Walkertown Softball  

8U RULES

Walkertown Girls Softball Association 8U Coach Pitch Rules

Based on current USA Softball rules with the following league-specific modifications.


General League Rules


Umpires

  • Games will use umpires.
  • An additional field umpire approved by the board may also be assigned.

Smoking Policy

  • No smoking is allowed:
  • On the field during games
  • In dugouts
  • On the field during practices

Dugout Assignments

  • Home Team → 1st Base Dugout
  • Visiting Team → 3rd Base Dugout
  • No exceptions.

Proper Game Attire

Players must wear:

  • Team jersey
  • Dark pants or dark shorts
  • Knee socks are required if shorts are worn

Pool players may be used if core players are unavailable or improperly attired.

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Sportsmanship & Coaching Expectations


Pre-Game Meeting

  • Head coaches and umpires will meet and shake hands before every game.

Post-Game Sportsmanship

  • Players and coaches will line up for handshakes after each game.
  • Teams will gather for the league chant/cheer afterward.
  • Coaches must remain with players until they exit the field.

Coach Communication

  • Coaches should address concerns privately and away from players.
  • During games, discussions should go through the umpire unless player safety is involved.
  • Coaches may not approach another team’s dugout before or after games.

Assistant Coaching & Umpiring

  • Coaches and assistant coaches may be required to assist with umpiring outside their division.

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Game Time Limits


Spring Season

  • 1 hour game limit
  • No new inning after 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Hard stop at 1 hour 30 minutes (“drop dead”)
  • Official score reverts to the previous completed inning if needed

Fall Season

  • 1 hour game limit
  • No new inning after 1 hour
  • Hard stop at 1 hour 15 minutes (“drop dead”)
  • Official score reverts to the previous completed inning if needed

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Weather & Suspended Games


Official Game Requirements

  • A game becomes official after 4 completed innings.
  • If stopped mid-inning after the 4th inning, score reverts to the previous completed inning.
  • If the first inning is not completed, the game will restart from the beginning.

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Player Participation & Pool Players


Minimum Players

  • Teams may play with:
  • 5 core players
  • Up to 3 pool players


Forfeits

  • If a team cannot field enough properly attired players or approved pool players, the game may be forfeited.

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Defensive Rules


Pitcher Rules

  • Pitchers may NOT run the ball home if fielded behind the 20-foot line.
  • In that situation, the pitcher must throw the ball home.
  • Violation results in the runner being awarded the base.

Stopping Play

Play ends when:

  • The lead runner is put out, OR
  • The player pitcher has:
  • Both feet inside the circle
  • Control of the ball
  • Runners less than halfway to the next base must return.


Pitcher Positioning

  • The player pitcher must keep both feet inside the circle until the batter swings.


Throwing Rules

  • Defensive players must make legitimate throws back to the pitcher.
  • Rolling or intentionally weak throws are not allowed.
  • First offense → Team warning
  • Additional offenses → All runners advance one base

Overthrows

  • If an infielder overthrows first or third base and the ball enters dead-ball territory:
  • Runners advancing are awarded one base
  • Play becomes dead immediately
  • No extra advancement allowed

Defensive Alignment

  • All players may play defensively.
  • Outfielders must remain on the grass edge.
  • Player catchers are allowed with adult assistance if needed.

Field Coaches

  • Defensive coaches must stand in left and right field behind outfielders.
  • Coaches may call time to reposition players if necessary.

Infield Fly Rule

  • The infield fly rule is NOT used in Coach Pitch.

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Offensive Rules


Base Running

  • Stealing bases is not allowed.

Batting Rules

  • Batters receive 5 pitches.
  • A foul ball on the 5th pitch extends the at-bat.


Coach Pitcher Safety Rule

  • Coach pitchers may interfere with a batted ball to protect themselves or the pitcher.

Results in:

  • Dead ball
  • No runners advance
  • Batter receives another pitch
  • Pitch does not count toward pitch total


Runner Leaving Early

  • 1st offense → Warning to coach
  • 2nd offense → Batter is called out


Coach Pitch Distance

  • Coach pitchers must stand at least 20 feet from home plate measured from the back point of the plate.


Scoring Rules

Run Limits

  • Maximum of 6 runs per inning.

Batting Order

  • Entire roster bats each inning.
  • Once the full lineup has batted, the half inning ends.

Mercy Rule

Games end early if a team leads by:

  • 12 runs after 3 innings
  • 10 runs after 4 innings
  • 8 runs after 5 innings
  • Applies in the bottom half of those innings. 


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