Official USA Softball Rules 2025

Official Rules of Softball 2025 - Overview

• The document outlines the official rules for USA Softball in 2025, designed to be used for championship events and implemented by officials and volunteers.
• The rules are subject to change and are to be adopted at a local level, as outlined by USA Softball's procedural code.
• The USA softball website is USASoftball.com

Table of Contents Summary

• The manual includes the president and CEO's message.
• The manual include commissioners by state.
• The manual includes playing rule changes for 2025
• Playing rules, appendices, and supplement indexes provided
• The manual includes dimensions for official softball diamonds and safety awareness guidelines.
• Trademark and service mark notices are included.

President's Message

• Welcomes everyone to the 2025 softball season.
• Dave Devine is the current president of USA softball
• ASA (Amateur Softball Association) established in 1933, later known as USA Softball, influenced by great leaders and members.
• USA Softball dedicated to safe environment, prevents/addresses abusive conduct, requires background checks, SafeSport Training for adults who contact amateur athletes (minors).

CEO's Message

• Craig A. Cress is the current CEO of USA Softball
• It expresses gratitude to athletes, coaches, umpires, administrators, and fans.
• USA Softball evolved from a modest idea in Chicago, Ill., to a powerhouse in Oklahoma City, Okla.
• Player safety is committed to, USA Softboll does not tolerate abuse-physical, mental, emotional, or sexual.
• Grassroots programs are run by local leaders and volunteers.
• USA Softball offers recreational and competitive play for ages 8-80 in various formats.
• Excitement surrounds softball's inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Sports Program.

USA Softball National Championships

• USA Softball holds over 100 National Championships annually across major softball disciplines such as slowpitch, fastpitch, and modified pitch.
• Participation in these championships starts at the local level through state and metro associations. Berths are determined by each association.
• The USA Softball website has the latest list of certified equipment.

Rule References for 2025

• Base distance in Boys 14U, 16U, 18U changes to match Adult Slow Pitch (Rule 2-1, page 24).
• Use of one-way electronic communication allowed for all players on offense and defense (Rule 4-7C [1&5], pages 51, 52).
• Undefeated team decides home team in Championship game (Rule 5-1, page 54).
• Pitchers position themselves within 6 feet behind pitching plate to start pitch in certain Coed and Women's classes (Rule 6C-1, page 72).
• In Adult Slow Pitch, same player can be a courtesy runner for pitcher and position player in same half inning (Rule 8-9A [2], page 106).

Playing Rules RE: Definitions (RULE 1)

