12U & 14U Rules

Application of Softball Rules

These rules apply to the WBSA Softball 12U and 14U Recreational league. USSSA Softball rules apply, unless superseded by these General Rules. To maintain the integrity of the league, as well as consistency and fairness for all children, coaches are required to follow all USSSA Softball and WBSA Softball rules. Discipline may result if rules are purposely and/or repeatedly disobeyed.

Players

1. A

   Minimum of 8 players required to take the field.

2. B

   Defensive Players

   1. a

      12U. Teams may play with up to 10 defensive players at one time, including 4 outfielders.

   2. b

      14U. Teams may play with up to 9 defensive players at one time, including 3 outfielders.

3. C

   A player may sit up to two non-consecutive innings in the dugout during defense.

Coaches

1. A

   Only up to 4 coaches with current WBSA background checks are allowed on the field or in the dugout during any game.

2. B

   The team on offense will be allowed two coaches on the field: one base coach in each of the offensive coach’s boxes.

3. C

   One additional offensive coach, base coaches notwithstanding, is allowed to be positioned next to the fence, no closer than the end of the dugout nearest home plate.

4. D

   All other coaches must be against the fence no closer than the entrance of the dugout.

5. E

   Coaches must not create a distraction or interfere with play. Coaches violating this rule may be warned once and then prohibited from coaching for the remainder of that game and may be subject to further disciplinary action.

Game Play

1. A

   No inning begins after 75 minutes of play.

2. B

   Weather rule. Game is complete after 45 minutes if 2 full innings are played.

3. C

   5 runs per half-inning limit.

4. D

   Dropped 3rd strike is in effect.

5. E

   Infield fly rule is in effect.

6. F

   Look-back rule is in effect.

7. G

   Forfeited games end umpire duties; teams can scrimmage until 30 minutes before the next game.

Batting

1. A

   Batters must drop the bat prior to arriving at first base.

2. B

   Batters who throw the bat may be called out at the umpire’s discretion.

Base Runners / Batter-Runner

1. A

   Substitute Runner. A substitute or “pinch” runner for an injured player will be the batter who made the last out.

   1. a

      The same Substitute Runner can only be used one time per inning.

   2. b

      Additional Substitute Runners used in the same inning will revert to the next previous batter in the lineup to be declared out.

2. B

   Courtesy Runner. Coaches may put in a courtesy runner for the pitcher or catcher of record. The pitcher or catcher of record is the pitcher or catcher during the final out of the previous defensive inning; the courtesy runner must be the last person to be out. The courtesy runner is not restricted from playing in any position during the next inning.

Pitching

1. A

   There is no limit to the number of innings or pitches a pitcher may pitch in one game.

2. B

   If three batters in a single inning are awarded first base because they are ‘hit by pitch’ from a single pitcher, the offending pitcher must be replaced for the remainder of the inning. There are no limits to how many times this rule can be invoked per game.

Equipment

1. A

   USSSA Softball rules related to Headwear, Pants, Sliding Pants, and Undershirts do not apply.

2. B

   Metal cleats are not allowed.

3. C

   Only bats noted as a Softball or Fastpitch bat are allowed.

   1. a

      Bat does not have to have certification notation (USSSA, ISF, etc.) visible on the bat.

   2. b

      Baseball, T-Ball, and Adult bats are not allowed.

Field Specs

1. A

   Bases will be set at 60 feet.

2. B

   A 16-foot diameter circle will be chalked around the pitching rubber.

   1. a

      12U. Pitching rubber will be set at 40 feet.

   2. b

      14U. Pitching rubber will be set at 43 feet.

3. C

   Official ball: 12″ diameter.

Miscellaneous

1. A

   Game time starts at the conclusion of the home plate meeting with the umpire. Teams must be warmed up and ready to play at the scheduled start time of the game. Failure of the head coach to have their team ready to play at scheduled game time will result in the game clock starting at the scheduled game time.

   Exception

   If the field is being used for another game prior to the scheduled games, teams should warm-up outside the fences or on adjacent unused fields.

2. B

   Only 5 warm-up pitches, or a period of one minute, will be allowed between half-innings.

3. C

   If used, batspersons must wear helmets and must wait until the completion of any play before leaving the dugout to retrieve a bat.

4. D

   No coach or defensive player shall at any time, whether in the coach's box or on the playing field, use language, cheers or arbitrary noises which are intended to affect the performance of an opposing offensive player. Cheers, of a positive nature only, are allowed from the dugout area while occupying the offensive position.

5. E

   The on-deck batter will stand in the on-deck area that is behind the current batter.

6. F

   Jewelry that interferes with a player’s ability to play the game or is deemed a safety hazard by the umpire is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to necklaces, bracelets (any material), dangling earrings, etc.

Exceptions

1. A

   All items not covered by these rules will be decided by the WBSA Board.

2. B

   The Board’s determinations of fact and interpretation of these rules are final.

3. C

   All complaints must be submitted to the Board in writing via email.

4. D

   The Board reserves the right to make exceptions in special cases for all rules, procedures, and policies.