Little League Softball Rules

Specific rules are used for youth sports leagues because kids cannot successfully compete at adult levels. If pitchers were to pitch from the adult distance, they wouldn't reach home plate. If players had to run the dimensions of an adult-sized field, they would rarely score or get on base. Use the proper dimensions and rules for your your Little League softball team and league.

  1. Playing Field

    • The distance between bases is set at 60 feet. The distance from the front of the pitcher's rubber to the tip of home plate is 46 feet. The distance from the front of the pitcher's rubber to the outfield grass is 50 feet. The size of the pitcher's rubber is 18 x 4 inches and the size of the bases is 14 x 14 inches.

    Bats

    • The maximum length of bats are 33 inches and the maximum barrel width is 2 1/4 inches. Little League permits aluminum bats and often does not allow wooden bats.

    Strike Zone

    • The Little League strike zone has a different "top of zone" when compared to the professional ranks. College and professional ranks define the top of the strike zone as halfway between the shoulder and belt. Little League sets the top of the zone at the armpits.

    Duration

    • Little League games generally last six innings and can end after four innings (3 1/2 if the home team leads) due to a rainout or the 10-run rule. This specifies that after four innings (or 3 1/2 if the home team leads), if one team is ahead by 10 or more runs, the other team must concede and the game is over.