ASA Youth Slow Pitch Softball Rules

Based on ASA 2005 Official Rules of Softball

Filtered for Youth Slow Pitch Play

Introduction

This document contains the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) 2005 Official Rules of Softball, filtered specifically for Youth Slow Pitch play. All references to Fast Pitch, Modified Pitch, 16-Inch Slow Pitch, adult divisions, stealing, and age-specific variations have been removed.

Where there is contradiction or overlap, RCYS Rules supersede these ASA 2005 rules. Always consult current RCYS Rules for local modifications.

Rule 1: Definitions

Altered Bat

A bat is considered altered when the physical structure of a legal softball bat has been changed. Examples include inserting material inside the bat, applying excessive tape (more than two layers) to the bat grip, or painting a bat other than at the top or bottom for identification purposes. Replacing the grip with another legal grip is not considered altering the bat.

Appeal Play

An appeal play is a play on which an umpire may not make a decision until requested by a manager, coach, or player. The appeal may not be made after a legal or illegal pitch, after the pitcher and all infielders have left fair territory, or after the umpires have left the field of play.

Base on Balls

A base on balls permits a batter to gain first base without liability to be put out and is awarded when four pitches are judged to be out of the strike zone.

Base Line / Base Path

Base line is an imaginary direct line between the bases. Base path is a direct line between a base and the runner's position at the time a defensive player is attempting to tag a runner.

Batted Ball

Any ball that hits the bat or is hit by the bat and lands either in fair or foul territory. No intent to hit the ball is necessary.

Batter's Box

The area in which the batter is positioned while at bat. The lines are considered as being within the batter's box.

Batter-Runner

A player who has finished a turn at bat but has not yet been put out or touched first base.

Blocked Ball

A batted or thrown ball that is touched, stopped, or handled by a person not engaged in the game, or which touches any object that is not part of the official equipment or official playing area.

Catch

A catch is a legally caught ball, which occurs when the fielder catches a batted, pitched, or thrown ball with the hand(s) or glove. The fielder shall hold the ball long enough to prove complete control of it and/or that the release of the ball is voluntary and intentional.

Chopped Ball

A chopped hit ball occurs when the batter strikes downward with a chopping motion of the bat. This is illegal in slow pitch.

Dead Ball

A ball that touches any object or player out-of-play, is lodged in umpire's gear or in the offensive player's clothing, or the umpire has ruled dead.

Fair Ball

A 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 in fair territory; touches the person or clothing of a player or umpire while over fair territory; touches first, second, or third base; first falls or is touched over fair territory beyond first, second, or third base; passes out of the playing field beyond the outfield fence while over fair territory; or hits the foul pole.

Fake Tag

A form of obstruction by a fielder who neither has the ball nor is about to receive the ball, which impedes the progress of a runner. The runner does not have to stop or slide; merely slowing down when a fake tag is attempted would constitute obstruction.

Force Out

An out which may be made only when a runner loses the right to the base being occupied because the batter becomes a batter-runner. If the forced runner, after touching the next base, retreats toward the base first occupied, the force play is reinstated.

Foul Ball

A batted ball that settles or is touched on or over foul territory between home and first or third base; bounds past first or third base on or over foul territory; touches player/umpire equipment or clothing over foul territory; first hits ground or is touched over foul territory beyond first or third base; touches the batter or bat a second time in the box; or hits the pitching plate and rolls to foul territory before reaching first or third base.

Infield Fly

A fair fly ball (not including a line drive or an attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder, pitcher, or catcher with ordinary effort when first and second bases or first, second, and third bases are occupied before two are out.

Interference

The act of an offensive player or team member, umpire, or spectator that impedes, hinders, or confuses a defensive player attempting to execute a play. Contact is not necessary.

Legal Tag

Runner: A legal tag occurs when a runner not touching a base is tagged by the ball securely held in a fielder's hand(s) or glove. Base: Once the defensive player has control of the ball, the base may be touched with any part of the body for a legal touch.

Obstruction

The act of a defensive player who hinders or prevents a batter from striking a pitched ball, or a fielder who is not in possession of the ball or in the act of fielding a batted ball and impedes the progress of the runner. Contact is not necessary.

Strike Zone

When a batter assumes a natural batting stance adjacent to home plate, the strike zone is that space over any part of home plate between the batter's back shoulder and the front knee.

