League Rules

LEAGUE RULES

NO SPECIAL PARK RULES APPLY
(amended JANuary 18, 2017)

General playing rules that apply to all age groups. These are 31 North specific and are for
the benefit and safety or our girls.

  1.  Bat your entire roster.
  2.  All players must play at least 6 defensive outs. This applies to all age groups. FREE SUBSTITUTION.
  3.  One defensive time out per pitcher per inning. One offensive timeout per inning.
  4.  All age groups, with the exception of 6U, will play by the USSSA Mercy Rule.
    A. 12 runs after the 3rd inning
    B. 10 runs after the 4th inning
    C. 8 runs after the 5th inning
  5.  NO INFIELD WARMUP: Be ready to play at game time.
  6.  No inning is to start after game time has expired. Last out of an inning ends that inning and begins the next.
  7.  TIE GAME: In the event of a tie, play one extra inning using the International Tiebreaker. The last batter who completed her turn at bat will be placed at 2ND base. If after that inning the score remains tied, the game is over.
  8.  BORROWING RULE: For some unforeseen circumstances you may begin a game with 8 players but until the 9th player enters the game, the 9th batting position will be an out. Borrowed players should be of equal playing ability and must bat last and play right field. A team can borrow no more than 2 players to make 8 or 9 players. You cannot borrow to make 10 players.
  9.  If a team starts game with 8 players, that team is not charged an out for the 9th or
    10th batting position
  10.  On deck batter must stand behind the batter regardless of dug out.
  11.  FACEMASK: Batting helmets must have a facemask. This applies to all 31 North players. Facemask and helmet must be NOCSAE approved.
  12.  INJURED PLAYER: Any player that becomes injured or sick may leave the game with no penalty. Simply notify all scorekeepers and umpires to remove the player from the line up.
  13.  Umpires have the final decision in all field related matters. This refers to the umpire on the field calling the game. Coaches may not argue balls and strikes. If there is an obvious rule clarification, especially a 31 North rule, the coach may ask for an interpretation from the league director or board member. But there will be no unruly arguing on the field. This sets a poor example to your players which will cost you in the long run.
  14.  Umpires have the right to give warnings to coaches, players and spectators for unruly behavior such as poor sportsmanship or harassing remarks to players.
  15.  NO PROFANITY! Coaches and players get one warning. After this warning, they will be asked to leave the field. The umpire, at his discretion, may ask you to leave the field immediately.

Please remember that not only are you representing yourself, you are also representing your child, your park and your community.

 

6 AND UNDER

For any rules that are not addressed by the 31 North rule sheet, please see the USSSA Fastpitch 6U rules.

  1.   No individual park rules will be recognized.
  2.   10” USSSA sanctioned ball will be used.
  3.   Each team is allowed 4 coaches. Offensive coaches are 2 base coaches, 1 dugout coach, 1 pitching. Defensive coaches – 2 coaches are allowed to stand in the coach’s box. Others should be out of field of play.
  4.   Coach pitcher will pitch from 30 feet. Any batted ball hitting the coach pitcher shall result in a dead ball and no pitch. Any attempt to interfere with the defensive play will result in the batter being out and no runners advancing.
  5.   OFFENSE: 10th Batter Rule. Each team shall have the same number of maximum batters. For example, Team A has 11 players and Team B has 8 players present. The maximum number of batters for this game is 10. Team B would bat 2 batters twice. An inning shall end when: A. The 10th batter strikes out. B. The defensive team gets the third out. C. A defensive player touches home plate while in possession of the ball after the ball is put into play by the 10th batter. No team shall bat more than 10 batters in each inning. There are not automatically 2 outs when the 10th batter comes to the plate.
  6.   Play stops when a defensive player has control of the ball in the circle or time is called in front of the lead runner.
  7.   The hit ball must get to or pass the 10’ arc in front of the plate to be a fair ball. This only applies to balls hit off the tee. All balls hit off the coach pitcher are fair balls as long as they are in fair territory. NO BUNTING.
  8.   1 hour and 15 minute time limit or five innings. Three innings is a complete game if stopped due to weather. USSSA mercy rule: 21 after third inning, 11 after fourth inning.
  9.   5 year old players and under will be allowed to hit off a tee after 3 unsuccessful attempts to hit a coach pitched ball. That player will them have 2 attempts to put a ball into play off the tee. Once a player receives the 4th pitch from the coach the tee is no longer allowed during that at bat. Failure to put the ball into play (foul or miss) on the 2nd attempt off of the tee will be an out. The use of a tee for these players will be allowed until the midway point of the season. After that, all batters will receive 5 pitched balls from the coach. Foul balls on the 5th pitch from the coach will not be an out. No balls and strikes will be called.
  10. On defense a team is allowed to have up to 10 defensive players on the field at one time. 6 are allowed in the infield (this includes pitcher and catcher) and 4 outfielders. Outfielders must remain 10 feet behind the base line until the ball is hit.
  11.   If using a catcher, the catcher must have at least a catcher’s helmet and chest protector on and must be behind the plate within a 10 foot radius.
  12.   OVERTHROW RULE APPLIES TO FIRST BASE. (See USSSA 6U rules)
  13.   Free substitution. All girls must play a minimum of 6 defensive outs. Bat your entire roster.
  14.   No rolling the ball.

