2022 USSSA Rulebook

(USSSA releases rulebooks every two years.)

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House Rules - All Divisions

USSSA rules will be followed unless stated otherwise. House Rules listed below will be implemented in addition to or in place of USSSA rules.

• Players cannot wear jewelry.
• All teams must bat their full roster.
• Each player must play one full inning on defense.
• 5 runs (5-run-rule) or 3 outs will constitute a ½ full inning.
• A team must field a minimum of 7 players to start or finish a game, there will be no offensive penalty for playing short.
• Once a player is injured and cannot fulfill either a defensive rotation or her spot in the batting order, she is removed for the duration of the game and the batting order skips her position without penalty.
• Courtesy Runner will be the last recorded out.
• Softballs will be furnished for the 6U, 7U, 8U Coach Pitch and T-Ball programs; all others must supply game balls.   
• In case of inclement weather a game will be declared a game after 2 compete innings or 30 minutes. 
• Run rule will be as followed. 12 runs after 3 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings, and 8 runs after 5 innings.
• Tie Breaker for Standings: 1)Head to Head win/loss record. 2)Head to Head point differential. 3)Head to Head win/loss record  vs. next place opponent. 4)Head to Head point differential vs. next place opponent. 5)Tie.
• Metal Cleats are not allowed during youth league play. Competitive High School Double Header 14U through 18U divisions are the only divisions allowed to wear metal cleats.
• *Note-softballs are available for purchase at the concession stand between fields 21 and 28.

T-Ball & Coach Pitch

• Division Requirements
  • T-Ball - Players do not turn 6 until 2023.  Oldest player’s birth year is not earlier than 2017.
    • Division is geared toward beginning players or teams that want an introduction to softball.  
  • 6U Coach Pitch - Players do not turn 7 until 2023.  Oldest player’s birth year is not earlier than 2016.
    • Division is geared toward players who may have participated in T-Ball programs and/or are ready for coach pitch. 
  • 7U Coach Pitch - Players do not turn 8 until 2023.  Oldest player’s birth year is not earlier than 2015.
  • 8U Coach Pitch - Players do not turn 9 until 2023.  Oldest player’s birth year is not earlier than 2014.
• Game Ball and Equipment
  • Game Ball - provided by league. 11" RIF “Softie” Ball will be used.
  • All teams must provide gloves, bats and helmets
• 6U/7U Batting
  • If T-Ball and 6U or 7U must combine, players will be able to choose to bat from a tee if necessary or desired. The tee will be brought to your field by your umpire.
    • Players will be able to select hitting from the tee or off a pitch each at-bat. Players will receive either 4 swings at a tee or 4 pitches from a coach. 
• Time Limit
  • 1 hour
  • Once the time limit has expired, teams will finish out the inning. If the game is tied after this last inning is over the game will be declared a tie.
• House Rules
  • Pitching distance – 35’
  • Base distance – 45’
  • Each batter will receive 4 pitches (all coach pitch divisions) OR 4 swings at a Tee if in a combined Tball – 6U division. If she fails to hit the ball in fair play, she is out.
  • No stealing. No lead-offs.
  • The infield fly rule will not be in effect.
  • Base runners will only be allowed to advance one base beyond their intended base when an overthrow occurs.
  • Two defensive coaches will be allowed on the field. A defensive coach will be allowed to assist the catcher for 7U and below. An offensive coach will be allowed to assist the batter for T-Ball and 6U.
  • The pitching coach may not coach from the pitchers circle.
  • On defense, teams may play a 10^th player in the outfield. The outfield begins 5 feet beyond the baseline.
  • If a batted ball strikes the pitching coach it becomes a dead ball, the batter advances to 1^st base and all other base runners advance one base if forced.
  • 1st and 2nd place teams will receive awards.

9U Kid/Coach Pitch & 10U Kid/Coach Pitch

• Division Requirements
  • 9U - Players do not turn 10 until 2023.  Oldest player’s birth year is not earlier than 2013.
  • 10U - Players do not turn 11 until 2023.  Oldest player’s birth year is not earlier than 2012.
• Game Ball and Equipment
  • 11” optic yellow softball. Game balls must have the red USSSA stamp. They will be available for purchase at the concession stand for $7.00/ball or $70/dozen.
  • All teams must provide gloves, bats, helmets, catching gear and game balls.
• Time Limit 
  • 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Once the time limit has expired, there are only three ways in which the game will NOT continue. 
    • The following three scenarios will result in the “Drop Dead” ruling and the game will end.  
      1. After the time limit, the home team is ahead and batting.
      2. After the time limit, if either team is ahead by 6 or more runs.
      3. After the time limit, the losing team has no way to tie or overturn the score due to the 5-run-rule.
  • *If the game is tied after the last inning is completed the game will be declared a tie. 
  • *Regardless of scenario, if a batter has begun her at-bat, she will finish her at-bat before ending the game.  
• Pitching
  • If two consecutive batters are awarded 1^st base by being hit by a pitched ball or a base on balls the pitcher will be removed from the pitching position and assume a defensive only position, a coach designated by the offensive team will assume the pitching position and “coach pitch” pitching rules will be in effect for the balance of that ½ inning.
    
