BYS LEAGUES RULES
AGE REQUIREMENTS: A player’s age on 1/1 of each year determines the age classification in which the
player is eligible to participate. Seasonal years run from 8/1 until 7/31 of the coming year. Teams and
players are required to Age-Up 8/1 (First day of the seasonal year) and play in the age group they will be
on 1/1 of the following year. See age chart below.
4U Spartan Ball – 1/1/2017 – 12/31/2018
6U Tee Ball – 1/1/2015 – 12/31/2016
8U Coach Pitch – 1/1/2013 – 12/31/2014
10U Kid Pitch – 1/1/2011 – 12/31/2012
12U Kid Pitch – 1/1/2009 – 12/31/2010
14U Kid Pitch – 1/1/2007 – 12/31/2008
16U Kid Pitch – 1/1/2005 – 12/31/2006
All League Play will be governed by this Rule Book.
Equipment:
Bats: All bats must be unaltered official Softball bats & must have a current approved stamp.
The umpire may check bats at any time. Any illegal bats will be promptly removed from play and the
dugout. National High School Federation maintains a list of illegal bats that can be found online and
Bixby Youth Softball will enforce it. Use of illegal bat will result in an automatic out for the player using
the bat and the coach restricted to the dugout for the remainder of that game. If it happens the second
time the Coach will be ejected from the game.
EXCEPTION: Tee Ball bats will be allowed for 4U Spartan Ball and 6U Tee Ball only.
Balls: All game balls must be clearly stamped with FASTPITCH and .375 Compression and .47 COR.
4U – 10U will use a 11” ball in diameter
12U – 18U must use a 12” ball in diameter
Helmets: All batting helmets and catching gear must be NOCSAE approved and in original condition.
Numbers and personalized designs are okay.
Fielding Masks: Must be NOCSAE approved with no attachments including tinted sun shields.
Footwear: Shoes and socks must be worn and rubber molded cleats are recommended. Metal cleats are
only allowed for 14U and older. Coaches may wear open toed shoes.
4U Spartan Ball Rules
1. Ball: 11-inch Fastpitch ball, optic yellow in color with a maximum compression of 375 and a COR
rating of 47 will be used.
2. Distances:
a. The pitching rubber shall be set at thirty-five (35) feet for Spartan Ball.
b. Pitching circle shall be sixteen (16) feet in diameter around the pitching rubber.
c. The base length is sixty (60) feet.
3. Time Limits: Games shall have a 45 minute finish the batter limit. Games can end in a tie.
4. Runs per Inning: A maximum of 5 runs can be scored each inning for each team
5. Offensive Lineup: The batting lineup may be any number from six (6) up. If a player is removed for
any reason, the spot in the batting order will be skipped with no out recorded.
6. Defensive Positions: The defensive team must have a minimum of six (6) and may have a maximum of
ten (10) players in the field.
a. Defensive players must remain behind the pitcher’s plate line extended until the batter has
hit the ball.
b. One player shall be in the pitcher’s position on the pitching mound with at least one
foot within 8 feet of the pitcher’s plate at the start of each play. The pitcher cannot leave its
position until the ball is hit off the Tee.
c. The Pitcher must wear a helmet with face mask or game face protective gear (Fielders
mask)
d. Six fielders including the catcher can be in the infield. The rest must be in the outfield.
The outfield is defined as at least 5 feet outside of the base lines in fair territory.
e. Catchers, if playing, must wear a helmet with face mask and stand at minimum 5 feet behind the
back of the Tee.
f. Defensive players are encouraged to wear helmet with face mask or game face
protective gear.
7. Tee: A Tee will be provided by the park for games, Coaches are welcome to bring their own standard
unaltered tee.
8. Offensive: The batter will be allowed Five (5) swings. If the batter misses the ball it will be counted as
a swing. If the ball goes foul, or the ball does not go over the 5’ Tee Arc, this will be considered a swing.
