USSSA Rules - 8U Program

For 8U Division events, USSSA plays by the standard rulebook with the following exceptions. States may choose to adapt these rules to suit their program:

8 & Under Machine Pitch Addendums

• Pitching
  • Distance: The machine shall be placed with the front leg at 35’.
  • Speed: The machine will be set to approximately 35-37 mph.
• Hitting:
  • An At-Bat will consist of 5 pitches or 3 swinging strikes (if the final pitch is a foul ball, the at-bat will continue).
  • There will be no walks.
  • No bunting will be allowed.
  • If a batted ball hits the pitching machine, the batter will be awarded 1st, and baserunners will advance only if forced.
• Baserunning:
  • There will be no stolen bases allowed.
  • Baserunners may not leave the base until the ball has has been pitched by the machine.
  • On batted balls, once the ball is in control of any fielder inside of the designated arc, baserunners must stop at the base they have obtained or the base that they are running to.
  • Courtesy runner will not be allowed for 8U division.
• Defense:
  • Defensive players may not be stationed in front of the pitching machine. Also, players may not move in front of the pitching machine until the batter has put the ball in play.
  • All outfielders must remain behind the outfield arc until the ball is hit into play.
  • Two defensive coaches will be allowed on the field of play.
  • Teams will be allowed to play 4 outfielders.
  • No Infield Fly Rule
• Roster Batting will be required during the ENTIRE tournament. Due to MSP allowing roster batting, there are some additional rules that need to be clarified:
  A. Injury: If a batter cannot fulfill her time at bat due to injury or illness, that player will be eliminated from that entire game. Her spot will be skipped in the batting order. Teams will not be required to take an automatic out UNTIL they drop below 9 players.
  B. Ejections: A player ejection while roster batting will result in the team losing that player for the entire game. Her spot in the batting order WILL be an automatic out.
• Teams can score a maximum of 5 runs per half inning.