Softball Brandon House League Rules of Play

Softball Brandon Rules of Play:

Softball Brandon

Special Playing Rules - U5

1.         Practice starts at 6:00 pm

2.         All players must have a glove and well fitting batting helmet (Cage recommended but not required).  Players are also recommended to have their own Bat.

Softball Brandon

Special Playing Rules - U7

3.         Practice starts at 6:30 pm and games will begin at 7:00 pm with no new inning to start after 8:00 pm.  All games to start on time.  Warm-ups to be done before designated start time.

4.         Players will hit off of Tee.  After to mid point in the season, if both coaches agree the tee may be eliminated and coach pitch rules applied to the game.

5.         Coach pitch a maximum of 6 pitches to a batter.  If the ball is not hit after the 6th pitch the player will hit off the tee. (note this rule only applies if it is past the mid point in the season and both coaches agree)

6. Fielding team will provide an adult to back catch during the game.  This person must wear a protective face mask.

3.         Defensive team can have 10 players on the field with 4 in the outfield.

5.         All players will appear on the batting order (whether they are on the field defensively or not); e.g. if 15 players show up for a game, all 15 go on the batter order and bat in turn.

7.         An offensive inning shall consist of every player batting in the batting order regardless of outs.  There is NO substitution rule in effect. Players may be substituted freely. However, the batting order cannot be changed.

9.         The 11 inch ball is the legal ball size for the U7 category and must be soft construction.

12.  Players are required to wear a batting helmet, complete with an approved mask when batting and / or running.

13. Infield mask (Mandatory for pitchers, Highly recommended for infielders)

14.  Softball Manitoba injury rule will not be in effect. If a player is injured, they will be allowed to return and there will be no automatic out in their absence.

15.  Coaches are allowed on the diamond during the game to help direct play and provide immediate feedback.

16.  No stealing bases at any time.

Softball Brandon

Special Playing Rules - U9

1. Practice starts at 6:00 pm and games will begin at 7:00 pm with no new inning to start after 8:00 pm.  All games to start on time.  Warm-ups to be done before designated start time.

2.         Coach pitch a maximum of 6 pitches to a batter.  If the ball is not hit after the 6th pitch the player will hit off the tee.

3. The pitching team will provide an adult to back catch during the game.  This person must wear a protective face mask.

6.         Defensive team can have 10 players on the field with 4 in the outfield.

7.         All players will appear on the batting order (whether they are on the field defensively or not); e.g. if 15 players show up for a game, all 15 go on the batter order and bat in turn.

13.  An offensive inning shall consist of every player batting in the batting order regardless of outs.  There is NO substitution rule in effect. Players may be substituted freely. However, the batting order cannot be changed.

14.  The 11 inch ball is the legal ball size for the U8 category and must be soft construction.

15.  Players are required to wear a batting helmet, complete with an approved mask when batting and / or running.

16. Infield mask (Mandatory for pitchers, Highly recommended for infielders)

17.  Softball Manitoba injury rule will not be in effect. If a player is injured, they will be allowed to return and there will be no automatic out in their absence.

18.  Coaches are allowed on the diamond during the game to help direct play and provide immediate feedback.

19.  No stealing bases at any time.

Softball Brandon

Special Playing Rules - U11

1. Practice starts at 6:00 pm and games will begin at 7:00 pm with no new inning to start after 8:00 pm.  All games to start on time.  Warm-ups to be done before designated start time.

2.         Once a batter reaches (4) balls in the count, the batter will receive the number of soft toss pitches to continue the strike count when 4 balls was reached. (Example: the count was 4 balls, 1 strike, the batter would receiver 2 soft tosses). Every soft toss thrown will be considered a strike. On a soft toss hit, the hitter may advance to 1st base only. Runners on base may advance a maximum of 2 bases on a soft toss hit.

3.         Soft Toss by the coach will be done with the coach to the side and slightly in front of the batter and in foul territory. The coach will toss the ball into the batter’s normal hitting zone. The catcher will position themselves behind the batter.

8.         Defensive team can have 10 players on the field with 4 in the outfield.

4.         The “Infield Fly Rule” is NOT in effect.

5.         All players will appear on the batting order (whether they are on the field defensively or not); e.g. if 15 players show up for a game, all 15 go on the batter order and bat in turn.

6.         An offensive inning shall have a maximum of four (4) runs per inning or three (3) outs, whichever comes first.

7.         There is NO substitution rule in effect. Players may be substituted freely. However, the batting order cannot be changed.

