Softball 4th-5th Grade League Rules

NORTH JACKSON YOUTH BASEBALL, INC.

SPECIFIC RULES FOR ALL LEAGUES

Along with General Rules for All Leagues, the following are specific local league rules. The following specific local league rules supplement the General Rules and take precedence where there is a conflict.

NOTE: These rules are “working” rules and can be amended by NJYB as needed and as the season progresses. The league Commissioners will be responsible for notifying all involved personnel of these changes. Try not to use or abuse these rules to impede the progress and temper of the game. Keep in mind the spirit in which they are written and apply them with the same spirit in mind. Often, common sense will solve all the problems that will arise.

FINAL NOTE: The ultimate rules of NJYB is to teach every kid the basic fundamentals of baseball, to participate fairly, to enjoy and love the game of baseball while instilling the true meaning of sportsmanship. Every kid is looking at each coach as a role model, and therefore, the actions of the coaches will forever be instilled in that kid’s mind regarding baseball. Act accordingly.

4th/5th GRADE SOFTBALL – SPECIFIC RULES

GAME PROCEDURES:
1. Field equipment
  1. 11 inch core softball
  2. Pitching distance – 35 feet
  3. Base path – 60 ft
2. A game consists of six innings but no inning may start after 1 hour and 10 minutes of play. An inning starts at the moment the third out is made to end the prior inning. A games that is shortened due to time or weather becomes an official game after three innings or 2 ½ innings if the home team is ahead.
3. Each team is limited to a maximum of 5 runs scored or 3 outs per half inning, whichever occurs first.
4. The fielding team’s pitcher player will pitch at all times with the exception that is a batting team is down by 10 runs at any point after the end of the 2nd inning, the batting team’s coach may pitch to his/her players for the entirety of each half inning thereafter until the batting team is no longer down by ten runs.
BATTING/OFFENSE:
1. Helmets- all batters and runners must wear protective helmets at all times. Facemask helmets are recommended.
2. An extended batting order shall be used. Each player is listed in the batting order and she bats when her slot comes up. No changes in the batting order are allowed after the start of the game. Any player arriving late shall be added at the end of the batting order
3. Pitcher with an underhand motion at 35 feet.
4. A batter may get three strikes or four balls.
5. If batted ball strikes the coach pitcher, the ball is dead.
6. A batting player may bunt the ball. If a player bunts a ball after two strikes and the ball is foul, the batter shall be called out.
7. Only the base coaches shall coach the base runners. No coach may assist, hold up or otherwise touch any runner while ball is in play. If a runner is touched by a coach, she shall be called out.
8. Leading off the base and stealing is allowed. The runner may not leave the base until the ball has been released from the pitcher’s hand. A base runner may steal/advance if the ball gets past the catcher. No stealing on dropped third strikes. The batter will be out on three strikes regardless of if that catcher drops it.
9. There are no pinch runners allowed except in case of an injury, the player committing the last out, either at bat or on the bases, shall be the pinch runner.
10. A runner shall be called out and removed from the game if she maliciously runs over a fielder who is holding the ball.
11. If a first or third base coach catches a foul ball that could have been caught by the defensive player, the batter is out.
PITCHING:
1. The league is underhand fast pitch.
2. Players pitch to the opposing team
3. Pitchers are required to keep one foot on the rubber
4. Pitching rubber is 35 feet
5. There will be a chalk circle around the pitching rubber.
6. The fielding team’s pitcher player will pitch at all times with the exception that if a batting team is down by 10 runs at any point after the end of the 2nd inning, the batting team’s coach may pitch to his/her players for each of their half inning until the batting team is no longer down by ten runs.
7. The batter cannot strike out on a foul ball unless she is bunting.
8. If a batter is hit by a player pitcher, the batter will advance to 1st base. Bouncing/rolling pitch that hits the batter is not considered a hit by pitch and the batter is not awarded first base. If a player is hit by a coach pitcher, it counts as a pitched ball.
9. There is no limit as to how many pitching substitutions may be made by the fielding team.
DEFENSE/FIELDING:
1. Positions – all players are to play in the infield and outfield as evenly as possible. There will be no specific rules about changing positions around.
2. 10 players on the field.
3. Infield – only standard infielders are allowed – first, second, shortstop, third and pitcher
4. Catchers are required in this division. Catchers must squat or kneel. They may not stand up to catch the ball. Equipment will be provided by NJYB.
5. Outfield – all remaining players are in the outfield and must be at least 15 feet deep in the grass
6. The player/pitcher shall be required to wear a facemask at all times
7. The player/pitcher must keep one foot in the pitcher’s mound until the ball is hit.
8. There is no infield fly rule. The ball must be caught for to record an out.
9. Overthrows – On any play made at any base and there is an overthrow, the runner may advance at her own risk
PLAY STOPS
1. Play stops when the ball is in control in the pitching circle.
2. On a batted ball that does not leave the infield, play continues until the ball is under control of the defensive player and no play is being attempted.
3. Base runners will adhere to the halfway rule. If you are halfway, you move forward to the next base, if not, you must return to the base behind you.
OTHER
1. Only coaches and players are allowed in the dugouts or on the field. The team at bat must have only the batter, the on-deck natter, the pitching coach and first and third base coaches out of the dugout.
2. All equipment, including bats, must be kept behind the fence or in the dugout.
3. Failure to field eight uniformed players at game time shall constitute a forfeit.
4. Umpires will be aggressive in calling strikes, they do not want four balls.
5. Each team will turn in a line-up card pregame to the umpire and the other team.
CONDUCT RULES:
1. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products are not allowed at the ball parks. Any coach of parent to be in possession of , or under the influence of, alcoholic beverages will be asked to leave the park by the umpire, commissioner or other NJYB official. Any coach who violates this rule shall be suspected by the commissioner.
2. Any player, coach or parent, or other spectator hearing booking or using profanity will be asked to leave the park by the umpire, commissioner or other NJYB official. Any coach who uses profanity during practices or games shall be suspended by the commissioner.
3. Any player who throws a bat, helmet or glove or other equipment in anger, or who displays any other unsportsmanlike conduct may be removed from the game at the discretion of the umpire. An ejected player’s sport in the batting order shall be ruled an out each subsequent time.
4. After one warning per team per game, a batter who slings a bat during her swing may be called out at the discretion of the umpire.
5. No one may question the judgement call of an umpire but a clarification of a rule may be sought.
6. Calling out at a batter to distract her is prohibited. This applies to opposing players, coaches and spectators. If this occurs, the batter may be rewarded an extra strike at the discretion of the umpire.
7. Coaches are not allowed to talk to the umpires from the dugout or to intimidate or criticize the umpires in any way. Violation of this rule can result in expulsion form the game and thereby the forfeiture of said game. The commissioner shall have the authority to suspend said coach for the subsequent games or for the season.