8U Rules 2007

 

LEAGUE POLICY

 

STANDINGS: Team standings are not kept during the regular season for 8U.

 

PLAYING TIME OF PLAYERS: All players bat. No player sits out on defense for more than one consecutive inning. Late arriving players must be placed at the bottom of the batting order.

 

Base Length is 60ft.

 

Unsportsmanlike Behavior: The league directors expect the head coaches to take proactive steps when unsportsmanlike behavior occurs. Officials also expect to be notified if/when inappropriate behavior occurs so corrective actions can be taken.

 

UMPIRES:  The home team shall provide an acting umpire

 

 

 

8U WSGS RULES

 

R1: Home team has 3rd base dugout. Home team provides new game ball.

 

R2: Home team provides umpire behind home plate for entire game.  Umpire keeps track of number of pitches Umpire makes all calls at bases unless there is another volunteer available to make calls on the bases. League players 2 years older may assist in umpiring a game.

 

R3: A tie goes to the defensive team and the base runner is out.

 

R4: Head coach, assistant coach or parent volunteer can coach first and third base.

 

R5: Defensive coaches are allowed on the field.

 

1.

R6: Minimum Players: 8 to start game. This rule is very flexible. If a team has 6 players than they can borrow several players from the other team to play the outfield. If not they can play with 6 players. There is a 10-minute grace period from the scheduled start time of the game to get to 8 players. However, this seems like a silly rule since if both teams only have 10 players between them our league would encourage playing the game. Getting players to the field to play is a major objective for our league.

 

R7:    Maximum Players: For 8U the entire team is allowed on the field. All defensive players will be in their normal playing positions when the ball is pitched.  All outfielders must be on the grass when the ball is pitched.

 

R8:   Every effort will be made to give all players the opportunity to play both infield and outfield.  This is league policy.  Coaches’ discretion may be used based on attendance, attitude, etc but this must be made clear to both players and parents.

 

R9:    Entire roster is batted every inning- meaning everyone who shows up for the game will bat.  If a player comes to game late her name will be placed at the bottom of the batting order and she will bat in that position for remainder of the game.  Free substitution on defense.  Base running is, “offense”, therefore no “courtesy” runner will be allowed except for the catcher.  If a player is to sick or hurt to run, she is too sick or hurt to be playing.  If she is injured while on base and cannot continue to play, she will be excused from further participation in the game (offense and defense) and will be replaced by the last out of the inning.  The last person in the batting lineup will be put in her place until the two side’s change and then the new runner will take her original place back in the lineup.  In no case will the hurt/sick person be allowed back in the game.

 

R9A- Score is not kept at 8U

 

R10:   All batters and base runners will wear batting helmets with face guards when batting and running bases.

 

R11:   Bunting allowed.  If ball is bunted foul with 2 strikes the batter is out.

 

R12:  Catchers will wear catcher’s equipment (helmet, mask, chest protector, shin guards) at all times. Helmet and mask may be removed after ball is hit.

 

R12A:   Catcher is allowed to have a pinch runner if there are 2 outs.

 

 

R13:    There is no base stealing

 

R13A:  Overthrow/Out of Play: When ball is thrown out of play (past the first base fence line and third base fence line) the runners get the base they are running to and one additional base.  Coaches need to be reminded that we hold the base runner at the bases on errors: especially when one team is dominating.  We send the runners on good hits.

 

 

Pitching

5 coach pitches, then the batting tee is brought out

 

Game time will be 1 hour. If there is no following game scheduled coaches may agree to play longer prior to the start of the game.

 

 

8U uses an 11 inch safety ball

 

Protest:  Rule interpretation can be protested but judgment calls cannot.  Do not let your frustration affect your good judgment.  Remember, U-8 & U-10 are developmental leagues and we do not have professional umpires.  These are parent volunteers and please treat them with respect.

Unsportsmanlike Behavior-USSSA Rules provide very clear guidelines for behavior for players, coaches and spectators. The league directors expect the head coaches to take

proactive steps when un-sportsmen like behavior occurs, before an umpire gets involved.  League official expect to be notified if inappropriate behavior occurs so corrective action can be taken.

 

Calling Time:  Umpire needs to realize when appropriate to call time.  Ball should be thrown to the pitcher after the play is over.  When the ball is thrown to the pitcher umpire should call time.