YOUTH FASTPITCH RULES
Effective February 2013
The USSSA rulebook will govern all league play with the exception of those rules
specifically stated in the NYSA League and general rules.
ARTICLE I - LEAGUE CLASSIFICATION, PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
& TEAM FORMATION
Section 1 – League Classification & DIvisions
A. Leagues will be organized according to age, and based on league classification and
division of play selected.
League Classification
Division of Play Offered
6th/7th Grade
Recreation
4th/5th Grade
Recreation
Section 2 – Player Eligibility
A. A player’s age on August 31st of the previous calendar year determines the age
classification in which the player is eligible to participate.
B. For Recreation leagues a player’s eligibility is also determined by which school
he/she attends or the address of their permanent residence. See map on page 2 for
district boundaries and details.
C. For Competitive leagues, players may attend school or permenantly reside across
all districts.
Section 3 – Team Formation
A.
B.
C.
Recreation Teams: In order to be eligible to play in a recreation league, all
players on a team roster must come from the same district. Should one player on a
roster fall outside of the district, that team shall be automatically placed into the
competitive division of play. See map below for district boundaries and details.
Teams will be made up of at least 12 players with a maximum of 15.
Competitive Teams: Teams may be formed from players attending schools
from across all districts. District recreation teams have the option to play in the
competitive league.
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Section 4 – League Format
Based on team registrations, teams will be grouped into a league based on age
classification and division of play (recreation or competitive). Schedule adjustments
may be made during the first two or three weeks of the season based on a team’s
record. When recreation and competitive teams are grouped together in the same
division, RECREATION rules will apply.
ARTICLE II – 4th/5th Grade GFP Leagues
Section 1 – Game Length
A. Games are limited to six innings or a time limit of 1 hour and 30 minutes, whichever
comes first.
a. If time or weather does not permit a full game, 4 innings or 3 ½ innings if
the home team is ahead shall constitute an official game.
B. No new inning may start after the time limit has expired. If an inning is in progress,
that inning will be played to its conclusion.
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C. If a game is tied after 6 innings, and the time limit has not expired, a game
shall be limited to 9 innings, or until the time limit has expired.
D. A 10-run rule is in effect after 4 innings, 3 ½ innings if the home team is ahead.
Section 2 – Game Play (Offense)
A. BATTING ORDER:
a. All team members in uniform must be listed in the official batting order at
the beginning of each game and will bat in that order, until the conclusion
of the game.
b. A team may start a game with only eight players.
c. The 9th and 10th positions in the lineup will be an “automatic out” until the
positions are filled by a legal batter.
d. A team’s time at bat will consist of three outs or 10 batters, whichever
occurs first.
e. Players not present when a game starts will be added to the end of the
batting order, and will bat in that order the remainder of the game.
f. Teams must finish with at least as many on-the-field players as started the
game.
B. PITCHING: In 4th/5th Grade REC, there will be NO WALKS. Once a count of 4 balls is
reached on a batter, a coach from the team at bat will come in and throw
3 pitches to the batter. Once the coach comes in to pitch, the batter must
put the ball in play within three pitches or an out will be recorded.
B. HITTING
a. A batter is automatically out on a third strike, regardless of whether or not
the catcher drops the ball.
b. In 4th/5th Grade REC, there will be NO WALKS. Once a count of 4 balls is
reached on a batter, a coach from the team at bat will come in and throw 3
pitches to the batter. Once the coach comes in to pitch, the batter must
put the ball in play within three pitches or an out will be recorded.
C. BASERUNNING
a. 4th/5th Grade REC:
a. Stealing is prohibited.
b. A batter is automatically out on a third strike, regardless of whether
or not the catcher drops the ball.
c. A base runner may not lead off base. Penalty: Base runner is
declared out.
d. A base runner may advance only when the ball is hit.
e. Players may not use the head first slide. A player will be declared
out if the head first slide is used. This rule does not apply to a dive
back to a base on a pickoff attempt.
f. Courtesy runners are not allowed.
b. 4th/5th Grade COMPETITIVE:
a. Stealing is allowed.
b. A batter is automatically out on a third strike, regardless of whether
or not the catcher drops the ball.