9. All offensive players must wear NOCSAE Batter/batting helmets with face mask while on the playing
field.
10. There is no infield fly rule.
11. A runner may not leave a base until the ball is hit off the Tee.
12. Stealing: A runner may not steal.
13. Offensive players may move one base per “fair territory” hit off the Tee.
14. Additional Coaches: In addition to base coaches, other coaches are allowed on the field of play.
a. The “Tee-Coach” may provide assistance to the batter prior to placing the ball on the Tee.
Thereafter the coach must not physically assist the batter. They may verbally instruct the batter only at
this point. The “Tee Coach” will then be responsible for removing the tee and bat from the baseline once
ball is hit.
b. Defensive coaches are allowed on the field of play to verbally instruct players only. Coaches
may not physically interfere with the defensive play or the offensive runners.
6U Tee Ball
1. Ball: 11-inch Fastpitch ball, optic yellow in color with a maximum compression of 375 and a COR
rating of 47 will be used.
2. Distances:
a. The pitching rubber shall be set at thirty-five (35) feet for Spartan Ball.
b. A Restraining Arc is thirty-five (35) feet from the point of home plate.
c. The catcher’s arc is ten (10) feet from the point of home plate.
d. The base length is sixty (60) feet.
3. Time Limits: Games shall have a 60 minute finish the inning limit. Games can end in a tie.
4. Runs per Inning: A maximum of 5 runs can be scored each inning for each team
5. Run Rule: If either team is behind and cannot catch up or go ahead, the game shall be over
immediately. Effectively that is 12 runs ahead after 3 innings, 10 runs ahead after 4 innings.
6. Offensive Lineup: The batting lineup may be any number from nine up. If a player is removed for any
reason other than ejection, the spot in the batting order will be skipped with no out recorded.
7. Defensive Positions: The defensive team must have a minimum of eight (8) and may have a maximum
of ten (10) players in the field.
a. Defensive players must remain behind the pitcher’s plate line extended until the batter has
hit the ball.
b. One player shall be positioned within the pitching circle with at least one foot touching the
pitcher’s plate at the start of each play. The pitcher cannot leave its position
until the ball is hit off the Tee. If the pitcher fields a ball within the circle the player pitcher must throw to a base or home for the attempt out.
c. The Pitcher must wear a helmet with face mask or game face protective gear.
d. Six fielders including the catcher must be in the infield. The rest must be in the outfield. The
outfield is defined as at least 10 feet outside of the base lines in fair territory.
e. Catchers must wear protective gear (Catchers Mask, Chest Protector and Shin guards.
f. Defensive players are encouraged to wear helmet with face mask or game face protective
gear.
8. Tee: A Tee will be provided by the park for game play, Coaches are welcome to bring an unaltered
Tee.
9. Offensive: The batter will be allowed three (3) swings. If the batter misses the ball it will be counted
as a swing. If the ball goes foul, or the ball does not go over the 10’ Tee Arc, this will be considered a
swing. If the batter fouls a third strike, the batter will be called out.
a. Bunting is NOT allowed.
b. The batter will be allowed only one practice swing prior to each swing in the batter’s box. Any
excess practice swings will be a called strike.
c. All offensive players must wear NOCSAE Batter/batting helmets with face mask while on the
playing field.
10. There is no infield fly rule.
11. A runner may not leave a base until the ball is hit off the Tee. Penalty for leaving early; runner will be
called out...
12. On a hit ball there is no limit on bases allowed.
13. Stealing: A runner may not steal. A runner may not leave a base until the ball is hit off the Tee.
Penalty for leaving early; runner will be called out.
14. Time will be called when a defensive player has possession of the ball in advance of the lead runner
OR when the ball is returned to the player pitcher with at least foot inside the pitcher’s circle. If a runner
is more than half way to the next base when time is called, the runner will be awarded the next base.
a. There is no look-back rule.
b. This rule does not preclude the Umpire from calling or granting time in situations such as
when a runner has slid into a base, requests time, no other runners are advancing, or there is an injured
player.
