Playing Rules

Any rule not specifically covered herein shall be governed by the official USA softball playing rules.

  • All batters go to the plate with one ball and one strike.

  • An out is called after a third strike

  • Batters will have two (2) courtesy fouls after 2nd strike. Third foul after 2nd strike will count as 3rd strike and batter out

  • There will be no rule for alternating male and female batters nor will either team be penalized for not fielding 5 girls

  • A game may begin with eight (8) players. NO OUT will be assessed for the missing ninth or tenth position. A team failing to place at least eight (8) eligible players on the field at game time will forfeit the game

  • Runners will be called out if they remain on their feet and crash into a defensive player attempting to make a play on the runner and holding the ball or receiving the ball.

  • Base stealing is not permitted.

  • Any player may be substituted for or replaced and re-entered once, provided the players occupy the same batting position in the batting order. The starting player and their substitute may not be in the line-up at the same time. If the player re-enters the game a second time or a player re-enters the game in a position in the batting order other than their original starting or substitute position, this is considered an illegal re-entry.

  • Game will be 9 innings with no time limit

  • Teams whose line-ups are reduced due to injury may continue play as long as they field eight (8) eligible players. Scorers will skip these positions in the batting order for the remainder of the game with no penalty incurred. An injured player may be replaced by anyone not in the current lineup.

  • Teams may elect to designate courtesy runners as outlined below

    • You must inform the scorekeeper that you will be using the courtesy runner rule at the time you turn in your line up.  Failure to tell scorekeeper at that time will result in your teams’ inability to use the courtesy runner for that game.

    • You may only designate one male player and one female player to use a courtesy runner.

    • Runners that have been injured:  Players that are injured while running the bases will be given a brief opportunity to resume running the bases (time will not stop for this) or they may be replaced with the last out for the remainder of that batters journey around the bases. 

    • If there are no outs in the inning, the last runner not on base of the same gender in the current inning will be the runner.  Teams starting with 8 players may not use a courtesy runner. Once the 9th player arrives you may then use the courtesy runner.  Your courtesy runner will still need to be identified at the beginning of the game.

    • Teams are allowed 5 home runs; any additional home runs after the 5th are counted as an out

Pitching

After assuming the pitching position on the pitcher’s plate or in the pitching area, the pitcher must present the ball in FRONT OF THEIR BODY (for at least one second) in either one or both hands before starting the delivery motions.

Note: All Pitching rules that apply to the pitcher’s actions before and during the release of the pitch along with the restrictions on height, speed, etc., shall remain the same. The Pitcher may hold or grip the ball in any manner before delivery. Only a definite underhand motion Is permitted in the delivery of the pitch. The Pitcher may release the pitched ball in any manner when delivering the pitch.

Once the pitcher begins their delivery motions; the umpire shall not give a call or signal for “time” unless something unusual occurs. The pitched ball must be released within 5 Seconds from the time the pitcher has the ball, and the batter has taken their position in the batter’s box. From this point, the umpire shall not give a call or signal for “time” unless something unusual occurs. Pitcher must face home plate on delivery of pitch.

Type of Pitch Permitted

  • The ball must be pitched underhanded at slow speed.

  • The pitched ball must arc at least 3 feet after leaving the pitcher’s hand and before it passes any part of home plate.

  • The pitched ball shall not rise higher than 10 feet above the ground all of the above is in the judgement of the umpires. 

  • No jukes, fake pitches, pump fakes etc. ALL OTHER USSSA PITCHING RULES APPLY


Legal Positions of the Pitcher’s Feet

  1. The pitcher may pitch from the pitching plate or from the pitching area, an area the width of the plate and up to six (6) feet behind the pitcher’s plate.

  2. Preliminary to pitching, the pitcher shall take a position with his/her pivot foot firmly on the ground and in contact with the pitching plate or pitching area. The pivot foot must be in contact with the pitcher’s plate or Pitching area when the pitched ball is released

  3. The other foot (free foot) has no restriction on position and may be placed on, in front of, to the rear of, or to the side of the pitcher’s plate or pitching area After taking the initial position, the pitcher may take more than one step with the free foot, in any direction of his choice, provided that it is taken prior to, simultaneously with or during the actions of delivering the pitched ball.

  4. After the release of the pitch, there are no restrictions on pitcher’s Subsequent movements or the fielding positions he may assume as a defensive player.

Equipment

Bat Rules

Only USSSA Approved bats will be allowed and must have the new USSSA Stamp on the bat.

If caught using an illegal bat an out will be issued and the bat given to the field supervisor for the duration of that game. If second occurrences of an Illegal bat from the same team an ejection of the batter will be issued by the umpire. 

Balls

Balls will be provided for tournament use. There will be separate balls used for male and female batters which responsibility will fall to the pitching team to enforce.

Sample Line-Up Card