Florida USSSA 8 & Under Coach Pitch Rules
1. Play will be
governed by USSSA Rule Book, unless
specified in this section.
2. The game will be played for 5 innings or
a 75-minute time limit, whichever comes
first.
3. Games can end in a tie in pool play but
not in bracket play.
4. Coach will make a maximum of 5 pitches.
5. If the batter has not hit a fair ball,
struck out, or been put out after receiving
the maximum number of pitches without
completing any of these situations will be
called out. A batted foul ball on 5th pitch
constitutes an out.
6. There will be no base on balls.
7. There will be no hit by pitch.
8. There will be no dropped third strike.
9. There will be no bunting.
10. Teams can bat a maximum of 11 batters or
3 outs per inning, whichever comes first. If
the 11th batter comes up the offensive must
let the umpire know it is the 11th batter.
11. A maximum of 8 runs can be scored each
inning for each team, regardless of
situation (e.g., 11th batter comes
to bat with one or more runners on base with
7 runs already being scored that half
inning, only one more run can be scored even
if no out is recorded during or after that
at bat).
12. The run rule will be 17 runs after 3
innings and 9 runs after 4 innings.
13. There will be no infield fly rule. The
ball remains alive and in play until play is
stopped. Any/all runner(s) are in jeopardy
of being put out or advancing.
14. There will be no designated hitter (DH).
15. There will be no stealing. Any/all
runner(s) are liable to be put out if they
are off the base.
16. Base runners cannot advance on any
passed balls.
17. The coach in the outfield cannot
instruct his players after the ball has been
pitched.
18. The pitching coach cannot instruct
players on the field. The base coaches are
allowed to coach the base runners only.
19. A non-player coach from the defensive
team can position themselves behind, but off
to the side, of the catcher to assist with
passed balls but will not be allowed to
coach from that position.
20. To stop runners from advancing the ball
must be in front of the lead runner or in
possession of the pitcher player inside of
the pitching circle before time can be
called. If the runner is more than half way
to the next base when time is called, the
runner will be awarded the next base.
21. The pitching coach must pitch from the
pitching plate (set at 35 feet). Once the
coach toes the pitching plate the ball is in
play and the look back rule is in effect.
22. The player pitcher must have at least 1
foot in the pitcher’s circle when the
batter’s coach is pitching. No other
defensive players may be positioned inside
the pitcher’s circle at any time.
23. The defensive coach may move the pitcher
behind 2nd base for safety reasons, and must
stay a minimum of ten (10) feet outside of
the baseline until the ball is hit.
24. Runners cannot leave the base in this
division before the ball crosses the plate.
If the runner leaves the base early they
shall be called out.
25. If the pitching coach is unintentionally
hit with a batted ball, it is a immediate
dead ball and a no pitch. If the pitching
coach intentionally makes contact with the
ball or in the umpires judgment interferes
with a defensive play, the ball is dead and
the batter is out. The coach will be given a
warning and a second infraction will result
in the coach being ejected.
26. The base distance will be 60 feet.
27. A one-piece rubber grip and knob
combination on the bat is illegal.
28. A team may play with an optional tenth
(10th) player on defense. This optional
player must be positioned in the outfield
and must stay a minimum of ten (10) feet
outside of the baseline until the ball is
hit.
29. There will be a maximum of 10 defensive
players on the field, but no more than 6,
including the catcher, can be positioned
inside the infield baselines.
30. If the optional 10th player is used, the
team must complete the game with the
optional 10th spot in the lineup. If the
optional 10th player must leave the game due
to illness or injury, the 10th spot in the
lineup is an automatic out each time that
vacated spot in the lineup comes to bat. The
optional 10th player may return to the
lineup, assuming the vacated spot in the
batting order.
31. A team shall consist of nine (9) players
and a maximum of eleven (11) players if two
optional additional players (AP’s) are used.
32. A team must have a minimum of nine (9)
players to start a game but can finish with
eight (8) if one is injured or becomes ill.
33. An injured or ill player may return to
the lineup but must return to the same
position in the batting order.
34. For all other 8 & Under playing rules
please refer to the
USSSA rule book.
Click
