Sunday Baseball League Rules (last updated 4-10-2026)
Overview: in all divisions, it is important for coaches and parents to emphasize:
• Having fun
• Teaching players the fundamentals of baseball
• Teaching the basic skills of throwing, catching, and hitting a baseball
• The importance of good sportsmanship while playing baseball
o There shall be no “negative chatter” directed at the opposing team.
o “Positive chatter” by team members with their teammates is permitted and encouraged.
• Safety
Peewee Division
Start time: SBL starts at 2:15 pm and ends, at the latest, by 3:15. Coaches should try to be there 10-15 minutes early to set up equipment and drills so that instruction/drills can begin at 2:15. The first 20 minutes (i.e. from 2:15-2:35) are practice. Games should start at 2:35.
Fundamentals/Basics to teach each player: how to cheer on their teammates and the other team, respect the calls made on the field, how to hold and swing the bat, how to run the bases, and how to catch and throw the ball, how to let each player field their own position.
Pre-game routine: Switch off practicing different aspects of the game (batting, catching, and throwing). During practice, each player should be given a chance to participate in the activity that is being practiced (e.g. hit, field, run, catch).
Batting: There are no “outs”, bat around the order each inning. It is helpful to have a first base and third base coach so the kids learn when and where to run. Play with light plastic bats and foam ball. Batters will hit off a tee. If a batter wishes, the coach may pitch underhand to him. After three pitches, the tee should be brought out. A good idea at this age is to switch the batting lineup each week using their numbers (one week start with the lowest number and the next week start with the highest number).
Fielding: All players should be on the field. Let each player try out different fielding positions. A coach from the fielding team should be in the field with the players to guide them along. It is very important at this age to teach them that not everyone should run after every ball and proper spacing in the field.
Field: Bases should be around 40 feet apart.
Safety: Only the player that is at bat may swing a bat, there is no on deck circle and no player should be taking practice swings until they are at bat. Players that are not at bat should be sitting lined up as a team on different sides. Children should never be behind the batter.
Pre1A Division
Start time: SBL starts at 2:15 pm and should end by 3:15. Coaches should try to be there 10-15 minutes early to set up equipment and drills so that instruction/drills can begin at 2:15. The first 15 minutes are practice. Games should start at 2:30.
Fundamentals/Basics to teach each player: how to cheer on their teammates and the other team, respect the calls made on the field, how to hold and swing the bat, how to run the bases, and how to catch and throw the ball, how to let each player field their own position.
Pre-game routine: Switch off practicing different aspects of the game (batting, catching, and throwing). During practice, each player should be given a chance to participate in the activity that is being practiced (e.g. hit, field, run, catch).
Batting: Players will use a light plastic bat and foam ball. The pitcher will be a coach of the batting team. Another coach should be the catcher, no players should stand behind the batter. For the player that is being pitched to, start off with underhand and move to slow pitch overhand. There are no “three outs”, bat around the order each inning, the half inning ends when all players get an at bat. However, players are allowed to make outs in the field and if an out is recorded, the player that is out should sit down. It is important to have a first base and third base coach so the players learn when and where to run.
Fielding: All players should be on the field. Let players try out different fielding positions. A coach from the fielding team should be in the field with the players to guide them along. It is very important at this age to teach them that not everyone should run after every ball and proper spacing in the field.
Field: Bases should be around 40 feet apart.
Safety: Only the player that is at bat may swing a bat, there is no on deck circle and no player should be taking practice swings until they are at bat. Players that are not at bat should be sitting lined up as a team on different sides. Children should never be behind the batter.
1st Grade Division
Start time: SBL starts at 2:30 pm and ends, at the latest, by 3:45 pm. Pre-game drills will run from 2:30-2:50. Games should start at 2:50. No new inning should be started after 3:35; the fields ought to be cleared by 3:45.
Fundamentals/Basics to teach each player: how to cheer on their teammates and the other team, respect the calls made on the field, how to hold and swing the bat, how to run the bases, and how to catch and throw the ball, how to let each player field their own position. Respect the calls made on the field, three outs per inning, how to make outs in the field, when to run and when not run (pop-up vs. grounder), how to run bases and how to field each position.
Pre-game routine: Switch off practicing different aspects of the game (batting, catching, and throwing). During practice, each player should be given a chance to participate in the activity that is being practiced (e.g. hit, field, run, catch).
