1 | Softball Rules Summary | ||||||
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3 | Rule | Clinic: Kindergarten | Farm: 1st Grade | Rookie: Grade 2&3 | Minors: Grade 4&5 | Majors: Grade 6&7 | Juniors: Ages 13-16 |
4 | |||||||
5 | Age Level | 5-6 | 6-7 | 7-9 | 9-11 | 11-13 | 13-16 |
6 | League | town sponsored | TRLL | TRLL | TRLL | TRLL | Middletown Senior |
7 | Outs | everyone bats | - 3 - or everyone bats | - 3 (baserunner called out must leave field) - or lineup bats around | 3 | 3 | 3 |
8 | Mercy Rule | No | No | 12 after 4 innings, 10 after 5 innings | 12 after 4 innings, 10 after 5 innings | 12 after 4 innings, 10 after 5 innings | 12 after 3 innings, 10 after 5 innings |
9 | Batting: Lineup | Continuous | Continuous | Continuous | Continuous | Continuous | Continuous |
10 | Batting: Strikeouts | N/A | 5 swings, encourage use of "foul tips", then batting tee | Yes, but with liberal use of "foul tips" | Yes | Yes | Yes |
11 | Fielding | everyone plays somewhere - suggested to rotate in zones | everyone plays somewhere - suggested to rotate in zones | 11, 4 Outfielders on the grass | 10, 4 Outfielders on the grass | 9, 3 Outfielders on the grass | 9, 3 Outfielders on the grass |
12 | Ball Size | 11" D Safety | 11" D Safety | 11" D Safety | 11" D | 12" D | 12" D |
13 | Base Distances | 60' | 60' | 60' | 60' | 60' | 60' |
14 | Use of Safety First Base | Yes | Yes | Yes | Encouraged | Encouraged | No |
15 | Face Mask | optional | optional | Strongly recommended for infielders and pitchers | mandatory for pitchers, strongly recommended for all infielders | mandatory for pitchers, strongly recommended for all infielders | mandatory for pitchers, strongly recommended for all infielders |
16 | Pitching Distance | Tee | Coach Pitch To Own Team | -Coach Pitch To Own Team / Allow player pitching after 2 games -Coach step in for each batter after strike out or wild pitcher | 35' | 40' | 43' |
17 | Pitching Max Innings | N/A | N/A | N/A | 3 innings per game | 3 innings per game | 14 innings per week |
18 | Pitching Rules | No pitcher's circle required, pitcher needs to start with one foot on rubber, hit batter max at coach's discretion | No pitcher's circle required, pitcher needs to start with one foot on rubber, hit batter max at coach's discretion | No pitcher's circle required, pitcher needs to start with one foot on rubber, hit batter max at coach's discretion | No pitcher's circle required, pitcher needs to start with one foot on rubber, hit batter max at coach's discretion | No pitcher's circle required, pitcher needs to start with one foot on rubber, hit batter max at coach's discretion | Circle preferred, pitcher needs to start with one foot on rubber, hit batter max 3 per inning or 5 per game |
19 | Minimum Players | 5 | 5 | 5 | 8, or forfeit | 8, or forfeit | 8, or forfeit |
20 | Max Runs Per Inning | N/A, Not keeping score | N/A, everyone bats at least once | 5 per inning | 5 per inning, last inning unlimited, continue play and count all runs on play that scored 5th run | 5 per inning, last inning unlimited, continue play and count all runs on play that scored 5th run | No, unlimited |
21 | Game Time | 60 minutes, no inning starts after 60 minutes | 60 minutes, no inning starts after 60 minutes | 75 minutes, no inning starts after 75 minutes | 90 minutes, no inning starts after 90 minutes | 90 minutes, no inning starts after 90 minutes | 90 minutes, no inning starts after 90 minutes |
22 | Innings | time only | time only | 6 innings, no extra innings | 6 innings, extra innings | 6 innings, extra innings | 6 innings, extra innings |
23 | Umpires | Coach / Parents | Coach / Parents | Coach | ASA | ASA | CJUA |
24 | Winning Score Report | No | No | No | Winning Coach emails scores.tworiverlittleleague.com and cc's other coach | Winning Coach emails scores.tworiverlittleleague.com and cc's other coach | Winning Coach emails shamrock2201@verizon.net and cc's other coach |
25 | Substitutions | N/A | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
26 | Overthrow Runner Advancement | No | No | No | Yes, one base per play (includes home on an attempted steal of third) | Yes, one base per play | Yes |
