Rules

Current league rules. Last updated December 4, 2023.

Table Of Contents
  1. Instructional I Division (6U)
  2. Instructional II Division (8U)
  3. Minors Division (10U)
  4. Majors Division (12U)
  5. Senior Division (18U)

Please note that these divisional alignments are subject to change based on registration. 

Instructional I Division (6U)

Girls ages 5-6 are eligible to play in the Instructional I (6U) division. Age cutoff date is December 31st.

Instructional II Division (8U)

Girls ages 6-8 (6-year-old with exception) are eligible to play in the Instructional II (8U) division.  This division will also focus on fundamentals.  This division will be coach pitch. A coach from the hitting team will pitch to the players. A softened 11-inch ball is used in this division. Age cutoff date is December 31st.

General

  1. No score will be kept for Instructional II games.  As such there will be no team standings kept.
  2. There will be a double-elimination playoff tournament held at the conclusion of the regular season.  Brackets will be drawn up based on the number of teams, bracket positions will be initially determined by random selection (pick from a hat). A Best of 3 tournament will be played if there are only 2 teams.
  3. A minimum of 8 players per team will be needed to conduct a game.  Teams will be allowed to borrow players from other teams within this division in order to fill playing vacancies, with the goal of reaching the optimum number of players (ten).
  4. Game times will be no more than 75 minutes in duration or 5 complete innings.  A 3-inning game shall be considered a full game.
  5. A Worth R.I.F (reduced injury factor) level 1 11-inch softball will be used.

Substitutes

  1. A continuous batting order must be used; free defensive substitutions are allowed.
  2. If a player arrives late to a game, the player may be used immediately as a defensive substitute.  The player will be added to last position in the batting order and will take a turn at bat, even if the team has already batted through the line-up once.  For example, if a team has 11 players to start a game, and a 12th player arrived during the game, that player will assume the 12 position in the batting order.
  3. If a player needs to leave a game early, simply remove the player from the line-up.  The team will not take an out when the player is scheduled to bat.  The player may not return to the line-up for the remainder of the game, but may be used as a defensive substitute.
  4. If a player becomes injured and must leave the game an out will not be recorded for the player’s turn at bat.  The player may not return to the line-up once the player has missed her turn at bat, but may return as a defensive substitute.

Hitting

  1. A continuous batting order shall be used in all games.
  2. A coach from the team batting will pitch to players in this division. The coach must be in the pitcher’s circle and have one foot on the pitching rubber. 
  3. Batters must wear proper head gear when at the plate, which includes a helmet with a face guard.
  4. There will be a maximum of 6 pitches per batter, or three strikes. If the batter has not put the ball in play after 6 pitches, the batter will be called out.
  5. Each half-inning will end by recording three outs.  There will be no more than 6 batters per half-inning.
  6. The batter will be allowed a maximum of one base for a ball hit in the infield, and a maximum of two bases for a ball hit beyond the infield with the liability of being put out.
  7. Base runners may advance a maximum of one base for a ball hit to the infield, and a maximum of two bases for a ball hit beyond the infield with the liability of being put out.
  8. A maximum of 4 runs can be scored in an inning. In playoffs, the 5th inning is unlimited.
  9. 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 of throw.
  10. 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.

Fielding

  1. A maximum of ten defensive players will be used, consisting of a pitcher, a catcher, four infielders and four outfielders.
  2. Outfielders must remain in the outfield grass, and may not play in the infield area.
  3. No player shall sit on the bench for two or more consecutive innings.
  4. A defensive player will occupy the pitchers position on either side of the adult pitcher.  The defensive player may not be positioned in front of the pitching rubber.
  5. Catchers must wear required protective gear, consisting of shin guards, a chest protector and catcher’s helmet.
  6. Managers are encouraged to give infield and outfield opportunities to all players.
  7. Managers are allowed to reposition players during an inning.  This may be necessary in cases where a less experienced player is in the infield, and a more experienced batter comes to the plate.
  8. Coaches are allowed to be on the field to provide instruction when his/her team is on defense. The coach must position him/herself behind the infielders.
  9. If a coach that is on the field with the defensive team is struck by a batted ball, the batter and all base runners will be awarded (2) bases.
  10. For obvious reasons, there will be no infield fly rule in this division.
  11. There will be no tag up and advance on a pop fly caught by an infielder. Pop up or fly ball must be caught behind the infielders, by an outfielder in order for a runner to tag up and advance.

