INSTRUCTIONAL DIVISION / 8U SOFTBALL

Ages 5 - 8

Instructional (8U) Division for players ages 5 - 8. This division is instructional with the intent of developing the skills of players to progress to the 10U Division. Below are the amended rules that BYSL have implemented for this division:

1. The home team must supply an umpire behind the plate. The visiting team must be given the option to supply an umpire for the field.
   • Umpires should preferably be at least 18 years of age.
   • The strike zone should be larger in relation to the batter to encourage the players to swing the bat.
2. 10 players may be used in the field.
   • In this case there will be four outfielders. You must keep outfielders on the grass in their normally aligned positions.
   • Coaches can also be on the field.
   • Games can start with 8 players but if the 9th position comes up to bat and there is no one to fill it, an out is issued to the team up to bat.
   • If a team must reschedule due to player availability the game must be made up before the end of the regular season. If the teams can’t agree upon a new date the Division Representative will decide as to who is awarded the win and loss. A tie is an option if the situation warrants it.
3. No stealing, bunting, slapping, or infield fly rule.
4. Score IS to be kept in either an app or on paper, both sides must present a batting line up to the opposite team.
5. Every player MUST be in the batting line up.
6. Coaches or an adult will pitch to their players during innings 1, 2, 5, and 6.
   • NO walks may be issued during this time.
   • Coaches must start with a foot on the mound and pitch the ball at a height that does not exceed the player’s height.
   • The player who is in the “pitcher’s position” must have at least 1 foot inside of the pitcher’s circle.
   • Umpires MUST call the pitches as balls & strikes during coach pitch. Players may strikeout looking if they do not swing. Once the count is 3 balls and 2 strikes the player must hit the ball or is out. If the ball is fouled off the player has another chance. If an adult is accidentally hit by a batted ball while pitching, the ball is still in play.
7. A player will pitch during the 3rd & 4th innings.
   • Players may only pitch one inning per game.
   • The pitching rubber will be set at 35 feet, but the players may move up to the front of the pitching circle.
     • Coaches’ discretion shall be used to move the pitcher back to the mound if players safety is in question. i.e. if the pitcher has the ability to pitch from the mound, she should so the batters can react appropriately.
   • During player pitch, batters that are hit by a pitch before the ball hits the ground are to take their base and this counts as a walk i.e. if the ball hits the ground first then hits the player, the player is to remain batting until she hits, walks, or strikes out. Players can NOT advance to first after getting hit by a pitch during coach pitch.
8. After 3 walks (Hit by pitch counts as walk) by player pitching in an inning, an adult will pitch for the remainder of that inning.
   • Once a coach comes in, the pitcher must stay in that position.
9. Base runners may leave when the ball is hit.
   • If the player leaves early the play is dead and resets back to the original position before the pitch was made.
   • There is no stealing in 8U SOFTBALL.
     • They may not advance on a passed ball or on an errant throw from the catcher back to the pitcher.
     • Runners only advance on a batted ball or a walk/hit by pitch during player pitch innings.
     • Runners may not advance on any overthrow made by fielders.
10. 4 Run limit per inning.
    • Except for the 6th inning. In the 6th inning teams MAY continue to bat until three outs are recorded. If you are beating a team by a large margin, it is recommended that you only score 4 and move into the bottom of the inning.
11. Runners may continue to run until a ball that was hit to the outfield (in the air or on the ground) is back into the player (NOT THE COACH) in the pitching position in the circle.
    • There is a 3ft line that needs to be placed between the 1st & 2nd, 2nd & 3rd, and 3rd & home plate to help position runners when the ball is returned to the infield properly and play is stopped.
    • The pitcher's circle is the chalked circle around the pitcher's rubber, also commonly referred to as “plate”. The circle has a diameter of 16 feet. This means that the circle observes an 8-foot radius which starts right from the middle of the front surface of the rubber.
12. There is a 2-hour time limit on all games with a 6-inning max. Extra innings can be played if both teams agree. If extra innings are played the game will be complete if one team fails to score after both teams have batted. The total game (including extra inning) will not exceed 2.5 hours.
13. All players need to wear a defensive mask at all of the defensive positions.
14. All batting helmets must have a mask to protect their face.