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Last updated April 2022.

All divisions will follow USA Softball rule book for the current year. The rule book will be used to govern rules not specifically amended below.

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A “pick-up” player from the opposite team may be used for a game if the team would otherwise have to forfeit due to not having enough players to field a team. The team may pick up one or two players from the opposite team or the oldest grade of the next lower division. (No pick-up players will be allowed during the tournament.)

 

14U Division Clarifications:

  1. If there are not enough players registered for the 14U Division during a season, the 14U will combine with the 12U Division and be called Varsity for the remainder of the season. The same will happen if there are not enough 12U Division players. KGSA will make every effort to have full 14U and 12U Divisions.

  2. Home team sets up the field, has the 3rd base dugout. Away team tears down the field and has the 1st base dugout.

  3. The number of innings to qualify for a legal game will be 4 or 3 ½ innings if the home team wins.

  4. No inning of any game shall start after 1 hour 40 minutes, drop dead at 1 hour 50 minutes. Time begins with the first pitch. *If at the drop-dead time limit, the home team has not finished their at bat and they are trailing, the score reverts to the last completed inning. If the home team is ahead, the score stands. Ties are allowed.

  5. If a team will not have 8 players to start a game, a “pick-up” player or players may be used. NO player shall be a pick-up player if they will miss their team’s game to be a pickup player. (No pick-up players will be allowed during the tournament) 

 

Two options for pick up players: 

  • A player from the opposite team may be used for the game.

  • A player of the oldest grade from the next lower division may be used. Exception:  In the case of a 12U/14U Varsity division.  Then a player from the 12U division will be used.

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  1.  All players must play at least 2 defensive innings per game, have 1 at bat in each game.

  2.  Hats and/or visors may be worn and do not need to match. They must however be worn properly.

  3.  There are no tie games. The coaches will make every effort to schedule continuation of play. If agreement between coaches cannot be     made, the division’s Player Agent will assign a date and time. Should the game not be completed both teams will be credited with a loss.

  4.  If 12u and 14u are combined (varsity) no metal cleats.

  5.  14U regular season wins and losses count towards tournament seeding. If 12U and 14U divisions are combined, tournament seeding       would be decided by random draw.

 

12U Division Clarifications

  1.  If there are not enough players registered for the 12U Division during a season, the 12U will combine with the 14U Division and be called Varsity for the remainder of the season. The same will happen if there are not enough 14U Division players. KGSA will make every effort to have full 14U and 12U Divisions.

  2. There will be three outs per inning. However, the 12U Division will use the ‘free substitution’ rule. This means that each team is required to bat their entire lineup during a game and every girl will continue to bat regardless of whether she is playing defense or not. Example: If a girl starts the game batting in the sixth position in the lineup, she will continue to bat in the sixth position regardless of if she is playing defense or not. If a girl starts the game but leaves the park before completion of the game, it will be considered an out every time her turn comes up in the order. In addition, girls can re-enter a game on defense unlimited times.

  3. The number of innings to qualify for a legal game will be 4 or 3 ½ innings if the home team is ahead. (Per USA softball 15 runs after 3 innings, 12 runs after 4 innings, 8 runs after 5 innings)

  4. All players must play at least 2 defensive innings per game

  5. Pitching distance shall be 40’ and an optic yellow 12” ball shall be used per USA Softball rules.

  6. No inning of any game shall start after 1 hour 40 minutes, drop dead at 1 hour 50 minutes. Time begins with the first pitch. Ties are allowed.

  7. Hats and/or visors may be worn and do not need to match. They must however be worn properly.

  8. Home team sets up the field, has the 3rd base dugout. Away team tears down the field and has the 1st base dugout.

  9. There are no tie games. The coaches will make every effort to schedule continuation of play. If agreement between coaches cannot be made, the division’s Player Agent will assign a date and time. Should the game not be completed both teams will be credited with a loss.

 
10U Division Clarifications

  1. A player may not be benched for more than 1 inning in a row.

  2. There will be three outs per inning. However, the 10U Division will use the free substitution rule. This means that each team is required to bat their entire lineup during a game and every girl will continue to bat regardless of whether she is playing defense or not. Example: If a girl starts the game batting in the sixth position in the lineup, she will continue to bat in the sixth position regardless of if she is playing defense or not. If a girl starts the game, but leaves the park before completion of the game, it will be considered an out every time her turn comes up in the order. In addition, girls can re-enter a game on defense unlimited times.  

  3. The number of innings to qualify for a legal game will be 4 or 3 ½ innings if the home team is ahead. (Per USA softball 15 runs after 3 innings, 12 runs after 4 innings, 8 runs after 5 innings)

  4. Pitching distance shall be 35’ and an optic yellow 11” ball shall be used per USA Softball rules.

  5. There will be a 4-run maximum per inning except the last inning, which will be unlimited.

  6. No inning of any game shall start after 1 hour 40 minutes, drop dead at 1 hour 50 minutes. Time begins with the first pitch. Ties are allowed.

