8U League Game Rules
8U League Game Rules The 8U practices and games should focus on player development and having fun. It is important that players learn the basic skills of the game (throwing, batting, game rules, etc.) and leave this season with a positive experience which will promote them to return the following season. The rules listed below are to provide for a learning atmosphere and not to competitive. There will be one game night and one practice night per week. There will be no umpires during games.
Games are 5 innings or 75min time limit. (whichever comes first) Players use an 11” “softee”softball. All players will bat each inning and play defense in the field. Extra players will be placed in the outfield. Coaches are encouraged to be in the field to instruct players but are not to interfere with the game. Catchers are mandatory and are required to wear all gear (helmet, chest guard, shin guards, etc.). Pitchers are required to wear a face mask. Outs are unlimited each inning as all players will be batting. The end of a ½ inning is after the last batter has hit. The infield fly rule is not in effect. The first couple games will have the tee will set up for batting. After a couple games, a coach pitch will be introduced. Coaches may use their discretion if the tee is still needed on an individual player basis. o While the Tee is being used, no ball count is kept. o The batter cannot strike out or walk. At the halfway point, the goal is to have all batters hitting off a player (see note below) or coach pitch by the second half of the season. the following rules apply: o Players/Coaches should pitch off the pitching rubber (set at 35’) o The batter will get 4 pitches and only strikes will be counted. o The batter may strike out if there are 3 attempted swings with no contact. o If after the 4th pitch there is not a hit or a strike out, the tee will be set up for the batter. The strike count will remain the same. The batter may strike out if she swings and misses the ball on the tee and has 2 strikes already. No bunting is allowed. No Stealing is allowed. No advancing base runners on overthrows to the pitcher from the catcher. No advancing base runners on passed balls by the catcher. It is required to rotate your batting line up and field positions. We want to encourage the player’s development of multiple positions and skills. o Go to www.bismarckfastpitch.com , under Team Central => Coaches Corner for auto player/position rotation aides.
Note: We are trying to develop pitchers at this age level. Pitching at this age will provide for an opportunity to work on the motion of Fastpitch softball and will hopefully better develop pitchers for the 10U division later down the road. The goal for players at this age level is to learn the correct motion of the pitch. Coaches should start teaching the proper mechanics early in the season, so they can be applied at the halfway point. For games, coaches are to look for pitchers that are able to get the ball across the plate so it is hittable. Do not worry if there is an arc on the ball, it just needs to cross the plate in a way that is hittable by the batter. Any player who wants to learn the motion is allowed to work on pitching during practice time. Pitching is a specialized skill and coaches should stress to players and parents that extra practice time at home may be needed to be successful.
Games are 5 innings or 75min time limit. (whichever comes first) Players use an 11” “softee”softball. All players will bat each inning and play defense in the field. Extra players will be placed in the outfield. Coaches are encouraged to be in the field to instruct players but are not to interfere with the game. Catchers are mandatory and are required to wear all gear (helmet, chest guard, shin guards, etc.). Pitchers are required to wear a face mask. Outs are unlimited each inning as all players will be batting. The end of a ½ inning is after the last batter has hit. The infield fly rule is not in effect. The first couple games will have the tee will set up for batting. After a couple games, a coach pitch will be introduced. Coaches may use their discretion if the tee is still needed on an individual player basis. o While the Tee is being used, no ball count is kept. o The batter cannot strike out or walk. At the halfway point, the goal is to have all batters hitting off a player (see note below) or coach pitch by the second half of the season. the following rules apply: o Players/Coaches should pitch off the pitching rubber (set at 35’) o The batter will get 4 pitches and only strikes will be counted. o The batter may strike out if there are 3 attempted swings with no contact. o If after the 4th pitch there is not a hit or a strike out, the tee will be set up for the batter. The strike count will remain the same. The batter may strike out if she swings and misses the ball on the tee and has 2 strikes already. No bunting is allowed. No Stealing is allowed. No advancing base runners on overthrows to the pitcher from the catcher. No advancing base runners on passed balls by the catcher. It is required to rotate your batting line up and field positions. We want to encourage the player’s development of multiple positions and skills. o Go to www.bismarckfastpitch.com , under Team Central => Coaches Corner for auto player/position rotation aides.
Note: We are trying to develop pitchers at this age level. Pitching at this age will provide for an opportunity to work on the motion of Fastpitch softball and will hopefully better develop pitchers for the 10U division later down the road. The goal for players at this age level is to learn the correct motion of the pitch. Coaches should start teaching the proper mechanics early in the season, so they can be applied at the halfway point. For games, coaches are to look for pitchers that are able to get the ball across the plate so it is hittable. Do not worry if there is an arc on the ball, it just needs to cross the plate in a way that is hittable by the batter. Any player who wants to learn the motion is allowed to work on pitching during practice time. Pitching is a specialized skill and coaches should stress to players and parents that extra practice time at home may be needed to be successful.
