Rec 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. ***