Description:
The 8u division is the starting point and continuation for players 7-8 years old. Teams are put together from the try out and draft system used by the older divisions as well. This division features beginners teaching in a fun atmosphere that puts the emphasis on becoming familiar with our sport, while playing closer to the standard rules of softball. The players are taught to pitch, throw, catch, hit, and run as well as the rules of the game.
USA Softball rules will be used with the following modifications:
1) Game time is 1 hour and 20 minutes, which starts counting down on the first warm-up pitch. No new inning will begin after this time is up, but the game will be played to completion. If the score is tied, the game will be recorded as a tie and each team will receive a ½ game win. There will be no mercy rule, however a game may be called early if the score of one team is not within reach of the other in the amount of time left.
2) Teams must be at their dugout 10 minutes before game time. Forfeit time is 5 minutes after scheduled game time unless the prior game has run over.
3) Home team, which is listed first on the schedule, will always be in the third base dugout and provide a new game ball.
4) Standard base distance will be used. Pitching distance is 30 feet for player pitch. A 10” RIF ball will be the official ball. Scores are recorded in this division.
5) There will be one USA Softball umpire in every game. The coach will supply the plate umpire and the opposing team with a copy of the player line -up before the game begins. The same batting line-up will be used throughout the game.
6) Late players may be inserted into the bottom of the lineup upon arrival. If a team has less than 8 players at game time, the game will be a forfeit.
7) Teams may have one coach in the outfield while on defense. On offense, standard first and third base coaches will be used.
8) Each team will field 10 players while on defense, with 4 outfielders being used. The outfield players must start on the grass before the ball is pitched but may enter the infield after. Free defensive substitution of players will be used, including the pitcher.
9) Coaches are required to play each player a minimum of 2 defensive innings per game. If this requirement is not met, they must start that player in the next scheduled game.
10) No player may play the same position for more than 2 innings per game, including pitcher. Even 1 pitch constitutes an inning. If a team is in violation of this rule, the game will go down as a forfeit.
11) If a team only has 8 players in attendance, no out will be taken when the ninth position is up to bat. Late players may be inserted into the bottom of the lineup upon arrival. If a team has less than 8 players at any time, the game will be a forfeit.
12) Player pitch will be used from the start of the season, with standard batter counts being used. Batters may be walked after 4 balls or after being hit by a pitch. It does not matter whether the ball hits the ground first or not, just like in regular USA play, it is up to the umpire’s judgement whether first base should be awarded.
13) “Bat-around,” batting the entire roster in attendance, will be used for the entire season.
14) If a player is not able to bat in their place in the batting order, injured or otherwise, the batting order will be compressed to the number of batters in the batting order less the player with not out recorded for the player unable to bat. The player will not be able to re-enter the game offensively or defensively.
15) Bunting, slapping and switch hitting are allowed.
16) Runners may advance one base on an overthrow of a batted ball, with the exception of home. Runners may only advance beyond third base on a hit. Batter/runners may advance any number of bases including homeruns on a hit, but once the ball is back into the infield, the overthrow rule goes into effect.
17) Stealing is allowed when ball is released. Only one base per pitch can be stolen with no advancement on overthrows. There is no stealing home.
18) To speed up the game, a courtesy runner can be used for the pitcher or catcher only when there are 2 outs. In the event of an injured runner, a pinch runner may be used. Any player in the game may be used as a pinch runner or courtesy runner. If a player is on base when it is their time to bat they will be removed from the base to take their turn at bat and the person who they are running for will be called out.
19) Teams change sides after either 3 outs or 4 runs score. Teams must bat the next player in their line-up.
20) There will be no drop third strike or infield fly.
HGSA will host an end of the season playoff to determine 1st and 2nd places (depending on the amount of teams possibly 3rd, etc.). Regular season rules apply. Seeding will be based on season win-loss-tie record. In the event of a tie, a tie-breaker will be determined in the following order: win-loss record head-to-head, runs allowed head-to-head, runs scored head-to-head, runs allowed the entire season, run scored the entire season. In the event of a 3-way tie, head-to-head win/loss cannot apply and the tie-breaker will go directly to runs allowed.