General Field Rules
- Lemansky Park: All parking must be at Horgan Arena. There is no parking at the field or along the street.
- Pappas Recreation Complex: Parking is permitted only in designated parking areas. Please do not park at the church.
Restroom & Concessions
- Lemansky Park: Restrooms are available near the upper parking lot. There are no concessions at this field.
- Pappas Recreation Complex: Restrooms and portable toilets available. The concession stand is operated by Auburn Little League and is typically open only when baseball games are being played. Though, you can usually count on the ice cream truck passing through !
A Note About Playing Rules
These rules are intended to provide consistency and fair play across all divisions. Auburn Fastpitch regularly reviews and updates its playing rules as needed to reflect player development, age-appropriate competition, and the overall needs of each division. This is especially true at the younger instructional levels, where rules may evolve as we evaluate what best supports learning and fair play.
Coaches may mutually agree to reasonable modifications when appropriate based on the age, skill level, and ability of the players involved, provided the changes are fair to both teams and remain consistent with the spirit of Auburn Fastpitch.
6U USA SOFTBALL Recreational League Rules
Field Dimensions and Equipment
• Ball Size: 10-inch soft or safety ball.
• Base Distance: 45 feet between bases if possible. (Normal field is ok)
• Pitching Distance: Batters hit from a tee or receive soft toss from a coach.
• Helmets: All batters and base runners must wear helmets.
• Fielding Mask: Must be worn by all defensive players.
• Footwear: Sneakers or molded cleats only. No metal cleats.
Game Structure and Time Limits
• Innings: Play for about 3–4 innings or up to 1 hour.
• Batting Order: All players bat each inning, and no outs or score are recorded.
• Fielding: All players take the field each inning if possible. Rotate positions often.
• Game Purpose: Focus on learning the game, teamwork, and having fun.
Basic Rules
• No Stealing or Leading Off: Runners stay on base until the ball is hit.
• No Bunting or Walks: Player’s swing to hit; bunting not allowed.
• Overthrows: Runners advance at the coach’s discretion, keeping it safe and simple.
• Ball in Play: Once the ball is returned to the pitcher or infield, runners stop.
Safety and Conduct
• Bat Safety: No throwing bats, players should learn to drop them after swinging.
• Sportsmanship: Coaches and parents should model encouragement and patience.
• Coaching: Coaches may be on the field to guide players during the game.
8U USA SOFTBALL 8U Recreational League Rules
Field Dimensions and Equipment
• Ball Size: 11-inch softball.
• Base Distance: 60 feet between bases.
• Pitching Distance: Coach pitch from 30–35 feet.
• Helmets: All batters and base runners must wear helmets with face masks.
• Fielding Mask: Must be worn by all AFP defensive players.
• Footwear: Molded cleats or sneakers only, no metal cleats.
Game Structure and Time Limits
• Innings: Games typically last 3–4 innings or up to 1 hour and 20 minutes.
• Batting Order: All players bat each inning in a continuous lineup.
• Fielding: Teams may use 10 players in the field to allow more participation.
• Scorekeeping: No score is kept focus is on development and fun.
Playing Rules
• Coach Pitch: Coaches pitch to their own players to encourage hitting success. Use of tee is allowed.
• No Stealing or Leading Off: Runners must stay on base until the ball is hit.
• No Bunting: Players are encouraged to take full swings.
• No Slap Hitting
• No Walks or Strikeouts: Each batter gets up to 6 pitches to hit the ball.
• Overthrows: Runners may advance one base if allowed by the coach.
• Ball in Play: When the ball is returned to the pitcher or stopped in the infield, runners stop.
Safety and Conduct
• Catcher’s Gear: Full gear is required if a catcher is used.
• Bat Safety: Players must drop bats after swinging, no throwing bats.
• Coaches on the Field: Coaches may be positioned on the field to help players.
• Sportsmanship: All players, coaches, and families should encourage learning and teamwork.
10U USA SOFTBALL 10U Recreational League Rules
Field Dimensions and Equipment
• Ball Size: 11-inch softball is used for the 10U age group.
• Base Distance: Bases are 60 feet apart.
• Pitching Distance: 35 feet.
• Helmets: All batters and base runners must wear helmets with face masks for safety.
• Fielding Mask: Must be worn by all AFP defensive players.
• Metal Cleats: Not allowed at the 10U level. Players must wear molded cleats.
Game Structure and Time Limits
• Innings: Games are played to 6 innings or until time expires.
