FRISCOBASEBALL/SOFTBALLASSOCIATION
SOFTBALLGENERALRULES–AllAgeGroups(unlessnoted)
Updated:January2017 1. COACHESARERESPONSIBLEFORTHEIRTEAMANDFANSCONDUCTATALLTIMES.PARENTSWHOARE
UNRULYWILLBEWARNEDBYTHECOACHANDWILLBEREMOVEDFROMTHEAREAIFNECESSARY.GAME
FORFEITURECANRESULTIFTHEUMPIREDEEMSNECESSARY.
2. Thesafetyoftheplayerswillbeprimeconsideration.AtthedirectionoftheumpiresorLeagueDirectors,a
gamewillbeshortenedduetoweatherorconditionspotentiallyharmfultotheplayers(i.e.insufficient
light).Lightninginthevicinitywillbegroundsforshorteningagame.(seefullexplanationoflightning
predictionsysteminFBSAOperatingPolicies)Theumpirewillimpose30-minute(maximum)gamedelay
beforecancelingagame.
3. Incompletegamesor“rainouts”willbemadeupifpossible.Thedecisiontomakeupgameswillbe
determinedbytheSchedulesDirector,takingintoaccountfieldandtimeavailability.Somegamesmaynot
bemadeup.
4. GameTimes.Gameswillbeginatthescheduledtime,andtheclockwillbestarted.
a. Aminimumofeightplayers(whoarepresentandreadytoplay)areneededtostartagame.
b. Whenagameisstartedwitheightplayers,youmusthaveatleasteightplayersatalltimes.
Havingonlysevenplayerswillresultinaforfeit.
c. Ifateamplayswithonlyeightplayers,thebattingspotoftheninthplayerwillbeconsidered
anautomaticout.Thisdoesnotapplyto6Uleaguegames.
d. Exception:Ifateamdoesnothaveeight(8)players(whoarepresentandreadytoplay)to
startthegame,theumpirewillstartthegameclock.Iftheteamthatcausedthedelayisthe
hometeam,thatteamwillloseitshometeamstatusandbecomethevisitingteam.Thegame
willstartassoonasbothteamshaveatleasteight(8)players(whoarepresentandreadyto
play).Ifafterten(10)minutesateamstilldoesnothavetheminimumofeight(8)players
(whoarepresentandreadytoplay)thegamesshallbedeclaredaforfeit.
e. Intheeventateamhaslessthan9rosteredplayerspresentandreadytoplay,theteammay
playwithmaximumoftwo(2)“pickupplayers”inordertohavetheminimumof9playersto
startthegame.(forexample–ateamwith6playerscanonlypickuptwoplayersgetting
themto8andtakinganautomaticout.Ateamwith7playerscanpickup2playersgetting
themto9andnottakinganautomaticout.Ateamwith8playerscanonlypickuponeplayer
andnottakinganautomaticout.Ateamwith5playersmustforfeitduetoonlyallowtopick
up2playersgettingthemto7playerswhichisnotenoughtobeabletostartthegame.)
i.
PickupplayersmustberegisteredwithFBSAandmustbearosteredmemberof
anotherteamwithinthesameagegroup,leagueanddivision.
ii.
Pickupplayerscounttowardstheminimumnumberrequiredforanofficialgame.
iii.
Pickupplayersmayonlyplayanoutfieldpositionandmustbelistedlastintheinitial
battingorder.
iv.
Pickupplayersmustweartheuniformoftheiroriginalteam
v.
Pickupplayersmaynotbeaddedtothelineupafterthestartofthegame
vi.
Rosteredplayersarrivingafterthestartofthegamemustbesubstitutedforinthe
lineupforanypickupplayerutilized.
vii.
Anyplayerusedinviolationofthisrulewillbeconsideredanillegalplayer.
f. Theofficiallyrecordedscoreforaforfeitedgamewillawardonerunpermaximumnumberof
inningsallowedateachagelevel.ForExample:Thegamedurationfor10Usoftballis6innings;
therefore,theforfeitscoreshallberecordedas6-0.
Page1of21
5. Coachesshallexchangeline-upsatleast10minutesbeforethestartofagame.TheHomeTeamshall
providetheOfficialScorekeeper.
6. TheVisitingTeamisresponsiblefor:A)Retrievingthescoreboardcontrollersfromtheconcessionstand
priortothefirstgameorputtingthemawayafterthelastgame(whereapplicable).B)Runningthe
scoreboardduringthegame.
7. Allwarmupsshallbeconductedindesignatedareasawayfromparentsandotherchildren.
8. AtnotimewillpracticesbepermittedonapreparedorclosedgamefieldbyFBSAcoachesorplayers.
Violationofthisrulewillresultinamandatoryonegamesuspension.
9. Coachesareencouragedtomakesurethattheircatcherisreadyforthenextinning,astospeedupplay.In
anefforttoexpeditethecatcher’spreparedness,adesignatedrunnermaybeusedforthecatcherwhen
thecatcherisonbasewithtwoouts.Inthiscase,thedesignatedrunnerwillbethelastbattedout.
10. Aplayermustwearateamjerseyandinallgames.Aplayerwillnotbeallowedtoplayinanygameifthey
arenot“inuniform”,uniformincludesjersey,andshortsorpantsthatmatchtheteam.Inaddition,jerseys
mustbetuckedinatalltimes.Violationofuniformruleswillresultintheviolatorbeingallowedto
conformorberemovedfromthegame.
11. MetalcleatsareNOTallowed.
12. Onthefield,coachesareencouragedtobedressedinteamuniformjersey.Ataminimum,theteamhead
coachandoneasst.shouldbeoutfittedinthematchingjerseyandhatissuedbyFBSA.
13. Alloffensiveplayersmustremaininthedugoutexceptthebatter,on-deckhitterandbaserunners.
14. Allbattersandrunnersmustwearaprotectivehelmetwithafacemask.
a. Thecatchermustwearallassignedprotectiveequipmentatpractices,games,orwhenwarmingupa
pitcher.Protectiveequipmentshallinclude:protectivecatcher’shelmetwithfacemask,chest
protectorandshinguards.
15. ThrowingtheBat–Batthrowingispotentiallydangeroustothecatcher,umpireandondeckhitter.
a. Playerswhothrowtheirbatorbattinghelmetindisgustwillbeimmediatelyejectedfromthegame.
b. Ifabatisaccidentallythrown(perumpire’sjudgment),theoffensiveteamwillreceiveonewarning.
Anysubsequentviolationwillresultinthebatterbeingcalledout.
c. Ifanythrownbatstrikesthecatcherorumpire,theumpiremaycallthebatteroutwithoutwarning.
16. Protest–Noprotestwillbeallowedorheardwhereajudgmentcallbyanumpireisinvolved.
a. Theprotestmustbemadetotheheadumpire,opposingcoachandofficialscorekeeperimmediately
followingthedisputedcallbeforeanyplayisresumed.Theprotestmustbeenteredintotheofficial
scorebook,andsignedbytheheadumpireandbothheadcoaches.Theprotestmustbefiledin
writing,withintwenty-four(24)hourswiththeLeagueDirector.A$100feemustaccompanythe
writtenprotestfromtheobjectingcoach.Intheeventtheprotestisupheld,the$100feewillbe
returned.
b. Leagueofficialswillmakeresolutionofprotestafterhearingfromtheprotestingcoach,theopposing
coachandtheumpire.Ameetingmayormaynotbenecessaryforthistooccur.Ifameetingis
required,nomorethantworepresentativesfromeachteamshallattend.
