North Central Softball League

2024 schedule now posted 

Team that wins must email scores

to northcentralsoftball@yahoo.com

North Central Softball League

 

 

Rules:

 

Age Groups (according to year of birth) as follows:

 

U20- 2005-2006-2007

 

U17- 2008-2009

 

U15- 2010-2011

 

U13- 2012-2013

 

U11- 2014-2015

 

U9- 2026-2017

 

INFO & FORMS - DISTANCE TABLES

Category	Size of Ball	Pitching Distance	Baseline	Back of home plate to middle of second base
		Female	Female	Female
U19	12"	43'	60'	84’ 10”
U17	12"	43'	60'	84’ 10”
U15	12"	40'	60'	84’ 10”
U13	11"	38'	55'	77’ 9”
U11	11"	33’	50’
U9	11”	30	45	‘

*** Pitching distance is measured from front of pitching plate to back of home plate.

*** Backstop distance from back of home plate- Minimum- 25 feet

                                                                                          - Maximum- 30 feet

 

 

 

Official Balls for the 2025 Season

Fast Pitch

Worth 11" Red Dot (Yellow) Optic - Youth Mid Seam Product # PX11RYLC	U13 and U11 Female categories
Worth 12" Red Dot (Yellow) - Optic Leather Product # PX2RYLC - Optic	U15, U17 and U19 Categories

 

 

 

 

 

 League Playoffs:

 

If league host team has team in division, then only top five teams plus host will make playoffs. If host team does not have team in division, top six teams make playoffs.  If the host has two teams in a division , the only way they can have two teams in playoffs is if they both qualify for top 6 during league play. . All Mite teams make playoffs. Standings determined by winning percentage as long as team has played at least half of their regular season games.-please note, 2025 all teams will qualify to playoffs for all divisions 

 

 

League

 

If league host team has team in division, then only top five teams plus host will make playoffs. If host team does not have team in division, top six teams make playoffs.  All Mite teams make playoffs.

 

Playing Rules:

 

1. All league games are to start at 6:30 P.M. sharp. Home team decides to bat first or last. In league playoffs, home team is decided by final league standings.

 

2. Regular U11 and U13 games are to be played to 6 innings. U15, U17 and U19 games are to be played 7 innings.  U11 and U13 no new inning is to begin after 8:30 P.M. For U15, U17 and U19 no new inning is to begin after 8:30pm. Coaches have option to continue to play just for practice with no reflection of the final score of the game. Also if starting time of the game is other than the usual 6:30pm., the game is still 1.5 hours long. 

 

3.      Pitchers in the U17 and below categories are required to wear a protective face mask. All on- deck batters, batters and baserunners must have an attached face mask.

 

 

4. All U11 and U13 games will have a maximum of five (5) runs scored per inning in all games. (This rule is to encourage the development of pitchers.) There will be no mercy rule to quit the game early. The score reported will be the actual score at the end of the game. (For example if a U13 team is up by 12 runs after they have batted at the top of the 6^th inning, the other team still gets to bat even though the most runs that team can score is 5 runs.)

 

5. U15, U17 and U19 games will have a maximum of (6) runs scored per inning in all games. (There will be no mercy rule to quit the game because we want the players to play as many innings as possible.) The score reported will be the actual score at the end of the game. (For example if a Bantam team is up by 10 runs after they have batted at the top of the 7^th inning, the other team still gets to bat even though the most runs that team can score is 6 runs.)

 

6. Lead Off- Once the pitcher enters her pitching circle with the game ball, (An eight foot diameter around the pitching plate. For league play, this circle does not have to be marked, but the following rule must be followed.) and one or more runners are on base(s), the runner(s) cannot leave the base(s) until the game ball leaves the pitcher’s hand. If the runner(s) leave the base  before the game ball leaves the pitcher’s hand and is seen by the home plate or base umpire, the runner(s) shall be called out because of lead off.

 

7. The above rule does not apply in U11 or U13, The ball must cross the plate first before any attempt to steal

 

8. In U11 and U13 if the catcher drops the ball after the third strike, the batter is automatically out.

 

9. In the remaining divisions if the catcher drops or misses the ball after the third strike, the batter can run to first base unless a runner is occupying first and there is less than two out.
10. If there are two out, and the catcher misses the ball after the third strike, the batter can run to first. She must be tagged or the ball thrown to first before the player touches first base to be called out.

