Article 24: 8U Division
Premium STLWEST Interpretation Guide
This guide explains Article 24 section by section for coaches, parents, umpires, and association leaders. The official STLWEST rulebook remains the controlling authority.
Purpose of This Guide
Article 24 governs the 8U machine pitch division. These rules are designed to create consistent machine pitch procedures, protect player safety, limit confusion, and support age-appropriate player development.
Section 24.01
Official Rule: There will be NO mercy rule for any machine pitched game.
Meaning: A machine pitch game cannot be ended early because one team is ahead by a large number of runs.
Practical Implications: Teams continue playing under the normal inning and run-limit rules, even if the score becomes lopsided.
Simplified Wording: There is no mercy rule in 8U machine pitch.
Governance Purpose: This protects player development by allowing young players more opportunities to bat, field, and learn.
Important Note: This does not remove the inning run limit found later in Article 24.
Best Practice: Coaches should manage games with sportsmanship and continue teaching instead of focusing only on score.
Bottom Line: Do not end an 8U machine pitch game early because of the score.
Section 24.02
Official Rule: Two (2) umpires will be used, one behind the plate calling strikes and the other in the field.
Meaning: 8U games are intended to have two umpires with separate responsibilities.
Practical Implications: One umpire handles the plate area and strike calls, while the field umpire helps with bases and field play.
Simplified Wording: Use two umpires: one at the plate and one in the field.
Governance Purpose: Two umpires improve rule enforcement, safety, and consistency.
Important Note: Associations should plan staffing around the two-umpire requirement.
Best Practice: Umpires should meet before the game and clearly divide responsibilities.
Bottom Line: 8U games should be worked with one plate umpire and one field umpire.
Section 24.03
Official Rule: A team shall field ten (10) defensive players. The players should be placed in the field in the following positions: one (1) pitcher, one (1) catcher, four (4) infielders and four (4) outfielders.
Meaning: Teams use ten defensive players with a required basic defensive structure.
Practical Implications: Coaches should not stack extra players in the infield or leave required positions uncovered.
Simplified Wording: Defense uses 10 players: pitcher, catcher, 4 infielders, and 4 outfielders.
Governance Purpose: This teaches proper baseball positioning and keeps defensive play balanced.
Important Note: The pitcher position still has special restrictions under Section 24.07.
Best Practice: Coaches should teach players where each position belongs before games begin.
Bottom Line: 8U defense is a 10-player defensive format.
Section 24.04
Official Rule: A proper pitching machine that pitches the ball similar to a softball style pitch shall be used in all official games.
Meaning: Official 8U games must use the approved style of pitching machine.
Practical Implications: Coaches cannot substitute another pitching method unless allowed by the rulebook or league authority.
Simplified Wording: Official 8U games must use a proper pitching machine.
Governance Purpose: This keeps pitch delivery consistent for all teams.
Important Note: Machine pitch rules depend on the machine being properly used and adjusted.
Best Practice: Check the machine before the game starts.
Bottom Line: The pitching machine is required for official 8U games.
Section 24.05
Official Rule: A machine power/mechanical failure will be handled the same as a rain out.
Meaning: If the machine cannot be used because of power or mechanical failure, the game is treated like a rainout.
Practical Implications: The game may need to be stopped, postponed, or rescheduled according to rainout procedures.
Simplified Wording: If the machine fails, treat it like a rainout.
Governance Purpose: This avoids unfair substitutions or inconsistent pitching methods.
Important Note: The rule applies to both power failure and mechanical failure.
Best Practice: Associations should check cords, power, wheels, and machine operation before game time.
Bottom Line: A failed machine stops normal play under rainout handling.
Section 24.06
Official Rule: The umpire with the agreement of both managers will set the adjustment of the machine. If an agreement cannot be reached, the umpire will set the pitching machine. The speed setting will be checked after every (1/2) inning by the plate or field umpire. If the machine is not properly adjusted, then the umpire can immediately readjust it.
Meaning: Managers may agree on the machine setting, but the umpire has final authority if they cannot agree.
