revised 4/21/15
Big Spring Girls Softball Association
8-Under Local Rules 2015
This season is dedicated to the child and future ballplayer. Please look upon yourself as a teacher. Remember that these children will be looking to us for instruction and guidance. Teach them the fundamentals and they will remember you for years to come.
1. Age: Girls 8, or younger, as of January 1st
2. Teams: Rosters of teams should be approximately 12 players.
3. Ball size: 11-inch ball will be used.
4. Number of players & playing the field: The defensive team consists of 10 players. There can only be 6 players on the infield (including the catcher). The rover and outfielders must be no closer than the edge of the outfield grass until the ball is hit. Infielders must be no closer than an imaginary line between 1st base and 3rd base at the time of the pitch. The defensive player pitcher must be in the back half of the circle in a position to see around the coach pitcher.
5. Defensive play: A defensive player may not intentionally roll or run the ball to a base; and the ball cannot be intentionally rolled or run to the pitcher. If, in the umpire’s judgment, a ball is rolled or run to a base, the base runner will be safe. If the ball is intentionally rolled or run to the pitcher, the base runners will be given an extra base. A player will not be allowed to run down the batter runner or base runner unless this would constitute a normal play. A player may not sit out defensively more than one inning in a row.
6. Pitching: 8U will be coach pitch. Pitching distance will be 35 feet. The coach pitcher is allowed to talk to, or coach, the batter but may not leave the circle until after the pitch. The coach pitcher can pitch from any distance between the pitching rubber (35 feet) and the front edge of the circle (apprx. 27 feet). A windmill motion is not required. An underhand toss is acceptable. The coach pitcher pitches to his/her own team. A team can only change pitchers after an inning is over.
7. Play Stops: Defensively, when the player pitcher has control of the ball inside the circle, and she is not making a play on a runner, play is stopped by the umpire. Runners who have not crossed the halfway mark between bases must return to the base last touched.
8. Coach Pitcher: The “coach pitcher” can wear a glove for protection but must avoid interfering with the play after the ball has been hit and when it is being thrown by a fielder. If, in the judgment of the umpire, the coach intentionally interferes with the play: (1) the ball is declared dead (2) the batter is out. If a batted/thrown ball that can’t be avoided hits the coach pitcher, the umpire will declare the ball dead. The batter will be awarded 1st base, all other runners will advance one base. When a batted ball is in play the coach pitcher must move toward the foul line away from the play and on into foul territory against the fence, if necessary.
9. Overthrows: Base runners will be allowed to advance, at risk, on all overthrows that stay within the playing boundaries of the field.
10. Infield Fly Rule: The infield fly rule does not apply.
11. Runner Obstruction: If a fielder intentionally interferes with a base runner, the play is dead and the runner advances to the base they were going to.
12. Catchers: All catchers must wear their full catcher’s gear during the defensive inning. Catchers are required to play in the normal catching position directly behind home plate.
13. Player’s Replacement: Any player may be moved from position to position during an inning as long as it does not create a delay in the game. Defensive substitutions from the bench are not allowed except in the case of injury. If an injured player misses their time at bat they are not eligible to play in the rest of the game. There will not be an automatic out for a missed at bat due to injury.
14. Coaches on the Field: The offensive team may have coaches present in the coaching boxes at first and third base. Only 3 offensive coaches on the field (including the coach pitcher). The coach pitcher pitches to the players of his/her own team. Defensive coaches are not allowed on the field.
15. Batting order: Teams must bat their entire line-up the entire game. The batting order will be determined by the coach prior to the game and cannot be adjusted. Late arrivals will be added to the bottom of the order. Helmets with facemasks and chin straps must be worn by the batter, all runners, and the players in the on-deck circle. Only one player can be outside the dugout at a time (with the exception of base runners and the batter).
16. No stealing: Base runners may leave their base after the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand. The ball is dead if not hit. Runners must return to their base without liability to be put out. Runners who leave the base prior to the pitch being released will be called out.
17. Strike Out: Each batter will be allowed 5 pitches. Three swinging strikes or five total pitches is an out.
Foul Ball Exception: A player who has 2 strikes will remain the hitter if she fouls off the next pitch. As long as she continues to foul off pitches she is still allowed to keep hitting. Fouling off pitches can result in exceeding the 5 pitch limit. If after 5 pitches she does not swing at a pitch she will be out at that point. The intent is to allow the hitter to stay alive as long as she is fouling off pitches, even if it extends beyond the 5 count.
Examples: Girl hits 4 straight fouls then takes a pitch (5 total pitches- Out) Girl swings and misses on 2 pitches, takes 2 pitches, then fouls off 3, then gets a hit on the 8th pitch.
18. Bunting: Batters will not be allowed to bunt. A fair bunt will be considered a strike.
19. Runner Interference: If a base runner intentionally tries to run forcefully through a fielder, the base runner is out, regardless of whether or not the fielder has possession of the ball.
20. Inning: The side will be retired when the offensive team reaches the run limit (5 runs) or three outs occur.
21. Regulation game: A regulation game will be 5 full innings; or 1 hour and 20 minutes, whichever comes first. A new inning will not start after time expires. If it is impossible for one team to “catch up” with the other, the game will be called when time expires.
22. No sliding: Runners who slide will be called out.
23. Scorekeeping/Scoreboard: The Home team will keep the official scorebook. The Visitors team will be responsible for working the field scoreboard.
24. Line-up: Managers/Coaches must exchange line-ups prior to the start of the game.
All other rules will be BSGSA Local Rules and ASA Rules