8U Division
The 8U division is a coach-pitch division with the goal of teaching children general baseball rules and strategies.
General rules
- There will be a continuous batting order, all players will bat in the batting order.
- Length of game will be 1 hour and 15 minutes. Any inning starting before 1 hour and 15 minutes will be completed if the outcome of the game is in doubt.
- Maximum of 6 innings per game and 5 runs per inning.
- Each team at bat is allowed three outs or 5 runs per inning, whichever comes first.
- Mercy rule – Game will be called if a team is ahead by 11 runs after the 4th inning, or 6 runs after the 5th inning.
- Games may be started with 8 players.
Defense
- There will be a normal infield with a 6 infielders and 4 outfielders.
- The outfielders will be required to stand in the outfield grass.
- One coach may stand directly outside the dugout area. No defensive coaches in the outfield are allowed.
- Fielders must make an overhand throw to first base in order to record an out at first base. Only exception is when the fielding pitcher picks up a batted ball along the first base line.
- The fielding pitcher must stand with 1 foot in the pitching circle when coach pitcher is pitching. The fielding pitcher cannot advance towards home plate until the ball is hit. If the pitcher moves toward home plate before the ball is hit, the offensive team gets the choice of the play or a walk.
- Time is called when all runners have stopped advancing.
Offense
- Each batter is allowed five coach pitches. Three strikes is an out. The batter will continue to bat if he fouls off the 5th pitch until the batter strikes out or puts the ball in play. Foul bunt on the 5th pitch is an out.
- The coach must pitch over handed.
- Any batted ball that hits the pitching coach will be a dead ball and a no pitch. If the pitching coach intentionally (in the umpire’s judgment) allows the ball to hit him, the batter will be out and a dead ball called. No runner may advance.
- The coach pitcher must attempt to leave the field and try to pick up the batter’s bat. The coach pitcher that does not attempt to get off the field and interferes with the defensive player to keep him from making a play will cause the batter to be out. No runners advance.
- After a coach pitch is batted into play, the coach pitcher may not remain on the field in an attempt to coach base runners.
- Each team is allowed one warning if a batter throws the bat, after which any batter who throws a bat will be declared out. The defensive team has the choice to take the out or the result of the play.
- Late arriving players must be put at the last spot on the batting order. If the player does not show up before his turn at bat it will not be considered an out. If the player is in the middle of the line-up and does not show it will be considered an out.
- Ball must roll past arc to be considered a fair ball. If the ball is touched while rolling inside the arc it will be considered a foul ball
- Sliding is allowed. Head first sliding is discouraged.
- Coaches cannot touch base runners while the ball is in play. If a coach touches a runner, the runner will be out.
- Player running the bases who deliberately removes his headgear is out.
Order of Rules