NCAA Softball Pitching Rules

The National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) has strict rules that govern the actions and behavior of the pitcher in women's softball. Rules cover the position and stance of the pitcher, the types of pitches allowed to be thrown, ball rotation, and illegal practices and pitches. These rules are designed to govern the conduct of all players and can be changed and updated every year, when necessary.

  1. Position and Stance

    • The pitcher must get into position by stepping forward and placing both feet on the pitcher's plate. Both hands must be separated, and the ball must remain in either the pitcher's hand or glove. When the pitcher's hands come together, it signals the beginning of the pitch. The pitcher must push off the pitcher's plate with one foot and take one step into the pitcher's lane while delivering the pitch.

    Windup and Delivery

    • The windup portion of the pitch begins as soon as the pitcher's hands come together and ends when her hands separate. During the windup, the pitcher may not make a motion to start a pitch without throwing ball immediately. She also may not separate her hands and switch the ball between hands, and she may not change direction more than two times. Delivery starts when the pitcher's hands separate and ends when the pitch is thrown. During the delivery, the pitcher may rotate her arm up to 1 and 1/2 times and then release the ball underhanded while the hand is below the hip.

    The Pitch

    • If the pitcher drops the ball or it slips out of the pitchers hand to such a degree the batter has no chance to hit it, it is considered a live ball, and base runners may attempt to advance. The pitcher cannot deliberately throw a ball in such a way that the batter cannot hit it, and she may not throw a pitch intended to catch the batter off guard.

    Other Regulations

    • The pitcher is not allowed to intentionally throw a ball at a batter; this action can result in a pitcher being ejected from the game. No foreign substances are allowed on the pitcher's hands, and the pitcher cannot wear any distracting clothing. The pitcher is allowed up to five warm-up pitches at the beginning of each inning, but any additional pitches will result in a ball being awarded to the batter.