 

 

 

11. All players on the roster and in attendance must bat in all league games unless they are sick or too injured to play. The batting order must be written on game sheet and followed through to remaining of game. If a player leaves the game early because of an injury or sickness, the next batter will take her place without the team receiving an out. If a player leaves the game early and she is not sick or injured, her team will receive an out when it is her turn to bat.  There will be unlimited substitutions for all infield and outfield positions.

 

12. Pinch runners can be used to replace an injured girl who wants to bat, but cannot run because of injury. The runner would begin on the right side of home plate and lined up with first base (about three feet and not in the way of back catcher). The umpire and opposing coach must be told before the pinch runner is to be used. This rule is used to encourage participation and to continue game play.

 

13. Infield fly Rule applies to all age groups . An infield fly is a fair fly ball, when first and second OR first, second and third base are occupied with less than 2 out. The batter is automatically called out. This rule is to protect the base runners so that they are not caught in a double or triple play.

 

14. Overthrows- If a ball is overthrown and goes out of bounds, runner(s) can take only one extra base. If the ball is overthrown and inbounds, the ball is live and the runners may continue to run until ball is back with the pitcher in her circle. If the ball field is enclosed with a fence and the ball is overthrown on first or third, and is stopped by the fence, the ball remains live. (Similar to back stop ) If the ball is thrown over the fence, the ball is dead and runners can only advance one base.

 

15. Wild Pitch Rule for all age groups- If a pitcher hits three batters in the same inning, she must be pulled and not be allowed to pitch for remaining of game. For the pitch to be counted as a wild pitch, the batter must make some attempt to get out of the way. This will be at the umpire’s discretion.

 

16. If the pitch hits the ground first (dead ball) and hits the batter, this will not be seen as a wild pitch. The batter will automatically be awarded first base and the pitch will be not viewed as a wild pitch included in the 3 pitch rule.

 

17. **** Let’s use common sense. We want to protect the players, but we also want to develop windmill pitchers. Remember this game is fastball not slow pitch.

 

18. Gender Rule: Boys of age will be allowed to play U9 ball only. Majority of players on the roster and on the field at one time must be girls. Boys may be allowed in other divisions on a situational basis. Request must be made at preseason league meeting for league vote

 

19.  Pitching /Back Catching

 

20) U11 and U13 Pitchers and Back Catchers - Squirt pitchers/catchers may pitch/catch a maximum of (3) innings in a (6) inning league game. Should a pitcher throw (1) pitch, this is classified as a complete inning pitched. Same if for catchers if they caught one pitch. A pitcher/catcher can be substituted for a player from the field or bench. If a pitcher/catcher is substituted, she can return in another inning if she has not pitched/caught the maximum of 3 innings.

 

 

21.  League Playoffs- If the Round Robin games consist of 5 innings, then a U11 or U13 pitcher may pitch a maximum of (2) innings. There is no limit on how many innings a pitcher can pitch in one day.  For each new game, the inning count for the pitcher is cleared and starts from zero. If the Round Robin games consist of 6 or 7 innings, then a squirt pitcher may pitch a maximum of (3) innings.  In the event of extra innings (more than seven) the pitching rule is not in effect.

 

22.  U15 Pitchers – U15 Pitchers may pitch a maximum of (4) innings in a (7) inning league game. Should a pitcher throw (1) pitch, this is classified as a complete inning pitched. A pitcher can be substituted for a player from the field or bench. If a pitcher is substituted, she can return in another inning if she has not pitched the maximum of 4 innings.

 

23.  League Playoffs- If the Round Robin games consist of 5 innings, a U15 pitcher may pitch a maximum of (3) innings. There is no limit on how many innings a pitcher can pitch in one day.  For each new game, the inning count for the pitcher is cleared and starts from zero. If the Round Robin games or playoff games consist of 6 or 7 innings, then the U15 pitcher may pitch a maximum of 4 innings.  In the event of extra innings (more than seven) the pitching rule is not in effect.

 

24. ****This restriction on the maximum of innings a pitcher is allowed to pitch is to encourage coaches to develop windmill pitchers at a young age.

