Softball Majors League Rules 2024

ASA/USSSA Fast Pitch 12U Rules apply with the following highlights/modifications:

Game Rules

• Home team provides patched umpires and balls.
  • The home team is responsible for canceling the umpire on the day of the game in case of rainouts (no later than 2 hours prior to game time).
• 6 inning games.
• After one hour and forty-five minutes (1:45), no new full innings can be started (home team will get the opportunity for its last at bat, if needed). or for field time limitation (no new innings can be started if less than 20 minutes until next scheduled game).
• A game is official after 4 innings (home team does not need to bat in their half of the fourth inning if ahead).
• 4 runs per inning rule/ waived in the 6th or last inning (no limit in last inning).
• A team must have eight players in order to play. Less than eight players will result in a forfeit.
• “Live” ball format
  • Dropped third strike in effect
  • Stealing home
  • Ball in play on steal attempts
• Free substitution of players in the field
• Protective face cages for pitchers, 1st, and 3rd basemen are mandatory.
• 12 run mercy rule (home team has last at bat if behind).
• Scorebook is kept by both teams.

Batting

• Continuous batting order/ free substitution.
• Batters must wear helmets with cages and chin straps.
• If a player is injured during a game and cannot continue or leaves in the middle of the game for other reasons, that player’s position in the order is skipped for the remainder of the game without penalty (i.e. no automatic out).
• If a player is late to the game, the player should be inserted at the end of the batting order.
  • Infield fly rule in effect
  • No slashing (faking bunt, then hitting away)
  • Slap hitting and drag bunting are allowed

Base Running

• A courtesy runner may be used for the pitcher or catcher - runner shall be the last batter of the previous inning (and second to last batter of the previous inning if both pitcher and catcher are on base at the same time).
• Players must slide or avoid contact. All sliding rule decisions are at the discretion of the umpire.

Pitching

• Pitcher shall be removed from pitching the rest of the game after directly hitting 3 batters in an inning or 5 in the course of the game (bounced pitches will not count).
• Pitchers shall not pitch more than 4 innings per game during the regular season. Special situations to allow a pitcher to exceed this game limit shall be at the discretion of home and visiting head coach.
• Pitching mound is 40 feet, bases are 60 feet distance.