Minors Division (10U)

Girls ages 9-11 are eligible to play in our Minor division.  This division will introduce live pitching, as there will be no use of a hitting tee or a pitching machine.  Starting in this division, girls will be able to steal bases (with some limitations) and will get exposure to more advanced aspects of the game.  An 11-inch ball will be used in this division. Age cutoff date is December 31st.

General

  1. USA Softball rules will be in force unless otherwise specified in our house playing rules.
  2. Scores and standings will not be kept for any Minor Division regular season games.
  3. There will be a double-elimination playoff tournament held at the conclusion of the regular season.  Brackets will be drawn up based on the number of teams, bracket positions will be initially determined by random selection (pick from a hat).
  4. A minimum of 8 players per team will be needed to conduct a game.  Teams will be allowed to borrow players from Instructional II in order to fill playing vacancies, with the goal of reaching the optimum number of players (ten).  In cases where a team has 8 or fewer players from its own team, the game will be recorded as a forfeit but will be played if possible using borrowed players.  If the team has 9 players from its own team, the game will not be considered a forfeit, and the team has the option of borrowing one player from the 8U division.  Any borrowed player must play the outfield and bat at the end of the line-up.
  5. Regular season games will be 80 minutes in duration or 7 complete innings.  The 80-minute time limit is a finish-the-inning time limit.  In cases where a game must be shortened due to rain or other similar circumstances, a 3-inning game shall be considered a full game.
  6. An 11-inch USA Softball official softball will be used for all games.

Substitutes

  1. Continuous batting must be used; free defensive substitutions are allowed.
  2. If a player arrives late to a game, the player may be used immediately as a defensive substitute.  The player will be added to the last position in the batting order and will take a turn at bat, even if the team has already batted through the line-up once.  For example, if a team has 11 players to start a game, and a 12th player arrived during the game, that player will assume the 12 position in the batting order. 
  3. If a player needs to leave a game early simply remove the player from the line-up.  The team will not take an out when the player is scheduled to bat.  The player may not return to the line-up for the remainder of the game, but may be used as a defensive substitute.
  4. If a player becomes injured and must leave the game an out will not be recorded for the player’s turn at bat.  The player may not return to the line-up once the player has missed her turn at bat, but may return as a defensive substitute.

Hitting

  1. A continuous batting order shall be used in all games.
  2. Pitching machines and hitting tees are not permitted in this division.
  3. Batters must wear proper head gear when at the plate, which includes a helmet with a face guard as well as a chin strap.
  4. During the regular season a maximum of 4 runs can be scored in an inning (including the last inning).
  5. 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.
  6. Slap-bunting will not be allowed for player safety purposes.  A slap bunt occurs when a batter assumes the bunt position, and then pulls that bat back in order to swing at the pitch.

Fielding

  1. A maximum of ten defensive players will be used, consisting of a pitcher, a catcher, four infielders and four outfielders.
  2. A pitcher may pitch a maximum of 3 innings per game.  The pitcher is not required to pitch consecutive innings.  Should the pitcher enter the game during an inning, it shall constitute an entire inning.
  3. Infielders may not be positioned closer than the pitcher’s mound as the pitch is thrown.  Infielders will be able to charge after the pitch is thrown when the batter is bunting.
  4. Outfielders must remain in the outfield grass, and may not play in the infield area.
  5. No player shall sit on the bench for two or more consecutive innings.
  6. Catchers must wear required protective gear, consisting of shin guards, a chest protector and catcher’s helmet.
  7. Managers are encouraged to give infield and outfield opportunities to all players.
  8. Managers are allowed to reposition players during an inning.  This may be necessary in cases where a less experienced player is in the infield, and a more experienced batter comes to the plate.
  9. There will be no infield fly rule in this division.

Base Running

  1. Stealing of bases will be allowed, a maximum advancement of one base is allowed, with the liability of being put out.  Additional advancement is allowed on an overthrow or other error made on the steal.
  2. On a safely batted ball, if an overthrow or error is made on a baserunner, advancement of one base is allowed with the liability of being put out.
  3. The base runner may not leave the base until the ball has been released from the pitcher’s hand.
  4. Base runners are not required to slide into a base, but may not interfere with a defensive play or crashing into a fielder (per USA Softball rules).
  5. Stealing of home will be allowed.
  6. Delayed stealing will not be allowed in this division.
  7. Batters will not be able to steal 1st base on a dropped 3rd strike.
  8. A continuous walk is not allowed in this division.

