U13 Junior Softball Rules

  • Games run for 1 hour and 15 minutes. No new inning will start after that time. If you are in thevbottom of the inning, and the team batting is ahead, then game over. If you are in the bottom of the inning and the team batting is losing, the game continues.
  • Only 9 players are on the field at a time, with unlimited substitutions for all players on the bench to any position. If both coaches agree, 10 players can play defensively, but the 10th player will be an extra outfielder.
  • All players in the line-up hit, the batting order is to remain the same for the entire game. Consider using a marker to give each player a number written on the back of their hand for the batting order.
  • Side away after 3 outs, encouraging the kids to play the out.
  • A player is out if:
  1. A force out (a batted ball reaches the base before the runner does)
  2. Caught out (batted ball is caught in the air)
  3. Tagged out (a runner is tagged with the ball when not on a base)
  4. Strike out (3 swings of the bat)
  • Infield fly rule:
  1. If the batter pops up and the ball is playable by an infielder, with runners on base and less than 2 out, the batter is called out. Runners can run at their own discretion.

  • A maximum of 5 runs per inning. Once 5 runs are scored, it is side away.
  • 3 strikes and the batter is out, 4 balls and the batter advances to 1st Base.
  • If the 3rd strike is dropped by the catcher, the batter can run to 1st base but only if it is unoccupied and there is less than 2 outs. If the base is occupied by a runner AND there is none or 1 out, then the batter is out on a dropped 3rd strike but the ball is still live. Runners can advance at their own discretion.
  • Stealing bases is allowed after the ball has been released by the Pitcher
  • Bunting is permitted
  • The Pitching distance for boys and girls is 12 meters from home plate
  • We strongly encourage teams to bat in order of M/F/M/F/M/F etc.

These are the very basic rules of U13 Softball. There are more technical rules and it is expected that Coaches & Managers have attended a Coaching Clinic or Orange Shirt Clinic in order to understand the details of the game.


Where anyone is unsure of the rules, the Coach can call “TIME” and request a discussion with the Umpire to further understand the play and the ruling decisions called on that play.