Palos Power 8U in-house Rules

• 10 players will be allowed on the field defensively.  A team may take the field with seven players.

• No Bunting, drop third strike, or infield fly rule.

• The mandatory slide rule will be in effect for all bases except first base.  If it is a close play at the base, the player must slide to avoid a collision with one warning given per team prior to next runner being called ‘out’.

• The play will be considered dead when the ball has returned to pitching ring and is held by a player. Runners that have not reached the halfway point between bases, when the pitcher gets the ball in the circle, will have to return to the previous base.

• When the team that is batting scores five runs in their half of the inning, the inning will be over and the opposing team will go to bat.  This rule will not apply in the fifth or last inning as determined by the umpire due to time constraints. Last full inning notification will be given to both coaches so they are aware it is uncapped

• The game will last for five (5) innings; no new inning may start after 1 hour and 30 minutes. Once inning is started it will play to natural conclusion with the exception of one team being ahead by 10 or more runs (mercy rule), in which case the game is over at the 1 hour 30 minute mark.

• Walks will not be allowed.  The batting team’s manager pitches, the batter will either hit the ball or strike out.  A player from the defensive side will field the pitcher’s position.  The manager or coach must get out of the way of the batted ball.  If the manager or the coach is hit by a batted ball the ball is dead and the batter will be awarded first base with each other base runner advancing one base as well. Manager or coach must have at least one foot on pitching rubber when pitching to batter.

• There is no batting out of order penalty due to injury, communicate with other coach if player will not be batting.
• The pitching rules for the 8U division will be a follows:

1. No pitcher may pitch more than two innings per game.
2. Pitchers can pitch a max or 2 innings per game, no limit per week since we may have 3 games.
3. One pitched ball is considered an inning.
4. There is no re-entry rule for any pitcher.
5. After two hit batters in one inning, the pitcher receives a warning, three and the pitcher must leave the mound. 

• Defensive players do not need to be rotated between the infield/outfield for safety reasons; however, the opportunity to play multiple positions should be encouraged.

• The running rules for the 8U division will be a follows:

1. If the ball is hit into the outfield, a runner may advance at their own will (see dead play above).
2. For a play at first base, non-catches or overthrows are permitted to advance one base.
3. For a play at 2nd, non-catches may result in a girl advancing on her own will. 
4. For a play at 3^rd, non-catches or overthrows will allow a girl to advance on her own will (no overthrow rule).