GRADE 6-8 LEAGUE RULES

Newton Girls Softball plays by the ASA rule book except as noted below. In selected cases we have simply restated an existing ASA rule with the intent of avoiding a misunderstanding.

To download a PDF of Grade 6-8 Rules please click HERE

PLAYING FIELD

1. The distance from the back of home plate to the center of the pitcher's rubber = 40 feet (windmill) or 38' nonwindmill.
2. The distance from the back of home plate to the back of 1st and 3rd base = 60 feet
3. The distance from the center of 2nd base to the furthest part of 1st and 3rd base = 60 feet
4. Pitcher’s circle – is a circle (real or imaginary) with a radius of eight feet from the center of the pitching rubber
5. Batter's box is six inches from home plate, three feet wide by seven feet long: four feet in front of a line drawn through the center of home plate.
6. The umpire is the final arbiter of the distances.

PLAYERS AND SUBSTITUTION

1. A team will play with a maximum of ten players in the field (six infielders and four outfielders).
1. A team should play defense with no more than three additional fielders than the short-handed team.
2. In any inning that one team is short-handed by three or more players than their opponent, the short-handed team will have an automatic out called after the last present person in their batting order completes their at-bat.
1. There is no limit as to how many times the automatic out rule can be called in an inning (in the case of a short-handed team batting around the order).
3. A ball hit to an open outfield position of a short-handed team (less than nine fielders) can be called a ground-rule double or triple at the umpire’s discretion.
4. Playing a game with fewer players is fun for the players. They will get more at-bats and receive more fielding opportunities.
5. The team that is not short-handed may at their discretion waive the automatic out rule while keeping in mind that this rule is more about balancing the at bats and playing time for both teams and less about balancing the teams' competitiveness.
2. All outfielders must stand at least fifteen feet behind the base path until the ball is hit. Typically this is where the outfield grass meets the infield dirt.
3. A player removed from the game may re-enter the game at any time, in any position.

BALANCED PLAYING TIME

1. Each player who is available for five innings must play at least two innings in the infield and three innings overall.
1. A player present for four innings must play at least one inning in the infield and two innings overall.
2. A player who is present for one or two innings must play at least one inning.
3. Coaches should make a reasonable attempt to achieve balanced playing time for each player during the first four innings and not rely on a five-inning game to do so.
2. All players in attendance must bat in order. Players who come late to the game (after the batting orders have been exchanged) must bat at the end of the order.

THE GAME

1. A regulation game consists of six innings. The home team bats last in each inning.
2. If a game is tied at the end of regulation, the International Tie-Breaker will go into effect (Starting with the top of the 7th inning, and each half inning thereafter, the offensive team shall begin its turn at bat with the player who is scheduled to bat last in that respective half inning being placed on second base).
3. No team shall be allowed to score more than five runs in any half-inning.
4. If after the 4th inning,a team is ahead by more than 12 runs, the winning team is strongly encouraged to try a less experienced pitcher.
5. A game will be considered an official game regardless of # of players in attendance and if at least three full innings are completed.
6. The home team takes the first base-side bench. The home team is responsible for positioning game bases, pitching rubber, and supplying 2 new 12” (44 COR, 375# compression) game balls.
7. Coaches are responsible for keeping score and ensuring the opposing coach follows our player substitution rules.
8. A coach from each team must report the final score to their commissioner within 24 hours.

TIMING OF THE GAME

1. All players and coaches are expected at arrive at least twenty minutes before the officially scheduled starting time.
2. All infield practice must be completed ten minutes prior to the officially scheduled game time. This will ensure the coaches have sufficient time to exchange batting orders and start the game on time.
3. Coaches should have their line-ups and batting orders planned before arriving to the field.
4. The game begins after a coach from each team meets together with the umpire at home plate, to review “field” rules and exchange batting orders. The batting order sheet must list the name, uniform number, and place in the batting order of each player present for the game.
1. The name, uniform number, and batting position of any late-arriving player must be forwarded to the opposing team’s coach before that player may enter the game.
5. Games should start on time and move along with as little delay as possible between half-innings.
1. Pitchers are limited to five warm-up pitches (with or without the catcher) between innings.
2. Catchers should be dressed and ready-to-go before the final out of the preceding half-inning. If they are on base it is requested that a courtesy runner (last batter to make an out) be inserted for them as a base runner or that a different catcher is used for the next inning.
3. Coaches will be prepared to announce the defensive positions immediately after the third out is called.
6. Weekday games will begin at 5:45 p.m. On or before May 15th, no new inning shall start after 7:15 PM; after May 15th, no new inning shall start after 7:30 p.m.
7. Weekend games – Games begin at 5:00 p.m. and no new inning shall start after 6:45 p.m.
8. The first scheduled game of the week canceled due to rain will be rescheduled for the following Saturday at 5:00 p.m. Sunday is considered the first day of the week. If two games are canceled in the week the coaches are responsible for rescheduling the second canceled game with their commissioner.
9. Playoffs will be held during the last two weeks of the season.
1. Any played regular season or make-up game score not reported to the grade commissioner, at least 48 hours before the playoff games are scheduled to begin, will be recorded as a loss.
10. Once a game begins (first pitch is thrown), only the umpire has the authority to stop the game due to darkness, rain, or for any other reason.