Batting: The pitcher will be a coach of the batting team. Each player can choose underhand or slow pitch overhand. Attempt to progress to overhand for every player by the end of the season. For the first 5 games, there are no strikeouts. After the 5th game, 5 swinging strikes are an out. Coaches should keep track of outs. Three outs and switch sides, if three outs are not made, the half inning ends when all players get an at bat. It is helpful to have a first base and third base coach so the kids learn when and where to run. No bunting.
Base running: Base stealing is not allowed, base runners can only leave base upon contact of bat and ball. Leading is not allowed. No advancing on wild pitch or passed ball. Once the pitcher has the ball and is near the mound, the play is dead and there may be no additional advancement.
Scoring: Score should be kept for each game but there are no standings. No playoffs.
Fielding: All players should be on the field. Let players try out different fielding positions. A coach should be in the field with the kids to guide them along. Teach them that not everyone should run after every ball, etc. A parent should play catcher.
Field: bases should be around 50 feet apart.
Safety: The player who is at bat must wear a helmet. Only the player that is at bat may swing a bat, there is no on deck circle and no player should be taking practice swings until they are at bat. No throwing or slinging the bat. Players that are not at bat should be sitting lined up as a team on different sides. Only the catcher wearing all the required equipment should be behind the batter, no other child should be behind the batters.
2nd Grade Division
Start time: SBL starts at 3:50 pm and end by 5:15 pm. Pre-game drills will run from 3:50-4:15. Games should start at 4:15. No new inning should be started after 5:10.
Fundamentals/Basics to teach each player: how to cheer on their teammates and the other team, respect the calls made on the field, how to hold and swing the bat, how to run the bases, and how to catch and throw the ball, how to let each player field their own position. Respect the calls made on the field, three outs per inning, how to make outs in the field, when to run and when not run (pop up vs grounder), how to run bases and how to field each position.
Pre-game routine: Switch off practicing different aspects of the game (batting, catching, and throwing). During practice, each player should be given a chance to participate in the activity that is being practiced (e.g. hit, field, run, catch).
Batting: The pitcher will be a coach of the batting team, pitching should be slow pitch overhand. No call balls and strikes but three swinging strikes are an out. Three outs and switch sides, if three outs are not made, the half inning ends when all players get an at bat. It is helpful to have a first base and third base coach so the kids learn when and where to run. No bunting.
Scoring: Score is kept for each game but there are no standings. No playoffs.
Base running: Base stealing is not allowed, base runners can only leave base upon contact of bat and ball. Leading is not allowed. No advancing on wild pitch or passed ball. Once pitcher has ball and is near the mound, the play is dead and there may be no additional advancement.
Catchers: A parent should be the catcher, to keep the game moving.
Fielding: All kids should be on the field. The fielding team’s coach should not be in the field with the kids but should guide them from the sidelines. Teach them how to field positions, backup the first baseman etc.
Field: bases should be around 60 feet apart, pitcher should be about 36 feet from batter.
Safety: The player who is at bat must wear a helmet. Only the player that is at bat may swing a bat, there is no on deck circle and no player should be taking practice swings until they are at bat. Players that are not at bat should be sitting lined up as a team on different sides. No throwing or slinging the bat, throwing or slinging the bat results in a team warning to the batting team. A second instance of bat throwing/slinging by anyone on that team results in an out. A parent should be the catcher.
General Notes for 3rd through 8th grade divisions
Fundamentals/Basics to teach each player: how to cheer on their teammates and the other team, respect the calls made on the field, what is a strike and what is a ball, how to run the bases and tag up, and how to field grounders and pop ups, where to throw the ball, including the cut-off man, in various scenarios, how to turn a double play, how to back up first base and each base, and how to pitch. Respect the calls made on the field, tagging up, infield fly rule, and when to run and when not run (pop up vs grounder).
Pre-game routine: Switch off practicing different aspects of the game (batting, catching, and throwing). During practice, each player should be given a chance to participate in the activity that is being practiced (e.g. hit, field, run, catch).
Positive interaction with umpires: There is to be no arguing with the umpires. A coach, but not a player, can ask an umpire for an explanation, but both coaches must be present for the discussion. An umpire will give one warning to a player or coach that argues and then in the second instance of a player or coach from that team arguing with the umpire, in the umpire's discretion, the umpire can issue an automatic out to the arguing team. Umpires may also eject a player or coach immediately from a game, in his discretion. Any parent who is not a coach, who argues with an umpire or a coach, that parent will be sent away from the fields, and not invited back to watch the games for the remainder of the season.
