Charles River Softball League Game Rules and Policies
2026 Charles River Softball League Game Rules and Policies
Teams in the Charles Rivers Softball League (CRSL) play by games rules and policies established by ASA with modifications and further revised below.
2026 Schedule
- The season starts on Sunday, September 13th and ends on Sunday, November 1st
- There are no scheduled games on Labor Day and Columbus Day weekend is reserved for the AllStar game.
Game Format
10U, 12U, 14U and 18U
• Double-headers with Game 1 beginning at 9:00am
• No new inning can start after 90 minutes and there is a hard stop after one hour and 45 minutes. Umpire should announce LAST BATTER
• Game 2 should begin by 11:00 am but can start earlier if there is agreement by both teams
• The host team will be the home team in Game 1, and the travelling team will be the home team in Game 2
• Each team will split the umpire fees for the two games
In games with three-team double-headers:
• The time limits for Game 1 must be strictly enforced
• Host team is the home team for both games and solely responsible for the umpire fees
• Both games are 7-inning games and have a hard stop after one hour and 30 minutes. Umpire to announce LAST BATTER.
• Game 2 may begin as late as 11:20 am to give travelling team an opportunity to take infield
For all age divisions
• Home team will supply 2 balls per game
• The League Rep will send schedules direct to assigners to arrange for umpires
• All players must use a helmet with a cage
• Bats/Balls must be ASA certified
Rules
8U
- See attachment “2025 8U Fall Softball rules”
10U
• 35’ pitching rubber distance
• Infielders should wear safety masks
• 11” balls
• 6-inning games
• Four-run limit per inning (with no continuation). No unlimited inning.
• Teams can play up to 10 players in the field
• Walks - No walks!
• After a pitcher gets to four balls, a coach from the hitting team will enter the game and pitch from 35 feet
• The umpire will keep the current count, and the coach will pitch until the batter either puts the ball in play or strikes out
• After one of the above outcomes, the coach will return to the bench and hand the game ball back to the previous pitcher to continue the inning
• Stealing (defined as straight steals or advancing on a wild pitch or passed ball)
• Steal attempts are when the pitched ball crosses home plate; runners may only steal one base per attempt (players may not take a second base on an overthrow)
• Players may not steal 2nd base or home
• Players may not steal a base when a coach is pitching
• No infield fly rule
• No dropped third strike rule
• No “on deck” batting in the field of play…safety takes precedent
12U and 14U
• 40’ pitching rubber distance for 12U; 43’ pitching rubber distance for 14U
• Infielders should wear safety masks
• 12” balls
• 7-inning games
• Four-run limit per inning (with no continuation)
• Unlimited scoring in the final inning (or declared last inning)
• Teams can play up to 10 players in the field
• Steal attempts are on the pitcher release/live ball/unlimited stealing
• Dropped third strike applies
• Infield fly applies
18U
• 43’ pitching rubber distance
• Four-run limit per inning (with no continuation)
• Unlimited scoring in the final inning (or declared last inning)
• Teams can play up to 9 players in the field
• Batting order is at discretion of coach (either 9-10 batters or continuous for all players)
ALL LEAGUES
• No slashing
• No mercy rule
• If a team does not have at least eight players – get the game in and borrow players if needed
• No ASA shorthanded rule (automatic out) if a team does not have nine players
• If the home team does not get to complete their final at-bat because of the time limit, the score reverts to the last completed inning
Zero Tolerance Policy
Purpose: The league strongly encourages healthy, age appropriatecompetition. However, this ideal can only be reached through the principles of Good Sportsmanship.
A zero tolerance policy is just that; zero tolerance. This document serves as your warning. The policy applies to anyone and everyone connected with the CRSL Softball League, e.g. players, coaches, parents, fans and umpires.
An umpire’s decision on fair/foul, safe/out and ball/strike is final. They are judgment calls and not subject to complaint, debate or protest.
●Coaches who argue or comment in a negative fashion shall immediately be ejected from the game. The ejection carries a two game suspension. In addition, the coach may be required attend a hearing at the office of the USA Softball Commissioner before resuming coaching duties. The length of the suspension may be extended as a result of the facts presented at the hearing.
●Players who argue or engage in negative behavior shall be immediately ejected from the game. The player must serve a two game suspension. Players will be confined to their bench area for the remainder of the game and any additional outbursts will result in a forfeit.
●Parents / Fans who argue or engage in negative behavior (yelling, teasing, taunting, etc.) shall be removed from the playing area. Play will stop while this process is carried out. However, the time limit for the game will NOT be suspended. The head coach forthe team will approach the unruly fan(s) and inform them they must leave. If the parent or fan refuses to leave within one minute, the game will end with a forfeit charged against the offending team and based upon the report, the league reserves the right to cancel their next game as well.
●Any argument or disagreement that becomes physical, in any way, will result in an immediate, indefinite suspension for any adult involved. Players involved in any physical misconduct will be subject to a hearing with the CRSL League administrators, the USA Softball Commissioner(s) and the player’s parent.
●Any team involved in a second ejection issue during the season will be excluded from the league for the remainder of the year.
One coach may ask for “time-out” to speak with the umpire regarding a question over a rule interpretation. A brief, respectful conversation is expected. If the situation remains unresolved, the team may exercise its right to play the game under protest based on the incorrect rulebook interpretation.