Rookie Girls (7-8)
- IHSA Rule Book will govern play with the following exceptions.
The field of play will include a 16 foot circle around the pitching mound/mat, coaches boxes on 1st and 3rd base foul lines and hash marks located on the base paths between all bases.
Coaches shall remain in dugout when not in coaches boxes, operating the pitching machine or to tend to injury or issues on field. Coaches must request and be granted time out to enter field of play.
No coaching outside of dugouts will be allowed.
Walk up music shall be allowed with following guidelines. Music must be age/public appropriate, must be played from outfield side of teams dugout, and will stop as soon as the batter enters the batters box.
2. A standard 11-inch softball will be used.
3. A standard game may not exceed 6 innings in length. If a game is called due to inclement weather, 4 innings is considered a complete game. The score at the end of the last full inning will be the final score. The first game will begin at 6:00pm, the second game at 8:00pm, or 10 minutes after the completion of the first game if it runs over. No new inning will begin after one hour and forty-five minutes of play has elapsed; at that point, the game will be determined as a complete game. Teams may start a game with a minimum of 8 players, but teams must also finish a game with no less than 8 players. If starting with 8 players, an out does not have to be taken when the ninth spot comes up in the batting order. The only way an out shall be taken is when a team starts with 9 players, and one is ejected or leaves the game for reasons other than illness or injury.
4. If any game is tied after 6 innings or is tied at the bottom of an inning and the time limit of 1 hour 45 minutes has been reached, the gameplay will as follow: Each team will have a chance to complete ½ inning. Each team will begin their respective at bat with the player on their roster that was the last recorded out on 2nd base. If then at the end of 1 full inning of play the score is still tied the game will be called complete and a tie will be scored.
5. Suspended games will resume at the point at which it was postponed and will continue in accordance with the amount of time and innings that remain. If subs were used for the suspended game, they are not required to be present at the make-up game. Players not at the original game shall be placed at the bottom of the line up.
6. No designated hitters allowed.
7. No dropped third strike rule.
8. 6 run rules: if 6 runs are scored by a team in an inning, that half of the inning will end, and teams will switch positions on the field. If there are runners on base when the 6th run scores, runs can score until play has been stopped. A maximum of 9 runs could be scored, if the bases were to be loaded. In the 6th inning and after there will be no limit to the number of runs scored.
9. Mercy Rule: If a team is behind 12 runs in the 3rd inning, 10 runs in the 4th inning, or 8 runs in the 5th inning, the mercy rule goes into effect and the game is over. If the home team is behind, they must be allowed to bat in the bottom of the inning.
10. To stop play, any player that has the ball in front of the lead runner may call “time”. Play may also be stopped if the pitcher’s helper has control of the ball with at least one foot in the circle.
11. Pitching mounds are set at 35 feet, the pitching machine will be set at 30 mph and a 11-inch ball will be used. The use of a standard turf style pitching mat will be permitted. If during gameplay, the mat becomes a hazard, upon agreement with both coaches the mat may be removed.
12. No stealing shall be allowed. Base runners may leave when the batter makes contact with the ball.
13. Live pitching will be used for the first 2 innings of each game. Once the 3rd inning is reached the pitching machine will be used for the remaining 4 innings. Teams must pitch a different pitcher in the 1st and 2nd innings. One pitch constitutes an inning. In an extra inning game, the pitching machine will remain in play. Pitchers hitting 4 batters in a game shall be removed from the game as pitcher. Re-entry in the pitching position will be prohibited.
14. Live pitching will be used for each batter until a count of 4 balls has been reached, Or until the pitcher of the inning reaches 4 walks in an inning. Upon reaching 4 ball count, the team at bat will designate a member of coaching staff or its designate to pitch for remainder of at that bat. The count will carry over to the coach pitch. The batter will only receive 3 pitches from coach. If batter fouls off the 3rd pitch the at bat will continue. The coach/designate shall pitch from the mound, and in an underhand fashion. If the ball is batted into play and strikes the coach it shall be ruled a dead ball, players will advance one base. (Same rule applies to pitching machine). If the batter is struck by a pitch during the coach pitch, there will be a no pitch declared and this will not count toward the pitch count during the at bat. If the pitcher of the inning does reach 4 walks, the coaching staff or its designate will then complete the inning in place of the pitcher, and the pitcher shall remain in the game as the pitchers helper.
