Youth Softball Rules of Play

Youth softball is generally played by girls between the ages of 8 and 12 years old. The major governing bodies of youth softball are Pony League Softball, an American youth organization headquartered in Washington, Pennsylvania, and Little League International Baseball and Softball, headquartered in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. While basic rules are determined by respective leagues, many other regional game variations and leagues exist. Generally, rules are designed to promote fairness and prioritize safety the safety of players. All variations of the game default to the basic rules of play, unofficially decreed by the world's preeminent league, Major League Baseball.

  1. Field Dimensions

    • Under Pony and Little League rules, field dimensions for girls 12 and under softball are between 50 and 65 feet between bases, 35 feet between the pitchers mound and home plate (when a batting tee is not used) and a maximum fence distance of 175 feet from home plate.

    Baserunning

    • Base runners in youth softball may not "lead," or attempt to acquire a head start. Also, stealing bases, or advancing to the next base prior to the ball being in play, is prohibited. Base runners who lead or steal are deemed out. Additionally, runners cannot score (i.e., advance to home base) unless there is a passed ball, overthrow or wild pitch. Base runners cannot attempt to disrupt a defensive play with interference or by aggressively expeling or dislodging the ball from a defender.

    Offense

    • Under Pony League rules, all members of each team must bat in an assigned order. Rules for younger players require that all players on a team be included in the lineup even if they are not playing defense. Only 10 players can bat in an inning. After three outs, or when 10 players have come to bat, the inning is over. There are also "mercy" rules in place, meaning the game is over if one team is leading by 12 runs after three innings, 10 runs after four innings, or 8 runs after five or more innings.

    Defense

    • Youth softball rules call for 10 defensive players on the field at a time. These players consist of nine players in the conventional positions and one "flex player," or "shortfielder." League's competing at the "fast pitch" do not play with a shortfielder. Under Pony League rules, team rosters are required to have only female players. Defensive players who are substitued or leave the game due to injury can only re-enter play if, as determined by the umpire, a team does not have enough eligible players left.