ASA Softball Modified Pitching Rules

The Amateur Softball Association was established as the governing body of softball in 1933, and is a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee. The ASA oversees the rules and regulations for all types of softball like fastpitch, slowpitch, and the baseball-like adaption of the two, modified.

Modified softball puts limits on the arm motion of the pitcher so the ball is delivered at a reduced velocity, like slowpitch, but without an arc, like fastpitch. There are three main components that make up a modified softball pitching delivery: the starting position, the backswing, and the forward swing to release.

  1. Starting Position

    • The pitcher must start with both feet on the rubber with hips and shoulders both square to home plate. A 1-to-10-second pause must be taken before the initial movement into the pitching motion. However, precedent does call for it to be a “distinct pause,” which is left to the umpire's discretion. The purpose of the rule is to prevent the pitcher from gaining an unfair motion for the delivery of the ball, and to prevent “quick pitching.”

    Backswing

    • The pitcher must backswing directly out of the pause by moving the pitching hand backward to start the delivery. In an effort to gain more velocity, the pitcher is allowed to take the ball behind the back or outward (both “within reason”) or over the head. Additionally, the pitcher is may lift the front foot off the ground first, and slide or drag the pivot foot, as long as the pivot foot remains in contact with the rubber.

      In modified softball pitching, though, the pitcher may not step back or sideways off the rubber with the pivot foot, use a “rocker” motion to start the windup, or use a windmill motion, because all actions would be an effort to create a distinct advantage for the pitcher.

    The Delivery

    • The pitcher in modified softball must release the ball on the first movement toward the plate that passes the hip in an underhand motion. Also, the shoulders should be roughly square to the plate. The rules point out that while it is almost impossible to square the shoulders completely, the intent is to eliminate any cross-body slingshot deliveries, such as sidearm.

      Taking one forward step is allowed as long as the foot comes down within the 24-inch width of the pitching rubber, and the pitcher is allowed to throw any legal softball pitch such as a curve ball, a drop ball, or a slider.