HIGH POINT PONY LOCAL RULES

 
8u, 11u, 14u SOFTBALL DIVISIONS 
 Softball Rules PDF Revision Date: 03/23/2023  
 Play in the 8u, 11u & 14u Softball Divisions will be governed by the Official Pony Rule Book, except for the Division specific Local Rules detailed below which supersede Pony Rules.  Any agreement changing Local or Pony Rules will not be allowed. 
   
 

League

  1. All coaches and adult volunteers must have an approved background check on file with the league. It is the head coach’s responsibility to ensure coaches and volunteers have their approved background check on file before allowing them to assist with the players. Background checks are good for the year in which approved.
    Valid 01/01/XXXX through 12/31/XXXX in the same year.
  2. Catchers must wear proper equipment which includes a mask with approved head gear, throat guard, chest protector and shin guards.
  3. The Home Team is responsible for turning off the field lights at the end of the game.
  4. The Home Team is responsible for returning the scoreboard controller to the concession stand at the end of the game.
  5. High Point Pony reserves the right to review and change these local rules as deemed necessary.

 

8U

11U

14U

Ball

11” COR .44 or .47, 375 or 425 Compression

11” COR .44 or .47, 375 or 425 Compression

12” COR .44 or .47, 375 or 425 Compression

Pitcher's Plate Distance

35 Feet

35 Feet 

43 Feet

Base Length

60 Feet

60 Feet

60 Feet

Game Length

Maximum 5 Innings

Time Limit
(Championship)

Untimed

Last Inning (Regular Season)

Any inning started AFTER 1 HOUR, 15 MINUTES (for ALL divisions) of play will be declared "LAST INNING" and have unlimited runs. No new inning can be started following the declared "LAST INNING".

Last Inning (Playoffs)

Any inning started AFTER 1 HOUR, 15 MINUTES of play will be declared "LAST INNING" and have unlimited runs.   No new inning can be started following the declared "LAST INNING".

Last Inning (Championship)

5 Innings ONLY; NO time limit; unlimited runs in the 5th Inning

Run Limit per Inning

5 runs except the final inning which is unlimited

Run Limit "Last" Inning

Unlimited Runs

Mercy Rule

12 Run Differential after 3 Innings; 10 Run Differential after 4 Innings

Advance on Dropped 3rd Strike

No

No

Yes

Infield Fly Rule

No

Yes 

Yes

Must Slide at Home Plate to Avoid Contact

Only if a player or catcher has possession of the ball and is trying to make a play at the plate.
If they don't make a successful slide or make the attempt to slide, the runner is out.

Advance on Overthrow

1 Base Only

1 Base on EACH Overthrow

Unlimited

Bunting

No

Only when the player is pitching

Yes

Illegal Pitches (see next page)

N/A

1 warning then each illegal pitch will count as a ball

Each illegal pitch will count as a ball

Play is Stopped (Defense)

When the umpire determines an outfield ball crosses the baseline when thrown to the infield or an infield ball is thrown towards the pitcher.

When the umpire determines the ball is possessed in the pitcher’s circle.

When the umpire determines the ball is possessed in the pitcher’s circle.

Play is Stopped (Offense)

If the runner is more than halfway towards the next base when play is stopped, they advance to the next base

Once play is stopped, runners must immediately either return to the previous base or commit to the next base ("Look Back Rule" - if the pitcher makes a motion towards a runner, the runner may change directions. PONY Rule 9, Section 11 (1)

All Batters Bat

Yes

Maximum Number of Outfielders

6 infielders including the catcher; all other players play the outfield

4 

4

Minimum Number of Players to Start a Game

8 players minimum; If a team does NOT have 9 players, they must take an out for that 9th player in the batting order.

Injured / Leaving Players

May leave the game and no out will be charged. Once they leave the game, they cannot re-enter, and their batting spot is considered an out. A player may return to the field if they left the field due to a blood injury.

Late Players

May enter the game until the end of the 3rd inning

Courtesy Runners

Catcher ONLY; last out recorded, becomes the base runner

Pitcher and Catcher; LAST out recorded becomes the base runner.
Courtesy runner can be put in at any time.

Maximum Innings Pitched per Game

N/A - No player pitcher

2 including playoffs and the championship game

Protective equipment:  

Fielder’s masks are required to be worn by ALL infielders and outfielders.  Batter’s masks are required on all helmets.  

8U Specific Rules: 

Coach pitcher will throw up to 6 pitches or 3 strikes to each batter. The batter is out if the ball is not put in play after the 5th pitch or upon the 3rd strike.

