1. Unlimited substitution between innings. No player will sit more than two innings per game. Players shall not play more than 2 innings at the same defensive position and must play at least one inning in the infield and one in the outfield and sit one inning with the exception of the catcher and the pitcher position (if live pitching) which will follow official little league softball guidelines for pitching.

2. All players shall bat in rotation. The first nine players in batting order shall start play on defense. Each team may play with 9 defensive players. If 10 defensive players are used, it must be agreed upon before the game starts by both managers. There must be 4 players in outfield positions.

3. Managers or Coaches are not allowed to warm up pitchers at the plate or in the bullpen or elsewhere at anytime. Managers and Coaches may, however, stand to observe a pitcher during warm-up in the bull pen. A player must warm up the pitcher. A pitcher may only throw 6 pitches to a catcher when on the field during the game.

4. An adult should supervise pitchers and players warming up outside of the playing area.

5. In the event a team has less than nine players at the start of the game, the opposing team shall lend them the necessary players to start the game, providing each team will have nine players with which to start the game. If unable to field 9 players per side, the missing player will be an automatic out in the batting rotation. Coaches are encouraged to collaborate and make use of the time for a practice or practice game. Games will not be rescheduled.

6. Five runs or three outs, whichever comes first, ends the half-inning. If the sixth inning is played and time remains, there will be no run limit. The 10 run mercy rule will not apply. However, the game is over at the time limit and the score reverts to that of the last completed inning. Coaches can use their discretion to use the Little League 10 run mercy rule if they so choose. A decision must be made before the game starts.

7. Time Limits: No new inning shall start after 1 hour and 40 minutes. The game will conclude at 1 hour and 50 minutes.

8. Offensive time outs will be limited to one time out per inning unless due to injury.

9. The on-deck position is not permitted. All players must stay in the dugout until their turn to bat.

10. If a player throws a bat, the team will get 1 warning. If it happens a second time by any player on the team, that player will be ruled out. If a third player throws a bat, that player will be ruled out and will be prohibited from batting for the remainder of the game but may still play on defense.

11. Standings will not be kept. Protests of Minors games are not permitted.

12. Coaches are not allowed on the playing field during play unless you're a base coach.

13. There must be one coach in the dugout at all times.

14. Players will be allowed to steal ONLY during live pitching. There is no leading off! There is no stealing in a machine pitched game or portion of a game.

15. Bunting will be allowed during live pitching ONLY. There will be no bunting during machine pitch games, or coach pitch portions of games. If a bunt is attempted during machine pitch or coach pitch, the batter will be called out.

16. The proportion of machine-pitch to live pitch games shall be as follows: the first 40% of games shall be entirely machine-pitch; the next 20% shall be split 3 innings machine-pitch and 3 innings live pitch; and the remaining 40% shall be entirely live pitching.

17. No runs shall be walked in. If a pitcher loads the bases, the pitcher will pitch to the next batter. If the pitcher goes to 4 balls, the coach of the batter will pitch to their player. They will either get a hit or strikeout so as to not force in a walk.

Modified Rules for Games Utilizing a Pitching Machine:

1. A 7 foot diameter circle will surround the machine "mound" area. This are is a "free hit zone". Any batted ball that lands in this area is dead and the batter is awarded first base. Any batted ball that comes into contact with the machine or adult operator is also a base hit and the ball is dead. A defensive player is placed on the outside of this 7 foot circle assuming the defensive position of the pitcher and must have at least one foot positioned in contact with the edge of the circle.

2. The ball is LIVE while outside the pitching circle and base runners can advance. Play will cease after the ball is returned to the pitcher in the pitching circle. The pitcher should hand the ball to the pitching machine operator to begin the next play.

3. An offensive coach/volunteer shall feed the pitching machine.

4. Each player gets 5 machine pitches to put the ball into play. If the fifth pitch is a foul ball, or a bad pitch the batter will get one additional pitch. If the batter does not put the ball into play within the allotted pitch amount, they will be awarded an "out". There are no walks.

5. A batter will not advance to first base on a machine-pitched ball that hits the batter.

6. No stealing will be permitted in machine-pitched games or portions of games.

7. No bunting shall be allowed in machine-pitched games or portions of games.

Adopted 12/12/2011 • Questions? Contact VP of Softball at softball@mukilteolittleleague.com.