SOFTBALL
BASIC RULES
In the game of slow pitch Softball, the ball must be pitched underhand, the game is 7 innings long, and the purpose is to get on base and score runs.
SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL
NO bunting Runners may leave the base after
NO stealing bases the ball crosses home plate.
10 players per team Recommend a mask and chest pro-
65-ft. base paths (males) tector for the catcher.
60-ft. base paths (females)
THE GAME
The purpose of the game is to score more runs than the opponent. A regulation game consists of 7 innings or 6 ½ innings if the team second at bat has scored more runs than its opponent. The umpire may call (terminate) a game if 5 or more complete innings have been played or the team second at bat has scored more runs than the other team has scored in 5 or more innings. The score of a forfeited game shall be 7-0 in favor of the team not at fault.
PLAYERS and SUBSTITUTES
A team must have the required number of players to start or continue a game.
EQUIPMENT
The bat must be no more than 3** inches long, having a safety grip, and be marked -Official Softball" by the manufacturer.
The pitcher's glove must be of one solid color other than white or grey.
PITCHING REGULATIONS
In slow pitch, the pitcher can take the pitching position with one or both feet touching the pitcher's plate, but both the pivot and non-pivot foot must be within the length of the pitcher's plate. A full stop must be made for one second and not more than 10 seconds with one or both hands holding the ball in front of the body and the shoulders in line with first and third base preliminary to pitching. The pivot foot must remain in contact with the pitcher's plate until the pitched ball leaves the hand. It is not necessary to step, but if a step is taken, it must be forward toward the batter within the length of the pitcher's plate. The pitch shall be released at a moderate speed (umpire’s decision-
if warned about excessive speed and the act is repeated, the pitcher shall be removed from the pitcher's position for the remainder of the game), and at a perceptible arc of at least 6 ft. and no higher than 12 ft. from the ground.
BATTING
Players must bat in regular order as indicated in the starting line-up.
In slow pitch the strike zone is over any part of home plate between the batter's higher shoulder and the knees when in a natural batting stance.
A foul tip is a foul ball which goes directly from the bat, not higher than the batter's head, to the catcher's hands and is legally caught. The ball is then dead.
The batter shall be declared out when an infield fly is hit with baserunners on first and second or on first, second, and third with less than 2 out (in-field fly rule). The batter is also called out in slow pitch when the ball is bunted, is hit with a downward chopping motion, or is hit foul after the second strike.
BASERUNNING
Two baserunners may not occupy the same base simultaneously. The runner who first legally occupied the base shall be entitled to it and the other baserunner must return or be put out. A baserunner is out when he or she 1) leaves a base to advance before a caught fly ball has been touched, 2) fails to keep contact with the base until a legally pitched ball has reached home plate (batted ball only).
DEAD BALL
The ball is dead and not in play under the following circumstances t 1) when a foul ball is not caught 2) when a baserunner is called out for leaving a base too soon 3) when the batter is hit by a pitched ball 4) after each strike or ball.
SCORING
A base hit results when a batted ball permits the hitter to reach first base safely when no fielding error is involved. A base hit shall not be recorded when a baserunner is forced out by a batted ball, or would have been forced out, except for a fielding error.
Errors are recorded for the player who commits a misplay that prolongs the turn at bat of the batter or the life of the baserunner
A run batted in (RBI) is a run scored because of (a) a safe hit (b) a sacrifice fly (c) an infield put-out or fielder's choice; (d) a baserunner forced home because of interference, or the batter being given a base on balls; (e) a home run and all runs scored as a result.
SOFTBALL FIELD, OFFICIAL DIMENSIONS
TERMINOLOGY
Appeal play A play upon which art umpire cannot make a
decision until requested by a player or a coach.
Assist Fielding credit for a player who throws or deflects a batted or thrown ball in which a put-out results, or would have resulted except for a subsequent error. Battery The pitcher and the catcher.
Batting Average The number of hits divided by the times at bat.
Blooper A batted fly ball that goes just over the head of
the infielders and just in front of the outfielders.
Cleanup Batter The number four batter in the batting
order a position usually occupied by the team's
heaviest hitter
Control The ability of a pitcher to throw the ball to
desired area when pitching.
Count The number of balls and strikes on the batter. Cut-off A throw from the outfield that is intercepted by
an infielder for the purpose of throwing out a runner
other than the intended runner.
Double Play Two consecutive put-outs occurring between the time the ball leaves the pitchers hand and its return to the pitcher
Error A rnisplay or mistake by the defensive team that
results in prolonging the turn at bat of the batter or
the time on base of the baserunner.
Fielder’s Choice The batter is safe because the defensive
player elected to retire a preceding baserunner.
Force Out An out as a result of a defensive player with the
ball tagging a runner or the base to which the base-runner must go because the batter became a baserunner
Grand Slam The batter hits a home run with the bases loaded.
Hit A ball hit m such a way that the batter or preceding
baserunners are not retired by good defensive play
Hot Corner The third base area
Infield Fly A fair fly ball that can be caught by an infielder with runners on first and second, or first, second, and third before two are out. The batter is declared out by the umpire.
On Deck The player in line to follow batter at the plate
The place for waiting is the On-deck Circle.
Overthrow A thrown ball that goes into foul territory beyond the boundary lines of the playing field on an attempt to retire a runner who has not or is off of a base.
Passed Ball A legally delivered pitch that should have been held or controlled by the catcher which allows the base runner to advance.
Put –out An out credited to the fielder who last handles the ball on a play that retires the batter or a baserunner.
Sacrifice Fly A fly ball that is caught and after which a baserunner crosses home plate to score a run
Wild Pitch A legally delivered pitch so wide or high that the catcher cannot stop or control the ball which allows a baserunner to advance.