Program Cost $50

Spring Registration for League Teams is open till 05/20/2023

Below you will find a better description. 

League Teams - League Teams will participate in active games that are played in the Seven Rivers Athletic Association lower division.  These games will be played on various nights (1 night or 2 nights) each week.  These games will be played in conjuction with other cities/private clubs that are also members of the league.  This will require some travel during the week nights.  (Registration will start in Early Spring for League Teams)

Tournament Teams - Tournament teams will participate in active games that are played in the Seven Rivers Athletic Association upper division.  These games will be played on various nights (1 night or 2 nights) each week.  These games will be played in conjuction with other cities/private clubs that are also members of the league.  Tournament teams will also play tournaments on weekends.  Tournament teams will require travel on both weeknights and weekends.  There will be extra feee's associated with being on a tournament team.  (Registration will start this fall for Tournament Teams)

Teams will be evaluated on Saturday, October 15th and Sunday October 16th.  More information will follow on times and locations.  

Shelby Ball Age Policies:

• All evaluations will be done on a yearly basis: prior performance does not guarantee placement
on any specific/previous team
• Registration is online by birthdates/age range (If your child is young for their grade level and
wants to play with classmates, please email your specific request to syb@townofshelby.com
with a subject line of “Level of Play”)
• Attendance at evaluations is mandatory
• Final decisions will be made by a committee and determined through several factors

Questions? Contact Shelby Youth Ball.  

LEAGUE INFORMATION

• 2023 league season will run from June 5 through July 27. League games will be scheduled at either 5:30pm, 7:00pm or 8:30pm throughout the summer.
• All 8U – 1 league game scheduled every Wednesday
• 8U: One umpire per game – will call the game from behind the pitcher’s mound
• 8U/10U will use an 11 inch yellow optic cover ball (Cor. 47)
• 8/10 & Under teams will bat their full roster & play with 4 outfielders (no infield floaters)

BAT INFORMATION

• All bats must be within the following measurements: 2 ¼ inch barrel diameter,maximum length of 34 inches & maximum weight of 31.5 ounces
• ASA approved certified stamped bats/USSSA approved bat not exceeding a BPF of 1.20

GAME LENGTH & TIME LIMITS

• All ages will play 6 innings per game, except High School will play 7 innings
• 85 minute time limit – new inning can’t be started after 80 minutes have expired (determined by last out made in the previous inning)
• Mercy Rule: 10 run rule after 4 innings & 15 run rule after 3 innings
• 5:30pm games will be suspended at 7:00pm (final score from last full inning played)
• 7:00pm games will be suspended at 8:30pm (final score from last full inning played)

SAFETY

• All players must wear helmets with facemasks
• Helmets must be worn by offensive players while on the playing field
• Players are not allowed to be base coaches
• Jewelry is not allowed
• Blood/Bleeding: Players must leave the game until it is stopped & uniform is clean

AGE SPECIFIC SOFTBALL RULES

8 & UNDER

• Runners will be allowed to advance while ball is in the outfield, but will stop advancement once the ball returns to the infield
• No advancement on overthrows to the pitcher or 1st baseman
• No score will be kept, so no run rule is in effect
• Teams will bat through their entire line-up each inning & bases do not need to be cleared once 3 outs are recorded
• MAXIMIZE GAME PACE – Full bucket of balls should be on the field by the pitcher/empty bucket by the back stop (any balls not caught by catcher should be placed in empty bucket)
• PITCHING OPTIONS: If teams have players that can or would like to pitch in the live game, please do so. With regard to game pace, teams can choose to play with all coach pitch during the game as well.
• NO WALKS: once the batter reaches ball 3, the following will occur:
  • Batting team coach will enter to pitch the remainder of the at bat from the mound
  • Strike count started will continue until the batter strikes out or puts the ball in play
  • Hit by Pitch: Batter can take 1st base or have coach pitch to them with a new count
• NO STRIKEOUTS: Once a batter reaches 3 strikes, they will hit off a tee