Youth Softball Mini Tail Rules

Mini Tail Softball Rules

Updated 8-06

PURPOSE:  The Livingston Youth Softball Leagueis designed for recreational enjoyment withan emphasis on developing fundamentals, having fun, fair play, and above all, good sportsmanship.

PLAYING FIELD

1.      A 16 foot circle around pitchers mound.  A 20 arc from home plate shall be drawn between and first and third base across the playing field.

2.      Bases will be at 60 feet.

PLAYING RULES

1.      Games are 1 hour.  No new inning will begin 5 minutes before the time limit. An 11inch official softball shall be used.

2.      Coach pitch – the defensive pitcher shall be in a designated area, not more than 6 feet behind or to either side of the pitching rubber. From this position, the defensive pitcher is allowed to move out of the circle after the pitch is thrown. Each defensive pitcher shall deliver 5 pitches from the 35 foot pitching rubber. If a ball is not hit the batter is out.  If in the judgment of the umpire, the defensive pitcher is not in the proper position when the pitch is thrown, the pitch will be considered no-pitch, and will not count towards the five pitches.

3.      Defensive players must wait until the hit ball passes the infield foul line to attack ball.

4.      A ball must be hit before a runner can leave the base.

5.      One base on an overthrow.  CANNOT STEAL HOME.  One overthrow per play.

6.      Ten (10) players shall take regular positions in the field.  Eight (8) players are needed to start the game. Rover must play in the outfield.  Game time is forfeit time.

7.      The pitcher shall take a normal position on the pitcher’s mound, and the catcher shall be behind the plate.

8.      All team members will play on defense at least 1 inning at all games.

9.      A player may not be terminated from the team for missing practices.

10.  If a player quits the team, he or she may not play for another team.

11.  All players’ names shall be listed on the score sheet in order and will bat in rotation.  This order will remain during the game.  ALL PLAYERS WILL BAT DURING ENTIREGAME, regardless of playing defense at the time.

12.  No official score shall be kept or posted only an official line up will be kept by the scorekeeper

13.  .No food, alcohol, or glass bottle beverage containers are allowed in the dugouts.

14.  Players must be kept in the dugout area.

15.  Complaints should be directed to Recreation Services. THERE ARE NO PROTESTS.

16.  Three (3) outs shall end an inning, or after the 10th batter. Which ever comes first.

17.  Rubber cleats or tennis shoes only.

18.  The infield fly rule will not be used.

19.  Play ends when the ball is returned to the pitcher (player, not coach. Coach must move out of the way for the player to catch the ball. If it is determined that the coach was in the way, the ball becomes dead and the runners will be told to go back to the base the umpire decides), an infielder is holding the ball and play has stopped, or in the judgment of the umpire, play should stop.  Pitcher then returns ball to umpire or coach and the next batter takes their regular turn.

20.  No smoking or chewing tobacco by the coaches while on the field.

21.  NO PROFANITY OR EQUIPMENT THROWING WILL BE TOLERATED.

22.  A child may be warned or called out by the umpire for throwing the bat on the first occurrence; however, a second violation is an automatic out.

23.  Score will not be kept. Each team must provide someone to keep track of their lineup and batting order..  Standings will not be kept; trophies will be given to all players for participation.

24.  MISSING PRACTICES – At the discretion of the coach, players missing two (2) or more practices are subject to one (1) inning of play (offense and defense).

25.  Since this is an instructional league a team may place two coaches in the outfield to instruct players however coaches may not touch the fielders during a play.