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17. Penaltyforuseofanineligible/illegalplayershallbeimmediateforfeitofthegameinwhichtheplayerin
questionisplaying.Ataminimum,theheadcoachshallbesuspendedforonegameandtherefore
ineligibletoparticipateinthenextscheduledgameplayedbythatteam.SeeOperatingPoliciesforfurther
explanationofActsofDisbarment.
18. “The“NoContact”rulewillbeineffect,meaning:
a. Ifaplayerinitiatescontactwithadefensiveplayer,anditisdeemedintentional,theplayerwillbe
calledout.
b. Ifthe“NoContact”ruleiscalled,theplayerisdeemedoutpriortoachievingthebase.
c. Iftheumpirefeelsthatthecontactwasintentional,therunnershallbedeclaredandejectedfrom
thegame.This“ejection”doesnotrequireaonegamesuspensiontobeserved.
d. “Nocontact”shallnotbeinterpretedas“MUSTSLIDE”.Whenenforcingthisrule,theumpireshall
judgetherunner’sintent.Ifthereisaplaybeingmade,itistheresponsibilityoftherunnertoavoid
contactwithadefensiveplayer,evenifthedefensiveplayerisoutofpositionand“obstructing”the
runner’spath.Ifthereisnoplaybeingmade,thentherunnerdoesnothaveto“getdown”,but
rathermustavoidcontact.Consequently,ifthedefensiveplayer,withouttheball,alterstherunner’s
pathinthissituation,therunnerSHALLNOTbecalledoutforleavingthebasepathinordertoavoid
contact.Theumpirewouldthencallobstruction,orattheveryleast,warnthedefensiveplayer
about“beinginthepath”.
19. InfieldFly:Aflyball,whichcanbecaughtbyaninfielderwithordinaryeffortwhenfirstandsecondbaseor
whenfirst,secondandthirdbasesareoccupiedbeforetherearetwoouts.(10uGold,12uand14uonly)
20. BloodRulewillbeineffect,meaning:Anyplayerwithvisiblebleedingmustleavethegameuntilyouare
abletostopthebleedingorcoverblood.Freesubstitutionsapply.Ifthatplayerisduetocomeuptobat,
youwillskipthatplayerwithno“automaticoutcalled”.
21. FairPlayRulewillbeineffect,meaning:AllLeagueLevels:
a. Noplayermaysitouttwo(2)consecutiveinningsormorethantwoinningspergame.
b. FBSAencouragesthateveryplayerwillplayatleastonedefensiveinningataninfieldpositionper
game(Unlessitisdeemedunsafebyanagreementofthecoachandparents).
22. Inthecaseofaseasonrecordtie,thefollowingcriteria(inorderlisted)willbeusedtodetermineendof
seasonstandingsaswellastournamentseedingwhereapplicable:
a. HeadtoHeadPlay
b. RunsAgainst-Season
c. RunsFor-Season
d. CoinToss
23. Smokingoruseoftobaccoproductsincludingelectroniccigarettesinthepresenceofchildrenis
prohibited.Thisincludesgames,practicesandanyandallFBSArelatedevents.
24. Using,possessing,orbeingundertheinfluenceofalcoholorillegaldrugsinthepresenceofchildrenis
prohibited.Thisincludesgames,practicesandanyandallotherFBSArelatedevents.
25. Thenumberofcoaches/parentswithinthedugoutshallbestrictlyenforced.Pleaserefertoagelevel
specificrulesfortheseguidelines.Adultsresidingwithinthedugoutorplayingfieldoverandabove
maximumallowablenumberofcoachesshallbeaskedtoexitthefieldordugout.Failuretodosocan
resultinejectionfromthefieldand/orforfeitureofgame.
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26. Thereshallbenoextrawarm-uporpracticegearutilizedontheplayingfieldduringanofficialgame.
Undernocircumstancesshallanyextrawarm-uporhittingtoolsbeusedfortheon-deckbatter.Hitting
weights(donuts)AREallowed.
Page4of21
6USoftballLeagueRules(ModifiedT-Ball)
Anyrulenotcoveredintheleaguerulesbelowwillbecoveredunderthe
ASA(AmateurSoftballAssociation)OfficialRulesofSoftball
1. PlayingField
a. Basesaresetatadistanceof50feet.
2. Equipment
a. Batsmustbemarked“T-ball‟bythemanufacturer.
b. TheASAcertifiedmarkisnotrequiredonbats.
c. Theballisan11-inch“Incrediball‟
d. Eachdefensiveplayermusthaveaglove.
e. Allcatcher’sequipmentmustbewornwhencatching-games,warm-upsandpractice.
f. Alloffensiveplayersonthefieldmustwearahelmet.
g. Allplayersonateammustwearuniformsandtheuniformsmustbealike–NOUNIFORMS,NO
PLAYING.
3. Players,Coaches&Substitutes
a. Line-upsmustbesubmittedwithplayernamesandjerseynumbersatleast10minutespriortostart
ofgame.
b. Therearenoforfeitsforalackofplayersin6U.
c. Lateplayersareaddedtotheendoftheline-up.
d. Therearesixdefensiveinfieldpositions;pitcher,catcher,first,second,shortstopandthird.Allother
playersin6Uaretobepositionedintheoutfield(Noplayersonthebench).
e. Infielderscannotbepositionedmorethanfivefeetinsidethebaseline,towardhomeplate.
f. Outfieldersmustbeatleast10feetbehindthebaseline.Theydonothavetobepositionedinthe
grass.
g. Freesubstitutionsareallowedanytimeduringagame.
h. Coachesaretobedressedinteamuniformorwiththecolorcodeoftheteam.
i. Allplayersin6Uplayeveryinningineachgame.
j. FBSAencouragesthateveryplayerbegiventheopportunitytoplaybothinfieldandoutfield
positionsthroughouttheseason.
k. Thefirstbasedugoutisdesignatedforthehometeam.
l. No“razzing”orscreamingatanyopposingteamorplayersshallbeallowed.
4. TheGame
a. Aregulationgameis55minuteswithahardclockineffect.Attheendof55minutes,thegameis
officiallyoverregardlessofwhichteamisuptobat.Whentimehasexpired,theplayerwhoisatbat
willbeallowedtofinishtheiratbat.
b. 6UT-ballisnon-competitivewithnoscorekept.Therefore,theendofthegamewillbedetermined
byahardclockrule.Thegamewillbeofficiallyoverwhen55minutesexpires.Atthattime,the
batterwhoisatbatwillbeallowedtofinishheratbat.
c. Whenabatterputstheballintoplay,thebattershouldadvancetowardsfirstbase.Iftheball
remainsintheinfield,thebattershallremainatfirstbase.Iftheballishittotheoutfield,thebatter
mayadvancetosecondbaseathisownrisk.Inanycase,norunnershouldadvancemorethantwo
bases.
d. Playstopswheneverthepitcherorcatcherhascontroloftheballintheirnormalfieldingpositions
(pitcher’scircle/catcher’sbox).
e. Inningiscompleteafterthreeoutsarerecordedorafterbattingoncethroughtheentirelineup.
f. Playersarenotallowedoutsidethedugoutduringagameunlessplayingadefensivepositionor
playingoffenseasarunner,batter,oron-deckbatter.
