SVBSA/SVNAA/Mars 8U Softball

LEAGUE RULES
1. A player is not permitted on the playing field without an Association provided uniform and glove.
2. All players will bat and field the whole game.
3. All batters and runners must wear batting helmets with facemasks.
4. All players will bat in consecutive order.
5. All catchers must wear full equipment.
6. Must have five (5) players to play a game. If only five (5) players are available then a team can play
without a catcher, but the arc rule below will be used. Coaches can catch balls as a catcher, but can't
cover home plate when a ball is put in play.
7. All players will be taught all positions (infield, outfield, catcher, and pitcher) throughout the season.
They must change positions at least once per game or after 2 consecutive innings at a position.
8. A coach will be used to pitch to the batter from a distance between 25 to 35 feet.
9. Four defensive coaches will be allowed on the field to instruct defensive players, the defensive
coaches will also call outs.
10. The home team manager will supply the game ball and the league equipment for each game.
11. Both team managers shall determine if the game should be played in case of rain. If there is
lightning in the area, play shall stop immediately.
12. Recommended, that all players in the field wear a fielders mask. REQUIRED BY SVBSA.
13. All pitchers must wear a fielders mask and a heart guard.
14. An 11 inch .44 core hard ball will be used.

THE FIELD
1. The distance between the bases is sixty (60) feet.
2. The distance between the pitchers rubber and home plate is thirty-five (35) feet.
3. An eight-foot arc shall extend in from of home plate from baseline to baseline. This area is foul
territory. Only used if playing without a catcher.

GAME RULES
1. Games are played for six (6) innings or one and a half (1.5) hours, whichever comes first.
2. There are no walks or strikeouts.
3. Three outs per innings.
4. This league has a Five-Run-Rule in effect for the first five (5) innings. In other words, if the batting
team scores five runs before the fielding team gets three outs, the inning is over.
5. Each batter is allowed eight (8) pitches. If the batter hasn’t hit the ball after eight (8) pitches, the ball
will be placed on the tee for the 9th pitch.
6. Any ball hit and lands within the eight (8) foot arc in front of home plate will be a foul ball.
7. No more than six (6) players are permitted to play the infield, including the catcher. All outfielders
must be in the grass.
8. When any player in the infield has control of the ball, play will stop. If a runner is more than halfway
to the next base, the runner is awarded that base. If the runner is less than halfway to a base, the
runner returns to the last base touched.
9. An overthrown ball to first base or third base by a fielder is a dead ball and the play stops.
10. A player or players will be allowed to pitch from a distance of 35 feet the entire season. Live pitching
from a player will only be allowed in the first inning. Strikes and balls will be kept. After four pitched
balls to the batter, a "walk", the batter will bat from a tee. After three called or swinging strikes are
called, the batter will bat from a tee. Players can pitch using either slow or fast pitching styles.
11. If a ball is hit in the outfield, the runner will be encouraged to run until the ball is in the infield.
12. Runners on base can lead off a base after the ball has crossed home plate.