ASA Fast Pitch Softball Rules

Fast pitch softball is a game of skill and knowledge. The coach must understand each player's abilities. The players must know every detail of their position. Everyone must fully understand the rules, which in the end could be the factor that leads to victory. The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) is a nonprofit organization that acts as the national governing body that determines softball rules within the United States.

  1. Number of Players

    • Each team is required to have a minimum number of nine players. In some leagues a tenth player is allowed as a designated hitter. The designated hitter bats in place of the pitcher throughout the whole game. The nine required field positions are catcher, pitcher, first baseman, second baseman, shortstop, third baseman, center fielder, left fielder and right fielder. The players who play center, left or right field are known as outfielders. The other players are referred to as infielders.

    Equipment

    • Each team's uniform must be of matching consistency. Uniform standards, including hat requirements, vary according to each league. The coaches of the team are also required to wear the same matching uniform as the players. All players who are standing in the batter's box must wear a helmet that covers their entire head and both ears. All softballs used must be covered with a leather or synthetic material. The approved sizes for softballs include 10-inch, 11-inch and 12-inch. The bats may be made of wood or aluminum with a maximum length of 34 inches and a maximum weight of 38 ounces.

    Playing Field

    • The playing field measurements vary depending on the league. Markings on the field defining base paths and boundaries may not be made of corrosive or abrasive material. On some fields a second first base next to the original first base is positioned just outside the base path located in foul territory. The alternate first base is always a different color than the first base that is located in fair ball territory. To prevent a collision between runner and fielder during a close play the runner may choose to run towards the alternate base as the fielder remains on the original base. In every league the distance between each base must be exactly 60 feet apart. In the adult leagues the center of the pitcher's mound must be 46 feet away from home plate for men and 43 feet for women. The outfield fence may be a maximum distance of 250 feet away from home plate for both men, and women. In youth leagues distances vary according to age. The center of the pitcher's mound may be between 35 to 46 feet away from home plate. The outfield fence may be a maximum distance of 250 feet away from home plate.

    Pitchers

    • The person who stands on the pitcher's mound located in the center of the pitcher's circle is known as the pitcher. The pitcher's circle is 5 to 8 feet from the pitcher's mound, depending on the age group of the team. If a runner on the other team is lingering between two bases when the pitcher returns to the pitcher's circle the runner must go to the base in front or behind them or they will be ruled "out." The pitcher must begin the pitch by showing the ball to the person batting. During each pitch the pitcher's arm must make two complete circular rotations before releasing the ball--known as a windup. The pitcher may rest the palm of his hand over or under the ball, and the windup must result in an underhand pitch. From the moment the windup begins to after the ball is released the pitcher's feet may not leave the ground. The delivery must end with one foot planted firmly on the ground while touching the plate in the center of the pitcher's mound and the other foot pointing forward. There are no restrictions as to how fast a pitcher may throw the ball.

    Base Stealing

    • After a batter gets on base and the play is ruled "dead," that person must remain with one foot planted on the base pad until the pitcher releases the next pitch towards the next batter. After the pitcher has released the pitch the runner may leave the base and run towards the next base.

    Game Length

    • A fast pitch softball game consists of seven innings. An inning is completed after three players on the second team (the home team) have been ruled "out". A new inning begins when the first team goes up to bat after the home team. In most leagues a team will be declared the winner if it scores a large number of runs by a certain inning. The number of runs needed to win a game early varies among different leagues. If the score is tied after seven innings, extra innings are played to determine the winner. Each team will play a full inning until one team scores at least one run more than the other team.