Christina Girls Softball – Local Rules & Code of Play

Effective Fall 2025

Note: We follow USSSA Softball Rules with the following local exceptions. The USSSA rulebook link can be found under our Home Page, under Site Links. Mid-Season Tournament, End of Season Tournament, and All Stars will have other rules applied.

1. Game Format & Timing

• Game Duration: All 6u games have a 60 minute time limit. All other age division games  have a 75-minute time limit.  

• (Spring Only) The inning in progress will be completed after time expires only if it can make a difference in the game outcome.

• No New Inning Rule: No new inning may begin if fewer than 5 minutes remain after the last full inning ends.

• Inning Limits: An inning ends after 3 outs or when the 5th run is scored.

• Ties: Regular season games may end in a tie.

• Suspended Games (Spring Only):

  • If suspended before two full innings, the game resumes from the point of suspension.

  • If two or more innings are complete, the game is official and the score reverts to the last completed inning.

2. Field Setup

• Home Team Duties: Responsible for lining the field and confirming pitching distance prior to game start.

• Pitching Distances (from back of home plate to front of pitching rubber):

  • Tee Ball, Coach Pitch, Mini-Minor: 35 ft

  • Minor: 40 ft

  • Major: 43 ft

• Ball Sizes:

  • 11” – Tee Ball, Coach Pitch & Mini-Minor

  • 12” – Minor & Major

3. Safety Requirements

• Batting Helmets: Must have faceguards attached.

• Infielders: Must wear face masks during all games.

• Cleats:

  • Metal cleats allowed only for 18U in regular season.

  • All tournaments require non-metal cleats.

• Warming Up Pitchers: Anyone catching for a pitcher must wear a batting or catcher’s helmet.

• Concussion Protocol:

  • Players suspected of a concussion must be removed immediately.

  • Written medical clearance is required to return, per FHSAA sports medicine guidelines.

4. Player Eligibility

• Minimum Players: Teams must have at least 6 players to begin a game.

• Roster Play Requirements:

  • Every player must play at least one inning in the infield.

  • No player may sit more than one inning unless injured or disciplined.

  • Defensive subs may not sit more than half an inning at a time.

• Pickup Players:

  • Allowed only when a team has fewer than 9 players.

  • Must be registered and actively playing for their assigned team. Must come from the same or lower division.

  • Players who “play up” may not “play down.”

  • In Spring season only, pickup players must bat last and play outfield.

5. Coaching Conduct

• On-Field Defense Access:

  • Tee Ball & 8u: Up to two defensive coaches may be on the field and must be positioned behind the outfielders. For 8u (after 2nd inning), the Pitching Coach should be stationed at back stop to assist in ball retrieval when he/she is not pitching. And a defensive coach is permitted in the circle to instruct/assist the girl pitcher.

  • 10U and up: One defensive coach may be outside the dugout near the fence. Others must remain in dugout.

• Ejections (Players and Coaches):

  • Must leave the complex immediately.

  • 1st offense: Suspended next game.

  • 2nd offense: Minimum 5-game suspension + Executive Board review to determine future eligibility.

6. Sportsmanship

• Zero Tolerance Policy:

  • No profanity, abuse, or unsportsmanlike behavior from anyone.

• Umpire and Board Member Authority:

  • Umpires and/or Board Members may issue warnings or eject individuals.

  • Coaches are expected to help manage spectator behavior.

• Rule Disputes:

  • Head Coaches may request a rules conference with umpire and opposing coach.

  • Unresolved or questionable disputes should be emailed to the Division Director with details.

7. Scorekeeping & Records (Spring Season Only)

• Scorebooks:

  • Each team must maintain a legible scorebook.

  • List players by Last Name, First Name, with jersey numbers.

• Reporting Scores:

  • Winning team must email the final score to [email protected] within 24 hours.

