8U Rules

Concord Girls Softball League

2023 8U Rules

The Concord Girls Softball League’s 8U league is a training process for the players to develop fundamental skills with the maximum enjoyment for the youngster.

Overview

Innings: 6

Bases: 60 ft

Stealing: None

Ball Size: 10 inch

Pitching: 30 feet with 5 ft circle

Age Cut Off: Age as of January 1st, 2022

Umpires: Not carded, Paid

Division Coordinator: Courtney Koubek

Coaches Objectives

Ensure all team players have the most fun possible.
Teach each player the correct way to hold and swing a bat. Emphasis should be placed on not throwing the bat after hitting the ball.
Teach each player the correct method of running the bases.
- Hit the ball and run for 1st base as quickly as possible. Watch 1st base, not the ball.
- That the runner may run through 1st base and in doing so will help that player get on base more time than not.
- What a force out is and how to possibly avoid it.
- What to do on a fly ball.
The correct method of throwing a softball.
The correct method of fielding a ground ball.
The correct method of catching a fly ball.
Teach all players infield rules.
- How to make an out at 1st base.
- How to make an out at the other bases.
- Teach players how to stop base runners from advancing on the bases.
Teach players to make all tags below the shoulders.
Teach each player fair play and sportsmanship.
Coaches may hold two practices per week before games start. Once games begin, only one practice per week will be permitted on a weekend day.

Eligibility

1. Eligible players will be 8 years of age or under on or before January 1, of that playing year. Eligible Players must not be older than 8 years old by January 1 of that playing year.

2. No player can be added to a team after the first game of the year without the consent of the commissioner or 8U director.

3. The 8U Division Coordinator or a league board member of the Concord Softball League will assign all players to a team.

The teams were assigned using the following methodology

Last year’s team as long as parents wish to keep them on the same team
Player Request (submitted by parents)
Coach Request (submitted by parents)
School
Age – We will try to balance the ages so that teams do not all have older or younger players.
Once a team has 1 more player than the roster size of the other teams in the league, player and coach requests cannot be honored.

4. Call ups – If your team will not have enough for a game, a call up from the 6U division may be made. Contact your Division Coordinator.

Field Set Up and Rules

1. In the case of inclement weather:

In the event of lightning, regardless of its distance away, play must be immediately called. If the weather clears, play may resume 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning.
The division coordinator, umpires, and head coaches make the call on rain and wet field conditions. If one of the above mentioned wishes to cancel the game, it shall be canceled. Appeals will be immediately made to the Recreation President for a final call.
Make-ups will be rescheduled by the division coordinator.

2. Bases are set at 60 feet.

3. Lining the field with chalk.

Lay down baselines from home plate down first and third base lines for foul territory.
Lay down baselines between first base and second base, and second base and third base.
Extend baselines at least 20 feet past 1st and 3rd base and into the outfield
Measure 30’ from the back of home plate (towards the pitcher’s mound) and lay down a 7' diameter circle, around this point. This will define the pitcher’s mound and the area required for the player playing the pitcher position.

4. Home team will supply the game ball.

5. Home team will use the dugout on the first base side.

6. BOTH teams are responsible for cleaning up the field after the game.

Ensure that all trash is cleared from each bench/fan area and placed in the trash receptacle. If we do not maintain a clean field, who will?

