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Junior Olympic 8U Coach Pitch Rules

Coach Pitch/8U Division Rules

 

  1.  A coach for the team that is batting will pitch. Each batter will be pitched a maximum of 6 pitches. If still at the plate after the 6th pitch has been thrown, the batter will be declared out. While balls and strikes are not called, a batter can strike out on a swing and miss on the third strike. 
    • Example 1: 1st pitch batter fouls off, second pitch is also fouled off, third pitch the batter swings and misses completely, she is out.
    • Example 2: 1st pitch batter fouls off, 2nd pitch batter swings and misses, 3rd pitch batter fouls off, 4th pitch batter does not swing, 5th pitch batter fouls off, 6th pitch batter fouls off, batter is out because she has reached the maximum of 6 pitches, there is no 7th pitch.
  2. A safely hit ball to the infield allows the batter and baserunners to advance one base, a safely hit ball to the outfield, whether in the air, on the ground, or after being touched by a defensive player (ball must reach the outfield grass) allows both the batter and all base runners to advance two bases with the liability of being put out.
  3. A chalk line will be installed in the outfield, 125 feet from home plate.  If a ball is hit past this line in the air, on the ground, or after being touched by a defensive player, the batter and all base runners will be allowed to advance as many bases as they want to with the liability of being put out. At fields with fences of 125 feet or less, any ball hit off the fence will have the same effect. A ball that bounces over the fence will be a ground rule double.
  4. A defensive player will occupy the pitchers position on either side of the adult pitcher. Player must stay inside (both feet) the pitchers circle until the ball is hit. The adult pitcher needs to remain within the pitcher's circle at all times unless they have to vacate the circle in order to avoid a batted ball or to get out of the way of the defensive player that is playing the pitcher's position.
  5. Any batted ball touching the adult pitcher will constitute play being halted and no pitch being declared. The batter will return to the plate and resume the previous count, all base runners will return to the bases previously occupied. The adult pitcher must immediately attempt to get out of the way of defensive players once the ball has been pitched, and cannot impede a player from making a catch of throw. If in the umpire’s discretion it is believed that the adult pitcher has violated this rule, the batter will be called out and all base runners returned to the base that they previously occupied.
  6. Two coaches are allowed to be on the field in fair territory to provide instruction when his/her team is on defense, one in the outfield, and one behind the infielders. A third coach of the team that is on defense, is allowed to set up at the backstop to retrieve pitched balls that get by the catcher. This coach is allowed to give verbal instructions to his/her players, but must remain at the backstop and cannot enter the playing field whether in fair or foul territory. The coach in the outfield will also help monitor the chalk line. The coach in the infield must position him/herself behind the infielders. If a coach that is on the field with the defensive team is struck by a batted ball, the batter and all base runners will be awarded (2) bases.
  7. Games will be 6 innings in length, unless shortened by the run  ahead rule or if the time limit has been reached. No new inning will begin after 80 minutes. The last inning will be declared when there is 10 minutes or less left to play in the game.. In bracket play, the USA Softball international tie breaker rule will be used when a game is tied after either 80 minutes or 6 innings. Pool play games may end in a tie. Run ahead rule:  If a team is ahead by 12 runs after 4 complete innings (3 and ½ innings, if the home team is ahead), or 8 runs after 5 complete innings (4 and ½ innings if the home team is ahead), the game is over. In pool play, a maximum of 4 runs can be scored in all innings. In bracket play only the last declared inning will have unlimited runs. The last inning will be declared when there is 10 minutes or less left to play
  8. For obvious reasons, there will be no infield fly rule in this division.
  9. The umpire will make all calls except for those involving whether or not a ball has passed the chalk line that is installed in the outfield. One coach from each team will monitor the chalk line. If the ball passes the line, the coach raises his/her hand above his/her head. If there is a difference of opinion as to whether or not the ball crossed past the line, the home plate umpire will make the call.
  10. A continuous batting order is to be used (all players bat). Should a player be unable to take her turn at bat for any reason, proceed to the next scheduled batter without penalty. The player that was unable to take her turn at bat is out of the lineup, and cannot return to that game. Free defensive substitutions.
  11. All players must play a minimum of 3 innings on defense unless the game is shortened by the run rule.
  12. Each player that throws the bat will be given one warning, the next time the same player throws the bat, an out will be recorded whether the ball was hit or not. If the ball was safely hit, all base runners will return to the base that they previously occupied. When warnings are necessary, the umpire will inform the coach that a warning has been given, and will record the player’s uniform number on his/her line up card.
  13. Pitching distance will be 30 feet for this division, a pitcher's circle must be installed. (the radius of the circle is 8 feet / this makes the diameter of the circle 16 feet), Base distance will be 50 feet
  14. A safety softball will be used.
  15. 10 defensive players in the field, 6 in the infield, 4 in the outfield. The four outfielders do not necessarily need to be on the outfield grass in order to be considered an outfielder; however they must play behind the infielders, not along side of them. An outfielder cannot make a play in the infield unless the play is unassisted, (i.e. an outfielder cannot play over the second base bag and accept throws)
  16. A game may begin or finish with one less player than is required to start, (ten), an out will be recorded in the 10th spot in the batting order if the game starts with 9. Failure to have the required number of players to start or continue a game will result in a forfeit. If a game is started with nine players, and the 10th player arrives late, this player can immediately be inserted in the game and will be placed last in the batting order.
  17. There will be no tag up and advance on a pop fly caught by an infielder. A pop up or fly ball must be caught behind the infielders, by an outfielder in order for a runner to tag up and advance.
  18. Air horns and other noise makers, (including sound systems), are not allowed.
  19. Team cheers will be positive in nature and should be designed to rally the team that is doing the cheering, not to razz the opponent.
  20. As is the rule for all USA Softball youth tournaments, no alcoholic beverages are allowed on the premises. Coaches please inform the adults that are associated with your team. No smoking is allowed on the field or in and near the dug out area.
  21. There will be no arguing or disputing umpire judgment calls period!  If this takes place, the offending coach will be given one warning that will apply to the entire coaching staff. If it occurs again the game will be declared a forfeit. Should a fan/fans associated with a team become disruptive, umpires have been instructed to speak with the head coach about their behavior and issue a warning that if the disruptive behavior continues the game will be declared a forfeit 
  22. Only the head coach is allowed to speak to the umpire or state official when it comes to interpretation of the 8U playing rules. The game will be stopped and then resumed after clarification of the rule in question is completed. When the game is stopped, the timer is stopped also.
  23. Balls hit beyond the 125 foot line Clarification: On a ball hit past the 125 foot line which enables both all baserunners and the hitter to advance more than two bases with the liability of being put out, once the ball comes into the infield and in the umpire's judgement is in control of an "infielder", base runners that are in between bases may advance to the base they were going to with the liability of being put out. No further advancement is allowed 
  24. Stealing/Leads Stealing is not allowed, Base runners may not leave the base they occupy until the pitched ball crosses home plate or is hit.
  25. Courtesy Runners:  Courtesy runners are only provided for the catcher or an injured player, no one else. The last scheduled batter at the time when a courtesy runner is needed will be the runner for a player that requires a courtesy runner. The insertion of an incorrect courtesy runner discovered after the next pitch is thrown will result in an out. Should the incorrect runner be discovered prior to the next pitch being thrown, the correct runner is inserted without penalty.
  • Example 1: The first batter of the inning pops out for the first out of the inning, the next batter gets a hit, and requires a courtesy runner. The courtesy runner is the batter that just made the first out of that inning.
  • Example 2: There are no outs in the inning when the first batter gets on base, the courtesy runner is the last scheduled batter in the lineup at that time