Youth Fastpitch Softball Rules

Youth fastpitch softball in the United States is run as a series of local community leagues under the oversight of the United States Fastpitch Association. The USFA follows the rules and regulations of the American Softball Association in most cases, with the safety of its players as its primary objective. Rules are set to standardize the equipment that can be legally used, the field on which the game is played and the requirements for player eligibility.

  1. Legal Pitch

    • When the pitcher takes position to throw, her primary pivot foot must be in contact with the pitcher's plate and the other foot can be on or behind the pitcher's plate. Both feet have to be on the ground and the hands must be separated with the ball in the glove. Once the pitcher brings her hands together, she can not take more than one step, and that step must be made toward the batter as she delivers the pitch. The pitch must be delivered with an underhand motion and the pivot foot must stay on the ground through the delivery.

    Bats

    • The American Softball Association has established rules regarding the bats that are safe to use. ASA tests and approves bats for use in its sanctioned leagues, and all bats must carry the ASA certified seal in order to be legal. ASA's approval is contingent upon a bat passing tests that measure the speed at which the ball comes off the bat at contact. The 98 mph batted-ball-speed measure is the current standard for ASA.

    Playing Field

    • The playing field dimensions are fairly standardized for all the divisions of youth softball in terms of the distance between bases. All age groups play on a standard softball diamond with 60-foot baselines. The younger players, below age 10, pitch from 35 feet away from home plate, but that distance is extended to 40 feet for 11-16 year-olds. Softball has recently added a 43-foot distance for high school age girls that is in use by some leagues.

    Playing Age

    • A player's age on Dec. 31 of the prior year determines the level at which a player will compete during the spring regular season. For teams that continue into the fall season, there are two options. They are not required to change their designation to the following year's playing age, but may continue to play in their spring age group. However, if a team is looking to get points to qualify for national tournament competition, it must re-register in the fall in the following year's playing age group for its tournament results to be counted.
      Divisions are in place for 6-and-under, 8-and-under, 10-and-under, 12-and-under, 14-and-under, 16-and-under and 18-and-under.

    Infield Fly Rule

    • The infield fly rule is one of the least understood rules in baseball and softball. The rule is that when a ball is hit in the air on the infield with fewer than two outs and runners on first and second (or first, second and third), and the ball is playable by the defense, the batter is ruled out immediately. Runners may advance at their own risk.