MAJORS LEAGUE - SOFTBALL RULES
6th AND 7th GRADERS
Revised 2/11/10
1. Have Fun!
The league is intended for girls who have just completed the 66h and 7th grades.
2. Home team will be responsible for running the scoreboard from the dugout.
3. There shall be a time limit on all games of 1hr and 45 minutes with no new inning being allowed to start after 1hr and 40 minutes -regardless of score. Any inning in progress prior to the 1hr and 45 minute time limit shall be allowed to finish as long as the outcome of that inning has direct bearing to the final result of the game.
4. At the beginning of each game the umpire shall designate the “official” starting time and announce to both teams coaches the official starting time for each game. Control and the determination of the expiration of the time limit shall be the sole responsibility of the umpire. While it is the intent of the league to have the running “game time” for each contest reflected on the scoreboard, it will be the umpire’s sole discretion to determine the correct time as per his “official” time he keeps. In case of clock failure on any scoreboard the umpire’s “official” time will be the final time for all contests.
5. All games will be 6 innings in length or the time limit of 1hr and 45 minutes, which ever should occur first.
6. The softballs used in this age bracket will be a yellow 12’ softball. It will be the responsibility of the umpire to bring the softballs to the game field.
7. Games that end in a tie at the completion of the time allotment shall be recorded as a tie.
8. ALL games played, regardless of scheduling or other games following the game will adhere to the 1hr and 45 minute time limits.
9. In the event of weather or any other outside circumstances, games shall be official after four completed innings or in the middle of the fourth inning if the home team is winning. No game shall run past 10:15 PM.
10. If a team scores 5 runs in its half on any single inning, the side shall be considered to be out and the other team shall take its turn at bat.
11. The 10 run rule shall in effect after 4 complete innings of play. After 4 innings of play and one team is ahead of the other by the 10 run limit the game shall be over and recorded as such. The umpire is finished and will leave the field at such time. Any further play between the two teams will be only at the coach’s discretion and will have no bearing on the previous outcome. Teams must be off the field at the completion of the 1hr and 45 minute time limit!
12. Coaches are asked to play all players equally. This means that each child on the team should play a minimum of two complete innings per game.
13. All players including substitutes will bat in order. Any player not “on the bench and ready to play” at the time of the first pitch of any game shall be inserted into the batting order upon their arrival in the last position of the order. That player may not take the field until the next new inning for their team.
14. All batters shall wear an approved safety batting helmet with face mask and chin strap at all times while not in the dug out!
15. All pitchers shall pitch from 40feet. All pitchers are restricted to 9 outs of pitching per game. The 9 outs must be consecutive.
16. A team has one minute or is allowed 5 pitches to warm up in between innings. This would start from the time the last batter is out. The only exception would be to allow 7 pitches for a new pitcher entering in the middle of an inning. Conferences at the pitching mound with a coach can be no longer than 1 minute and no more than 3 times per game or once per inning.
17. Balks will be called only if there is obvious, intentional, or repeated misuse of the rules of pitching. One warning per pitcher will be provided. Technical violations giving no advantage shall not be penalized.
18. Any batter being hit by a pitched ball or by a pitch that hits the dirt first shall be awarded first base as per Iowa High School Softball rules.
19. Stealing of bases, including home, shall be allowed. Stealing home with the pitch will be allowed. Runners may steal only when the pitch leaves the pitchers hand. See Iowa High School Rules.
20. The lead base runner may advance until played on. If played on and an overthrow occurs, the runner gets the base she was going to plus one additional base.
21. If the catcher misses the ball on strike three and if first base is not occupied, or if first base is occupied and there are two outs, the batter may advance at her own risk. However, once the batter motions toward the dugout, she is out.
22. If the catcher misses ball four, the ball is live. Runners can advance. See Iowa High School Rules for further reference.
23. Bases shall be set at 60 feet.
24. Both teams shall play 9 players in the field at a time. These fielders will include a pitcher, catcher, 4 infielders and 3 outfielders. A team may play the game with a minimum of 8 players if need be. However, a team must forfeit the game if they have 7 or fewer players at the start of the game. Coaches may contact other players in the league below in an attempt to have 9 players at the outset of the game. However, if 9 players from their own team are present, they may not play a player from another team. Any players playing for a team other than their own, must play in the outfield and bat at the end of the batting line up.
25. Won/loss records shall be maintained for the end of season tournament seeding. Scorebooks are required to record the batting order, innings, outs and runs. The winning coach shall report game results to the league director.
26. Standings shall be kept for all teams and standings will be determined by a point system where 2 points are awarded for each win, 1 point for each tie, and no points for any loss.
27. Players throwing the bat shall be warned on the first offense and shall be called out on the second offense.
28. There shall be an 8’ radius circle around the pitching rubber. See Iowa High School Rules.
29. Only official softball bats shall be used.
30. Players may be substituted and re-entered at any time. As stated previously, pitchers may not be re-entered. The batting order shall remain the same throughout the game.
31. Courtesy runners for pitchers and catchers are allowed.
32. Base runners MUST slide if played upon at home. If a player fails to slide when played upon at home, they will automatically be called out and their run will not count.
33. Players, coaches, and spectators shall conduct themselves in an appropriate manner exhibiting good sportsmanship at all times. Failure to do so could result in ejection from a game and if need be from the league or forfeiture of a game.
34. Only molded plastic spikes shall be worn at any time during a “live” contest. Any player wearing metal spikes will be immediately ejected from the game and may not re-enter.
35. All players are encouraged to wear hats and have their shirts tucked in their pants.
36. Unless otherwise indicated, Iowa High School Girl’s Softball rules shall apply.

In the case of inclement weather all teams and players will be notified via announcements on KUOO radio station or may contact their local designated League Official for updates and details. Each League (Spirit Lake and Lake Park) shall be responsible for canceling the games on their fields only! It should not be assumed that games cancelled in one town are cancelled in all towns!