3/4 Division
Official Little League rules apply except as set forth below.
Bats: Bats may not have a diameter larger than 2 ¾”. Double-walled bats are not allowed.
Start time: SBL starts at 2:30 pm and end by 4:00 pm. Coaches should try to be there 10-15 minutes early to set up equipment and drills so that instruction/drills can begin at 2:30. Pre-game drills will run from 2:30-2:45. Games should start at 2:45. No new inning should be started after 3:55. The bottom half of inning can be started after 3:55.
Length of Game: Regular season games are 6 innings, however, no new inning may be started after 3:55 pm, an inning started before 3:55 pm can be completed in its entirety. The time of the “new inning” is determined by the third out of the previous inning. For example, if the third out of the bottom half of the last inning is made at 3:54, the new inning may begin, even though the first pitch of the new inning won’t be thrown until after 3:55. If the game is tied after 6 innings and it is before 3:55, one extra inning can be played. Playoff games must be six innings, and if the score is a tie after six innings the game should continue until there is a winner. No team or coach may deliberately slow the game down to avoid another inning from starting as an advantage to its team, if a team is deliberately slowing down the game at the discretion of the umpire, the umpire can disregard the timing and continue the game. In each inning of an extra inning game, batting team shall start with a runner on 2nd base. Runner shall be the player who made the last out.
Field: Pitcher’s mound is 35 feet from back of home plate, bases are 55 feet from each other.
Batting: All players bat through the lineup. The batting order must be set prior to the game and late arriving players must be placed at the bottom of the batting order. There are no forfeits. Players that come after game started are slotted in at the end of the lineup, even if they have already missed a turn. If 8 or less players are present, the coach or another parent may play catcher. If the coach or parent plays catcher, he may not make any fielding plays. Also, a caught foul tip by the adult catcher with two strikes is not an out, and instead counts as a foul ball. If 9 or more players are present, a player must play catcher.
Hit By Pitch: Batters must make every effort to avoid getting hit by pitch. If umpire determines that batter did not make an effort to avoid, a strike will be called and no base awarded.
Bunting: Not allowed. An attempted bunt will be an automatic strike. Bunting is defined as intentionally not taking a full swing, to be determined by Umpire.
Fielding: All players field, no more than 5 players and the catcher and pitcher can be in the infield.
Pitching: Pitcher pitches overhand, but is not allowed to pitch fast. The pitch must have an arch. The umpire will determine if a pitch has an arch. A pitch which does not have an arch will be called a ball. The pitcher should pitch the ball to be able to reach home plate. Any pitch which lands on home plate or on the plate extender is a strike. Any pitch which misses both of these is a ball. After 4 walks in one inning by a pitcher, a coach should consider replacing the pitcher, but is not required to. Any pitcher who hits 3 batters in one inning must immediately be removed from the mound. Once a pitcher is removed from being a pitcher he may not be put back in as pitcher. Mound is 35 feet from the back of home plate.
Scoring: Teams can score either 5 runs or enough to tie the game, whichever is more. For example, if score is 6-0 after two innings, trailing team can score 6 runs in an inning to tie the game. If score is 3-0, trailing team can score 5 runs. Notwithstanding the above statement, all runners on base can score at last at bat, for example if team has scored 4 runs and bases are loaded, batter hits a grand slam, all players score and team scores 8 runs in inning. There is no run limit from the 5th inning and on.
Base running: Base stealing is not allowed; base runners can only leave base upon contact of bat and ball. Leading is not allowed. Tagging up is allowed. No advancing on wild pitch or passed ball. Once pitcher has ball and is near the mound, the play is dead and there may be no additional advancement. Infield fly rule is in effect.
Safety: Every player who is at bat or on-base as a runner must wear a helmet. Players that are not at bat should be sitting lined up as a team on different sides. Only the catcher wearing all the required equipment should be behind the batter, no other child should be behind the batters. No on deck circle, no swinging of the bat unless player is at bat, any violation of this will result in a team warning, upon second instance by anyone on that team, an automatic out will given to batter’s team. Throwing or slinging the bat results in a team warning to the batting team. A second instance of bat throwing/slinging by anyone on that team results in an out. The play is dead and all runners return to their bases. Players must make great effort to avoid any collision with any player. Players do not have to slide, but either must slide or take other action to avoid collision. Players who make unnecessary contact can be called out at discretion of umpire. Cups are not required but recommended.