BATTING

1. The original batting order is followed throughout the game regardless of substitutions made on the field.
2. No player shall throw the bat (intentionally or unintentionally) upon swinging at a ball. The first time a batter throws a bat that team will receive a team warning. The second and each subsequent time a batter on the offending team throws a bat, the batter will be ruled out and no runners may advance.
3. The strike zone is that space over home plate between the batter's armpits and knees when the batter assumes a normal stance. For close pitches, especially balls just wide or high of the strike zone, umpires will be instructed to give pitchers the benefit of the doubt, in order to reduce walks and encourage batters to swing.
4. A batter who is hit by a pitch outside the strike zone has the option of continuing her at bat or taking first base. If she continues her at bat, the pitch will be counted as a 'hit batter' and a ball in the ball and strike count.
5. Intentional walks are not allowed. If the umpire believes that a pitcher is intentionally throwing a ball, they can call it a non-pitch.
6. Bunting and slap hitting is allowed. Slashing (showing bunt and then hitting away) is not allowed.

BASE RUNNING

1. Base runners can leave the base as the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand. The first time a player leaves the base early, a team warning will be issued. If it happens again, the runner(s) will be called out.
   2. A play is considered dead and the half-way rule goes into affect when the pitcher has possession of the ball roughly within the pitcher's circle.
1. Halfway rule: base runners who are more than halfway to the next base may take that base; base runners who are less than halfway must return to the previous base.
2. A by-product of the dead-ball rule is a base runner cannot bait the pitcher into starting a “pickle” play.
2. Once a ball is in dead ball territory, as discussed in the pre-game conference by the umpire and coaches, base runners may only advance one base. Once the ball is in dead ball territory, the runners are placed on the base the umpire deems appropriate (usually one base ahead at the time of the play). Otherwise base runners may advance at will until the pitcher has possession of the ball within the circle..
3. In order to prevent injury and protect a defensive player attempting to make a play, the runner will be called out (runner interference) if they crash into a defensive player holding the ball, preparing to apply a tag or positioning herself to catch a thrown or hit ball. To avoid interference the runner can slide, jump over the top of the player, or run around the player without being called out (even if forced to go outside the base path). If the runner is called out for interference the ball becomes dead. In summary, it is the runner’s responsibility to avoid crashing into a defensive player.
4. Base runners are entitled to advance to the next base if a fielder obstructs the base runner from advancing while in the base path (fielder interference), unless the fielder is in the process of fielding a batted ball or has possession of the ball and ready to tag the base runner (see runner interference).
5. The base runner is out if she intentionally interferes with a thrown ball.
6. The base runner is out when struck with a fair, untouched batted ball while not in contact with a base.
7. A ball thrown by a fielder that hits the base runner is a live ball.
8. A batted or thrown ball hitting the umpire is in play.
9. The infield fly rule is not in effect. Players advance at their own risk on any infield fly.
10. A batter is out if the catcher catches a foul ball or if she catches a third strike foul tip. The batter is out on a called third strike even if the catcher drops the ball.

BASE STEALING

1. Base runners can take their lead once the ball is released from the pitcher's hand. They can steal every base, with the exception being stealing home 3 times in one inning.
1. Coaches are encouraged to teach good, aggressive base running within this rule.
2. No "continuous walks." If a batter is walked, they cannot advance to second base until the next pitch is thrown to the next batter.
2. A base runner that steals second or third may not advance to the following base on an overthrown ball to the base or to the pitcher.
3. Base runners may steal home three times per team an inning.
4. Delayed steals are allowed.