Page5of21
5.
6.
7.
8.
g. Twodefensivecoachesareallowedonthefieldduringplay.Theyarepositionedbehindthebaseline
midwaybetweenfirst&secondandsecond&third.Thefieldcoachesmustbeatleast18yearsof
age.
h. Oneoffensivecoachwillbepositionedathomeplatetoassistthebattersandtoplacetheballon
thetee.Thiscoachmustbeatleast18yearsofage.
i. Playersandcoachesmustlineupandshakehandswiththeiropponentsattheconclusionofevery
game.
Pitching
a. Atthecoach’sdiscretion-thecoachmaypitchuptothreeballstothebatter.Ifthebatterfailsto
puttheballinplay,thebatterwillthenbegiventhreeattemptstohittheballfromthetee.
Batting
a. Strikes:Thebatterisallowedamaximumofsixswings.Ifthebatterknocksoverthetee,afoulballis
called.Ifthebatterdoesnotputtheballintofairplayaftersixswings,thebatterisout.
b. Buntingisnotallowed.
c. Teamswillhaveacontinuousbattingorderforallplayersregardlessiftheyareplayingdefensively.
Batter/Runner
a. Whenabaserunnerishitorotherwisemakescontactwithahitball,therunneriscalledout.
b. The“infieldfly‟ruleisnotineffect.
c. Therewillbetightbasesandnostealing.Arunnercannotleaveabaseuntiltheballishitintoplayby
thebatter.
d. Ifthereisarunnerobstructedbyafielderwithouttheball,therunnerisawardedthenextbase.No
faketags.
e. Afieldercannotcatchaballwithanypartoftheuniformorequipmentdetachedfromitsproper
placeontheirperson.
f. Ifarunnerintentionallyinterfereswithafielderattemptingtoplaytheball,therunnerisdeclared
out.
g. Overthrowsgoingintofairorfoulterritory;arunnermayadvanceonlyonebaseattheirownrisk.
Runnersonthirdbasemustbehitinandcannotscoreonanoverthrow.
Umpires
a. Noumpireisprovidedfor6U.Offensivecoachesshallmakeout/safecallsfortheirrunners.
RuleSummary-6USoftball
GameDuration:
Pitching:
BaseDistance:
OfficialInning:
55minuteshardclock–finishthebatter Modifiedcoachpitch/T-ball
50feet(Temporary“throwdown”bases) threeoutsorbatentirelineup
Stealing:
InfieldFlyRule: TightBases:
No
Notineffect
Yes
Page6of21
8USoftballLeagueRules(CoachPitch)
Anyrulenotcoveredintheleaguerulesbelowwillbecoveredunderthe
ASA(AmateurSoftballAssociation)OfficialRulesofSoftball
1. PlayingField
a. Basesaresetatadistanceof60feet.
b. Pitchingissetatadistanceof30feet.
2. Equipment
a. Batsmustbemarked“officialsoftball‟bythemanufacturer.Batsmarked“baseball‟bythe
manufacturerarenotpermitted.
b. TheASAcertifiedmarkisnotrequiredonbats.
c. Theballisan11-inchsoftball,yellowopticwithredstitchwitha.47coreorunderandaball
compressionof375.0orunder.
3. Players,Coaches&Substitutes
a. Line-upsmustbesubmittedwithplayernamesandjerseynumbersatleast10minutespriortostart
ofgame.
b. Lateplayersareaddedtotheendoftheline-up.
c. Thereare10defensivepositions;pitcher,catcher,firstbase,secondbase,shortstop,thirdbase,
rightfield,centerfield,leftfield,andRover(afourthoutfielder).The10thplayermustbepositioned
intheoutfield.
d. Infielderscannotbepositionedmorethan10feetinsidethebaseline,towardhomeplate.
e. Outfieldersmustbeatleast12feetbehindthebaseline.Theydonothavetobepositioneddeepin
theoutfieldgrass.Thisincludestherover.
f. Freesubstitutionsareallowedanytimeduringagame.
g. Thefirstbasedugoutisdesignatedforthehometeam.
h. No“razzing”orscreamingatanyopposingteamorplayersshallbeallowed
4. TheGame
a. Six(6)innings,or70-minutetimelimit,willconstituteacompleteregulationgame.Ifthegameis
tiedafterbothteamshaveplayedsix(6)completeinningsorthetimelimithasexpired,thegameis
over.NOTE:Ifofficialtimehasexpired,theumpirewillallowthegametocompletetheinningin
considerationofthescoreandhometeamassignment.Thereisnohardclock.
b. Tiegamesattheendofregulationplaywillremainatie.
c. Acalledgamewillbeconsideredcompleteifthelosingteamhashad4ormorecompleteinningsat
batoracalledgamewillbeconsideredcompleteif60%ofthetimehasbeenplayed.Thefinalscore
willbethescorefromthelastcompletedinning.
d. Acalledgameconsideredincompletewillberesumedattheexactpointwhereitwasstopped.
e. Therewillbea7-runlimitperinning.
f. Playersarenotallowedoutsidethedugoutduringagameunlessplayingadefensivepositionor
playingoffenseasarunner,batter,oron-deckbatter.
g. Defensivecoachmuststaywithin5feetofhis/herdugoutentrance.
h. Playersandcoachesmustlineupandshakehandswiththeiropponentsattheconclusionofevery
game.
i. Whenabatterputstheballintoplay,thebattershouldadvancetowardsfirstbase.Iftheball
remainsintheinfield,thebattershallremainatfirstbase.Iftheballishittotheoutfield,thebatter
mayadvancebeyondfirstbaseathis/herownrisk(Seerule#7-Gforoverthrowdefinitions).
j. RunRule–Ifateamisleadinganopponentbyatleast12runsafterfourcompleteinnings,oreight
runsafterfivecompleteinningshavebeenplayed,thegameshallbeofficiallyoverandtheteamin
theleadshallbedeclaredthewinner.
Page7of21
k. StoppingPlay-Playisstoppedwhenthepitcherhascontroloftheballwithboth
feetinsidethepitchingcircle.
i. Iftherunner(s)areadvancingtoabasewhenthepitchergainscontroloftheballwith
bothfeetinsidethepitcherscircle
1. Therunner(s)maycontinuetothebaseatherownrisk.
2. Therunner(s)maynotadvancepastthebaseunlessthedefensemakesan
attempttoput-outarunner.
