Lexington County Softball 2024 Youth Rules

Fast Pitch (All Age Groups)

1. All equipment must be kept in dugouts during games.
2. Players are to remain in the dugout during the game.
3. Shoes must be worn at all times. No metal spikes are allowed. Players with metal spikes will not be permitted to play. Tennis shoes or rubber cleats are recommended.
4. Jewelry is not permitted during games, including dangling or loose-fitting jewelry. Exception: Studded earrings are allowed if covered at all times (e.g., with tape or band-aids). Religious jewelry is permitted if secured to the body. Players will not be allowed to play until jewelry is removed or secured according to the rule.
5. A maximum of three coaches and one scorekeeper are allowed in the dugout.
6. All coaching must be done from the dugout or coach’s box.
7. A coach seeking to bench a child for disciplinary reasons must first receive approval from the league officers and notify the opposing coach before the game. All other players must start and finish at least two complete innings. To ensure all players participate, they must be in the game by the start of the fourth inning. If players are inserted later, they must complete two full innings.
   • Example: If you wait until the start of the fifth inning to insert a player, the game must go to six full innings. If the game starts in the sixth inning, it must go to seven full innings. If the home team inserts all players by the fourth inning and doesn’t need to bat in the bottom of the fifth, it counts as a complete inning. Failure to follow these rules will result in an automatic forfeit.
8. Only the head coach from each team may approach the umpire for an explanation of a call.
9. Head coaches are responsible for their team’s parents, spectators, and fans. If a team’s parent, spectator, or fan is ejected from a game or facility for any reason, the head coach will also be ejected. Exception: If the head coach makes every effort to calm the individual and they do not comply after repeated warnings, the head coach will not be ejected. This determination will be made by the umpire and Board member on duty.
10. Any coach ejected from a game will be suspended for one game. If ejected a second time, they must appear before the league board and Recreation Commission for reinstatement.
11. Bat slinging is not allowed. Players may be warned the first time, but for a second offense, the player will be called out.
12. There will be no grace periods for the games. The first game each night starts at 6:15 PM, and the second game will start at 7:30 PM or immediately after the first game. A minimum of eight players is required to start the game, with no penalty/out for a missing ninth player. Upon arrival, the ninth player becomes the ninth batter and takes their place on defense. If they bat in any other position, it becomes an appeal situation (see USSSA Rule Book on batting out of order).
13. If all substitutes have been used and the ninth player is injured or must leave the park, the game may finish with eight players. The player's name will be struck from the scorebook, and the batting order will skip over them for the rest of the game.
14. Teams are allowed to score a maximum of five runs per inning.
15. Any team ahead by ten or more runs at the end of five complete innings (or four and a half if the home team is winning) will be declared the winner.
16. No new inning will start after one hour and fifteen minutes, except in case of a tie. The inning in progress will be completed and the game counted regardless of innings played. Tie games will continue until a winner is determined unless playing an outside team where standings are not affected. In this case, teams will play one additional inning to declare a winner; if still tied, the game ends in a tie. The umpire’s time is official.
    • In the event of a tie or if time expires, the international tie-breaker rule will be in effect for the next inning, regardless of the current inning.
17. Any player who has made their school softball team's B, C, JV, or Varsity team will not be permitted to play in Lexington County Recreation Softball Leagues during the same season (Spring season).
18. In case of rain, if a game goes five innings (or 4 ½ if the home team is ahead), a winner will be declared. If the game does not reach five innings, it will resume from the point it was stopped.
19. The umpire must be notified of intent to protest at the time of the infraction, before the next pitch is thrown.
20. A coach must send a written statement to the league officers within 48 hours of the game, stating the reason for the protest.
21. Although the Recreation Department appreciates improvements to the park, no equipment or improvements are allowed without prior approval.
22. All offensive players, whether batting or on base, must wear a NOCSAE-approved batting helmet with a faceguard.
23. All softballs must be USSSA-approved and stamped.
24. All leagues countywide will require defensive players to wear a mouthpiece unless a face mask is worn.
25. 10U teams are allowed to play with four outfielders on defense.
26. All catchers must wear an approved catcher’s helmet when catching. Batting helmets are not considered approved catcher’s helmets.

Exception to USSSA/LCRAC Rules for 10U

1. In the 10 & Under Division, there is no running on the dropped third strike, and no infield fly rule.
2. 10U teams are allowed to play with four outfielders on defense.
3. All 10U games should alternate each inning between "machine pitch" and "player pitch." Odd innings (1, 3, 5, 7) will be "player pitch," and even innings (2, 4, 6) will be "machine pitch." Exception: If both head coaches agree at the plate meeting, they may choose all "player pitch" or all "machine pitch." If they cannot agree, both teams will alternate player pitch and machine pitch according to LCRAC rules.
4. During a machine pitch inning, each batter will receive a maximum of five pitches. If the batter has not hit a fair ball, caught foul ball, or struck out after the fifth pitch, she will be automatically called out. Should the fifth pitch be fouled off, the batter will receive an additional pitch. If the batter has not hit a fair ball, caught foul ball, or struck out by the eighth pitch, she will be automatically called out.
5. Each league is required to purchase the same pitching machine (Louisville Slugger Flame Pitch Machine). The pitching machine is to be set up directly behind the 35 ft pitchers’ plate in the circle. The pitching machine shall be set as follows: Release Arm: 4, Power Pedal: 7, Micro Adjustment: 2.
6. If a batted ball hits the pitching machine, the ball is declared dead, and the batter is awarded first base. Runners will only advance if forced to do so.
7. Stealing is permitted at the point of release from the pitching machine or pitcher player. Runners may steal home at any time.

