4/5 Softball Rules

New Skills to Teach

NO metal cleats. If non-metal cleats aren't available, tennis shoes should be worn.
Bat sizing requirements
- May not exceed 31” length (no drop requirements).
- ASA, USA, USSSA are all allowed.
Both ears need to be covered by the helmet when hitting or catching.
Batting helmets must have a mask.
When outside the dugout, all batters must have a helmet on.
Face masks for pitcher and 1st base are required. It is strongly recommended that other infield positions have a mask, but it is not league required.
11” yellow optic ball will be used in all games.

Two 4-inning games. (unless home field team specifies one 7-inning game is necessary due to field restrictions like no lights at field)
- First game play through a tie game until the game is won. Adjust for the second game as necessary.
- No new inning will start after 8:30 for the 2nd game. 2nd game can end in a tie.
5-run rule for an inning
Last inning is open to allow more than 5 runs.
10-run rule after 3 innings
Last inning of the 2nd game can be finished out by the home team if they are ahead by runs and if both teams agree on it. The score does not change, but it allows for more reps for both teams.

Bunting

Bunting is not allowed.
Slashing (when the batter shows bunt then pulls back and swings away) is not allowed.
Slashing #1 = strike
Slashing #2 = out

Base-Running

Called (signaled) steals are not allowed.
An 11’ lead off will be allowed once the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand. If a runner crosses the line with both feet they are in violation, the first offense is a warning. The second offense, the runner is called out.
Runners can steal 2nd and 3rd on pass balls only. Only 1 base stolen on a pass ball.
Runners can steal 2nd and 3rd on pass balls only. Only 1 base stolen on a pass ball.
- Pass balls are pitches that roll outside of the batter’s box area weather blocked or not. If a catcher properly blocks a ball and it remains within either batter's box area, then it is a successful block and runners cannot advance. (VIDEO EXPLANATION)
If a coach is pitching because 4 balls have been reached, then no advancing on a pass balls is allowed.
Home is closed. This includes pass balls and overthrows back to the pitcher. Runners on 3rd can only advance home off a hit or if a ball is overthrown at any base.
Any play at home requires the runner to slide feet first. If no attempt to slide feet first, batter is automatically out.
Runners must slide OR avoid malicious contact when there is a play at any base/plate, or the runner will be called out.
- A play is defined as the defender having control of the ball and attempting to tag the runner out.
- If the defender does not have control of the ball, the runner must still try to avoid malicious contact or slide.

Hitting

Every dressed player bats regardless if they are on the bench or in the game defensively.
The batter must make an attempt to avoid the pitch. They cannot just let the ball hit them and be awarded a base. This is even if the ball hits the ground first prior to the batter. Please note that the umpire makes the final call.
If a batter is hit by a pitch, even if the ball hits the dirt first, the batter is considered Hit By Pitch and automatically advances to 1st. If a coach is pitching, a batter cannot advance to 1st on a HBP.

Pitching

No more than 4 total innings in a night.
Batter gets to 4 balls...
- Coach of batting team will pitch balls at batter from the rubber; batter gets the remaining strikes to hit the ball in play or strikes out.
- When the coach comes in to pitch, the player pitcher must keep both feet in the circle when the pitch is made.
- Batter can strike out looking from a coach.
- Coach will pitch from the same distance as players.

TOURNAMENT ONLY

a pitcher can pitch a total of 8 innings.
A pitcher can return to the rubber once after being substituted out (but no more than 8 TOTAL innings).

Dropped 3rd Strike

Infield fly rule

Fielding