Youth softball leagues for girls who are 8 and under are designed to get players familiar with the game so they can learn the finer points of softball and have fun while doing it. Pitchers deliver the ball with a windup, but they are not allowed to throw with the windmill delivery that is prominent when older players compete. The Amateur Softball Association of America governs the game with rules that pertain to players who are 8 and under.
Length of Games
Softball games for youngsters who are 8 and under are four innings. No inning can start after more than one hour has been played. If a team is ahead by six runs or more after three innings, the fourth inning will not be played. Games that are tied after four innings will go into the record book as a tie. However, if the game is tied after four innings and there are no games scheduled to follow, extra innings may be played.
Pitching
The pitcher is allowed to throw five pitches to each batter. If the ball is not put into play by the completion of the fifth pitch, the coach places the ball on the tee and the batter puts it in play.
Number of Players
A team may compete in the game with as few as eight players on the field and as many as 12. A standard batting order consists of 10 players. If a team only has eight players at the start of the game, it may add players as the game moves along. The later players must go to the bottom of the lineup. If a team plays with 12 fielders, it cannot have more than six players in the outfield.
Protective Equipment
All catchers must wear a catcher's mask, a chest protector and shin guards. The catcher's mask can be a standard baseball/softball mask or a hockey goalie's mask. Both masks must include a throat protector. Batters, on-deck hitters and all base runners must wear batting helmets with face masks. If a player's helmet falls off in the middle of the play, the play may continue until its completion.The player must put the helmet on again before the ball is put back in play.
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