DC Sports Official Fastpitch Rules

THE INTENT AND PURPOSE OF THE RULES are to create a balance of play; to provide equal opportunity between the offense and the defense; to minimize risk; to create an atmosphere of sporting behavior and fair play. Diamond Club Sports adheres to the National Federation of High School Sports rules with minor variations for our 8U & 10U division. Good sportsmanship and behavior is expected from all of the teams participating in our events. DC Sports reserves the right to make changes to, or add additional rules in order to keep the game fair and competitive.

Age Requirements & Team Classification

Age Requirements

Team Classifications

Equipment Specifications

Bat Specifications

Ball Specifications

Safety Equipment

  • A player’s age on December 31st, of the previous calendar year, determines the age classification in which the player is eligible to participate. All teams playing between August 1st and December 31st must play by the following year’s playing age eligibility.

  • Players may participate in a higher age group, but cannot play in a lower age group.

  • Players may not participate on more than one team, regardless of age or classification during the same event or time period.

  • Team registration will run from August 1st through July 31st of the following calendar year. All teams must “age-up” to participate in events after August 1st.

  • Player rosters must be entered electronically and submitted prior to playing in any event. It is the responsibility of the Coach/Manager to insure that their team roster is correct prior to the start of the first game in each event.

  • Guest players are allowed and shall be listed on the roster prior to playing in any event.

  • All bats must be unaltered official softball bats.

  • All bats must be stamped with BPF 1.20 or less.

  • Any player guilty of using an illegal bat will be called out and ejected from the game

  • All 12U - 18U Divisions will use 12” diameter balls with .47 C.O.R and .375 compression.

  • All 8U - 10U Divisions will use 11” diameter balls with .47 C.O.R and .375 compression.

  • High Visibility Yellow balls with red stitching shall be used in all events.

  • All helmets must be stamped with the NOCSAE stamp.

  • All face guards must be stamped with the NOCSAE stamp.

  • Face guards are REQUIRED for all 8U & 10U Divisions.

  • Face guards are recommended for 12U - 18U but are optional.

Specific Rules for 8U (Coach Pitch)

  • 8 runs or 3 outs per 1/2 inning.

  • Each batter will get 5 pitches OR 3 swings, 5th pitch foul balls will not be counted against the batter.

  • The “Pitching” coach may pitch from any distance inside the 8 ft pitching circle and within the lateral boundaries of the 24” pitching rubber.

  • If the “Pitching” coach is hit by a batted ball a dead ball will be called and all runners will return to the previous base and the batter will resume their previous pitch count.

  • The “Pitcher” player must have at least one foot within the pitcher’s circle until the ball is pitched.

  • There will be 10 defensive players allowed on the field.

    • Six Infielders

    • Four Outfielders

  • During a live ball ALL runners are free to advance. When the lead runner is stopped the umpire shall call time and no more advancements can be made.

  • There shall be no stealing or bunting, however “slapping” is allowed.

  • Infield Fly Rule and Intentional Walks do not apply to this age group.

  • The “Run Rule” will be 12 runs after 3 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings, and 8 runs after 5 innings.

Specific Rules for 10U

  • 10U shall play by the most current version of the National Federation of High School Sports with the following exceptions:

    • Pitchers will pitch from a distance of 35 ft.

    • All events will be played with an 11” ball with the specifications previously mentioned.

    • Although stealing is allowed by rule, only one base may be stolen per pitch in the “C” classification.

Umpires & Sportsmanship

Umpires Responsibilities and Conduct

DC Sports appreciates the body of work that our umpires do. They are all certified and tested by their respective High School Associations. This being stated, they are human and make mistakes as do the players and coaches. We expect all of our coaches, players and fans to give them the same respect that the umpires give you. Keep in mind that no league or tournament can be held WITHOUT umpires. So please consider this before you make rude or demeaning statements.

  • The umpire is responsible to keep control of the game.

  • Umpires should be fair, impartial, use good judgement and never speak rudely or out of place to a player, coach or fan.

  • The umpire can suspend play for any reason: Acts of nature, unruly conduct, etc.

  • Umpire jurisdiction begins upon the arrival of the confines of the field and ends when they leave.

  • The umpire’s right to disqualify players or to remove non players for objecting to decisions or for unsporting conduct is ABSOLUTE.

  • Protests must be made verbally with the umpire by the offended team at the time of the play and before the next pitch. Only decisions involving the misinterpretation or misapplication of a rule may be protested.

  • All decisions made by the Tournament Director and/or the Umpire in Chief shall be final.

Sportsmanship

  • Unsportsmanlike behavior will not be tolerated.

  • Coaches will follow the rules of sportsmanship, be a graceful winner and loser, and never speak rudely to a player, coach or fan.

  • Coaches are responsible for the sportsmanship and conduct of their own players and fans.

  • Should a fan be ejected from a game, that fan is barred from the remainder of the tournament. If it is discovered that they successfully reentered the event the team will forfeit its remaining games and there will be no refund of the team entry fee.

  • Absolutely no alcohol will be allowed at any DC Sports events. Any violation will result in your removal and you will be barred for the remainder of the event.