North Coast Girls Softball League 2026 Rules

We will follow the 2026 Official NFHS Fast Pitch Softball Rules.  However some rules listed below either highlight or supersede the High School Rules.

1.  All participants will be expected to behave within the confines of the approved playing rules and the bounds of general ethical, moral, and honesty standards of good conduct.  The Board of the North Coast Girls Softball League reserves the right to suspend any player or coach who fails to abide by these rules. 

2.  A regulation game will consist of seven innings. (Six innings: 8U, 10U & 12U).  A game called for rain, darkness, other reasons, or if one team is ten runs ahead, will be considered a game after five innings (four and one half if the home team is ahead).  (4 innings for 6 inning games – 3 ½ innings if the home team is ahead).  A game may also be called if the game is mathematically impossible for one team to at least tie the score.18u and 14u  Divisions  will play Doubleheaders: All games will be 1 hr. 15 mins.  10U is 6 innings or 1 1/2-hour time limit for all regular season games, whichever comes first (no new inning starts after 1 1/2 hrs).  8U is 6 innings or 1 ½-hour time limit for all regular season games, whichever comes first.  12u age divisions will have a 2-hour time limit.  ALL TIME LIMITS ARE FINISH THE INNING.  IF A GAME IS TIED AFTER THE TIME LIMIT IS REACHED AND THE INNING IS FINISHED THE GAME WILL RESULT IN A TIE GAME

   2a. Run rules 8u 10u 12u if a team is ahead by:

15 runs after 3 innings

10 runs after 4 innings

6 runs after 5 innings

2b. Run rules for 14u if a team is ahead by:

15 runs after 4 innings

10 runs after 5 innings

6 runs after 6 innings

3.  The league is broken into 5 divisions:

         18 and under:  girls 18 and under

         14 and under: girls 14 and under

         12 and under:              girls 12 and under 

         10 and under:              girls 10 and under 

           8 and under:              girls 8 and under  

          Age as of Aug 31st 2024

4.   Maximum Runs per inning:

        8, 10, 12 & 14 and under:  5 runs per inning

        18u Division:   7 runs per inning

This applies to all innings including the seventh (sixth in 8U, 10U & 12U).

5.  Properly fitting batting helmets with NOCSAE approved face guards are mandatory for all offensive players on the playing field.  A team will be required to forfeit any game they are unable to provide approved helmets for.  No individual will be exempted from this rule and any offense will result in the restricting of the offending player to the dugout.  Chinstraps are recommended but not required.  

6.  One warning per bench for bat throwing.  Second offense, batter is out and restricted to the dugout.

7. The Extra Player(s) rule will be allowed in 18u Or may roster bat.  IF roster batting is used it must be made aware to the official before the first pitch.  Rule (9) applies if roster batting..  You may put 10 batters in the lineup and use any 9 of them in the field at any position.  This does not eliminate the DP/Flex rule and both may be used in the same game.  14U may put 10 batters in the lineup or may roster bat.  This must be made clear to the official and opposing team before the first pitch.  Once a position in the line up is established it remains for the entire game.  Example: position 10 in the lineup is injured with no players left to substitute; that position will be an out each time that player would have batted. 8U, 10U and 12U MUST BAT EVERYONE, with no penalty for an injured player or a player having to leave the game.  Ejected players will take an out in the vacated position in all age divisions.  8 U & 10U may have an additional OUTFIELDER for a total of 10 defensive players. 

7a.  If 14u chooses to roster bat rule 9a will apply to that team as well

8.  Playing time is NOT Mandated by this league.

9.  Re-entry rule for starters and substitutes will be as stated in the rulebook.   Player must re-enter in the same position in the batting order.

9a.  All pitchers  may re enter as a pitcher one additional time.  This means they may be removed from the pitching position and  return to the pitching position.  This rule only applies if a continuous batting order is being used.  This is because we do not use high school substitution rule 3 and bat the entire roster.  All other divisions 14u and 18u will follow the NFHS/OHSAA substitution rules and must give a proper line-up card to the official umless they choose to use continuous batting order.

10.  Most games start at 6:00 P.M. Double header games for the 8u and 10u division may be scheduled with a 5:00 P.M. and 6:30 P.M. start.  (Exception 18u and 14u. division doubleheaders begin at 5:30 PM, unless where 3 team round robins are required at which time the start time will be 4:30PM)  EXCEPTION: Any district with a lighted field can request to have games scheduled for 8 PM. Home team is responsible for making sure field is prepared for play such as lining the field, 16 ft. pitching circle, bases put in place (60 feet), etc.

11.  Line-up cards are to be completed at least five minutes before game time.  Line-up cards need to have the first initial and last name of each player (example:  J. Smith) along with the player jersey number.  Do NOT simply put the player’s first name. No warnings or ejections for line-up violations.    

12. In order to start a game each team must have eight players.  A team can finish a game with a minimum of eight players (6 player minimum in 8U).  Should a game be started or finished with eight players, the position vacated in the lineup will be charged with an out each time that player would have batted (no outs in vacated positions in 8U).  If a team starts or plays with eight and another player shows up, they may then fill the vacated spot.