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c. A base runner may not lead off base until the ball has left the
pitcher’s hand. Penalty: Base runner is declared out.
d. Players may not use the head first slide. A player will be declared
out if the head first slide is used. This rule does not apply to a dive
back to a base on a pickoff attempt.
e. Courtesy runners are not allowed.
Section 3 – Game Play (Defense)
A. DEFENSIVE POSITIONS
a. All players must play in the field at least two complete innings per game,
by the end of the 4th inning. If the game length extends beyond 4 innings
of play, the starting players may be re-entered into the game defensively.
Penalty: Forfeiture of the game.
b. If a team starts a game short-handed (less than 10) then players will be
added to the defensive positions until all 10 are filled.
c. In the event of any injury, a substitute may re-enter the game for an injured
player.
Section 4 – Equipment & Field Requirements
A. PLAYER EQUIPMENT
a. Catchers are required to wear a body protector, catcher’s helmet, mask with
throat protector and leg guards.
a. Any player warming up a pitcher must wear a mask.
b. Players must wear batting helmets when at bat and on the base path.
a. Players may not remove helmet while batting or base running except
when the ball is declared dead.
b. Players have the option of wearing the flap-type NOCSAE approved
batting helmet with face mask while batting, base running or coaching.
c. Metal cleats are not allowed.
B. GAME EQUIPMENT
a. The 11” white stitch softball or 11” red stitch optic yellow softball (synthetic or
leather) is the official ball.
b. The home team is responsible for providing one new game ball and the
visiting team one used ball.
c. Bats must meet current USSSA bat standards. Contact the youth sports
coordinator or refer to the USSSA website (http://www.usssa.com) for up-todate information NOTE: The umpire is the sole judge of the condition of the
bat and if it meets specifications. The umpire has the right to pull a bat, and
not allow its use in the game. Failure to comply shall result in the player
using the bat to be ejected from the game.
C. FIELD DIMENSIONS
a.
Base distance is 60 feet. Pitching distance is 35 feet.
ARTICLE III – 6th/7th Grade GFP Leagues
Section 1 – Game Length
A. Games are limited to six innings or a time limit of 1 hour and 30 minutes, whichever
comes first.
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b. If time or weather does not permit a full game, 4 innings or 3 ½ innings if
the home team is ahead shall constitute an official game.
B. No new inning may start after the time limit has expired. If an inning is in progress,
that inning will be played to its conclusion.
C. If a game is tied after 6 innings, and the time limit has not expired, a game shall be
limited to 9 innings, or until the time limit has expired.
D. A 10-run rule is in effect after 4 innings, 3 ½ innings if the home team is ahead
Section 2 – Game Play (Offense)
A. BATTING ORDER:
6th/7th Grade GFP:
a. All team members in uniform must be listed in the official batting order at
the beginning of each game and will bat in that order, until the conclusion
of the game.
b. A team’s time at bat will consist of three outs or 9 batters whichever occurs
first.
14U GFP:
c. All team members in uniform may be listed in the official batting order at
the beginning of each game (bat-around rule) and will bat in that order,
until the conclusion of the game
d. Teams starting the game with only eight players cannot utilize the bataround rule.
e. A team’s time at bat will consist of three outs.
ALL LEAGUES:
f. Teams may start a game with only eight players. The 9th position in the
lineup will be an “automatic out” until the position is filled by a legal batter.
g. Players not present when a game starts will be added to the end of the
batting order, and will bat in that order the remainder of the game.
h. If utilizing the bat-around rule (10 or more players in the line-up), players
not present when a game starts will be added to the end of the batting
order, and will bat in that order the remainder of the game.
i. Teams must finish with at least as many on-the-field players as started the
game.
D. HITTING
c. A batter is automatically out on a third strike, regardless of whether or not
the catcher drops the ball.
E. BASERUNNING
a. Players may not use the head first slide. A player will be declared out if the
head first slide is used. This rule does not apply to a dive back to a base on
a pickoff attempt.
b. Courtesy runners are not allowed.
Section 3 – Game Play (Defense)
A. DEFENSIVE POSITIONS
a. All players must play in the field at least two complete innings per game, by
the end of the 4th inning. If the game length extends beyond 4 innings of
play, the starting players may be re-entered into the game defensively.