Majors Division (12U)

Girls ages 11-13 are eligible to play in our major league division.  This division will also use live pitching.  Rules will be expanded in this division to match that of standard USA Softball rules, such as stealing home, dropping the third strike, etc.  A 12-inch ball will be used in this division. Age cutoff date is December 31st.

General

  1. USA Softball rules will be in force unless otherwise specified in our house playing rules.
  2. Scores and standings will be kept for all Major Division games.
  3. There will be a double-elimination playoff tournament held at the conclusion of the regular season.  Brackets will be drawn up based on the number of teams, bracket positions will be initially determined by random selection (pick from a hat). A Best of 3 tournament will occur if there are only 2 teams.
  4. A minimum of 8 players per team will be needed to conduct a game.  Teams will be allowed to borrow players from a lower division in order to fill playing vacancies, with the goal of reaching the optimum number of players (nine).  In cases where a team has 7 or fewer players from its own team, the game will be recorded as a forfeit but will be played if possible using borrowed players.  If the team has 8 players from its own team, the game will not be considered a forfeit, and the team has the option of borrowing one player from the 10U division.  Any borrowed player must play the outfield and bat at the end of the line-up.
  5. No new inning will start after 80 minutes or 7 complete innings.  The last inning will be declared by the umpire as the game nears 80 minutes.  It is the responsibility of both managers and the umpire to ensure that the last inning is called, and to monitor the game time.   In a situation where the last inning is declared too early, and the declared last inning is completed prior to the 80-minute time limit, another inning will be played. In the case where a game is shortened due to rain, a 3-inning game shall be considered a full game.
  6. A 12 inch USA Softball official softball will be used for all games.
  7. Continuous batting must be used; free defensive substitutions are allowed.
  8. If a player arrives late to a game, the player may be used immediately as a defensive substitute.  The player will be added to last position in the batting order and will take a turn at bat, even if the team has already batted through the line-up once.  For example, if a team has 11 players to start a game, and a 12th player arrived during the game, that player will assume the 12 position in the batting order.
  9. If a player needs to leave a game early simply remove the player from the line-up.  The team will not take an out when the player is scheduled to bat.  The player may not return to the line-up for the remainder of the game and may not be used as a defensive substitute.
  10. If a player becomes injured and must leave the game an out will not be recorded for the player’s turn at bat.  The player may not return to the line-up once the player has missed her turn at bat, but may return as a defensive substitute.

Hitting

  1. Continuous batting order shall be used in all games.
  2. Batters must wear proper head gear when at the plate, which includes a helmet with a faceguard as well as a chin strap.
  3. A maximum of 4 runs can be scored in an inning (except playoffs in which last inning is unlimited).  Managers of both teams will be notified by the umpire that the last inning has been declared, based on time constraints.  Managers must be notified prior to start of the last inning.
  4. 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.
  5. Slap-bunting will not be allowed for player safety purposes.  A slap bunt occurs when a batter assumes the bunt position, and then pulls that bat back in order to swing at the pitch.

Fielding

  1. A maximum of nine defensive players will be used, consisting of a pitcher, a catcher, four infielders and three outfielders.
  2. There are no league restrictions regarding the number of innings a pitcher may pitch.  Pitchers will be allowed to leave and re-enter at any time.
  3. The pitcher will not be required to place two feet on the pitching rubber when pitching.
  4. Infielders may not be positioned closer than the pitcher’s mound as the pitch is thrown.  Infielders will be able to charge after the pitch is thrown when the batter is bunting.
  5. Outfielders must remain in the outfield grass, and may not play in the infield area.
  6. No player shall sit on the bench for two or more consecutive innings.
  7. Managers are encouraged to give infield and outfield opportunities to all players.
  8. Managers are allowed to reposition players during an inning for safety reasons only.  This may be necessary in cases where a less experienced player is in the infield, and a more experienced batter comes to the plate.
  9. The infield fly rule is in effect.