27 | Leading | No | No | No | No | On release of pitch | On release of pitch |
28 | Stealing | No | No | No | No | Yes, after ball crosses plate. No stealing home | Yes |
29 | Drop 3rd Strike | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
30 | Coaches on Field | Yes | Yes | Behind home plate and fielders to help coach and speed up game | 1st & 3rd base offensive coaches | 1st & 3rd base offensive coaches | 1st & 3rd base offensive coaches |
31 | Hit by pitch | No | No | No | Yes - one HBP batter per inning awarded first base if ball hits ground first - all others counted as a Ball | Yes - one HBP batter per inning awarded first base if ball hits ground first - all others counted as a Ball | Yes - even if hit ground - umpire discretion if batter did enough to avoid to be awarded first |
32 | Bunting | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
33 | Runners Frozen | Ball controlled by any fielder | Ball controlled by any fielder | Ball controlled by any fielder | Ball controlled by any infielder | Ball controlled by pitcher | Ball controlled by pitcher |
34 | Infield Fly Rule | No | No | No | No | No | Up to coaches |
35 | Sliding | No, warn player | No, warn player | No, warn player | Yes, Feet 1st, Head 1st only back to base | Yes, Feet 1st, Head 1st only back to base | Yes |
36 | Intentional Walks | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
37 | Courtesy Runner | No | No | Ability to remove catcher with 2 outs, last batted out as runner | Ability to remove catcher with 2 outs, last batted out as runner | Ability to remove catcher with 2 outs, last batted out as runner | Ability to remove catcher with 2 outs, last batted out as runner |
38 | Rainout Rules | N/A as scores not reported, best effort to makeup | N/A as scores not reported, best effort to makeup | N/A as scores not reported, best effort to makeup | complete game after two full innings of play, rescheduled games less than two innings pickup from where rainout ended | complete game after three full innings of play, rescheduled games less than three innings pickup from where rainout ended | complete game after four full innings of play, rescheduled games less than three innings pickup from where rainout ended |
39 | Playoffs & All Stars | No | No | Playoffs - Yes (random seeding) All Stars - No | Yes | Yes | If league participants would like - no formal precedent has been set |
40 | Borrow Players if Short (Regular Season) | From opposing team only - to play outfield | From opposing team only - to play outfield | From opposing team - to play outfield. From another team - must inform opposing coach and must play outfield and bat last. | From opposing team - to play outfield. From another team - must inform opposing coach and must play outfield and bat last. | From opposing team - to play outfield. From another team - must inform opposing coach and must play outfield and bat last. | From opposing team - No. From another team - must inform opposing coach and must play outfield and bat last. |
41 | Borrow Players if Short (Playoffs) | N/A | N/A | No, forfeit if minimum players not met | No, forfeit if minimum players not met | No, forfeit if minimum players not met | to be agreed upon beforehand if teams participate in playoffs |
42 | Playoff Extra Innings / Tie Breaker Rules | N/A | N/A | - No extra innings - if tied, tie breaker is number of outs made during the game - if still tied, coin flip | 1st extra inning starts with runner (last batter out prior inning) at second base; if game goes beyond 1 extra inning, teams start with runners (last two batted out prior ining) on second and third base and each batter will start at bat with a 1:1 count until there is a winner. | 1st extra inning starts with runner (last batter out prior inning) at second base; if game goes beyond 1 extra inning, teams start with runners (last two batted out prior ining) on second and third base and each batter will start at bat with a 1:1 count until there is a winner. | to be agreed upon beforehand if teams participate in playoffs |
