• (IS) These rules apply to Interlake Softball league play. (If an age category is participating in the Capital Region Softball League, they are to follow their rules).
• (IS) League games start at 6:30 PM
• (IS) Sunset Rule - no new inning is to start after 15 minutes prior to sunset.
• (IS) Mercy rule is not applicable during league play.
• No metal cleats or spikes allowed.
• Batting helmet with attached cage is required while batting or baserunning.
• Infielder’s face masks are mandatory for U11, U13 and U15 pitchers but strongly encouraged for all infielders (they are mandatory for U9).

PITCHING DISTANCE: 30’
BASE DISTANCE: 45’
OFFICIAL BALL: Rawlings or Worth 11” Indoor/Training Softball

• Players are required to wear a batting helmet with a cage when batting or baserunning.
• Defensive players are required to wear an infielder’s face mask when on the field.
• All games start at 6:30 PM with the first 30 minutes reserved for a practice directed by team coaches. This is followed by an hour-long game.
• No game may go beyond 8 PM.
• Umpiring duties relating to safe and out are the responsibility of the coaches.
• The maximum number of innings is 5.
• Teams will consist of 6-8 players; however, there will be no minimum number of players required to play a game. If one team is low on players, the opposing team may lend players for the game.
• The offensive team shall have a maximum of 6 runs per inning or 3 outs, whichever comes first.
• All players will appear on the batting order (whether they are in the field defensively or not). (Example: if 8 players show up for a game, all 8 go on the batting order and bat in turn).
• In the event a player is injured during the game and is unable to take their turn at bat, the player will be removed from the batting order and out for the balance of the game, unless the player's coach announces that the player will be able to continue to play prior to the team's next at bat. The team will not record an out in the batting spot formerly occupied by the injured player.
• The 'substitution rule' does not apply. Players may be substituted freely without penalty.
• Catchers may be players or parents/coaches.
• Catcher masks are mandatory for all players, parents and coaches while catching for a pitcher.
• Pitching will be from a coach/parent.
• There will be a maximum of 4 pitches followed by 1 attempt to hit off a batting tee, with a maximum of 3 strikes.
• The hitter may advance to 2nd base as able but will not advance past 2nd base. Runners on base may advance a maximum of 2 bases on a hit.
• Lead-offs are not permitted - runners may only advance on a hit ball.
• The 'infield fly rule' is not in effect.
• The 'dropped third strike rule' is not in effect. The batter is out on the third strike, regardless of if the ball is caught or not, and the ball remains live. Base runners may advance at their own risk with liability to be put out.

PITCHING DISTANCE: 35’
BASE DISTANCE: 45’
OFFICIAL BALL: Rawlings 11” Red Dot PX11RYLC
PITCHER LIMITS: Pitchers are limited to 2 innings per game (1 pitch in an inning constitutes an inning)
HOME PLATE: U11 will use a larger, 21” home plate

• Games are up to 5 innings, or 90 minutes, whichever occurs first. At the 90-minute mark, the plate umpire will notify teams and the inning is completed.
• (IS) Teams can play with 10 players in field with the 10^th as a rover instead of the usual nine.
• (IS) Teams can field a team with as few as 6 players. They can also borrow players from the other team if needed.
• Roster batting is in effect.
• Batter is out on dropped third strike – ball remains live.
• The offensive team shall have a max of 6 runs per inning or 3 outs, whichever comes first.
• ​​​​​​​Base runners may not leadoff until the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand.
• Stealing bases (2nd & 3rd) is allowed at all times when the ball is live. Stealing Home is prohibited (even on an overthrow). Runners may advance home on a hit ball only.
• Courtesy runner for catcher may be used after 2 outs.
• No walks. Once a batter reaches 4 balls in the count, the batter will receive the number of soft toss pitches to continue the strike count when 4 balls was reached. ​​​​​​​ (Example: the count was 4 balls, 1 strike, the batter would receive 2 soft tosses).
• Every soft toss thrown will be considered a strike.
• On a soft toss hit, the hitter may advance to 2nd base as able, but will not advance past 2nd base.
• Runners on base may advance a maximum of 2 bases on a soft toss hit. If the batter does not hit a fair ball, the batter is out.
• Soft toss by the coach will be done with the coach to the side and slightly in front of the batter and in foul territory. The coach will toss the ball into the batter’s normal hitting zone. The catcher will position themselves behind the batter.
• The “conference rule” for pitchers is waived.
• The “infield fly rule” is waived.
• The “designated player rule” is not permitted.
• The “substitution rule” does not apply. Players may be substituted freely without penalty.

PITCHING DISTANCE: 38’
BASE DISTANCE: 55
OFFICIAL BALL: Rawlings 12” Red Dot PX11RYLC
PITCHER LIMITS: Pitchers are limited to 3 innings per game (1 pitch in an inning constitutes an inning)

• Games are up to 5 innings, or 90 minutes, whichever occurs first. At the 90-minute mark, the plate umpire will notify teams and the inning is completed.
• (IS) Teams can play with 10 players in field with the 10^th as a rover instead of the usual nine.
• (IS) Teams can field a team with as few as 6 players. They can also borrow players from the other team if needed.
• Roster batting is in effect.
• Batter is out on dropped third strike – ball remains live.
• The offensive team shall have a max of 6 runs per inning or three outs, whichever comes first.
• Courtesy runner for catcher may be used after 2 outs.
• Base runners may not leadoff until the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand.
• The “conference rule” for pitchers is waived.
• The “infield fly rule” is in effect.
• The “designated player rule” is not permitted.
• ​​​​​​​The “substitution rule” does not apply. Players may be substituted freely without penalty.

PITCHING DISTANCE: 40’
BASE DISTANCE: 60’
OFFICIAL BALL: Rawlings 12” Red Dot PX11RYLC
PITCHER LIMITS: Pitchers are limited to 4 innings in a 7-inning game and 3 innings in a 5-inning game (1 pitch in an inning constitutes an inning)
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PITCHING DISTANCE: 43’
BASE DISTANCE: 60’
​​​​​​​OFFICIAL BALL: Rawlings 12” Red Dot PX11RYLC