Rule 12-Use of USA Softball Playing Rules

A. USA Softball Playing Rules shall only apply to USA Softball Championship

Play. Provided, however, in accordance with USA Softball Procedural Code, USA

Softball Local Associations as well as other organizations may adopt or use all or any part of the USA Softball Playing Rules as they deem appropriate for use in Non-

Championship Play. The use of all or any part of such rules is strictly a local matter and such rules may be altered as league officials deem appropriate or necessary to conduct Non-Championship Play.

B. Non-Championship Local League. USA Softball, as National Governing Body for Softball in the United States understands that local city or county leagues may adopt and use USA Softball’s official playing rules. The use of any or all of USA

Softball’s playing rules is strictly a local matter and the rules may be altered as league officials deem necessary to conduct their own league play. USA Softball expressly disclaims any and all liability associated with the use of its official playing rules or any modification of its official playing rules, including its equipment standards, is to promote competitive balance and to preserve the integrity of the sport of amateur softball. USA Softball’s official playing rules, or any modification thereof, should not be considered a guarantee that participants, spectators or others will be safe or free from injury or harm. As stated in the preamble to the USA Softball Code, there are many risks and dangers incidental to the game of softball and USA Softball disclaims any and all liability associated with the game of softball or the use of its rules or

Code. USA Softball does not review, sanction or approve of any modifications to its official playing rules. To the extent USA Softball’s official playing rules are modified by local leagues; such modification may increase the potential or likelihood of injury, death or property loss, including the dangers associated with increased batted ball speeds. USA Softball shall not be responsible for any injury (including death) or property loss to any person in connection with any modification of USA Softball’s official playing rules or the use of USA Softball’s rules or any modified rules at any game or event.

C. Use of USA Softball Official Playing Rules. USA Softball’s official playing rules are designed to be used at USA Softball championship events and implemented by

USA Softball officials and volunteers. USA Softball shall not be responsible for any injury (including death) or property loss to any person in connection with the use and implementation of USA Softball’s official playing rules at any event, whether or not the event is recognized or sanctioned by USA Softball.

PENALTY RULE SECTION ARTICLE

Altered or non- approved Bat Appeal plays Assisting another runner Batter-runner stepping back to avoid a tag Batting out of order Batting position - timing Blocked ball on an overthrow or batted ball 7 6 B Effect 8 7 F-I Effect [1-3] 8 7 E Effect 8 2 H 7 2 D [1-4] Effect 7 3 C 8 5 G Effect

Blocked ball on a pitch 8 5 C Effect

Catch & carry - Intentionally

8 5 K Effect Catch & carry - unintentionally 8 5 J Effect Catcher returning the ball to pitcher after pitch (Fast Pitch) 6A 6 B Effect Coach leaving the coaches box to communicate with batter 4 7 C [2b] Effect Coach, unsportsmanlike & communication device 4 7 C [3-5] Effect Coed use of wrong ball 7 2 E Effect Coed use of wrong number of male or female players 4 1 C [3E] Effect Contacting or catching the ball with detached equipment 8 5 F Effect [1-5] Courtesy runner - unreported 8 10 Effect [a-g] Courtesy runner - violations 8 9 C [2-5] Effect Defensive conferences 5 7 B Effect Defensive player distracts batter 6 5 B Effect Disqualified participant 4 8 A-D Double Base violation 8 2 M [1-9] Effect Dugout conduct 5 12 Effect Ejected participant 4 8 A-D E/Rec over the fence HR 8 2 M Exceeding Home Run limit 8 2 A, B Effect Fair batted ball strikes a person 8 1 E 4, 5 Effect Foreign substance (Fast Pitch) 6A 6 Foreign substance (Slow Pitch) 6C 5 Illegal bat in the batter’s box 7 6 C Illegal glove 8 8 O Effect A B Illegal pitch (Fast Pitch / Modified) 6 A/B 1-11 Illegal pitch (Slow Pitch/16) 6C/D 1-10 Illegal pitch swung or not swung at in (Fast Pitch) 7 5 D Illegal pitch swung at or not swung at (Slow Pitch) 7 5 E Illegal Player / Batter/ Re-Entry/ Runner 4 6 F [2-4] Illegal player, Pitcher 4 6 F 1 Illegal substitution 4 6 C [1-9] Effect Infield fly hits the batter-runner 8 2 J Infield Fly Declared 8 2 I Intentional crash 8 7 Q Intentionally dropped fly ball 8 2 K

PENALTY

RULE SECTION ARTICLE

Intentionally kicked ball 8 7 L Interference by a base coach on a batted ball or thrown ball 8 7 O Effect Interference by a base coach drawing a throw 8 7 M Effect Interference by a batter at Home Plate 7 6 R-U Interference by a batter-runner 8 2 F Interference by a batter-runner at HP 8 2 G Effect Interference by batter-runner running outside 3' lane 8 2 E Interference by an immediate preceding runner 8 2 L Effect Interference by on-deck batter 7 1 D Interference by offensive equipment on the field 8 5 G Exception 3 Interference by a runner 8 7 J [1-3] Effect Interference by a runner struck by an fair untouched batted ball 8 7 K Interference by a runner on a deflected batted ball 8 7 J4 Interference by a spectator fly ball 8 2 O Effect Interference by a spectator on a thrown ball or batted ball 8 5 L Interference by an Umpire 8 6 F JO players one foot in the box 7 3 D Look Back Rule violation 8 7 T Members of the offensive team collect around the same base 8 7 N Effect Obstruction by catcher 8 1 D Obstruction on an attempted squeeze 8 1 D4 Obstruction by a fielder 8 5 B 1-4 Effect Runner discovered using an illegal bat before a pitch 8 7 X Effect Passing a runner 8 7 D Effect Possession of a ball that becomes blocked 8 5 G Exception 1 Runner abandons a base 8 7 U Runner leaving a base too soon (Fast Pitch) 8 7 S Effect Runner leaving a base too soon (Slow Pitch) 8 7 R Effect Runner leaves a base under the Short-Handed Rule 8 7 W Runners on the same base 8 3 E Effect Runners switch bases 8 7 Y Running bases in proper order 8 3 A Effect Running bases in reverse order 8 3 D Effect Running outside base path to avoid a tag 8 7 A Senior players interferes with a throw after passing the 8 9 D [7] Effect commitment line Senior players returning to 3B after passing the commitment line 8 9 D [6] Effect Short-Handed Rule 4 1 D [1, 2] Time to release the next pitch 6 3 O, N, J, H Effect Wearing metal cleats when not allowed 3 6 G Effect