ArrivAL on Game Days
PK-K Coach Pitch players should arrive on time so they are ready to warm-up at the scheduled star time. Please do not arrive to the parking lot at that time. It can take you 5 minutes before parking and being on the field and ready. Players will warm up for 15 minutes and games will be played for 45 minutes.
1st-2nd Grade games will be scheduled for 70 minutes and the game will start no later than 10 minutes after the scheduled start time (60 min games). Teams are highly encouraged to have players arrive 20-30 minutes before the scheduled start times for a full 30 min warmup. Coaches are encouraged to set the batting order and give position preference to players who arrive to warmups on time as asked by the coach.
3rd-6th grade players should arrive 30-45 minutes before the schedule start time for warmups. In May, games will be no new inning after 70 minutes. After school is done, it will change to no new inning after 80 minutes. Games during tournaments will be no new inning after 60 minutes.
PK-K Coach pitch Games
The focus of PK-K Coach Pitch games is to introduce kids to the game of softball, have fun, and learn the importance of sportsmanship and teamwork.
Key details regarding PK-K Coach Pitch games is provided below. For a full list of PK-K Coach Pitch rules, please refer to the Game Rules page.
- All players in the lineup will hit each inning
- Players will receive 6 pitches from the coach. If not hit into fair territory, players will hit off the tee until it is hit into fair play. If a player has attempted 2 times off the tee without hitting the ball in fair territory, a coach will assist the player to keep the game moving.
- If a player is out at a base or from a tag, they will remain on the base prior to the mid-season tourney. After mid-season tourney, players will be be asked to return to the bench and will not continue running the bases so they learn the concept of an out. However, no outs are recorded -- players will hit the lineup.
- Temporary bases will be placed at 45 ft for this age level to make the field smaller.
- All players will rotate to different positions of the field each inning throughout the season. Positions will include P, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, LF, CF, RF position. Infielders should play ahead of the 45ft baseline and outfielders lined up in the gaps at 60 ft (in the dirt).
- Coaches will ensure equal playing time at all positions of the field.
- Games will not extend past the scheduled end time. If a team finishes batting with less than 5 minutes remaining, the game has concluded. If a game hits the 60 minute mark, the game is over immediately to ensure the next game starts on time.
1st-2nd grade machine pitch games
The focus of 1-2 Machine Pitch games is to extend upon the skills learned in coach pitch by incorporating the standard USA Softball rules for the Machine Pitch level. The more competitive aspects of softball will be taught including winning and losing, scoring runs, 3 outs, situational softball, and advancing their knowledge on the responsibilities of each position.
Key 1-2 Machine Pitch details provided below. For a full list of rules, please refer to the Game Rules page.
- Each half inning is complete if 3 outs are recorded OR 5 runs are scored.
- Batters will receive 6 pitches from the pitching machine. Prior to mid-season tourney, a tee will be brought out allowing the player to hit the ball of the tee after 6 pitches. From the mid-season tourney and after, a batter will receive 5 pitches from the machine and 2 additional pitches from the coach. If they are unable to hit it, they are out. Players receive an additional pitch if they foul off the last ball.
- Base runners can advance bases when the ball is hit beyond the infield. When the ball is thrown back into the infield, no runners can advance. Runners may not advance on errant throws.
- Coach feeding the pitching machine each inning will be the umpires. Close calls go to runners.
- All players will rotate to different positions of the field each inning throughout the season. If a team has more than 10 players, a coach may take extra players away from the game to keep them active during the inning deep in the outfield.
- Players will rotate equally on the bench (if needed) and across all positions during regular season play to the best of the coaches ability. Coaches will plan positions for up to 6 innings but games may conclude prior to completing 6 innings resulting in some players being on the bench more than others. Coaches will do their best to balance this throughout the season.
- During tournaments, coaches are still required to ensure players are rotating evenly across the bench, infield and outfield. However, during tournaments only, coaches may choose to place players at 2 specific infield positions when in the infield without having to rotate to other infield positions. For example, a coach should ensure player A and player B have the same number of innings planned on the bench, infield, and outfield. However, the coach may choose to have player A at 1st base and 3rd base when in the infield and player B will be 2nd base and Shortstop when in the infield.
3rd-6th grade fastpitch Games
Please view the 3rd-6th grade page and view the game rules guide. Summary:
- Pitcher Delivery
- Before Mid-Season Jamboree
- Pitchers are allowed to throw "T-Drill" or "K-Drill" style from 30ft if they are unable to throw full windup from 35ft.
- After Mid-Season Jamboree
- Pitchers must attempt to pitch full windup from 35ft. If they walk 2 consecutive batters, they can move to 30ft and must throw t-drill or k-drill style -- pitchers cannot throw full windup from 30ft.
- During End of Season Tournament
- All pitchers must pitch full windup from 35ft under official USA Softball rules
- Replacing a Pitcher
- Pitchers must be replaced if one of the following occurs:
- Prior to mid-season tourney:
- Pitcher walks or hits 4 consecutive batters
- Pitcher walks or hits 5 total batters
- Remainder of season, prior to End of Season Tourney
- Pitcher walks or hits 3 consecutive batters
- Pitcher walks or hits 4 total batters
- End of Season Tourney
- Coach determines when player is replaced. No limit, no coaches pitching.
- Pitchers will be replaced by....
- Up to and including mid-season tourney
- After mid-season tourney
- Replaced by a player pitcher. If replacement pitcher walks or hits 3 consecutive or a total of 4, replaced by hitting team's coach.
- End of season tourney
- Replaced by player pitchers only.
- Hitting
- 3 strikes is strikeout (even if dropped by the catcher)
- Awarded 1st base if hit by pitch
- Walk if 4 balls pitched by player. If coach is pitching, player has a maximum of 7 pitches to hit the ball in play or 3 swinging strikes, whichever comes first. Last pitch foul balls earn another pitch. A player is out if they do not hit the ball in play within 7 pitches even if they have not reached 3 strikes.
- Baserunning
- Baserunners may advance to the next base or home on a wild pitch or passed ball.
- Baserunners can steal 2nd or 3rd base only once a batter has one strike.
- The definition of passed ball/wild pitch vs steal: If a catcher cleanly fields a ball pitched to them without the ball hitting the ground, the baserunner cannot advance unless there was already 1 strike.
- Baserunners may lead off after the ball has been released by the pitcher. Ball must be out of the pitcher's hand.
- Baserunners may not advance an additional base on a bad throw by a catcher on a steal.
- Baserunners should slide when there is a close play at a base or home plate.
- When a catcher drops the 3rd strike, it is a strike out and runners may not advance. Catchers will not need to throw to 1st base for the out.
- On balls hit into play, baserunners may continue advancing multiple bases until the pitcher has the ball in the pitchers circle or the play is called dead by the umpire. However, if there is an errant throw by an infielder, runners may only advance one additional base.
- All other rules follow the USA Softball 10U rules.
- Scoring
- 4 run per inning limit
- Game is complete if an inning is completed and:
- 15 minutes or less remaining and team is up by 8
- 10 minutes or less remaining and team is up by 6
- If the 10 or 15 min rule applies, coaches will agree to the final score and will continue scrimmaging with no score being kept until a hard stop at 75 minutes.
- Game time limit
- For single games scheduled during the week..
- No new inning after 75 minutes
- For tournament games
- No new inning after 60 minutes