Rules to Know

The only bats allowed for use in USA Softball, Minnesota Softball, Big West, and Tri County are ASA or USA Softball stamped bats.

These bats are also approved by MSHSL and NCAA.

The bats you are using must have one of the stamps below. Umpires are being instructed to check bats for these stamps.

Rule 6A, Section 1C: Both feet must be on the ground within the 24-inch length of the pitcher’s plate. The shoulders shall be in line with first and third bases. The pitcher shall take a position with their pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate and their non-pivot foot in contact with or behind the pitcher’s plate.

Comment: Allows female pitchers to start with one or two feet on the pitcher’s plate. 

Rule 6A, Section 1E: The pitcher shall bring their hands together for not less than one second and not more than 10 seconds before releasing the ball. A backward step may be taken before, simultaneous with or after the hands are brought together. The pivot foot must remain in contact with the pitcher’s plate at all times prior to the forward step.

Comment: Allows female pitchers to take a backward step from the pitcher’s plate, before, during or after the hands are brought together.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-bY8AYVkK4

A batter has the ability to reach first base, if the catcher should "drop" the pitched ball (except at 10C). Once dropped, the catcher must either "tag" or "throw out" the runner. Should the runner reach first base without being "tagged" or "thrown out" the runner is considered safe and no out is recorded.

A runner can only advance to first base on a dropped pitched ball when there are fewer than two outs and first base is unoccupied at the time of the pitch, or anytime there are two outs in the inning. This one rule is the most commonly forgotten and overlooked rule in softball. Coaches should continually remind their catchers of this rule during game situations where the count is at two strikes and first base is unoccupied or there are two outs

The purpose the Infield Fly Rule is to prevent infielders from intentionally dropping a pop-up to get a double play. The Amateur Softball Association defines it in the Official Rules of Softball as: "Infield Fly: An infield fly is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive or an attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort when first and second bases or first, second, and third bases are occupied before two are out. Any defensive player who positions herself in the infield at the start of a pitch shall be considered an infielder for the purpose of the rule. The infield fly is ruled when the ball reaches the highest point based on the position of the closest fielder regardless of who makes the play. When it seems apparent that a batted ball will be an infield fly, the umpire shall immediately declare, "Infield fly, the batter is out," for the benefit of the runners. If the ball is near a foul line, the umpire shall declare, "Infield fly, the batter is out if fair."

“The ball is alive and runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught. The runner can tag up and advance once the batted ball is touched (prior to catching), the same as on any fly ball. If a declared infield fly becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any foul.”

Here are some things to remember about the infield fly rule:     

• It must be called by the umpire
• It only applies when there are less than two outs
• It only applies when there are runners on first and second bases, or runners on first, second and third bases
• When the umpire calls it, the batter is automatically out
• The ball is not dead
• An infield fly is treated as a regular fly ball; base runners are not forced to run, but they must tag up, before advancing with the risk of being thrown out.

The scenario is this. You have a rally developing. Your player has just hit a single and your runner at first base races to second, turns toward third base and stops. The ball is thrown to the pitcher, who is standing in the pitcher's circle. The pitcher faces your runner, and your runner fakes a run motion toward third. All of a sudden you hear the umpire scream, "Base runner, you are out!" So ends the rally.

What happened? Any base runner can attempt to advance to any base they wish, but they cannot stop and then give any indication that they will again advance, while the ball is in the control of the pitcher within the pitcher's circle. The runner can advance however, if the pitcher attempts or indicates an intention to make a play (fake throw).

Obstruction is called against a fielder when the fielder, who does not possess a ball or is not fielding a batted ball, hinders the runner or impedes a batter from striking at or hitting a pitched ball. On the other hand, interference happens when the runner tries to interfere with a thrown ball or with the fielder trying to field a batted ball (contact is not necessary). Hence, while obstruction is a violation committed by the defensive team against the offense, interference is a violation committed by the offensive team against the defense.