 

8 AND UNDER

For any rules that are not addressed by the 31 North rule sheet, please see the USSSA
Fastpitch 8U rules.

  1.   No individual park rules will be recognized.
  2.   Coach pitch only. Coach pitcher will pitch from 35 feet.
  3.   11” ball 47 core
  4.   Base runners cannot leave the base until the pitched ball reaches the plate.
  5.   No infield fly rule.
  6.   OFFENSE: Bat your roster. Inning is complete with 3 outs or a maximum of 7 runs.
  7.   NO BUNTING
  8.   Play is stopped on a batted ball once the progress of the lead runner is stopped.
  9.   No rolling the ball. If done each runner gets one base.
  10.   The batter will get 5 pitches or 3 strikes. A foul ball on the 5th attempt is not an out.
  11.   NO COACHING FROM THE CIRCLE ONCE THE BALL HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM THE COACH PITCHER’S HAND – Coach pitcher must attempt to leave the field and pick up the batters bat. Any attempt to interfere with the defensive play will result in the batter being out and no runners advancing. Any batted ball hitting the coach pitcher shall result in a dead ball and no pitch. The player-pitcher shall stand with both feet inside the 8 ft. radius circle at least 6 feet behind the coach-pitcher.
  12.   Game time is 1 hour and 15 minutes or 6 innings with 4 innings being a complete game if the game is stopped due to weather. The next inning is considered started as soon as the last out is made in an inning.
  13.   Maximum 10 players on defense. Outfielders must remain 10 feet behind the baseline until the ball is hit.

10 AND UNDER

For any rules that are not addressed by the 31 North rule sheet, please see the USSSA Fastpitch 10U rules.

  1.   No individual park rules will be recognized.
  2.   GAME TIME – 1 hour and 15 minutes or 6 innings, with 4 innings being a complete game if the game is stopped due to weather. No inning shall start after time expires. The next inning is considered started as soon as the last out is made in an inning.
  3.   The pitching distance will be 35 feet.
  4.   11” ball 47 core
  5.   Play stops with ball inside the circle under control of the pitcher and the umpire has to acknowledge time. Players cannot call time. Remember when the pitcher has the ball in the circle the runner must advance or return to base or the hesitation rule can be called and the runner will be out. See the Look Back Rule in the USSSA rule book.
  6.   OFFENSE – Bat your roster. Inning is complete with 3 outs or a maximum of 7 runs.
  7.   Maximum 10 players on defense.
  8.   There will be an 8 foot radius circle around the pitching rubber.
  9.   Free substitution. All girls must play a minimum of 6 defensive outs.

 

12 AND UNDER

For any rules that are not addressed by the 31 North rule sheet, please see the USSSA Fastpitch 12U rules.

  1.   No individual park rules will be recognized.
  2.   GAME TIME – 1 hour and 15 minutes or 7 innings, with 4 innings being a complete game if the game is stopped due to weather. No inning shall start after time expires. The next inning is considered started as soon as the last out is made in an inning.
  3.   The pitching distance will be 40 feet.
  4.   12” ball 47 core
  5.  Play stops with ball inside the circle under control of the pitcher and the umpire has to acknowledge time. Players cannot call time. Remember when the pitcher has the ball in the circle the runner must advance or return to base or the hesitation rule can be called and the runner will be out. See the Look Back Rule in the USSSA rule book.
  6.   OFFENSE – Bat your roster. Inning is complete with 3 outs or a maximum of 7 runs.
  7.   Maximum 10 players on defense.
  8.   There will be an 8 foot radius circle around the pitching rubber.
  9.   Free substitution. All girls must play a minimum of 6 defensive outs.