12.8U.0   CGSA League Rules for 8U - Coach Pitch

12.8U.1   The 8U league will play one hour and fifteen minutes or 6 innings, whichever comes first.  In case of a rainout, an official game will be 3 innings or 45 minutes.

12.8U.2   See Rule 13.8U.9 on pitching distance and bases 60 feet.

12.8U.3   An eleven inch (11”), Incrediball Soft Touch ball or similar approved by the CGSA will be used.

12.8U.4   Runners can advance only on a hit.  Runners may not steal any base on a passed ball to the catcher or an overthrow to the pitcher. 

12.8U.5   Runners must remain in contact with the base until the ball is hit.  A warning will be issued to the team for taking a lead off of bases.  Subsequent infractions will result in the runner being called out.

12.8U.6   Ten defensive players are allowed, four of which must be outfielders. All outfielders must stand on the outfield grass (or at least ten feet behind the base path if no grass demarcation is applicable) at the start of the pitch.

12.8U.7   Infield fly rule will not be used.

12.8U.8   All players will bat in the lineup. Continuous batting order will apply.

12.8U.9   The pitcher may be any of the coaches for the batting team and may be changed at-will. The coach may pitch anywhere in the pitcher's circle in a straight line between home plate and the pitcher's rubber.  The player defensive pitcher must stand in the circle even with or behind the adult pitcher during the start of each pitch.

12.8U.10   A batter becomes a batter-runner only if a ball is hit fair.  A maximum of five pitches are thrown unless the last pitch is fouled in which case the batter continues her at-bat.

12.8U.11   The offensive coach must not interfere with play when a ball is hit fair.  When a ball is hit fair, the offensive pitching coach should either clear the infield or remain as unobtrusive as possible.  If the offensive coach intentionally interferes with a fielder attempting to field the ball or intentionally fields the ball or touches the ball, the ball will be called dead and the batter will be out.

12.8U.12   If a batted ball hits the offensive coach unintentionally, the ball is live.

12.8U.13   The umpire should call time whenever a player has thrown the ball to the proper base to make a play on a base runner, whether the infielder catches the thrown ball or not.   Play should be considered stopped after the play.  The hitter may not advance on an overthrow.  The other base runner(s) cannot advance if they are not past the midpoint between bases.  Runners are still at risk to be put out until the umpire has indicated that play has stopped.

The umpire should also call time when a ball is thrown from the outfield to an appropriate base to make a play on a runner or to or through the pitcher's circle (the pitcher does not have to control the ball in the circle.)

EXAMPLE:  If a ball is hit to left field with no one on base and the left fielder throws the ball to third base before the hitter reaches 1st base and an overthrow occurs, the hitter may still advance to 2nd base.  Play only stops when a play is made on a base runner or the ball makes it to or through the pitcher's circle.  (The pitcher does not have to control the ball in the circle.)

12.8U.14   Games may be played with whatever number of girls are present.  There will be no automatic outs if less than nine players are present.   Coaches are encouraged to borrow girls from a CGSA 6U team to obtain ten players.

12.8U.15   A five run rule per inning will apply.

12.8U.16   Two defensive coaches will be allowed in the outfield during defensive play.  One coach will be allowed to stand behind the catcher and help her retrieve the ball and return it to the pitcher to speed up the game.