MINORS SOFTBALL RULES
4th AND 5th GRADERS
Revised 2/11/10
1. Have Fun!
2. The league is intended for girls who have just completed the 4th and 5thgrades.
3. Home team will be responsible for running the scoreboard from the dugout.
4. There shall be a time limit on all games of 1hr and 30 minutes with no new inning being allowed to start after 1hr and 20 minutes -regardless of score. Any inning in progress prior to the 1hr and 30 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.
5. 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.
6. All games will be 6 innings in length or the time limit of 1hr and 30 minutes, which ever should occur first. ALL games played, regardless of scheduling or other games following the game will adhere to the 1hr and 30 minute time limits.
7. All current Iowa High School Softball rules shall be in effect unless otherwise noted here in the League rules. Copies of the official rules book are available at all times at the Concession Stand.
8. Regular season games that end in a tie at the completion of the time allotment shall be recorded as a tie. All end of the season tournament games that end in a tie after regulation will then revert to the “International Rule” for tie-breakers. Under this rule, each team starts the inning with the player who completed the last official at bat, as a base runner on second base. Each subsequent inning will start the same until a winner has been determined.
9. In the event of weather or any other outside circumstances, games shall be official after four innings or in the middle of the fourth inning if the home team is winning. No game shall run past 10:00 PM. Games that end in a tie at this point shall revert back to the last fully completed inning where there was a lead and that team shall be deemed to have won the game!
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 ahead of the other by the 10 run limit the game shall be over and recorded as such.
12. The umpires will provide a 11” Yellow Softball to be used as the official game ball. The umpire will decide the condition of the ball to be used.
13. Coaches are asked to play all players equally. This means that each child on the team should play a minimum of two complete innings played per player.
14. 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.
15. All batters shall wear an approved safety batting helmet with face mask and chin strap at all times while not in the dug out!
16. All pitchers shall pitch from 35 feet. All pitchers, regardless of age, are restricted to 6 consecutive outs per game.
17. When a pitcher has pitched four balls to the batter, the coach of the hitting team will come in and pitch to the batter. If the batter has one or two strikes when the coach comes in to pitch, the number of strikes will stand. The batter will not be allowed to walk unless the batter is hit by a player pitched ball. The only ways a batter can get on base is to hit the ball, bunt the ball or get hit by a player pitched ball. The coach will pitch from the pitching rubber and must pitch underhand to the batter.
18. A team has one minute or 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.
19. 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.
20. No runner is allowed to lead off.
21. There will be no stealing of 2nd base. However a runner at 2nd base may steal 3rd base once the pitch crosses home plate. All runners may advance when a runner is played on at any base.
22. If the runner attempts to steal third prior to the ball crossing home plate the team will be given a warning. If it happens again it will constitute an out.
23. If played on and an overthrow occurs, the runner gets the base she was going to plus one additional base.
24. No hitter may advance to first on a dropped third strike. Any batter who gets three strikes is out.
25. If the catcher misses ball four, the ball is live. Runners can advance. See Iowa High School Rules for further reference.
26. 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.
27. Bases shall be set at 60 feet.
28. 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.
29. 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.
30. Players throwing the bat shall be warned on the first offense and shall be called out on the second offense.
31. There shall be an 8’ radius circle around the pitching rubber. See Iowa High School Rules.
32. Only official softball bats shall be used.
33. Players, other than the pitcher, may be substituted and re-entered at any time. The batting order shall remain the same throughout the game.
34. Courtesy runners for pitchers and catchers are allowed.
35. 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.
36. 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.
37. All players are encouraged to wear hats where possible and have their shirts tucked in their pants/shorts.
38. Unless otherwise indicated, Iowa High School Girl’s Softball rules shall apply. A copy of the official Iowa Softball rules book is available at the concessions stand for usage at any time!

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!