2024 USA Softball Rule Changes

[sixofdiamonds]

USA Softball
2801 NE 50th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73111

2024 USA Softball Rule Changes with Comments as of November 2, 2023

NOTE: All changes below are EFFECTIVE January 1, 2024 unless otherwise noted

Comments listed in green are mine to show what effect, if any, the new rule will have in Softball America.

Rule 3, Section 6 Exception
Exception: Men's D and E/Rec Slow Pitch, Women's Open, C, D and E/Rec Slow Pitch and Coed C, D and
E/Rec Slow Pitch: the only uniform requirement are shirts similar in color with a number.

Comments: Changes the requirement from matching shirts to shirts similar in color. Adds Women’s and Coed
E/Rec to exception.

Has no bearing on our league as we do not have uniform requirements in place.

Rule 3, Section 6A [2] Ball caps, visors, and head/sweat bands, both pullover and tied are optional for players. If worn, they may be mixed and must be worn properly. Colors to include black, white, gray, beige, pink or team colors. The colors may be mixed and are not required to be the same for all team members. Handkerchiefs do not qualify as headwear and cannot be worn around the head or neck. Plastic visors are not allowed.

Comments: Clarifies head/sweatbands pullover or tied are an option, also adds pink as an approved color.

Has no bearing on our league as we do not have ball cap, visor, or head/sweat band requirements in place. Plastic visors may pose a safety risk so the league will follow the USA lead on them not being permitted.

Rule 4, Section 8B
An ejected participant must leave the grounds and have no contact with the umpires or participants in the game and is suspended for one additional game. The ejected participant is restricted from having contact with the team and is not permitted to sit in the stands, dugout, or general locality of the next game. The ejected participant may appeal the one game suspension to the Championship Protest Committee.

Comments: Adds a one game suspension for any participant that is ejected from a contest. There is an appeal process for the ejected participant.

It appears USA Softball is now following our lead with the 1-game suspension following an ejection- something that has been in place in SBA for 25 years. Unlike USA Softball, Softball America game suspension/s is/are mandatory with no appeals process. The best way to avoid a suspension is to not get ejected in the first place.

Rule 6A, Section 6A Effect
EFFECT:
1. Illegal Pitch; refer to Rule 6A, Section 11 for penalty.
2. After the first offense, if any defensive player continues to place a foreign substance on the ball, that player shall be ejected from the game. If any other substance is found on the pitcher’s person, the pitcher shall be ejected.

Comments: Adds a penalty for the continued use of an illegal substance in Fast Pitch.

Rule 6B, Section 6A Effect
EFFECT:
1. Illegal Pitch; refer to Rule 6B, Section 11 for penalty.
2. After the first offense, if any defensive player continues to place a foreign substance on the ball, that player shall be ejected from the game. If any other substance is found on the pitcher’s person, the pitcher shall be ejected.

Comments: Adds a penalty for the continued use of an illegal substance in Modified Pitch.

I don't see how this would have any effect on slow pitch softball.

Rule 8, Section 2K Effect
Added #4:
4. If an infield fly is ruled, it has precedence over an intentionally dropped ball.
Comments: Clarifies the interpretation ruled in this situation for years.

Self explanatory.

Rule 8, Section 9A [1]
1. A courtesy runner is officially in the game when reported to the plate umpire.

Comments: Changes when a courtesy runner is officially in the game in Slow Pitch.

Rule 8, Section 9A [2 & 7]
1. A player may be a courtesy runner only once an inning for any player other than the pitcher, any other players can run for the pitcher anytime the pitcher is on base.
Effect: If a courtesy runner is used more than once for a player other than the pitcher they will be called out and removed from the base.
7. Any eligible players that may participate on offense or defense and are on the official line-up including available substitutes may be used as a courtesy runner. In Coed two courtesy runners are allowed for players other than the pitcher, one male and one female. All courtesy runners including those running for the pitcher must be of the same gender as the player they replace.

Comments: Allows an additional courtesy runner for the pitcher anytime they are on base.

Softball America has its own set of courtesy runner rules which are governed by the game scorekeeper.