 

25.  U17 and U19 Pitchers- There is no maximum amount of innings a pitcher can pitch. It is unlimited. Coaches are encouraged to know the limitations of their pitchers so that they don’t get hurt. A pitcher can be substituted for a player from the field or bench. If a pitcher is substituted, she can return in another inning.

 

26.  Warming up Pitchers- All catchers including players and coaches must wear a mask when warming up pitchers. This includes on field and off field.

 

27.  Throwing of bats- If a batter throws a bat instead of dropping it, the umpire may give a warning or call the batter out. It is up to the umpire’s discretion.  Coaches are to teach their players to drop the bat correctly after the batter has hit the ball or received a walk. Use common sense so that the players and umpires are protected.

 

28.  Overage Players- Overage players can be one year older. Each team can have a maximum of 4 overage players. *only 3 can participate in any game at one time*. For example if a team has 4 overage players, one overage player must be exchanged directly for another.  Only 1 overage player is to play infield at a time, but all 3 are allowed to play at the same time.
29.  Before each game, coaches must inform the opposing coach and umpire about the overage players, players not on their roster or underage players. The overage players cannot pitch unless the other team’s coach agrees. However, the other team’s coach can change his or her mind at any time during the game. No one wants to see lopsided games. Take this into consideration and use common sense.

 

30.  Also, coaches should avoid any safety concerns. (Such as a big strong player hitting a ball so hard that it may hurt younger players or an overage player running players over on the baseline.) Coaches may have to tell overage players to be careful and avoid hurting younger ones.

 

31. *** The overage rule is to help teams fill their roster and to find a place for older girls to play.

 

 

32.  Short Handed- Teams should try to field at the very least nine players; however, there may be times that teams may be short of nine. Inform the ump and coach of the opposing team. You may play short-handed or borrow a player or two from the opposing team. If you have less than seven players, the game should be cancelled or forfeited. Both coaches must agree on the decision.

 

33.  Cancellation of games- Softball depends on the weather. Please try to make a decision early if a game is to be cancelled because of weather or other reason (Awards Night, Dance, Graduation, Sickness, etc.). Coaches, please do your best to make up games. You may have to make arrangements for a ball diamond in another town, play on weekends, double headers, play on another weekday or etc. Please don’t wait for the last week before playoffs to make up all of your games. Work with each other and try to play all scheduled league games. It is only fair for everyone involved in this league.

 

34. Game results: it is the winning coaches’ responsibility to email game results to northcentralsoftball@yahoo.com the same night that the game is played.  PLEASE ENSURE ALL COACHES ARE AWARE OF THIS.

 

 

U9 RULES

 

1. U9 will use a 11 inch softball. (Same as U11)
2.  Pitching Distance from home plate- 30 feet
3. Distance between bases 45 feet.
4. Home team will determine who bats or fields.
5. All players bat and unlimited substitution.
6. A U9 pitcher will pitch at least four pitches. If the batter has not hit the ball or struck out, the coach of the batter’s team will enter to pitch the remaining pitches. A batter must hit the ball, strike out or can be called out on strikes by the ump, this is to encourage batters to hit the ball. There will be no walks given to batters.
7. The game should be six innings.
8. All games start at 6:30 P.M. No new inning can start after 8:00 P.M.
9. To encourage players to try pitching, the maximum innings that a pitcher can pitch is two. Should a pitcher throw (1) pitch, this is classified as a complete inning pitched. A pitcher can be substituted for a player from the field or bench. If a pitcher is substituted, she can return in another inning if she has not pitched the maximum of 2 innings.
10. Catchers can only catch two innings
11. A player can only play the same position in two consecutive innings
12.  A player can not sit more than one consecutive inning
13. Sliding is allowed
14. There shall be no more than 9 players on the field as in regular ball. If there is less no automatic outs
15. No infield fly rule.
16. Maximum runs per inning are five.
17. No mercy rule. All games are to be played out.
18. No lead offs.
19. Runners do not advance on an overthrow
20. When a fairly hit ball , the advancing of runners is considered “over”when the ball is returned to the infield
21. Once pitcher has ball and is in her circle, the ball becomes dead.
22. If back catcher drops the ball after the third strike, the batter remains out.
23. Runners cannot steal bases.
24. No Bunting