Practical Implications: Coaches cannot delay the game by arguing over machine settings. Umpires may correct the machine when needed.
Simplified Wording: Managers can agree, but the umpire makes the final call on machine settings.
Governance Purpose: This gives neutral authority to the umpire and keeps the game moving.
Important Note: The setting is checked after every half inning.
Best Practice: Umpires should verify the setting between half innings and make adjustments calmly and consistently.
Bottom Line: The umpire controls machine adjustment when needed.
Section 24.07
Official Rule: The pitching distance will be measured from the discharge, in front of the wheel. They may position the pitcher on either side of the eight-foot (8’) diameter circle BUT not in front of the thirty-two foot (32’) pitching distance; the defensive player playing the pitcher’s position must have one foot INSIDE the circle at the time the ball is pitched. Player may leave the circle once the ball has left the machine. NOTE: A team may only play ONE defensive player at the pitcher position.
Meaning: The pitching distance is measured from the front discharge point of the machine, and the defensive pitcher has specific positioning rules.
Practical Implications: The pitcher cannot start in front of the required pitching distance and must keep one foot inside the circle until the ball leaves the machine.
Simplified Wording: The pitcher starts beside the machine, one foot in the circle, and cannot move until the ball leaves the machine.
Governance Purpose: This protects the batter, pitcher, and fairness of defensive reaction time.
Important Note: Only one defensive player may play the pitcher position.
Best Practice: Umpires should check pitcher placement before the pitch, especially early in the game.
Bottom Line: The defensive pitcher must follow the circle and distance rules exactly.
Section 24.08
Official Rule: The manager/coach will drop the ball into the machine for their own team when it is their turn at bat.
Meaning: The offensive team provides the coach or manager who feeds the pitching machine.
Practical Implications: Each team controls feeding the machine for its own batters, but must still follow all coach restrictions.
Simplified Wording: Your coach feeds the machine when your team bats.
Governance Purpose: This supports consistency and keeps the batting process organized.
Important Note: The coach feeding the machine becomes part of later rules involving interference and dead-ball situations.
Best Practice: Use one calm, consistent coach to feed the machine.
Bottom Line: The offensive team’s coach runs the machine for their hitters.
Section 24.09
Official Rule: The coach dropping the balls into the pitching machine cannot leave the immediate area of the pitching machine. The coach may not run with the base runners coaching them and confusing the defense. Base runners are to be coached by the first and third base coaches only.
Meaning: The coach feeding the machine must stay near the machine and cannot coach runners while the play is happening.
Practical Implications: The machine coach cannot follow runners, direct them around the bases, or interfere with defensive decisions.
Simplified Wording: The machine coach stays by the machine and does not coach runners.
Governance Purpose: This prevents offensive coaches from creating confusion or unfair advantage during live play.
Important Note: Runner coaching belongs only to the first-base and third-base coaches.
Best Practice: The machine coach should remain neutral and quiet once the ball is put in play.
Bottom Line: The machine coach feeds pitches, not baserunners.
Section 24.10
Official Rule: Before dropping the ball into the machine, the manager/coach will hold the ball over their head and make eye contact with the batter.
Meaning: The machine coach must give a clear visual signal before feeding the pitch.
Practical Implications: The batter should not be surprised by a pitch, and everyone knows when the pitch is about to happen.
Simplified Wording: Hold the ball up and make sure the batter is ready before feeding it.
Governance Purpose: This improves safety and gives young batters a fair chance to prepare.
Important Note: This is especially important at 8U because players are still learning timing and awareness.
Best Practice: Pause, hold the ball up, make eye contact, then feed the machine.
Bottom Line: No pitch should be fed until the batter is clearly ready.
Section 24.11
Official Rule: If the ball hits the machine or safety screen, if used, or if the ball becomes lodged in, under, or behind the screen, or power supply, or stops in the eight-foot (8’) circle, it will be considered out of play. The batter will be awarded first base and runners advance one base, only if forced. NOTE: The coach feeding the machine is considered an extension of the pitching machine for the purpose of applying the rule. Therefore, if the ball hits the coach, the play will become dead and bases are awarded accordingly.
