REC PROGRAM: 12/14U Rules

Published by FT Softball

Apr 18, 2025

Franklin Township Softball 12/14U Rules

Revised 04/01/2025

BASE DISTANCE: 60 feet

PITCHING DISTANCE: 40 feet

SOFTBALL SIZE: 12 inches

1. Only the Head Coach, Assistant Coach, and additional assistants assigned by the Head Coach are permitted on the field and in dugouts during a game.

2. A regulation game shall last 70 minutes. A new inning will not begin after the time limit of 70 minutes has elapsed. Innings in progress should be finished unless the home team is batting and they are in the lead. During regular season games, if teams are tied when time has expired and the home team has completed the inning, the game will result in a tie; During tournament play the USSSA International Tiebreaker* rule will be used. The Tournament Championship Game will be played for 6 innings with no time limit.

3. Both teams shall maintain their own separate books. Umpires are the official timekeepers.

4. If a game is called by an umpire for any reason, the game will be considered complete and the score will stand if 2 or more innings have been completed.

5. Offensive coaches are allowed at 1st & 3rd base. One defensive coach is allowed in the outfield.

6. All players must play a minimum of every other inning on defense.

7. A pitcher may pitch unlimited innings, however the starting pitcher may only re-enter the game one time.

8. The playing field shall consist of a maximum of 6 infielders with 4 players in the outfield.

9. All rostered players who are present for the game must be in the batting order. Players who are not present at the start of the game shall be placed at the bottom of the batting order. When the player arrives, the coach shall inform the scorekeeper from both teams.

10. If a player is unable to bat due to illness or injury, the scorekeepers from both teams shall be informed so the player can be bypassed in the batting order. This will NOT result in an out, and the player is permitted to return to the lineup with no penalty assessed.

11. Teams may score only 6 runs in any one inning. If additional runners reach home on the same play, the runs do not score.

EXCEPTION: There is no run rule in the 6th inning in the Tournament Championship game.

12. Run Rule: After 4 innings of play, if one team is leading by 10 runs, the umpire shall call the game (after the home team has been allowed to bat).

13. Pitching distance shall be 40 feet from the apex of home plate to the front center of the pitching rubber.

14. Bat throwing is NOT permitted. The first time a bat is thrown, the umpire will notify the scorekeeper that the team has received its first warning. The second time a bat is thrown, the player who threw the bat is called out. This is a judgment call by the umpire.

NOTE: This rule is applicable to the team, and not the individual player. The second player to throw a bat is called out regardless if another player received the first warning.

15. USSSA Rules** are used when a rule is not covered by Franklin Township Softball league rules.

*International Tie-Breaker Rule (Tournament Only)

During tournament games, if the teams are tied when time expires, the following procedures shall apply:

"At the start of the inning in which the tie-breaker rule is used, the offensive team shall begin its turn at bat with the player who is scheduled to bat last in that respective half inning being placed on second base (e.g., if the number 5 batter is the lead off batter, the number 4 batter in the batting order will be placed on second base). The umpire and the scorekeeper will determine that the proper runner has been placed at second base and the inning shall begin."

**USSSA rules and can be found HERE.