1 | Rule | Clinic: Kindergarten |
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2 | ||
3 | Age Level | 5-6 |
4 | League | town sponsored |
5 | Outs | everyone bats |
6 | Mercy Rule | No |
7 | Batting: Lineup | Continuous |
8 | Batting: Strikeouts | N/A |
9 | Fielding | everyone plays somewhere - suggested to rotate in zones |
10 | Ball Size | 11" D Safety |
11 | Base Distances | 60' |
12 | Use of Safety First Base | Yes |
13 | Face Mask | optional |
14 | Pitching Distance | Tee |
15 | Pitching Max Innings | N/A |
16 | Pitching Rules | No pitcher's circle required, pitcher needs to start with one foot on rubber, hit batter max at coach's discretion |
17 | Minimum Players | 5 |
18 | Max Runs Per Inning | N/A, Not keeping score |
19 | Game Time | 60 minutes, no inning starts after 60 minutes |
20 | Innings | time only |
21 | Umpires | Coach / Parents |
22 | Winning Score Report | No |
23 | Substitutions | N/A |
24 | Overthrow Runner Advancement | No |
25 | Leading | No |
26 | Stealing | No |
27 | Drop 3rd Strike | No |
28 | Coaches on Field | Yes |
29 | Hit by pitch | No |
30 | Bunting | No |
31 | Runners Frozen | Ball controlled by any fielder |
32 | Infield Fly Rule | No |
33 | Sliding | No, warn player |
34 | Intentional Walks | No |
35 | Courtesy Runner | No |
36 | Rainout Rules | N/A as scores not reported, best effort to makeup |
37 | Playoffs & All Stars | No |
38 | Borrow Players if Short (Regular Season) | From opposing team only - to play outfield |
39 | Borrow Players if Short (Playoffs) | N/A |
40 | Playoff Extra Innings / Tie Breaker Rules | N/A |
1 | Rule | Farm: 1st Grade |
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2 | ||
3 | Age Level | 6-7 |
4 | League | TRLL |
5 | Outs | 3, or everyone bats |
6 | Mercy Rule | No |
7 | Batting: Lineup | Continuous |
8 | Batting: Strikeouts | 5 swings, encourage use of "foul tips", then batting tee |
9 | Fielding | everyone plays somewhere - suggested to rotate in zones |
10 | Ball Size | 11" D Safety |
11 | Base Distances | 60' |
12 | Use of Safety First Base | Yes |
13 | Face Mask | optional |
14 | Pitching Distance | Coach Pitch To Own Team |
15 | Pitching Max Innings | N/A |
16 | Pitching Rules | No pitcher's circle required, pitcher needs to start with one foot on rubber, hit batter max at coach's discretion |
17 | Minimum Players | 5 |
18 | Max Runs Per Inning | N/A, everyone bats at least once |
19 | Game Time | 60 minutes, no inning starts after 60 minutes |
20 | Innings | time only |
21 | Umpires | Coach / Parents |
22 | Winning Score Report | No |
23 | Substitutions | Free |
24 | Overthrow Runner Advancement | No |
25 | Leading | No |
26 | Stealing | No |
27 | Drop 3rd Strike | No |
28 | Coaches on Field | Yes |
29 | Hit by pitch | No |
30 | Bunting | No |
31 | Runners Frozen | Ball controlled by any fielder |
32 | Infield Fly Rule | No |
33 | Sliding | No, warn player |
34 | Intentional Walks | No |
35 | Courtesy Runner | No |
36 | Rainout Rules | N/A as scores not reported, best effort to makeup |
37 | Playoffs & All Stars | No |
38 | Borrow Players if Short (Regular Season) | From opposing team only - to play outfield |
39 | Borrow Players if Short (Playoffs) | N/A |
40 | Playoff Extra Innings / Tie Breaker Rules | N/A |
1 | Playoff Rules | Rookie: Grade 2&3 |
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2 | ||
3 | Age Level | 7-9 |
4 | League | TRLL |
5 | Inning change | - 3 outs (baserunner called out must leave field), - 5 runs, - or lineup bats around |
6 | Batting: Lineup | Continuous |
7 | Batting: Strikeouts | Yes, but with liberal use of "foul tips" |
8 | Fielding | - 10 Total - 4 Outfielders on the grass |
9 | Ball Size | 11" D Safety |
10 | Base Distances | 60' |
11 | Use of Safety First Base | Yes, if available |
12 | Face Mask | Strongly recommended for infielders and pitchers |
13 | Pitching Distance | 35 feet |
14 | Pitching Rules | - No pitcher's circle required - Pitcher needs to start with one foot on rubber - Hit batter max at coach's discretion - 2 inning maximum per pitcher - Based on ability, 1-5 pitches (if ball is hit, play it) - Then Coach pitch to own team (5 good pitch max, then it's a strikeout) |
