Howard County Officials Training
Rule Change Markings
All rule modifications to rules in the book are highlighted.
New rule and/or changes are in bold
Housekeeping changes are not in bold
2008 Changes
Rule 1
2007 Rule
STRIKE MAT:
ZONE:AThat
mat space
25 ½ inches
over any
long
part
with
of ahome
V shaped
plate,cut
when
out awith
batter
theassumes
edges 12ainches
natural
long
to fit
batting
tight stance
with the
adjacent
point oftohome
homeplate.
plate, between the batter’s,
A. (Fast Pitch) Arm pitch and the top of the knees.
COMMENT:
B. (Slow Pitch)
Needed
Back
because
shoulder
of changed
and the front
strike knee.
zone for Seniors play.
C. (Seniors Slow Pitch) A rectangle 17” x 34” which includes the plate and the plate
extension (mat). Any legally pitched ball not struck at, that lands on any part of
the plate or mat will be ruled a strike. The shoulder to the knee strike zone has
been eliminated.
2008 Changes
Rule 2
2007 Rule
Youth
Division
Bases
Pitching
Min. Fence
Max. Fence
Fast
G18U-A
60’
43’
40’
200’
225’
Pitch
G18U-B
60’
40’
200’
225’
G18U Gold
60’
43’
200’
225’
COMMENT: Make the 18U-A pitching distance the same as Gold
2008 Changes
Rule 3
2007 Rule
Section 5. CATCHER’S EQUIPMENT, FACE MASK/GUARDS, AND HELMETS
F. PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Unless more stringent equipment is required by these rules any offensive or
defensive
player may
Section
1. OFFICIAL
BAT wear any protective equipment. As specifically set forth in
rules,
helmets
be required
to be and
worn
in made
certain
G.these
BARREL
END:
If notmay
constructed
of wood,
not
ofsituations
one-pieceduring play,
however,
regardless
of whether
helmets
rule,
anya rubber
player or
shall
construction
with the
barrel end
closed,are
themandated
barrel endby
shall
have
have
a right
to or
wear
a helmet
at any
time and
during
anycap,
partatofthe
thelarge
game,
that
vinyl
plastic
other
approved
material
insert,
or end
endif of
player
desires.
Helmets
shall
bill.firmly secured and permanently affixed
the so
bat.
The insert
or end
caphave
shallabe
WARNING:
softball by
involves
certain
but not limited
so that itThe
can game
not beofremoved
anyone
other risk,
thanincluding
the manufacturer
withoutto
death,
seriousorneck
and spiral
injuries
resulting
in complete
partial
paralysis,
damaging
destroying
the end
cap or
barrel. The
bat barrelorshall
be free
of
brain
damage
andwhen
and shaken.
serious injury
virtually
bones,
joints,ofmuscles
and
audible
rattles
The battobarrel
shallallnot
have signs
excessive
internal
wear. organs. Equipment used may be inadequate to prevent serious injury.
However, in certain situation, the player’s use of a helmet may prevent or lessen
certain injuries. Players choosing to not wear helmets do so with knowledge of the
danger involved and agree to accept any and all liability for any injury or property
loss related in any way to a player’s decision not to wear a helmet.
Appeal Plays
A play on a rule violation on which an umpire may not make a
decision until requested by a manger, coach or player.
BASE LINE / BASE PATH
Direct Line Between Bases
Direct Line From Runner’s
Location to Base
BLOOD Rule
CATCH / NO CATCH
CATCH
Control
Release Voluntary
Hand or Glove
In Play
OUT OF PLAY LINE
(To determine a catch or not)
IN PLAY
A. Both feet must be touching the
ground or if in the air, left from
behind or touching the “Out of
Play” line before the catch.
1-2-3-4 are all IN
A
OUT OF PLAY
5 & 6 are OUT
CATCH / NO CATCH
CATCH
NO CATCH
Control
Release Voluntary
Hand or Glove
In Play
Collision
Deflection
Not Off Defensive Player
Improperly Worn Equipment
COURTESY RUNNER
DISQUALIFICATION / EJECTION
Disqualified Player
Rules Violation
Ejected Participant
Unsporting Behavior
HCR&P: Technical Out
Technical Out
Area
Game Participation
Short-Handed Rule
Suspension
No
Yes
Coach
Yes
None
Yes
No
No
No
1 Game
FAIR / FOUL BALLS
BOUNDARY LINES
In Play /
Out Of Play
Fair /
Foul
Position of Player
Position of Ball
FOUL TIP
CAUGHT
CATCHER’S
HAND OR
GLOVE
STRIKE
DEAD – SP
ALIVE – FP
SP w/Stealing
RUNNER
ADVANCEMENT
MUST BE
CAUGHT
OVER FOUL
TERRITORY
FOUL
TIP
NOTE: Any batted ball that goes directly from
the bat to any part of the catcher’s body or
equipment other than the hand(s) or glove, is a
foul ball and dead.
INFIELD FLY
INFIELD FLY vs. INTENTIONAL DROP
INTERFERENCE / OBSTRUCTION
Act that impedes,
hinders, confuses
DEFENSIVE
player
Act that impedes,
hinders, confuses
OFFENSIVE
player
FIELDS
GLOVES / MITTS
Mitt Can Be
Worn By
Any Player
COLOR
BALL MARKINGS
300 lbs
375 lbs
Red Ink
.47 cor
Black Ink
.44 cor
Blue Ink
.40 cor
BATS
When the physical structure
of a legal softball bat has
been changed
A bat that does not met the
requirements of an official
bat or warm-up bat.
A bat that does not meet
the ASA specifications and
is on the current nonapproved bat list.
Bats
ALTERED
Barrel Painted
Barrel Sandpapered
Foreign material inside bat
Exposed Rivets
Excessive Tape
Cone/Flare
ILLEGAL
Has rough or sharp edges
Has burrs or cracks
Safety grip missing, too long or too short
Has large dents
Has pine tar exceeding the grip (15
inches)
Is more than 2 ¼ inches in diameter at its
largest point
Weighs more than 38 ounces
Is longer than 34 inches.
NONAPPROVED
On the current ASA NonApproved Bat List
PENALTIES:
When a batter steps into the batter’s box or is discovered using an:
Illegal Bat – shall be called out (Rule 7.6.C)
Altered Bat – shall be called out and ejected from the game (Rule 7.6.B)
Non-Approved – shall be called out and ejected from the game (Rule 7.6.B)
APPROVED BATS
Bats Made Prior to 2000
Bats Made 2000-2003
Bats Made Since 2004
GRANDFATHERED BATS
EASTON
Synergy2
MIKEN
Freak
LOUISVILLE SLUGGER
SB304
SB404
WORTH
XGOLD-Fastpitch
XRED-Fastpitch
XPST4
WWSCA
SBWKA
APPROVED BATS
Bats Made Prior to 2000
Bats Made 2000-2003
Bats Made Since 2004
Non-Approved Bat List
http://www.asasoftball.com/about/build_batlist.asp
http://www.asasoftball.com/about/build_batlist_w_pics.asp
http://www.asasoftball.com/about/build_batlist_one_page.asp
(3 pages)
(11 pages)
(1 page)
BAT CHECK
 Marking
 Barrel
 Safety Grip
 Safety Knob
WARM-UP BATS
 Marking
 Barrel
 Safety Grip
 Safety Knob
 Attachments