12U Class C Rules – USA Softball of Massachusetts Tournaments
- Time Limits:
- Pool Play: 90 minutes, finish the inning
- Elimination: 80 minutes, finish the inning, play 1 more inning
- Semifinals and Finals: No time limit
- Scoring Rules:
- Maximum Runs per Inning: 5 runs (exception: all runs count on an over-the-fence home run)
- Run Ahead Rule (Mercy):
- 12 after 3 innings
- 10 after 4 innings
- 8 after 5 innings
- Inning Structure:
- Maximum Innings: 7
- Unlimited Inning (Pool Play): 7th inning
- Unlimited Inning (Elimination): Declared last inning and any tiebreaker innings
- Complete Game Definition: 7 innings
- Tie Breakers:
- Pool Play: None
- Elimination: Begins after time limit or last inning using USA Softball tiebreaker (Rule 5-11)
- Lineups:
- Options include:
- Straight 9
- DP/Flex
- 9 + 1 Extra Player
- DP/Flex + 1 Extra Player
- Bat entire roster with EPs allowed to play any position
- Shorthanded Rule:
- Out is taken when lineup drops below 9 players
- Injured players may not return (except under Blood Rule)
- Ejection for unsportsmanlike conduct ends the game
- Baserunning:
- No pinch runners or hitters allowed if batting the entire roster
- Courtesy runners: Use all unused subs first; then, the last out may run
- Defensive Rules:
- Infield Fly Rule: Yes
- Dropped 3rd Strike: Yes
- Batting:
- Slashing is prohibited (attempted bunt followed by a full swing)
- First offense: Team warning
- Second offense (same team): Batter is out