Northwest Little League (NWLL)

Minor Coach Pitch Local Rules
Rules Approved by NWLL Board, April 2, 2023

NWLL will be governed by the official Little League Softball Rules unless noted and modified below. Please be familiar with the official Little League International rules. The rules below clarify common areas of confusion, emphasize safety rules or set a local rule that varies from a Little League rule.

Rules related to safety, good sportsmanship and the proper teaching of fundamental baseball skills should receive the highest priority.

TIME LIMITS:
NWLL: 2 hours with no new inning after 1 hour and 45 minutes

UNFORM:

All players shall wear the appropriate Little League patches on their uniforms

TEAM COMPOSITION:

1. Each team must field a minimum of 6 players for a legal lineup. (Modification of LL Rule 4.16 and 4.17)
2. Only players on the official league roster provided to the manager by the league commissioner are permitted to play in a league game unless assigned by the player agent. (Summary of Regulation V)
3. If a team knows it will be short players for a game, the manager can make a request to the Softball Commissioner
4. Every player plays
5. One Manager and three coaches are permitted in the dugout

EQUIPMENT:

1. 11” Little League Approved Softballs
2. Batting helmets must have a face mask/cage securely attached
3. All other equipment must comply with Little League International Rules and Regulations. (Rule 1.11 Objectives of the Game)

GAME:

1. Home Team will occupy the 1st base dugout/bench area
2. During play, only base coaches and active players are allowed outside of the dugout
3. Five-Run Rule is in effect. The 5th run scored by a team in their half inning ends the inning but the play is allowed to finish with only five runs counting
4. Ten-Run Mercy Rule is in effect. If after four innings, three and a half innings if the Home Team is ahead, one team has a lead of 10 runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent. If the Visiting Team has a lead of 10 runs or more, the
5. Home Team must bat in its half- inning
6. Games will be a max of 6 innings
7. Bases are 60ft

OFFENSE:

1. A continuous batting order that includes all players on the team roster present for the game shall be used. (Variant of LL Rule 4.04)
2. When a player is injured, ill, or must leave the game site after the start of the game, the team will skip over the player when that player’s time at bat comes up without penalty. If the player is able to return at a later point in the game, that player is inserted into their original spot in the batting order. If a player arrives late to the game site, the player would be added to the end of the lineup. (Variant of LL Rule 4.04)
   
3. The on-deck position is not permitted in Little League Majors Division and below. (LL Rule 1.08 Note 1)
4. Runners only advance one base per live bat. No extra bases
5. Stealing is not allowed

DEFENSE:

1. Teams are allowed to use 10 players on defense by adding a fourth outfielder. They may add a short fielder if 11 players are used
2. All players must be in fair territory prior to the ball being batted
3. There is NO infield fly (Modification LL Rule 2.00)
4. No one player can play a single position for more than 2 consecutive innings. Each player must play at least one inning in infield and one inning in outfield
5. Outfielders must play approximately 20 feet or more beyond the base path which typically means that players must be stationed on the edge of the outfield grass. (Modification of LL Rule 4.03(c))

PITCHING:

1. The pitcher’s mound is set at either 30 or 35 feet from home
2. Coach will pitch 6 pitches
3. Option to use a Pitching Machine in lieu of Coach Pitch
4. There are no walks. A tee is used after the third strike
5. Coach Pitcher is not a play-maker, and should move out of the field of play as much as possible
6. If the Coach is struck by the batted ball, the ball is live and defensive players should field the ball as such

Summary for Coach Pitch Softball
Game Format

• 5 innings max
• 10-run mercy rule after 4 innings
• 5-run limit per inning
• No new inning after 1 hour 45 minutes
• Hard stop at 2 hour
• Coaches will umpire when on offense

Field Rules

• No Infield Fly Rule
• Runners only advance one base
• Batters get 6 pitches
• A tee is used after three strikes or sixth pitch
• All players play one inning in the infield and one in the outfield