2024 U11 SUBWAY STINGERS LEAGUE RULES

MINOR SOFTBALL RULES

Adopted from Softball Canada Long term Player Development and Softball NS Provincial Rules with some modifications.

1.        Flip for home game. Team scorekeepers get together to share team lineups and check the score periodically throughout the game.

2.      Teams will be awarded 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss.

3.      U11 pitching (orthodox pitching only, pitching arm on backswing is not to go past shoulder height) similar to bowling motion.

4.      Pitchers must wear a fielder’s mask. For all other players on defense a fielder’s mask is not mandatory. However, it is highly recommended, especially for infielders.

5.      Batters and base runners must wear helmets with full face shield.

6.      Pitching distance - 35’.

7.      Base distance – 45’.

8.      11” red dot ball.

9.      6 innings or a 1-hour 30-minutes time limit. Innings starting after 1 hour and 15 minutes will be declared the last inning (see 12 below). A game can exceed 1-hour 30-minutes. Once an inning begins, it must be completed. At the start of game teams should note time and when it approaches 1-hour 15-minutes and you are not in the 6th inning, designate the next inning as the last inning.

10.  No mercy rule.

11.  3 run maximum/inning (other than open/ last inning).

12.  Run limit – modified open/ last inning:

-          if the visiting team is behind by 3 runs or more, they will be limited to the run differential plus 1 run;

-          if the visiting team is behind by less than 3 runs, they will be allowed to score a maximum of 3 runs;

-          if the visiting team is ahead, they can only score a maximum of 3 more runs;

-          if the home team is behind (or game is tied), they will be limited to the run differential at the start of their at bat plus 1 run;

-          if the home team is ahead before their at bat or at any time during their at bat, the game is considered over.

13.  If game is tied after 6 innings or last inning, it will end as a tie.

14.  Pitchers are limited to 3 innings per game. Innings do not have to be consecutive. One pitch equals one inning.

15.  If the same pitcher hits three (3) batters in an inning, they must be replaced for the remainder of that inning.

16.  There are no walks. Once a batter recieves four pitches called balls, the umpire will place a tee for the batter to hit from. The batter then puts the ball in play by hitting from the tee. If the batter swings and misses or fails to put the ball in play after three swings from the tee the batter is called out.

17.  10 players maximum on defense. Both teams must agree if game will be played with 9 or 10 players on defense.

18.  All players bat, order must remain the same throughout the game. Unlimited defensive substitutions.

19.  Stealing of 2^nd and 3^rd is allowed. Baserunner must not leave base until after the ball has crossed home plate. Runners cannot advance an extra base on an overthrow on a steal.

20.  Passed balls: baserunners may advance one base on a passed ball to 2^nd and 3^rd. Scoring is not allowed on a passed ball. A baserunner may only score on a hit or a walk.

21.  If a team is ahead by 10+ runs they are not allowed to steal bases or advance on passed balls.

22.  No infield fly rule.

23.  Bunting is allowed.

24.  The batter is out on the third strike, regardless of if the ball is caught or not.

25.  Continuous play: runners may continue to advance and score during a play until the pitcher has the ball in the pitching circle, 3 runs have scored or umpire stops play.

26.  When the team batting has 2 outs or 2 runs scored and the player designated to play the catching position the next inning is on base the coach must substitute the last available player to bat as a replacement runner for the catcher. The runner replaced must then play the catcher position the next half inning. 

27.  No player should sit more than 1 consecutive inning. Coaches should ensure that every player sits out one inning before any player sits out two innings.

28.  A player should not play the same position more than three innings per game.

29.  Each player should play an infield and outfield position in a game (unless safety is an issue).

30.  Coaches must play all players as equally as possible over the course of the season.

31.  The umpires decision is final.