Community or in-house softball leagues are often the first competitive leagues young girls play in as they begin their softball careers. Scores are kept and wins and losses are recorded in standings. As a result, house leagues have rules and regulations to make sure games are played fairly and that all players get a chance to compete.
Designated Hitters
House softball leagues give coaches the option of using a designated hitter to bat for one of the fielders. Unlike baseball, the designated hitter in softball does not have to bat for the pitcher. The coach can use a designated hitter if she chooses, but if she wants to eschew the designated hitter, she has that option. But if the coach chooses to play without a designated hitter at the start of the game, she cannot choose to use one later.
Pitching
Many young pitchers learn the basics of pitching in house softball leagues. All pitchers must pitch from pitching rubber in the center of the circle. Young pitchers learn they are not allowed to make any deceptive movements while in the process of pitching; they must step directly toward home plate and not backward or to either side. That is considered a deceptive movement and an illegal pitch.
Number of Fielders
In house softball leagues, teams are allowed to use 10 fielders when playing defense. In most cases, the extra fielder is used as a fourth outfielder, but the positioning of the extra fielder is up to the coach. The only requirement is that all players in the field must be positioned in fair territory with the exception of the catcher, the only player in softball positioned in foul territory.
Playing Time
While players and coaches may be competitive and want to win their games, they cannot let their desire for a positive outcome cut into a youngster's playing time. Most house leagues follow Little League Softball rules that require all players to get at least two innings in the field and at least one at bat in each six-inning game. Coaches who do not give all their players the required minimum playing time are subject to discipline and could be suspended for the following game.
References
- Little League Online: Baseball and Softball
- "Youth Softball Rules"; Jill Elliott; 1992
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