Meaning: Certain machine-area contacts or stoppages make the ball dead and out of play.
Practical Implications: If the ball hits the machine, screen, power supply, stops in the circle, or hits the feeding coach, the play is dead. The batter gets first base and runners move only if forced.
Simplified Wording: If the batted ball hits the machine area or machine coach, dead ball; batter gets first, forced runners advance.
Governance Purpose: This prevents unsafe scrambles around the machine and creates a clear ruling for unusual machine-area plays.
Important Note: The coach feeding the machine is treated like part of the machine for this rule.
Best Practice: Umpires should call dead ball immediately and place runners according to force rules.
Bottom Line: Machine-area contact creates a dead-ball award situation.
Section 24.12
Official Rule: If the offensive manager/coach deliberately hinders the defensive team in fielding a batted ball, the batter is declared out.
Meaning: An offensive coach cannot intentionally interfere with the defense.
Practical Implications: If the coach deliberately blocks, distracts, or interferes with a defensive play on a batted ball, the batter is out.
Simplified Wording: If the offensive coach intentionally interferes, the batter is out.
Governance Purpose: This protects defensive fairness and prevents coach involvement from affecting live play.
Important Note: This section applies to deliberate hindrance.
Best Practice: Machine coaches should stay still and avoid any movement that could affect fielders.
Bottom Line: Offensive coaches cannot interfere with the defense.
Section 24.13
Official Rule: No walks or hit batsmen allowed. BLUE and RED Divisions: Each batter gets up to five (5) pitches or three (3) swings to put the ball into play. Batter may hit as many foul ball as needed to put ball in play. WHITE Division: If after 5 pitches the batter does not put the ball in play, the batter is out, except when the ball is hit foul on the fifth pitch. Batter may hit as many foul balls as needed to put ball in play.
Meaning: There are no walks or hit-by-pitch awards in 8U machine pitch, and batting limits depend on division level.
Practical Implications: Blue and Red use a pitch/swing limit. White uses a five-pitch limit, but foul balls can continue the at-bat.
Simplified Wording: No walks, no hit batters, and batters keep hitting fouls until the ball is put in play or the rule limit ends the at-bat.
Governance Purpose: This keeps the game moving while giving young players a fair opportunity to hit.
Important Note: Foul balls extend the at-bat under the rule.
Best Practice: Umpires and coaches should track pitches and swings out loud when appropriate.
Bottom Line: Batters hit from the machine; they do not walk or take first for being hit.
Section 24.14
Official Rule: No bunting allowed.
Meaning: Batters may not bunt in 8U machine pitch.
Practical Implications: Batters must attempt a normal swing instead of deadening the ball.
Simplified Wording: No bunts.
Governance Purpose: This supports hitting development and reduces unsafe or confusing short-ball situations.
Important Note: Coaches should teach full swings at this level.
Best Practice: Remind players before games that bunting is not permitted.
Bottom Line: Bunting is not allowed in 8U.
Section 24.15
Official Rule: The catcher need not hold the ball on the third strike.
Meaning: The catcher does not have to catch or hold the third strike for the out to apply.
Practical Implications: Dropped third strike rules do not create baserunning rights in this division.
Simplified Wording: The catcher does not need to catch strike three.
Governance Purpose: This simplifies play for 8U catchers and prevents advanced rules from disrupting the game.
Important Note: This connects with 8U developmental expectations.
Best Practice: Umpires should clearly call the batter out when applicable.
Bottom Line: No dropped-third-strike advancement at 8U.
Section 24.16
Official Rule: Infield fly rule is not in effect.
Meaning: The infield fly rule does not apply in 8U games.
Practical Implications: Umpires should not call infield fly, even if the usual baseball situation appears to exist.
Simplified Wording: No infield fly rule in 8U.
Governance Purpose: This keeps rules age-appropriate and easier for young players to understand.
