Divisions and Rules
General Rules for FRS Softball
- The length of time for games is as follows:
- 6U 55 min
- 8U 55 min
- 10U 70 min
- 12U 70 min
- 15U 70 min
- JV/Varsity 75min
- Games will start at the scheduled time. There is no grace period. Clock starts when the defense takes the field. Late arriving players can be added to the batting order and participate in the game as long as the player is placed in the batting order before a player bats for the second time. Once a team has gone through the entire batting order and started over again it is too late to add a player. If you want to place a player’s name in the batting order who has not arrived you may do so, but if she has not arrived when she is reached in the order you must take an out for that player or remove her from the batting order.
- If timeout is called with 5 minutes or less in the game, the clock stops. The clock will stop if a team changes pitchers or catchers with 5 minutes or less left in the game.
- Infield Face Masks are required for age groups 6U through 12U. No exceptions to the rule will be made as this is for the safety of the girls.
- You may take whichever dugout you prefer if you are the first one to claim it.
- Games can end in a tie. If at the end of the season one or more teams are tied for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place tie breaker procedures are used to determine placement. Standings are the first factor, head to head is the second factor, and if the teams are still tied with both of those, lowest runs allowed/against is the third and final factor to determine a tie breaker standing.
- Rain-outs will be announced by the City through our various communication channels. The status of all games will be determined by 3 p.m. on the day of the game.
- Our goal is to try to have rained-out games rescheduled and played within one week of the original date, subject to field availability and conflicts. We have too many teams to pass up an open field.
- Teams must have a minimum of 8 players to play unless both teams decide to play with less than 8 players. If a team plays with 8, that team will have to take an out for the ninth player. If both teams only have 8 players, then there is no automatic out. The opposing coach may waive the right to take the out if the team they are playing only has 8 (or 9 in 6U & 8U). We prefer to have games played, not forfeited.
- Pick-up players can be used to get to 9 players in 10U, 12U, and 15U and 10 players is 4U,6U, and 8U but must registered players and must wear their team uniform. The opposing coach must be advised that pick-up players are participating. Pick-up players may only pick up in the division that they are registered for or above. EXAMPLE: A 12U registered player may not pick up with a 10U team even if they are age eligible. Pick-up players must play in the outfield and bat last in the order. A maximum of 3 pickup players can be used.
- FRS will provide all game balls to coaches before the season begins.
- Coaches and equipment must remain in the dugout at all times unless your team is batting and you are a pitching coach, 1st base coach, or 3rd base coach. You are not allowed to sit on a bucket outside of the dugout. A coach who is supposed to be in the dugout may not come out of the dugout to talk to a player or for any other reason (except to pick up a bat) without requesting “time-out” from the umpire.
- Arguing with an umpire is not tolerated. Discussions with the umpire are allowed.
- All players who are present at the game will remain in the batting order throughout the entire game whether they are playing defense or not. You make one batting order for each game and it stays the same throughout the entire game. This keeps all players “in the game” for the entire game. Since there are no changes to the batting order, substitutions on defense do not need to go through the umpires. All players should play on defense a minimum of 2 innings if time/innings allow, subject to disciplinary issues.
- Make sure your players’ bats are National Championship Sports (NCS) approved.
- All coaches (head and assistant) will have a background through NCS.
6U Coach Pitch Rules and Regulations
- The pitching coach must remain by the pitcher at all times. It is the pitching coach’s responsibility to remain out of the way of any plays in the infield. Interference will be called on the coach-pitcher when warranted. The pitching coach must kneel down when the ball is put in play to stay out of the way. Failure to do so may result in an "interference" call at the umpire's discretion.
- Coach-pitchers are allowed to talk to the batter.
- Each team’s coach will pitch to his/her own players from the 25’ pitching mark. There will not be a pitching rubber. The 25' pitching mark will be designated by a chalk line. Both feet of the pitching coast must be on or behind the 25' mark when the pitch is started.
- Each batter will be allowed 5 pitches total. The batter may swing at all 5 pitches. If on the 5th pitch the batter does not make contact with the ball, the batter is out. On the 5th pitch, unlimited fouls are allowed.