The Game

To be considered a finished game, it must go the full amount of innings OR at 75 minutes after the official start of the game, the current inning will be finished and the game ended. A new inning starts immediately after the 3rd out of the prior inning. Umpires have final decision for weather and darkness conditions.
An inning will be complete when three outs occur or 7 runs are scored. More than 7 runs may be scored in an inning only if scored on the same play the 7th run is scored. As an example, if the batting team has already scored 6 runs in the current inning and there are 2 runners on base. If the batter hits a home run, the extra 2 runs do count. Once that play is over, the amount of runs scored is what counts and the inning is over.
During the regular season if the game is tied after it is considered a finished game (refer to rule #1), the game is declared over and a tie. Only during the tournament will a tied game be extended to determine a winner.
A team must have a minimum of seven players on the field in order to constitute an official game. Less than seven will result in a forfeit.
Coaches will position players in the field. A maximum of 7 players will be in the infield at one time, including the catcher and rover. The rover must behind and within 5 feet of 2nd base. The 2 coaches may accompany the defensive team on the field, but they must remain out of the way of play and call the plays at second. These coaches should be positioned in the outfield.
A maximum of 4 players may be played in the outfield. Any remaining players will remain in the bench. No girl, that is not injured or ill, shall remain on the bench for more than one inning per game. Coaches should insure that number of innings on the bench is balanced across the team for the entire season. No one girl(s) should spend more time on the bench while other teammates spend no time on the bench.
Each player must have 1 inning in the infield. Exception to the rule for safety reasons and must be agreed upon by commissioner and the parent. Infield positions include 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Shortstop, Pitcher’s helper, catcher and Rover.
If a coach is hit, catches, or otherwise touches the ball, the ball is dead and will be replayed.
The batting team will have coaches at first and third base. The coach pitching can help position the batter.
The coach that is pitching will not pitch the ball until the defensive team is in position and the opposing coach has signaled to initiate play.
The batting team must have a continuous batting order. The youth that is out of order is called out and will not bat until her turn comes up again. Note: This is a learning experience and not a punishment for the youth.
Injury or Illness: If a player is injured or becomes ill during a game she may sit out without penalty, should her place in the batting order come up, she will be skipped. Both scorekeepers must be notified of a skipped batsman.
Coaches may only pitch underhand to their team during the game. Please observe a minimum of 30 feet pitching distance. Please initiate the pitch with two feet within the circle drawn on the pitchers area and complete the pitch by keeping both feet in the circle.
The batter is out after 6 pitches (or clear strikes). Balls interfered with by a coach in the field will not count toward the pitch count. If last pitch is fouled off, it will follow with another pitch.
There is no bunting, walks, base stealing, or leading off. Base runners must stay in contact with the base until the ball is hit.
If a batter throws the bat, they will be given one warning and will be called out after that. Note: This is a learning/safety experience only and not intended to punish the youth.
All fielders must be lined up no closer than the opposing team’s pitcher (coach) prior to the batting of the ball. Once the ball is hit into fair territory, all balls are live and playable. This line up rule is for the safety of the infielders only.
The defensive player, at the pitching mound position is to maintain one foot within and one foot out of the designated circle, prior to the batter making contact with the pitch. Once contact has been made, she may advance on the ball to make a play. The player at this position may not be in front of the coach pitcher, prior to contact. This is for safety reasons only.
Overthrows:
- Balls that are thrown to any base and not possessed by a defensive player will be considered an overthrow.
- No runners will advance on an overthrow to 1st base. This rule is to encourage players to attempt to make the play at first.
- Players may attempt to advance no more than one base on an overthrow to second or third base. The player will remain “live” should she attempt to advance.
- A second overthrow will not result in additional advancement opportunities by any runner.
Dead ball:
- It is a dead ball when an infielder possesses the ball and calls time (verbally or holding hands in the air). Outfielders may not run the ball into the infield to call time. Outfielders must transfer possession of the ball to an infielder and that infielder in possession of the ball is the one to call time, with their feet on the dirt (infield).
  - Overthrows to the pitcher once the infielder has called time will not result in the advancement of base runners.
  - An infielder is defined as Catcher, Pitcher, 1st base, 2nd base, 3rd Base, Shortstop and Rover.
A base runner must be halfway to the next base (as judged by the umpire) in order to advance to the next base. If the runner is not halfway when the ball is determined dead, the runner must return to the previous base.
If the base runner passes a base runner in front of her, she may be tagged out. If the play ends and no out is made, the players will be sent back to the correct bases and the correct order.
Plays at home plate are permitted.
The infield fly rule does not apply.
The Short Outfielder / Rover Position is defined as that area behind second base. This player must be at least 5 feet behind second base before the start of the play. This player may advance on the infield when making a play or backing one up.
Sliding: Sliding will be allowed into any base but 1st. Sliding is not mandatory.
The base runner is out when:
- A base runner runs out of the running lane to avoid a tag by a defensive player. More than 3 feet away from the base line is excessive. Again, this is a learning experience.
  - If the defensive player makes a play for the ball and in doing so blocks or interferes with the base runner, no defensive interference is incurred. The base runner must avoid the defensive player by slowing up or going behind the defensive player, if the runner interferes with the defensive player (offensive interference) the ball will be ruled dead, all runners will advance to the base they were headed and the offensive team will be given one warning, if offensive interference occurs again by the same team then the play is dead and the runner who committed interference will be called out. (All other runners move to the base they were advancing to during the play with the exception of home, a run cannot score from offensive interference).
  - A defensive player, without the ball and no play for the ball must allow the base runner access to the bag and the running lane. If the defensive player or players block the runner’s lane to the base, the runner is ruled safe. (This is determined by that base umpire only)
If two players end up on the same base and no force is in effect, the second runner to the base may be tagged out. If the play ends and no tag has been made, the second runner is sent back to the previous base.
- If a force is on the leading runner, they may be tagged out. The oncoming runner will be out only if the defensive player tags the base first (then the force runner does not have to run) or the defensive player tags the runner before she reaches the base. And again the force is off and the forced runner does not have to run.
No run will be scored when the third out is a forced play.
- If a runner touches home plate prior to a non-forced third out being made, the run is scored.
Scorekeeping during all games will be kept. Team’s standings and reporting to the Division Coordinator is necessary.
Seeding for final league tournament will be based on regular season records
- Tiebreaker scenario
  - Level 3 – Least Runs scored in the games involving the tied teams (Only applies if Levels 1 and 2 don’t produce a winner)
  - Level 2 – Most Runs scored in the games involving the tied teams (Only applies if Level 1 doesn’t produce a winner)
  - Level 1 – Head to head record