Hanover Girls Softball: 8U
Rules and Procedures
The intent of the Hanover Youth Ball Girls Softball League for 7-8 year olds is to provide an opportunity for young players to learn the game in an environment that focuses on teaching and improving over winning. Each decision a coach makes should be guided by player improvement over winning.
1. Game Time & Length: Games typically begin around 6:15/6:30. Game shall have a60 minute time limit, meaning no inning shall begin after the 60 minute limit.Exact start time and length of games may vary depending on exact number of teams.
2. Weather / Field Conditions / Rainouts: The Hanover Youth Ball Board typically makes a discussion about the field conditions and weather by 4:30 pm. The coaches may discuss the status of the game. If there is any doubt as to the status of the fields, or the pending approach of rain, lightning or storms, it is encouraged to cancel the game. It shall be at the option of both coaches and field availability whether to make-up any cancelled games. Cancellation notification will be made to parents by e-mail or phone calls from coaches and/or posted on the Hanover Youth Ball website and/or Facebook page.
3. Playing Field: Games shall be played on fields with a base distance of 40 feet and pitching rubber at 35 feet.
4. Umpires: The defensive team’s coach (or parent) shall be in the field and shall make all safe and out calls on batted balls. The batting team’s coach (or parent) shall be behind home plate and call balls and strikes and to assist in the count of 7 swings/strikes (see “pitching” below).
5. Equipment:
a) Balls: All games shall be played with a regulation 11 inch yellow “softie” softball. “Home” teams will be listed last on the schedule and are to supply at least one new ball and one good used ball for each game;
b) Protective Gear: Helmets shall be worn by all players while on deck, at bat, and while a base runner. Catchers are required to wear protective headgear, throat guard, chest protector, and shin guards at practice and games.
6. Pitching: Pitching during the season shall be done by the batting team’s coach. Each player shall have 7swings/strikes in which to put the ball in play. Seven swings and misses shall be considered a strike out. A foul ball on the seventh pitch shall also be an out. There will be no walks. Pitched balls out of the strike zone shall be considered no pitch.
7. Base Running: On any batted ball, base runners may continue to run until they are tagged or forced out or the ball is in the possession of the pitcher. Base runners in between bases when the ball is secured by the pitcher shall return to the base they last touched. Base runners may advance one base on any overthrow or miss in the infield,including the pitcher. Once the baserunners have advanced one base on an overthrow or misplay, the play is dead and the base runners cannot advance even if additional misplays occur.
8. Inning Length: An inning shall be over upon 3 recorded outs or until all the batting team’s hitters have each had one at bat. If the batting team has less hitters than the defensive team, the batting team shall be allowed the same number of at bats as the defensive team. For example, if the defensive team has 12 batters and the hitting team has 10 batters, the hitting team shall be allowed 12 at bats before the inning ends.
9. Miscellaneous Rules:
a) The infield fly rule shall not be called on any play;
b) Any batted ball which is first touched by a base runner shall result in the base runner being called out;
c) Bunting and stealing are not allowed;
d) The defensive team shall be allowed a maximum of 10 defensive players.
(The traditional 9 defensive positions, plus a 4th outfielder.)
e) Optional – coaches may be in the outfield for instructional purposes and use best judgment to not disrupt the flow of the
game.
10. Sportsmanship: This is a RECREATIONAL AND FUN LEAGUE. Coaches and parents shall be expected to conduct
themselves and their teams with the utmost of good sportsmanship. Coaches, parents, and teams not conducting their behavior in a
It is recommended you review these rules with your players as well as parents.