEAGUE SOFTBALL RULES
Grade : 4th & 5th
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.
1. The following rules supplement the official USSSA rules.
2. The score will be kept in all games. Coaches should submit their scores via the TeamSnap app in the group chat for Major
league coaches so that everyone has visibility to the scores and everyone is in agreement.
a. Games can end in a time.
b. There will be a post-season tournament with medals given.
3. Pitching distance is 35 feet, base distance is 60 feet and will play with an 11 inch ball.
4. Ten players will play in the field – with the tenth player located in the outfield and must be on the grass.
5. 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).
a. 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.
b. The batting order is not affected by substitutions in the defensive line-up.
6. 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.
7. This league is girl pitch with coach relief by inning. League is intended to develop hitting, engage the defense and speed up
the pace of the game.
a. 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.
b. 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.
c. 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.
d. If the batter gets 3 swinging strikes on coach pitch she is still considered out and may not get the full 5 pitches.
e. This rule applies during regular season, as well as postseason league tournament.
8. 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.
9. All games shall be 5 innings long or 1 hour. You will be allowed to finish the inning.
a. No new inning is to begin if an hour has elapsed since the start of the game.
b. 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).
10. First game starts at 730 p.m. and coaches will hold practice prior to the game starting at or near 7:00 pm.
a. All games are to start on time.
b. 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).
11. Five practice pitches by the pitcher are allowed at the start of each inning and seven practice pitches for a new pitcher.
a. 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.
12. 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.)
13. A protective fielding mask must be worn by all youth players.
14. Base runners on any base may leave the base when the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand on a pitch.
a. If the base runner leaves early, she is automatically out and a “no pitch” is declared.
15. NO stealing allowed.
a. 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.
16. The infield fly rule will NOT be in effect.
17. No batter will be allowed to reach first base after the third strike (that is, the “dropped third strike” rule is not in effect).
18. A maximum of 5 runs can be scored by a team per inning.
a. After 5 runs are scored, the opposing team will take their bat.
b. The game will automatically be stopped when the time limit is reached if one team is more than 5 runs ahead .
c. This rule also applies to tournament play during the years there is tournament play.
19. 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.
a. They are permitted to return to the prior base without risk.
b. Once the pitcher has possession of the ball in the circle, the runner must return to the closest base.
20. 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.
21. NO bunting is allowed.
22. Treat tickets will be handed out at the conclusion of the game for the players in attendance for that game. Only one treat
ticket may be redeemed per player per night. Treat tickets may only be redeemed on Monday and Wednesday evenings.
*** At the end of the season, a medallion will be given to each participant in the league. ***
Minor League Rules
Minor League Rules
URBANDALE GIRLS RECREATION ASSOCIATION
MINOR LEAGUE SOFTBALL RULES
Grade : 2nd & 3rd
Revised April 2024
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.
1.The following rules supplement the official USSSA rules.
2. 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.
3. Pitching distance is 35 feet; base distance is 60 feet.
4. Ten players will play in the field – Standard positions must be filled : pitcher, catcher, 1st base, 2nd base, short stop & 3rd base.
The additional players will be positioned in the shallow outfield.
5. 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).
a. No player will sit out of the defensive lineup more than one inning per game.
b. When re-entering the defensive line-up, she must replace a player who has not previously sat out in that game.
c. The batting order is not affected by substitutions in the defensive line-up.
6. ALL season will be player pitch with coach pitch relief by batter. League is intended to develop hitting, engage the defense
and speed up the pace of the game.
a. Pitching player will get the chance to deliver 3 pitches in a row to the batter. NO batters will strike out against the pitching
players.
b. If the batter does not put the ball into play from the pitching player, the batting team’s coach will relieve the pitcher to finish
the at-bat.
c. The coach will have the chance to deliver 3 pitches in a row to the batter. If the batter does not put the ball into play off of the
coach pitcher, it will result in a strike out and count towards an out for the inning.
d. There will be no walks (bases on balls) OR hit-by-pitch as currently known in softball.
e. If the batter fouls off the last pitch delivered by the coach, the coach will have a chance to deliver another pitch to the batter
until it results in the ball being put into play or a strike out (swing and miss, or no swing attempted).
f. If the batter puts the ball into play in fair territory off of the 1st or 2nd pitch delivered by either the coach or the player, it will
be treated as a live ball and the additional pitches will be forfeited.
