8U SOFTBALL LEAGUE RULES

• The book shall be kept every game by the home team

• Both coaches and umpires should know the exact game start time so they know when it ends. The scorekeeper should note this in the scorebook. No new inning should begin once official time has elapsed unless it is a tied game. A new inning begins when the last out of an inning is recorded.

• Coach pitches to own players.

  • 5 Pitches

  • 3 Swinging Strikes

  • Foul on the fifth pitch, treat it as a three-ball, two-strike count

  • The pitching coach may pitch anywhere within the pitching circle

• Game time is 60 minutes or six innings

• 60’ base path

• An 11-inch ball is used

• 5 runs per inning

• No Stealing is allowed

• One base on overthrow per play, no matter where the overthrow occurs

• Bat entire roster

• Play 10 in the field

• Ten run rule is in effect. After four innings, the game is over.

• If the game is tied at the end of regulation, it automatically goes into International Tie Breaker (ITB). The last batted player goes to 2nd base during ITB. 

• The ball is dead once in the pitcher's circle and in control of the pitcher (coach or player) unless it was batted to the pitcher.

• Sliding into the home is not mandatory- but you cannot make intentional contact.

• Makeup games will be scheduled by League Leadership

• Substitute player rule:  If a team is short of players, it may pick up another player from that age group.  However, that must be announced by each team if a player is picked up, and Player must be positioned in the outfield and bats last  7 players are acceptable.

• If a team plays with 7 players, there are no outs recorded for the missing player in the lineup.

• Outfielders must be no closer than the edge of the grass

• All metal bats must have USA Baseball or USSSA stamps on them