2024 U13 SUBWAY STINGERS LEAGUE RULES

MINOR SOFTBALL RULES

Adopted from Softball Canada Long term Player Development with some modifications.

1.        1.   Flip for home game. Team scorekeepers get together to share team lineups and check the score periodically throughout the game.

2.      Teams will be awarded 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss.

3.      U13 pitching is whip-pitch style (NEW). Orthodox pitching may be used at coach's discretion.

4.      Pitchers must wear a fielder’s mask. For all other players on defense a fielder’s mask is not mandatory. However, it is highly recommended, especially for infielders.

5.      Batters and base runners must wear helmets with full face shield.

6.      Pitching distance - 38’

7.      Base distance – 55’

8.      11” red dot optical ball.

9.      6 innings or a 1-hour 30-minutes time limit. Innings starting after 1 hour and 15 minutes will be declared the Last inning (see 12 below). A game can exceed 1-hour 30-minutes. Once an inning begins, it must be completed. At the start of game teams should note time and when it approaches 1-hour 15-minutes and you are not in the 6th inning, designate the next inning as the Last inning.

10.  No mercy rule.

11.  3 run maximum/inning (other than Last inning).

12.  Run limit – Last inning:

-          if the visiting team is behind by 3 runs or more, they will be limited to the run differential plus 1 run;

-          if the visiting team is behind by less than 3 runs, they will be allowed to score a maximum of 3 runs;

-          if the visiting team is ahead, they can only score a maximum of 3 runs;

-          if the home team is behind (or game is tied), they will be limited to the run differential at the start of their at bat plus 1 run;

-          if the home team is ahead before their at bat or at any time during their at bat, the game is considered over.

13.  If game is tied after 6 innings or Last inning, it will end as a tie.

14.  Pitchers are limited to 3 innings per game. Innings do not have to be consecutive. One pitch equals one inning.

15.  10 players maximum on defense. Both teams must agree if game will be played with 9 or 10 players on defense.

16.  All players bat, order must remain the same throughout the game. Unlimited defensive substitutions.

17.  Stealing of 2^nd and 3^rd is allowed. Baserunner must not leave base until after the ball has crossed home plate. Runners cannot advance an extra base on an overthrow on a steal.

18.  Passed balls: baserunners may advance one base on a passed ball to 2^nd and 3^rd. Scoring is not allowed on a passed ball. A baserunner may only score on a hit, batter hit by pitch or a walk.

19.  If a team is ahead by 10+ runs they are not allowed to steal bases or advance on passed balls.

20.  No infield fly rule.

21.  Bunting is allowed.

22.  No butterfly rule (catcher fails to catch called third strike).

23.  Continuous play: runners may continue to advance and score during a play until 3 runs have scored, the umpire stops play or the pitcher has the ball in the circle (base runners have to commit at this time).

24.  When the team batting has 2 outs or 2 runs scored and the player designated to catch the next inning is on base the coach must substitute the last recorded out as a replacement runner for the catcher. The runner replaced must then play the catcher position the next half inning.

25.  No player should sit more than 1 consecutive inning. Coaches should ensure that every player sits out one inning before any player sits out two innings.

26.  A player should not play the same position more than three innings per game.

27.  Each player should play an infield and outfield position in a game (unless safety is an issue).

28.  Coaches must play all players as equally as possible over the course of the season.

29.  The umpires decision is final.