Overthrows: If an errant throw leaves the field of play it is considered dead. Runners can take the base they were running to or the next base if already reached based at the time ball went out of play. Umpire to advise coaches prior to game as to what is out of play.
Umpires: There is to be no arguing with the umpires. An umpire will give one warning to a player or coach that argues and then in the second instance of a player or coach from that team arguing with the umpire, in the umpire's discretion, the umpire can issue an automatic out to the arguing team. A coach, but not a player, can ask an umpire for an explanation, but both coaches must be present.
QUICK VERSION OF MAIN RULES FOR 5th/ 6th and 7th/ 8th GRADE SOFTBALL
No metal cleats.
No on-deck bat swinging. First violation is an out. Second violation by same player is an ejection.
Catchers shall wear helmet and chest protector. Batter shall wear helmet.
7 inning game. Yes extra innings, if applicable. No new inning shall start after 5 minutes before the end time.
Runner starts on 2nd base in extra innings.
Pitcher shall have one foot on pitching line as arm moves forward.
Pitch must be underhand. Yes fastballs. Yes spinning. No windups, windmills, or overhand pitches.
Pitcher may pitch the whole game. No inning or pitch limits. Once pitcher is removed from the game as a pitcher, he cannot pitch again that game.
No bunting. No chop swings.
Play is over once umpire calls timeout. Throwing the ball to the pitcher does not stop the play.
6 run run limit per inning for first 4 innings. Always able to tie. Batter can always score. No run limit 5th inning onward.
No leading or stealing. No wild pitches or passed balls. Baserunner can run on the batter’s swing. Yes tagging up. Can run more than one base on an overthrow that stays in fair territory.
No more than 5 fielders in the infield.
If team has 9 players or less, coach is allowed to play catcher but cannot make any plays.
5th/ 6th, 7th/ 8th grade rules
Unless stated otherwise, the official USA Softball Playing Rules apply.
SAFETY: Metal cleats are not allowed. If a player is wearing metal cleats, he will be removed from the game and not allowed to pitch, field, bat, or run the bases as long as he is still wearing metal cleats.
Players that are at bat shall wear a helmet. If the player's parent(s) allow, a player may remove his helmet when he is a baserunner. Parents shall let their kids know before the game if they need to wear a helmet as a baserunner. Catchers shall wear a mask and chest protector. Cups are recommended, but not required.
Only the player that is at bat may swing a bat. There is no on deck circle and no player should be taking practice swings until they are at bat. If a player that is not at bat swings a bat, the umpire shall penalize the at bat team an out. If the same player that is not at bat swings a bat a second time during the game, that player shall be ejected. Players that are not at bat should be on or near the bench. Children should never be behind a batter.
EQUIPMENT AND FIELD DIMENSIONS: The softball shall be 11 inches in circumference.
5th/ 6th grade: The pitching line (rubber) shall be 33 feet from the back of home plate.
7th/ 8th grade: The pitching line (rubber) shall be 33 feet from the back of home plate.
5th/ 6th grade: Bases shall be 55 feet from each other.
7th/ 8th grade: Bases shall be 55 feet from each other.
GAMES: 5th/ 6th grade: Regular season games are seven innings, provided no new inning may be started after 5:35 p.m., but an inning started before 5:35 p.m. can be completed in its entirety. The time of the new inning is determined by the third out of the previous inning. For example, if the third out of an inning is made at 5:34 p.m., the next inning may start even though the first pitch won't be thrown until after 5:35 p.m. If an inning or extra inning ends after 5:35 and the score is tied, the result of the game will be recorded as a tie.
7th/ 8th grade: Regular season games are seven innings, provided no new inning may be started after 7:15 p.m., but an inning started before 7:15 p.m. can be completed in its entirety. The time of the new inning is determined by the third out of the previous inning. For example, if the third out of an inning is made at 7:14 p.m., the next inning may start even though the first pitch won't be thrown until after 7:15 p.m. If an inning or extra inning ends after 7:15 and the score is tied, the result of the game will be recorded as a tie.
No team or coach can deliberately slow the game down to avoid another inning from starting. At the discretion of the umpire, if a team is deliberately slowing down the game, the umpire may disregard the timing and start a new inning. If a game is tied after seven innings, extra innings shall be played as long as the start of the new extra inning complies with the time rules stated above. If a game goes to extra innings, the team shall start their at bats with a runner on second base. The runner that starts on second base in extra innings shall be the batter that was up last in the previous inning.