5. Pitching
a. Pitchingwillbedoneunderhandbycoach.
b. TheCoachPitchermusthavebothfeetincontactwiththepitcher’srubberpriortothedelivery.
c. PitchingwillONLYbedonebytheCoachPitcher,NOpitchingbyplayers.
d. Abattershallbedeclaredoutafterfailingtohitafairballaftersix(6)pitchesorthree(3)swinging
strikes.Ifthesixthpitchisfouledoff,thebatterwillcontinuehis/herat-bat.Foulballsare
countedasstrikes,BUTanatbatcannotendonafoulballunlessitiscaughtintheair.Thereare
nofoulouts,unlesscaught.
e. NoWalksallowed.
f. Onaballinplay,iftheCoachPitcherfailstopositionhimselfsothatthefielderscanplaytheball,
theballisdead,thepitchcountsasoneofthesixpitchesandnorunnershalladvance.Ifabatted
ballhitstheCoachPitcher,thentheballbecomesdeadandnopitchisdeclared.
g. TheCoach-PitcherandtheBackstopCoachcannotparticipateordirecttheirteaminanywaywhile
onoffense.However,theCoach-Pitchermaycoachthebatterinthebatter’sboxbeforetheballis
pitched.
h. TheCoachPitcherwillremaininthepitcher’scircleatalltimes,unlesstheballisbattedintofair
play.Atthattime,thecoachwillleavefairterritoryuntiltheplayiscalleddead.
i. Theplayerinthepitchingpositionmusthaveatleastoneoftheirfeetwithinthepitchingcirclewhile
thecoachispitching.
j. Ifaplayerfieldstheballwhileinthepitcher’scircle,theymustthrowtheballinordertorecordan
out.
6. Batting
a. Incorrectbattingorder:
i. Iftheerrorisdiscoveredbeforeacompleteatbat,thecorrectbattermayassumethe
pitchcountwithnopenalty.
ii. Iftheerrorisdiscoveredafteracompleteatbat,butpriortothefirstpitchtothenext
batter,anoutisdeclared.
b. Buntingisnotallowed.
c. Teamswillhaveacontinuousbattingorderforallplayersregardlessiftheyareplayingdefensively.
7. Batter/Runner
a. The“infieldfly‟ruleisnotineffect.
b. Therewillbetightbasesandnostealing.Arunnercannotleaveabaseuntiltheballishitintoplayby
thebatter.
c. Ifthereisarunnerobstructedbyafielderwithouttheball,therunnerisawardedthenextbase.No
faketags.
d. Afieldercannotcatchaballwithanypartoftheuniformorequipmentdetachedfromitsproper
placeontheirperson.
e. Ifarunnerintentionallyinterfereswithafielderattemptingtoplaytheball,therunnerisdeclared
out.
f. AdvancingonanOverthrow-Onanoverthrowtoabase,arunnermayadvance
tothenextbaseatherownrisk.
Page8of21
i. Ifthedefensiveteamattemptstothrowouttherunneradvancingtothenextbase
afteranoverthrowoccursandanotheroverthrowoccurs,therunnermayadvanceto
thesubsequentbaseatherownrisk.
ii. Undernocircumstancescanarunneradvancemorethanonebaseononeoverthrow.
Ifthedefensedoesnotattempttothrowouttherunneradvancingonanoverthrow,
theplayisstopped.
iii. AnoverthrowtothepitcheristreatedthesameasanoverthrowtoabaseIFitisthe
firstoverthrowonagivenplay.Otherwise,anoverthrowtothepitcherisadeadball.
iv. Runnerscannotscoreonanoverthrow.
8. Umpires
a. ThegameofficialswillbeASAumpires.Oneumpireisprovidedfor8U.
9. Scoring
a. Thehometeamisresponsiblefortheofficialscoringofthegame.
b. Thevisitingteamisresponsibleforoperatingthescoreboard.
10. ASARules
a. TheFBSABoardreservestherighttoamendtheserulesafterappropriatereviewandapproval.
Duringtournamentplay,regularseasonrulesmaybeadjustedasneeded.Insuchacase,
tournamentruleswillsupersederegularseasonrules.Anychangesfortournamentplaywillbe
providedtoallcoaches.
RuleSummary-8USoftball
GameDuration: Pitching:
runs
PitchingDistance:
BaseDistance: Forfeit: 70minutesor6innings
CoachPitch
30feet 60feet Officialscorerecordedas6-0
Stealing:
OfficialInning:
No
ThreeoutsorSeven
Mercyrule:
InfieldFlyRule: TightBases:
12after4,8after5
Notineffect
Yes
Page9of21
10USilver/BronzeDivisionsLeagueRules(ModifiedKidPitch)
Anyrulenotcoveredintheleaguerulesbelowwillbecoveredunderthe
ASA(AmateurSoftballAssociation)OfficialRulesofSoftball
1. PlayingField
a. Basesaresetatadistanceof60feet.
b. Pitchingissetatadistanceof35feet.
2. Equipment
a. Batsmustbemarked“officialsoftball‟bythemanufacturer.Batsmarked“baseball‟bythe
manufacturerarenotpermitted.
b. TheASAcertifiedmarkisnotrequiredonbats.
c. Theballisan11-inchsoftball,yellowopticwithredstitchwitha.47coreorunderandaball
compressionof375.0orunder.
3. Players,Coaches&Substitutes
a. Line-upsmustbesubmittedwithplayernamesandjerseynumbersatleast10minutespriortostart
ofgame.
b. Lateplayerswillbeaddedtotheendoftheline-up.
c. Thereare10defensivepositions;pitcher,catcher,firstbase,secondbase,shortstop,thirdbase,and
four(4)outfielders.
d. Outfieldersmustbeatleast15feetbehindthebaseline.Theydonothavetobepositioneddeepin
theoutfieldgrass.Thisincludestherover.
e. Freesubstitutionsareallowedduringagame.
f. Thefirstbasedugoutisdesignatedforthehometeam.
g. No“razzing”orscreamingatanyopposingteamorplayersshallbeallowed.
4. TheGame
a. Six(6)innings,or75-minutetimelimit,willconstituteacompleteregulationgame.Ifthegameis
tiedafterbothteamshaveplayedsix(6)completeinningsorthetimelimithasexpired,thegameis
over.NOTE:Ifofficialtimehasexpired,theumpirewillallowthegametocompletetheinningin
considerationofthescoreandHometeamassignment.Thereisnohardclock.
b. Tiegamesattheendofregulationplaywillremainatie.
c. Acalledgamewillbeconsideredcompleteiffourormoreinningshavebeenplayedoriftheteam
secondatbathasscoredmorerunsinthreeinningsthantheotherteamhasscoredinfourinnings.
Or:Acalledgamewillbeconsideredcompleteif60%ofthetimehasbeenplayed.Thefinalscore
willbethescorefromthelastcompletedinning.
d. Acalledgameconsideredincomplete,willberesumedattheexactpointwhereitwasstopped.
e. RunRule–Ifateamisleadinganopponentbyatleast12runsafterfourcompleteinnings,oreight
runsafterfivecompleteinningshavebeenplayed,thegameshallbeofficiallyoverandtheteamin
theleadshallbedeclaredthewinner.
f. Onedefensiveconferenceispermittedperinningwithoutpenalty.Theseconddefensiveconference
willresultinthepitcherbeingremoved.
g. Playstopswheneverthepitcherhascontroloftheballinthepitcher’scircle.
h. Therewillbea5-runlimitperinning.
i. Playersarenotallowedoutsidethedugoutduringagameunlessplayingadefensivepositionor
playingoffenseasarunner,batter,oron-deckbatter.
j. Defensivecoachesmuststaywithin5feetoftheirdugoutentrance.
k. Playersandcoachesmustlineupandshakehandswiththeiropponentsattheconclusionofevery
game.
