U11 Softball Information and Rules

U11 Softball

OVERVIEW

• In U11 Softball, players are divided into teams of 10-12 players. There are 9 players on the field. The focus is on teaching throwing, hitting, infield play, and base running. This is a developmental age group of children who are 11 or under before December 31.
• An inning is 3 fielding outs or 6 runs.
• Games incorporate most of the rules of softball, but the purpose is instructional and non-competitive.  Game scores are kept and recorded on the WSWYSA website, and there is 1 umpire.
• a team jersey and a team hat are provided prior to the season.

SCHEDULE & PLAYING SEASON

The softball season begins in very late April, weather permitting. Teams play two games per week, on Monday & Wednesday and usually practice an additional one day per week, at the coach’s discretion. Games do get rained out, and coaches try to schedule make-up games, typically on a weekend.  So, some weeks you may play three games, or on unusual nights.  Games begin at 7:00 p.m., but coaches want players to arrive 30-60 minutes early for a pre-game warm-up. Typically, U11 games are finished by around 8:45 p.m.  Macdonald plays in the Winnipeg South West Youth Softball Association League.  The league will finish play before the end of June with the team’s option to participate in various weekend tournaments and provincials, with the registration fees to be paid by the team. 

TEAM FORMATION

Please refer to Macdonald Minor Ball Softball Team Formation Policy here:  http://www.macdonaldminorball.ca/content/softball-registration

Equipment You Need to Provide

• ball glove
• batting helmet with working chin strap and cage
• official softball bat* (optional)
• water bottle labelled with the player’s name
• black ball pants are required

*If you are purchasing a bat, length and weight vary depending on size and strength of the player. Kahunaverse (formerly Home Run Sports), offers 10% off the regular price of bats to players from Macdonald Minor Ball.  The staff will help guide you in the direction of best bat size for your child.

SPECIAL PLAYING RULES - U11 A

1. All games start at 7:00PM with a 15 minute grace period for late arrivals.
2. No game may go beyond 8:30PM except to finish an inning. Umpire’s decision is final when calling a game for darkness.
3. The maximum number of innings is five (5).
4. The minimum number of players required to play a game is eight (8). Not in effect in Provincials (must have 9 players). PLAY WITH 7 PLAYERS AND BORROW FROM THE OTHER TEAM
5. The defensive team shall consist of a maximum of nine (9) players on the field. 6. The "Infield Fly Rule" is not in effect.
6. The Mercy Rule is in effect as follows: In a five (5) inning controlled game if one team is up by thirteen (13) runs after 2 1/2 or 3 innings or up by seven (7) runs after 3 1/2 or 4 innings. The game is officially over if this occurs.
7. All players will appear on the batting order (whether they are in the field defensively or not). Eg. if 15 players show up for a game, all 15 go on the batting order and bat in turn.
8. An offensive inning shall have a maximum of six (6) runs per inning or three (3) outs, whichever comes first.
9. There are unlimited defensive substitutions, i.e. defensive players can rotate into the game at any time. However, the batting order cannot be changed.
10. Pitching distance - 30 ft Baselines - 45 ft
11. After four (4) balls are awarded to the batter, his/her coach will soft toss to the batter two (2) times. The batter has those two (2) chances to hit the ball. If the batter does not hit a fair ball, the batter shall be out. Soft Toss by coach will be done with coach to the side and slightly in front of the batter and in foul territory. The coach will toss the ball into the batter’s normal hitting zone. The catcher will stand behind the batter.
12. Stealing home is prohibited. Runners may advance only on a hit ball. Stealing 2nd and 3rd is permitted once the ball leaves the pitchers hand.
13. Pitchers masks mandatory in U11 and under age categories.
14. On a dropped third strike, the batter is out and the ball is alive (runners may advance at the risk of being put out).
15. The maximum number of innings a pitcher may pitch is three (3) per game. One pitch (legal or illegal) thrown in an inning shall count as an inning pitched.
16. Windmill pitching is permitted.
17. Players are required to wear a batting helmet, complete with an approved mask when batting and/or running.
18. The Ball for U10 and under Age Categories will be the Worth NC11S”.
19. The Home Plate shall be oversized home plate (21 Inches).
20. In the event a player is injured during the game and is unable to take their turn at bat, the player will be removed from the batting order and out for the balance of the game, unless the player’s coach announces that the player will be able to continue to play prior to the team.