GRACEAC softball operates as a school-based team sport. This means that GRACEAC runs a league where the member schools compete against one another. Member schools must field a minimum of 12 players for 5th/6th grade, and 11 players for 7th/8th grade in order to submit a team to the league. There are two leagues - a 5th/6th grade league and a 7th/8th grade league. If a school is unable to field their own team, that school Athletic Director needs to contact ADs at nearby schools and try to arrange a merger.

As a school-based team sport, team specifics are determined at the school level. This includes who the coach is, when/where practices are held, uniforms, etc. GRACEAC sets the rules and game schedules. Each team will try and have an eight game regular season, and every team is eligible to compete in the postseason tournaments. These tournaments are typically seeded based on regular season standings, which means we do keep track of scores and standings.

GRACEAC softball takes place in the spring season. Practices may begin on Monday, March 11, 2024. Teams are limited to four practices/8 hours of practice per week in the preseason, and three practices/6 hours of practice per week once games begin. Regular season games can begin the week of April 8, 2024 after Spring Break and Holy Week. The postseason tournaments will be finished before Memorial weekend.

Games:

GRACEAC will attempt to utilize a schedule with games on Tuesday/Thursday & Saturday. Weeknight games should begin at 5:00/5:30 pm, while Saturday morning games start at 9:00 am.

• 5th/6th grade – 6 innings or 75 minutes (no new inning will start after 75 minutes; drop dead time of 85 minutes at the next dead ball – score will be as of the last full inning played)
• 7th/8th grade – 7 innings or 90 minutes (no new inning will start after 90 minutes; drop dead time of 100 minutes at the next dead ball – score will be as of the last full inning played)
• Postseason Tournament – games will play the full six or seven inning games by grade level, unless mercy takes effect or time is maxed.  The Kansas City rule will take effect, where each team starts with a runner on 2nd base.  If not the Championship game, the drop dead time will take effect if a 2nd game is needed to be played the same night.
• Minimum Playing Time:

To ensure total participation, it shall be mandatory that each student athlete participate the minimum time per game of two full innings (6 outs) in the field (with free substitutions) and one at bat.