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.