THESE RULES ARE NOT TO BE REGARDED AS A CHALLENGE FOR CLEVER COACHES WHO ARE LOOKING FOR LOOPHOLES AROUND THE RULES. THE INTENT IS TO PROVIDE AN ACCEPTABLE FRAMEWORK FOR PARTICIPATION OF ALL TEAMS, COACHES AND INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATING IN GAA.
GAA Softball follows Pony rules with our modified rules below.
Field Dimensions:
Age Division Base Paths
6U 55'
8U 55'
10U 60'
12U 60'
14U 60'
Pitching Distance
6U 35'
8U 35'
10U 35'
12U 40'
14U 43'
Game Length:
Age Division Time Limit
4U 45 minutes
6U 1 hour
8U 1 hour
10U 1 hour 15 minutes
12U 1 hour 15 minutes
14U 1 hour 15 minutes
GAA Local Rules: LEAGUE RULE ALL LEAGUES Ride share request will only be honored in 4U only. This is done in part to ensure fair and balanced teams once participants reach age groups that are chosen by a draft process.
ALL LEAGUES No intoxicated person should be allowed on the premises.
ALL LEAGUES No vulgar or abusive language will be allowed.
ALL LEAGUES The home team will provide the official scorekeeper.
ALL LEAGUES No metal cleats in any division (Exception is 14U)
ALL LEAGUES The entire roster of players present for the game shall bat in rotation in all Divisions
ALL LEAGUES It is recommended that each player on the team play defensively in at least two innings of each game in all Divisions
ALL LEAGUES If an inning has begun more than 5 minutes prior to a time limit expiring, it is played to its natural conclusion, or until the lead is unobtainable. No new inning will start within 5 minutes prior to the conclusion of the game.
ALL LEAGUES If the score is tied at the end of regulation in League play, no extra innings are played. A tie is a tie.
ALL LEAGUES If a game is called due to rain, Weather, light failure or other acts of Nature and cannot be resumed it is a regulation game if: Game is official if thirty minutes have expired in 6U & 8U or 45 minutes in 10U, 12U, and 14U , or if the home team is leading after two and one half (2 ½) innings. Any game that has not reached the required time length to be an official game, will be rescheduled.
ALL LEAGUES The number of league games played per season will be based upon available dates for the league.
ALL LEAGUES Make-up games and Post season tournaments are excluded from the two game limitation.
ALL LEAGUES If a coach is ejected from a game, they must sit out the next game and appear before the GAA Executive Board.
ALL LEAGUES All-Star Team coaches are selected by the GAA Executive Board, as well as the decision to Field an All Star team in each Division.
ALL LEAGUES A team failing to field at least eight uniformed players within 15 minutes after the scheduled starting time of a game, or at any time during the game, shall forfeit the game. If a team is playing with less than nine, an out is taken at the ninth spot in the batting order.
ALL LEAGUES A player must play in the catcher position in the following divisions: 6U modified, 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U.
6U Once play has begun in a game, the game shall be played to a one hour time limit for 6U or regulation length (six innings), whichever comes first, unless the home team is leading and does not need its half of the final inning. Maximum five runs per inning, Run rule is 10 runs after 4 innings.
6U No game shall begin after 8pm local time. No inning should begin after 9:15 local time
6U Ten players shall be used defensively. The Outfielders must be positioned in the grass when the ball is hit from the Tee.
6U Two adult coaches may be stationed on the playing field, in the outfield grass, to provide verbal instructions to the defensive team.
6U Each player will receive one warning for throwing the bat. The second time in a game the batter throws the bat, the batter is out
6U Defensive position can only be played in two consecutive innings before the player must play somewhere else (FALL Season Only)
6U Outfielders must throw the ball into the infield. An outfielder may not run from the outfield and tag a runner or base to record an out.
6U If the ball is hit and fielded inside the Pitcher’s Circle, the fielder must throw to a base to record an out, not run down a base runner.
6U On an overthrow at 1st base, the base runner can only advance one additional base. A play can be made on that runner advancing to the next base.
8U Ten players shall be used defensively. The Outfielders must be positioned in the grass when the pitching motion is made.
8U The player fielding the pitcher’s position shall take position always to the rear of the pitching plate, and on the left or right side of the coach-pitcher with one foot in the Pitcher’s Circle when the pitch is made.
8U Once play has begun, the game shall be played to a one hour time limit or regulation length (six innings), whichever comes first, or five and a fraction if the home team is leading. Maximum five runs per inning. Run rule is 15 runs after 3 innings, 8 runs after 4 innings.
8U On an overthrow at 1st base, the base runner can only advance one additional base. A play can be made on that runner advancing to the next base.
8U No game shall begin after 8pm local time. No inning should begin after 9:15 local time
8U there will be no intentional walks.
8U will have 4 pitches or 3 strikes with continuous foul balls.
8U TIME WILL BE CALLED WHEN THE BALL CROSSES THE CIRCLE TO THE PITCHER REGARDLESS OF WHO CATCHES THE BALL
10U will play with 4 girls in the outfield
10U Free substitution on defense, excluding the pitching position.
10U *Runners may steal bases.
10U Once play has begun, the game shall be played to a one hour and fifteen minute time limit or regulation length (six innings), whichever comes first, or five and a fraction if the home team is leading. Maximum five runs per inning. Run rule is 15 runs after 3 innings, 8 runs after 4 innings. 12U Free substitution on defense.
12U Once play has begun, the game shall be played to a one hour and fifteen minute time limit or regulation length (six innings), whichever comes first, or five and a fraction if the home team is leading.
12U Maximum Five runs per inning. Run rule is 15 after 3 innings, 12 after 4 innings, 8 after 5 innings.
14U Free substitution on defense.
14U Once play has begun, the game shall be played to a one hour and Fifteen minute time limit or regulation length (seven innings), whichever comes first, or six and a fraction if the home team is leading. Maximum of Five runs per inning. Run rule is 15 after 3 innings, 12 after 4 innings, 8 after 5 innings.