8 & UNDER

GIRLS SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL

2008 RULES

 

 

1.         All games will be played at the Thomaston-Upson County Girls Softball Complex.

 

2.         There will be no smoking or tobacco chewing on the field or in the dugout.

 

3.         There will be no steel or metal cleats allowed.

 

4.         The distance between the bases will be 60 feet.  Pitching distance is 35 feet.

 

5.         Helmets with face mask must be worn by batters, base runners and on deck batters, with chin straps at all times when not in dugout.  First time without helmets will be a warning, the second time without a helmet an out will be called.  Catchers are required to wear complete gear including throat protectors.

 

6.         No team is allowed to begin an inning after one (1) hour.  In case of a tie game, at the end of the time limit, one (1) extra inning will be allowed to try to break the tie.  If the game remains tied, the game officially counts as ½ game won and ½ game lost per team.

 

7.         Games will have 6 innings, 8 runs after 5 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings, 12 runs after 3 innings and 15 runs after 2 innings.

 

8.         Managers are required to list all players in the batting order for each game.  All players that don’t start the game on defense, must play 6 defensive outs.  Penalty for violation of this rule shall be the forfeiture of the game in the event the violating team is winner.  Each team will have three outs or one time through the batting order.  The only exception is, in the last inning.  If a team is behind 10 or more runs, team on defense must get three outs.

 

9.         Only one (1) offensive time out per inning.

 

10.         Thrown bats will be a warning the first time per team, the second time the team is cited the batter will be called out.

 

11.       In this league the batting team’s coach will pitch a maximum of six (6) pitches to hit or be out.  If the last pitch is fouled off, another pitch will be allowed. 

 

12.       The Recreation Department will make decisions on the Player Pool.

 

13.       No player will be added after 2/3's of the season has been completed.

 

14.       Coaches must remain in the confines of the dugout when their team is on defense and players are not allowed to stand on benches in the dugout.

 

 

15.       Trophies will be awarded to the 1st and 2nd place teams.  In case of a tie, head to head competition will break the tie.  If it is still tied including the head to head competition, a one game playoff will decide the winner.

 

16.       Team visors are not mandatory.  If visors are worn, they must be identical in style and color, and must be worn properly.

 

17.       If a player is ejected from a game, the League Coordinator has the option to allow the player to remain in the dugout or has the option to suspend the player for one game depending on what the infraction is.

 

18.       If a coach is ejected from the game, he must leave the premises immediately after the ejection. If not, the umpire may forfeit the game. Also, he is suspended the next game that his team is scheduled to play.

 

19.       A team may start or finish a game with eight (8) players.

 

20.       Both teams are responsible for cleaning up their dugouts after each game.

 

21.       The team at bat must use a courtesy runner for the catcher with two outs only.  The courtesy runner should be a substitute if one is available.

 

22.       Blood rule will be in effect.

 

23.       Lineups are due 15 minutes before game time.... Original goes to head umpire, Complimentary copy to opposing team and one copy to scorekeeper.  All subs are reported to the head umpire (first and last names and numbers.)

 

24.       The pitcher has 20 seconds to pitch the ball.

 

25.       Shirts will be tucked in.

 

26.       No infield fly rule.

 

27.       ASA Softball bat must be used in all practices and games. (No Baseball Bats)

 

28.       The ball becomes dead, when it is thrown inside the pitching circle, after it has been hit by the batter.  The thrown ball does not have to stay in the circle.  It may roll through the circle, and still remain dead.  It is a dead ball when a defensive player has control of the ball inside the base line, toward the pitchers mound.  Runners beyond the halfway line will be awarded the next base.  Runners not yet past the halfway line will be sent back.

 

29.       Time and Length of Game:                                     

                                    1st Game @ 6:00pm             Length: 1 Hour

                                    2nd Game @ 7:00 pm

 

30.        If the girl playing the pitching position goes outside the circle and catches the ball, the play does not become dead, until she gets the ball back into the circle. At this time, the umpire will call time. When this happens, the umpire will decide, if the base runners are entitled to the next base.