SECTION 8U SOFTBALL
8USoftball (Machine Pitch)
**Facemasks or mouth piece must be worn if playing infield**
1. Time Limits: No new inning to start after One hour and thirty
minutes during the weekdays and Saturdays. If you begin an inning
within this time frame you must finish inning.
2. Score is kept in this division. Official scorebook must be kept in
this division (No game will begin until an official scorekeeper is
in place). We must turn in to Babe Ruth softball at season
end. (This applies for spring season only)
3. All players will be in the batting order.
4. Players will be rotated as directed to different positions (Safety is
the key Factor for not moving a player).
5. No child shall play the same position more than 2 innings per
game.
6. Managers and coaches may be on the field (2 Coaches Max) when
on defense to assist players with position playing. When batting,
coaches may occupy the coaching boxes. There must be a coach in
the dugout at all times during the game.
7. A team’s at bat consisting of three (3) outs or five runs, whichever
comes first.


8. Base Running:
a. A runner may not attempt to advance until the ball is batted into play.
B. Balls hit into the outfield, infielder must have control of the ball call
time once the infielder is in front of the lead runner or in the circle and
has been granted time. Batted balls into the infield, batter and runner
may only advance 1 base max
C. Once time is called. All back up runners that has not safely made it
half way to the next base must return to the previous base.
D. Only 1 base can be advanced on an overthrow
E. Allstar baserunning rules go into effect on the 11th game or
midseason whichever comes first.


9. Pitching machine will be used throughout the season. The machine
must be set at the Babe Ruth Softball division determined
distance/speed. (Set machine @35feet for 32 mph) Each batter will
be given 6 pitches or three missed swings before striking out. No
strike out on a foul ball. Should Managers from both teams agree
it’s in the best interest of BYSA objectives, coaches are permitted
to pitch (only when Machine is unavailable for use.) Prior to the
release of the ball by the machine, the player who is designated as
the pitcher will stand parallel to or behind the pitching plate to
either side of the mound.
10. Ten Run Rule does not apply in the 8U division.
11. Dead ball rulings:
a. If a ball that is hit or thrown strikes the machine coach pitcher, the
ball will be ruled dead. The base runners and batter-runner will be
allowed to proceed to the base that they were heading toward at the
time the ball struck the aforementioned object.
NOTE: If, in the judgment of the umpire, the coach pitcher
made no effort to get out of the way of a ball that has been hit or
thrown, or intentionally interfered with a defensive play, the ball will
be ruled dead and the runner closest to home will be called out, and all
other runners returned to the base that they last legally occupied. If
there are no runners, then the batter-runner will be out.
12. Coaches, Managers and other Adults.
a. Only the manager and two (3) coaches will be allowed in the
dugout or on the playing field as provided in these ground


rules. This provides for a total of up to 3 adults for each team
involved in the conduct of the game. At least one adult must be in
the dugout at all times to maintain order and control of the
players.
b. On defense, a maximum of two (2) coaches may occupy the
outfield.
13. The Circle Rule is in effect for this division of girls’ softball.Since
this division uses a machine and coaches deliver pitches to the
batter, the following rules govern its implementationof the circle
rule in this division:


After “time” has been called by the umpire, the machine operator
or coach may take possession of the ball to prepare for delivery to
the next batter.
14. Defensive Players: Each team may field up to 10 defensive
players providing both teams have 10 players. However, there
may not be more than 6 defensive players in the infield. This means
outfielders must be positioned in the outfield grass.

SECTION 10U SOFTBALL
**Facemasks or mouth piece must be worn if playing infield**
1. Official Babe Ruth Rules shall govern all play in the 10U
division. Umpires will be provided for in this age group in
Spring.


2. Local Rule-
a. Stealing is not allowed until after the ball crosses the plate
until the 11th game or midseason whichever comes first.
Allstar rules apply after that.
b. 5 runs per inning
c. No drop 3rd strike rule
2. No new inning after 1 1⁄2 hours. Scorebooks must be kept for
every game in this division.


3. FALL RULE~COACH ASSIST PITCHING
a. No walks allowed. If a batter receives four balls during an at
bat, then that batters coach shall take over as pitcher.
b. No Strikes may be called by the umpire while the coach is
pitching.
c. The batter will retain their strike count when the coach takes
over.
d. The coach may deliver up to three pitches. An at bat cannot
end on a foul.
f. Time shall be called and play must be stopped prior to each
time the coach takes possession of the ball.
g. Runners may not attempt to steal bases while the coach is
pitching.
4. An offensive team shall score no more than 5 runs per inning
regardless of inning.
5. No Drop third strike is in play for this division.
6. If pitcher hits batter with ball in air three times pitcher will be
removed.


SECTION 12U SOFTBALL
**Facemasks or mouth piece must be worn if playing infield**
1. Official Babe Ruth Rules shall govern all play in the 12U
division.
2. No new inning shall begin after two hours, when there is a game
following.


3. Pitching rule is 10 innings per week. (Monday – Sunday is week)
4. Batting order 2 options:
A. Batting order consists of 9 (you must still meet minimum play 6
consecutive outs and one at bat). Substitutions must be made.
B. Batting order may consist of entire roster and defensive positions
may be changed every inning. Batting order is set for remainder of
game. If a player is injured players move up in one spot with no
automatic out penalty.


SECTION 14/16U SOFTBALL
**Facemasks or mouth piece must be worn if playing infield**
1. Official Babe Ruth Rules shall govern all play in the Junior/Senior
League division.
2. No league age 12yr olds are allowed in the Senior Division.
3. No new inning after 2 1/2 hours.
4. No 5 run rule will be in effect.
5. Fall Rules:
a. OPTIONAL FALL RULE IF BOTH MANAGERS AGREE~ an
offensive team shall score no more than 5 runs per inning.
b. Continuous batting order shall be utilized.
6. Optional Spring rules:
a. Batting order 2 options:
i. Batting order consist of 9 (you must still meet minimum play 6
consecutive outs and one at bat). Substitutions must be made.
ii. Batting order may consist of entire roster and defensive positions
may be changed every inning. Batting order is set for remainder
of game. If a player is injured players move up in one spot with
no automatic out penalty.