Rule 2: The Playing Field

Refer to RCYS Rules for field dimensions, base distances, and pitching distances. RCYS Rules supersede ASA 2005 rules.

General Requirements

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

Ground or special rules establishing the limits of the playing field may be agreed upon by leagues or opposing teams.

Key Field Elements

Batter's Box: One on each side of home plate, measuring three feet by seven feet. The inside lines shall be six inches from home plate.

Catcher's Box: Ten feet in length from the rear outside corners of the batters' boxes and eight feet, five inches wide.

Coach's Box: Behind a line 15 feet long drawn outside the diamond, parallel to and eight feet from the first and third base lines.

Pitcher's Plate: Made of rubber or wood, 24 inches long and six inches wide. The top of the plate shall be level with the ground.

Home Plate: A five-sided figure, 17 inches wide across the edge facing the pitcher's plate.

Bases: Other than home plate, bases shall be 15 inches square. The double base is approved for use at first base (15 by 30 inches, half white over fair territory and half orange or green over foul territory).

Rule 3: Equipment

Section 1: The Official Bat

Certification: The official bat must bear the ASA certification mark and must not be listed on an ASA Banned Bat List.

Marking: The official bat shall be marked "OFFICIAL SOFTBALL" by the manufacturer.

Length and Weight: Not more than 34.0 inches long, nor exceed 38.0 ounces in weight.

Diameter: Not more than 2.250 inches at its largest part.

Shape: Round within 0.050 inches in diameter; the bat handle must be round or oblong.

Surface: Smooth with a maximum surface roughness of 250 microinches. Free of burrs and visible cracks with no exposed rivets, pins, rough or sharp edges.

Safety Grip: Required, made of cork, tape (no smooth plastic tape), or composition material. Not less than 10.0 inches long and shall not extend more than 15.0 inches from the knob end.

Section 3: The Official Softball

Slow Pitch: Shall be a 12-inch ball (11.875 to 12.125 inches in circumference) with red stitches.

Core: Polyurethane mixture or long-fiber kapok.

Cover: Chrome-tanned leather or approved synthetic material.

Section 4: Gloves

All players may wear a glove. Pitchers' gloves must be all one color excluding the lacing and must not be white, gray, or opaque. The pitcher's glove cannot be distracting to the batter in the umpire's judgment.

Section 5: Protective Equipment

Catchers must wear a mask with a throat protector, body protector, and shin guards. Masks are recommended for all infield players.

Section 6: Uniforms

All players on a team must be dressed in matching uniforms with caps, shirts, pants, and socks similar in color and style. Each player must wear a number on the back of the shirt that is a minimum of six inches in height, visible, and a contrasting color to the shirt.

Section 7: Helmets

All batters must wear an approved batting helmet while at bat and while running the bases. Pitchers, first basemen, third basemen, and any other infield player may wear a protective helmet.

Section 8: Shoes

All players must wear shoes. Metal sole or heel plates are prohibited in Junior Olympic play. Exposed metal screw cleats are not allowed.

Rule 4: Players and Substitutes

Refer to RCYS Rules which supersede ASA 2005 rules for player requirements, roster sizes, substitution rules, and lineup management.

Rule 5: The Game

Refer to RCYS Rules which supersede ASA 2005 rules for game length, run rules, time limits, and other game management provisions.

Rule 6: Pitching Regulations

OMIT — Refer to RCYS Rules which supersede ASA 2005 rules for all pitching regulations including arc requirements, delivery, and illegal pitch enforcement.

Rule 7: Batting

Section 1: On-Deck Batter

The on-deck batter is the offensive player whose name follows the name of the batter in the batting order. The on-deck batter shall take a position within the lines of the on-deck circle nearest the offensive team bench.

The on-deck batter may loosen up with no more than two official softball bats or an approved warm-up bat.

The on-deck batter may leave the on-deck circle when becoming the batter or to direct runners advancing from third to home plate.

Interference: If the on-deck batter interferes with a defensive player's opportunity to make an out on a runner, the runner closest to home plate at the time of the interference shall be declared out. If interference occurs with a fielder fielding a fly ball, the batter is out.

Section 2: Batting Order

The batting order of each team showing the players' first and last name, uniform number, and position must be delivered before the game to the plate umpire.

