12U – GAME RULES (V2017)(V2)
Fast-pitch softball skill development is the goal of the Spring Rec season. Coaches and fans are
encouraged to only cheer and encourage during game play as ALL our Spring Rec games are
practice games. No standings, scores, or game outcomes are kept by the league.
1) Although we do not keep score to determine the winner of games, we do need to know
the score for game procedures.
2) Each team should have an official team score keeper and each player should have first
and last names entered into the team score book for each game played. The reason for
this is to prove Spring rec game participation to USA/ASA Softball leadership.
3) GAME LENGTH: will be 7 innings or 1 hour 20 minutes, no new inning but finish the
inning. Drop dead at 1 hour 30 minutes (but finish the player at bat). ITB can be used
for any tie games after 7 innings or 1:20 no new (but 1:30 drop is still used).
4) RUN RULE: There will be a maximum run rule of 4 per inning per team, first 4 innings.
5) CATCH-UP RULE: Beginning with the 5th inning, teams may score a maximum of 4 runs
if they are the leading team, if the losing team is down by more than 4 runs they can
score a maximum of runs equal to the score of their opponent plus one.
For example: if a team is the visiting team and begins the 5th inning 8 runs
behind, they will be allowed to score the 8 runs to tie plus an additional run to
go ahead for a total of 9 runs in the inning. If, however, they begin the inning
down by 3 or less, they will be allowed to score 4 runs maximum in the inning.
6) MERCY RULE: 10 runs after the 5th inning will be observed. If at the end of the 5th
inning, one team is ahead by 10 runs or more, the umpire can call the game complete
and the game can end.
7) Play can begin with 7 players however, when and if another player arrives, that player
must be inserted into the line-up in the last position. (Late arriving players can be added
to the lineup but must be added to the end of the batting order).
8) If a player in the lineup must leave the game early due to an injury, the manager must
notify the opposing manager and umpire. If the player is unable to bat due to the injury
at her next plate appearance, an out is NOT required. If a player is leaving the game
NOT DUE to injury, at her next plate appearance, an out is recorded, (but one time only)
unless both coaches agree to ignore this rule.
9) Nine (9) defensive players will be allowed to take the field with 6 standard infield
positions (including catcher) and 3 outfield positions.
10) Every player must play an infield position at least once by the 4 th inning
11) All Spring Rec games are round robin batting (everyone bats)
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12) The coach must not leave the practice or game until all players have been picked up by
their parent / designee
PITCHING
1) Each pitcher may pitch a maximum of 4 innings per game. One pitch to a batter in an
inning constitutes an inning.
2) The pitching distance shall be 40 feet from the tip of home plate to the middle of the
pitcher plate.
3) Home plate is OPEN
4) No warnings may be given first when illegal pitches are noticed by the umpire
5) Any passed ball is considered live, base runners can advance at their own risk as per
USA/ASA official rules.
6) A dropped 3rd strike is used and played according to standard USA/ASA official rules.
7) A batter hit by pitch will be awarded first base
BUNTING
1) Bunting is encouraged in this division
2) A batter is allowed show bunt and pull back to swing away.
*Important: Coaches should teach their 3rd baseman to read this play and step back into
normal fielding position when the batter pulls the bat back to swing.
BASE RUNNING
1) Overthrows of any base or any defensive player are considered live (multiple bases are
allowed at the risk of the base runner) for any ball that stays in play.
2) Sliding is encouraged in this division
3) Interference: It is the responsibility of the base runner to avoid any collision with a
defensive player (who is making a play on a hit ball).
4) Obstruction: Is enforced at this division (the defensive player must stay out of the way
of a base runner if they are not making a play on a hit ball or not receiving a thrown
ball).
5) Stealing is encouraged, including stealing of home.
6) Infield fly rules will be enforced as per USA/ASA rules
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7) On close plays at home plate, sliding is required to avoid a collision with the catcher
(**an out will be called by the umpire for not sliding on close plays at home plate).
EQUIPMENT
1) An USA/ASA approved, regulation 12" softball will be used.
2) Each team will provide 1 game ball to the umpire prior to the start of the game unless
otherwise instructed.
3) All bats must be ASA/USA approved, composition bats are also allowed but must be
USA/ASA approved bats or as USA/ASA softball current rules allow.
4) Only USA/ASA softball approved helmets are allowed with face masks but helmet chin
straps are encouraged but not required as per USA/ASA rules.
5) Catchers helmets must be ASA/USA approved as per USA/ASA rules.
SUBSTITUTION
1) Courtesy runners may be used for the pitcher and catcher of record or those scheduled
to pitch or catch the next inning, or for any batters/runners injured during their at bat
(The last player or players making an out will be the courtesy runner).
2) As stated earlier, every player must play an infield position prior to the 4th inning. No
player can sit out defensively for two consecutive innings unless injured.
3) An injured player can be replaced with anyone from the bench at any time, no matter
where you are in the substitution order (Unless they are replacing a baserunner (as
previously stated, baserunners are substituted by the last out or outs as needed).
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