7. Bunting is NOT permitted.
8. NO courtesy runners will be allowed at any time.
9. All games shall be 5 innings long OR 1 hour (whichever comes first).
a. No new inning is to begin if an hour has elapsed since the start of the game.
10. First game starts at 5:45 p.m. and coaches will hold practice prior to the game starting at or near 5:15pm. All games are to
start on time.
a. IMPORTANT: Proper emphasis given to timely transition between innings by coaches 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.
11. A protective fielding mask must be worn by all players.
12. There will be NO stealing in this league. Runners may lead off of the bag once the ball has left the pitcher’s hand.
13. The infield fly rule will NOT be in effect.
14. No batter will be allowed to reach first base after the third strike (that is, the “dropped third strike” rule is not in effect).
15. The half inning will conclude once the defense gets 3 outs, or once each batter has had a chance to bat.
a. In the event that the defense does not get 3 outs and the offensive team gets through their lineup, the last batter will not
automatically get to run all 4 bases. Instead, if a live ball is put into play, the defense will play it out until a dead ball is
declared. Once the dead ball is declared, base runners and fielders will return to their dugout and the half inning will conclude.
16. 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.
a. They are permitted to return to the prior base without risk.
b. Once the pitcher has possession of the ball in the circle, the runner must return to the closest base.
17. On an overthrow runners may only advance 1 base. Period. Example: if a ball gets thrown into a dugout or over a fence.
Overthrow at 1st = dead ball, players return it to the pitcher.
18. Treat tickets will be handed out at the conclusion of the game for the players in attendance for that game. Only one treat
ticket may be redeemed per player per night. Treat tickets may only be redeemed on Monday and Wednesday evenings.
*** At the end of the season, a medallion will be given to each participant in the league. ***
Beginner League Rules
Beginner League Rules
URBANDALE GIRLS RECREATION ASSOCIATION
BEGINNER LEAGUE SOFTBALL RULES
Grade : Kindergarten & 1st
Revised April 2024
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.
1. 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.
2. Players must be rotated to a new position each time they take the field
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. The infield fly rule will not be in effect.
8. Base runners are allowed to advance only on a hit ball. Runners will not advance more than one base on a hit ball.
9. 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.
10. All Beginner league games will be one hour, or 4 innings long (whichever comes first). Coaches will have a 30 minute
practice/warm-up prior to the game.
11. A protective fielding mask must be worn by all players.
12. 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.
13. Treat tickets will be handed out at the conclusion of the game for the players in attendance for that game. Only one treat
ticket may be redeemed per player per night. Treat tickets may only be redeemed on Monday and Wednesday evenings.
*** At the end of the season, a medallion will be given to each participant in the league. ***
T-Ball League Rules
T-Ball Rules
URBANDALE GIRLS RECREATION ASSOCIATION
T-Ball LEAGUE SOFTBALL RULES
Grade : Pre-K
Revised April 2024
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.
1. 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.
2. Players must be rotated to a new position each time they take the field.
3. 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.
4. In the T-Ball league, players will hit from a tee.
5. 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.
6. There are no walks or strikeouts, and bunting is prohibited.
7. The infield fly rule will not be in effect.
8. Base runners are allowed to advance only on a hit ball. Runners will not advance more than one base on a hit ball.
9. 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.
10. All T-Ball league games will be one hour, or 4 innings long (whichever comes first). Coaches will have a 20-30 minute
practice prior to the game.
11. 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.
12. Treat tickets will be handed out at the conclusion of the game for the players in attendance for that game. Only one treat
ticket may be redeemed per player per night. Treat tickets may only be redeemed on Monday and Wednesday evenings.
*** At the end of the season, a medallion will be given to each participant in the league. ***