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: Age is determined by actual age on August 31 of previous calendar year. Players in 12U must be 12 or younger.

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

Please note - The rules provided on this site are the exceptions to rules used by the MHSAA. Other than exceptions explicitly stated our leagues use the MHSAA High School Rules. The MHSAA uses the National Federation of State High School Associations softball rules. 

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