The batting order must be followed throughout the game unless a player is replaced by a substitute who must take the place of the removed player in the batting order.

Batting Out of Order: This is an appeal play that may only be made by the defensive team. The defensive team forfeits its right to appeal batting out of order when a legal or illegal pitch has been made to the following batter, or when the pitcher and all infielders have clearly vacated their normal fielding positions.

Section 3: Batting Position

Prior to the pitch, the batter must have both feet completely within the lines of the batter's box. The batter may touch the lines, but no part of the foot may be outside the lines prior to the pitch.

The batter must take the batter's position within 10 seconds after being directed by the umpire.

Effect: The umpire will call a strike; no pitch has to be thrown and the ball is dead.

Section 4: A Strike is Called

For each legally pitched ball entering the strike zone before touching the ground and the batter does not swing
For each legally pitched ball swung at and missed by the batter
For each foul tip (ball is dead; batter is out if third strike)
For each foul ball, including the third strike
When a delivered ball by the pitcher hits the batter while the ball is in the strike zone
If the batter does not take the batter's position within 10 seconds

Section 5: A Ball is Called

For each legally pitched ball which does not enter the strike zone, touches the ground before reaching home plate, or touches home plate, and the batter does not swing
For each illegally pitched ball not swung at
When the catcher fails to return the ball directly to the pitcher as required
For each excessive warm-up pitch

Effect: The ball is dead and runners may not advance.

Section 6: The Batter is Out

The third strike is not swung at and the pitched ball hits the batter while the pitch is in the strike zone
The batter enters the batter's box with or is discovered using an altered, non-approved, or illegal bat
An entire foot is touching the ground completely outside the lines of the batter's box when the ball makes contact with the bat
Any part of a foot is touching home plate when the ball makes contact with the bat
The batter bunts or chops the ball (bunting and chopping are illegal in slow pitch)
Members of the team at bat interfere with a player attempting to field a fair or foul fly ball
The batter hits a fair ball with the bat a second time in fair territory
After a third strike, including a foul ball hit after two strikes
The batter hinders the catcher from catching or throwing the ball
The batter interferes with a play at home plate

Effect: The ball is dead and each runner must return to the base legally held at the time of the pitch.

Rule 8: Batter-Runner and Runner

Section 1: The Batter Becomes a Batter-Runner

As soon as the batter legally hits a fair ball
When four balls have been called by the umpire (ball is dead; runners may not advance unless forced)
When the catcher obstructs, hinders, or prevents the batter from striking or hitting a pitched ball
When a fair batted ball strikes the person, equipment, or clothing of an umpire or runner

Section 2: Batter-Runner is Out

When after hitting a fair ball the batter-runner is legally put out prior to reaching first base
When, after a fly ball is hit, the ball is caught by a fielder before it touches the ground
When the batter-runner fails to advance to first base and enters the team area after a batted fair ball or base on balls
When the batter-runner runs outside the three-foot lane and interferes with the fielder taking the throw at first base
When the batter-runner interferes with a fielder attempting to field a batted ball or throw
When the batter-runner steps back toward home plate to avoid or delay a tag
When an infield fly is declared
When an infielder intentionally drops a fair fly ball with runners on base and fewer than two outs

Double Base at First Base

A batted ball hitting or bounding over the white portion is fair; over the colored portion is foul
On plays made by an infielder, the defense must use the white portion and the batter-runner the colored portion
On force out attempts from the foul side or errant throws, either portion may be used
On extra base hits or balls hit to the outfield, the batter-runner may touch either portion but must return to the white portion
When tagging up on a fly ball, the white portion must be used

Section 3: Touching Bases in Legal Order

When a runner must return to a base while the ball is in play or dead, the runner must touch the base(s) in reverse order. The runner would be called out if properly appealed.

Two runners may not occupy the same base simultaneously. The runner who first legally occupied the base shall be entitled to it, unless forced to advance.

A runner shall not run bases in reverse order to confuse the fielders or to make a travesty of the game. Effect: The ball is dead and the runner is out.

