LEXINGTON COUNTY SOFTBALL
2025 YOUTH RULES
FAST PITCH (ALL AGE GROUPS)
1. All equipment must be kept in dugouts during games.
2. Players are to remain in the dugout during the game
3. Shoes will be worn at all times. No metal spikes (the player will not be permitted to
play in the game with metal spikes on)! Tennis shoes or rubber cleats are
recommended.
4. Jewelry will not be permitted during games this includes no dangling or loose-fitting
jewelry. EXCEPTION: studded earrings will be allowed so long as they are
covered at all times (ex. Tape or Band Aids)/religious jewelry is allowed but must be
secured to the body, including permanent bracelets. A player will not be permitted to
play in the game until the jewelry item is removed or secured by rule.
5. A team may have a maximum of three coaches in a dugout along with a scorekeeper.
6. All coaching will be done from the dugout or coaches box.
7. A coach desiring that a child not play for disciplinary reasons must first receive
approval from the league officers and then notify the opposing coach before the
game starts. In all other cases all players will be required to start and finish at least
two (2) complete innings. To assure yourself that all players play at least two (2)
complete innings all players must be put in the game by the start of the fourth inning.
You can take a chance and wait until the top of the fifth or sixth inning to insert
players, but if you do, they must play a full two- (2) innings.
EXAMPLE:
If you wait until start of fifth inning to insert a player or players, you must complete
six (6) full innings. If you wait until the start of sixth inning to insert a player or
players you must complete seven (7) full innings. If you are home team and you put
in all your players by the start of the fourth inning and you don’t have to bat or
complete your turn at bat in the bottom of the fifth, this counts as a complete inning).
Failure to abide by these rules will result in an automatic forfeit.
8. Only the head coach from each team will be permitted to approach the umpire for an
explanation of a call.
9. Head Coaches will be held responsible for their parent/spectators/fans. Should a
team’s parent(s)/spectator/fan be ejected from a game/facility for any reason this will
result in the ejection of the team’s Head Coach. EXCEPTION: If a Head Coach
makes every effort to calm the parent/spectator/fan and that individual does not
comply to repeated warnings the Head Coach WILL NOT be ejected. This
determination will be made by the umpire and Board member on duty.
10. Any coach who is ejected from a game will be suspended for one (1) game. If he or
she is ejected for the second time, they will be suspended and must come before the
board of that league and the Recreation Commission, for reinstatement.

11. Bat slinging will not be allowed. Players guilty of bat slinging may be warned the
first time. For the second offense, the player will be called out.
12. There will be no grace periods for the games. The first game each night will start at
6:15pm. The second game will start at 7:30pm, or immediately following the 6:15pm
game. You must have a minimum of eight players (there is NO penalty/out for the
9th player missing) to start the game, however on arrival of the ninth player, she
automatically becomes the ninth batter and takes her place on defense. If on arrival
of the ninth player, she bats in any other position except the ninth, then it becomes an
appeal situation. (See Perfect Game Rule Book –batting out of order, BATTING.)
13. If all subs have been used and the ninth player gets hurt to where she can’t finish or
if she must leave the park, the game may be finished with eight players. In this case,
you would strike her name off the scorebook for the rest of the game and skip over
her in the batting order. (This rule also applies if you roster bat).
14. Teams will be allowed to score a maximum of five (5) runs per inning.
15. Any team that is ahead by ten (10) or more runs at the end of five (5) complete
innings (four and one half (4 ½) if the home team is winning) will be declared the
winner.
16. No new inning will start after one hour and FIFTEEN minutes, except in case of a
tie. However, the inning you are in will be completed and the game counted
regardless of innings played. Tie games will continue until you have a winner
UNLESS YOU ARE PLAYING A TEAM OUTSIDE OF YOUR LEAGUE AND IT
WILL NOT EFFECT THE STANDINGS in this case teams will play one additional
inning in an attempt to declare a winner if this does not occur then the game will end
in a tie. The umpire’s time will be official.
In the event of a tie or if time expires, the international tie breaker will go into effect
the next new inning regardless of the inning you are presently in. The last out
recorded from the previous offensive inning will be placed on second base with no
outs.
17. Any player who has made their School Softball teams B, C, JV or Varsity team etc,
will not be permitted to play in Lexington County Recreation Softball Leagues
during the same season (spring season).
18. In case of rain, a game that goes five innings or 4 ½ if the home team is ahead, a
winner will be declared. A game that does not go the full five innings, will be picked
up from the point it was stopped.
19. The umpire must be notified of intent to protest at the time of the infraction before
the next pitch is thrown.
20. A coach must send a written statement to the league officers within forty-eight hours
of the game, stating the reason of the protest.
21. Although the Recreation Department appreciates any improvement you might make
to your park, please be advised no equipment or improvements will be allowed
without prior approval from this office.
22. All players on OFFENSE, whether batting or on base must wear a NOCSAE
approved batting helmet with FACEGUARD
23. All softballs must be a USSSA approved and stamped ball.
24. All leagues county wide will require DEFENSIVE players to wear a mouth piece
unless a face mask is worn.
25. 10U teams are allowed to play with 4 outfielders on defense.
26. All catchers must wear an approved catcher’s helmet when catching. Batting helmets
are not considered to be approved catcher’s helmets.
27. Absolutely NO form of “Comms” Communication/Technology will be permitted
during play. First offense will be a warning. Second offense will result in the head
coach being ejected.


