The Softball Minors division of Alpine LL is generally for players league age 9, 10, 11, and 12 who have met all player evaluation eligibility requirements. All playing rules described in the Little League Official Softball Rules apply to the Minor’s Softball Division unless otherwise amended by these Bylaws. The rules below were used in the Spring 2022 season. Amendments may be made prior to the start of the Spring 2023 season. These amendments will be presented to the Board for approval and these bylaws will be updated the following year.
SOFTBALL BALL, FIELD
11” regular ball, 60’ bases, 35” pitching distance
COMPLETE GAME
6 innings or 75 minutes
The maximum number of innings is six (6). At 75 minutes after the actual game start time, the current inning should be finished and no more than one (1) additional inning played (1 more if the home team is behind, a half inning otherwise even if the home team is ahead by more than 4 runs). Coaches can communicate and agree on how to handle after the time limit.
Tie Games allowed
Tie games are permitted during Minor’s Softball regular season play.
Runs per inning and pitching competitive balance
An inning is three (3) outs, or four (4) runs, whichever happens first. If a team is ahead by eight (8) or more runs, they are limited to a max of 2 runs per inning until the score becomes less than an 8 run differential.
In the event of a dominant pitcher, teams may agree to “trade” a player at the pitcher position to pitch against their own team to promote competitive balance, while allowing the player to continue pitching in the game.
MANDATORY PLAY
Defense/Offense
10 Fielders. Open lineup (entire team bats through the order) and substitutions. Must have 8 players to start the game. No player to sit out more than one consecutive inning while their team is on defense.
Offense/Continuous Batting Order
All players must bat throughout the game (continuous batting order required).
PLAYING RULES
Adults on the Field
All games played through the weekend of 3/26 will be treated as “scrimmage” games with two coaches permitted to be on the field and actively coaching between plays. The goal is to take advantage of teachable moments early in the season, while keeping the game moving.
Beginning with the games played the week of 3/28, no coaches will be allowed on the field, except when they are called into pitching duties (see below).
Players During Warm-Up and On-deck
Any player at home plate during warm ups while a coach is hitting must have a catching helmet on during this time. This is for the safety of the player and not open to interpretation.
There is no on-deck position allowed. The only player allowed to swing a bat during a game is the batter. Other players cannot practice swinging anywhere else on or off the field during the game.
Bunting
Bunting is allowed and players may bunt off of a player/pitcher or a coach/pitcher.
Sliding
A runner will be considered out if they slide head-first to advance a base. Head first sliding is only allowed going back to a base.
“Dropped” third strike
In the Minor’s Softball Division, a third strike, whether dropped or not, is an out; however, the ball remains live for runners already on base.
Pitching Limits
Max of 1 start and 7 innings per week. 3 innings max per game.
Coach Pitch
After two (2) walks and/or hit by pitch in any one inning by one pitcher, the coach will enter to pitch after any additional walk or hit by pitch. There cannot be 3 walked players in an inning. The coach will enter with the same strike count the batter faced when facing the player pitcher. For example, if the player walked while facing a 3 ball and 1 strike count, the coach will enter to pitch with 1 strike on the batter. There are called strikes and swinging strikes against coach pitchers.
If three (3) batters are hit by pitch then the pitcher is removed for that inning. That pitcher may return to pitch later in the game, but will be removed from the game, as a pitcher, if they hit another batter.
Once the batter has ended their at bat against the coach, the player/pitcher will re-enter the game to pitch again. The Coach will re-enter after any additional walk in the inning.
Catching
Three (3) innings at the catcher position is the max recommendation per player, per game.
Stealing and Base Running
Stealing may occur, one (1) base per pitch, after release. Runners may not lead off or leave the base until the pitch is released.
Runners may not advance to second base on a late or overthrown ball to first if the runner is in foul territory at the time of the overthrow.
All other runners, runners who started on a base as the pitch was released, and were not up to bat, may advance one (1) base on an overthrow.
Once the pitcher has the ball in the pitching circle, runners must return to the base last occupied. There is no taunting or delaying going back to the base once the pitcher is in the circle.
Infield Fly Rule
There is no Infield Fly rule in Minor’s Softball
No Courtesy Runner
Alpine LL Softball does not permit courtesy runners for pitchers and catchers in the Minor’s Softball Division.
Jewelry
Exposed jewelry, which is judged by the umpire and/or coach to be dangerous, must be removed or taped/bandaged during the game. Medical alert bracelets or necklaces are not considered jewelry.