D3 Girls Softball Rules
Division 3 is for girls in grades 5 and 6.
- 12” softballs will be used.
- Pitching distance is 40ft.
- Each team must use 10 defensive players with FOUR outfielders, FIVE infielders (including a pitcher) and ONE catcher. There MUST be a minimum of 8 players to start a game and the game is forfeited if either team has less than 8 players at any point during the game. If the defensive team has less than 10 players they must always use at least THREE outfielders.
- Games are seven innings long and no inning should start after 7:45 pm, with extra innings used to resolve ties only in the playoffs.
Pitchers must start on the pitching rubber and windmill deliveries are permitted. There is no speed limit or arc requirement in Division 3.
- Strike outs and walks are permitted after three strikes or four balls. First base is awarded for being hit by the pitch so long as the batter did not swing. However, first base is not awarded if the batter does not attempt to get out of the way or leans into an errant pitch as determined by the judgment of the umpire.
- An inning ends with three outs or if the offensive team has scored 5 runs except in the last inning when there is no limit.
- All defensive players must start play in their designated position until the ball reaches home plate when they can move towards the ball.
- Infielders may NOT be positioned in the area of the pitcher’s mound nor may they be positioned more than ONE-THIRD of the way in from first and third base.
- Outfielders MUST be positioned at least THREE yards beyond the infield dirt until the ball reaches home plate.
- Bunting is permitted.
- There will be no stealing, or running on passed balls and taking more than one base on an overthrow is NOT permitted. Once the ball is in the possession of the pitcher, OR an infielder, in the AREA of the pitcher’s mound, the runner(s) must return to the previous base unless they were more than halfway to the next base.
- Runners may lead off the base from the release of the ball by the pitcher. A runner taking a lead or leaving early is automatically out. Sliding is permitted but no head first sliding is allowed and runners are called out if they slide headfirst.
General Rules:
The Golden Rule: (The Coaches/Parents Handbook): All parents, coaches, and players are expected to be familiar with, and to abide by, the Hingham Girl’s Softball Handbook. No unacceptable behavior will be tolerated and the League will follow a policy of strict enforcement of all rules of conduct. Please remember all players, coaches, and spectators are to treat each other and the umpires with the utmost respect. The use of tobacco, ALCOHOL or foul language at games is expressly prohibited
Field size: Div 3 ~ 40ft pitcher’s mound and 60ft base paths
Game Time: All teams should arrive at 5:45 p.m. in order to start games no later than 6:10 p.m. A Game is forfeited if one team does not have a minimum of 8 players by 6:20 p.m.
Strike Zone: A pitch will be called a strike if any portion of the ball crosses any portion of the plate between the batter’s armpits and the top of the knees. Balls landing on the plate are automatically balls.