Southeastern Softball League

Rules - 2017
8 and Under Rules

1. Coaches agree on game time.

2. Game is a 1 hour time limit. No Inning starts after 50 minutes.
3. No more than 10 players on the field. Must have at least 8 to play.
4. Inning consists of 10 batters or 3 outs, whichever comes first.
5. Coaches pitch to their own team. (Does not need to be from 25 away)
6. There will only be warnings given for the throwing of the bat.
7. All base runners must wear helmets with chin straps, unless they have
a face mask. If no chin strap and helmet falls off, this could result in an
out.
8. Each batter gets either 5 pitches without a tee, 5 swings with a tee or a
combination of the two.
9. If the fifth pitch is a hit, but it is a foul ball, the batter gets to continue
their at bat for another pitch. The last pitch cannot be a foul ball.
10. Girls can lead off the base after the pitch has left the pitchers hand.
11. All players stay in the dugout except the batter and on-deck person.
12. Everyone must bat that is on the roster.
13. No stealing of bases
14. Use an 11 rubber coated softball. (Yellow should be used for games)
15. Do not keep score of the game
16. Catcher must wear full gear.
17. 2 coaches in the grass or behind the baseline on defense only.
18. Only one player (the shortstop or pitchers helper) can be in front of the
40 foot pitching rubber. The pitcher position can play on either the
right or left side of the pitcher. Short stop position must be on the right
side of the pitcher. After the ball is hit, the player that is playing behind
the pitching rubber is able to charge the ball in front of the pitching
rubber.
19. Open substitution.
20. Home team is responsible for calling visiting team by 3:00 p.m. the day
of the game if they cannot play. Call the coach of the team you are
scheduled to play.

Reminder for all teams: You can list a girl on more than one age division roster to be used as a sub on a
older team, a girl from a younger team is not allowed to play on an older age team (if on both rosters), if
there are enough players in the older age group. Meaning a girl on the 15 & 16 year old roster only,
cannot sit on the bench (unless injured) in order for a girl that normally plays in the 13 & 14 year old age
group. Please be sure to list any possible subs on your roster so we have the proper information at league
tournament.
 Southeastern Softball League
Rules - 2017
10 and Under Rules Coach Assist Pitch
1. Forfeit 15 minutes after the scheduled start time. Coaches should agree upon a start time.
2. Game consists of 5 innings or one hour.
3. No inning to start after 50 minutes of start time.
4. Innings will consist of 5 runs or 3 outs, whichever comes first.
5. All players should be in your batting order, even if they are not playing in the field that inning.
6. No more than 10 players on the field at one time. Must have 8 to play. Rover must play
behind the baseline as well as the three other outfield players. These four outfield players
need to be behind the baseline only, not in the grass.
7. Each team will have their own pitcher. Pitchers mound is set at 35 feet.
8. The pitcher will pitch until the ball is hit, the batter strikes out or the third ball is thrown. Once
the third ball is thrown the batting teams coach pitcher will pitch the remaining number of
strikes (examplecount is 3 balls one strike, the batting teams coach pitcher will pitch two
pitches or pitch until the ball is hit, whichever is first). No walks will be allowed unless the
batter is hit by a pitch. If the last pitch is a foul ball when the coach is pitching they
continue batting. The LAST pitch that the coach pitches needs to be hittable. The
umpire should stay in to call a strike for the coach pitches. If the LAST pitch of a
coach is not hittable they can pitch again, for a maximum of THREE last pitches.
9. When the coach is pitching, they should be at least 25 feet away from the batter.
10. An 11 ball is used. Use the hard 11 softball, yellow in color, not the rubber kind.
11. If a girl is hit by a pitch they take first base.
12. A circle should be chalked around the pitchers mound, when the ball is thrown back to the
pitcher & it is in the circle, it is a dead ball, runners may not advance. Runner must return to
the previous base if not half way. Stealing is not allowed.
13. A chalk line should be drawn when possible, 30 feet between the bases 1st and 2nd, 2nd
and 3rd and 3rd and home. **If the girl isnt half way when the ball is returned to the
pitcher they must go back to their previous base.
14. All base runners must wear helmets with face masks, chin straps are optional. Players can
not throw helmets off. If there is no chin strap and the helmet falls off or it is thrown off, this
could result in an out.
15. One warning will be given per team for the throwing of the bat. After that it is an out.
Dropping the bat and it rolling isnt considered throwing.
16. A pop fly foul tip should be above the batters head, with the umpire discretion. The foul tip
third strike rule which is used for 12U, 14U, etc., does not apply to 10U.
17. Infield fly rule does not apply & dropped third strike rule does not apply.
18. A plate umpire and base umpire will be needed since the girls are now pitching, balls and
strikes will need to be called.
19. In-field warm up throws allowed at the umpires discretion.
20. All equipment must stay in the dugout. **Please enforce this rule**
21. Runners cannot leave a base or lead off until the pitcher releases the balls. One warning will
be given on leaving the base too early.
22. **Coaches need to encourage the girls to slide or stay out of the way of a close play to avoid
injuries. A girl running the bases cannot run into a player trying to make a play, if contact is
made and a play cannot be made by the defensive player the runner can be called out for
interference.
23. Bases must be 60 feet apart.
24. No coaches on the field on defense.
25. Open substitution.
26. Only one player (the shortstop or pitchers helper) can be in front of the 40 foot pitching
rubber. The pitcher position can play on either the right or left side of the pitcher. Short stop
position must be on the right side of the pitcher. After the ball is hit, the player that is playing
behind the pitching rubber is able to charge the ball in front of the pitching rubber. **When
the girls are pitching the pitcher will be the player in front of the 40 foot line. When the
batting teams coach is pitching, the pitcher will then take the pitchers helper position.
27. Home team is responsible for calling the visiting team by 3:00 p.m. on game day if they
cannot play. Call the coach of the team you are scheduled to play.

