12U Softball Rules

1. Game balls: Home team supplies a minimum of 2 new game balls; they should be genuine or premium leather balls. (Rawlings, Diamond and Wilson are a few of the better name brands.)

2. Home Team: Home team is listed second on the schedule

3. Official Book: The home team is the official book but teams must communicate & cooperate on subs and the overall score. Both teams will submit the score to M-60 Diamonds after the game is complete.

4. Athlete Age: Ages are based on actual age on April 30 of current year. Players in 12U must be 12 or younger.

5. Dugouts: the host team has choice of dugout.

1. Coach Communication: coaches are responsible to connect with each other prior to the away team traveling to the game 

2. Start Time: games will start at 5:30

3. Length of games: games will be a double-header of two 6 inning games 

4. Time Limit: there will be a 1:15 hour time limit for each game with a 10 minute break between games; the current inning will be completed.

5. Minimum Players to Start a Game: teams may start a game with a minimum of 8 players; the ninth spot in the batting order is an out as long as there are only 8 players playing. 

6. Batting Lineup:  Every player is allowed to bat. 

7. Player Injury/Illness: If a player stops playing due to injury or illness, it will not be an out on offense and the player cannot return to the game.

8. Playing Time: Playing time is the coach’s discretion; it is encouraged that all players get some playing time

9. Complete Games: If cut short due to time limit, darkness or weather, games are considered complete with 4 full innings

10. Make-up Games: any make-up games are resumed where they left off. 

11. Mercy Rules:  15 runs after three complete innings, 12 runs after four complete innings and 8 runs after five complete innings. 

12. Run Limit: The most runs a 12U team can score in any inning is 7 runs, except the 6th inning.

13. Last inning Scoring: teams may score unlimited runs only in the 6th inning.

14. Ties: Regular season games may end in a tie at the end of regular play or due to a time limit

Offense

1. Courtesy Runner:  a courtesy runner is always allowed for a pitcher and/or catcher of the previous inning regardless of the number of outs. The courtesy runner is the last batted out.

2. Substitutions: There are free substitutions among players in the batting lineup.

3. Scoring From Third Base: there are no restrictions on a runner scoring from 3rd base on a wild pitch, passed ball or throwback to the pitcher. 

4. Dropped Third Strike: the runner may attempt to reach first base on a dropped third strike 

Defense

1. Defensive Play: there will only be 9 players in the field of play with a maximum of 3 players in the outfielders

2. Defensive Lineup: only players in the current batting lineup can play the field of play (there is no DH)

3. Infield Fly: infield fly rule is in play

4. Substitutions: If every player is allowed to bat, there is free substitution in the field

1. Field Dimensions:

   • Pitching Mound: 40 ft from home plate

   • Bases: 60 ft between bases

2. Bats: all bats are legal

3. Metal Cleats: may not be worn

4. Softball Size: use an 12" softball for 12U

1. Behavior: Game play should be a positive learning experience for all players.  As such:

   • Positive team cheering is encouraged

   • Negative chatter or disruptive actions are discouraged 

   • Foul language is not appropriate or acceptable

2. Ejection of a player: If a player in the lineup is ejected:

   • His spot will remain in the lineup as an out.

   • He is ineligible for play the remainder of the day

3. Ejection of a coach: If a coach is ejected from a game, they are unable to coach the remainder of the day