Regular Season Rules for Branford Girls Softball
These rules are not exhaustive. The only exhaustive list of rules is provided in the Little League Rulebook App. All rules in this document can be found in the Rulebook with the exception of those preceded by “Branford Adopted Rule.” Those are rules that Branford Girls Softball has chosen to adopt, outside the boundaries of the rulebook, during the regular season. Rules preceded by “LLO” are “Local League Option” – the rulebook gives local leagues the option to adopt a rule or not, and we have indeed decided to adopt that rule.
If during a regular season game, the head coaches of each team meet the umpire at home plate and both agree on a rule not listed, that rule may be adopted for that game at the discretion of the umpire (e.g., “1 hour 30-minute time limit instead of 1 hour 45-minutes). If teams from two different towns or districts play, it is customary to adopt the rules of the home field (i.e., Branford). If a problem arises where a visiting team does not wish to adopt one of our local rules, it should be discussed at the Homeplate meeting with the umpire. The umpire will be the arbiter and have final say. If a rule is not discussed at the home plate meeting but later in the game, the umpire still has final say but will be instructed not to change/adopt rules such that it may give one team an unfair advantage.
“Branford Adopted Rules” may apply solely to Branford, and “LLO” rules may not necessarily be adopted by other towns/districts. If you are the visiting team in another town/district, such rules should be discussed at the Homeplate meeting prior to the game.
Rules for All Levels
Player equipment
Umpires are not required to check bats, gloves, helmets, or gear. Coaches will be asked
by the umpire if they are legally and properly equipped at the Homeplate meeting. It is
the coach’s job to ensure their team is legally and properly equipped. For details on
equipment requirements consult “Rule 1.00 – Objectives of The Game.”
Courtesy Runner
LLO: A team may courtesy run for their pitcher and/or catcher with 2 outs. The courtesy
runner will be the player who made the last out. It is permissible to courtesy run for the
catcher and pitcher at the same time.
Sliding
There is no “must slide” rule. A runner, however, must slide or attempt to get around a
fielder. If a fielder is blocking a base without the ball (i.e., obstructing) the runner must
still attempt to avoid the fielder. In such a case, the umpire should rule obstruction, but
the runner must still attempt to avoid running into the fielder. In Coach Pitch and Minors,
players are not allowed to slide headfirst except if they are doing so back to a previously
occupied base. Minor offences will be given warnings, but the player may be called out
for a headfirst slide at the umpire’s discretion.
Coach Pitch (Instructional-Minors) Division
Required Players
A team may play with 8 players. Teams must use the continuous batting order. If a player
is unable to continue playing, they may be removed from the lineup without penalty. If a
player arrives late, they may be added to the lineup without penalty.
All players on the roster may be put on defense and in the lineup.
Time Limit
LLO: No inning will be started after 1 hour 45-minutes. Time will begin at the conclusion
of the Homeplate meeting between the coaches and umpire(s).
A regulation game consists of six (6) innings. If the score is tied after six innings, extra
innings may be played if time allows. If less than six innings have been played, it is still a
regulation game provided it is in accordance with the 1 hour 45-minute time limit.
Strikes/Swings/Soft toss/Tee
Coaches should come together before the game and agree on how many swings a batter
gets before the coach should either put the ball on a tee, or soft toss to the batter (either is
ok). It is advised for each player to get at least 5 swings before doing so.
How many bases can a runner take on a hit?
Runners should be restricted to one base on a ball put in play that remains in the infield.
If a hit reaches the outfield, runners are allowed to advance further. Runners should not
advance on any pass balls. This should be policed by the coaches and umpire, who
reserve the right to send runners back to a base.
Run Rules
The side will be retired provided the team has scored 5 runs in that half inning or the
team has batted once through the batting order (5 runs per inning limit).
LLO: The umpire should try to call “last inning” during which the 5-run limit is
suspended.
The following “mercy” rules will be in effect.