• Altered Bat: Illegal. When the physical structure of a softball bat has been changed.
• Appeal Play: A play or a rule violation on which an umpire may not make a decision until requested by a manager, coach or player.
• Ball Compession: Load force (in pounds) to compress a softball 0.250 inches, measured by ASTM test.
• Ball COR: Coefficient of restitution of a softball, measured by ASTM test.
• Base on Balls: Batter gains first base when four pitches are out of the strike zone.
• Base Line: Imaginary line directly between bases.
• Base Path: Line directly between base and runner's position when defensive player attempts tag.
• Batted Ball: Pitched ball that hits or is hit by bat, lands, or is touched in fair or foul territory.
• Batter's Box: Area in which the batter is restricted when batting.
• Batter-Runner: A player who has completed a turn at bat but has not yet been put out or reached first base.
• Batting Order: The official listing of offensive players in the order in which they bat.
• Blocked Ball: Batted, pitched, or thrown ball touched, stopped, or handled by unauthorized person, or touches foreign object.
• Blood Rule: Player, coach or umpire who is bleeding or has blood on their uniform will need treatment now.
• Bunt: A pitched ball that is intentionally tapped with the bat, slowly, within the infield.
• Catch/No Catch: Legal catch is fielder catching batted, pitched, or thrown ball with hand(s) or glove/mitt. Fielder must hold the ball and feet must be in play. Not a catch if fielder collides, ball strikes something other than player, or fielder uses anything other than hand(s) or glove/mitt in proper place.
• Catch and Carry: Legal catch followed by defensive player carrying the ball into dead ball territory.
• Catcher's Box: Area to which the catcher is restricted while catching; catcher must remain in the box until the pitch is released (Fast Pitch) or batted/touches the ground/reaches the catcher's box (Slow Pitch).
• Championship Play: Term used in USA Softball Playing Rules, meaning the same as assigned by the USA Softball Code.
• Charged Conference: Team representative requests suspension or delays game to talk to team member.
• Chopped Ball: (Slow Pitch) Batter strikes downward with chopping motion of the bat.
• Designated Player (DP): (Fast Pitch) Initially on line-up card in team's batting order but not in the defensive line-up.
• Coach: Person who occupies the coach's box and/or assists in the direction of their team representatives on the field.
• Coach's Box: Area in which the base coach is restricted to prior to the release of the pitch.
• Courtesy Runner: Any player who runs for a runner without a charged substitution.
• Crow Hop: (Fast Pitch) Pitcher steps, hops or drags off the front of the plate, replants pivot foot, establishing second impetus and completes the delivery.
• Dead Ball: A ball that is not in play.
• Defensive Team: Team in the field.
• Disqualified Player: A player removed from the game for a rule violation.
• Double Play: Play in which two offensive players are legally put out as a result of continuous action.
• Dugout/Team Area: Off out-of-play area designated for players and team representatives.
• Ejected Participant: Team representative removed from the game, usually for unsportsmanlike conduct.
• Extra Player (EP): (Slow Pitch and Junior Olympic Fast Pitch) Optional player(s) in these games.
• Batter-Runner: Player who has completed as turn at bat but has not yet been put out or reached first base.
• Fair Ball: Legally batted ball that settles or is touched on or over fair territory between home and first base or between home and third base. Bounds over or past first or third base, which is in fair territory, regardless of where the ball hits after going over the base. While on or over fair territory, touches the person, attached equipment or clothing of a player or an umpire.
• Fair Territory: Part of playing field with first and third base foul lines from home plate to the bottom of the playing field fence and perpendicularly upwards.
• Fake Tag: Form of obstruction where fielder attempts to tag runner, impeding advancement.
• Fielder: Any player of the team in the field.
• Flex: The player who is initially listed in the tenth spot or the last spot in JO Play when batting more than 9 on the line-up card, and can play any defensive position/Can enter the game on offense.
• Fly Ball: Batted ball, fair or foul, rises into the air.
• Force Out: Runner loses the right to the base because the batter becomes a batter-runner, put out.
• Foul Ball: A batted ball that settles/touched on or over foul territory between home/first base or home/second base, bounds/rolls past first or third on or over foul territory.
• Foul Tip: Batted ball goes sharply and directly from the bat to the catcher's hands or glove/mitt, legally caught by the catcher.
• Home Team: Team that starts the game on defense.
• Illegal Bat: A bat that does not meet requirements of an official bat or warm-up bat.
• Illegally Batted Ball: Batter hits the ball fair or foul and the foot is outside the batter's box, or touching home plate, or using illegal bat/altered or non-approved bat, or making contact out of the batter's box.
• Illegal Player: Takes line-up position, offense/defense, without a legal right to that position.
• In Flight: Batted/thrown/pitched does not touched the ground/other than a fielder.
• In Jeopardy: Indicates the ball is in play/offensive player can be put out.
• Ineligible Player: A player who does not meet the requirements of the USA Softball Code.
• Infield: Fair territory, areas normally covered by infielders.
• Infielder: A fielder who defends the area of the field around first, second, third or shortstop areas.
• Infield Fly: Fair fly ball, not including line drive/attempted bunt, caught by infielder/pitcher/catcher with ordinary effort when first/second or first second/third bases are occupied less than two outs.
• Inning: Portion of game the teams alternate on offense/defense, 3 outs each team. New inning/half inning begins immediately after the final out of previous inning/half inning.
• Interference: Impedes or confuses a defensive player, need not be contact made.
• Junior Olympic Player: Any player eligible to participate in Junior Olympic program. If players play on adult team, is considered playing in adult league and adult rules are in effect.
• Leaping: (Fast Pitch) Both feet become airborne on the initial move/push from the pitcher's plate.
• Line Drive: Batted ball travels parallel or near the ground through most of its flight.
• Line Up Card: Document listing starting players or substitutes of a team.
• Manager: Person in control of their team on and off all times.
• Non-Approved Bat: Bat does not meet USA Softball specifications or is on current USA Softball non-approved bat.
• Obstruction: Defensive team member who hinders/impedes batter from striking ball or hitting a pitched ball.
• Offensive Team: The team at bat.
• On-Deck Batter: Playing who is scheduled to bat next.
• On-Deck Circle: Where next batter is at before release of the pitch.
• Outfield: Portion f the field in fair territory, which is normally covered by outfielders.
• Outfielder: A fielder who defend the area of the field that the left, left-center, right-center, and right fielders normally play.
• Over Slide: An offensive player, as a runner, slides beyond/loses contact with a base is attempting to reach.
• Overthrow: A thrown ball from a fielder that goes: Beyond the boundary lines of the playing field (dead ball territory, or becomes a blocked ball).
• Participant: Player/substitute/manager/coach located in dugout, team area, or playing field.
• Passed Ball: Legally delivered pitch, catcher should have been held/controlled that are not controlled by the catcher with ordinary effort.
• Pivot Foot: (Fast Pitch) Must remain connected to when plate when pushing off. (Slow Pitch) The picture must keep connected to plate until the ball is released.
• Play: Attempt by a defensive player to retire a offensive player.
• play Ball: Term used by played umpire, indicates playing shall start.
• Protest: A formal request to review a decisions of unpires or rules.
• Quick Pitch: Any pitch made to catch batter off balance.
• Runner: A player who had reached first base and has not been put out/scored.
• Sacrifice Fly: With fewer than two outs the batter scores the base runner with a fly ball/line drive caught or dropped.
• Starting Player: Someone listed on the line up card.
• Stealing: The act of a runner attempting to advance during a pitch.
• Strike Mat: 24 inche long cut with a V that is 12 inches.
• Strike Zones: The space over home plate when a batter assumes a natural position.
• Substitute: Anyone not listed as a regular player or leaves and re-enter the game.
• Tag: An tag act of a player.
• Time: Term used by the umpire to suspends play.
• Triple Play: When an defensive player legally puts three or more offensive players.
• Turn: When a player first enters a batter's position until the player is substituted.
• Wild Pitch: Legally delivered pitch, cannot catch/stop and control the ball.

