CYBSA 8U Division Softball Rules 2016

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CYBSA 8U Division Softball Rules 2016 All MHSAA rules and regulations apply with the following exceptions unless stated in General Rules: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6)

1 Base Distance - 60 feet. Machine Distance-35 feet Ball-11 inch Softball A 16 foot diameter pitching circle will be made around the pitching machine. Hash marks at 30' between 1st and 2nd bases, 2nd and 3rd bases, 3rd base and home plate. Every pitching machine will be set at 35 MPH a. Pitching machine adjustment can be at any time in the game at umpire’s discretion.

1.0 Player Equipment / Uniform Rules: 2.1 Uniform: Players must wear uniform provided. 2.2 Catchers: Catchers must wear catcher’s mask with helmet, chest protector, and shin guards. A throat protector is required. 2.3 Pitchers: Players in the pitching position shall wear a batting helmet with facemask. 2.0 Game Rules: 3.1 Length: Regulation game will consist of six (6) innings. Four (4) complete innings shall constitute an official game, or three and a half innings if the home team is ahead for the purpose of games called due to darkness, weather, mercy run rule, or time limit. 3.2 Time Limit: No new inning shall be started after 1 hour and 30 minutes. If two (2) games are scheduled, backto-back, on the same field, no inning of the first game shall begin after 1 hour and 20 minutes as long as the game is official. 3.3 Runs: A maximum of five (5) runs per team in each inning except the last designated inning which is unlimited. 3.4 Mercy Run Rule: The game will be over if one team is ahead by 15 runs after four (4) innings (3 ½ innings if home team is ahead), 10 runs after five (5) innings (4 ½ innings if home team is ahead), or a 20 run lead at any point during the game. 3.0 Fielding Rules: 4.1 Fielding Positions: All players will play at one time on the field - 1 pitcher, 1 catcher, 4 infielders, and the balance located in the outfield. An official game may be played with eight (8) players, if only eight (8) players, an out will be recorded for the 9th batting position unless both managers agree to waive this rule. 4.2 Position Rules: At the time the pitch is delivered. No defensive players may be forward of the pitching machine. 4.2.1

The pitcher must stay on the left side of the pitching machine until the ball crosses home plate.

4.2.2 The outfielders shall be standing on the outfield grass until the ball crosses the plate.

4.3 Infield Fly Rule: The infield fly rule will not be enforced. 4.4 Field Coaches: Defensive team may have (2) coaches on the field. Coaches will be positioned in the outfield grass area and shall not interfere with play. 5.0 Batting Rules: 5.1 Batters: All players on the roster will bat. 5.2 Batting Order: Before each game the coach/scorekeeper shall give the batting order to the opposing team's coach/scorekeeper. The same batting order is to be followed for the entire game. Players not present at the time the batting order is submitted may be added at the end of the batting order when they arrive. 5.3 Injuries: If a player leaves or is injured during the game and is unable to bat, her position in the batting order will be skipped without penalty as long as eight (8) players remain. 5.4 Pitching Machine: If a batted ball hits the pitching machine, it is a dead ball. Runners will be allowed to advance one (1) base and the batter will be awarded first base. 5.5 Bunting: Bunting is allowed (1) once per inning. 5.6 Dropped Third Strike: The dropped third strike rule will not be enforced. 5.7 Thrown Bats: Players are to drop, not throw, their bats. Each team will receive one warning per game for a thrown bat. Subsequent offences by the same team will result in the batter being called out. 6.0 Base Running Rules: 6.1 Stealing: There will be no stealing. There will be no advancement of runners on passed balls by the catcher or on errant throws back to the pitcher. 6.2 Leaving Base: There will be no leading off. Base runners must remain on the base until the ball is hit. If a runner leaves early, she will be sent back. A second offense by the same runner shall result in that runner being called out. 6.3 Advancing: If a runner has not advanced past the designated half way mark when the pitcher gets control of the ball in the pitcher's circle, the runner must go back to her last occupied base unless a force out is in effect. 6.3.1 Runners may attempt to advance one base on an errant attempt to get an out at any defensive base, then play is dead, unless the ball remains in the outfield or another attempt is made at a defensive base. 6.3.2 If a player attempts to get the ball back to the pitcher in order to stop play via rule 6.3, and it becomes an errant play, runners between bases may continue to the next base unless rule 6.3.1 is already in effect. 6.4 Sliding: Head first sliding is not allowed into any base. If a player slides head first it will result in an automatic out. A player is allowed to slide head first going back to a base. If a fielder has the ball and is in position to make a play on the runner, the runner must attempt to slide or stop to avoid a collision. If the runner intentionally collides with the fielder, she will be called out (umpire's judgment).