Page10of21
5. Pitching
a. ASAfastpitchrulesareineffect.
b. Aplayerwillpitchunlessfourballsarecalledbytheumpire.
c. Afterfourballs,anoffensivecoachwilltakeoverthe“strike”pitchcount.
d. Iftheplayer/pitcherhasmadenostrikes,thecoachgetsthreepitchesregardlessofaccuracy–ifthe
player/pitcherhasmadeanystrikes,thecoachgetstheremainingoneor2pitches.
e. Thecoachmustpitchunderhandfromthe35ft.pitchingplate.
f. Theplayer/pitchermusthaveatleastonefootinsidethepitcher’scirclewhenthecoachdeliversa
pitch.
g. Thebattermusthittheballinplaytoadvancetofirstbase;nobaseonballswillbeissued.
h. Abatterhitbyapitchoftheplayer/pitcherwithanefforttoavoidbeinghitisawardedfirstbase.
Note:Thebattermustmakeanefforttoavoidbeinghitbythepitch.
i. Ifthebatterdoesnotputtheballinplay,an“out”iscalledandthenextplayerintheline-uptakes
theirturnatbat.
j. Ifthebatterhitsafoulballonthelastpitch,thenthebatterwillgetanotherpitch.Thebattercannot
becalledoutonafoulballthatisnotcaughtbeforehittingtheground.
k. Whentheballisputinplaybyabatter,thecoachmustimmediatelyexittheplayingfieldwithout
interference.
l. Ifabattedballhitsthecoachpitcher,NOPITCHwillbecalled.
m. Ifthecoachpitcherinterfereswithanydefensiveplayer’sabilitytofieldtheball,NOPITCHwillbe
called.
n. Theplayer/pitcherresumespitchingonthenextbatter.
o. Iftwobattersinasingleinningareawardedfirstbasebecausetheyare“hitbypitch‟fromasingle
pitcher,theoffendingpitchermustbereplacedfortheremainderoftheinning.Ifasinglepitcheris
replacedintwoinningsofthesamegamefortoomany“hitbypitch‟calls,thepitchermustbe
replacedfortheremainderofthegame.
p. Nomorethan1minuteorfivepitchesareallowedaswarm-upsbetweeninnings.Forexcessive
warm-uppitches,apitchershallbepenalizedbyawardingaballtothebatterforeachpitch.
6. Batting
a. Incorrectbattingorder:Iftheerrorisdiscoveredbeforeacompleteatbat,thecorrectbattermay
assumethepitchcountwithnopenalty.
b. Iftheerrorisdiscoveredafteracompleteatbatbutpriortothefirstpitchtothenextbatteranout
isdeclared.
c. Teamswillhaveacontinuousbattingorderforallplayersregardlessiftheyareplayingdefensively.
d. Buntingisallowed(againstkidpitcheronly).
7. Batter/Runner
a. Onadroppedthirdstrike,thebattermaynotrunandiscalledout.
b. Therewillbetightbasesandstealing.Arunnercannotleaveabasetoattemptastealuntiltheball
crosseshomeplateattheumpire’sdiscretion.StealingisNOTallowedwhenthecoachispitching.
c. Arunneronthirdbasecannotstealhome.Afterapitch,ifthecatcheroverthrowsatthird,the
runnercannotadvancehome.Therunnermustbebattedin.
d. Ifthereisarunnerobstructedbyafielderwithouttheball,therunnerisawardedthenextbase.No
faketags.
e. Afieldercannotcatchaballwithanypartoftheuniformorequipmentdetachedfromitsproper
placeontheirperson.
f. Ifarunnerintentionallyinterfereswithafielderattemptingtoplaytheball,therunnerisdeclared
out.
Page11of21
g. Onoverthrowsduringaplay,arunnermayadvancetosecondorthirdattheirownrisk(maynot
stealhome)unlesstheumpirecallsa“deadball‟.Adroppedballisnotconsideredanoverthrow.
h. Onoverthrowsduringaplay,therunnermayscoreif,inthejudgmentoftheumpire,therunner
headingforthirdintendedtoscorepriortotheoverthrow.
i. Onoverthrowsmadebyacatcheronanattemptedstolenbase,arunnermaynotadvancepastthe
basetowhichthestealwasmade.
j. The“infieldfly”ruleisnotineffect.
8. Umpires
a. Thegameofficialswillbetwo(2)ASAumpires.
9. Scoring
a. Thehometeamisresponsiblefortheofficialscoringofthegame.
b. Thevisitingteamisresponsibleforoperatingthescoreboard.
RuleSummary-10USilver/BronzeDivision
GameDuration: 75minutesor6innings InfieldFlyRule: Nonineffect
Pitching:
PitchingDistance:
BaseDistance: Mercyrule:
Forfeit: Modifiedplayerpitch
35feet 60feet 12after4,8afterfive
Officialscorerecordedas6-0
LookBackRule: OfficialInning: TightBases:
Notineffect
ThreeoutsorFiveruns
Yes
Stealing:
Yes
StealingHome: Notallowed
Page12of21
10UGoldDivisionLeagueRules(PlayerPitch)
Anyrulenotcoveredintheleaguerulesbelowwillbecoveredunderthe
ASA(AmateurSoftballAssociation)OfficialRulesofSoftball
1. PlayingField
a. Basesaresetatadistanceof60feet.
b. Pitchingissetatadistanceof35feet.
2. Equipment
a. Batsmustbemarked“officialsoftball‟bythemanufacturer.Batsmarked“baseball‟bythe
manufacturerarenotpermitted.
b. TheASAcertifiedmarkisnotrequiredonbats.
c. Theballisan11-inchsoftball,yellowopticwithredstitchwitha.47coreorunderandaball
compressionof375.0orunder.
d. *Eachdefensiveplayermusthaveaglove.
3. Players,Coaches&Substitutes
a. Line-upsmustbesubmittedwithplayernamesandjerseynumbersatleast10minutespriortostart
ofgame.
b. Lateplayersareaddedtotheendoftheline-up.
c. Thereare10defensivepositions;pitcher,catcher,firstbase,secondbase,shortstop,thirdbase,and
four(4)outfielders.
d. Outfieldersmustbeatleast15feetbehindthebaseline.Theydonothavetobepositioneddeepin
theoutfieldgrass.Thisincludestherover.
e. Freesubstitutionsareallowedduringagame.
f. Thefirstbasedugoutisdesignatedforthehometeam.
g. No“razzing”orscreamingatanyopposingteamorplayersshallbeallowed.
4. TheGame
a. Six(6)innings,or75-minutetimelimit,willconstituteacompleteregulationgame.Ifthegameis
tiedafterbothteamshaveplayedsix(6)completeinningsorthetimelimithasexpired,thegameis
over.NOTE:Ifofficialtimehasexpired,theumpirewillallowthegametocompletetheinningin
considerationofthescoreandHometeamassignment.Thereisnohardclock.
b. Tiegamesattheendofregulationplaywillremainatie.
c. Acalledgamewillbeconsideredcompleteiffourormoreinningshavebeenplayedoriftheteam
secondatbathasscoredmorerunsinthreeinningsthantheotherteamhasscoredinfourinnings.