EXCEPTION TO PERFECT GAME/LCRAC RULES FOR 10 & UNDER
1. In the 10 & UNDER DIVISION ONLY! There will be NO running on the
DROPPED THIRD STRIKE and NO INFIELD FLY RULE.
2. 10U teams are allowed to play with 4 outfielders on defense
3. All 10U games should alternate every inning between “machine pitch” and
“player pitch”. Odd innings (1, 3, 5, and 7) will be “PLAYER pitch” and even
innings (2, 4, and 6) will be “MACHINE pitch”. EXCEPTION: If both Head
Coaches agree at the plate meeting they may choose ALL “player pitch” or ALL
“machine pitch”. If coaches cannot agree both teams will abide by LCRAC Rule
of alternating player pitch and machine pitch.
4. During a machine pitch inning, there will be a maximum of five pitches to each
batter. After the fifth pitch if the batter has not hit a fair ball, foul ball that is
caught in the air, or struck out, she will automatically be called out. Should the 5th
pitch be fouled off, the batter will get an additional pitch upon each foul ball, if
by the 8th pitch she has not hit a fair ball, foul ball that is caught in the air, or
struck out she will automatically be called out.
5. Each league will be required to purchase the same pitching machine (Louisville
Slugger Flame Pitch Machine) the pitching machine is to be set up directly
behind the 35ft pitchers’ plate in the circle. pitching machine shall be set as
follows: Release Arm: 4 Power Pedal: 7 Micro Adjustment: 2
6. Should a batted ball hit the pitching machine the ball will be declared dead and
the batter will be awarded 1st base. Runners will only advance if forced to do so.
7. Stealing will be permitted at the point of release from the pitching machine or
pitcher player. Runner may steal HOME at any time during the season.


EXCEPTION TO PERFECT GAME RULES
FOR 8U
1. A ball thrown into foul territory is dead. Runners are awarded the base to which
they are headed, if advancing to a base. EXCEPTION: An overthrow at home
plate, the ball is alive, runners can advance at their own risk.
2. Pitcher-coach is free to pitch from 35 foot rubber to 12 foot circle as needed,
depending on the ability of the batter.
3. Pitcher-player takes a position on either side of pitcher-coach, (pitcher-player
must be inside 12 ft. circle) to see batter and can move forward beside pitchercoach when the coach moves toward the batter to pitch.
4. Batted ball must pass home plate circle (12 feet) to be fair.
5. Batter and base runners must wear helmets.
6. No more than 5 runs per inning per team.
7. A one hour and FIFTEEN minute time limit or 6 complete innings will be
considered a regulation game.
8. Other infielders are not allowed to approach closer to home plate than pitcherplayer.
9. Pitcher-coach should leave playing field after the ball is hit. Unintentional
interference by the pitcher-coach is still a live ball. Intentional interference by the
pitcher-coach, ball will be dead and the batter out and no baserunner can
advance.
10. One defensive coach is allowed on the field, either side of the diamond between
the coach’s box and the batter’s circle.
11. There will be no bunting, stealing, drop third strike, or infield fly rule in 8U.
12. A game may begin with a minimum of 8 players (NO penalty/out for the
missing player(s) maximum of 10 players on defense. Roster batting is
permitted and encouraged.
13. In the event of a tie or if time expires the international tie breaker will go
into effect the next new inning regardless of the inning you are presently in.
The last batter of the previous inning will be placed on second base with 2
outs.
14. The speed in which a pitch is thrown by the pitcher coach will be left to the
umpire’s judgment.
15. Any team that is ahead by twelve (12) or more runs at the end of five (5)
complete innings (four and one half (4 ½) if the home team is winning) will be
declared the winner.
16. In any league that a coach pitches, there will be a maximum of eight (8) pitches
to each batter. After the eighth (8) pitch if the batter has not hit a fair ball, foul
ball that is caught in the air, or struck out, she will automatically be called out.

LEXINGTON COUNTY 6U RULES
Play will be governed by the 2025 Perfect Game Rule Book,
unless otherwise specified below.
1. The ball will be an 11 inch Softee
2. All team members present will play the field
3. Umpires will not be used
4. Scores and standings will not be recorded
5. There is a not a minimum number of players who have to be present to play
6. Teams may have as many coaches on the field as they feel is necessary
7. All players will bat every inning
8. All batters will receive 5 pitches. If she has not hit a fair ball, the ball will be
placed on the batting tee for her to hit
9. All batters must wear a helmet with a face mask while batting, on base or on deck
10. All fielders must wear a fielding mask or a mouthpiece
11. Catchers must wear a chest protector and helmet with a face mask. If the team’s
equipment is way too big for the catcher, she will be allowed to wear a batting
helmet and stand off to the side, behind home plate.
12. The player/pitcher must stand to the side of the coach/pitcher