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Rules for 8U
9 th
Edition 49
RULE 18. Machine Pitch Rules
Play will be governed by USSSA Rule Book, unless
specified in this section.
1.
Ball:
11-inch USSSA approved ball will be used.
2.
Innings:
A regulation game shall be seven (7) innings.
The Tiebreaker Procedure will be used in the 8 th
inning or in any inning that begins
after time has expired.
3.
Time Limits:
There will be a 60 minute time limit.
4.
Runs per Inning:
A maximum of 6 runs can be scored each inning for each team
5.
Run Rule:
The run rule will be 12 runs after 3 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings,
or 8 runs after 5 innings. If either team is behind and cannot catch up
or go ahead, the game shall be over immediately.
6.
Offensive Lineup:
The batting lineup may be any number from nine to eleven players. If any
position is not filled, it will be an out.
7.
Defensive Positions:
The defensive team must have a minimum of eight (8) and a maximum of
nine (9) players in the field.
At the start of a pitch, one player shall be in the
pitcher’s position on either side of the pitching machine with one foot
on the side line of the 6 foot diameter circle. (side to side 6 foot).
The pitcher cannot leave its position until the ball comes out of the
machine.
With eight defensive players, two players shall be in
the outfield at the start of the pitch.
With nine players, three players will be in the outfield
at the start of the pitch. The outfield is defined as at least 10 feet
outside of the base lines in fair territory.
8. No defensive player may reach into or enter into the
pitchers circle. If a player reaches into or enters into the pitchers
circle a dead ball will be called. Batter-runner will advance to first
base. All other runners will be awarded one base only if they are
forced.
9.
Pitching Machine:
The pitching machine shall be set as follows:
a. 7 & 8U: Distance for center of the machine:
thirty-five (35) feet; Speed: 37 mph.
b. Prior to each game, the umpire will have each coach
feed at least one pitch and obtain a consensus that the machine is set
correctly. The umpire may adjust the pitching machine if he/she believes
it is needed. (Only at the top of the inning) UNLESS the machine has
been hit and is not set correctly.
c. A coach can not adjust the pitching machine without
umpire approval. First offense will be a warning. The second offense
will be automatic removal from the pitching coach position.
d. A coach shall not feed the machine so the ball goes
into the dirt or high to allow their runners to steal. First offense
will be a warning... The second offense will result in the runner
stealing declared out.
e. A coach from the offensive team shall feed the
pitching machine.
10.
Batting: The batter will
receive five pitches or three swinging strikes, whichever occurs first.
Each pitch will count even if batter does not swing. If the fifth pitch
is hit foul the batter will remain at bat as long as they continue to
foul off pitches.
a. Bunting: Bunting is allowed. A player may square to
bunt and pull back. A batter CAN NOT square to bunt pull back and either
hit or bunt ball. If the batter does this she will be called out. No
runners advance.
b. If the batter fouls a bunt attempt with two strikes
the batter will be called out.
c. The catcher does not have to catch the third strike.
However the ball remains live and runners (not the batter) may
advance/steal with liability to be put out.
d. There shall be no Base on Balls (walk) awarded.
e. Batters hit by a pitch will not be awarded 1st base.
11. There is no infield fly rule.
12. After a batter hits the ball, the pitching coach
shall make an attempt to duck or crouch behind the pitching machine and
should stay inside the circle away from the play.
a. If, under the judgment of the umpire, a coach
intentionally violates this rule and is hit by a batted or thrown ball,
a dead ball will be called and the runner closest to home will be called
out, the batter-runner will be awarded 1 st
base (unless no runners are on base –
then she is the runner closest to home and therefore out), and other
runners will advance only if forced.
b. If, under the judgment of the umpire, a coach did not
intentionally violate this rule and is hit by a batted ball, the ball is
treated as hitting the machine.
13. A batted ball that hits the pitching machine shall
be ruled a dead ball. The batter is awarded first base. All other
runners will be awarded one base only if they are forced.
14. A runner may not leave a base until the ball leaves
the pitching machine. Penalty for leaving early; runner will be called
out, no pitch is called.
15. On a hit ball there is no limit on bases allowed.
16.
Stealing:
A runner may steal.
a. A runner on 1 st
or 2nd
can advance/steal only one base per
pitch. If they advance more than one, they are liable to be put out. At
end of play if the runner is safe and has advanced more than one base,
the umpire will return the runner to the correct base.
b. A runner cannot steal home. If they advance home they
are liable to be put out. At end of play if the runner is safe and has
advanced the umpire will return the runner to the correct base.
17. Time will be called when a defensive player has
possession of the ball in advance of the lead runner or the ball is
returned to the player pitcher with at least foot inside the pitcher’s
circle. If a runner is more than half way to the next base when
time is called, the runner will be awarded the next base.
a. There is no look-back rule in machine pitch.
b. This rule does not preclude the umpire from calling
or granting time in situations such as when a runner has slid into a
base, requests time, no other runners are advancing, or there is an
injured player.
c. The ball shall be dead immediately anytime the
pitching coach touches a ball thrown to him/her at the end of a play
(whether they catch it or not) and all runners will return to the last
base touched.
18.
Additional Coaches:
In addition to base coaches, other coaches are allowed on the field of
play.
a. The coach feeding the machine may give advice and
help the batter only. He/she may not coach the batter-runner or runners
at ANY time.
b. One defensive coach may be outside the dugout. This
coach must remain close to the fence between the on-deck batter’s box
and 1 st
base. Should a coach move outside this area,
the umpire may restrict him/her to the dugout. If subsequent coaches
violate this rule, the umpire may prevent any defensive coaches from
being outside the dugout. If a live ball strikes anyone or any equipment
out of the dugout, bases will be awarded by the umpire.
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Additional Notes:
These will be regular 11" softballs not dimple, light or safety balls. (Core 47 /
Compression 375)
The machines will be electric Juggs or Juggs-type
machines
(not flip arm).
Runners can lead off the bag when the
ball leaves the pitching machine.
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Rules for 10U
All USSSA rules apply,
plus:
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No run on the dropped 3rd
strike
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No infield fly rule
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They can steal all possible
bases including home
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Courtesy runner for
pitcher/catcher if necessary
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