10U-16U/HS RULES
USA Softball Rules (In Game Rules Apply except where noted).

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A time limit of 75 minutes per game or 7 inning games. No new inning shall start after 75 minutes.

All players playing infield on the defense MUST wear a protective mask.

All games must be played or have an outcome. If a game is postponed or cancelled due to weather or other issues it must be made up. If a cancelled game cannot be rescheduled both teams will take 12-0 loss. If a game is postponed or cancelled and one team cannot or is unwilling to reschedule and the other team is, it will be under the leagues discretion of which team will forfeit the game, if not both teams.

All games must have a winner. No HOI game will end in a tie. If a game ends in a tie then one of the following things must happen.

A) International tie-breaker rule goes into effect. The last out is placed on 2nd base with 0 outs. Both teams get a chance to score (No sudden death).

B) Coin-Flip. (If there are no lights, weather, or both teams decide)

Scores should be verified both teams at the end of the game. If there is a discrepancy the league will reach out to both teams.
A. Both Teams Must score the game in Game Changer
B. We must have the First Name, Last Initial, position played in the box score.
C. Please have your lineups ready early, so both teams can get the lineups in their game changers in a timely matter.

(8U, 10U & 12U teams may use 1 or 2 umpires (2 is recommended for 10U & 12U). 2 umpires are required for 14U and 16U/HS. Teams must split umpire fees.
Run Rule – 12 runs after 3 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings, 8 runs after 5 innings.

A. Running up the score: Please use some integrity in HOI sanctioned games. An example of this is a score of 20-0/ 26-2. Neither team are getting any value in run-up score games. However, if there is evidence of this happening a team will be given a warning by the league. If it continues it could result in a loss.

If two teams play each other in a non-league game (tournament) The league will use that game for record & stats, but BOTH teams must agree& notify the league either before the game or the next day.

Teams must start a game with 8 players (USA Softball Rules) If a team cannot start a game with 8 players, that will be a 12-0 forfeit. If a player gets injured and cannot continue to play & a team only has 8 players, that team must take an out when that injured player’s spot comes up in the lineup.

Regular Season Subs:
A. Sub players can only sub for 1 HOI Team only. Once a player subs for that team they are considered that teams rostered sub, therefore they cannot sub for another HOI team.
B. Any sub player must be listed on your deadline roster.
C. Before a team does roster a sub player, they must notify the league via email, text, or phone call.
D. Any team in violation of playing ineligible players will forfeit that game. (This includes the World Series).

Ejections:
A. If a player, Coach & or Fan is ejected from a game by the umpire, they are not allowed to return to the game. An ejected participant must leave the grounds and have no contact with the umpires or participants in the game and is suspended for one additional game. The ejected participant is restricted from having contact with the team and is not permitted to sit in the stands, dugout, or general locality of the next game. The ejected participant may appeal the one game suspension to the league. If the ejected participant is also involved with another age group/team these rules will also apply for the suspension.
B. If ejected in the World Series, they must sit the following game also.
C. Depending on the severity of any misconduct a coach/fan/player may be suspended by the league for numerous games or removed from the league with no refund. This includes the coaches/fans/players/teams. Any use of profanity towards players, fans & umpires will not be tolerated & violations of this policy will be subject to possible suspensions listed above.

Transactions: If a player is added after the original rosters are submitted, the HOI League needs to be informed with player name & number before they are allowed to play a league game, this includes subs too. (Example: If you have a player who joins a team late in the season either due to injury or players leaving a team). Inform the before they play in a HOI league record game). The league will also have the discretion if a player is eligible to be added to a roster based on the team’s situation/circumstance. 

8U MODIFIED RULES
A time limit of 60 minutes per game or 5 inning games. No new inning shall start after 60 minutes.

5 run limit per inning with the exception of the 5th inning (open inning)

5 pitches per at bat. An at bat will not end on foul balls. (If a player swings & misses on a 2-strike count, that is considered an out).

10 players in the field. 4 outfielders (no “short infielder”) Left Field, Left Center, Right Center, Right Field.

The pitcher will be a coach from the batting team.

The pitcher must remain INSIDE THE CIRCLE. Stepping outside the circle on a pitch results in a dead ball strike.  <<<NEW RULE>>>

The play is considered dead when the ball is controlled in the circle by the pitcher.

Overthrows: Runners may advance one base on the first overthrow made. EXAMPLE. A ball hit to 3B, ball is overthrown 1B– runner advances to 2B. If the ball is then overthrown back to pitcher the runner may NOT advance to 3B– the play is dead. However, if another attempt at an out is made, the runner may again advance.

No Leadoffs. Runners must wait until the ball crosses the plate before they can run.

Runners may not advance on passed balls by the catcher.

There are no dropped 3rd strikes

There will be hash marks between 1st base and 2nd base, 2nd base and 3rd base, and 3rd base and home plate.  If the runner does not pass the hash marks before the pitcher has control of the ball in the circle they will need to return back to the previous base.  The hash marks should be 30 feet between the bases.  If hash marks are not on the field it is the umpires judgement to where runner was at the time the pitcher gained control of the softball inside the circle.

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---8U PLAYER PITCH--- <<<NEW RULE>>>

All the rules are the same except the following:

Player pitches from 35ft rubber.

An at bat will not end on foul balls. (If a player swings & misses on a 2-strike count, that is considered an out).

4 balls the offensive coach comes in to finish the at bat.  The count carries into the coach pitch.

The player pitcher remains in the circle to play defense.

The coach pitcher comes in and throws a maximum of 3 pitches (with the exception an at bat cannot end on a foul ball).

A player can only pitch a maximum of 3 innings per game.

HOI World Series
Roster Size: No more than 14 on a roster

World Series will be a 2 Game Guarantee. Double Elimination.

Seedings will be based in the following order:
A) Regular season record
B) Head to Head
C) Runs Allowed

D) Runs Scored
E) Random Number Generator

75 minute games. Finish the inning (60 minute games for 8U).

7 inning games (5 innings for 8U)

The Higher seed will always be the home team.

Teams must start a game with 8 players. If a team cannot start a game with 8 players, that will be a 12-0 forfeit. If a player gets injured and cannot continue to play
and a team only has 8 players, that team must take an out when that injured player’s spot comes up in the lineup.

There are no outside Subs allowed & teams cannot share players from any HOI team. This includes organizations with more than one team in that age level.

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Any sub player must be listed on your deadline roster. They must be from a B/C level program. No A level players are allowed to sub in the HOI as we are a B/C

League. Subs need to have played at least 50% of the HOI games to participate in the HOI World Series unless granted approval from the league.

Equipment checks will be done during our HOI World Series

All-Star Selection Rules

1-2 players from each team will be selected depending on number of teams.

Due to the T-Shirts needing to be made, the All-Star Rosters will be announced approximately two weeks prior.

All-Star Game Rules

The All-Star Game is designed as a fun only format. Each player must play the field and teams will bat their entire lineup.

Mix and Mash style of teams assigned.

Both teams will have 3-4 coaches, preferably not from the same league team. This can be a head coach or an assistant coach.

Each girl will wear their travel uniform.

The All-Star Game will be a 7-inning game. (7 innings and 5 runs/inning for 8U)