Rule 2 - Playing Field: Layout and Dimensions

• The playing field is the area within which the ball may be legally played and fielded. Clear and unobstructed area between the foul lines and within the radius of the prescribed fence distances from home plate.

• If base distances or pitching distance are wrong, the error should be corrected without penalty and continue play. Every effort should be made by umpire team, obtain correct dimensions.

• Grounds or special rules, limits the playing field. Any obstruction on ground must be marked for the umpire's information.

• Baseball field use, mound removed, backstop meet prescribed must meet those prescribed (minimum of 25 feet, maximum of 30 feet) from home plate.

  • To determine the position of home plate, draw a line in the direction desired to lay out the diamond. Drive a stake at the corner, Fasten a cord to this stake and tie knots, or otherwise, mark the cord, at 46 feet, 60 feet, 84 feet 10 1/4 inches, and at 120 feet. Place the cord (without stretching) along the direction line and place a stake at the 46-foot marker. Check all distances with a steel tape whenever possible.

• Three Foot Line: Drawn in line parallel and three feet from the baseline, first base.

• The batter's on-deck circle: Circle that is five (2 1/2' radius).

• There shall be batter's boxes, one on each side of home plate. The front line of the box will be drawn from the center of home plate.

• In fast, modified and slow pitch the batters box table is is 3'W x 7'L

• 16" pitches are 4'W x 8'L

  • The catcher's box as wide the two batter's boxes, 8'5” fast pitch and slow pitch. 10'5 16" Fast. The catcher will be seven feet long.
  • Each coach's box is behind a line 15 feet long outside the diamond, the line is parallel to and feet from the first and third bass eight feet from the base.

• The pitcher's plate made of rubber or wood, length inches long/inches wide.

• Rubber material of each sides faces the plated at 8 and 1/2 inches. The sides of the point facing that the cachter will be 11 inches long.

• Home plate: Rubber with five sides (17" wide) across edge facing pitcher's plate.

• Bases shall square 15 Inches or more, not be than inches

• Double Base: divisions for both the white/color should the same. Four feet height

Rule 3 - Equipment

• USA Softball governs equipment standards to promote competitive balance and sport integrity
• Equipment with USA Softball certification marks is not a guarantee of safety.
• Risks and dangers exist in softball, including injury from thrown/batted objects.

Bat

• The official bat for USA Softball Championship, made of knob, handle, grip, taper, barrel, and end cap shall be free of burs, dents, cracks, sharp edges, rattles, and excessive wear. Marked with OFFICIAL SOFTBALL.
• The official bat shall not not be move than 34 inches long/ or exceed 38 ounces, a diameter at largest inch diameter.
• A USA Softball approved barrel compression testing machine barrel compression testing machine must be used at all National Championship Finals. The barrel compression testing shall be coordinated by the Tournament Director and shall be conducted under the direction of the umpire staff or their designees.
• The knob diameter shall have a diameter of at least 1/6 with not sharp edges permanent knob, grip tape permanent.
• Handle/Grad with a diameter of inches. Grip should no be less then 6 no more then 15 metal/wood.
• Conical taper shapes decrease in size/diameter and hand diameter ends constant. Barrel region Smooth/round up diameter in inches.
• The cap placed at barrel permanently affixed to the bat that does not any alterations from that the manufacturer damaging/destroying the end cap/barrel's end.
• A USA Softball Official Bat's traits shall be the times fixed at the all manufature specifically specially USA Software Approved by USA Approved.

Section 2-Warp-up bat

• Can Stamped with 1/4/ or marked 1" letters, the work to say WARP-BP
• 1 safety knobs or grips
• One peice constustrction
• diameter 1/6 with not sharp edges permanently attacted grip tape.

Section 3 -Official Softball

• Has certificatiion. Mark with the compliance limitations affect other. Applications Two, Certifications marks for softballs
• All have a cover the ball should material and smooth the same.

Rule 4- Players, Coaches, Substitutions (Players, Coaches, Substitutes.)

• Line up cards, are to official score/umpire a starting team in pregame.

• Number to be listed for each players name defensive team in.

• Each member may available substitute in.

• Female roster contains only male and visa verse.

• Can consist of following teams Fast Pitch- with 9 players with designed 10 players of nine.

• Slowed team 10 players 11 playing 10 defenders.

• When the 10 to play as a extra players/ have 11 defenders.

• Teams wrong gender have multiple teams to inform the umpires.

• The games are to end in to to a forfeit

General Baseball Players and Coaches Info

• Short handed can be recorded when their is less than nine
• If they players gets re-entred when the are removed there are not allowed to renter the ga,e
• All casting are and any equipment should be padded.
• Every is and any is not and can not be word during the game