- There are no walks.
- If the ball strikes the pitching coach, the umpire will call “dead ball” and runners will return to previous base and the batter will redo that pitch.
- Play is stopped when the pitcher has control of the ball inside the pitcher’s circle. VTD rules apply to base running and each runner is at risk of being put out if they continue to advance. We do not use the “half way mark". If a runner is advancing to the next base when the pitcher has control of the ball in the circle, she may be advance to the next base at her own risk. The “look-back rule” applies.
- Defensive player, playing pitcher CAN be inside the circle, but must play behind the coach pitching.
- Run Rule's will be enforced - 12 run lead after 3 innings, 10 run lead after 4 innings, 8 run lead after 5 innings.
- Ten players play defense. However, a team can play with just 9 players (if only 9 are present) without receiving an out for the tenth player.
- Lead-offs are allowed when the ball leaves the pitching coaches hand. A runner who leaves the base prior to the ball leaving the coach-pitcher's hand is subject to being called out. A runner who leads off is at risk of being put out by the defense, but may not steal even if the defense attempts to get the runner out. No steals are allowed in 6U.
- The game ball is an 11" optic-yellow safety ball.
- Base runners will be allowed to advance one base (i.e., the next base) on an overthrown ball by the defense, at the risk of being put out. For example, if a defensive player makes a throw to first base which is not caught by the 1st base player, the batter/runner may attempt to advance to 2nd base. The base runner may not advance beyond 2nd base unless another throw is made to attempt to get the base runner out or until the ball is put into play by a subsequent batter. A base runner may advance to home on an overthrown ball if home plate is the next base for that base runner.
- The defense is allowed to have one coach on the field while the team is playing defense to give direction to the defense. The defense coach must stand and stay behind second base in the grass. The coach is not allowed to move around. If a hit ball strikes the defense coach in the field it will be a dead ball, the batter will be awarded 2nd base, and that team will not be allowed to have a defense coach on the playing field for the remainder of that game.
- Bases will be set at 50 feet.
8U Coach Pitch Rules and Regulations
- Coach-pitchers are NOT allowed to talk to the batter.
- The pitching coach must remain inside the circle to pitch. It is the pitching coach’s responsibility to remain out of the way of any plays in the infield (ie. Ducking for a throw from 3rd to 1st base)
- Each batter will be allowed 5 pitches total, and only 3 strikes. If on the 5th pitch the batter does not make contact with the ball, the batter is out. On the 5th pitch, unlimited fouls are allowed.
- There are no walks.
- If the ball strikes the pitching coach and if the umpire feels it was unintentional then the batter/runner is allowed to bat again and no one advances.
- Play is stopped when the pitcher has control of the ball inside the pitcher’s circle. VTD rules apply to base running and each runner is at risk of being put out if they continue to advance. We do not use the “half way mark. If a runner is advancing to the next base when the pitcher has control of the ball in the circle, she may be advance to the next base at her own risk. The “look-back rule” applies.
- Defensive player, playing pitcher CAN be inside the circle, but must play even with or behind the pitching rubber.
- Run Rule's will be enforced - 12 run lead after 3 innings, 10 run lead after 4 innings, 8 run lead after 5 innings.
- Ten players play defense. However, a team can play with just 9 players (if only 9 are present) without receiving an out for the tenth player.
- Lead-offs are allowed when the ball leaves the pitching coaches hand. Player is not allowed to steal.
- The game ball is an 11" optic-yellow, VTD approved, leather-covered, .47 core ball.
10U and Regulations
- Field Dimensions:
- Bases at 60'
- Pitching Distance at 35'
- Batting:
- There will be no dropped third strike.
- "Slap-hitting" will be allowed
- Infield Fly rule WILL be in effect for 10u
- Baserunning:
- Lead offs are allowed after the ball leaves the pitcher's hand. Leaving early will result in an out. Runners with a lead must go back to the base when the ball is controlled in the circle.