• Time Limit: Games have a 1 hour and 20 minute limit. If an inning starts before the time expires, it should be completed.
• Tie Games: If the game is tied after time expires, use a league-approved tie-breaker rule or end in a tie—check with your league.
• Run Limit: A 5-run max per inning is standard, or 3 outs, whichever comes first.
Player Participation
• Minimum Players: Teams must field at least 8 players to start a game.
• Everyone Bats: Most rec leagues use a continuous batting order; every player in attendance bats, regardless of defensive position.
• Extra Player (EP): Allowed. EPs can play defense freely and must stay in their batting spot.
• Substitutions/Re-entry: Players may re-enter freely in rec play, as long as they maintain good sportsmanship and get playing time.
Safety and Conduct
• Catcher’s Gear: Catchers must wear full gear: helmet with face mask and throat guard, chest protector, and shin guards.
• Courtesy Runner: A courtesy runner may be used for the pitcher or catcher, usually the last recorded out.
• Sportsmanship: Poor sportsmanship or arguing calls may result in player or coach removal. Zero tolerance for disrespecting umpires. Playing Rules
• Dropped Third Strike: Not used at the 10U rec level. If the catcher drops strike three, the batter is still out.
• Infield Fly Rule: Optional. Some leagues use it, some don’t. Clarify before games.
• Stealing: Runners may steal 2nd and 3rd base only.
• No Stealing Home: Runners cannot steal home at this level.
• Lead-Offs: Runners must stay on the base until the ball crosses home plate.
• Bunting: Bunting is allowed.
• Overthrows: One base may be awarded on an overthrow, based on league rules or umpire discretion.
• Ball in Play: If the pitcher has control of the ball in the circle, runners must return to their base or advance immediately.
General Game Flow
• Warm-Ups: Teams should warm up before the game. No infield warm-ups after the first inning begins unless allowed by the umpire.
• On-Deck Batters: Only the next batter should be in the on-deck circle and must wear a helmet.
• Bat Safety: No throwing bats. Warnings may be issued for the first offense; further offenses may result in an out.
Umpires and Scorekeeping
• Umpires: Their decisions are final. Coaches and players should be respectful at all times.
• Scorekeeping: Both teams should keep score. League standings and win/loss records are tracked only if required by your league.
12U & 14U USA SOFTBALL Recreational League Rules
Field Dimensions and Equipment
• Ball Size: 12-inch softball.
• Base Distance: 60 feet between bases.
• Pitching Distance: 40 feet from pitcher’s plate to home.
• Helmets: All batters and base runners must wear helmets with face masks.
• Fielding Mask: 12U: Must be worn by all AFP defensive players.
• Fielding Mask: 14U: Must be worn by all AFP INFIELD defensive players. Outfield is at player/parent discretion.
• Footwear: Molded cleats or sneakers. No metal cleats for 12U. Metal cleats allowed for 14U ONLY.
• Catcher’s Gear: Full gear required, helmet with face mask and throat guard, chest protector, and shin guards.
Game Structure and Time Limits
• Innings: Games are typically 6 innings or up to 1 hour and 20 minutes. If an inning starts before the time expires, it should be completed.
• Tie Games: If time expires or 6 innings are completed with a tie, use league tie-breaker rules or end in a tie.
• Run Limit: Usually 5 runs per inning or 3 outs, depending on local rules.
Player Participation
• Minimum Players: Teams must have at least 8 players to start.
• Batting Order: Most leagues use a continuous batting order so all players hit.
• Extra Player (EP): Allowed. EPs can rotate in defensively but must stay in their lineup spot.
• Substitutions/Re-entry: Re-entry is allowed in rec play to give everyone time in the field.
Playing Rules
• Stealing: Players may steal any base, including home, once the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand.
• Dropped Third Strike: In effect. Batters can run to 1st if 1st base is unoccupied or there are 2 outs.
• Infield Fly Rule: In effect. Umpire calls this if a pop-up is catchable in the infield with runners on 1st and 2nd or bases loaded and fewer than 2 outs.
• Bunting: Allowed.
• Lead-Offs: Not allowed. Runners must stay on base until the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand.
Safety and Conduct
• Bat Safety: Bats must be dropped after swinging—no throwing.
• Sportsmanship: Coaches, players, and parents are expected to show respect to umpires and opponents.
• Ejections: Poor behavior may lead to warnings or removal from the game.
• Coaches on Field: Not allowed during play unless approved by the umpire.