  • Coach must begin with 1 foot on the pitcher's plate (or at 35 feet if plate is located at 40 or 43 feet)
  • Coach must avoid interference at all times. A batted ball that hits the coach will be considered a dead ball - batter will return to hit again. If there is intentional interference, the batter will be ruled out.
  • Player pitcher must have 1 foot within the pitcher’s circle until the ball is hit.
  • All infielders must stay within 10 feet of the baseline until the ball is hit.
  • All players not in the infield will need to play in the grass (or no closer than 10’ from the baseline). They may not move into the infield until the ball is put in play by a batter.
  • No leads or stealing.
  • Base Runners can continue to advance on hits until the ball is in the pitching circle.

Coaches

  • Coaches are to remain outside the field of play. They MUST be on the concrete or outside the fence UNLESS they are coaching on the bases, outfield defensive coaches, or pitching. The umpire shall give one warning per game that applies to both teams. 


11U Specific Rules:

  • Player pitcher will throw to each batter. A batter will be awarded 1st Base upon 4 pitches from the player pitcher called a ball by the umpire. Upon 4 walks, the coach from the offensive team will enter the game and pitch the remainder of the inning. 
  • Batters hit by a pitch thrown by a player are awarded first base. It does count towards a pitcher’s 4 walks.
  • Pitchers are limited to 2 innings maximum per game. A single pitch in an inning constitutes an entire inning.
  • Leads or stealing is allowed upon the pitcher’s release of the ball. Runner may lead off when the coach is pitching but are NOT permitted to steal while the coach is pitching. The maximum lead off distance is approximately 6 feet when the coach is pitcher is in the game.
  • A player substituted into the player pitcher position when a coach pitcher is pitching will still count towards their 2 maximum inning availability.

14U Specific Rules:

  • Pitchers are limited to 2 innings maximum per game.
  • A single pitch in an inning constitutes an entire inning.

Illegal Pitches – 11U, 14U (Rules for pitching are explained in Rule 7 of Pony Rules for Softball)

Legal Delivery Points of Emphasis:

  • Pivot foot may remain in contact with or may push off and drag away from the pitching plate prior to the front foot touching the ground, as long as the pivot foot remains in contact with the ground. Pushing off with the pivot foot from a place other than the pitching plate is illegal.

    Pitcher may use any windup desired, providing:

  • She does not make any motion to pitch without immediately delivering the ball to the batter.
  • She does not use a rocker action in which, after having the ball in both hands in the pitching position, she removes one hand from the ball, takes a backward and forward swing, and returns the ball to both hands in front of the body.
  • She does not use a windup in which there is a stop or reversal of the forward motion.
  • She does not make two revolutions of the arm in the windmill pitch. A pitcher may drop her arm to the side and to the rear before starting the windmill motion.
  • She does not continue the wind up after taking the forward step, which is simultaneous with the release of the ball.
  • Techniques such as the "crow hop", the replant of the pivot food prior to the delivery of the pitch, and the "leap", prior to the release of the pitch are illegal.
  • Once the pitcher possesses the ball in the pitcher’s circle, base runners must immediately advance to the next base or return to the previous base. Failure to immediately advance or return to a base will result in the runner being called out; changing direction after starting advance/return will result in an out unless the pitcher makes a “Softball” motion with the ball (ex. Throw, fake throw, at runner)
  • The umpire shall give one warning per game for thrown bats followed by calling future batters out on each subsequent occurrence. If the umpire deems the bat was thrown intentionally creating interference, the player can be ejected from the game.

Look Back Rule – 11U, 14U:

  • Once the pitcher possesses the ball in the pitcher’s circle, base runners must immediately advance to the next base or return to the previous base. Failure to immediately advance or return to a base will result in the runner being called out; changing direction after starting advance/return will result in an out unless the pitcher makes a “Softball” motion with the ball (ex. Throw, fake throw, at runner)

Thrown Bats:

  • The umpire shall give one warning per game for thrown bats followed by calling future batters out on each subsequent occurrence. If the umpire deems the bat was thrown intentionally creating interference, the player can be ejected from the game.

Coaches and umpires:

  • Only head coaches should communicate with the umpires. If an assistant coach has a question or concern, he/she should consult the head coach who will then consult with the umpires. The head coach should call time, then ask to approach the umpire from the baseline.
  • Coaches should not attempt to coach or communicate instructions to players of the opposing team.
  • There should be no “gentlemen’s agreement” between coaches in an effort to modify rules during the game – doing so only causes confusion for the umpires.