University Little League
Softball rules at a glance
Little League rules apply to anything not listed here.
Local rules revised September 16, 2026 · full rules at fwull.com/rules
| Daisy6 | Coach Pitch7–8 | Lower Minors9 | Upper Minors10 | Majors11–12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Setup | |||||
| Ball | 11 inch | 11 inch | 11 inch | 11 inch | 12 inch |
| Pitching distance | 28 ft (coach) | 35 ft | 35 ft | 35 ft | 40 ft |
| Max defenders | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Adults in dugoutTwo adult base coaches in every division. No defensive coaches on the infield during play. | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| CatcherFull gear = chest protector, shin guards, helmet with throat guard. Daisy: an adult or sibling 9+ retrieves behind the plate. Every batter wears a helmet with a face mask; every infielder wears a face mask. | None | If used | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| The game | |||||
| Innings (max) | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Time limit (minutes) | 65 | 75 | 85 | 85 | 85 |
| Runs per inning (max) | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Run ruleRuns ahead / after innings. | 9 / 4½ · 5 / 5½ | 11 / 4½ · 6 / 5½ | 11 / 4½ · 6 / 5½ | 11 / 4½ · 6 / 5½ | 11 / 4½ · 6 / 5½ |
| When time expires | No new inning may start. An inning begins when the final out of the previous one is made. Clock does not stop between half-innings (2-min changeover). Regular-season ties stand; a forfeit is recorded 6–0. | ||||
| Pitching | |||||
| Who pitches | Coach, 4 then tee | Coach, 3 strikes / 6 pitches | Kid, coach after 4 balls | Kid only | Kid only |
| Pitcher workload limitCounted in OUTS, not innings or pitches. No division limits innings pitched; Majors having no limit is deliberate. | — | — | > 6 outs → out next game | > 9 outs → out next game | No limit |
| Walks | — | — | None awarded | Standard | Standard |
| Baserunning | |||||
| Stealing | No | No | After ball crosses plate. No home | After ball crosses plate. No home | On release. Home allowed |
| Dropped third strikeMajors: batter goes to 1B if unoccupied with under 2 outs; with 2 outs, even if occupied. | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Infield fly | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Look back ruleOnce the pitcher has possession in the circle a runner must immediately return or advance, or be out. | — | — | — | — | Yes |
| Infield control (ball dead)Coach Pitch: an outfielder holding the ball is NOT control — an infielder must have it in fair territory. Daisy and Coach Pitch also require the defense to have stopped trying to advance the play. A runner already moving when control is called may continue; one who stops or starts after must return. | Any defender has ball in infield | Infielder has ball in fair territory | Infielder has ball between base lines | Pitcher has ball in circle, or time | Pitcher has ball in circle, or time |
| Overthrows1 base = one per overthrow, further only on later throws attempting an out. Lower Minors: no extra base on a catcher overthrow during a steal. | 1 base | 1 base | 1 base | May advance, incl. home | May advance |
| Lineup and roster | |||||
| Batting order | Continuous — every player bats, in the order first given to the scorekeeper. Late arrivals bat last. | ||||
| Playing short | Fewer than 9 to start: an automatic out for each missing spot a full lineup would fill (spot 7, 8 or 9). A player who was present and leaves injured, ill or with a parent costs no out. Down to 6 = forfeit. | ||||
| Call-ups | Required, not optional, in Lower Minors / Upper Minors / Majors whenever you expect fewer than 9. Start it in Coach’s Corner → Call-Ups. A call-up plays OUTFIELD ONLY and BATS LAST — every season, regular and post. | ||||
| Postseason | |||||
| Who qualifies | Spring: every team. Fall: top 4 by winning percentage. Same innings, time and runs-per-inning limits as the regular season — playoffs and championship alike. | ||||
| Minimum players | Nine. A short team must request a call-up; 8 may play taking an out at the 9th spot. PLAYING WITH 7 IS PROHIBITED IN THE POSTSEASON — the one place it differs from the regular season. | ||||
| Tie after regulation | One extra inning, then California rules (last two outs on 1st and 2nd, inning starts with 1 out). | ||||