8. Game Play Rules

General Play (All Divisions)

• Overthrows:

  • 6u and 8u: One base max

  • 10u and above: No base limit

• Defensive Substitutions: Allowed freely.

• Natural Plays: Defensive plays must follow natural momentum and positioning.

• Batting Order:

  • Entire roster bats; continuous lineup used.

  • Injured/absent players are skipped without penalty.

  • Late players bat in their originally assigned lineup spot.

Pitching Rules

• 8U (After 2nd inning):

  • Girl pitcher: 3 pitches per batter. Can produce a strikeout, but no walks.

  • If no result: Coach pitches 3 pitches.

  • If final pitch or 3rd strike is fouled: batter continues.

  • No walks.

• 10U & Up:

  • Pitcher may throw no more than:

    • 2 of the first 4 innings

    • 3 of 6 innings

  • Innings do not need to be consecutive.

  • If game exceeds 6 innings: pitching limits reset.

  • One pitch = one inning pitched.

  • Limits apply per pitcher, and reset every game.

Modified Rules for 6U & 8U Divisions

1. Defensive Coaches

• Up to 2 defensive coaches allowed on field (behind outfielders). For 8u (after 2nd inning), the Pitching Coach should be stationed at back stop to assist in ball retrieval when he/she is not pitching. A defensive coach will also be permitted in the circle to assist/instruct the girl pitcher.

• May provide continuous instruction.

2. Defensive Alignment

• Minimum Players: 6 (both divisions; must include a catcher).

• Only infielders allowed inside dirt/infield area.

• Outfielders must be positioned in grass, or at least 10 feet beyond baselines.

• 6U pitcher must start with one foot in 8-foot radius of plate and stay there until ball is hit off tee.

3. Catcher Equipment

• Catchers inside box: full gear required.

• Catchers outside box: helmet with facemask required.

4. Batting Rules

• 6U: 3 swings max. Fouled 3rd strike = out. No practice swings. Ball must travel past 10’ tee arc to be fair

• 8U: First 2 innings; standard coach pitch play. Each girl receives 5 pitches; can strike out on swings or failure to produce to hit by last last coach will result in an out. 

• After 2nd inning: 3 girl pitches + 3 coach pitches. Batter continues after fouled final pitch. 3 called or swinging strikes, or failure to produce hit by last coach pitch will result in an out. Hit by Pitch will result in a ball (not awarding 1st base) and at bat continues. If the batter is unable to continue at bat for any reason after hit by pitch, move on to the next batter and do NOT record an out.

•  No Walks

5. Offensive Coaches

• 3 allowed: 1B, 3B, and either:

  • Coach pitcher (8U): Must pitch from 35 ft; when not pitching - placement at backstop to assist in retrieving past balls; CANNOT provide instruction after pitching motion begins; must avoid interference. 

  • Tee assistant (6U): Helps batter and MUST remove tee safely. Interference penalty can apply.

  • Interference Penalty: Closest runner to home is out.

6. Base Running

• No lead-offs. Runners must stay on base until ball is hit.

  • Penalty: dead ball, runner out.

• One base on overthrows.

• No stealing or bunting allowed.

7. Throwing Mechanics

• Overhand throws required (underhand allowed only for short tosses).

• No rolling the ball.

8. Stopping Play / Calling Time

• Time called when:

  • Lead runner is stopped by defense with the ball, or

  • Ball is returned to pitcher (1 foot in circle), or

  • Umpire rules play has ended.

9. Hash Marks

• Hash marks halfway between 1st–2nd, 2nd–3rd, and 3rd–home.

• Used to determine whether runners advance or return when time is called.

9. Volunteer Requirements

• Volunteers entering dugout or field must:

  • Submit volunteer application AND be approved by the board

  • Pass a Level 2 fingerprint background check

  • Hold current NAYS certification 

10. Complex Rules

• No smoking or tobacco (including vaping and chewing) allowed anywhere inside the complex.

• No music allowed (walk-up or practice)