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Rules and Regulations for Elk City Girls 8U Coach Pitch

Rule modifications are denoted in yellow.

All rules for ASA Jr. Olympic softball will be used with the following exceptions.

1. 8 & Under will be coach pitch.
   
   
2. A team will bat in each inning until 7 runs are scored or 3 outs are made which ever comes first. [including final inning].
   
   
3. 8 & Under will be 5 innings or 55 minutes. A timer will be used to keep the time and will be started by the umpire in charge of the game.  Each game will last until all innings are played or the designated time has expired.  The time limit CANNOT expire between innings.  (For example:  if the home team makes the third out before time expires, regardless of how much time remains, the next inning will be played.)
   
   
4. All teams will be ready to play at the scheduled game time or immediately following the previous game.  No teams are required to start before the scheduled game time unless both teams are in agreement.  Line-ups and coin toss shall be exchanged between coaches prior to game time.  At scheduled game time there will be NO infield warm-ups or waiting on players.
   
   
5. The starting pitcher will be allowed 5 warm up pitches before the game starts.  Changing of pitchers, the new pitcher will be allowed 5 warm up pitches.
   
   
6. Each batter will receive 5 pitches from the coach pitcher. There will be no walks in coach pitch. If the batter does not hit one of their 5 allowed pitches in fair territory, the batter will be out. A ball hit foul does count as one of the batter's pitches.
   
   
7. The coach pitcher must have one foot on the pitching rubber when the ball is released to the batter. Any pitch that does not follow this rule will count as a pitch against the batter, and will be a dead ball. (i.e. no runners may advance, the batter may not take a base if the pitch is hit. If offense occurs on the 5th pitch, the batter will be out.)
   
   
8. A tie is a tie in league play.  No extra innings for tie games except for tournament games.
   
   
9. All players must be in the regular batting order (all players bat), but only nine (9) play defense at at time.  Free substitutions for defensive players. For safety precautions all infielders must remain no more than five feet forward of the baseline, prior to the ball crossing home plate.  The player pitcher must start out at least even with the coach pitcher.  After the ball leaves the pitcher's hand, the player is free to move about. All outfielders must start at least fifteen feet (15') behind the base line until the ball is hit. 
   
   
10. Teams may legally play with 8 players.  Any team with less than 8 players will have to forfeit that game.  Teams playing short handed will not be penalized with the automatic-out rule.  No team will be allowed to pick up additional players.
    
    
11. Any regular roster player arriving late to the game will be added to the bottom of the batting order, and will be allowed to start play immediately.
    
    
12. No player will be suspended by the coach for a game without the board's approval.
    
    
13. The board will be notified when a player quits, for any reason.
    
    
14. The ball remains in play until the umpire calls time out. Time will be called when the pitcher has control of the ball in the pitching circle.
    
    
15. For insurance reasons the dugouts are restricted to current coaches and team players, and one scorekeeper ONLY!  Absolutely no others allowed.
    
    
16. Age divisions will be determined by the player's age as of December 31st of the prior year.  Starting with 2002 season.
    
    
17. 8 & Under coaches may pick two (2) assistant coaches prior to the player draw. Only your own children are to be automatic players on your team prior to the player draw.
    
    
18. No baseball bats may be used, only softball bats.  (T-ball bats may be used only in the 8 & Under divisions if enough small softball bats cannot be found.)
    
    
19. All pitches will be underhand.
    
    
20. All foul balls hit by the batter must be higher than the batters head and must be cleanly caught by the defense to be an out. 
    
    
21. We will use the double base on first base for all league and tournament play.  The offensive player must run to the orange (colored base) base after hitting the ball.  As long as there is no play at first base the player may use the white base and continue to second base.  After the play has been stopped the offensive player will start from the white base.  The defensive player must use the white base [and only the white base] to make her play at first base.
    
    
22. Any player getting sick or injured may quit play, without the team taking an automatic out.  This player may not return to the game for offense or defensive play.
    
    
23. Batters batting out of turn will be an automatic out if appealed by the defensive team before the first pitch is thrown to the next batter.  All runners advancing on a hit ball [by the person batting out of turn] will return to their original base.  Any runner thrown out will remain out.  If it is discovered while the girl is batting the right batter will come to the plate and will assume the count the wrong batter has.  Example {2 balls one strike}.
    
    
24. Only one defensive coach is allowed on the field at a time. Coach must remain out of the field of play and not impede play of the game.
25. Open substitutions are allowed.