Softball Rules & Age Divisions

2024 SOFTBALL RULES & AGE DIVISIONS

Pee Wee (Ages 5-6): The Pee Wee Softball Division (league ages 5-6) is an introductory softball division focused on teaching the love for the game of softball and fun!
• Instructional softball focused on fun!!! Game scores are not recorded.
• Pitching will be done by the coach, getting the players comfortable hitting a live pitch. We will also bring out the tee to ensure they learn to hit and have a love for hitting.
• Although there is a designated manager, EVERY parent is a “coach” and should be helping out.

Typical skill level: Players still learning simple softball rules and how to catch throw and hit a ball. Later on, can make contact with a pitched ball some of the time. Can throw and catch the ball, but only inconsistently. Short attention spans dominate.

Rookies (Ages 7-8): The Rookies Softball Division (league ages 7-8) is an introductory coach/player-pitch softball division utilizing a 60-foot diamond and a 30-foot pitching distance.
• Instructional softball and game scores are not recorded.
• 1st half of season ball is pitched by a coach.
• 2nd half of season kid pitching is introduced.
• "Home Plate" Umpire/Coach will call balls/strikes from behind the mound.
• No base stealing at this level.
• Parents of team players are required to volunteer as umpires; but will not be asked to attend umpire/rules training.

Typical skill level: More consistent ability to catch thrown balls, field grounders and catch easy pop ups. Ability to throw ball accurately to designated target at reasonable distances. (2nd to 1st; and SS to 1st are good tests). Clear understanding of basic defensive situations and where to play the ball. Players should be able to bat off Coach Pitch pitches a majority of the time.

Minors (Ages 9-10): The Minors Softball Division (league ages 9-10) is an intermediate fastpitch softball division utilizing a 60-foot diamond and a 35-foot pitching distance.
• 100% kid-pitch. Competitive. Standings are kept.
• Team selection by skills assessment and team draft.
• Defensive positioning becomes more specialized; not all kids will play all positions.
• Managers from other teams or division will umpire most games with some games having uniformed umpires when available.
• 6 inning game if time allows, 5 runs per inning limit, except final inning which is an open inning. If final inning is determined by time restriction, Managers and Umpires agree on open inning.
• No pitch count for softball pitchers.
• Older ages may play here if there is a safety concern.
• Teams may travel to areas such as Sisters, Redmond, Madras, Warm Springs, and Bend for games.
• All-Stars are selected from this division in the spring to participate in Little League's district tournament with the opportunity to advance to the state tournament. State Champions advance to Little League's NW Region Tournament of State Champions.

Typical skill level: Consistent ability to throw and catch, can hit a more difficult pitch most of the time, hitting balls to the outfield more often. Pitching from the 35’ distance. Steals are allowed after the pitch has crossed home plate. Players have an increased softball awareness of more complex situations.

Majors (Ages 11-12): The Majors Softball Division (league ages 11-12) is an advanced fastpitch softball division utilizing a 60-foot diamond and a 40-foot pitching distance.
• All 11-12 players must be in this division to qualify for All-Star play
• Team selection by skills assessment and team draft.
• Uniformed umpires will be provided for all games.
• No players will be allowed to “play up” into this division.
• Older ages may play here if there is a safety concern
• Some players are approaching adult size.
• Teams may travel to areas such as Sisters, Redmond, Madras, Warm Springs, and Bend for games.
• All-Stars are selected from this division in the spring to participate in Little League's district tournament with the opportunity to advance to the state tournament. State Champions advance to Little League's NW Region Tournament of State Champions.

Typical skill level: Can make routine infield and outfield plays, pitchers can throw harder with increasing accuracy and some are throwing breaking balls. Some batters are able to hit balls with tremendous force and are able to hit home runs over the fence. Players usually understand softball situations without adult guidance.

Juniors (Ages 13-14): The Junior League Softball Division is an advanced fastpitch softball division utilizing a 60-foot diamond and a 43-foot pitching distance.
• 13-14 year old players must be in this division to qualify for All Star play.
• Team selection by skills assessment and team draft.
• Uniformed umpires will be provided for all games.
• No players will be allowed to “play up” into this division.
• Teams may travel to areas such as Sisters, Redmond, Madras, Warm Springs, and Bend for games.
• All-Stars are selected from this division in the spring to participate in Little League's district tournament with the opportunity to advance to the state tournament. State Champions advance to Little League's NW Region Tournament of State Champions.

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