Important Note: Force plays and normal outs still apply.
Best Practice: Coaches should teach players to catch the ball and make the play rather than rely on advanced rule concepts.
Bottom Line: Infield fly is not used in Article 24.
Section 24.17
Official Rule: When a batted ball hit out of the infield is returned to and is in the possession of an infielder, the pitcher or the catcher, the runners may not advance past the base they are running to. A runner may only take one base on an overthrow to first base. The runner may not advance to third base even if the defensive team makes an additional play to try and get the running out.
Meaning: Once an outfield hit is returned to an infielder, pitcher, or catcher, runners are limited to the base they were already going toward.
Practical Implications: Runners cannot keep advancing once the ball is controlled in the infield. On an overthrow to first, the batter-runner may only get one extra base and cannot continue to third on further defensive mistakes.
Simplified Wording: When the ball comes back to the infield, runners stop at the base they were heading to. On an overthrow to first, only one base is allowed.
Governance Purpose: This prevents endless advancement caused by young-player throwing errors.
Important Note: This rule is one of the most important 8U baserunning control rules.
Best Practice: Umpires should loudly call time or clearly stop advancement once the rule condition is met.
Bottom Line: Article 24 limits advancement once the ball is returned to the infield or overthrown to first.
Section 24.18
Official Rule: No leadoffs or base stealing is allowed. PENALTY: Runners caught leading off shall be declared out. Runner must keep their foot on the base until the ball is hit.
Meaning: Runners cannot leave early and cannot steal bases.
Practical Implications: A runner must stay in contact with the base until the batter hits the ball. Leaving early can result in the runner being called out.
Simplified Wording: Stay on the base until the ball is hit. No stealing.
Governance Purpose: This keeps baserunning simple and prevents unfair advancement before contact.
Important Note: The penalty specifically applies to runners caught leading off.
Best Practice: Coaches should remind runners before every pitch to keep one foot on the base.
Bottom Line: 8U runners cannot lead off or steal.
Section 24.19
Official Rule: After seven (7) runs are scored in any half (1/2) inning, or when three (3) outs are made, whichever shall first occur, that half inning of play shall be concluded. In the event that the seventh (7th) run is attained from continuous play, only the seventh (7th) run shall be the last counted.
Meaning: A half inning ends after three outs or after the seventh run scores, whichever happens first.
Practical Implications: Runs after the seventh run do not count, even if more runners cross during the same continuous play.
Simplified Wording: A half inning ends at 3 outs or 7 runs.
Governance Purpose: This prevents long innings and keeps games developmentally balanced.
Important Note: Only the seventh run counts as the final run in that half inning.
Best Practice: Scorekeepers and coaches should track inning runs carefully.
Bottom Line: The inning stops at seven runs or three outs.
Section 24.20
Official Rule: One (1) defensive coach will be allowed to stand by the catcher to help coach the catcher and return the ball to the individual feeding the machine. NOTE: The coach should allow the catcher to retrieve ball and hand off to the coach.
Meaning: One defensive coach may assist near the catcher for development and ball return.
Practical Implications: The coach may help the catcher learn and may help return the ball, but should not take over the catcher’s job completely.
Simplified Wording: One defensive coach may stand near the catcher to help, but the catcher should still retrieve the ball.
Governance Purpose: This supports catcher development while keeping the game moving.
Important Note: The note emphasizes that the catcher should still do the work when possible.
Best Practice: The coach should guide, not replace, the catcher.
Bottom Line: Catcher assistance is allowed, but player development remains the priority.
Operational Importance of Article 24
Article 24 is operationally important because 8U machine pitch includes coach involvement, machine safety, limited baserunning, young catchers, defensive development, and special dead-ball rules. Consistent enforcement prevents confusion, protects players, and keeps games fair across all STLWEST associations.
Final Controlling Authority:
This guide is for education, training, and interpretation only. The official STLWEST rulebook is the final controlling authority for all Article 24 rulings, disputes, protests, and league decisions.