Ihsa Softball Rules

Although most people fail to realize it, softball's history dates back almost as far as baseball's history. The game was invented as an alternative version of baseball in 1887, maintaining most of the same rules. It grew to become a sport that was mostly played by girls on the competitive level during the 20th century. Now the game can be played on all levels, including the high school level where governing entities, like the IHSA---or Illinois High School Association---monitor the game's rules on a state-by-state basis. Here are some of the rules particular to the IHSA.

  1. Hair Devices

    • One of the most overlooked issues in softball can be the hairpieces that girls are required to wear. Hair devices have laws and restrictions regarding which can be used and which cannot. Only basic hair devices are permitted during play, including those that are unadorned and shorter than two inches. Normally, legal hair pieces are only considered barrettes, clips and bobby pins.

    Field Regulations

    • Traditionally, softball has been played with a distance of 40 feet from the pitcher's mound to home plate, as opposed to 60 feet in baseball. However, due to the advantageous situation this places the pitcher in, new regulations have been adopted as of 2010 to increase the pitcher's mound distance from home plate.

      Now, the IHSA plays with the pitcher's mound at 43 feet. The rules have been enacted in several other states and are considered favorable, placing batters on a more even playing field as pitchers.

    Illegal Pitches

    • Another rule change that has been implemented within the IHSA rules is the illegal pitch. Illegal pitches occur when the pitcher throws prior to the umpire signaling that the pitcher is allowed to throw, normally due to the batter not being prepared to hit. The umpire is required to verbalize illegal pitches as they are thrown. If the batter takes the pitch, then the any player on base is allowed to gain one extra base. If the batter proceeds to hit the pitch, then the batter is allowed to decide whether to play the ball or not after hitting it.