WSGV USA SOFTBALL
12U RULES

1. Games will be 1-hour, 20 minute drop dead. 
2. Coaches are encouraged to have each player play each position during the season.
3. Players cannot sit 2 out two consecutive defensive innings. 
4. 12” Ball 
5. 60’ Bases. 
6. Player pitcher must pitch from 40’ (12U) and 43’ (14U) from the tip of home plate to the front of the rubber. 
7. Continuous batting order 
   1. If you have 9 players to start the game but a player will be showing up late, you have to put them at the bottom of the line-up and let the umpire and other manager know they will be arriving late. Once the player arrives, let the umpire and other manager know and they will bat in the last batting position. The player will not be considered an out because you have 9 players. 
   2. If you only have 8 players to start the game and a player is showing up late, if the 9th player does not show up before the 9th batting position bats, it will be an out only the first time around. The second time around will not be an out and the late player cannot enter. 
   3. If a player leaves the game for any reason (with the exception of a medical need), it will be an automatic out at that batting position for one rotation. 
8. Unlimited pitching. 
9. All bases open; lead-off on release of the ball. 
10. Infield fly in effect. 
11. Drop 3rd strike in effect. 
    1. When a called or swinging third strike is NOT caught by the catcher, the batter may run to first base if it is open/unoccupied. If the batter/runner reaches 1st base without being tagged or thrown out, then they are considered safe at first base. 
    2. Drop third strike is in play ONLY if 1st base is open/unoccupied. EXCEPTION: when there are two outs, even if 1st base is occupied, the drop third strike is in effect. 
12. 12U - NO Steel Cleats, 14U - Steel Cleats OK 
13. Switch sides after 5 runs max per half inning or 3 outs. 
14. The game will end per the time limit or 6 innings, whichever comes first. 
15. The final score is the last completed inning. If time runs out and the inning is not completed, the score will revert to the last completed inning. 
16. No forfeits: Teams can borrow current rostered WSGV players from the same league or opposing teams in the same division or lower. Borrowed players will assist only in the outfield and bat last in the batting order. 
17. Defense: 9 players – Catcher, Pitcher, 1st, 2nd, SS, 3rd, and 3 outfielders 
18. Mercy rule – 15 after 4, 10 after 5. 
19. Protest must be handled on the field at time of incident. There are NO protests once game play resumes from the incident. The game will continue to be played when under a protest. 20. The home team is the official scorekeeper and is the official recorder for the game.