Rules for Girl's Fast-pitch Softball

Girls fast-pitch softball is a popular game played by young women throughout the country. Like most other sports, there are specific rules associated with softball that must be adhered to to ensure a game is played fairly. While rules may vary from league to league, the U.S. Specialty Sports Association sets the standard for fast-pitch softball rules and regulations.

  1. Playing Field

    • The diamond or infield that the game is played in is a 60-foot square, which must be marked in some way with a non-hazardous paint. A 16-foot circle must be drawn around the pitcher's plate, with the plate located 43 feet away from home plate for all leagues with girls 18 and under. First base is marked with two base plates one inside the 60-foot square and one outside. Runners may run to (and over run) the outside base. When a runner runs to the inside base, that is considered a move toward second base.

    Equipment

    • All batters must wear a batting helmet with extended ear flaps that cover the ears and temples. The catcher is required to wear a helmet with mash and throat protector, as well as a chest protector and shin guards. The ball used must have raised seams, be covered in horse or cowhide, and must have the phrase "Official Fast Pitch Softball" printed on its side.

    Game Play

    • A regulation fast-pitch softball game is seven innings. During each inning, both teams will be given the option to both bat and field. A team's turn at bat ends when it receives its third out. An out can be earned by getting three strikes, hitting four fouls, hitting a ball that is caught by the other team, or by not making it to a base before the opposing team is able to get the ball to it. Balls are considered foul that land on the outside of the game play area beside first or third base.

    Scoring

    • Teams are awarded one point for every player who is able to make it around the bases and back to home plate without being tagged out by the opposing team. A team is awarded a win if it is ahead by 15 points after the completion of three innings. A game that has to be ended early due to weather or light conditions can be considered a fair game after three innings have been played.

    Team

    • A team must consist of at least nine players: a pitcher, catcher, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, short stop, left fielder, center fielder and right fielder. A team must start the game with at least nine players or it is forced to forfeit the game. The team can continue to play with eight players should a player need to leave the game one it has already begun due to injury. A player that leave the game due to injury can not return to play in the same game. Each time that player's name comes up in the team batting order, the team will automatically receive an out for that player.