15. During coach pitch if at any time the batter is struck by a pitch it will be declared a no pitch and will not count toward pitch count during this at bat.
16. Every player will be in the batting order throughout the game. If a player becomes ill or injured and is removed from the game, her place in the batting order may be skipped with no penalty. Once removed for illness, or injury, they may not re-enter the game.
17. The speed of the pitching machine shall be 30 miles per hour. The umpire shall get with both coaches to approve of the speed. The offensive coach will feed the machine. This must be an adult. No coaching shall be done by said adult after the pitch has been made. Each batter only will be allowed a total of 5 pitches from the machine. If batter fouls off the 5th pitch the at bat will continue until batter either swings and misses or bats the ball into play.
18. The batters will get 5 pitches or 3 strikes to hit the ball. If after 5 pitches they still have not hit the ball, they are out. If the 5th pitch is a foul, they will get another pitch. In the event of a wild pitch, the umpire shall declare “No Pitch.”
19. The pitcher’s helper must have at least one foot in the circle and be positioned to the side of the machine at the time of the pitch. The pitcher’s helper must wear a fielder’s mask when on defense. Should the ball hit the pitching machine, it will immediately become a dead ball. The batter will receive 1st base, and all other runners advance one base.
20. Adjustments to the machine shall only be made at the top of an inning. If the need arises for mid-inning adjustments, they must be made by the umpire. This may be done only if something interferes with the machine, and pitches are consistently out of the strike zone.
21. During the live pitching portion of the game, the offensive team shall provide someone to assist in retrieving and sending any arrant pitches back to the pitcher, or coach during coach pitch. This person should not be a player. This person should also remain behind the plate as to stay out of the field of play. If the person is a minor, he/she should have some sort of protective headgear on. No sandals should be worn while behind the plate.
22. During live pitching, any pitcher hitting 4 batters must be removed as the pitcher. Re-entry as the pitcher is prohibited if pitcher has been removed due to striking 4 batters. Each batter struck by a pitch shall be counted towards the walk total for that inning. ** Addendum to this rule** If a pitcher makes attempt to pitch a ball from the wind up and the pitch hits the ground and rolls into the batters box striking the batter, this shall be declared a no pitch, not counted towards either the pitch count, or hits batsman totals. Officials and coaches should also at that point encourage the batter to vacate the batters box to avoid being struck in the foot in this case.
23. Hash marks will be drawn between the bases. If the pitcher’s helper has the ball with at least one foot in the circle, and the runner has passed the hash mark, they must advance to the next base. If the runner has not passed the hash mark, then they must return to the previous base.
24. The pitchers Circle shall be 16 feet in diameter. 8 feet on each side from the center of a pitching rubber/Plate.
25. One base will be awarded to all runners on an overthrow.
a. An overthrow will be defined as: if the ball being thrown to first base or pitcher’s helper goes past the intended player without making contact with said player, it will be ruled an overthrow. If the ball comes into contact with the first baseman/base covering player or pitcher’s helper at all, it will be considered a live ball.
b. If a ball is hit in the infield and the overthrow occurs on the play to first base or pitcher’s helper, all players on the bases will advance 1 base and play will be dead.
c. If the initial throw is to another base before going to first or pitcher’s helper, then play is live until “time” is called, or the ball is back in the circle.
d. If the ball is hit into the outfield, and the throw to the pitcher is overthrown; all players will advance one base. Hash marks will determine if they are entitled to move to the next base, or stay at the one they are at.
e. If a ball is hit to the outfield, and the fielder throws the ball to a base or cut-off; the play is live until the ball is back to the circle, or “time” is called.
f. The pitcher’s helper does not need to have whole body in circle. They only need to have one foot in circle with possession of ball to stop the play.