15. Additional Coaches: In addition to base coaches, other coaches are allowed on the field of play.
a. The “Tee-Coach” may provide assistance to the batter prior placing the ball on the Tee.
Thereafter the “Tee coach” must not assist the batter/runners vocally or with hand gestures. The “Tee
Coach” will then be responsible for removing the tee and bat from the baseline. Failure to remove the
tee from home plate or interfering with the play at home will result in the runner coming home being
called out.
b. One coach will be allowed to stand in the on-deck circle while on defense. No other defensive
coaches will be allowed on the field.
8U Coach Pitch
1. Ball: 11-inch Fastpitch ball, optic yellow in color with a maximum compression of 375 and a COR
rating of 47 will be used.
2. Time Limits: Games shall have a 60 minute finish the inning limit. Games can end in a tie.
3. Runs per Inning: A maximum of 5 runs can be scored each inning by each team.
4. Run Rule: The run rule will be 12 runs ahead after 3 innings, 10 runs ahead after 4 innings, and 8
ahead runs after 5 innings. If time has expired and either team is behind and cannot catch up or go
ahead, the game shall be over immediately.
5. Offensive Lineup: The batting lineup may be any number from eight (8) to all players present. An
automatic out will be taken if only eight (8) batters. When batting more than eight (8), if any position in
the batting order is left open due to injury, illness, or ejection it will be an automatic out if a sub is not
available.
6. Defensive Positions: The defensive team must have a minimum of eight (8) and a maximum of ten
(10) defensive players in the field, but no more than six (6), including the catcher, can be positioned
inside the infield baselines. NOTE: The use of a DP/Flex is not allowed in 8U. All players listed on the
lineup card will hit.
7. Player Pitcher: The player pitcher must have at least one foot in the pitcher’s circle when the batter’s
coach is pitching. No other defensive players may be positioned inside the pitcher’s circle at the same
time. The outfield is defined as the grass area on a regulation sized youth field or at least 10 feet beyond
the baselines for other playing surfaces.
8. Batting: The batter will receive five pitches or three swinging strikes, whichever occurs first. Each
pitch will count as one of the five even if the batter does not swing. If the fifth pitch is hit (not bunted)
foul the batter will remain at bat as long as they continue to foul off pitches.
a. The batter is out on a third strike whether caught or uncaught.
b. There shall be no Base on Balls (walk) awarded
c. Hitters hit by a pitch will not be awarded 1st base.
d. Bunting / slapping is allowed. Smashing (Show of fake bunt and then pull back into a full hit
away swing) is not allowed. PENALTY: The ball is dead, and the batter is out if the ball is
contacted. All other runners must return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch.
9. Infield Fly: The infield fly rule is not in effect. The ball remains “live” with all runners in jeopardy of
being put out or advancing.
10. Runners: A runner may not leave a base until the pitch leaves the pitcher’s hand. A runner who
leaves a base on a pitch is at liability to be put out, even on a non-batted ball. She may return to her
original base (unless forced to advance because the batter becomes a batter-runner), or she may
attempt to advance to a subsequent base. However, if the ball is not batted, at the conclusion of a play
involving a non-batted ball (i.e; an attempted pickoff), all outs stand, but any runners not put out must
return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch.
11. Stealing: A runner may not steal a base. At the conclusion of any play involving a NON-BATTED ball,
the ball is dead, all advances shall be nullified, and the runners shall be returned to the base occupied at
the time of the pitch. However, all outs shall stand.
12. Time will be called when: a defensive player has possession of the ball in advance of the lead runner,
OR the ball is returned to the player-pitcher with at least one foot on (or inside of) the line of the
pitcher’s circle. If a runner is more than halfway to the next base when time is called, the runner will be
awarded the next base. If they are not halfway to the next base when time is called they will be returned
to the previous base safely. The defensive team may have a maximum of 3 defensive conferences per
game.
