8U Program

We have continued to see our program grow and we wanted to provide an opportunity for those players that are not quite ready for the 10u program, but wanted something a little more than our in-house program offers.

The initial rules were created by Minnesota Softball Staff after consulting with many other states about how they conduct 8U softball. The idea is to get kids playing short games, learn how to play the game properly, and to enjoy playing the sport. The premise of this is not to develop pitchers. You can and should work on pitching during every single practice, with every single kid. If you have a kid that is an advanced player for that age, place them on a 10U team if feasible. Now entering our 4th year being organized the rules have evolved to meet the needs of associations and coaches to help make the sport better and to make it grow. 

EQUIPMENT

• We will use an eleven (11) inch softball, preferably a Dudley SBC11 with an ASA stamp.
• Pitching will be handled by a blue Louisville Slugger Pitching Machine and set at 30-34 mph.

DIMENSIONS

• The pitching plate will be placed at 35 feet.
• Base distances will be 60 feet.
• 200-foot fences are preferred but are not required. If possible for a State Tournament host site it is recommend to set fences at 120'.

GAME PLAY

• Games will be played on Wednesday night. Games start at 6:00pm.
• Home team supplies two (2) new game balls per night.
• Defense will have 9 players on the field.
• It is strongly encouraged to rotate players in to multiple positions during a game.
• Each batter gets 3 swings or 5 pitches unless last pitch is a foul ball. The at bat will continue on a foul ball just as with all other age groups.
• Bunting is not allowed.
• The Infield Fly Rule will not be applied.
• Runners will not be allowed to advance after a dropped third strike.
• Stealing is not allowed.
• Designated players (DP) will not be allowed.
• Leading off is not allowed. Runners may not leave their base until ball contact with the bat. 
• The pitcher must stay in the pitcher's circle and behind or on the side of the coach until ball contacts the bat. For clarification, draw a line at the 35' mark across entire circle and use that line for the pitcher to stand behind. The pitcher may lineup on either side of the pitching machine.
• Prior to the pitch, the pitching coach must verbalize and check that the defense is in the ready position and ready for play to begin.
• Outfielders must start the play standing on the grass at the edge of the infield. If the infield is cut for baseball create an arc 15 feet behind the bases and the outfielders must start behind that. They can't move until the bat has made contact with the ball.
• Players and runners will stop when:
• A ball that never leaves the infield: Once a fielder has control of the ball the runners should stop at the next base. This encourages the infielder to throw the ball to the appropriate base without the fear of runners advancing to the next base because of an overthrow.
• Ball fielded on the dirt or the arc equals one (1) base per infield hit.
• A ball hit to the outfield:  If no outfielder has control of the ball the runners may continue to advance. Once the outfielder gains control of the ball and throws it toward the infield the runners will stop at the next base. Even if the ball doesn't make it to the "dirt" on the throw, the act of throwing the ball in is the attempt at making the correct play.  Players must stop at the next base.
• Teams will bat the roster.
• Half Innings are complete after 3 outs or 5 runs
• Run ahead rule: 15 after 3, 12 after 4, 8 after 5
• Games will be 5 innings or 65-minute time limit. On double-header nights there will be a no longer than 10-minute break between games. The teams may engage in a kid pitch scrimmage following the completion of the game. This scrimmage must be agreed upon by both head coaches and last no longer than 20 minutes or 1 inning.

Coaches allowed on the field: 

• The defense will have three (3) coaches. One (1) will run the pitching machine.
• The offense will have three (3) coaches. Two (2) will be base coaches. One (1) will assist the catcher with returning balls to the pitching coach.
• The coach assisting the catcher may comment to their batter but should make any comments short and quick in nature.
• The point of the new offensive coach is to move the game along quickly.
• The new offensive coach should wear a glove to protect against foul ball and stay to the back of the batter.
• Coaches are part of the field and are in play and need to make every effort to stay out of the player’s way.
• The coach feeding the pitching machine must keep a maximum of two (2) softballs in his/her possession, and not laying on the ground around the machine.
• Coaches need to operate the game with the highest amount of integrity. At all times keep the kid’s best interest in mind.