Batting orders shall be set prior to the game with late arriving players placed at the bottom of the lineup. All players must be in the batting lineup.
PITCHING: A pitcher must have at least one foot on the pitching line (rubber) at the time his arm is moving forward to release the pitch. For clarification purposes, a pitcher may take one step backward or sideways prior to releasing the pitch as long as one foot remains on the pitching line (rubber) at the time his arm is moving forward. A pitcher may also take one step forward prior to releasing the pitch as long as one foot remains on the pitching line (rubber) at the time his arm is moving forward. Accordingly, a pitcher may take one step backward then one step forward as long as one foot remains on the pitching line (rubber) at the time his arm is moving forward.
A pitcher must release the ball underhand. An underhand pitch is defined as a pitch where the pitcher's hand is below his waist as his arm moves forward to release the ball. The pitcher can pitch the ball as fast as he wants. Overhand, windups, windmills, and behind the back pitches are illegal. The umpire shall call an illegal pitch a ball. If a batter swings at an illegal pitch, the result of the swing stands. A pitcher may spin the ball with a backspin or sideways spin as long as the pitch is an underhand pitch, as defined above.
A pitcher may pitch an entire game. There are no inning or pitch count limitations. If a pitcher is removed from the game as a pitcher, he cannot come back to pitch again during that same game. If a relief pitcher comes into the game in the middle of an inning, he is entitled to three practice pitches.
Intentional walks are allowed. The coach should notify the umpire of the said intention to save time and the intentionally walked batter shall be awarded first base without having to take the four balls.
BATTING: Bunting is not allowed. A batter that bunts a pitch is automatically ruled out and baserunners, if any, shall return to the base they were on at the time of the pitch that was bunted.
A batter is not allowed to chop the ball straight down onto or in front of home plate. A forward swing that moves downward at an angle is allowed. If the umpire determines that a batter chopped the ball, it is a strike, and any baserunners shall return to the base they were on at the time of the pitch that was chopped. If there were two strikes when the ball was chopped, it counts as strike three and the batter is out.
If a batter is hit by a pitch, he shall be awarded first base. If the umpire determines that the batter did not attempt to avoid getting hit by the pitch, a ball shall be called instead of the batter being awarded first base. If umpire determines that the pitch would have been a strike if the batter would not have been hit by the pitch, the umpire shall call the pitch a strike.
There is a six run run limit per inning for the first four innings only. However, if a team is losing by more than six runs, the at bat team that is losing may score enough runs to tie the game. Notwithstanding this rule, all runners on base can score during the at bat that scores the sixth run or the tying run in an inning. For example, if the at bat team is winning and has scored five runs in an inning and has the bases loaded and the batter hits a grand slam, the at bat team will be awarded nine runs that inning. If the at bat team was losing to start their at bat by seven runs and has now scored six runs and has the bases loaded, and the batter hits a grand slam, the at bat team will be awarded 10 runs that inning. There are no run limits from the fifth inning onward.
A play is over only after the umpire calls timeout.
BASERUNNING: A baserunner shall not lead or steal. A baserunner that leads shall be warned by the umpire not to lead and shall be called out on a second infraction. The umpire has discretion to warn a team and/or the individual baserunner.
A baserunner may leave the base he is on only when the batter starts his swing or at any time thereafter. A baserunner that leaves the base prior to the batter's swing shall be warned and shall be called out on a second infraction. The umpire has discretion to warn a team and/or the individual baserunner.
A baserunner shall not advance on a wild pitch or passed ball. A batter may not steal first base on a third strike.
A baserunner may tag up from any base and advance as many bases as he wishes.
A baserunner may advance only one base on an overthrow unless the overthrown ball lands and remains in fair territory in which case a baserunner may advance as many bases as he wishes.
FIELDING: Besides for the pitcher and catcher, no more than five players can play on the infield. All other players shall start a play on the grass or grass equivalent distance if the game is played on a grass only field (grass fields shall have a mark to identify the outfield). It is the umpire's discretion if a player is playing infield or outfield.
If a team has nine or less players, a parent or coach may play catcher, but may not make any plays in the field or touch the ball once the ball is hit. If a parent or coach touches a ball in play, the umpire may award baserunners as many additional bases as he or she deems necessary.