The association shall also do business as independent. While there are some common fastpitch rules the specifics will differ greatly depending on what type of softball league or tournament you are playing in. Usssa releases 2019 fastpitch rule changes when usssa gathered in temecula, california for its 51 st annual convention in november, fastpitch leadership announced several rule changes for the upcoming season. The online rule book supersedes the printed edition there are no other rule books that govern usssa fastpitch. Pick here for general table of contents pick here for. With a few exceptions most notably the pitching technique slowpitch. Clarifies that on any appeal play, a run is not scored if the third out is made by a preceding runner. The release of the ball and the followthrough of the hand and wrist must be forward past the vertical line of the body. Amy cassell and sandy searcy present changes to the nfhs rules for high school softballs 2019 season. Welcome to the rule clarifications and plays umpire page. Girls fastpitch softball rules girls fastpitch softball. All rules not covered herein, please refer to the current asa official fast pitch softball rules for women. The organizations objectives include promoting safety and establishing uniform softball rules and regulations.
Bats must also be marked with the usaasa certified stamp. They set the playing rules for fastpitch and slow pitch softball in professional leagues, collegiate. Requires the runners lane to be drawn on the field and all associated rules apply batsgame rule 3. No new inning after 1 hour 30 minutes, drop dead at 1 hour 45 minutes.
As of 20 you can however, receive the official rule book on your smart phone or tablet at click or type the link into a mobile device. In fast pitch runners can advance once the pitched ball leaves the pitchers. The media shall be prohibited from being in liveball area. Pick here for general table of contents pick here for playing rules table of contents on this information page you will find.
They are responsible for helping train new umpires and handle rule changes pertaining to their programs in the rule book. Rule clarifications and plays welcome to the rule clarifications and plays umpire page. Clarifies that game management may designate a media area in dead ball territory. Usa softball publishes an updated rule book for softball each year which is widely used by adult and youth recreational leagues in the united states and abroad. Any misuse or reprinting of these official rules without the prior written consent of the wbsc is prohibited. You can enter a portion of the name for a general search or refine your search by using quotes such as shock mansfield blue. A regulation bat for fastpitch softball has a maximum length of 34 inches and weighs no more than 38 ounces. You can also get the asa case book as a pdf, but, again, it is bundled with other stuff in this case, the clinic guide. If a player plays college softball, they are unable to play class b softball. You also have to be persistent in finding these on the asa site. They shall be responsible to ensure that all required sanction.
Players of almost any age, from young children to senior citizens, can play slowpitch softball, and many play in leagues or tournaments governed by amateur softball association of america rules. If you are a coach or team manager, or an umpire you must create an account first before you can apply for membership. That may seem like a simple question but the answers will vary. Official playing rules can be found at all updates or corrections can be found there as this book is only a guide. The fastpitch field diagram base and pitching measurement 60 bases. Wherever fast pitch only fp only appears in the official rules, the same rules apply to modified pitch with the exception of the pitching rule. Look back rule defined according to the asa fastpitch softball rule book, the look back rule specifies that when the pitcher has control of the ball inside the pitchers circle and does not attempt to make a play on any runner, then all runners who are on base must stay on the base. You can use the dpflex which has 10 players in the lineup, but only the first 9 bat. The national uic will travel to different areas and hold clinics if needed. This will ensure we have good contact information for you and will allow the nsa to track your teams across seasons and improve your. Designated player dp flexible player flex rule explained heres where it can get tricky if you are not careful with your line up card management and knowledge of the substitute and reentry rule 7 you can bring the flex player into the game to. Fastpitch for usssa announced several rule changes. Helmets must cover the entire head and both ears, and are to be worn at all times by players.
The home team or game management may designate an area for the media in dead ball territory. As the national governing body of softball in the united states, usa softball has produced the usa softball playing rules app to provide a unique way of referencing its rules. If you are playing straight asa rules, yes you only bat 9 players. Rule change pitching rules 611 penalty, exception 2 as before under the rules, if the batter does not reach first base safely or any base runner fails to advance at least one base, the coach of the team at bat shall have. A situation not specifically covered in these local rules will be governed by asa rules. Every player has 1 reentry, once a player has occupied a spot in the batting order, that is the only position they may reenter.