Penalty: Forfeiture of the game.
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b. If a team starts a game short-handed (less than 9) then players will be
added to the defensive positions until all 9 are filled.
c. In the event of any injury, a substitute may re-enter the game for an injured
player.
Section 4 – Equipment & Field Requirements
A. PLAYER EQUIPMENT
a. Catchers are required to wear a body protector, catcher’s helmet, mask with
throat protector and leg guards.
b. Players must wear batting helmets when at bat and on the base path.
c. Any player warming up a pitcher must wear a mask.
c. Players may not remove helmet while batting or base running except when
the ball is declared dead.
e. Players have the option of wearing the flap-type NOCSAE approved batting
helmet with face mask while batting, base running or coaching.
f. Metal cleats are not allowed.
B. GAME EQUIPMENT
a. The 12” white stitch softball or 12” red stitch optic yellow softball (synthetic or
leather) is the official ball.
a. The home team is responsible for providing one new game ball and the
visiting team one used ball.
b. Bats must meet current USSSA bat standards. Contact the youth sports
coordinator or refer to the USSSA website (www.usssa.com) for up-to-date
information. NOTE: The umpire is the sole judge of the condition of the bat
and if it meets specifications. The umpire has the right to pull a bat, and not
allow its use in the game. Failure to comply shall result in the player using
the bat to be ejected from the game.
C. FIELD DIMENSIONS
a. Base distance is 60 feet. Pitching distance is 40 feet.
ARTICLE V - GAME CONDUCT
Section 1- Profanity & Unsportsmanlike Conduct
A. Any team member in a game using casual profanity or unsportsmanlike language will
result in an out being called against the offending team.
a. If a team is at bat and unsportsmanlike words are used, the next batter will
be declared out.
b. If the act is committed by a player remaining at bat, that player will be called out.
c. If the act is committed by the defensive team, the first batter in the next
inning
will be declared out.
d. If the violation occurs in the bottom of the last inning, where the fielding team
may not bat again, the ejection rule will apply. If a team has an eligible
substitute, the game can continue.
e. A game may be ended by a casual profanity / unsportsmanlike language out.
f. Any player declared out by this rule because of a team member’s action will not
be charged with an AB
B. Unsportsmanlike Conduct
a. An umpire’s decision regarding unsportsmanlike conduct cannot be protested.
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b. A player will be ejected if he/she maliciously runs over a fielder who is holding
the ball or if he/she fakes a tag without having possession of the ball.
c. A player will be ejected for throwing their bat, helmet, etc.
ARTICLE VI - POSTPONED GAMES
Section 1
A. If weather makes playing conditions unsatisfactory, the league office may postpone
games. It is the duty of each coach to contact the field after 3:30pm to make certain
of the postponement. The rainout numbers are as follows:
FOR ALL FIELDS CALL
SERA 475-9806
Peck
Heidelberg 759-9197
627-9877
Outlying Fields 305-1012
www.metroparkstacoma.org
B. No game shall be postponed because of weather after 4pm on the date in which the
game is scheduled. If games have not been officially postponed, both teams appear
at the game site in full strength or the non-appearing team will forfeit the game,
regardless of playing conditions due to weather or otherwise. The umpire is the sole
judge as to the fitness of the field for play after 4:00pm on game day.
C. Makeup games may be rescheduled on any day Monday through Saturday.
ARTICLE VII - UNIFORMS
Section 1
Full uniforms are permitted in all leagues.
A. MPT T-Shirts will be available to all teams upon request.
B. Team uniforms are encouraged to have identifying numbers on the back and worn
by all of the participants.
ARTICLE VIII - GAME SCORES
Section 1 - SCOREKEEPING
The home team is responsible for keeping the official scorebook. If the home team
does not have a scorebook, the visiting team will be designated as the official
scorebook by the umpire. First and last names and uniform numbers must be listed or
the scorebook is not official.
Section 2 - REPORTING SCORES
The winning team is responsible for reporting the score of the game to 305-1013 or
email to [email protected]. In the event of a tie game, the home team
is responsible for reporting the game score.
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