Exception to USSSA Rules for 8U

1. A ball thrown into foul territory is dead. Runners are awarded the base to which they are headed if advancing to a base. Exception: On an overthrow at home plate, the ball is alive, and runners can advance at their own risk.
2. Pitcher-coach is free to pitch from the 35-foot rubber to the 12-foot circle as needed, depending on the batter's ability.
3. Pitcher-player takes a position on either side of the pitcher-coach, inside the 12-foot circle, and may move forward beside the pitcher-coach when the coach moves toward the batter to pitch.
4. The batted ball must pass the home plate circle (12 feet) to be fair.
5. Batter and base runners must wear helmets.
6. No more than five runs per inning per team.
7. A one-hour and fifteen-minute time limit or six complete innings will be considered a regulation game.
8. Other infielders are not allowed to approach closer to home plate than the pitcher-player.
9. Pitcher-coach should leave the playing field after the ball is hit. Unintentional interference by the pitcher-coach results in a live ball. Intentional interference by the pitcher-coach results in a dead ball, the batter being called out, and no baserunner advancing.
10. One defensive coach is allowed on the field, either on the side of the diamond between the coaches' box and the batter’s circle.
11. There will be no bunting, stealing, dropped third strike, or infield fly rule in 8U.
12. A game may begin with a minimum of eight players, with no penalty or out for the missing player(s). A maximum of 10 players is allowed on defense. Roster batting is permitted and encouraged.
13. In the event of a tie or if time expires, the international tie-breaker rule will go into effect in the next new inning, regardless of the current inning. The last batter of the previous inning will be placed on second base with two outs.
14. The speed at which a pitch is thrown by the pitcher-coach is left to the umpire’s judgment.
15. Any team ahead by twelve or more runs at the end of five complete innings (or four and a half if the home team is winning) will be declared the winner.
16. In any league where a coach pitches, there will be a maximum of eight pitches to each batter. After the eighth pitch, if the batter has not hit a fair ball, caught foul ball, or struck out, she will automatically be called out.

Lexington County 6U Rules

Play will be governed by the 2024 USSSA Rule Book, unless otherwise specified below:

1. The ball will be an 11-inch Softee.
2. All team members present will play the field.
3. Umpires will not be used.
4. Scores and standings will not be recorded.
5. There is no minimum number of players required to play.
6. Teams may have as many coaches on the field as necessary.
7. All players will bat every inning.
8. All batters will receive five pitches. If she has not hit a fair ball, the ball will be placed on the batting tee for her to hit.
9. All batters must wear a helmet with a face mask while batting, on base, or on deck.
10. All fielders must wear a fielding mask or a mouthpiece.
11. Catchers must wear a chest protector and helmet with a face mask. If the team’s equipment is too large for the catcher, she may wear a batting helmet and stand off to the side, behind home plate.
12. The player/pitcher must stand to the side of the coach/pitcher

Lexington County Recreation Fall Instructional League Rules

General
Games in the Lexington County Fall Instructional League are simply an extension of the learning process. Coaches shall
concentrate on teaching skills to their players in a game-like setting.
-Fall league is focused on player development instead of competition.
-Each team will have 2 or 3 scheduled meetings (practices or games) a week.
-This league is a 7-week season consisting of practice ONLY during week 1 and week 7, games and practices during week
2 through week 6, and a competitive tournament to conclude the league season (this is a loose based schedule as all
leagues and teams may start practice as early as they like.
-Should a team’s parent/spectator/fan be ejected from a game/facility for any reason this will result in the ejection of the
team’s Head Coach. Coaches will be held accountable for their team’s parents, fans, and spectators. (EXCEPTION: If a
Head Coach makes every effort to calm the fan, spectator or parent and that individual does not comply the Head Coach
will not be ejected – if this should occur the ejection will be decided by the umpire and Board member on duty).

Score Keeping
-NO SCORE KEEPING – This is instructional, please remind your coaches. The home team is responsible for inputting a
score of 0-0 to signify the game was played.
-As such there will be no team standings kept.

Game Times
-Game times – no new inning will begin after 60 minutes or 75 minutes will be drop dead whichever comes first
Participation
-Roster batting is REQUIRED, and free defensive substitutions are allowed and do not need to be reported.
-Rotate players each inning. No player shall sit out two consecutive innings. All players must play two positions before
time limit expires when possible.

10U ONLY Machine Pitch / Player Pitch
-All games should alternate every inning between “machine pitch” and “player pitch” unless otherwise decided by both
coaches of both teams to only use “player pitch” or “machine pitch”. Odd innings (1, 3, 5, 7) will be “player pitch” and
even innings (2, 4, 6) will be “machine pitch”. If both head Coaches agree at the plate meeting they may choose ALL
“player pitch” or ALL “Machine Pitch”. If coaches cannot agree both teams will abide by LCRAC Rule of alternating
player pitch and machine pitch
-There will be a maximum of five pitches to each batter. After the fifth pitch if the batter has not hit a fair ball, foul ball
that is caught in the air, or struck out, she will automatically be called out. Should the 5th pitch be fouled off,
the batter will get an additional pitch upon each foul ball, if by the 8th pitch she has not hit a fair ball, foul ball
that is caught in the air, or struck out she will automatically be called out

10U Pitching Machine
The pitching machine is to be set up directly behind the 35ft pitchers plate in the circle marked for it.
-Each league will be required to purchase the same pitching machine Louisville Slugger Flame Pitch Machine.
-Pitch speed/settings will be county wide Release Arm: 4 Power Pedal 7 Micro Adjustment 2.
-Should a batted ball hit the pitching machine the ball will be declared dead and the batter will be awarded 1st base.
-Runners will only advance if forced to do so.
-Runner may steal HOME at any time during the Fall Season.

Timeouts
Coaches are permitted and encouraged to use their two timeouts as learning opportunities during the game when a play is
not conducted properly.