District Two IOU Softball Rules 

Little League International League Official Regulations and Playing Rules are in effect.

Below is a synopsis of rules, including local Little League District Two rules.

Games are 6 innings long, with the following exceptions:

1. • Time Limit: 1 Hour and 45-minute games that begin at 6 pm, after 1 hour and 45 minutes of play, no new inning may begin. If an inning is in play at 1 hour and 45 minutes after the start of the game that inning will be completed.

2. • 4-Run Rule: There will be a four (4) run rule in effect for the first five (5) innings. The limit is changed for the 6th inning or the last inning. The limit will extend to 6 runs that can be scored in that innings. Umpire to declare the last inning in advance if it is not the 6th so both teams are aware. 
3. • Umpire Safety Call: If a game is called due to darkness or inclement weather, the following rules apply:
   1. If 3-1/2 innings are completed and the home team is ahead, the game is official and the home team is ruled the winner.
   2. If 4 innings have been played, the team that is ahead at the time the game is called, or at the end of the last complete inning, will be declared the winner.
   3. If a game is called before it is official, play will be stopped and the game resumed at the next convenient date.

Game Start Times: 6 pm on weekdays; 12 pm or later on weekends.

Home team supplies and pays for umpire(s).

Line ups: If the opposing coach requests, line ups with names and numbers will be offered.

10 Players on Defense:

• All outfielders have to be a minimum of 10 feet in back of any base until the pitcher releases the ball.
• Only 6 infielders are allowed including the pitcher and catcher.

2 Innings of Play Minimum Per Player: Except in the case of rain, time limit rule, darkness, etc.

Round Robin Batting: All players bat in the same spot in the batting order for the entire game whether or not they take the field in any inning. Any late player will be added to the bottom of the batting order.

A game may be played with only 8 players. If only 8 players are rostered, the 9th position in the batting order will by skipped over without penalty of an out. 

No infield fly rule.

No intentional walks.

Bunting is allowed. 

No on deck bat swinging.

No bat throwing. The umpire may call out a player who throws the bat.

A batter will be awarded first base when touched by a pitched ball which the batter is not attempting to hit unless (1) the batter is in the strike zone when it touches the batter, or (2) the batter makes no attempt to avoid being touched by the ball. The ball is automatically dead and no runner may advance. 

A batter that becomes a runner on a walk shall only be awarded first base. No additional bases shall be allowed. 

Batting helmets must be equipped with a mask.

All infielders including the pitcher must wear a fielder’s mask at all times on the field.

• Pitching distance is 35 feet.
• Teams must use an Il-inch Little League International approved optic yellow ball.
• A pitcher may pitch a maximum of 4 innings per game. Once a pitcher pitches in an inning it counts as an inning pitched regardless of quantity of pitches thrown.
• A pitcher who hits 3 batters in an inning, or 5 batters in a game may not pitch any more that game. She may play any other position.
• Pitchers, once removed from the mound, may return to the mound from any position or from the bench one time per inning.

Playoffs: Pitching rules for playoffs will be the official Little League rules of play.

Stealing:

• Each team is allowed 3 attempted stolen bases per inning but may only steal home ONCE per inning. (I.E. if you are out on a steal it is one of your 3).

Advancement on a wild pitch or passed ball counts as an attempted steal. • On a pitched ball not hit by batter, a runner may steal only one base EVEN IF THERE IS AN ERROR ON THE THROW BY THE CATCHER or Fielder. The catcher gets a free throw without risk of further advancement. You can't steal two bases at once. You can double steal (i.e. runners on 1st and 2nd can move to 2nd and 3rd but it counts as 2 steals).

• Runner cannot leave the base until the ball crosses the plate.
• A runner who leaves early will be called out.
• No stealing on the throw back to the pitcher (delayed steal) from the catcher whether the pitcher catches the ball or not.
• A runner cannot advance after the pitcher is in control of the ball in the 8-foot radius of the pitching mound. (A runner who is advancing prior to the pitcher being in the 8-foot radius of the pitching mound with the ball may go as far as the base she is advancing to, at risk of being put out, as long as, in the opinion of the umpire. she has not stopped. A stopped runner will be sent back to the previous base.)

Little League chattering rule is in effect.

Cheering is allowed, however elevating cheers at the time of the pitch in an attempt to affect pitcher is not allowed.

A coach may make as many trips to the field as necessary.

Dress uniforms must be worn for games. No jewelry.

Umpire judgment calls are final.

Standings will be kept and used for playoff seeding's.

Local ground (field) rules will be determined by home manager and umpire before the game.

Players:

To aid leagues that are having a difficult time getting enough players for their teams: A pool of players from existing teams can be created to draw from when a team faces a shortage of players for a game. Players must be age eligible, cannot pitch and must bat last in the lineup. If a team has less than 10 players available for a game they may draw players. Playoffs: A team cannot draw players from another team during playoffs.