ASA Youth Softball Rules

The Amateur Softball Association or ASA determines the rules for the youth or junior Olympic softball program. The ASA was founded in 1933 and is based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Rules are set for both fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball. The rules and regulations for ASA softball were last updated in 2005.

  1. Equipment

    • Both the bat and the softball must be ASA certified and unaltered. Catchers masks for youth fast-pitch softball must have ear guards and a throat protector. Slow-pitch catchers may wear a mask with a plastic face mask. Helmets with double ear flaps and chin straps are required for all junior players when playing offense. Fast-pitch players must have a face mask in addition to an approved helmet. All jewelry, with the exception of medical alert bracelets, should be removed or worn securely under the players uniform.

    Teams and Coaches

    • Youth fast-pitch teams consist of nine members on the field; slow-pitch teams consist of 10 players. Additional substitute players are permitted in the dugout. The teams coach is responsible for the team but must stay off the field during play. A base coach at first or third base is permitted for each team and the coach may not interact with the opposing team.

    Softball Game

    • A softball game consists of seven innings in which the home team will bat last in each inning. If the game is tied at the end of the seventh inning, additional innings will be played until one team scores more than the other after the overtime inning.

      A game will be forfeited and lost if a team willingly violates rules after a warning, refuses to play or appear on the field, attacks an umpire or if a team does not have enough players to continue the game.

    Umpires and Protest

    • Umpires judge enforce the rules of softball and determine if a play to determine if a pitch is a strike or a ball or if a runner is safe or out. Prior to the game, the umpire is responsible for inspecting the field and equipment to ensure that it is safe and complies with ASA regulations. If the umpire makes a call that the team disagrees with, the team manager or captain may approach the umpire to protest the call.