15 | Game Time | 60 minute max |
16 | Innings | 6 innings, no extra innings |
17 | Umpires | Coach |
18 | Winning Score Report | Keep track of runs and outs each inning |
19 | Substitutions | Free |
20 | Overthrow Runner Advancement | No |
21 | Leading | No |
22 | Stealing | No |
23 | Drop 3rd Strike | No |
24 | Coaches on Field | Behind home plate and pitcher |
25 | Hit by pitch | No |
26 | Bunting | No |
27 | Runners Frozen | Ball controlled by any fielder |
28 | Infield Fly Rule | No |
29 | Sliding | No, warn player |
30 | Intentional Walks | No |
31 | Courtesy Runner | Ability to remove catcher with 2 outs, last batted out as runner |
32 | Borrow Players if Short (Playoffs) | Yes, from opponent to create full teams |
33 | Playoff Extra Innings / Tie Breaker Rules | No extra innings - tie breaker is total numbers of outs made (higher team wins) |
1 | Rule | Minors: Grade 4&5 |
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2 | ||
3 | Age Level | 9-11 |
4 | League | TRLL |
5 | Outs | 3 |
6 | Mercy Rule | 12 after 4 innings, 10 after 5 innings |
7 | Batting: Lineup | Continuous |
8 | Batting: Strikeouts | Yes |
9 | Fielding | 10, 4 Outfielders on the grass |
10 | Ball Size | 11" D |
11 | Base Distances | 60' |
12 | Use of Safety First Base | Encouraged |
13 | Face Mask | mandatory for pitchers, strongly recommended for all infielders |
14 | Pitching Distance | 35' |
15 | Pitching Max Innings | 3 innings per game |
16 | Pitching Rules | No pitcher's circle required, pitcher needs to start with one foot on rubber, hit batter max at coach's discretion |
17 | Minimum Players | 8, or forfeit |
18 | Max Runs Per Inning | 5 per inning, last inning unlimited, continue play and count all runs on play that scored 5th run |
19 | Game Time | 90 minutes, no inning starts after 90 minutes |
20 | Innings | 6 innings, extra innings |
21 | Umpires | ASA |
22 | Winning Score Report | Winning Coach emails scores.tworiverlittleleague.com and cc's other coach |
23 | Substitutions | Free |
24 | Overthrow Runner Advancement | Yes, one base per play (includes home on an attempted steal of third) |
25 | Leading | No |
26 | Stealing | No |
27 | Drop 3rd Strike | No |
28 | Coaches on Field | 1st & 3rd base offensive coaches |
29 | Hit by pitch | Yes - one HBP batter per inning awarded first base if ball hits ground first - all others counted as a Ball |
30 | Bunting | No |
31 | Runners Frozen | Ball controlled by any infielder |
32 | Infield Fly Rule | No |
33 | Sliding | Yes, Feet 1st, Head 1st only back to base |
34 | Intentional Walks | No |
35 | Courtesy Runner | Ability to remove catcher with 2 outs, last batted out as runner |
36 | Rainout Rules | complete game after two full innings of play, rescheduled games less than two innings pickup from where rainout ended |
37 | Playoffs & All Stars | Yes |
38 | Borrow Players if Short (Regular Season) | From opposing team - to play outfield. From another team - must inform opposing coach and must play outfield and bat last. |
39 | Borrow Players if Short (Playoffs) | No, forfeit if minimum players not met |
40 | Playoff Extra Innings / Tie Breaker Rules | 1st extra inning starts with runner (last batter out prior inning) at second base; if game goes beyond 1 extra inning, teams start with runners (last two batted out prior ining) on second and third base and each batter will start at bat with a 1:1 count until there is a winner. |
1 | Rule | Majors: Grade 6&7 |
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2 | ||
3 | Age Level | 11-13 |
4 | League | TRLL |
5 | Outs | 3 |
6 | Mercy Rule | 12 after 4 innings, 10 after 5 innings |
7 | Batting: Lineup | Continuous |
8 | Batting: Strikeouts | Yes |
9 | Fielding | 9, 3 Outfielders on the grass |
10 | Ball Size | 12" D |
11 | Base Distances | 60' |
12 | Use of Safety First Base | Encouraged |
13 | Face Mask | mandatory for pitchers, strongly recommended for all infielders |
14 | Pitching Distance | 40' |
15 | Pitching Max Innings | 3 innings per game |
16 | Pitching Rules | No pitcher's circle required, pitcher needs to start with one foot on rubber, hit batter max at coach's discretion |