• House Rules
  • Pitching distance – 35’
  • Base distance – 60’
  • No Base Stealing. 
  • Lead-offs will be permitted after the ball leaves the pitchers hand.
  • No Defensive Coaches will be permitted on the field
  • On defense, teams may play a 10^th player in the outfield. The outfield begins 5 feet beyond the baseline..
  • Teams must provide catching equipment.
  • Metals cleats are not permitted.
  • 1st and 2nd place teams will receive awards.
  • 10U will transition to kid pitch beginning the last week of May.

10U Kid Pitch - When Applicable

• Division Requirements
  • 10U - Players do not turn 11 until 2023.  Oldest player’s birth year is not earlier than 2012.
• Game Ball and Equipment
  • 11” optic yellow softball. Game balls must have the red USSSA stamp. They will be available for purchase at the concession stand for $7.00/ball or $70/dozen.
  • All teams must provide gloves, bats, helmets, catching gear and game balls.
• Time Limit 
  • 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Once the time limit has expired, there are only three ways in which the game will NOT continue. 
    • The following three scenarios will result in the “Drop Dead” ruling and the game will end.  
      1. After the time limit, the home team is ahead and batting.
      2. After the time limit, if either team is ahead by 6 or more runs.
      3. After the time limit, the losing team has no way to tie or overturn the score due to the 5-run-rule.
  • *If the game is tied after the last inning is completed the game will be declared a tie. 
  • *Regardless of scenario, if a batter has begun her at-bat, she will finish her at-bat before ending the game. 
• House Rules
  • Pitching distance – 35’
  • Base distance – 60’
  • The infield fly rule will not be in effect.
  • A team may field 10 players on defense.
  • A base runner shall advance no more than 1 base per pitch unless the ball is hit by the batter.  If a runner
  • Attempts to advance more than one base, that runner are liable to be put out.  If that runner safely reaches a base beyond the one they are entitled to, time shall be called, and that runner returned back to the base they were entitled to.
  • No stealing home. No runner beginning at 3rd base shall advance home, except for the following.  This includes a ball that is thrown or carried into dead ball territory.  Unless it is during a live play from a batted ball, no runner will be awarded home as a penalty for a ball touching dead ball territory.
    1. Bases loaded walk.
    2. Bases loaded HBP.
    3. Batted ball.
  • When a batter is issued a walk, they are only entitled to advance to 1st base.
  • If they try to advance beyond 1st base, they are liable to be put out.  If they safely reach a base beyond the one they are entitled to, time shall be called, and that runner returned back to the base they are entitled to.
  • The batter/runner may not attempt to advance to first base on a dropped third strike.
  • In 10U competition, the infield fly rule is not in effect.  The ball remains “live” with all runners in jeopardy of being put out or advancing.
  • On defense, teams may play a 10^th player in the outfield. The outfield begins 5 feet beyond the baseline.
  • Metal cleats are not permitted.
  • 1st and 2nd place teams will receive awards.

Regulation Fastpitch - 11U through 18U

• Division Requirements
  • 11U - Players do not turn 12 until 2023.  Oldest player’s birth year is not earlier than 2011.
  • 12U - Players do not turn 13 until 2023.  Oldest player’s birth year is not earlier than 2010.
  • 13U - Players do not turn 14 until 2023.  Oldest player’s birth year is not earlier than 2009.
  • 14U - Players do not turn 15 until 2023.  Oldest player’s birth year is not earlier than 2008.
  • 16U - Players do not turn 17 until 2023.  Oldest player’s birth year is not earlier than 2006.
  • 18U - Players do not turn 19 until 2023.  Oldest player’s birth year is not earlier than 2004.
• Game Ball and Equipment
  • 12” optic yellow regulation softball. Game balls must have the red USSSA stamp. They will be available for purchase at the concession stand. $7.00/ball - $70/dozen.
  • All teams must provide gloves, bats, helmets, catching gear and game balls.
• Time Limit 
  • 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Once the time limit has expired, there are only three ways in which the game will NOT continue. 
    • The following three scenarios will result in the “Drop Dead” ruling and the game will end.  
      1. After the time limit, the home team is ahead and batting.
      2. After the time limit, if either team is ahead by 6 or more runs.
      3. After the time limit, the losing team has no way to tie or overturn the score due to the 5-run-rule.
  • *If the game is tied after the last inning is completed the game will be declared a tie. 
  • *Regardless of scenario, if a batter has begun her at-bat, she will finish her at-bat before ending the game.  
• House Rules
  • Pitching distance
    • Youth - 11U through 13U : 40’
    • High School - 14U through 18U: 43’.
  • Base distance – 60’
  • Teams may field 9 players on defense.
  • Metal cleats are permitted only for 14U and high school divisions. Metal cleats are not permitted for 11U through 13U.