PLW - League Rules

Guidelines:

• There are eight teams in the league in 2024 (3 from Lodi, 3 from Poynette, 2 from Windsor).
• Each team will play 14 games - home & away against each team.
• Games will be scheduled on Mondays & Wednesdays, starting on June 2nd and running through July 16th.
• Makeup games will be at the discretion of the teams.
• Teams should abide by the rules listed below.

Rules:

1. Ball - a regular 11" softball is used (not a soft softball)
2. Bases - 60' between bases. A double first base is recommended.
3. Pitcher's plate - 35' from home plate. Girl playing the pitcher position must start each play within 5' of the pitcher's plate.
4. Game Length - Time limit for a game will be 80 minutes, with no new inning starting after 70 minutes.
5. Scoring - There will be no scores kept in games and no official standings for the PLW U8 league.
6. Players - Teams can play with 4 outfielders if they want to, for a total of 10 players on defense. All girls present will bat in the lineup. Each player can only play the same position for a maximum of two innings. If one team is short on players they can "borrow" girls from the other team to play defense, starting with the girls who made last outs in the previous inning. But all girls will always bat for their own team.
7. Catcher position - Each team will have a girl playing the catcher position, but should also have a coach/adult behind the catcher at the backstop to retrieve pitches and throw back to the pitcher to keep the game moving.
8. Pitching - Coach Pitch - Coaches will pitch to their own batters and the coach does not need to stand on the 35' pitcher's plate. The coach can move closer as needed to throw strikes.
9. Pitches - There will be no walks and a player does not take first base if hit by a pitch. A batter must hit or strike out, and will get a maximum of 5 pitches. If the 5th pitch is a foul ball they will get one more pitch.
10. End of Inning - An inning is over when a team gets three outs or five runs have

scored, whichever happens first.

1. Advancing Bases - Players stop advancing when the ball is in the possession of an infielder standing in the infield.
2. Overthrows - A runner may not advance on an overthrow.
3. Leading Off/Stealing - A baserunner may not lead off until after the ball crosses home plate and must return to the base between pitches. No stealing allowed.
4. Bunting - No bunting, slapping, or slashing is allowed.
5. Infield Fly Rule - There is no Infield Fly Rule.
6. Helmets - Batting helmets must be worn in the on-deck circle, while batting, while baserunning, and kept on until player exits the playing field. A facemask on the batting helmet is strongly encouraged.
7. Cleats - No metal cleats allowed.
8. Defensive masks - Defensive masks are strongly encouraged for all players.
9. Umpires - There are no umpires. The coach/pitcher for that half inning will act as the umpire.
10. Coaches Pregame Meeting - Before each game there should be a meeting between both coaches to go over the game rules and ground rules.
11. Rain outs - If a game is rained out, the coaches can determine if they would like to reschedule the game; but they are not required to.
12. Sportsmanship - All players, coaches, parents and fans are expected to treat one another with respect. It will be the responsibility of the coach to control his/her players, parents, and fans and put a stop to unacceptable behavior.

Have fun!