Rules Quick Reference
Lakeside Softball League 2025 Spring Quick Reference Guide
Revised 2/22/2025
| Rule | 3/4 | 5/6 | 7/8 |
| General Rules | |||
| Min # to Start | 7, no outs against | ||
| Ball | 11” Softball | 12” Softball | 12” Softball |
| Base Distances | 60’ | ||
| Pitching Distance | 35’ | 40’ | 43’ |
| Inning Limit | 6 or 5 1/2 if the home team is ahead | ||
| # of Fielders | 10 (4 in outfield) | 9 (3 in outfield) | |
| Inning Ends | 3 outs or the maximum number of runs is scored. The maximum number of runs is 5, unless the batting team is behind by more than 5 runs. A team behind by more than five runs can score up to 10 runs to tie the game, but they cannot take the lead that inning. | ||
| Overthrows | No extra base | One extra base at runner’s risk | Unlimited bases at the runner’s risk, one if ball is out of play |
| Dead Ball | The ball enters the infield. Runners between bases may advance at their own risk | The ball is in the possession of any player within 10’ of the pitching rubber. Runners between bases may advance at their own risk | |
| Hitting and Fielding | |||
| # of Batters | Entire Team | ||
Bunting | No | Yes | Yes |
| Infield Fly Rule | No | No | Yes |
| Dropped 3rd Strike | No | No | Yes |
| Lead-Offs | After the ball crosses the plate | After the ball crosses the plate | After the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand |
| Pitching | |||
| Coach Pitch | After 4 balls. The strikes carry over, and the batter receives no more than 3 pitches until the ball is put into play or the batter strikes out. | No | No |
| Inning Limits | 2 | 3 non-travel / 2 travel | |
| The number of innings pitched by all travel pitchers combined may not exceed 4. One pitch counts as an inning | |||
| Hit by Pitch | No Base | Batter awarded first base | |
| Removal of pitcher for multiple hit-by-pitch at the discretion of the umpire | |||
This chart is for quick reference only. Refer to the full rules for clarifications.