13. Additional Coaches: In addition to base coaches, only a coach in the pitcher’s circle is allowed on the
field of play.
14. Coach Pitcher: The coach pitcher must deliver the pitch with one foot in contact with the pitching
plate.
The coach pitcher may only coach the batter prior to the pitch.
He/she MAY NOT coach the batter-runner at ANY time.
PENALTY: The batter is charged with a PITCH.
The coach pitcher must make an effort to avoid interfering with the play. If in the umpire’s judgment, a
coach interferes unintentionally with the batted ball and/or defensive play, the ball will be declared
dead and the pitch replayed. If in the umpire’s judgment, a coach interferes intentionally, the lead
runner is out and the play replayed. If there are no runners, the batter is out.
15. 8U Modified Kid Pitch Exceptions: Kid Pitchers will pitch the first 2 innings of the game. They will
pitch either 3 Strikes or up to 4 Balls, which every comes first. If 4 balls are pitched to a batter, the coach
pitcher will pitch the remaining strikes (every coach pitch is a strike during kid pitch). There is no stealing
in 8U Modified Kid pitch.
10U Kid Pitch
10U will follow and abide by the NFHS rule set with the following modifications.
1. Ball: 11-inch Fastpitch ball, optic yellow in color with a maximum compression of 375 and a COR
rating of 47 will be used.
2. Time Limits: Games shall have a 60 minute finish the inning limit. Games can end in a tie.
3. Runs per Inning: A maximum of 5 runs can be scored each inning by each team.
4. Run Rule: The run rule will be 12 runs ahead after 3 innings, 10 runs ahead after 4 innings, and 8
ahead runs after 5 innings. If time has expired and either team is behind and cannot catch up or go
ahead, the game shall be over immediately.
5. Pitching Distance: The pitching distance will be 35 feet.
6. Cleats: No Metal Cleats Allowed. Molded Rubber only.
7. 10U Modified Kid Pitch Exceptions: Kid Pitcher will pitch, They will pitch the first 2 innings of the
game. They will pitch either 3 Strikes or 4 Balls, which every comes first. If 4 balls are pitched to a batter,
the coach pitcher will pitch the remaining strikes (every coach pitch is a strike during kid pitch).
8. 10U teams will play by the same rule set NFHS sets for older age divisions, with the only modifications
being permitted listed above.
12U Kid Pitch
12U will follow and abide by the NFHS rule set with the following modifications.
1. Ball: 12-inch Fastpitch ball, optic yellow in color with a maximum compression of 375 and a COR
rating of 47 will be used.
2. Time Limits: Games shall have a 60 minute finish the inning limit. Games can end in a tie.
3. Runs per Inning: A maximum of 5 runs can be scored each inning by each team.
4. Run Rule: The run rule will be 12 runs ahead after 3 innings, 10 runs ahead after 4 innings, and 8
ahead runs after 5 innings. If time has expired and either team is behind and cannot catch up or go
ahead, the game shall be over immediately.
5. Pitching Distance: The pitching distance will be 40 feet.
6. Cleats: No Metal Cleats Allowed. Molded Rubber only.
7. 12U teams will play by the same rule set NFHS sets for older age divisions, with the only modifications
being permitted listed above.
14U & Older Kid Pitch
14U & above will follow and abide by the NFHS rule set with the following modifications for League play.
1. Ball: 12-inch Fastpitch ball, optic yellow in color with a maximum compression of 375 and a COR
rating of 47 will be used.
2. Time Limits: Games shall have a 60 minute finish the inning limit. Games can end in a tie.
3. Runs per Inning: A maximum of 5 runs can be scored each inning by each team.
4. Run Rule: The run rule will be 12 runs ahead after 3 innings, 10 runs ahead after 4 innings, and 8 runs
ahead after 5 innings. If time has expired and either team is behind and cannot catch up or go ahead,
the game shall be over immediately.