The primary goal of our 14/16U division is to continue teaching the fundamentals of softball as the youth transition to a larger game. The 14/16U division are for those who want to continue their softball playing days for recreational purposes or to continue to develop their skills for future club or high school softball.

Expectations

• Continue to hone fundamental skills:

  • Rules

  • Throwing

  • Catching

  • Fielding

  • Hitting

  • Positional play

• Learning Advances Rules- increase infielder and outfielder responsibilities.

• Baserunning- knowing what to do in certain situations; extra base hits

• Throwing Mechanics- covering bases; shuffle; follow through; pitcher covering first/home

• Hitting- repetitions; drill work (tee work, soft toss, soft toss, stick ball, lob toss, one-arm drill)

• Learning Team Fundamentals- cutoff and relays; basic defenses; basic first- and- third situations; underhand flip and double-plays; infield and outfield communication and priorities.

• Learning Specialty Positions- extended practice times for pitchers and catchers

Safety Rules

• Cleats are required for practices and games

• Any player in the Catcher fielding position is required to be in full catchers gear (helmet, chest protector, and shin guards) during play for practices and games

• Any offensive player on the field is required to wear a batting helmet during play at practices and games

• All defensive players on the field (infield and outfield) are required to wear protective face masks during play at practices and games

Rules of Play

• The 14/16u division will play with 12” softballs.

• Games will be played with no new inning starting after 1 hour 30 minutes. The “Drop Dead”

• Time Limit is 2 hours.

• The Home Team will be determined by Lagging at the start of each game (when opponent team is within our league).

• Dugout assignments (when opponent team is within our league) will be based on a first come, first serve basis.

• Player Pitch – standard softball rules apply (strikes, balls, fouls, walks, hit by pitch, etc.)

• Players arriving late will be inserted in the bottom of the batting order.

• Teams may play with less than 9 players on the field. With coach agreement, teams may borrow players from their opponent if necessary. Teams may also borrow players from other teams within the same division (player must be registered to play within the league for insurance purposes) to make up for missing players. Borrowed players should never receive playing time while a rostered player sits the bench.

• Defense may play 9 players on the field.

• Players should bat in the batting order provided to the opposing team prior to the start of the game.

• Stealing permitted.

  • The runner must not leave the base (for lead off or steal) until the ball is released from the pitchers hand. The first offense (any player on team) of leaving the base early will result in a warning. The second offense (any player on team) will result in the runner being called out.

  • When a runner is stealing home, if there is a play at the plate, the runner must slide. If the runner does not slide at home with a play at the plate, the runner is out.

  • When a runner is stealing home, the current batter must vacate the batters box (move away from the potential play at the plate). If the batter does not vacate the batters box (move away from the potential play at the plate), the batter will be called out for interference.

• Dropped 3rd strike rule in effect (batters may run to first base on a dropped third strike with first base open)

• Infield fly rule in effect

• Five run limit per inning. The last inning is open (coaches must agree to call the inning, “the last inning” prior to the start of the inning).

• In the event of a tie, the International Tie Breaker Rule is in effect.

• Umpires have the final call on the field.

• Players may be substituted openly during the game