U8 (Rookie) Game Rules
- The first three pitches of an at-bat can be thrown by a player. A coach of the team that is batting will pitch the remainder.
- Each batter will get a minimum of 6 and maximum of 9 pitches total. The first three pitches can be player pitches. If the ball is not in play after those three player pitches, the batter will then get a maximum of 6 more pitches from their coach. If the ball is not put in play after the 9 maximum pitches, the batter is out. If the 9th pitch is a foul ball the batter gets another pitch. The at-bat should not end on a foul ball. If the player pitcher throws a strike and the batter does not swing, the batter gets one less pitch thrown by their coach. (Strikes are determined by the coach pitcher of the batting team. The batter is not penalized for a swing and miss on a player pitch.)
- A safely hit ball to the infield will allow both the batter and all base runners to advance one base with the liability of being put out.
- A safely hit ball to the outfield, whether in the air or on the ground, allows both the batter and all base runners to advance 2 bases with the liability of being put out.
- No base runner shall take an additional base on an overthrow. The only time any runner may take a second base will be if the ball is hit and reaches the outfield grass in the air or on the ground
- One defensive player will occupy the pitchers position (can be positioned on either side of the coach pitcher). The player must stay inside (both feet) the pitchers circle until the ball is hit.
- Any batted ball touching the adult pitcher will constitute play being halted and no pitch being declared. The batter will return to the plate and resume the previous count, all base runners will return to the bases previously occupied. The adult pitcher must immediately attempt to get out of the way of defensive players once the ball has been pitched, and cannot impede a player from making a catch or throw.
- Coaches are allowed to be on the outfield grass to provide instruction when his/her team is on defense. The coach in the infield must position him/herself behind the infielders.
- No new inning will begin after 75 minutes. Games may end in a tie.
- A maximum of 4 runs can be scored for each side in all innings except for the last inning. If the visiting team is down by more than 4 runs, they can score as many runs needed to tie, then the home team can walk off a win if they score one more run in the bottom half of the inning. If the home team is down by more than 4 runs, they can score as many runs needed to finish the game as a tie.
- For obvious reasons, there will be no infield fly rule in this division.
- No bunting.
- A continuous batting order is to be used (all players bat). Should a player be unable to take her turn at bat for any reason, proceed to the next scheduled batter without penalty. Free defensive substitutions.
- All players must play a minimum of 3 innings on defense unless the game is shortened by the run rule.
- Each player that throws the bat will be given one warning, the next time the same player throws the bat, an out will be recorded whether the ball was hit or not. If the ball was safely hit, all base runners will return to the base that they previously occupied. When warnings are necessary, the umpire will inform the coach that a warning has been given, and will record the player's uniform number on his/her line up card.
- Pitching distance will be 30 feet for this division. Base distance will be 60 ft.
- A safety softball will be used.
- 10 defensive players in the field, 6 in the infield, 4 in the outfield. The outfielders must start each play with both feet on the grass behind the infielders. An outfielder cannot make a play in the infield unless the play is unassisted, (i.e. outfielder cannot play over the second base bag and accept throws)
- A game may begin or finish with one less player than is required to start, (ten). If game started with nine players, and the 10th player arrives late, this player can immediately be inserted in the game and will be placed last in the batting order.
- There will be no tag up and advance on a pop fly caught by an infielder. A pop up or fly ball must be caught behind the infielders by an outfielder in order for a runner to tag up and advance.
- Runners may take a lead of one or two steps when the pitcher releases a ball. However, they can not start running until the ball is put in play.
- Air horns and other noise makers are not allowed.
- Team cheers will be positive in nature and should be designed to rally the team that is doing the cheering, not to razz the opponent.
- As is the rule for all USA Softball youth tournaments, no alcoholic beverages are allowed on the premises. Coaches please inform the adults that are associated with your team. No smoking is allowed on the field or in and near the dug out area.
- There will be no arguing or disputing judgment calls period! If this takes place, the offending coach will be given one warning that will apply to the entire coaching staff. If it occurs again the game will be declared a forfeit.
- Only the head coach is allowed to speak to the umpire or state official when it comes to interpretation of the 8U playing rules. The game will be stopped and then resumed after clarification of the rule in question is completed. When the game is stopped, the timer IS stopped also.
- The sole purpose for creating this division was to provide a venue for younger players in which they can play and learn the game of softball free from any undo pressures placed upon them. The rules in this division were developed to ensure that is what takes place. I do not want to see a third base coach sending his/her runners when the ball is back into the infield and in possession of fielder. This is not about taking advantage of young and developing players in order to score a run, it is about teaching them the fundamentals of the game. If a coach tried to advance that runner in the next age division, she would be thrown out at home plate.
Courtesy Runners
The last scheduled batter at the time when a courtesy runner is needed will be the runner for a player that requires courtesy runner. The insertion of an incorrect courtesy runner discovered after the next pitch is thrown will result in an out. Should the incorrect runner be discovered prior to the next pitch being thrown, the correct runner is inserted without penalty.
Example 1: The first batter of the inning pops out for the first out of the inning, the next batter gets a hit, and requires a courtesy runner. The courtesy runner is the batter that just made the first out of that inning.
Example 2: There are no outs in the inning when the first batter gets on base, the courtesy runner is the last scheduled batter in the lineup at that time