Reminder for all teams: You can list a girl on more than one age division roster to be used as a sub on a
older team, a girl from a younger team is not allowed to play on an older age team (if on both rosters), if
there are enough players in the older age group. Meaning a girl on the 15 & 16 year old roster only,
cannot sit on the bench (unless injured) in order for a girl that normally plays in the 13 & 14 year old age
group. Please be sure to list any possible subs on your roster so we have the proper information at league
tournament.
 Southeastern Softball League
Rules - 2017
12 and Under Rules

1. Forfeit 15 minutes after scheduled start time. Umpire determines start time.
2. 5 innings or 1 hour time limit. No inning to start after 50 minutes of start time. A new
inning is considered started when the previous third out is made.
3. 5 runs or 3 outs per inning for the first 2 innings. No inning run rule after 2 innings.
4. In-field warm up throws allowed at umpires discretion.
5. All base runners must wear helmets with face masks, chin straps are optional. Players
can not throw helmets off. If the helmet falls off or is thrown off, this could result in an
out.
6. Certified face masks must be on all batting helmets new rule for 2005.
7. Play 10 players during regular season and tournament. If the opposing team only has 9
players, you can still play 10 players if you choose. Must have at least 8 to play. The 10 th
player is your rover and must play behind the baseline.
8. 5 warm-up pitches at the beginning of the game. 3 warm-up pitches between innings,
unless there is a new pitcher in the game.
9. Home team furnishes the home plate and base umpires. Must be at least 16 years old.
A coach from the home team should not be an umpire while the team they coach is
playing. If only one umpire is available, they must be behind home plate and the visiting
team should be asked to provide a base umpire.
10. Away team has the option for a base umpire. Must be at least 16 years old.
11. Pitcher must keep both feet on the rubber with their first step being forward.
12. Every coach must have a rule book.
13. Catcher must wear full gear.
14. Runners may steal any base, including home.
15. The dropped third strike rule applies (the batter may advance to 1 st base if the base is
unoccupied, unless there are 2 outs, at that time, the batter can advance even if 1 st base
is occupied).
16. Each team will be given a warning for throwing the bat, after that it will be an out.
17. Runner may leave the base after the ball leaves the pitchers hand. A warning will be
given to each team after that it is an out.
18. Bases should be 60 feet and pitching mound should be 40 feet with the 8 foot circle rule
around the pitchers mound in effect. If the circle isnt drawn; the imaginary rule should be
used. Runners must return to the base as soon as the pitcher has the ball and is in the
circle or advance to the next base immediately. Any hesitation can be called an out.
19. 15 run rule after 3 innings; 10 after 5 innings.
20. All ASA rules apply.
21. Open substitution on league games only.
22. Home team is responsible for calling the visiting team by 3:00 p.m. on game day if they
cannot play. Call the coach of the team you are scheduled to play.
23. It is suggested for 12U games (and tournament) that the home plate umpire should adjust
their strike zone by 2 to 3 inches all the way around. Each coach is asked to encourage
their girls to swing the bat.
24. We will use these rules for league tournament as well.