13.  Any coach or player ejected from a game by an umpire must immediately leave the field and/or other area as instructed by the umpire.  Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of the game in progress and suspension from the league. Ejection from a game is an automatic two game suspension for the ejected coach or player.  No fine will be assessed.  The Commissioner must be notified of any ejections of coaches and/or players immediately.

14.  Game ball is to be provided by home team. Game balls are required to be 12”, optic yellow with the COR not to exceed .47.  All game balls must have a leather cover and raised stitch seams.  8U & 10U: 11-inch leather cover raised seam ball.  Recommended ball:  Worth Dream Seam (12” C12RYLAH; 11” C11BYLUC).  The home team is required to provide and pay for a sanctioned plate umpire for all games, who must be sanctioned by OHSAA, ASA, NSA, USSSA or who have been sanctioned specifically by the NCGSL. Two umpires are requested.  18u  is recommended to have 2 sanctioned umpires.  Any team failing to provide a sanctioned plate umpire for any home game will forfeit that game.  In 18u and 14u, if 2 sanctioned umps are not present, the teams not hosting will only pay for 1 umpire ($70) for the week. Host location must make up any difference offered to the umpire. NO EXCEPTIONS.  The Commissioner may exempt this rule only for make-up games, provided every attempt has been made by the coach and Commissioner to find an umpire.

15. Teams are expected to play every scheduled game.  Coaches should not attempt to cancel games because a star player or two are unavailable.   Any conflicts with the schedule must be resolved and rescheduled by agreement of both coaches by June 1st, 2023.  Coaches must notify the Commissioner of any rainouts.  The home team must reschedule a game canceled due to weather within seven days.   The Commissioner must be notified by the coaches of both teams involved of any game that is rescheduled for any reason.  Coaches are expected to work together and communicate with each other regarding makeup games. If two coaches cannot agree, the Commissioner has the power to schedule a makeup game at any time, location, or day including weekends and may declare a forfeit or double forfeit (both teams are credited with a loss, neither team will receive a win) for failure to play a game.       

16. The following rules apply for all age groups EXCEPT 8U (see 8U rule sheet for base running rules). Stealing of any base, including home, is permitted in all age groups.  A base runner cannot leave the base until the pitch has left the pitcher's hand.  Players may attempt to advance as many bases as they can on a batted ball.  Players may steal second on a walk in all age divisions (attempt must be continuous once the runner rounds first base). 

17.  Runners are never required to slide however no player shall initiate malicious contact.  All Runners must Avoid contact the best they can, slide, or give themselves up.  

18. The infield fly rule will be as stated in the rulebook.  No infield fly for 8U & 10U.

19. Players in 18u. & 14U divisions are permitted to wear metal cleats.  No metal cleats will be permitted to be worn in 8U, 10U or 12U.     

20. A batter hit by a pitched ball is entitled to first base, including pitches that strike the ground prior to hitting the batter.    

21. No one is permitted to move or transport any injured player who requires medical attention except the player’s parent or the rescue squad.  

22. The pitching rubber shall be as follows:18u. & 14U:  43 feet;   12U:  40 feet;   10U:  35 feet;   8U:  30 feet  

23. Rosters need to be e-mailed to the Commissioner, Alex Harvey, at ajharv13@gmail.com prior to the May coaches meeting, along with proof of age documents for each player.  Acceptable proof of age is birth certificate, hospital birth record, driver’s license, medical card, passport, adoption records or baptismal certificate.  The Commissioner will certify each player on the roster, and then return the certified rosters to the appropriate coaches.   Coaches must carry a certified roster for any player to be used at all games.  Failure to produce a certified roster at the request of the opposing coach for verification of the line-up will result in a forfeit by the team without the roster.  Uncertified players may only play by agreement of the opposing coach if proof of age is provided prior to the start of a game.  Any player found to be in violation of the maximum age rule (Rule 3) will cause a forfeit of all games she participated in.   

24. Players may play in any age division in her school district for which she is age eligible.  Players must be rostered on each team for which she plays.  If there is more than 1 team in an age division from the same district, players can only be rostered on ONE team. If a team needs to borrow a player from another team in her age division, the Commissioner must be notified to receive approval for the exception. Each team must consist of girls from the same school district.  The commissioner can allow exemptions to the school district rule under special circumstances.

25.  Players may be added to the roster until June 1st of the current year of play..  If any additions are made post to 6-1 of the playing year the coach must provide proof of age to the Commissioner for that player.  The Commissioner will e-mail verification or denial of the added player to the head coach or district representative.     Any player borrowed to play MAY NOT PITCH for the team they are substituting for. 

26.  If a game is tied after regulation, the International tiebreaker rule will be used.  The last batted out in each tiebreaker inning will start out on 2nd base with no outs.  If after a complete inning, the game is still tied, the process will be continued until a winner is determined.  One International tiebreaker inning for 18u. 

26a.  This rule only applies if the time limit has not been reached for the game.

27.  Girls may run on a dropped third strike in all age divisions except 8U. and 10u.

28.  Make up games must be rescheduled and communicated to the commissioner within 7 days of the delayed/postponed game.  Forfeits will be given out appropriately for this not being done.   The game does not need to be played within 7 days just scheduled on any date on the playing years calendar.   

APPENDIX B-Revised Mar. 20, 2025   AJH