Rookie (8U) Rules

Summary

This document serves to clarify some of the more important rules of softball and to emphasize the philosophy and goals of our league. Unless noted in this document, the Babe Ruth will be followed for all games. 

1. Games are typically scheduled on Saturdays starting at either 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM
2. Innings = 6 Innings
3. Each inning, all players bat
4. Ball Size = 11” Safety Ball, Optic Yellow, Raised Seam
5. Typical Schedule for Weeknight Games / All Divisions
6. 5:30 PM Warm-ups for Home team (they are closest to the field) 
7. 5:45 PM Warm-up for Visitor team 
8. 6:00 PM Review Ground Rules with Managers and Umpire 
9. 6:00 PM Play Ball 
10. 6:15 PM Grace period ends
11. Team managers should exhibit good sportsmanship about the grace period. Before each game, review and discuss ground rules and play times with the umpire and the other team manager.
12. Team managers should exhibit good sportsmanship about the grace period. Before each game, review and discuss ground rules and play times with the umpire and the other team manager.
13. No new inning shall start after 1 hr. and 45 minutes from the start of the game. Per Babe Ruth rules, no game shall last longer than 2 ½ hours. The umpire makes the final determination of when the game ends. On weekends, when there are no field schedule conflicts, the managers of both teams can agree to play past the 1 hour and 45 minute time limit. This must be discussed and agreed to BEFORE THE BEGINNING of the game. Whenever possible, coaches should attempt to play to the natural end of the game.
14. If the score is tied at the end of regulation play, extra innings may be played within the time limits stated above. If the time limit is reached, the game will end in a tie.
15. Lineups shall be exchanged as soon as possible. 
16. Home Team provides 2 Game Balls as specified in the age bracket. 
17. At all levels, the Pitcher, 1st baseman, and 3rd baseman must wear a fielder’s face shield.  
18. Emphasis needs to be on teaching the fielder how to cover the base and players how to slide.  
19. All divisions: Avoid contact if play is at the base or runners out if they initiate contact with the fielder. 
20. When the inning run limit has been reached, the play continues until its natural end. Don’t have players walk off the field in the middle of the play. Any runs scored after the inning limit do not count.  
21. A team may NOT steal once they are up by 10 runs. 
22. Metal cleats are NOT permitted 8U/Rookie division. 
23. No Stealing / No Bunting. Players may take a lead after the ball passes home plate. 
24. Every player is in the batting order (continuous batting order) & will get an at-bat every inning, even if 3 outs are made.
25. Batters and runners shall only advance 1 base at a time, unless the ball is hit out of the infield to the outfield grass, in which case all baserunners may advance a maximum of 2 bases. 
26. Coaches may substitute players in and out of the game and from position to position freely. 
27. Pitching Distance = 35 feet (from back tip of home plate). The intent of this distance is for the safety of the pitcher. Coaches may pitch from a distance, which will allow the best chance to put the ball in play.  
28. Adult pitchers may not field batted balls. A defensive player should be placed beside (not behind) the pitching adult. At the midpoint of the season, and at the coaches’ discretion, players may be allowed to pitch.  
29. No strikeouts
30. Pitch Count: To keep the game flowing and prevent kids from getting bored, there will be a 4-pitch or 3 swinging strikes for each batter. If the batter has not hit the ball by the 4th pitch/3rd strike, the tee will be placed at home plate for the batter to hit off, and she will run to 1st base to attempt to become a baserunner. Players should be encouraged to swing at pitches since there is no penalty for missing.  
31. Softball skills should be taught/developed in practice at this level. The defensive team may attempt to make an out on any base/base runner that is in play at that point in time. Players will leave the bases if called out.
32. NO OFFICIAL SCORING. Keeping an accurate account of the game should be done, as this can be used as a learning tool for the coaches, both in terms of learning to do the scorebook and for subsequent review to see where there may be specific areas that need to be worked on in practices. 
33. A maximum of 10 players on the field defensively. Players should be positioned at "normal" playing positions, not bunched up in certain spots, i.e., outfielders must play in the outfield. The idea is to get them to learn the various positions appropriately. 
34. The player positioned next to the pitching coach MUST wear a fielder’s face shield, as well as the 1st and 3rd basemen.