6-Under TEE-Ball Rules:
1. Each half inning will end with 3 outs or with 10 batters, whichever comes first. 2. Free substitution on the field. There will be no more than 6 players in the infield.
3. Two defensive coaches may be present in the field to assist his or her team with positioning on the field. During play the coach must be behind the deepest fielder and may not interfere with the game. If a coach touches the ball or a player, interference will be called and each runner will be awarded the base that she was running to plus one additional base. The umpire will rule on the play whether interference should be called on the coach.
4. All infield defensive players except the pitcher must remain no closer than 10’ in front of an imaginary line drawn on the baseline between first base and second base and between second base and third base until the ball is in play. The pitcher must stay in the circle with at least one foot in the pitcher’s circle until the ball is hit. The outfielders must be 10’ behind the imaginary base line before pitch is thrown.
5. If the ball is fielded and overthrown during at attempt to make a play at a base, runners will be allowed only one additional base provided the ball is retrieved and immediately returned to the pitcher in the pitcher’s circle. If a fielder gets the ball after the overthrow and makes an attempt to make a play on the runner, the ball remains live and runners may advance.
6. The batter will have a maximum of 5 swings from the Tee unless the 5th and consecutive swings are foul. A coach will be allowed at the plate to assist the batter with the Tee.
7. “Time” will be called by the umpire when the team in the field has returned the ball to the pitcher in the pitcher’s circle and the player has control of the ball or when the runners have stopped.
8. All players present when the game begins will be included in the batting lineup. Teams will “bat the roster”. If a player arrives after the game has started, she will be added to the
bottom of the batting order. No pinch runners will be allowed unless a player is injured.
9. A batter must hit the ball at least 10 feet in order for it to be ruled a fair ball. The distance shall be designated by an arc drawn between the two foul lines. Incidental contact with the Tee is allowed as long as the ball is also hit and is fair.
10. In the event that the tenth batter hits the ball, the defensive team may end the inning with an out on the lead runner regardless of the number of outs already made. Returning the ball to the pitcher in the circle will result in time being called.
11. There will be no walks.
12. There will be no infield fly rule.
13. Fielders CANNOT STAND on a base unless they are receiving a throw.
14. A throw is considered as the ball being thrown overhand to another player. Rolling the ball is not allowed and will not be considered a throw. (No “bowling” is allowed)
15. There will be no base stealing.
16. Catchers may not throw down on runners on any base
17. 6U can use a combination of coach Pitch and Tee-Ball rules (coach gets 3 pitches then the batter can get 2 swings with the ball on the tee).
18. All infielders MUST wear a face shield.
6-Under and 8-Under Coach Pitch Rules:
1. 6 runs or 3 outs per 1⁄2 inning. Following the 3rd out or 8th run scored, all play is stopped
in order to prevent injury.
2. There will be 10 defensive players allowed on the field. There must be no more
than 6 infielders. The outfielders must play at least 10 feet beyond the bases. If a team has 10 defensive players they must also bat 10. DP Flex rule can only be used if batting at least 10 and have the 11th girl listed as a flex
3. 5 pitches or 3 swinging strikes, 5th and consecutive fouls will not be counted against the 5 pitch count.
4. If the coach pitcher is hit by the ball it is a do over no pitch. The batter will return to the batter’s box and assume the count that was on them before the pitch.
5. The Player-Pitcher must remain in the pitching circle until the ball is pitched. The Pitcher-Player may not interfere with Coach-Pitcher. The Coach-Pitcher may pitch at any distance inside the 16 foot pitching circle and within the boundaries of the 24 inch pitching rubber. To clarify, the Coach-Pitcher must be touching or be directly in front of the pitching rubber with both feet inside the pitching circle and use a straight ahead pitching approach. Coach-Pitchers may not pitch from either side of the pitching rubber so as to gain the advantage of a directional hit. Penalty: If at any time prior to release of the ball, the Coach-Pitcher steps outside of the pitching circle or is outside the imaginary 24 inch pitching rubber boundaries, a strike will be called on the batter.
6. While the ball is in play, all runners are free to advance at their own risk. Play is stopped on defense by stopping the lead runner. Once the lead runner has been stopped, the ball is no longer in play. The ball is thrown to the pitcher’s circle and no runner may advance.
Example #1: Runner “A” is at 2nd base when the batter (Runner “B”) hits the ball. Runner “A” then runs and reaches third base safely, while the ball is fielded and is thrown to the 3rd baseman. The 3rd baseman now possesses the ball and is capable of tagging Runner “A” out if she was to attempt to advance. The Umpire declares play stopped. The ball is then thrown to the pitching circle and Runner “B” is halted at 1st base.
Example #2: Using the same scenario as Example #1, Runner “A” is at 2nd base when the batter (Runner “B”) hits the ball. However, Runner “A” is tagged out prior to reaching 3rd base. In this scenario, the ball is not dead, but rather Runner “B” would now become the lead runner and may continue to advance at her own risk until she is declared out or her progress is stopped by the defense. The umpire then declares play stopped and the ball is thrown to the pitching circle.