Or:Acalledgamewillbeconsideredcompleteif60%ofthetimehasbeenplayed.Thefinalscore
willbethescorefromthelastcompletedinning.
d. Acalledgameconsideredincomplete,willberesumedattheexactpointwhereitwasstopped.
e. RunRule–Ifateamisleadinganopponentbyatleast12runsafterfourcompleteinnings,oreight
runsafterfivecompleteinningshavebeenplayed,thegameshallbeofficiallyoverandtheteamin
theleadshallbedeclaredthewinner.
f. Onedefensiveconferenceispermittedperinningwithoutpenalty.Theseconddefensiveconference
willresultinthepitcherbeingremoved.
g. Playstopswheneverthepitcherhascontroloftheballinthepitcher’scircle.
h. Therewillbea5-runlimitperinning.
i. Playersarenotallowedoutsidethedugoutduringagameunlessplayingadefensivepositionor
playingoffenseasarunner,batter,oron-deckbatter.
j. Defensivecoachesmuststaywithin5feetoftheirdugoutentrance.
k. Playersandcoachesmustlineupandshakehandswiththeiropponentsattheconclusionofevery
game.
Page13of21
5. Pitching–ThisisanADVANCED10uleaguewithplayerpitchonly(NOCOACHPITCH),walksareallowed
a. ASAfastpitchrulesareineffect
b. Nomorethan1minuteorfivepitchesareallowedaswarm-upsbetweeninnings.Forexcessive
warm-uppitches,thepitcherwillbepenalizedbyawardingaballtothebatterforeachexcessive
warm-uppitchthrown.
c. Abatterhitbyapitchoftheplayer/pitcherwithanefforttoavoidbeinghitisawardedfirstbase.
Note:Thebattermustmakeanefforttoavoidbeinghitbythepitch.
d. Ifthreebattersinasingleinningareawardedfirstbasebecausetheyare“hitbypitch”fromasingle
pitcher,theoffendingpitchermustbereplacedfortheremainderoftheinning.Thisgoesforany
inningpitched.Pitchercandothisforasmanyinningsthatthegamelasts.
6. Batting
a. Incorrectbattingorder:
i. Iftheerrorisdiscoveredbeforeacompleteatbat,thecorrectbattermayassumethe
pitchcountwithnopenalty.
ii. Iftheerrorisdiscoveredafteracompleteatbatbutpriortothefirstpitchtothenext
batteranoutisdeclared.
b. Teamswillhaveacontinuousbattingorderforallplayersregardlessiftheyareplayingdefensively.
c. Buntingisallowed.
7. Batter/Runner
a. Droppedthirdstrike.Adroppedthirdstrikeoccurswhenthecatcherfailstocleanlycaughtapitch,
whichisthethirdstrike.Thepitchisconsiderednotcleanlycaughtiftheballtouchesthedirtbefore
beingcaught,oriftheballisdroppedafterbeingcaught,andnotcleanlyandclearlypossessedby
thecatcher.
i. Thedroppedthirdstrikewillberuledasfollows:Whentherearelessthantwoouts,and
firstbaseisunoccupied,adroppedthirdstrikeisaliveballandthebatterandallbase
runnersmayadvanceattheirowndiscretion.Theoutiscompleted/recordedbyoneofthe
following:
1. Batterphysicallytaggedoutbyadefensiveplayerpriortoreachingfirstbase.
2. Batterforcedoutatfirstbase.
ii. Whentherearelessthantwoouts,andfirstbaseisoccupiedpriortothepitch,adropped
thirdstrikeisruledastrikeoutandallbaserunnersmayadvanceattheirowndiscretion.
iii. Whentherearetwoouts,adroppedthirdstrikeisaliveballregardlessofwhetherfirst
baseisoccupiedorunoccupied.Theout/inningiscompleted/recordedbyoneofthe
following:
1. Batterphysicallytaggedoutbyadefensiveplayer,priortoreachingfirstbase.
2. Batterforcedoutatfirstbase.
iv. Ifbasesareloaded,theout/inningcanalsobecompletedbyaforceoutathomeplate.
Playerpossessingtheballsimplystepsonhomeplatebeforetherunneronthirdreaches
homeplate.
b. The“LookBack”ruleisineffect.Ifarunnerisbetweenbaseswhilethepitcherhastheballinthe
circle,therunnermustimmediatelychoosetoadvanceorreturntobase.Failuretodosowillresult
inanout.
c. Therewillbetightbasesandstealing.Arunnercannotleaveabasetoattemptastealuntiltheball
leavesthepitchershand.
i. Runnersareabletostealhomeattheirowndiscretion
d. Onoverthrowsduringaliveball,arunnermayadvanceanynumberofbasesattheirownrisk.
e. Ifthereisarunnerobstructedbyafielderwithouttheball,therunnerisawardedthenextbase.No
faketags.
Page14of21
f.
Afieldercannotcatchaballwithanypartoftheuniformorequipmentdetachedfromitsproper
placeontheirperson.
g. Ifarunnerintentionallyinterfereswithafielderattemptingtoplaytheball,therunnerisdeclared
out.
h. The“infieldfly”ruleisineffect.
8. Umpires
a. Thegameofficialswillbetwo(2)ASAumpires.
9. Scoring
a. Thehometeamisresponsiblefortheofficialscoringofthegame.
b. Thevisitingteamisresponsibleforoperatingthescoreboard.
RuleSummary-10UGoldDivision
GameDuration: 75minutesor6innings InfieldFlyRule: Ineffect
Pitching:
PitchingDistance:
BaseDistance: Mercyrule:
Forfeit: Playerpitch
35feet 60feet 12after4,8after5innings
Officialscorerecordedas6-0
LookBackRule: OfficialInning: TightBases:
Ineffect
ThreeoutsorFiveruns
Yes
Stealing:
Yes
StealingHome: Allowed
Page15of21
12USoftballLeagueRules
Anyrulenotcoveredintheleaguerulesbelowwillbecoveredunderthe
ASA(AmateurSoftballAssociation)OfficialRulesofSoftball
1. PlayingField
c. Basesaresetatadistanceof60feet.
d. Pitchingissetatadistanceof40feet.
2. Equipment
a. Batsmustbemarked“officialsoftball”bythemanufacturer.Batsmarked“baseball”bythe
manufacturerarenotpermitted.
b. TheASAcertifiedmarkisnotrequiredonbats.
c. Theballisa12-inchsoftball,whitewithwhitestitchoryellowopticwithredstitchwitha.47coreor
underandaballcompressionof.375orunder.
d. *Eachdefensiveplayermusthaveaglove.
3. Players,Coaches&Substitutes
a. Line-upsmustbesubmittedwithplayernamesandjerseynumbersatleast10minutespriortostart
ofgame.
b. Lateplayersareaddedtotheendoftheline-up.
c. Thereare9defensivepositions;pitcher,catcher,firstbase,secondbase,shortstop,thirdbase,right
field,centerfield,andleftfield.
d. Outfieldersmustbeatleast15feetbehindthebaseline.Theydonothavetobepositioneddeepin
theoutfieldgrass.
e. Freesubstitutionsareallowedduringagame.
f. Thefirstbasedugoutisdesignatedforthehometeam.
g. No“razzing”orscreamingatanyopposingteamorplayersshallbeallowed.
