8u Coach Pitch Rules

8U Coach Pitch Rules

These rules are to be used IN ADDITION to our league bylaws AND the official Little League RuleBooks.

1. An inning is complete upon the defensive team recording 3 outs or the offensive team scoring 5 runs. (See pg 3 of main bylaws for times / mercy rules)
2. If a batted ball hits the COACH before being touched by a fielder, the ball will be declared dead and the batter awarded first base.  All other baserunners will only advance 1 base, if forced. 
3. No Stealing bases, no lead offs (including secondary leads) because - NO LEAD OFFS, No Bunting, No infield Fly rules, no base on balls, no intentional walks, no hit by pitch.  Batters are encouraged to swing the bat. - 
4. The fielder playing the pitcher position must remain inside the circle until the ball is batted.
5. The defense may consist of up to 10 players.  The pitcher, catcher, and infielders will play in the traditional positions.  The outfielders must be completely in the grass when the ball is pitched.  The defense must field a catcher.
6. Fielders may not switch positions during an inning, unless there is an injury that would require it.
7. DEAD BALL:  The ball will be declared dead when the defensive team stops the lead runner or the runners abandon the effort to advance. Once play has been stopped, no other runners may advance                                                 beyond the last base tagged.
8. 8. The ball will be declared dead when a player is injured and is unable to continue the play.  

• If a batted fair ball hits the coach without touching any defensive player first, the ball is immediately dead.  The batter will be awarded first base.  
• If a batted fair ball is first touched  by a defensive player and then hits the coach, it is a live ball.  
• Outfielders need to get the ball to an infielder and the infielder must  have        CONTROL of the ball, INSIDE the base paths. 
• A runner cannot run from 1st base  to 3rd base  or 2nd base to home on ground ball outs.
• If a base runner has passed the half-way point when the ball is declared dead because the infield has control of the ball, the runner  will go to that base.
• If a base runner has NOT passed the half-way point when the ball is declared dead because  the infield has control of the ball, the base runner will go back to the original base. 
• Baserunners are allowed 1 base per overthrow.

9. Coaches will pitch only to their team.  Overhand pitching is required from 35’.  (Playing field diagram showing halfway marks to be used this season; to be chalked at 30’ per baseline.  (2024)
10. The defensive team will have a coach behind home plate to assist the catcher. (2024)
11. Each batter is allowed 5 pitches to put the ball in play; Coaches, you will have 5 pitches and all will be considered strikes toward the five pitches..  On the fifth (5th) pitch, if the pitch is not fouled or batted, the batter is declared out.  A fouled fifth (5th) pitch will continue the at bat.  If any pitch is deemed unhittable which means the ball hits the dirt or is above the batters head, or if the batter does not swing at the 5th pitch that hits the dirt or is above the batters head, it will not count towards the 5-pitch limit. 
12. All players will bat in the same continuous order.  If a player is injured and cannot bat, he will resume his spot in the order whenever he is capable, and the team will not take an out.  
13. No games will end in a TIE…  Any game that goes into extra innings will start that inning with a runner on 2nd and NO OUTS.  The base runner on second will be the last recorded out for that team.
14. The purpose of 8u baseball is to teach fundamentals.  The idea is to let the players hit, so that fielders can practice fielding and throwing, to help the players know where the next play is. So when they go to the next age group, they have solid fundamentals to build on.