12U Rules

2023

The Vancleave Youth Softball League is governed by the rules of the Amatuer Softball Association of America (ASA). The league board reserves the right to amend and implement local rules that govern recreational play. The official rules of ASA fast pitch softball will apply unless otherwise amended below. The League Board reserves the right to amend these rules at any time during the season.

Playing Field

-          Bases will be 60’ apart

-          The pitching circle will be an 8’ radius and 40’ from back of home plate to front of pitching rubber.

-          Home plate is fair territory

-          There will be 2 1st bases. The white base will be considered fair territory and the orange will be in foul territory.

Equipment

-          All players must wear a batting helmet with a face mask when up to bat or on the bases.

-          Players in the field are encouraged to have a defensive face mask. The player pitcher must wear a face mask.

-          The catcher must wear protective gear including a batting helmet or a catcher’s helmet.

-          Bats that are stamped ASA, USSSA, or USA are deemed legal for league ball

-          Regulation ASA 12’ optic yellow softballs will be used.

-          All defensive infielders will wear a fielder’s mask.

Playing rules

-          There is to be a maximum of 6 players in the infield including the pitcher and catcher. All other defensive players must start the play on the outfield grass.

-          There is to be 4 outfielders allowed during play.

-          The batter must have both feet in the batter’s box.

-          No bat slinging. One verbal team warning will be given and afterwards the batter will be called out and runners will return to their previous base.

-          No leadoffs are allowed. 

-          Batters must make an attempt to back out of the batter’s box when a base runner is stealing home.

-          A courtesy runner is only allowed for the catcher if the inning has 2 outs. The courtesy runner must be the last recorded out unless it’s the team’s pitcher.

-          Defensive players must throw the ball to their teammate covering the base. No rolling or running the ball to the base except for routine plays (umpire discretion).

-          There is no overthrow rule.

-          The play is considered dead when

o   The defense gets the ball in front of the lead runner stopping her advancement.

o   When all play has ceased

o   it is the umpire’s discretion as to whether a runner can advance to the next base

§  If the runner is in the process of advancing, then she is awarded the next base

§  If she is stationary on a bag, stops, or begins to retreat, she must return to her previous base once a dead ball is called.

-          The runner is out by being forced, tagged, or runs out of the baseline to avoid a tag.

-          The inning will be over when

o   The defensive team makes 3 outs

o   The offensive team scores a maximum of 5 runs

-          No inning shall be started after 65 minutes.

-          A game will be a maximum of 5 innings and can end in a tie.

-          The outfield will play no closer than 85 feet behind the base path before the ball is hit.

-          Every player on the roster will be listed on the lineup and must play at least 1 inning defensively.

Manager Responsibilities

-          The manager is responsible for his team and parents conduct.

-          There is to be no arguing with the umpire. This is your warning.

-          All coaches are to set an example for his team and adhere to the Code of Conduct.

-          The dugouts are to be cleaned of trash after each game.

-          The defensive team can have 1 coach outside the dugout during play.

-          The offensive coaches cannot touch a base runner until the ball is considered dead.