7. Balls must be approved. (COR 0.47 – 375 Compression 11 inch. Optic yellow)
8. Two coaches can stand in the outfield in foul ball area only 15 feet beyond the bases, one on each side of the field.
9. Runners may leave the base when the coach releases the pitch.
10. Run rule is 12 runs after 3rd inning, 10 runs after 4th inning, and 8 runs after 5th inning.
11. Unlimited amount of players on the roster.
12. Teams can bat up to 13 players. Lineup may consist of 10 players with up to 3 EPs.
13. If the Coach Pitcher interferes with a defensive player trying to make a play on the ball, it will be considered a dead ball out and no runners can advance.
14. There will be no base stealing. Throwing down in back of a runner is allowed but if the catcher throws down behind a runner then the catcher is making a play on the runner and ALL runners may advance.
Example 1: Runner on first breaks toward 2nd base when the pitcher coach pitches the ball, catcher catches the ball and returns it to the pitcher. Runner must retreat to 1st base. Example 2: Runner on first breaks toward 2nd base when the pitcher coach pitches the ball, catcher catches the ball and throws at runner off of 1st base. Runner may advance to 2nd or retreat to 1st base, in either example runner can be tagged out. If 2nd or 3rd base are occupied then those runners can also advance with the risk of being tagged out.
15. Bunting and Slapping are allowed.
16. NO SMASH Hitting (Faking a bunt and then hitting away)
17. There will be no “Infield Fly Rule” or “Intentional Walk” for 8-Under.
18. A throw is considered as the ball being thrown overhand or underhanded to another player. Rolling the ball is not allowed and will not be considered a throw. If in the umpires’ judgement the ball was rolled to another player then the runner will be declared safe.
19. The Catcher may not catch a foul ball unless they are in the catcher’s box when the pitch is thrown and in the normal Catchers position. If the Catcher is not in the normal Catchers position, this will not be considered a caught foul ball. IF THE GIRL DECIDES TO PLACE HERSELF ANYWHERE OTHER THAN THE CATCHER’S BOX AND CATCH A FOUL, IT IS CONSIDERED A NON CAUGHT FOUL BALL.
20. All Players MUST wear a face shield
8-Under Modified Girl Pitch Rules:
1. The Player-Pitcher will pitch 5 pitches or until there are 3 balls on the batter, whichever comes first. If the batter does not hit the ball or strike out, then a coach assume the count on the batter and will have the opportunity to pitch up to 3 pitches. If the batter fouls off the second pitch from the coach, she will remain at bat until she hits the ball fair or strikes out.
2. There will be no walks. The batter must hit the ball or strike out. The only time a batter may take first base is if she is hit by a Player pitch.
3. The umpire will record balls and strikes on the batter.
4. The pitching distance will be 35 feet with an 8-foot circle.
5. The bases will be set at 60 feet.
6. All batters and runners must wear a batting helmet.
7. There will be 10 players on Offense and defense. The Player-Pitcher will remain in the pitching circle when the coach pitches.
8. Catchers must wear full protective equipment (mask-throat protector, chest protector, shin guards).
9. If the catcher does not occupy the catcher’s box in the squatted position until the Coach-Pitcher pitches the ball, they will not be allowed to catch a foul ball and have it considered an out. It would be considered a dead ball foul.
10. A throw is considered as the ball being thrown overhand to another player. Rolling the ball is not allowed and will not be considered a throw.
11. There will be no base stealing, or throwing behind the base runners.
12. There will be no infield fly rule.
13. All Players MUST wear a face shield.
10.4 8-Under Machine Pitch Rules:
1. 5 hittable pitches = 5 strikes (if the ball is fouled off on the last pitch, then the batter continues to bat). A ball that is not hittable will be called a no pitch by the umpire.
2. The runner may lead off when the ball leaves the machine.
3. There will be 10 defensive players allowed on the field. There will be 4 outfielders behind the base path. The pitcher must have one foot in the circle and be even with the pitching machine.
4. A minimum of 9 players for either team. . If a team has 10 defensive players they must also bat 10. DP Flex rule can only be used if batting at least 10 and have the 11th give listed as a flex
5. Two coaches are allowed on the field in the outfield.
6. The Machine will be set at approximately 35 MPH.
7. Bunting and stealing will be allowed. NO SMASH Hitting (Faking a bunt and then hitting away)
8. The bases will be set at 60 feet.
9. Time will be called when the ball is back in the pitcher’s circle.
10. One base will be awarded on any overthrow trying to pick off a runner.
11. A throw is considered as the ball being thrown overhand to another player. Rolling the ball is not allowed and will not be considered a throw.
12. Runners will not be allowed to steal home. If the ball is hit and it hits the pitching machine or coach, it is an automatic one base for all runners.
13. Play stops when the ball is back in the pitching circle or the lead runner is stopped.
14. 8 foot circle around the machine
15. All players MUST wear a face shield.
10-Under Special Rules
1. An 11” diameter game ball must be used in all 2D Sports Softball sanctioned
events.
2. The pitching distance will be 35 feet.
3. 10-Under teams will play by the same rules as older age divisions, with the only exception being the ball size and pitching distance.
4. Heart Guards are recommended for the Pitchers
High School Division Special Rules
1. High School group is a combined age group of 16-U and 18-U.
2D Sports Softball Sportsmanship Guidelines