San Clemente Girls Softball

Rules Highlights

8U-Division

updated February 15, 2010

 

Safety rules prohibit players from wearing any jewelry at any time during practice or games.

Sportsmanship : NO derogatory cheers will be tolerated. Remember: We teach by example.

All rules contained in the current ASA official rule book relative to the administrative and playing rules, which apply to the 8U-Division, except where modified herein, shall apply.

  1. Ball – 10”
  2. Pitching Distance – 30’, both feet on rubber.
  3. Bases – 60’
  4. No dropped 3rd strike.
  5. Stealing bases will be allowed in accordance with ASA rules. Runners may legally advance one base only per pitch by player. No runner will be allowed to steal home (Home Plate is “frozen”). If a runner attempts to steal home or more than one base, she will be liable to be put out, but will be returned to the proper base at the play’s completion if she safely reaches that base. Runners will not be allowed to steal during Coach Pitch. Sliding is not mandatory.
  6. Coach pitches after ball four.  The coach pitcher must pitch from the pitcher’s plate (pitching rubber). No exceptions! The coach will pick up the umpire’s strike count; all coach pitches are counted as strikes except foul balls on the 3rd strike. No walks.
  7. Line-up – entire team bats.
  8. Bunting is allowed during player pitch, however no bunting is allowed during coach pitch.
  9. Three (3) innings are needed for a complete game.
  10. Three (3) outs or four-up rule shall constitute a half (1/2) inning.  The Four-Up rule means only four (4) runs may be scored in any half of any one inning. Open scoring after (4) four complete innings.
  11. Mercy Rule – 10 runs ahead after 4 innings is in effect.
  12. A pitcher is limited to (2) innings in any game. Should the game go to a fifth inning, a pitcher who has previously pitched 2 innings, may come back and pitch one more inning. If it goes to a 6th inning, a second pitcher who has previously pitched 2 innings, may pitch the 6th inning. Six (6) complete innings constitutes a complete game. Games tied after a complete game by definition will be recorded as ties in the League standings.
  13. A player cannot sit out (2) consecutive innings. No player can sit out (2) innings until every player has sat out (1) inning. No player can sit out (3) innings until every player has sat out (2) innings.
  14. Each player must play at least two (2) innings as an infielder within the first (4) four innings.
  15. When a batter is hit by a player pitcher, the strike count will be cleared.  Coach will come out and pitch 3 times to the batter; all coach pitches are counted as strikes except foul balls on the 3rd strike.  A hit batter will NOT be awarded first base.
  16. Time Out will be called when; A) the ball is returned to the pitcher’s circle with the intent, based on the umpire’s judgment, of returning the ball to the pitcher. B) When a throw is made to 1st base in an attempt to put out the batter/runner, as soon as the batter/runner is called safe or out, time is “out”.   No extra bases are allowed on an over-throw to first or when the ball is being returned to the pitcher. When Time Out occurs, other base runners who have advanced farther than half-way to the next base may take that base. Base runners who have not advanced further than half way to the next base will need to return to the previous base. If an out is attempted at 2 nd, 3 rd or home, there will be only one (1) base allowed on an overthrow.
    • No infield fly rule.
    • Only two defensive (2) coaches may be on the field during defense.
    • Time limit – No new inning after 1 hour and 20 minutes.  New inning starts as soon as last out of previous inning is made.
    • Coaches have free substitution. 
    • A minimum of (7) seven players are needed to avoid a forfeit.  Players arriving late are placed at the bottom of the batting order.
    • There are to be 10 defensive players, 4 of which are outfielders.  A distance of 20’ must be kept between infielders and outfielders. Outfielders cannot play infield positions when in the outfield.
    • A runner cannot leave the base until the ball leaves the pitchers hand.
    • All players must keep shirt tails tucked into their shorts and jackets must be buttoned/zipped up if worn.  Caps, if worn, shall be worn appropriately with the brim facing the front.