A.) Maximum of 10 players on Defense
B.) Ten (10) batters are the maximum number of batters that may bat per half inning or until the defense records three‐ (3) outs, whichever occurs first. The batting order shall be a revolving batting order consisting of ten‐ (10), OR BAT ENTIRE ROSTER.
C.) The game shall be six (6) innings or a 60-minute time limit when the time limit is up, the teams must finish the inning unless the home team is ahead when the top half of the inning is over.
D.) Coach Pitchers will pitch from 35 ft. with one (1) foot in contact with the rubber.
E.) No stealing. If a player leaves the base before the ball reaches Home Plate she will be called out.
F.) Each batter will get 5 pitches or 3 strikes. If the Batter fouls the 5th pitch, she will get another pitch until she hits the ball in fair territory or swings and misses the pitch.
G.) There are NO automatic two-outs with the last batter. There must be an out on the lead runner. Touching home plate constitutes getting the lead runner out.
H.) The defensive team shall have no more than 6 infielders. (A player catcher is required to be one of the 6 infielders) Up to four (4) players shall be positioned in the outfield at least 10 feet behind the baseline until the ball is batted.
I.) Pitching coaches must make every effort not to interfere with the defensive team. They should leave the field when the ball is in play if they can do so without interfering with play.
J.) The Coach Pitcher may talk to the batter until he/she releases the ball. If the Coach Pitcher talks to the batter after he/she releases the ball, then there will be a dead ball strike called and a warning given.
***NOTE: If the Coach continues to talk to the batter, he/she will be removed from the pitching circle and another pitcher will be put in his/her place.
***NOTE: In the umpire’s judgment if the Coach Pitcher interferes either verbally or physically with the play it will be a dead ball and the lead runner will be called out and the coach ejected.
1st Offense: will be a warning
2nd Offense: will be an out and coach ejection.
***NOTE: All base runners must return to the last base they legally occupied. If in the judgment of the umpire, a coach pitcher unintentionally interfered with the play then the ball is ruled dead and the pitch replayed.
***NOTE: The coach pitcher shall only field the ball when it is thrown to him/her in order to put the ball back in play.
K.) A vertical line will be drawn 30 feet from home plate towards 1st base and from home plate towards 3rd base. No defensive player may play in front of this line before the ball is hit.
L.) The Player Pitcher can be moved directly behind 2nd base (10 feet from the base) if the coach chooses to do so. The player‐pitcher shall stand with one or both feet inside the 8-foot radius even with or behind (but not in front) of the pitcher's plate (40 feet).
Clarification of Circle (L): The circle will be centered at 40’ with a line at 40’. The defensive pitcher must be in the circle and behind the 40’ line before the Coach Pitcher releases the ball.
M.) The defensive team may have two coaches on the field, one down the 1st base foul line and the second one down the 3rd base foul line in foul territory.
N.) Mercy Rule ‐ 12 after the 3rd inning, 10 after the 4th inning, and 8 after the 5th inning.
O.) A catcher will be in full catcher’s gear. The catcher shall wear a NOCSAE-approved head protector (with dual ear flaps), an approved mask with a throat protector, a body chest protector, and shin guards. If a hockey-style NOCSAE-approved catcher's helmet is used, a separate throat protector is not needed.
P.) Play shall stop when any defensive player has possession AND control of the ball in front of the lead runner AND time is awarded by the umpire. The ball is dead and all baserunners must be stopped at the base that the umpire rules they are entitled.
***If the defensive player has possession AND control of the ball inside the 8ft radius circle and time is awarded, the ball is dead. If the base runner has started advancing toward the next base, in the umpire’s judgment, then the next base shall be awarded to the baserunner.
Q.) NO BUNTING (a drag BUNT is a BUNT). Slapping is NOT a BUNT.
R.) If a catcher is in the catcher’s box and cleanly catches a foul ball on the first or second strike, it is an OUT.
S.) No DP/Flex in 8U