Note: If a pitcher is consistently hitting batters it is also suggested that as the coach, you take the
precautions and remove the pitcher from that position for a time during the game.

Reminder for all teams: You can list a girl on more than one age division roster to be used as a sub on a
older team, a girl from a younger team is not allowed to play on an older age team (if on both rosters), if
there are enough players in the older age group. Meaning a girl on the 15 & 16 year old roster only,
cannot sit on the bench (unless injured) in order for a girl that normally plays in the 13 & 14 year old age
group. Please be sure to list any possible subs on your roster so we have the proper information at league
tournament.
 Southeastern Softball League
Rules - 2017

14, 16 & 18 & Under Rules

1. Forfeit 15 minutes after scheduled start time. Umpire determines the official
game start time.
2. 1 hour and 20 minute time limit or seven innings. No inning to start 80 minutes
after start time. A new inning is considered started after the previous 3rd out.
3. Play with 10 players if both teams agree and have 10 players. Must have 7 to
play. During league tournament play only 9 players are allowed to play.
4. 15 run rule after 3 innings, 10 runs after 5 innings.
5. Open substitution in league games only.
6. Each team will be given one warning for throwing the bat. After that, it is an out.
7. All ASA rules apply.
8. Bases must be 60 feet apart and pitching mound at 43 feet. The 8 foot chalked
circle should be drawn, if not drawn; the imaginary chalk circle rule should apply.
Runners must return to the base as soon as the pitcher has the ball and is in the
circle or advance to the next base immediately without hesitation. Hesitation can
be called an out.
9. 5 warm-up pitches at the beginning of the game. 3 warm-ups between innings,
unless it is a new pitcher.
10. In-field warm-up throws allowed with the umpires discretion.
11. Pitcher must keep both feet on the rubber with the first step being forward.
12. Every coach must have a rule book.
13. All base runners must wear helmets with face masks, chin straps are optional.
Players can not throw helmets off. If the helmet falls off or is thrown off, this
could result in an out.
14. Certified face masks must be on all batting helmets.
15. Catcher must wear full gear.
16. Home team furnishes the home plate and base umpires. Must be at least 16
years old. A coach from the home team should not be an umpire while the team
they coach is playing. If only one umpire is available, they must be behind home
plate and the visiting need should be asked to provide a base umpire.
17. Away team has the option for a base umpire. Must be at least 16.
18. All players may be substituted and re-entered one time, but they must go back
into the same batting order. Subs may e re-entered as well, but that too is only
one time and they have to go into the same spot in the order (sub in for the
original person they went in for).
19. Metal cleats can be worn in our league games or tournament for 16U and
older teams ONLY. It is an ASA rule that metal cleats are now allowed for
14U, 16U & 18U only, keep this in mind if competing in tournaments
(including state tournament) outside of our league for the 14U division.
20. Home team is responsible for calling the visiting team by 3:00 p.m. on game day
if they cannot play. Contact the coach of the team you are scheduled to play.

Reminder for all teams: You can list a girl on more than one age division roster to be used as a sub on a
older team, a girl from a younger team is not allowed to play on an older age team (if on both rosters), if
there are enough players in the older age group. Meaning a girl on the 15 & 16 year old roster only,
cannot sit on the bench (unless injured) in order for a girl that normally plays in the 13 & 14 year old age
group. Please be sure to list any possible subs on your roster so we have the proper information at league
tournament.