Section 5: Runners Advance Without Liability

When forced to vacate a base because the batter was awarded a base on balls (ball is dead)
When a fielder not in possession of the ball or not fielding a batted ball impedes the runner (obstruction)
When a fielder intentionally catches a ball with detached equipment (three bases for batted ball, two for thrown)
When the ball is overthrown beyond the boundary lines or is blocked (two bases from position when ball left fielder's hand)
When a fair batted fly ball strikes the foul pole above fence level or leaves the playing field in fair territory (home run)
When a fair ball bounces over or rolls under or through a fence (two bases from time of pitch)
When a live ball is unintentionally carried by a fielder into dead ball territory (one base)
When a fielder intentionally carries, kicks, or throws a live ball into dead ball territory (two bases)

Section 6: A Runner Must Return to Base

When a batted ball is foul
When an illegally batted ball is declared by the umpire
When a batter, batter-runner, or runner is called out for interference
Each runner may leave a base when a pitched ball is batted, touches the ground, or reaches home, but must return to that base immediately after each pitch not hit by the batter

Section 7: The Runner is Out

Running more than three feet from the base path to avoid being tagged
While the ball is in play and not in contact with a base, the runner is legally touched with the ball
On a force play, a fielder contacts the base while holding the ball or tags the runner before reaching the base
The runner physically passes a preceding runner before that runner has been put out
Anyone other than another runner physically assists a runner while the ball is in play
The runner leaves a base to advance before a caught fly ball has touched a fielder (if properly appealed)
The runner fails to touch intervening bases in regular or reverse order (if properly appealed)
The batter-runner legally overruns first base, attempts to run to second, and is tagged while off base
Running or sliding for home plate and the runner fails to touch it (if properly appealed)
The runner interferes with a fielder attempting to field a batted ball, fly ball, or throw
The runner is struck with a fair untouched batted ball while not in contact with a base and before it passes an infielder

Appeals

Appeals are plays on which the umpire may not make a decision until requested by the defensive team. The defensive team loses the privilege of putting the runner out if the appeal is not made before the next pitch, if all infielders have vacated their positions, or if the umpires have left the field.

Live Ball Appeal: If properly appealed during a live ball (fielder touches base or tags runner), the runner is out.

Dead Ball Appeal: Once the ball has been returned to the infield and time has been called, any infielder may make a verbal appeal on a runner missing a base or leaving a base too soon on a caught fly ball.

Rule 11: Scoring

Note: These are guidelines for the official scorer. Failure to adhere to Rule 11 shall not be grounds for protest.

Section 1: Official Scorer Responsibilities

The official scorer shall keep records of each game and shall have sole authority to make all decisions involving judgment in relation to scorekeeping purposes. A scorer shall not make a decision which conflicts with the official playing rules or with an umpire's decision.

Section 2: The Box Score

Each player's name and position(s) played shall be listed in the order in which the player batted.

Column 1 - Times at bat: A time at bat is not charged when the player hits a sacrifice fly that scores a runner, is awarded a base on balls, or the third out occurs and the batter is not entitled to run to first base.

Column 2 - Runs scored: Number of runs scored by each player.

Column 3 - Base hits: A base hit is a batted ball that permits the batter to reach base safely.

Column 4 - Putouts: Credited to a fielder who catches a fly ball or line drive, catches a thrown ball that retires a runner, or touches a runner with ball when the runner is off base.

Column 5 - Assists: Credited to each player who handles the ball in any series of plays which results in a putout.

Column 6 - Errors: Recorded for each player who commits a misplay which prolongs the turn at bat or the life of a runner.

Section 4: A Run Batted In

A run batted in is a run scored because of a safe hit, a sacrifice fly, an infield putout or fielder's choice, a runner forced home because of obstruction or a base on balls, a home run and all runs scored as a result, or when the batter ends a game with a safe hit driving in the winning run.

Section 9: Forfeited Game

Refer to RCYS Rules About Forfeited Games.

Under RCYS Rules, there are no actual forfeits. Teams will play, even if they have to pickup players from other teams.

Document Information

Source: ASA 2005 Official Rules of Softball

Filtered for: Youth Slow Pitch Play

Excludes: Fast Pitch, Modified Pitch, 16-Inch Slow Pitch, Stealing, Adult Divisions, Age-Specific Variations

Important: RCYS Rules supersede ASA 2005 rules where noted. Always consult current RCYS Rules for local modifications regarding Players and Substitutes, The Game, and Pitching Regulations.