Asa softball rules per asa website the asa rule books are not for sale. The amateur softball association of america, one of the prime governing bodies for fastpitch softball, requires pitchers to follow a predictable routine. The usa softball rules were also used for the softball competition when it was an olympic sport between 1996 and 2008. The ball used is covered in a synthetic material or leather, and must have a size of 10 inches, 11 inches or 12 inches to comply with the rules. The ultimate guide to ncaa nfhs asa usssa fast pitch softball rules. This website is powered by the sportsengine platform, but is owned by and subject to the minnesota softball privacy policy.
The usa softball app provides the latest in news, results and videos from team usa athletes and events across the globe. This rulebook contains the official rules of fast pitch softball official rules of the world baseball softball confederation wbsc, formerly operating as the international softball fed eration isf. They are not listed in the umpire gear pages, nor with the umpire training material. Designated player dp flexible player flex rule explained. They will be effective january 1, 2018 and will be included in the online rule book update in december, 2017. In order to keep the fastpitch america softball association rulebook as streamlined as possible, we will refer back to the national federation of high schools nfhs rulebook for all rules and case studies. Player eligibility will be based upon the players age as of january 1st of the current year. Here is a handydandy guide to the major differences between asa and usssa rules for girls fast pitch softball.
The ins and outs of usaasa fast pitch softball bats tsa plays by usaasa rules the rules will be slightly modified by age group. Most organizations will take the asa fastpitch softball rules and tweak the rules to fit the situation. Asa rule book asa rule books are a benefit of membership and are only distributed by the asa commissioner or their staff. Rules changes are identified by a shaded background. The knob may be molded, lathed, welded or adjustable, but must be permanently fastened. Rule interpretations definitions of basic terms used in softball, such as batter. You can receive the rule book either when you register an asa team or if you register as an umpire. The amateur softball association is the national governing body of softball in the united states. The underhand fliptype move of fastpitch looks quite different to that of baseball pitching. Girls not wearing a mask will only be allowed to play in the outfield. They are effective january 1, 2019 and will be included in the forthcoming online and printed rule book update.
You will also find the proposed rule changes for the coming season located on this same page. The hand shall be below the hip and the wrist not farther from the body than the elbow. Asa 2000 certification mark, asa 2004 certification mark, or asa. The fastpitch america softball association will use the following basic rules for batting and base running. An association needs to be progressive and thorough to make sure that their rules are evolving with the game, said jeremy mcdowell, executive vicepresident for usssa fastpitch. As a general rule, all fast pitch softball bats must have a 2 14 inch barrel diameter and must not be over 34 inches in length and 31 12 oz in weight. Softball rules and regulations divisions 10u all play will be judged according to the rules set down by the amateur softball association asa with the following exceptions, variations, etc. Differences between asa and usssa rules softball at bellaonline. Asa fastpitch softball pitching rules healthy living. Usa softball of washington rules and code changes for 2017 see wasa website championship play will follow usa sofball rules for ace and background checks. Wherever he or him or their related pronouns may appear in this rule book either as words. From this page you can access the monthly files intended to sharpen your skills as a usa softball umpire.
As an example, in most of the younger leagues, stealing is prohibited. The ultimate guide to ncaa nfhs asa usssa fast pitch softball rules by billy martin, tim malloy, et al. Where fast pitch only is shown, modified pitch rules. Some are more subtle than others, but if a coach has a team that will be playing in games under both rule sets, then he should be aware of the differences. The pitch shall be delivered on the throwing arm side of the body and not behind the back or between the legs. Note this rules change will not be reflected in the hardcopy rules book until the 2020 and 2021 version. Prohibits a twopiece interchangeable barrel construction bat. Asa substitution rules discuss fastpitch softball community.
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