Ken Berry League
2011 Fall Ball
Softball Rules
All Divisions:
1. ASA rules will govern play except where listed below. EXCEPTION – KSHSAA rules will govern 18U division
2. Run rule – 15 runs after 3 innings, 10 after 4, 8 after 5.
3. Continuous batting order.
4. No pre-game infield practice.
5. A playable team shall consist of seven (7) players in all divisions.
6. Only one (1) automatic out will be assessed if the number of players falls below nine (9).
7. Each team will furnish one (1) acceptable softball for each game. The ball must be ASA approved .47 optic yellow and leather covered.
8U Division
1. Game length will be six innings (five and one-half if home team is ahead) or one hour and thirty minutes .
2. Base lengths will be 60 feet. Pitching distance will be 30 feet.
3. Each one-half inning is complete after three outs or five (5) runs, whichever occurs first. EXCEPTION: All runs scored by a home run over the fence shall count.
4. A base runner may not lave the base until the ball is hit.
5. The infield fly rule does not apply.
6. No player may pitch more than two (2) innings per game. A player pitching one pitch in any inning constitutes an inning pitched. A pitcher pulled during an inning and remaining on the playing field may return to the pitching position without being charged an additional inning.
7. Runners can only score on a batted ball, a walked or hit batter with the bases full, an awarded base when the ball goes out of play.
8. There is no dropped third strike rule. The batter is out after the third strike and cannot advance to first base.
9. After four balls the batter's coach will pitch one to three pitches to the batter. The number of pitcher is determined by how many strikes the batter has on them when the coach comes out to pitch. If the last pitched ball by the coach is watched or missed, the batter is out. If the batter fouls the last pitch off, they continue their turn until they hit, miss or watch a ball. All playing rules will apply to any hit balls.
10. The coach must be in contact with the pitching rubber and deliver the ball in a manner that is consistent with that of fast pitch softball.
11. When a batter's ball is fielded by an infielder and a throw is attempted before the batter/runner reaches first base, the runner may not advance past first base. The intent of this rule is to encourage throws to first base. Players playing an outfield position are not considered to be an infielder.
12. After a ball has been hit in fair territory, any base runner may advance at their own risk until the ball is in the possession of the pitcher located on the infield side of the base line between each base. The pitcher may not move beyond the base lines toward the outfield to gain possession of the ball. If a base runner is determined by the umpire to be between bases when the ball is in said possession by the pitcher on the infield, that runner may proceed at her own risk to, but not past, the next base. If the runner is played upon she may advance at her own risk if an overthrow occurs.
13. All runners may only advance one base per overthrow.
14. The team in the field will consist of ten players. The tenth player shall be a roving outfielder and shall be stationed outside the infield the same distance from home plate as the other outfielders. Outfielders must be stationed in the grass until the ball is hit.
10U Division
1. Game length will be six innings (five and one-half if home team is ahead) or one hour and thirty minutes .
2. Base lengths will be 60 feet. Pitching distance will be 35 feet.
3. Each one-half inning is complete after three outs or five (5) runs, whichever occurs first. EXCEPTION: All runs scored by a home run over the fence shall count.
4. A base runner may not lead-off base before the ball leaves the pitcher's hand. A base runner is limited to stealing one base at a time. Base runners may steal any base but home. Runners starting at third base may not steal or advance home, but are liable to be put out if they come off the base.
5. The infield fly rule does not apply.
6. Illegal pitches will be called only if the pitch is released illegally.
7. A walked batter or a batter hit by a pitch is limited to first base unless played upon. PENALTY: The runner is out.
8. No player may pitch more than four (4) innings per game. A player pitching one pitch in any inning constitutes an inning pitched. A pitcher pulled during an inning and remaining on the playing field may return to the pitching position without being charged an additional inning.
9. Runners can only score on a batted ball, a walked or hit batter with the bases full, an awarded base when the ball goes out of play, or an awarded base on an illegal pitch.
10. There is no dropped third strike rule. The batter is out after the third strike and cannot advance to first base.
12U Division:
1. Game length will be seven innings (six and one-half if the home team is ahead) or 1 hour and 30 minutes .
2. Base lengths will be 60 feet. Pitching distance will be 40 feet.
3. Each one-half inning is complete after three outs or seven (7) runs, whichever occurs first. EXCEPTION: All runs scored by a home run over the fence shall count.
4. No pitching restrictions.
14U Division:
1. Game length will be seven innings or 1 hour and 30 minutes (six and one-half if the home team is ahead).
2. Base lengths will be 60 feet. Pitching distance will be 40 feet.
3. Each one-half inning is complete after three outs or seven (7) runs, whichever occurs first. All runs scored by a home run over the fence shall count.
4. No pitching restrictions.
18U Division:
KSHSAA Rules will govern all play, except as noted in General Rules and herein
1. Game length will be seven innings or 1 hour and 30 minutes (six and one-half if the home team is ahead).
2. Base length will be 60 feet. Pitching distance will be 43 feet.
3. Each one-half inning is complete after three outs or nine (9) runs, whichever occurs first. EXCEPTION: All runs scored by a home run over the fence shall count.
4. No pitching restrictions.