PITCHING

1. Pitchers, other than the designated pitcher (see below) may only pitch a maximum of three innings per game. 
2. If a pitcher delivers one pitch in an inning, they shall be charged with one inning pitched.
3. Prior to the start of the game each team can select one player as their designated pitcher. The designated pitcher may, at the coach’s discretion, relieve the third, (or fourth, etc.) pitcher of the game after 4 walks or two hit-batters in an inning. A hit-batter is considered a walk when determining walks per inning. This relief appearance will not count towards the maximum of three innings per game. There is no limit on the number of relief appearances by the designated pitcher.
4. Pitchers are limited to five warm-up pitches between innings. Relief pitchers are also limited to five warm-up pitches.
5. A pitcher must be removed for the remainder of the inning upon either hitting 3 batters in that inning or the second conference-visit to the mound by a coach. The pitcher may be reinserted in any subsequent inning.
6. Discussions about the legality of a pitcher’s motion must be undertaken quietly between the coaches and the umpire. If, in the umpire’s opinion, the pitcher is being distracted by the conversation, the umpire shall declare the pitching motion legal for the remainder of the inning and no further discussion will be entertained during the game.
7. A pitcher must demonstrate an ability to throw at least 50% of her pitches as strikes in practice, before being inserted into a game.
8. If batters are struggling to hit off a dominant pitcher, it’s encouraged to have that pitcher only throw only one type of pitch to 6th graders, for example all fastballs and no off-speed pitchers. This will be more fun for the batter and the defense. (Does not apply in playoffs.)

UMPIRE PROTOCOL

1. Once the game begins, the umpire is in complete control of the game.
2. The league-supplied umpires shall stand behind the catcher and must wear covered shoes/sneakers plus shin guards, chest protector, and umpire’s mask supplied by the home team.
3. A coach may talk to an umpire only between half-innings and in the presence of the other team’s coach. The discussion must only take place behind home plate and with quiet voices. Regardless of the circumstance, coach/umpire conferences may only take place between half-innings.
4. Umpires are not responsible for the violation of any special league rules such as pitching or playing time. If you believe the opposing team has violated any of our rules, you may call for a coach/umpire conference after the half-inning or lodge a complaint to your grade commissioner after the game.
5. If an umpire does not arrive within 10 minutes of game time, the coaches must agree on a substitute umpire. If an agreement cannot be reached, the game will NOT be rescheduled. Please inform the umpire commissioner that your umpire was a no-show.

SAFETY ISSUES

1. Teams are encouraged to play games in light to medium rain. Games must be suspended for 15 minutes at the first sight of lightning.
2. Coaches are expected to remain on the bench or in the general vicinity of the bench during the game. All players not in the field, at bat, or on deck are expected to remain on the bench during the game. Only team players and a designated safety-adult are allowed on or near the players’ bench.
3. Coaches are responsible for keeping the equipment, players, parents and other spectators behind an imaginary line drawn from the end of the backstop to the fence in front of the player’s bench. This imaginary line extends beyond the distance of the left and right fielder.
4. Batters and on-deck batters must wear helmets with an attached face-guard and chin strap. Base runners and player base-coaches must wear helmets at all times.
5. For safety during the games, the league is strongly recommending that players at 1st and 3rd base wear an infielder’s face mask. Face masks are required for pitchers. Masks are provided as team equipment although many girls may choose to supply their own.
6. Catchers must wear shin guards, chest protector and catcher’s mask.
7. Official ASA-sanctioned bats must be used.
8. Sneakers or rubber cleats may be worn. Rubber cleats are recommended, as they are safer, especially in damp weather. Metal cleats are not allowed.
9. Players should wear NGSoftball shirts, pants, and socks to the game.
10. No jewelry including watches, rings, necklaces, or earrings may be worn during the game.
11. No juice breaks or snacks until the game is over. Water bottles on the bench are okay.
12. No dogs are allowed near the players’ bench, even if on a leash. Dogs at the field must be leashed at all times.
13. No smoking or alcoholic beverages are allowed at the field.
14. Please pick up debris on the field and by the players' bench following the game.

ZERO TOLERANCE

1. The coaching staff is ultimately responsible for the behavior of the parents of their team and their fans.
2. Taunting of players by anyone will not be tolerated.
3. Players, coaches and fans must treat the umpire with respect.
4. Protests of umpire's judgment calls including balls and strikes, arguing, baiting, yelling "nice pitch" before the umpire calls the pitch, etc. are all considered heckling.
5. Umpires will report un-sportsmanlike heckling or conduct by players, coaches or spectators to the coach of the offending team. If a warning goes unheeded, the offender will be ejected from the field. If the heckling or conduct persists, the game may be suspended by the umpire, to be replayed in its entirety in the presence of league officials and without the offending person(s).