• The March 16th scheduling meeting will be cancelled. Everyone has until March 16th to get in their app and roster. Please check with other coaches in your program to ensure all are aware. At that point, we will distribute spreadsheets, contact information and make a Google Doc master sheet available for all coaches to schedule virtually. All teams will have until March 25th to follow our guidelines on who to schedule with and how many times.
• We will most likely follow two important guidelines: State recommendations for social gatherings as well as schools opening back up.
• Games will not begin until April 18th. As of now, playoffs will remain June 12-14, so games can run until June 10th. Hopefully this buys us enough time to start and finish a season without interruption.

We will utilize the USA softball approved bat list. The link is below. 8U will still not allow any composite bats at any time.  Any team found in violation knowingly will be fined $50 to be paid before their next game.

https://www.teamusa.org/usa-softball/~/link.aspx?_id=015F4358A30B44368FC142350D112FFF&_z=z

Rule 6A, Section 1C: Both feet must be on the ground within the 24-inch length of the pitcher’s plate. The shoulders shall be in line with first and third bases. The pitcher shall take a position with their pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate and their non-pivot foot in contact with or behind the pitcher’s plate. Comment: Allows female pitchers to start with one or two feet on the pitcher’s plate. This aligns the male and female pitching rule as it relates to foot placement.

Rule 6A, Section 1E: The pitcher shall bring their hands together for not less than one second and not more than 10 seconds before releasing the ball. A backward step may be taken before, simultaneous with or after the hands are brought together. The pivot foot must remain in contact with the pitcher’s plate at all times prior to the forward step. Comment: Allows female pitchers to take a backward step from the pitcher’s plate, before, during or after the hands are brought together. This aligns the male and female pitching rule as it relates to stepping back from the pitcher’s plate.