Divisions & Rules
Subscribe to our NewsletterMajor Girls Softball Division Responsibilities & Rules
Uniforms
Players shall wear full uniforms during games. Managers and coaches shall wear caps. Any accessory that is either danger to a player or a distraction to the other team must be removed.
Umpires
Every team will be provided with an umpire schedule, setting forth those games for which they are responsible for providing and umpire. No team manager, coach, or parent should umpire a game involving his or her team.
Game Responsibility
The home team must secure the umpires equipment, bases, game balls, and lay chalk lines on the field. The visiting team shall remove the bases and rake the field at the end of the game.
Warm-Up
The visiting team has the field from 5:30 PM to 5:45 PM. The home team has use of the field from 5:45 PM to 6:00 PM.
Starting Times
Weekday games will begin promptly at 6:00 PM. Any weekend games will begin at the time scheduled. A team unable to field at least 8 players by starting time forfeits the game. Any ensuring play shall be considered a scrimmage.
Players
A team consists of at least 8, but no more that 10 players on the field, including a pitcher, a catcher, 4 infielders, and 4 outfielders. Outfielders must be positioned at least 10’ beyond the infield cutout. Unlimited substitutions allowed (except for pitchers). Departures or late arrivals must be told to the opposing team. Call up from minors to avoid forfeit is not allowed. Except disciplinary reasons, no player shall sit more that 2 consecutive innings.
Batting
Prior to the start of the game managers shall provide to the opposing team their batting order for the game, which shall include every player present for the game. Every player will bat. Any player, who arrives after the first pitch is made, is considered late and must be added to the bottom of the batting order. Managers may not waive this rule. NO batter may be removed from the batting order unless for an injury or departure from the game. A team completes their bat when 3 outs or 5 runs have been scored. No more than 5 runs per inning will be allowed. In the 6th inning either team may score unlimited runs.
Bunting
Bunting is permitted. Fake bunting then swinging away is not permitted and will result in the batter being called out and a dead ball declared. There will be no advancement of runners.
In-Play
The ball is live and in play unless the umpire shall declare the ball dead or call “Time”. An overthrown ball that remains in the field of play is a live ball, and runners may advance at their own risk. An overthrown ball that goes out of play will result in the runner being awarded the base she was headed and one more base. No runner will be able to steal on an overthrown ball that goes out of play.
Base Running
Feet first sliding should be taught, practiced, and encouraged. Head first sliding is strictly prohibited. A runner who fails to slide resulting in a collision shall be called out. A runner who is guilty of an intentional collision shall be called out, as well as possibility of being ejected from the game. Runners may advance unless the play is ruled dead or if the ball is within 8’ radius of the pitchers circle. A runner who is in the process of advancing to the next base when the pitcher gains control of the ball may advance to the base at her on risk. Otherwise the runner must return to the previous base. Should a pitcher make an attempt on the advancing base runner, the ball is in play and the other runners may advance at their own risk.
Stealing
Stealing of any base is permitted except home. No player may leave the base until the ball crosses home plate. The first infraction a team will be given a warning, and subsequent infractions shall result in the runner being called out and a dead ball declared.
Official Game <
Uniforms
Players shall wear full uniforms during games. Managers and coaches shall wear caps. Any accessory that is either danger to a player or a distraction to the other team must be removed.
Umpires
Every team will be provided with an umpire schedule, setting forth those games for which they are responsible for providing and umpire. No team manager, coach, or parent should umpire a game involving his or her team.
Game Responsibility
The home team must secure the umpires equipment, bases, game balls, and lay chalk lines on the field. The visiting team shall remove the bases and rake the field at the end of the game.
Warm-Up
The visiting team has the field from 5:30 PM to 5:45 PM. The home team has use of the field from 5:45 PM to 6:00 PM.
Starting Times
Weekday games will begin promptly at 6:00 PM. Any weekend games will begin at the time scheduled. A team unable to field at least 8 players by starting time forfeits the game. Any ensuring play shall be considered a scrimmage.
Players
A team consists of at least 8, but no more that 10 players on the field, including a pitcher, a catcher, 4 infielders, and 4 outfielders. Outfielders must be positioned at least 10’ beyond the infield cutout. Unlimited substitutions allowed (except for pitchers). Departures or late arrivals must be told to the opposing team. Call up from minors to avoid forfeit is not allowed. Except disciplinary reasons, no player shall sit more that 2 consecutive innings.
Batting
Prior to the start of the game managers shall provide to the opposing team their batting order for the game, which shall include every player present for the game. Every player will bat. Any player, who arrives after the first pitch is made, is considered late and must be added to the bottom of the batting order. Managers may not waive this rule. NO batter may be removed from the batting order unless for an injury or departure from the game. A team completes their bat when 3 outs or 5 runs have been scored. No more than 5 runs per inning will be allowed. In the 6th inning either team may score unlimited runs.
Bunting
Bunting is permitted. Fake bunting then swinging away is not permitted and will result in the batter being called out and a dead ball declared. There will be no advancement of runners.
In-Play
The ball is live and in play unless the umpire shall declare the ball dead or call “Time”. An overthrown ball that remains in the field of play is a live ball, and runners may advance at their own risk. An overthrown ball that goes out of play will result in the runner being awarded the base she was headed and one more base. No runner will be able to steal on an overthrown ball that goes out of play.
Base Running
Feet first sliding should be taught, practiced, and encouraged. Head first sliding is strictly prohibited. A runner who fails to slide resulting in a collision shall be called out. A runner who is guilty of an intentional collision shall be called out, as well as possibility of being ejected from the game. Runners may advance unless the play is ruled dead or if the ball is within 8’ radius of the pitchers circle. A runner who is in the process of advancing to the next base when the pitcher gains control of the ball may advance to the base at her on risk. Otherwise the runner must return to the previous base. Should a pitcher make an attempt on the advancing base runner, the ball is in play and the other runners may advance at their own risk.
Stealing
Stealing of any base is permitted except home. No player may leave the base until the ball crosses home plate. The first infraction a team will be given a warning, and subsequent infractions shall result in the runner being called out and a dead ball declared.
Official Game <