Base Running

  1. Stealing of bases will be allowed with no limitation.
  2. Base runners are required to slide into the base unless no attempt is made to put out the base runner.
  3. Stealing of home will be allowed per USA Softball rules.
  4. Batters will be able to advance to 1st base on a dropped 3rd strike per USA Softball rules.

Senior Division (18U)

Girls ages 14-18 are eligible to play in our senior division.  As with the majors, rules are expanded to match that of standard USA Softball rules (described above). Age cutoff is December 31. (Any high school girl who is 18 years old is eligible to play in our league).

General

  1. USA Softball rules will be in force unless otherwise specified in our house playing rules.
  2. Scores and standings will be kept for all Senior Division games.
  3. There will be a double-elimination playoff tournament held at the conclusion of the regular season.  Brackets will be drawn up based on the number of teams, bracket positions will be initially determined by random selection (pick from a hat). It will be a Best of 3 tournament if there are only 2 teams in the division.
  4. A minimum of 8 players per team will be needed to conduct a game.  Teams will be allowed to borrow players from a lower division in order to fill playing vacancies, with the goal of reaching the optimum number of players (nine).  In cases where a team has 7 or fewer players from its own team, the game will be recorded as a forfeit but will be played if possible using borrowed players.  If the team has 8 players from its own team, the game will not be considered a forfeit, and the team has the option of borrowing one player from the 12U division.  Any borrowed player must play the outfield and bat at the end of the line-up.
  5. No new inning will start after 80 minutes or 7 complete innings.  The last inning will be declared by the umpire as the game nears 80 minutes.  It is the responsibility of both managers and the umpire to ensure that the last inning is called, and to monitor the game time. In the case where a game is shortened due to rain, a 3-inning game shall be considered a full game.
  6. A 12-inch USA Softball official softball will be used for all games.

Substitutes

  1. Continuous batting must be used; free defensive substitutions are allowed.
  2. If a player arrives late to a game, the player may be used immediately as a defensive substitute.  The player will be added to last position in the batting order and will take a turn at bat, even if the team has already batted through the line-up once.  For example, if a team has 11 players to start a game, and a 12th player arrived during the game, that player will assume the 12 position in the batting order.
  3. If a player becomes injured and must leave the game an out will not be recorded for the player’s turn at bat.  The player may not return to the line-up once the player has missed her turn at bat and may not return as a defensive substitute.

Hitting

  1. Continuous batting order shall be used in all games.
  2. Batters must wear proper head gear when at the plate, which includes a helmet with a faceguard and a chin strap.
  3. A maximum of 4 runs can be scored in an inning, except for the last inning. During playoffs, the last inning runs scored are unlimited.  Managers of both teams will be notified by the umpire that the last inning has been declared, based on time constraints.  Managers must be notified prior to start of the last inning.
  4. 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.
  5. Slap-bunting will not be allowed for player safety purposes.  A slap bunt occurs when a batter assumes the bunt position, and then pulls that bat back in order to swing at the pitch.

Fielding

  1. A maximum of nine defensive players will be used, consisting of a pitcher, a catcher, four infielders and three outfielders.
  2. There are no league restrictions regarding the number of innings a pitcher may pitch.  Pitchers will be allowed to leave and re-enter at any time.
  3. The pitcher will not be required to place two feet on the pitching rubber when pitching.
  4. Infielders may not be positioned closer than the pitcher’s mound as the pitch is thrown.  Infielders will be able to charge after the pitch is thrown when the batter is bunting.
  5. Outfielders must remain in the outfield grass, and may not play in the infield area.
  6. No player shall sit on the bench for two or more consecutive innings.
  7. Managers are encouraged to give infield and outfield opportunities to all players.
  8. Managers are allowed to reposition players during an inning for safety reasons only.  This may be necessary in cases where a less experienced player is in the infield, and a more experienced batter comes to the plate.
  9. The infield fly rule is in effect.

Base Running

  1. Stealing of bases will be allowed with no limitation.
  2. Base runners are required to slide into the base unless no attempt is made to put out the base runner.
  3. Stealing of home will be allowed per USA Softball rules.
  4. Delayed stealing will be allowed per USA Softball rules.
  5. Batters will be able to advance to 1st base on a dropped 3rd strike per USA Softball rules.
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