- The sealing of 2nd and 3rd base is allowed (one base at a time) only upon the ball leaving the hand of the player/pitcher. (On a non-batted ball and runners on 1st or 1st and 2nd, if a throw is made to a base where the lead runner is leading off, the runner is free to advance on a steal to the next base. (If runners are on 1st and 3rd, a throw goes to first base, only the runner on first may steal.) If a catcher throws to the base that a runner would reach next, no steal may occur by any runner and the ball is ruled dead. If a catcher/fielder runs at the runner, the runner must go back towards the base from which she came and can be tagged out. Only if a throw is made towards the base from whcih the runner came from, may a steal occur. No running on an overthrow from a steal. No stealing third with a runner already on third. If this occurs and a throw is made to third, the play is dead and the runners return. If the pitched ball is hit, the play continues.
- A runner may steal home. She may advance home if an attempt is made at 3rd to pick her off and she started the at bat on third base. A runner that start's the at bat on second base may advance only as far as third base, even if there is a throw to third base which rolls into the outfield, she may not go home.
- On a batted ball, the base runners may advance on overthrown balls at her own risk until the ball is returned to the pitcher and they have possession in the circle. Once possession is had in the circle, the runner gets the base they are going to if no play is made. If a play is made, the runner may continue until the ball is returned to the pitcher in the circle.
- Courtesy runners for pitcher and catcher of record are allowed with 2 outs. Courtesy runner must be the last batted out.
- Equipment
- The game ball is an 11" optic-yellow, VTD approved, leather-covered, .47 core ball.
- Additional rules:
- Games are 70 minutes
- 5 run limit per half inning
- All batters must wear helmets with face masks. Chin straps encouraged but not required.
- Outfield players may not begin approach until ball is hit by the batter or thrown by the catcher.
- All teams bat their roster and all players must bat in order. Any deviations will be considered outs.
12U Rules and Regulations
- Field Dimensions:
- Bases at 60'
- Pitching Distance at 40’
- Batting:
- There will be dropped third strike.
- "Slap-hitting" will be allowed
- Infield Fly rule WILL be in effect for
- Baserunning:
- Lead offs are allowed after the ball leaves the pitcher's hand. Leaving early will result in an out. Runners with a lead must go back to the base when the ball is controlled in the circle.
- The sealing will be allowed once the ball leaves the pitchers hand.
- A runner may steal home.
- On a batted ball, the base runners may advance on overthrown balls at her own risk until the ball is returned to the pitcher and they have possession in the circle. Once possession is had in the circle, the runner gets the base they are going to if no play is made. If a play is made, the runner may continue until the ball is returned to the pitcher in the circle.
- Courtesy runners for pitcher and catcher only
- Equipment
- The game ball is an 12" optic-yellow, VTD approved, leather-covered, .47 core ball.
- Additional rules:
- Games are 70 minutes
- 6 run limit per half inning
- All batters must wear helmets with face masks. Chin straps encouraged but not required.
- Outfield players may not begin approach until ball is hit by the batter or thrown by the catcher.
All teams bat their roster and all players must bat in order. Any deviations will be considered outs.
14U Rules and Regulations
- Field Dimensions:
- Bases at 60'
- Pitching Distance at 43’
- Batting:
- There will be dropped third strike.
- "Slap-hitting" will be allowed.
- Infield Fly rule WILL be in effect for
- Baserunning:
- Lead offs are allowed after the ball leaves the pitcher's hand. Leaving early will result in an out. Runners with a lead must go back to the base when the ball is controlled in the circle.
- The sealing will be allowed once the ball leaves the pitchers hand.
- A runner may steal home.
- On a batted ball, the base runners may advance on overthrown balls at her own risk until the ball is returned to the pitcher and they have possession in the circle. Once possession is had in the circle, the runner gets the base they are going to if no play is made. If a play is made, the runner may continue until the ball is returned to the pitcher in the circle.
- Courtesy runners for pitcher and catcher only
- Equipment
- The game ball is an 12" optic-yellow, VTD approved, leather-covered, .47 core ball.
- Additional rules:
- Games are 70 minutes.
- 6 run limit per half inning
- All batters must wear helmets with face masks. Chin straps encouraged but not required.
- Outfield players may not begin approach until ball is hit by the batter or thrown by the catcher.
All teams bat their roster and all players must bat in order. Any deviations will be considered outs.