*These are local rules only. Tournament play rules could vary by tournament.

Game:

·       1 hour 15 mins (finish the inning) or 6 innings. Games CAN end in a tie (except end of season tournament)

·       Game can be played with 7 players. You DO NOT have to take an out if you have only 7 or 8 players.

·       6 runs or 3 outs (Tournament play does not have a run rule limit)

·       In the case of rain a full game will be considered 3 ½ or 4 innings. If the game must be rescheduled it will pick up exactly where left off.

·       Run rule is 15 runs after 3 ½ or 4 innings or 8 runs after 5 innings.

·       11” ball will be used

Offense:

·       Teams bat their entire lineup and provide every player with a minimum of 1 complete inning in the field. Line up will never change

Defense:

·       10 on field with free defensive substitution IF batting dugout (local rule only)

·       Players must remain behind the half-way marks until the ball has left the machine

·       The defensive player listed as the pitcher must remain 4 ft beside or behind the pitching rubber until the ball has been hit.

Coaches:

·       3 offensive coaches (1 on each baseline and one as pitcher)

·       No defensive coaches in the field will be allowed, 1 defensive coach is allowed outside of the dugout

·       Pitching coach CANNOT coach runners or batters

Field Chalking:

·       35’ pitching rubber

·       On-deck circles are 4 ft.

·       Half-way marks between all bases

Rules

·       Players must have helmets WITH facemasks, chin strap is optional

·       Only Official USA or USSSA stamped softball bats may be used

·       No infield fly rule

·       3 strikes

·       5 maximum pitches or 3 strikes. As long as contact is being made, you may exceed the 5 maximum pitches

·       Pitcher must wear face protection

·       NO BUNTING, but slap hitting allowed

·       NO STEALING, the ball must be hit to advance to the next base

·       When lead runner is stopped constitutes a dead ball. Lead runner must be stopped to stop immediate play.

·       Runners may not leave the bases until the ball is released by the pitcher.

·       No walks or “base on balls”, intentional or otherwise.

·       ½ the distance between bases enforced for all runners

·       No overthrow rule

·       4 fielders MUST be 10’ behind the base path.

·       If the batted ball hits the Pitching Coach, the umpire will judge if the Pitching Coach made a legitimate attempt to get out of the way, the ball becomes dead. All runners advance one base. Batter is awarded first base. If the umpire rules that the Pitching Coach did not make the attempt to get out of the way, then the batter is declared out. No runner shall advance.

·       The Pitching Coach must keep one foot on or straddle the pitching rubber.

·       Pitching must be an underhand motion.

·       The Pitching Coach will not coach while in the pitching position, either verbally or physically and once the ball has been hit, must position himself/herself as not to be an obstruction to the defensive team on any play at all. PENALTY: Removal of the Pitching Coach.

·       OBUSIVE or OBSCENE LANGUAGE towards and UMPIRE, coach, player or another fan will NOT be tolerated. Coaches, keep your fans under control.