Mercy rule question

[Boracho1]

Topic came up at High School game. Is there a minumum number of inning a starting pitcher has to go to pick up the win? Game was out of hand in the 3rd, but didn't know if pitcher had to go at least 5 innings to get win on mercy.

[PDad]

Looks like NFHS simplified the rule this year to half the innings played. From NFHS Comments on the 2010 Softball Rules Revisions:

INNINGS REQUIRED FOR WINNING PITCHER (9-6-6): The required number of innings pitched for a starting pitcher to be credited with a win has been changed to half of the total number of innings played in the game. The rules change gives greater clarity in determining the winning pitcher. A starting pitcher now has the ability to earn a win if she re-enters the game as pitcher, was moved to a different defensive position and subsequently returns to pitch or the game is terminated due to the run-rule; all are common occurrences in softball.

[Boracho1]

Thanks, I knew that I could count on "THE BUCKET" for an answer....