12 & Under Softball League Rules

These rules represent most of the league rules, but are not intended to be all inclusive as rules change from year-to-year and are often subject to the discretion of the coaches and parents (particularly with younger ballplayers).  They are intended to keep our children safe while assuring fun and fair game conditions.

  • ASA (Amateur Softball Association) rules will apply.
  • A player's age on January 1st of the current year determines the player's age for the season.
  • Bases will be 60 feet.
  • Pitchers rubber will be 40 feet.
  • Ball shall be 12' yellow optic cover, COR .47
  • Games consist of 6 innings or 1 hour and 25 minutes (coaches can agree to omit the time limit if there is no game after them and lights are available if necessary--same applies to a tie game).
  • Ten run rule is in effect after 4 innings.
  • No new inning may start after 1 hour 20 minutes unless the score is tied.
  • Makeup games are to be rescheduled by respective coaches.
  • Home team will receive the first 10 minutes of infield practice and the visiting team gets the next ten minutes.
  • If a team is batting their entire lineup, an injured player may miss their bat and not be penalized an out. However, once that player has been removed the lineup, she may not return to the game.
  • Slide on all close plays. Any questionable calls will be decided by the umps. Penalty for not sliding on a close play results in the runner being ruled out and the ball is dead.
  • No metal spikes (rubber composite only).
  • All players may be in the batting order. Late arrivals must be added at the end of the order.
  • Designated hitters are allowed.
  • Can play with 9 or 10 players, but must start and end with at least 8.
  • Can bat everyone in the line-up order or just the 9/10 players (coaches choice).
  • Teams may only score 8 runs per inning or go ahead by 8 runs per inning whichever allows the team to score the most.
  • Coaches may play "no walk" rule and batter tosses the ball up to be hit with the current count in place after ball 4. If the player has 2 strikes and misses the toss, she is out.
  • The infield fly rule is suspended.
  • A runner may lead off and steal when the ball crosses the plate.
  • A batter may run on a dropped third.
  • Pitchers may pitch unlimited innings are allowed 5 warm-up pitches each inning or until the batter is ready.
  • ASA and NSF pitching rules allowed.
  • Courtesy runners for the pitcher and catcher are allowed at any time and are recommended w/two outs. Courtesy runner may be a player not in the game or the player who made the last out.
  • The home team's scorebook is the official book.
  • Players must be on the roster to play the end of league tournament and are required to play in 6 league games. Teams can pick up any 3 players for within their organization to make a complete team (6 league games must be played, too).
  • The League Appeals Board will govern all league and End of Season League Tournament play.

***Parents***

Plan on getting involved and sharing in your child's joy of the game.  Familiarize yourself with these rules.  Coaches always need help coaching bases, keeping the book, supervising the dugout, carpooling, and even providing pop and ice after each game. (Note: We no longer have ice packs in the first aid kits, so ice with the pop is critical.  Kids will be kids and get hurt.  There's no way to prevent this.)  Always feel free to ask a coach how you can help!

 

This site developed & maintained by Kerry F. Hogan
Questions or comments can be sent to hogank@westerntc.edu
Last updated:  May 8, 2006