4. TheGame
a. Six(6)innings,or80-minutetimelimit,willconstituteacompleteregulationgame.Ifthegameis
tiedafterbothteamshaveplayedsix(6)completeinningsorthetimelimithasexpired,thegameis
over.NOTE:Ifofficialtimehasexpired,theumpirewillallowthegametocompletetheinningin
considerationofthescoreandHometeamassignment.Thereisnohardclock.
b. Tiegamesattheendofregulationplaywillremainatie.
c. Acalledgamewillbeconsideredcompleteiffourormoreinningshavebeenplayedoriftheteam
secondatbathasscoredmorerunsinthreeinningsthantheotherteamhasscoredinfourinnings.
Or:Acalledgamewillbeconsideredcompleteif60%ofthetimehasbeenplayed.Thefinalscore
willbethescorefromthelastcompletedinning.
d. Acalledgameconsideredincompletewillberesumedattheexactpointwhereitwasstopped.
e. RunRule–Ifateamisleadinganopponentbyatleast12runsafterfourcompleteinnings,oreight
runsafterfivecompleteinningshavebeenplayed,thegameshallbeofficiallyoverandtheteamin
theleadshallbedeclaredthewinner.
f. Onedefensiveconferenceispermittedperinningwithoutpenalty.Theseconddefensiveconference
willresultinthepitcherbeingremoved.
g. Playstopswheneverthepitcherhascontroloftheballinthepitcher’scircle.
h. Therewillbea5-runlimitperinning.
i. Playersarenotallowedoutsidethedugoutduringagameunlessplayingadefensivepositionor
playingoffenseasarunner,batter,oron-deckbatter.
j. Onedefensivecoachisallowedonthefieldduringplay.Thiscoachmuststaywithin5feetoftheir
dugoutentrance.
Page16of21
k. Playersandcoachesmustlineupandshakehandswiththeiropponentsattheconclusionofevery
game.
5. Pitching
a. ASAfastpitchrulesareineffect
b. Nomorethan1minuteorfivepitchesareallowedaswarm-upsbetweeninnings.Forexcessive
warm-uppitches,thepitcherwillbepenalizedbyawardingaballtothebatterforeachexcessive
warm-uppitchthrown.
c. Abatterhitbyapitchoftheplayer/pitcherwithanefforttoavoidbeinghitisawardedfirstbase.
Note:Thebattermustmakeanefforttoavoidbeinghitbythepitch.
d. Ifthreebattersinasingleinningareawardedfirstbasebecausetheyare“hitbypitch”fromasingle
pitcher,theoffendingpitchermustbereplacedfortheremainderoftheinning.Thisgoesforany
inningpitched.Pitchercandothisforasmanyinningsthatthegamelasts.
6. Batting
a. Incorrectbattingorder:
i. Iftheerrorisdiscoveredbeforeacompleteatbat,thecorrectbattermayassumethe
pitchcountwithnopenalty.
ii. Iftheerrorisdiscoveredafteracompleteatbatbutpriortothefirstpitchtothenext
batteranoutisdeclared.
b. Teamswillhaveacontinuousbattingorderforallplayersregardlessiftheyareplayingdefensively.
7. Batter/Runner
a. Droppedthirdstrike.Adroppedthirdstrikeoccurswhenthecatcherfailstocleanlycaughtapitch,
whichisthethirdstrike.Thepitchisconsiderednotcleanlycaughtiftheballtouchesthedirtbefore
beingcaught,oriftheballisdroppedafterbeingcaught,andnotcleanlyandclearlypossessedby
thecatcher.
i. Thedroppedthirdstrikewillberuledasfollows:Whentherearelessthantwoouts,and
firstbaseisunoccupied,adroppedthirdstrikeisaliveballandthebatterandallbase
runnersmayadvanceattheirowndiscretion.Theoutiscompleted/recordedbyoneofthe
following:
1. Batterphysicallytaggedoutbyadefensiveplayerpriortoreachingfirstbase.
2. Batterforcedoutatfirstbase.
ii. Whentherearelessthantwoouts,andfirstbaseisoccupiedpriortothepitch,adropped
thirdstrikeisruledastrikeoutandallbaserunnersmayadvanceattheirowndiscretion.
iii. Whentherearetwoouts,adroppedthirdstrikeisaliveballregardlessofwhetherfirst
baseisoccupiedorunoccupied.Theout/inningiscompleted/recordedbyoneofthe
following:
1. Batterphysicallytaggedoutbyadefensiveplayer,priortoreachingfirstbase.
2. Batterforcedoutatfirstbase.
iv. Ifbasesareloaded,theout/inningcanalsobecompletedbyaforceoutathomeplate.
Playerpossessingtheballsimplystepsonhomeplatebeforetherunneronthirdreaches
homeplate.
b. The“LookBack”ruleisineffect.Ifarunnerisbetweenbaseswhilethepitcherhastheballinthe
circle,therunnermustimmediatelychoosetoadvanceorreturntobase.Failuretodosowillresult
inanout.
c. The“infieldfly”ruleisineffect.
d. Therewillbetightbasesandstealing.Arunnercannotleaveabasetoattemptastealuntiltheball
leavesthepitcher’shand.
e. Ifthereisarunnerobstructedbyafielderwithouttheball,therunnerisawardedthenextbase.No
faketags.
Page17of21
f.
Afieldercannotcatchaballwithanypartoftheuniformorequipmentdetachedfromitsproper
placeontheirperson.
g. Ifarunnerintentionallyinterfereswithafielderattemptingtoplaytheball,therunnerisdeclared
out.
8. Umpires
a. Thegameofficialswillbe(2)ASAumpires.
9. Scoring
a. Thehometeamisresponsiblefortheofficialscoringofthegame.
b. Thevisitingteamisresponsibleforoperatingthescoreboard.
10. ASARules
a. TheFBSABoardreservestherighttoamendtheserulesafterappropriatereviewandapproval.
Duringtournamentplay,regularseasonrulesmaybeadjustedasneeded.Insuchacase,
tournamentruleswillsupersederegularseasonrules.Anychangesfortournamentplaywillbe
providedtoallcoaches.
RuleSummary-12USoftball
GameDuration: 80minutesor6innings InfieldFlyRule: Ineffect
Pitching:
PitchingDistance:
BaseDistance: Mercyrule:
Forfeit: Playerpitch
40feet 60feet 12after4,8after5innings
Officialscorerecordedas6-0
LookBackRule:
OfficialInning:
TightBases:
Stealing:
StealingHome:
Ineffect
ThreeoutsorFiveruns
Yes
Yes
Allowed
Page18of21
14USoftballLeagueRules
Anyrulenotcoveredintheleaguerulesbelowwillbecoveredunderthe
ASA(AmateurSoftballAssociation)OfficialRulesofSoftball
1. PlayingField
a. Basesaresetatadistanceof60feet.
b. Pitchingissetatadistanceof43feet.
2. Equipment
a. Batsmustbemarked‘officialsoftball’bythemanufacturer.Batsmarked‘baseball’bythe
manufacturerarenotpermitted.
b. TheASAcertifiedmarkisnotrequiredonbats.
c. Theballisa12-inchsoftball,whitewithwhitestitchoryellowopticwithredstitchwitha.47coreor
underandaballcompressionof.375orunder.
