Softball 2017

 

All rules will be followed per the Babe Ruth Official Softball Rulebook with the following exceptions.

 

12 & Under:

Time limit of 1 hour 30 minutes or 6 innings, whichever happens first.

 

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10 & Under:

Time limit of 1 hour 30 minutes or 6 innings, whichever happens first.

 

There will be a run limit of 5 runs per half inning.

 

All players will be in the batting lineup.

 

Pitching rubber will be 35 ft from home plate.

 

10 players will be allowed to play defense. The 10th player is to be an outfielder. All outfielders must start in an umbrella formation before the ball is put into play. Once the ball is in play, the outfielders may move freely.

 

Time will be called when the pitcher has control of the ball with both feet inside the circle OR the lead runner is no longer advancing. If the trailing runner is in between bases when time is called the umpire will award the runner the base she is running to if she is more than halfway to that base. If she is less than halfway when time is called, she will be required to return to the last base touched. This is a judgement call by the umpire, therefore cannot be appealed.

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Stealing is allowed. The runner can leave the base when the ball reaches the batter.

 

Running is not allowed on a dropped 3rd strike.

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8 & Under:

Time limit of 1 hour 15 minutes or 6 innings, whichever happens first.

 

All players will be in the batting lineup.

 

Pitching rubber will be 35 ft from home plate.

 

10 players will be allowed to play defense. The 10th player is to be an outfielder. All outfielders must start in an umbrella formation before the ball is put into play. Once the ball is in play, the outfielders may move freely. The youth pitcher will be placed to the side of the pitching rubber. The youth pitcher may not be in front of the rubber before the ball is put in play. Penalty: If the ball is not hit the umpire shall declare “no pitch”. If the ball is hit the offensive coach may choose between the play and “no pitch”. This is a judgment call by the umpire, therefore it is NOT an appeal play.

 

Time will be called when the player pitcher has control of the ball with both feet inside the circle OR the lead runners is no longer advancing. If the trailing runner is in between bases when time is called the umpire will award the runner the base she is running to if she is more than halfway to that base. If she is less than halfway when time is called, she will be required to return to the last base touched. This is a judgement call by the umpire, therefore cannot be appealed.

 

The ball becomes dead when a batted ball hits the coach pitcher. The batter will be awarded first base. No runners may advance unless forced. Any thrown ball which hits the coach pitcher will be considered live and remain in play. If, in the umpire’s judgement the coach pitcher purposefully interferes with a play, the batter will be called out and all runners will return to their bases before the play started. These are all judgement calls by the umpire, therefore they CANNOT be appealed.

 

Bunting will not be allowed. There is also a no “fake” bunt rule. This is defined as a fake bunt that is followed by an attempted swing. The penalty for violating this rule will be, the ball ruled dead, the batter will be out and no runners will advance. This is a judgment call by the umpire, therefore it is NOT an appeal play.

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If a batter slings her bat, a warning will be given to the team at bat. After one warning, any player on the warned team who slings his bat will be called out immediately and no runners will advance. The umpire will be the sole judge of whether the bat was slung or dropped. This is NOT an appeal play.

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Stealing is not permitted.

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A batter will be called out after three (3) strikes or 5 pitches. A foul ball on the 3rd and subsequent pitches will be allowed another pitch regardless of the number pitches thrown.