PIXIE (PRE-K to K)
Ages 5-6 (Pre-school): Kids hit off a tee but by the end of the year, a coach may pitch the ball from a few feet away. Kids play 1st base, no catcher and everyone plays the field and bats.
- Teams are divided up by school
- One practice per week
- 10 game season
- Games played at Ackerman Park
PIGTAIL 1
Age 7 (Grade 1): Coach pitch, everyone plays the field and bats. Teams are divided up by schools.- Teams are divided up by school
- One practice per week
- 10 game season
- Games played at Ackerman Park.
PIGTAIL 2
Age 8 (Grade 2): Coach pitch, everyone plays the field and bats. Teams are divided up by schools.- Teams are divided up by school
- One practice per week
- 10 game season
- Games played at Ackerman Park
PONYTAIL
Ages 9-10 (Grades 3-4): Players are drafted by ability based on a player evaluation. Softball rules apply, including stealing after ball crosses the plate and bunting, but no infield fly or dropped third strikes. Kids pitch until giving up two walks, then coach pitch to complete at bat after four balls. Umpires are utilized for the first time. Playoffs at the end of the season determine a league champion. Teams will consist of players from multiple schools.- Teams are mixed up with players from multiple schools
- 12 game season (1-2 games per week)
- Single elimination post-season tournament
- Games played at Ackerman Park
BOBTAIL
Ages 11-12 (Grades 5-6): Players are drafted by ability based on a player evaluation. Softball rules apply, including stealing after ball crosses the plate, bunting, infield flies and dropped third strikes. Kids pitch the entire game. Playoffs at the end of the season determine a league champion. Teams will consist of players from multiple schools.
- Teams are mixed up with players from multiple schools
- 12 game season (1-2 games per week)
- Single elimination post-season tournament
- Games played at Ackerman Park
JUNIORS
Ages 13-14 (Grades 7-8): Age groups are still combined as we divide the players by ability based on a player evaluation. Teams play against other local communities.
- Teams are mixed up with players from multiple schools
- Season ends in late June.
- 12 game season (1-2 games per week)
- Single elimination post-season tournament
- Games played at Ackerman Park and surrounding communities
| Detail | Pixie | Pigtail | Ponytail | Bobtail | Juniors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grades/Ages | Pre‐K & Kdg | 1st & 2nd | 3rd & 4th (8‐10) | 5th & 6th (10‐12) | 7th & 8th (12‐14) |
| OPTION: Skill allowance to move up a league | 2nd graders that demonstrate exceptional ability, with agreement of each league commissioner and chair | From Ponytail‐current or past participation in travel program & 4th grade, or agreement of each league commissioner and chair | From Bobtail‐current or past participation in travel program & 6th grade, or agreement of each league commissioner and chair | ||
| Scheduled Games | 8-10 | 8-10 | 10-12 | 10-12 | 10‐12 |
| Innings | 3 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 |
| Official Game | 1hr | No New Inning after 1.5 hours | No New Inning after 1.5 hours unless 3 innings have not been played. | No New Inning after 1.5 hours unless 4 innings have not been played. | No New Inning after 1.5 hours unless 4 innings have not been played. |
| Mercy Rule | N/A | N/A | 15 after 4 at bats for Trailing Team | 15 after 5 at bats for Trailing Team | 15 after 5 at bats for Trailing Team |
| Max Runs/Inning Length | Once through the order | Once through order/or 3 outs | 5 except last or extra | 5 except last or extra | 5 unless behind then to tie, no limit 6th & 7th |
| Innings/Player | N/A | N/A | 2 infield, each player by 4th inning | 2 infield, each player by 4th inning | 2 infield, each player by 5th inning |
| Max Innings Pitched, or at the Same Position* | N/A | N/A | 3 / 3 | 3 / 3 | 5 / 5 |
| Warm‐up Pitch Count Max/Inning | N/A | N/A | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Coach Pitch | 2nd half of season, 6 pitches then tee | 1st half of season, 6 swings then tee. 2nd half of season, 6 swings to put the ball in play. Strikeouts in 2nd grade only | Yes, maximum 2 walks, then coach completes the count after (4) balls; Coach must pitch from the pitching rubber. | No | No |
| Courtesy Runners | N/A | N/A | Catcher mandatory, pitcher optional | Catcher mandatory, pitcher optional | Per ASA |
| Hit Batters** | N/A | N/A | 2/inning, 3 total – remove from game | 2/inning, 3 total – remove from game | 2/inning, 3 total – remove from game |
| Thrown Bat | 1 warning | 1 warning | 1 warning | 1 warning | 1 warning |
| Forfeit | N/A | N/A | <8 players/15 min | <8 players/15 min | <8 players/15 min |
| Overthrows | May not advance | May not advance | Runners advance, 1 base total | At own risk | At own risk |
| Base Running on Outfield Hits | Runners may continue until ball crosses the base path | Runners may continue until ball crosses the base path and is in control by any infielder in infield | Runners may continue until ball crosses the base path and is in control in any infielder in the circle | At own risk | |
| Stealing Bases | No | No | Yes, after ball crosses plate, if next base is unoccupied (No double stealing, no stealing home) | Yes, after ball crosses plate, all bases including home | Yes, after ball leaves the pitchers hand |
| Bunting | No | No | Yes, no fakes | Yes, no fakes | Yes |
| Dropped 3rd Strike | No | No | No | Yes, batter may only advance to 1st; all other runners, only 1 base | Yes |
| Infield Fly Rule | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Leadoffs/Runner Leaves | No | No | No | After the ball crosses home plate | After the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand |
| Wheel Play | No | No | No | ||
| Pick Offs | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Pitching Distance | N/A | 32’ | 35’ | 40’ | 40′ or 43’ (league rules) |
| Base Distance | 60’ | 60’ | 60′ | 60′ | 60′ |
| Defensive Positioning | All players; field a complete infield; extra players in the outfield | 6 infielders, extra in outfield | 6 infielders, 3 outfielders; Outfield must start 15’ behind base paths, teach infielders to cover 2nd base | 9 | 9 |
| Softball Size | 9″ Soft | 10″ Soft – 1st grade 11″ Soft – 2nd grade | 11″ Hard | 12″ Hard | 12″ Hard |
*Waive Max. Innings Rule for extra-inning games ** Re-entry. A pitcher may re-enter once, if she has not reached her Maximum Inning limit (One pitch in an inning constitutes an inning pitched).