UNDER 11 MODIFIED SOFTBALL

GRADE RULES & GAME DAY INFO

Under 11 Softball presents the first opportunity for junior players to experience the “pitched ball”.  It is also the first experience for the catcher to actually work with a pitcher.  It is important that this first experience is positive and that players continue to learn the skills of the game.  To this end the CSA have made modifications to enhance the transition from Tee Ball to Softball.  These changes have evolved through feedback from Coaches and parents and are designed to benefit the players. 

All the basic rules of softball are applied e.g. double plays, tagging up on fly balls etc; however, the following modifications are designed with the majority of 9 and 10 year old player abilities in mind. 

Nine players per team

             Team may borrow players

2.2        Batting

The team will bat through the order (batters 1-9) each innings. 

The catcher must be placed in the first five (5) batters in order to help speed up the changeover between innings.

Batters may be struck out; Batters may also be walked.

Runs count until the third out is taken.

2.3        Pitchers 

                  Pitchers shall use the closest pitching mark on the diamond.

If they are struggling to put the ball across the plate, the pitcher should be positioned closer to a point where batters are able to put the ball in play.  This is to be done with the consent of the Coaches and Umpires.

2.4        Catchers

There is to be NO stealing during the game.  It is believed that Under 11 Catchers should concentrate on good catching mechanics and blocking the ball correctly.

                  No bases are awarded on pass balls or wild pitches.

2.5        Innings

Each team batting must retire from batting after they have batted through the order, irrespective of the number of outs taken. Runs scored after the third out is taken do not count.

It is in all teams’ best interests to change promptly between batting and fielding to ensure each team gets maximum turns at bat.

2.6        Points tables

No points tables will be kept for Under 11 grade for the start of the 2025/26 season. This is in support of the development focus of this grade. This will be reassessed at xmas when we review the use of the UPM

2.6        UPM REGULATIONS (NEW)

This season, the UPM will be used for the first complete innings in each game only. Every player will have a turn at bat facing the UPM before live pitchers are brought on from the second innings.

We will review this change at Christmas and reassess our options (i.e. UPM vs live pitching vs a hybrid approach). 

Below are the rules specific to the use of the UPM and therefore apply before Christmas only.

1. The offensive team will be responsible for providing an adult coach to load the pitching machine while their team is batting. The pitching coach is NOT allowed to give directions to the base runners. 
2. The following will be required on the part of the pitching coach: 
   1. The pitching coach will not load the machine until the umpire signals to “play ball”. 
   2. On every pitch, the pitching coach will raise the ball over his head signalling to the defensive team that the ball is about to be loaded into the machine. 
   3. Load the ball onto machine. 
   4. The Pitching coach using a windmill pitching motion with his pitching arm, will release the ball from the pitching machine when the windmill motion is at its lowest point. 
   5. The pitching coach must stand behind the pitching machine and not interfere with the field of play. 
   6. Failure to comply with these rules will result in a “no pitch”. This will be called at the umpire’s discretion. 
3. The catcher should return the ball to the defensive pitcher after each pitch. The defensive pitcher should be positioned beside the UPM, closest to first base.
4. Should the pitched ball be hit and strike the pitching machine, the ball will be dead and all runners will return to their bases. No strike will be charged to the batter. 
5. There will be a six foot diameter circle around pitching machine. Any thrown or batted ball that settles in area is a dead ball and runners may not advance. If a runner is half way to next base he can continue to that base. 
6. The umpire will verify the machine speed is set correctly following each half inning prior to calling ‘play ball.’ 
7. Adjustment of the pitching machine can only be recommended if three (3) consecutive non-strikes are thrown. 
8. The pitching machine will not be touched or used by a non-adult. 
9. Standard 10 metre distance is used. 
10. 11” Flexi-ball, the ball to be placed with the 4 seams on the device. 
11. A “No Pitch” will be called if the Machine pitches outside of the normal strike zone due to wind or mechanical adjustment.​​​​​​​

• Play ends when pitcher has control of the ball next to the Mechanical Pitching device or umpire calls time. If a runner is 1/2 way to next base standard softball rules apply, runner must make a decision to progress or return to base

Further Grade Notes for Under 11’s:

Please be reminded that the recommended settings for the UPM Machines are as follows - Power Pedal 4, Release Arm 3, and Throwing Arm 2

These settings have been found to provide the best delivery from a new UPM machine for the majority of Under 11 kids.  We acknowledge that as machines age and springs loosen etc some of these setting may need to be changed but please do so with care.

Adjustments mid game are time consuming and can be unsafe if not managed responsibly

There will be the odd child that is taller or smaller than the average…try walking the machine forward for the taller kids and only pressing the Power Pedal half way down (with your foot) for the smaller ones.

Machines are to be collected from the central meeting point along. The first named team will collect the machine and the winning team will return it.

Each club with an Under 11 team will have the opportunity to take a machine home during the week to train with. 

ü  This will be done on a week by week basis 

ü  An individual within the club will need to sign the machine out and in again 

(this can be a coach or a club officer). 

ü  Machines that have been loaned out will need to come back to me at the central meeting point each 

TEE BALL (UNDER 7 MIXED & UNDER 9 SINGLE GENDER)

GRADE RULES & GAME DAY INFO

Tee ball is the entry level game for children. Overleaf is a table explaining the tee ball framework. These rules allow for plenty of opportunity to be involved whilst learning the fundamental skills of fielding ground and fly balls, throwing, catching & hitting off a tee. You will see a progression from Under 7 to Under 9 tee ball, that enables an easier transition to hitting a moving ball and finally to Little League which is the first pitch delivery batters will experience.