26. No stealing. Base runners may leave when the batter makes contact with the ball.
27. Both teams will receive the same warning from the umpire for a player leaving the base too early. If either team receives a second infraction, the player is out.
28. There is no bunting off the pitching machine or during coach pitch.
29. If desired, a team may play 10 players using 4 outfielders. The 4 outfielders must play in the grass.
30. Every player will be in the batting order throughout the game. If a player becomes ill or injured and is removed from the game, her place in the batting order may be skipped with no penalty. Once removed for illness or injury, they may not re-enter the game. If a player leaves the lineup for any other reason than illness or injury, when that players spot in the lineup comes to bat the team shall be issued an out.
31. In a 6-inning game, each player must play at least 6 defensive outs, or 2 full innings. Within these 2 innings, a player shall be allowed to play defensively in the field throughout the 2 innings. The only exceptions are games that are governed by the “10 Run Rule.” Violation of this rule is a forfeit.
32. Hats or visors are an optional part of the uniform.
33. If a player is not allowed to participate but sits in the dugout dressed to play, then a written explanation must be received by the umpire prior to the start of the game.
34. All players must stay in their respective dugouts when not participating on the field.
35. Steel spikes are not allowed.
36. Every player must wear protective headgear while batting and running the bases. If a helmet is taken off intentionally, both teams shall be issued a warning, on a second infraction the runner can be called out at the umpire’s discretion. All players, or legal minors, that are used to coach the bases must wear protective headgear. Face masks are required on every batting helmet. (This rule is for Westville Rec League teams only) No player shall be allowed to come to the plate without one. The pitcher’s helper is required to wear a fielder’s mask when playing defense, it is optional for all other infielders.
37. If a team is short players, the coach may call up a limit of 4 players from the T-ball division in their respective towns. Called up players may play any defensive position except pitcher. They must bat after regularly rostered players. A player may not be called up when the time of the game conflicts with the players regularly scheduled game. Players that are called up may not start in the field before a regular rostered player. The called-up players will play the minimum playing time, unless circumstances permit the need for more playing time. The consequences of an infraction of this paragraph are forfeiture. Teams may only pull players up if they have less than 11 players at game time.
38. A legal line up is 10 players. If one team has less than 10 players, the team with 10 can still play all 10 players.
39. Games will be cancelled due to weather related reasons only. If there is any sign of lightening by an umpire, coach, or league administrator, everyone will be pulled off the field for a waiting period of 15 minutes after the last sighting before play can resume. If the weather is still threatening, the game shall be cancelled. If weather breaks, and the grounds permit, the second game (if applicable) may be played. Games shall not be cancelled due to the lack of players, or upon “coach’s agreements.”
40. When rainouts occur, it is the responsibility of the home team’s board to reschedule the games. Games must be scheduled within 2 weeks of the rained-out game. If the game has not been rescheduled, it will be ruled as a forfeiture by the home team. If the game is rescheduled and both teams have been informed, any team failing to show will forfeit the game. A rescheduled game may or may not include the same players. If original line up is available, it is expected to remain the same. In the event that the same lineup is not available free substitution is allowed.
41. It is important that if you wish to file a protest that you follow the following rules:
1. The coach must notify the umpire at the time of the rule infraction that he/she is protesting the rule violation.
2. You have 24 hours to submit a written account of what has happened to a Tri-Conference board member along with a protest fee of $20.
42. No infield fly rule.
43. A courtesy runner may be used for the catcher or pitcher at any time. The person making the most recent out shall be used as the courtesy runner for the catcher, if they are on base with 2 outs. This will allow the catcher to be ready for the next inning without any delay.
These rules are intended for the benefit of the young athletes, and timely proceedings of the game. These rules are not in place to be manipulated for personal gain. Any protest will be handled with the intent of this rule.