• 15 runs after 3 innings
• 10 runs after 4 innings
• 8 runs after 5 innings
Infield Fly/Uncaught Third Strike
Branford Rule: There is no infield fly rule for the Coach Pitch Division, nor is there an
uncaught third strike rule.
Stealing
No stealing
Minors Division
Required Players and Coaches
A team is permitted one (1) manager and three (3) coaches in the dugout.
A team may play with 8 players. Teams must use the continuous batting order. If a player
is unable to continue playing, they may be removed from the lineup without penalty. If a
player arrives late, they may be added to the lineup without penalty.
Time Limit
LLO: No inning will be started after 1 hour 45-minutes. Time will begin at the conclusion
of the Homeplate meeting between the coaches and umpire(s).
A regulation game consists of six (6) innings. If the score is tied after six innings, extra
innings may be played if time allows. If less than six innings have been played, it is still a
regulation game provided it is in accordance with the 1 hour 45-minute time limit.
Run Rules
The side will be retired provided the team has scored 5 runs in that half inning or the
team has batted once through the batting order (5 runs per inning limit).
LLO: The umpire should try to call “last inning” during which the 5-run limit is
suspended.
The following “mercy” rules will be in effect. The home team must be given an
opportunity to bat provided they are the team with fewer runs.
• 15 runs after 3 innings
• 10 runs after 4 innings
• 8 runs after 5 innings
Infield Fly/Uncaught Third Strike
Branford Rule: There is no infield fly rule for the Minors Division, nor is there an
uncaught third strike rule.
Conferences
Two defensive conferences per inning per pitcher. On the third conference, the pitcher
must come out.
Three defensive conferences per game per pitcher. On the fourth, the pitcher must come
out.
Stealing
Runners must maintain contact with the bag until the ball has reached the batter. If a
runner leaves early, they will be called out.
Branford Rule: Each team is allowed two (2) successful steals of home per half inning
and two successful steals of other bases per half inning. A steal of home includes a pass
ball by the catcher, an overthrow to the pitcher, and a runner on third advancing home on
a catcher throwing down to second on a steal.
Coach Pitching After a Walk
Branford Rule: On a second consecutive walk, the coach will come in and pitch to the
batter. The batter will retain the count they had prior to the coach pitching. The umpire
will still call strikes, but the batter cannot walk.
Pitch Limit
A player may pitch in a maximum of twelve (12) innings in a day. If a player pitches in
seven (7) or more innings in a day, one calendar day of rest is mandatory. Delivery of a
single pitch constitutes having pitched in an inning
Juniors Division
Required Players and Coaches
A team is permitted one (1) manager and two (2) coaches in the dugout.
A team may play with 8 players. If a team has nine (9) or fewer players, it will be
assumed they are using a continuous batting order.
Time Limit
LLO: No inning will be started after 1 hour 45-minutes. Time will begin to start at the
conclusion of the Homeplate meeting between the coaches and umpire(s).
A regulation game consists of seven (7) innings. If the score is tied after seven innings,
extra innings may be played if time allows. If less than seven innings have been played, it
is still a regulation game provided it is in accordance with the 1 hour 45-minute time
limit.
Run Rules
The following “mercy” rules will be in effect. The home team must be given an
opportunity to bat provided they are the team with fewer runs.
• 15 runs after 4 innings
• 10 runs after 5 innings
• 8 runs after 6 innings
Infield Fly/Uncaught Third Strike
Both the infield fly rule and the uncaught third strike rule will be played.
Refer to “Rule 2.00 – Definition of Terms” for clarification on Infield Fly. Refer to Rule
6.05b for clarification on the uncaught third strike rule.
Conferences
One defensive conferences per inning per pitcher. On the second conference, the pitcher
must come out.
Two defensive conferences per game per pitcher. On the third, the pitcher must come out.
Stealing
Runners must maintain contact with the base until the pitcher has released the ball.