Official Rules

Playing Rules

Official playing rules for each division. Rules are reviewed each season and may be updated before play begins.

Division 1

Instructional

League age 5–7

The primary goal of the Instructional division is to teach the players the fundamentals of softball while creating a fun and inviting environment for new players.

General

Suggested roster size ranges from 5–8 players with 9 being the maximum. Smaller rosters are highly encouraged for instruction.
No new innings will be started after 60 minutes and scores are not reported.
The coach of the batting team pitches from a suitable distance. Coaches act as catchers and umpires.
A tee should be kept close to home plate before the start of the game.
10-inch Level 1 Safety compression softballs will be used.
Two coaches from the defensive team are encouraged to be in the field to assist with instruction.
Every player who shows up must participate in each game unless injured, sick, ejected, or disciplined by her coach. No player may play the same position for more than 3 innings in a row.

Rules of Play

A maximum of 10 defensive players are allowed on the field.
Pitchers should stand to the side or behind the coach and not advance until the ball is hit.
Outfield players should be positioned evenly behind the infield or one at shortfield (behind 2nd base bag).
A continuous and consecutive batting order is used and each player bats in each inning.
No balls or strikes are called. Batters cannot strike out swinging.
A tee may optionally be used from the start of an at-bat to support the batter's development.
There is a maximum of 5 pitches per batter. If there is no hit after 5 pitches, a tee will be used at home plate.
Batters advance one base on a fair batted ball. Runners advance only one base on a fair batted ball.
Stealing, leading, advancing on passed balls, and advancing on overthrows are not allowed.
Half-innings end when the full lineup has batted. Following the last batter, all runners advance through home plate to end the inning.

Division 2

AA

League age 7–8

The primary goal of the AA division is to further instruct players in the gameplay of softball, creating an engaging experience in which they can both learn and have fun. Keeping score of the game can be make it more fun for the players and keep them engaged. It can also help them practice sportsmanship and positive attitude win or lose.

General

Suggested roster size ranges from 7–10 players.
11-inch Level 1 Safety compression softballs will be used.
The pitching rubber distance is 32 feet.
Up to 2 defensive coaches are allowed on the field to instruct.
No new innings will be started after 80 minutes.
A 125-foot line from home plate to the outfield will be marked with cones before the start of the game.
A coach of the batting team pitches. The home plate coach of the fielding team acts as umpire if one is not present.
Coaches should rotate players between the infield and the outfield positions. A full field consists of 6 infielders and up to 4 outfielders, with outfielders on the grass.
A half-inning ends after 3 outs are made or 4 runs are scored, whichever comes first. This applies to all innings.

Batting

A continuous and consecutive batting order is used.
No balls or strikes are called.
A player will strike out after 3 swinging strikes.
There is a maximum of 6 pitches per batter, including foul balls. If the 6th pitch results in a foul ball, the batter receives a 7th pitch. If no fair ball is hit after the 7th pitch, the batter is out.
No bunting or slashing allowed.

Fielding

Defensive attempts can be made at any base and against any runner.
No stealing, leading, or advancing on passed balls.
No infield fly rule.
Adults must attempt to get out of the way of batted balls. An unavoidable ball that hits any adult in the field is declared dead and the play resets.

Runners

Runners may not advance on overthrows.
Runners and the batter-runner may advance one base on a fair ball in the infield that doesn't reach the grass.
Runners and the batter-runner may advance up to two bases, at their own peril, on a fair batted ball that reaches the outfield grass line.
All runners may advance unlimited bases at their own peril when a ball is hit past the 125-foot cone line in the outfield on the ground or in the air. A field coach should raise their hands to indicate. All runners must stop further advancement when the ball is possessed in the infield.

Division 3

AAA

League ages 9–10

The spirit and intent of AAA is to provide a full player experience and introduce players to additional rules of gameplay, including a new emphasis on pitching and catching and introducing stealing and leading off bases. In addition to Little League Softball Official Rules for Minor League, the following local rules apply.

General

Suggested roster sizes range from 9–12 players.
11-inch yellow leather polycore softball (hard) Little League Approved type.
There is no coach pitch. Players pitch in this division.
No new innings will be started after 90 minutes.
Courtesy runners may be used for the pitcher and catcher of record when there are two outs.
The home team will supply two new game balls at the start of the game and pay the junior umpire.
Players must be in the game at least 2 innings defensively and one at-bat, with one of those innings in the infield. Players should not sit for more than two innings.
A full field consists of 6 infielders and up to 4 outfielders, with outfielders on the grass.
Advancing on an overthrow is limited to one base per runner.

Batting

Strikeouts, walks, and hit by pitch are per Little League rules and called by an umpire.
Managers will use a continuous batting order and free substitution.
Slashing is prohibited. Bunting and slapping are allowed.
A half-inning ends after 3 outs are made or 4 runs are scored, whichever comes first. This applies to all innings including the final inning.
No dropped third strike rule.

Runners

No infield fly rule for the first four games. In effect for the remaining games.
Continuous walk (taking more than 1 base on a walk) is prohibited.
Runners cannot leave the base before the pitched ball reaches home plate.
All stealing is allowed including stealing of home on passed balls. For the first four games, steals at home are limited to 2 per inning. The remaining games have no cap. Coaches should exercise proper judgment of sportsmanship and fair play. This rule is subject to change midseason by the District Committee.

Division 4

Majors

League ages 10–12

The goal is to challenge players appropriately, help them reach new heights in their abilities, and prepare them for future levels of play — all while ensuring the experience remains fun, inclusive, and rooted in the fundamental principles of Little League softball. This division follows the Official Little League Softball Rulebook (Majors) with the following local rules.

General

Suggested roster sizes range from 9–12 players.
The home team will supply two new game balls at the start of the game and pay the umpire.
No inning will begin after 90 minutes.
Courtesy runners may be used for the pitcher and catcher of record when there are two outs.
Players must be in the game at least two innings defensively, with one in the infield. Positions should be rotated at the manager's discretion. Players should only be on the bench for a maximum of two innings before returning to the game.
Slashing is prohibited.
Infield fly is in play, but the dropped third strike rule is not.

Batting

Half-innings end after 3 outs are made or 4 runs are scored.
Optionally, prior to the start of the game with mutual agreement, the final inning may not be subject to the 4-run limit (unlimited runs).

Questions About the Rules?

These rules are reviewed each season and may be updated before play begins. When in doubt, ask your coach.