Scroll all the way to the bottom of this page.  It includes rules, website help, league page links, field page links etc.

Thank you,
 

Have a great Fall season.

TEAM FORMATION AND General Fall  RULES

HOME TEAM IS DETERMINED BY A COIN FLIP!

Each team brings one (1) new softball for each weekend.

Register your team on-line prior to the fall league meeting on August 8th.  Make sure to rank your team 1-10.  1 is a beginner C team.  10 is a high-level A team.

Fall League provides an opportunity for your players to learn about the game and gain experience-playing fastpitch.  

Starting in Fall 2019, 8U and 10U will play all fall games on Saturday.  12U-18U will play all fall games on Sunday's.  We are doing this to relieve the high demand/shortage of umpires on just playing on Sunday's.

• Because of fall weather conditions, all games are rain or shine. The decision to play is made at the fields by the two (2) coaches and umpires, (please don't email or call).
• 1/2 hour delay if lightning is present.
• All games will be scheduled for 65 minutes, allowing for the last inning to be completed, and one inning using the tie breaker rule if the game is tied.  
• Free substitution and round-robin batting is mandatory. 
• Teams will not be penalized for having 8 players weeks 1-4. 
• 5 runs per inning  for 10U for entire season including State.
• 5 runs per inning for 12U for weeks 1-4.  Normal run rule for State.
• Schedule:  Every week schedules are re-done by record.  For example.  Week 1= A team ranked a 5 will be scheduled against a team ranked a 5.  After week 1, teams with a record of 2-0 play against 2-0 teams, 1-1 vs 1-1, 0-2 vs 0-2.  Every week we look at the schedule and repeat the process.
• Games are scheduled at Noon, 1:30, 3:00 and 4:30.   IF we have an odd number of teams at a location there are occasions that we have to stagger your game schedule for your team.  i.e.  Noon and 3:00 or 1:30 and 3:00.  It rarely happens but it may.  Also, depending on how many fields we have at each age level in each region teams may have to be move from region to region to play games.
• 8U will use the summer rules modified to reflect fall ball.  To keep cost down there will be no umpires used until state.
• 10U will play following the national rules (same as all age levels) and continue to play at 35’ pitching distance, use an 11” ball. 

GAME PLAY

• Doubleheader games will be played on Saturday.  Games start at 12:00pm, 1:30pm, 3:00pm and 4:30pm.
• Games will be 5 innings or 65-minute time limit.
• Each team supplies one (1) new game ball per weekend.  Four (4) balls total all fall season
• Defense will have 9 players on the field. However, no penalty for playing with 8 players. Teams with 7 players can play however, 8th player in the line-up will be an out.
• It is strongly encouraged to rotate players in to multiple positions during a game.
• Each batter gets 3 swings or 5 pitches unless last pitch is a foul ball. The at bat will continue on a foul ball just as with all other age groups.
• Bunting is not allowed.
• The Infield Fly Rule will not be applied.
• Runners will not be allowed to advance after a dropped third strike.
• Stealing is not allowed.
• Designated players (DP) will not be allowed.
• Leading off is not allowed. Runners may not leave their base until ball contact with the bat.
• The pitcher must stay in the pitcher's circle and behind or on the side of the coach until ball contacts the bat. For clarification, draw a line at the 35' mark across entire circle and use that line for the pitcher to stand behind. However, absolutely no movement can be made by the pitcher which places them in front of the pitching machine and or coach prior to pitch.
• Prior to the pitch, the pitching coach must verbalize and check that the defense is in the ready position and ready for play to begin.
• Outfielders must start the play standing on the grass at the edge of the infield. If the infield is cut for baseball create an arc 15 feet behind the bases and the outfielders must start behind that. They can't move until the bat has made contact with the ball.
• Players and runners will stop when:
• A ball that never leaves the infield: Once a fielder has control of the ball the runners should stop at the next base. This encourages the infielder to throw the ball to the appropriate base without the fear of runners advancing to the next base because of an overthrow.
• Ball fielded on the dirt or the arc equals one (1) base per infield hit.
• A ball hit to the outfield: If no outfielder has control of the ball the runners may continue to advance. Once the outfielder gains control of the ball and throws it toward the infield the runners will stop at the next base. Even if the ball doesn't make it to the "dirt" on the throw, the act of throwing the ball in is the attempt at making the correct play. Players must stop at the next base. Exception, the outfielder can carry the ball to the infield to make an out. The runners can keep advancing in this situation.
• Teams will bat the roster.
• Innings are complete after 3 outs or 5 runs
• Run ahead rule: 15 after 3, 12 after 4, 8 after 5
• Coaches allowed on the field: Teams may have two (2) offensive, two (2) defensive and one (1) pitching coach feeding the pitching machine on the field to help train and teach the game.
• Coaches are part of the field and are in play and need to make every effort to stay out of the player’s way.
• The coach feeding the pitching machine must keep a maximum of two (2) softballs in his/her possession, and not laying on the ground around the machine.
• Prior to the pitch, the pitching coach must verbalize and check that the defense is in the ready position and ready for play to begin.
• Coaches need to operate the game with the highest amount of integrity. At all times keep the kid’s best interest in mind.

This year we will have our Fall Director Meeting at Medina Entertainment Center on Thursday, August 8th, 2019 at 7:00PM.

Coaches do not need to attend. This meeting is for Directors to discuss fall league, rules, and policies.

Fall Registration Fee is $500.00.

8-Under is $100.

Thank you for considering hosting a Fall Ball League/Qualifier/State Tournament Site. We anticipate 600 teams playing Fall Ball this year with Minnesota Softball. We will absolutely need your fields if you can spare them.

We need a minimum of (2) 200' fenced fields but more are easier to schedule.

If you want a chance to host a Fall State tournament we require that you host a minimum of 2 of the 4 days of league play.  

Keep in mind you will be required to maintain them throughout the day (drag, water, chalk, repair).

Also make sure your fields have restrooms, concessions and you post weekly a field schedule so teams know where to play.

This is a two (2) part form. In part one we will need information about the site. In part two we will need information on weekend availability. Before filling out the form you might want to have the following information handy if you wish to host:

1. Complex Name
2. Field Name/Number and Priority
3. Field Availability
4. Age Preferences if Any
5. Director Contact Information

We hope by using this form information can be streamlined. If you wish to edit the form after you fill it out, contact the gentleman below.

Minnesota Softball  thanks you and the kids do too!