12U SOFTBALL LEAGUE RULES

• Book shall be kept every game by the home team

• Both coaches and umpire should know the exact game start time so they know when it ends.  The scorekeeper should note in the scorebook.  No new inning should begin once official time has elapsed unless a tied game.  A new inning begins when the last out of an inning is recorded

• Game time is 75 minutes or 6 innings 

• 40’ pitching distance & 60’ path

• 12-inch softball

• 5 runs per inning

• The infield fly rule is in play

• Dropped 3rd strikes are played

• Ten run rule is in effect after the 4 innings game is over.  

• Sliding into the home is not mandatory-but cannot make intentional contact

• If the game is tied at the end of regulation, play one extra inning.  The last batter from the prior inning starts on 2nd base, and each team gets three outs. (International tiebreaker) 

• Makeup games will be scheduled by League Leadership

• Substitute player rule:  If a team is short of players a team may pick up another player from that age group.  However, that must be announced by each team if a player is picked up, and the Player must be positioned in the outfield and bats last.  7 players are acceptable.

• If a team plays with seven players, there are no outs recorded for missing players in the lineup.

• In the first inning, each pitcher gets five warm-up pitches. Every inning following, the pitcher gets three warm-up pitches. (Substitute pitcher on first appearance gets five pitches)

• All rules will follow MSHSAA rules unless specified.

• All metal bats must have USA Baseball or USSSA stamps on them