8.         Pitching Distance - 35 Feet. Baselines - 45 feet

9.         NEW Softball Canada Pitching rules are in effect.  Refer to Softball Canada 2022 rule changes.

10. Official ball to be used in all games will be the 11’’ Worth Red Dot softball. (Hard Construction)

10.  On a dropped third strike, the batter is out and the ball is live (runners may advance at the risk of being put out).

11.  Pitchers cannot pitch more than two (2) innings in a game. One pitch (legal or illegal) thrown in an inning shall count as an inning pitched.

12.  Players are required to wear a batting helmet, complete with an approved mask when batting and / or running.

13. Infield mask (Mandatory for pitchers, Highly recommended for infielders)

14.  Softball Manitoba injury rule will not be in effect. If a player is injured, they will be allowed to return and there will be no automatic out in their absence.

15.  The U11 Category only will use a larger home plate. (Physical plate will not be put down, however strike zone will be larger)

16.  Coaches are allowed on the diamond during the game to help direct play and provide immediate feedback.

17.  Stealing bases (2nd & 3rd) is allowed at all times when the ball is live. Stealing multiple bases is allowed.  Stealing Home is prohibited. Runners may advance Home only on a hit ball.

18.  Pitchers Masks - it is mandatory for all pitchers to wear a certified face protector. (SB will provide each team with one).

Softball Brandon

Special Playing Rules - U13

SOUTH WEST LEAGUE GENERAL RULES

• Games start at 6:30 p.m. Warm ups, including infield, are to be completed before start time.
• Due to registration numbers, teams can play with 7 players, without penalty (this is normally 8). Teams with additional players are free to provide players to the opposition.
• For each game, the home team will provide the score to the league president (Bob Birch 204-304-0868).
• Teams will keep track of their record for the season.
• As of 2022, Softball Canada Pitching rules are in effect. i.e. one foot on the rubber, crow hop  
  ??Refer to Softball Canada 2022 rule changes.
• The substitution rule does not apply. Players may be substituted freely without penalty. All eligible players shall be listed on the line-up and shall bat in the order shown.
• When batting or running, players are required to wear a helmet, with an approved mask.
• All players playing an infield position must wear a face mask in U9, U11, U13, & U15. Masks are recommended for U17/U19. Note: This rule applies to teams from the Southwest League. Teams from Brandon will follow Softball Brandon policy.
• Pitchers in the U17 and below categories are required to wear a protective face mask.
• Players may choose to wear metal cleats beginning in the U15 age category.

U13 Specific Rules

1. Official Ball: Rawlings Rawlings 12” Red Dot PX12RYLC
2. Base Distance: 55’
3. Pitching Distance: 38’
4. As of 2022, Softball Canada Pitching rules are in effect (i.e. one foot on the rubber, crow hop). Refer to Softball Canada 2022 rule changes.
5. Games are 5 innings or 90 minutes. No new inning to start after 80 minutes.
6. The offensive team can score a maximum of 6 runs per inning, including the last inning (no open inning).
7. Pitchers can’t pitch more than three (3) innings in a game. One pitch (legal or illegal) thrown in an inning shall count as an inning pitched
8. Stealing bases, including home, is allowed at all times when the ball is live
9. The dropped third strike rule shall not apply. The batter is out. Base runners may advance at their own risk with liability to be put out.
10. The Infield Fly Rule is in effect.
11. When batting or running, players are required to wear a helmet, with an approved mask.
12. When playing the infield, including pitching, players must wear a fielding mask.
13. The substitution rule does not apply. Players may be substituted freely, however, the batting order cannot be changed.
14. Softball Manitoba injury rule will not be in effect. If a player is injured, they will be allowed to return and there will be no automatic out in their absence.

Softball Brandon

SPECIAL PLAYING RULES - U15

SOUTH WEST LEAGUE GENERAL RULES

• Games start at 6:30 p.m. Warm ups, including infield, are to be completed before start time.
• Due to registration numbers, teams can play with 7 players, without penalty (this is normally 8). Teams with additional players are free to provide players to the opposition.
• For each game, the home team will provide the score to the league president (Bob Birch 204-304-0868).
• Teams will keep track of their record for the season.
• As of 2022, Softball Canada Pitching rules are in effect. i.e. one foot on the rubber, crow hop  
  ??Refer to Softball Canada 2022 rule changes.
• The substitution rule does not apply. Players may be substituted freely without penalty. All eligible players shall be listed on the line-up and shall bat in the order shown.
• When batting or running, players are required to wear a helmet, with an approved mask.
• All players playing an infield position must wear a face mask in U9, U11, U13, & U15. Masks are recommended for U17/U19. Note: This rule applies to teams from the Southwest League. Teams from Brandon will follow Softball Brandon policy.
• Pitchers in the U17 and below categories are required to wear a protective face mask.
• Players may choose to wear metal cleats beginning in the U15 age category.

