RULE
U6
U8
U10
U12
RULE: The Playing Field
Base Path Distance
40' (Softball Canada Standard for U6)
*
45' (Softball Canada Standard for U8 and U10)
55' (Softball Canada Standard for U12)
Pitching Distance
30' (Softball Canada Standard for U8 and U10)
35' (Softball Canada Standard for U12)
Note: If a Coach Pitcher, the defensive pitcher should stand at the minimum pitching distance listed above and no closer.
RULE: EQUIPMENT
Ball
10" Ball – Softball Canada Standard for U6 – Recommends a softer "COR" ball.
11" Indoor Ball – Softball Canada Standard for U8 & U10
11" Ball – Softball Canada Standard for U12 (COR .47)
Helmet
All batters will wear a batting helmet with cage with strap done up while at bat and on base.
Optional for defensive players to wear protective equipment. (Helmet with cage or face guard)
Mouth Guard
Optional for defensive or offensive players to wear a mouth guard.
Homeplate
19" or 21" home plate
RULE: Coaches, Players and Substitutes
Coaches
Offensive and defensive coaches are permitted on the playing field.
Players-Number of Players
Maximum of 8-9 players on a team.
Minimum of 7 players on a team
Minimum of 7 players and a maximum of 9 players on the field.
When playing with less than the maximum number of players, there are no automatic outs.
If a player arrives late, they may be added to the bottom of the line-up.
Each inning, rotate who is the first batter.
Substitutes
Unlimited defensive substitutions.
Replacement Runner
A Coach may use a courtesy runner for the catcher, to allow that catcher to suit up for the next half inning.
Page Break
Replacement Runner (continued)
When the team on offence has two (2) out and the player designated to catch the next half inning is on base or there are only two (2) batters left in the order, the coach is allowed to substitute the last recorded out of the inning in that player's place as a base runner. The designated catcher must then suit up for the next half inning.
Playing Time
No Player is to sit more than 1 consecutive inning. Coaches will ensure that every player sits outs one inning before any player sits out two innings.
A player cannot play the same position in consecutive innings.
A player cannot play the same position more than three (3) innings per game.
Each player must play an infield and outfield position in a game unless safety is an issue.
The batting order should be shuffled every inning so a different player leads off each inning.
Coaches are encouraged to play all players as equally as possible over the course of the season.
RULE: The Game
Regulation Game
Practices/Modified games do not last more than 1 hour 15 min.
A new inning will not start after 1 hour 30 minutes after the scheduled start time
A new inning will not start after 1 hour and 45 minutes after the scheduled start time.
In case of weather or cancellation of a game by an official and when two innings have been completed, the score of the game will revert to the last fully completed inning.
Mercy Rule
Mercy Rule: If any team is ahead by fifteen (15) runs or more after three (3) innings, or any inning thereafter, the game will be called. If any team is ahead by ten (10) runs or more after five (5) innings (4 ½ if Home Team), or any inning thereafter, the game will be called.
Run Limit Per Inning
Maximum of 5 runs per half inning.
n/a
Run Limit - Open/Last Inning
In the last inning:
If the visiting team is behind by more than 5 (U12) runs, they will be limited to the run differential plus 1 run.
If the visiting team is behind by less than 5 (U12) runs, they will be allowed to score a maximum of 5 (U12) runs.
Run Limit - Open/Last Inning (continued)
If the Visiting Team is ahead, they can only score a maximum of 5 (U12) more runs.
If the Home Team is behind they will be limited to the run differential at the start of their bat plus 1.
If the Home Team is ahead before their bat or at any time during, the game is considered over.
Charged Conferences
A team is permitted unlimited offensive conferences per inning.
A team is permitted two (2) defensive conferences per inning. With the third (3) conference, the pitcher must be removed from the pitching position for the balance of the innings.
RULE: Pitching Regulations
Coach pitcher – 5 pitches. If they have not hit after 5 pitches, if they swung 3 times, they are given 1st base.
Player pitching to opposing team until the batter receives a 4th ball, which would normally result in a walk. This is where the game changes. After the 4th ball, the batter will against him/her. It will either be 4 balls (0 strikes 4-0), 4-1 or 4-2. The hitter's coach or designate for the offensive team, will now come in to pitch to his/her own batter and carry on the count (LTP Rules).
Player pitch – normal count. After 3 strikes, batter is out .
Pitcher Limitations
A pitcher is allowed to pitch to a maximum of 10 batters per game and 20 batters per day. 1 pitch equals one batter. A pitcher is not allowed to pitch consecutive innings.
A pitcher is allowed to pitch to a maximum of 13 batters and a maximum of 3 innings per game (can be consecutive). They can pitch a maximum of 6 innings per day or a maximum of 26 batters per day. 1 pitch equals one inning.
Hit Batters
If the same pitcher his two (2) batters in an inning, he/she must be removed for the remainder of that inning.
Walks
Walks are allowed
Intentional Walks
There are no intentional walks.
RULE: Batting
Number of Batters
All Players Bat. All eligible players will appear on the batting order (whether they are in the field defensively or not). The Coach must declare the last batter to the umpire before the first pitch and the umpire must inform the opposing team. It is the duty of the Coach to inform the batter.
Number of Batters (continued)
When the last batter has hit, the ball must be returned to the catcher or other defensive player, who must be touching home plate. At that time, play is suspended. All previous runs are counted. If the last batter is put out through normal play, the inning is complete.
Late Players
Players who arrive after the start of the game will be placed last in the batting order and bat their turn.
Bunting
Bunting is not permitted
Bunting is permitted.
RULE: Batter-Runner & Runner
Third Strike Rule
Third strike rule is not in effect.
Infield Fly Rule
Infield Fly Rule is not in effect.
Stealing
Runner cannot steal bases; she/he can only run when the batter makes contact (No Stealing).
Runner may only steal from 2nd to 3rd base when ball crosses plate.
Base runners may steal on any legally pitched ball when it has crossed home plate.
A player can only advance one base on a steal attempt.
Player cannot advance to home plate on a steal, passed ball, or wild pitch - must be batted in or forced home by a walk or is part of a continuation of a play (I.e. overthrow).
Lead Offs
Runners may leave the base when the ball has crossed the plate.
Runners may leave the base when the ball leaves the hand. If they leave early, they will be called out.
Sliding
Sliding is allowed.
Base Runner Advancement
Following a fairly hit ball, the advancing of the runners is considered 'over' when the ball is returned to a player in the infield (inside the base paths). Runners may continue to the base they are heading to but the fielders may attempt to throw/tag the runner out.
Overthrows
Runners do not advance on an overthrow.
Runners advance 1 base on an overthrow.
RULE: Dead – Ball / Ball In-Play
No walk or free basses awarded for being hit by a pitch from a coach-pitcher.
RULE: Protests
There are no protests or appeals.
Scoring
Scores & Standings
Score and standings will not be kept as the emphasis is on player and team skill development, not on winning.
*U12 will use LTPD rules in 2019