Rookie Softball Information & Rules
General Division Information
League Ages – 4, 5 & 6.
Player request – players may request to play with one (1) other player, but both players must request each other or request will not be granted. This is a request only and may/may not be granted. Siblings are automatically placed on the same team unless requested otherwise by parents.
Coach request – Coaches can request to be paired with one (1) other coach and no more.
Evaluations – None
Team Formation – Division Director will form teams based on player requests, siblings and ages.
Number of games – 10 total, 2 per week, weather depending.
Schedule - Opening Day target is April 29th. Season end target is June 10th. Games will be played Monday through Saturday.
Scorebooks - not provided and should not be used. This division doesn’t keep score.
Uniforms – Uniforms will be provided 1-2 weeks before the first game.
All-Stars – None
Division Rules
No Coach’s Agreements.
Games will be played with a 11” safety softball
A regulation game consists of six (6) innings.
If a game is halted due to weather after two (2) or more innings have been completed, it will be considered a regulation game.
Regular Season Time Limits – there will be a drop-dead time of 1:00 (60 minutes).
Use the league rotation sheet to distribute playing time.
No umpires are provided or needed.
This is a developmental division and the goal is to have the kids bat and run the bases.
Offense
Continuous Batting Order (CBO) – ½ of the batting order will bat each inning.
There are no outs, batters get six swings to hit the ball off the tee, after that, place the batter on first base.
Runners advance one base per batter prior to the last batter of the inning, then all runners run the remainder of the bases and cross home plate.
Coaches may start pitching during the week of May 15th. If the batter does not hit the ball after 4 pitches, the batter hits off the tee to complete the at bat.
No ‘on-deck’ circle - practice swings allowed ONLY in batter’s box (Majors and below)
No bunting allowed.
The ball is dead if it strikes the coach or the bucket of balls. Runners advance only one base.
Runners are allowed to leave the base only after the ball is batted.
Runners may not steal a base.
Bats must meet all LL specifications.
Batters should keep one (1) foot in the Batter’s Box unless a play is live, or time has been given to talk with the coach. (LL Rule 6.02 (c)).
Defense
10 defensive players in the field, 4 must be in the outfield grass and spaced evenly.
All fielders must wear a face mask.
Players must field a minimum of nine (9) defensive outs per game unless the game is shortened for any reason. PENALTY: player is required to play the entire next scheduled game in the field.
Players must field a minimum of three (3) consecutive defensive outs in the outfield and infield per game. Catcher is considered an infield position.
The player playing pitcher must start within 5 feet of the pitcher’s plate (or within the circle).
Download the Rookie Rules