U15 Specific Rules

1. Official Ball: Rawlings Rawlings 12” Red Dot PX12RYLC
2. Base Distance: 60’
3. Pitching Distance: 40’
4. As of 2022, Softball Canada Pitching rules are in effect (i.e. one foot on the rubber, crow hop). Refer to Softball Canada 2022 rule changes.
5. Games are 5 innings or 90 minutes. No new inning to start after 80 minutes.
6. The offensive team can score a maximum of 6 runs per inning, including the last inning (no open inning).
7. Pitchers can’t pitch more than three (3) innings in a game. One pitch (legal or illegal) thrown in an inning shall count as an inning pitched.
8. All players are in the batting line-up and unlimited substitutions are allowed (subject only to the pitching limitations).
9. Stealing bases, including home, is allowed at all times when the ball is live.
10. The Third Strike Rule is in effect. As per the 2022-23 rulebook (5.1.44): When the catcher fails to catch the third strike before the ball touches the ground and: a) there are less than two outs and first base is unoccupied; or b) there are two outs.
11. The Infield Fly Rule is in effect.
12. When batting or running, players are required to wear a helmet, with an approved mask.
13. When playing the infield, including pitching, players must wear a fielding mask.
14. The substitution rule does not apply. Players may be substituted freely, however, the batting order cannot be changed.
15. Softball Manitoba injury rule will not be in effect. If a player is injured, they will be allowed to return and there will be no automatic out in their absence.

Softball Brandon

SPECIAL PLAYING RULES - U17/U19

SOUTH WEST LEAGUE GENERAL RULES

• Games start at 6:30 p.m. Warm ups, including infield, are to be completed before start time.
• Due to registration numbers, teams can play with 7 players, without penalty (this is normally 8). Teams with additional players are free to provide players to the opposition.
• For each game, the home team will provide the score to the league president (Bob Birch 204-304-0868).
• Teams will keep track of their record for the season.
• As of 2022, Softball Canada Pitching rules are in effect. i.e. one foot on the rubber, crow hop  
  ??Refer to Softball Canada 2022 rule changes.
• The substitution rule does not apply. Players may be substituted freely without penalty. All eligible players shall be listed on the line-up and shall bat in the order shown.
• When batting or running, players are required to wear a helmet, with an approved mask.
• All players playing an infield position must wear a face mask in U9, U11, U13, & U15. Masks are recommended for U17/U19. Note: This rule applies to teams from the Southwest League. Teams from Brandon will follow Softball Brandon policy.
• Pitchers in the U17 and below categories are required to wear a protective face mask.
• Players may choose to wear metal cleats beginning in the U15 age category.

U17/U19 Specific Rules 

1. Official Ball: Rawlings Rawlings 12” Red Dot PX12RYLC
2. Base Distance: 60’
3. Pitching Distance: 43’
4. As of 2022, Softball Canada Pitching rules are in effect (i.e. one foot on the rubber, crow hop). Refer to Softball Canada 2022 rule changes.
5. Games are 7 innings.
6. The offensive team can score a maximum of 6 runs per inning, including the last inning (no open inning). Note: At provincials, all innings are played open.
7. Pitchers can pitch an unlimited number of innings in a game.
8. All players are in the batting line-up and unlimited substitutions are allowed (subject only to the pitching limitations).
9. Stealing bases, including home, is allowed at all times when the ball is live.
10. Third Strike Rule is in effect. As per the 2022-23 rulebook (5.1.44): When the catcher fails to catch the third strike before the ball touches the ground and: a) there are less than two outs and first base is unoccupied; or b) there are two outs.
11. The Infield Fly Rule is in effect.
12. When batting or running, players are required to wear a helmet, with an approved mask.
13. Wearing a fielding mask is recommended for infielders and pitchers.
14. The substitution rule does not apply. Players may be substituted freely, however, the batting order cannot be changed.
15. Softball Manitoba injury rule will not be in effect. If a player is injured, they will be allowed to return and there will be no automatic out in their absence.