17 | Minimum Players | 8, or forfeit |
18 | Max Runs Per Inning | 5 per inning, last inning unlimited, continue play and count all runs on play that scored 5th run |
19 | Game Time | 90 minutes, no inning starts after 90 minutes |
20 | Innings | 6 innings, extra innings |
21 | Umpires | ASA |
22 | Winning Score Report | Winning Coach emails scores.tworiverlittleleague.com and cc's other coach |
23 | Substitutions | Free |
24 | Overthrow Runner Advancement | Yes, one base per play |
25 | Leading | On release of pitch |
26 | Stealing | Yes, after ball crosses plate. No stealing home |
27 | Drop 3rd Strike | No |
28 | Coaches on Field | 1st & 3rd base offensive coaches |
29 | Hit by pitch | Yes - one HBP batter per inning awarded first base if ball hits ground first - all others counted as a Ball |
30 | Bunting | Yes |
31 | Runners Frozen | Ball controlled by pitcher |
32 | Infield Fly Rule | No |
33 | Sliding | Yes, Feet 1st, Head 1st only back to base |
34 | Intentional Walks | No |
35 | Courtesy Runner | Ability to remove catcher with 2 outs, last batted out as runner |
36 | Rainout Rules | complete game after three full innings of play, rescheduled games less than three innings pickup from where rainout ended |
37 | Playoffs & All Stars | Yes |
38 | Borrow Players if Short (Regular Season) | From opposing team - to play outfield. From another team - must inform opposing coach and must play outfield and bat last. |
39 | Borrow Players if Short (Playoffs) | No, forfeit if minimum players not met |
40 | Playoff Extra Innings / Tie Breaker Rules | 1st extra inning starts with runner (last batter out prior inning) at second base; if game goes beyond 1 extra inning, teams start with runners (last two batted out prior ining) on second and third base and each batter will start at bat with a 1:1 count until there is a winner. |
1 | Rule | Juniors: Ages 13-16 |
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2 | ||
3 | Age Level | 13-16 |
4 | League | Middletown Senior |
5 | Outs | 3 |
6 | Mercy Rule | 12 after 3 innings, 10 after 5 innings |
7 | Batting: Lineup | Continuous |
8 | Batting: Strikeouts | Yes |
9 | Fielding | 9, 3 Outfielders on the grass |
10 | Ball Size | 12" D |
11 | Base Distances | 60' |
12 | Use of Safety First Base | No |
13 | Face Mask | mandatory for pitchers, strongly recommended for all infielders |
14 | Pitching Distance | 43' |
15 | Pitching Max Innings | 14 innings per week |
16 | Pitching Rules | Circle preferred, pitcher needs to start with one foot on rubber, hit batter max 3 per inning or 5 per game |
17 | Minimum Players | 8, or forfeit |
18 | Max Runs Per Inning | No, unlimited |
19 | Game Time | 90 minutes, no inning starts after 90 minutes |
20 | Innings | 6 innings, extra innings |
21 | Umpires | CJUA |
22 | Winning Score Report | Winning Coach emails shamrock2201@verizon.net and cc's other coach |
23 | Substitutions | Free |
24 | Overthrow Runner Advancement | Yes |
25 | Leading | No |
26 | Stealing | Yes |
27 | Drop 3rd Strike | Yes |
28 | Coaches on Field | 1st & 3rd base offensive coaches |
29 | Hit by pitch | Yes - even if hit ground - umpire discretion if batter did enough to avoid to be awarded first |
30 | Bunting | Yes |
31 | Runners Frozen | Ball controlled by pitcher |
32 | Infield Fly Rule | Up to coaches |
33 | Sliding | Yes |
34 | Intentional Walks | Yes |
35 | Courtesy Runner | Ability to remove catcher with 2 outs, last batted out as runner |
36 | Rainout Rules | complete game after four full innings of play, rescheduled games less than three innings pickup from where rainout ended |
37 | Playoffs & All Stars | If league participants would like - no formal precedent has been set |
38 | Borrow Players if Short (Regular Season) | From opposing team - No. From another team - must inform opposing coach and must play outfield and bat last. |
39 | Borrow Players if Short (Playoffs) | to be agreed upon beforehand if teams participate in playoffs |
40 | Playoff Extra Innings / Tie Breaker Rules | to be agreed upon beforehand if teams participate in playoffs |