3. Players,Coaches&Substitutes
a. Line-upsmustbesubmittedwithplayernamesandjerseynumbersatleast10minutespriortostart
ofgame.
b. Lateplayersareaddedtotheendoftheline-up.
c. Thereare9defensivepositions;pitcher,catcher,firstbase,secondbase,shortstop,thirdbase,right
field,centerfield,andleftfield.
d. Outfieldersmustbeatleast15feetbehindthebaseline.Theydonothavetobepositioneddeepin
theoutfieldgrass.
e. Freesubstitutionsareallowedduringagame.
f. Thefirstbasedugoutisdesignatedforthehometeam.
g. No“razzing”orscreamingatanyopposingteamorplayersshallbeallowed
4. TheGame
a. Seven(7)innings,or80-minutetimelimit,willconstituteacompleteregulationgame.Ifthegameis
tiedafterbothteamshaveplayedseven(7)completeinningsorthetimelimithasexpired,thegame
isover.NOTE:Ifofficialtimehasexpired,theumpirewillallowthegametocompletetheinningin
considerationofthescoreandHometeamassignment.Thereisnohardclock.
b. Tiegamesattheendofregulationplaywillremainatie.
c. Acalledgamewillbeconsideredcompleteiffourormoreinningshavebeenplayedoriftheteam
secondatbathasscoredmorerunsinthreeinningsthantheotherteamhasscoredinfourinnings.
Or:Acalledgamewillbeconsideredcompleteif60%ofthetimehasbeenplayed.Thefinalscore
willbethescorefromthelastcompletedinning.
d. Acalledgameconsideredincompletewillberesumedattheexactpointwhereitwasstopped.
e. RunRule–Ifateamisleadinganopponentbyatleast12runsafterfourcompleteinnings,oreight
runsafterfivecompleteinningshavebeenplayed,thegameshallbeofficiallyoverandtheteamin
theleadshallbedeclaredthewinner.
f. Onedefensiveconferenceispermittedperinningwithoutpenalty.Theseconddefensiveconference
willresultinthepitcherbeingremoved.
g. Playstopswheneverthepitcherhascontroloftheballinthepitcher’scircle.
h. Therewillbea5-runlimitperinning.
i. Playersarenotallowedoutsidethedugoutduringagameunlessplayingadefensivepositionor
playingoffenseasarunner,batter,oron-deckbatter.
j. Onedefensivecoachisallowedonthefieldduringplay.Thiscoachmuststaywithin5feetoftheir
dugoutentrance.
k. Playersandcoachesmustlineupandshakehandswiththeiropponentsattheconclusionofevery
game.
Page19of21
5. Pitching
a. ASAfastpitchrulesareineffect
b. Nomorethan1minuteorfivepitchesareallowedaswarm-upsbetweeninnings.Forexcessive
warm-uppitches,thepitcherwillbepenalizedbyawardingaballtothebatterforeachexcessive
warm-uppitchthrown.
c. Abatterhitbyapitchoftheplayer/pitcherwithanefforttoavoidbeinghitisawardedfirstbase.
Note:Thebattermustmakeanefforttoavoidbeinghitbythepitch.
d. Ifthreebattersinasingleinningareawardedfirstbasebecausetheyare“hitbypitch”fromasingle
pitcher,theoffendingpitchermustbereplacedfortheremainderoftheinning.Thisgoesforany
inningpitched.Pitchercandothisforasmanyinningsthatthegamelasts.
6. Batting
a. Incorrectbattingorder:
i. Iftheerrorisdiscoveredbeforeacompleteatbat,thecorrectbattermayassumethe
pitchcountwithnopenalty.
ii. Iftheerrorisdiscoveredafteracompleteatbatbutpriortothefirstpitchtothenext
batteranoutisdeclared.
b. Teamswillhaveacontinuousbattingorderforallplayersregardlessiftheyareplayingdefensively.
7. Batter/Runner
a. Droppedthirdstrike.Adroppedthirdstrikeoccurswhenthecatcherfailstocleanlycaughtapitch,
whichisthethirdstrike.Thepitchisconsiderednotcleanlycaughtiftheballtouchesthedirtbefore
beingcaught,oriftheballisdroppedafterbeingcaught,andnotcleanlyandclearlypossessedby
thecatcher.
i. Thedroppedthirdstrikewillberuledasfollows:Whentherearelessthantwoouts,and
firstbaseisunoccupied,adroppedthirdstrikeisaliveballandthebatterandallbase
runnersmayadvanceattheirowndiscretion.Theoutiscompleted/recordedbyoneofthe
following:
1. Batterphysicallytaggedoutbyadefensiveplayerpriortoreachingfirstbase.
2. Batterforcedoutatfirstbase.
ii. Whentherearelessthantwoouts,andfirstbaseisoccupiedpriortothepitch,adropped
thirdstrikeisruledastrikeoutandallbaserunnersmayadvanceattheirowndiscretion.
iii. Whentherearetwoouts,adroppedthirdstrikeisaliveballregardlessofwhetherfirst
baseisoccupiedorunoccupied.Theout/inningiscompleted/recordedbyoneofthe
following:
1. Batterphysicallytaggedoutbyadefensiveplayer,priortoreachingfirstbase.
2. Batterforcedoutatfirstbase.
iv. Ifbasesareloaded,theout/inningcanalsobecompletedbyaforceoutathomeplate.
Playerpossessingtheballsimplystepsonhomeplatebeforetherunneronthirdreaches
homeplate.
b. The“LookBack”ruleisineffect.Ifarunnerisbetweenbaseswhilethepitcherhastheballinthe
circle,therunnermustimmediatelychoosetoadvanceorreturntobase.Failuretodosowillresult
inanout.
c. The“infieldfly”ruleisineffect.
d. Therewillbetightbasesandstealing.Arunnercannotleaveabasetoattemptastealuntiltheball
leavesthepitcher’shand.
e. Ifthereisarunnerobstructedbyafielderwithouttheball,therunnerisawardedthenextbase.No
faketags.
f. Afieldercannotcatchaballwithanypartoftheuniformorequipmentdetachedfromitsproper
placeontheirperson.
Page20of21
g. Ifarunnerintentionallyinterfereswithafielderattemptingtoplaytheball,therunnerisdeclared
out.
8. Umpires
a. Thegameofficialswillbe(2)ASAumpires.
9. Scoring
a. Thehometeamisresponsiblefortheofficialscoringofthegame.
b. Thevisitingteamisresponsibleforoperatingthescoreboard.
10. ASARules
a. TheFBSABoardreservestherighttoamendtheserulesafterappropriatereviewandapproval.
Duringtournamentplay,regularseasonrulesmaybeadjustedasneeded.Insuchacase,
tournamentruleswillsupersederegularseasonrules.Anychangesfortournamentplaywillbe
providedtoallcoaches.
RuleSummary-14USoftball
GameDuration: 80minutesor6innings InfieldFlyRule: Ineffect
Pitching:
PitchingDistance:
BaseDistance: Mercyrule:
Forfeit: Playerpitch
43feet 60feet 12after4,8after5innings
Officialscorerecordedas6-0
LookBackRule:
OfficialInning:
TightBases:
Stealing:
StealingHome:
Ineffect
ThreeoutsorFiveruns
Yes
Yes
Allowed
Page21of21