  7. Hats and/or visors may be worn and need not match. They must however be worn properly.

  8. Stealing is allowed and the runner can leave the base once the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand (see USA Softball rules).

  9. Home team sets up the field, has the 3rd base dugout. Away team tears down the field and has the 1st base dugout.

  10. There are no tie games. The coaches will make every effort to schedule continuation of play. If agreement between coaches cannot be made, the division’s Player Agent will assign a date and time. Should the game not be completed both teams will be credited with a loss.

  11. Dropped 3rd strike rule (Per USA softball) - The batter may run when the catcher fails to catch the third strike before it hits the ground and there are:

    1. Fewer than two outs and first base is not occupied at the time of the pitch.

    2. Any time there are two outs.

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8U Division Clarifications

In the 8U division, the USA Softball rules for the current year for 10 & under shall be used to govern rules not specifically amended below.

  1. A player may not be benched for more than 1 inning in a row.

  2. 60-foot base paths will be used.

  3. Pitching distance shall be 30’ and an optic yellow 11” softie ball shall be used per USA Softball rules.

  4. A coach may let another coach know before a game starts, that a girl will be leaving early and it will not be considered an out when that player is supposed to bat. The next batter in order will bat. Injured girls will not be counted as an out.

  5. There is no stealing in this division. The coaches should develop base running and taking a lead. 

  6. Catchers will wear full protective gear.

  7. 8U will play a maximum of 7 innings per game.

  8. There will be a 4-run maximum per inning except the last inning, which will be unlimited.

  9. No inning of any game shall start after 1 hour 30 minutes, drop dead at 1 hour 40 minutes. Time begins with the first pitch. Ties are allowed.

  10. Hats and/or visors may be worn and need not match. They must however be worn properly.

  11. Home team sets up the field, has the 3rd base dugout. Away team tears down the field and has the 1st base dugout.

  12. Only one base with in-field hits, 2 bases with "legitimate" hit to outfield. Runners will not advance on an overthrow.

  13. The game will start with a live pitcher. The following amendments apply in pitcher innings: 

 

  • Coaches will teach to the spirit of the developmental structure.

  • An 11” “softie” ball will be used.

  • 8U will start with a 0/0 count

  • 8U will play to 3 outs, or 4 runs per at bat.

  • The 8U pitcher will pitch to the conclusion of the at bat unless the batter earns a walk then at that point the coach will take over the count. THERE WILL BE NO WALKS. The umpire will continue to call balls and strikes. Coach pitch is allowed; modified fast pitch motion from inside the pitching circle.

  • Coach pitch after 3 innings (coaches must pitch from inside the circle)

  • Coaches may stand behind the plate to stop passed balls during the at bat. (this speeds up the game)

 

6U Division Clarifications

In the 6U division, the USA Softball rules for the current year for 10 & under shall be used to govern rules not specifically amended below.

  1. No player may be benched. Any extra defensive players will be placed in the outfield. 

  2. A coach may let another coach know before a game starts, that a girl will be leaving early and it will not be considered an out when that player is supposed to bat. The next batter in order will bat. If a player leaves because of injury she will not be counted as an out. 

  3. All players shall be placed in the batting order and bat.

  4. At the end of each three outs, the bases are cleared. The offensive team continues to bat until all batters have batted.

  5. Optic yellow 11” softie ball shall be used.

  6. The pitcher must be in contact with the pitcher’s plate until the ball has been hit.

  7. No defensive player may enter the 10’ arc in front of the plate until after the ball has been hit.

  8. Then the coach behind the plate should make every effort to move the tee away after the ball has been put into play.

  9. The batter:

    • Each team shall receive one warning regarding throwing the bat. The warning shall be given to the coach and any subsequent throwing of the bat shall be called an out.

    • If the bat strikes only the tee, regardless of where the ball goes, a strike will be called.

    • For a ball to be in play, it must travel outside the 10’ arc or be played by a defensive player within the 10’ arc while it is still moving.

    • Each batter shall take a full swing, no bunting shall be allowed.

    • A ball which is hit and comes to rest within the 10’ shall be declared a strike.

  10. No inning of any game shall start after 60 minutes of the scheduled start time.

  11. Hats and/or visors may be worn and need not match. They must however be worn properly.

  12. Score(s) will not be kept.

  13. No coach pitch in 6U. Focus on proper hitting and only a tee will be used at this division. 

  14. Only one base with in-field hits, 2 bases with "legitimate" hit to the outfield. Runners will not advance on an overthrow.

  15. Coaches may be present on the field if they do not interfere with play. For example, stay out of the base paths.

  16. When a force out is made the player that was called out will return to the dugout. 


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RULES

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