2022 USA Softball Rule Changes
Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2021 8:09 am
2022 USA Softball Rule Changes with Comments
NOTE: All changes below are EFFECTIVE January 1, 2022 unless otherwise noted
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Rule 3, Section 1D: Delete the sentence; Any attachment such as a molded finger grip, flare cone or choke up device must be attached with grip tape.
Comment: Removes the requirement to use tape to attachments added to the grip.
Self explanatory.
Rule 3, Section 3A: The 12” Fast Pitch ball will have the following specifications: Size: 1 1 7/8 – 12 ¼, Weight: 6.50 oz – 7.00 oz., Compression: 275.0 LBS – 375.0 LBS, COR: . 470 Max, and Dynamic Stiffness: 7500 LBS. Max.
Comment: Creates common specifications for the 12” Fast Pitch ball for USA Softball,
NCAA and NFHS. This is effective in 2024.
This rule change does not apply to slow pitch softball.
Rule 4, Section 1C [1]: Adds a letter D and E. D allows for ONE EP so you can bat 10. E allows you to use the DP/Flex with ONE EP to bat 10 players. In both D and E, any player in the line-up can play defense. Substitutions for the pitcher and catcher must be
reported.
Comment: This allows for an EP in Junior Olympic Girls Classification of Play. In E the DP/Flex Rule is in effect so if the Flex is taken out of the defense it is a substitution. Also clarifies substitutions for the pitcher and catcher must be reported.
This rule change does not apply to adult slow pitch softball.
Rule 4, Section 1C: Change the designation of “Baseman” to “Base player”.
Comment: This change better represents all who participate in our game.
This rule change must be a result of the gender equality movement.
Rule 4, Section 2L: Creates an additional section in the ADA Rule which allows a player with a disability, who needs to come out of the game due to the disability, to have a replacement player until the disability subsides.
Comment: This allows players who have certain conditions such as a diabetic event, to leave the game and be replaced until they can return, without requiring a substitution.
This rule change stems from amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Rule 5, Section 10A: (10U) Changes the time limit to one hour and forty minutes and finish the inning and removes the requirement to play one additional inning.
Comment: Removes the need to play one additional inning once the time portion of the time limit has expired. Also changes the time portion to one hour forty minutes and finish the inning. All other parts of the Rule remain the same.
This rule change does not apply to adult slow pitch softball.
Rule 5, Section 10B: (12U-18U) Changes the time limit to one hour and forty minute and finish the inning and removes the requirement to play one additional inning.
Comment: Removes the need to play one additional inning once the time portion of the time limit has expired. Also changes the time portion to one hour forty minutes and finish the inning. All other parts of the Rule remain the same.
This rule change does not apply to adult slow pitch softball.
Rule 5, Section 10C: (16U GOLD and 18U GOLD Pool Play) Changes the time limit to one hour and forty minutes and finish the inning and removes the requirement to play one additional inning.
Comment: Removes the need to play one additional inning once the time portion of the time limit has expired. Also changes the time portion to one hour forty minutes and finish the inning. All other parts of the Rule remain the same.
This rule change does not apply to adult slow pitch softball.
Rule 6A, Section 3K: (Women's and JO Girls) Pushing off and dragging the pivot foot in contact with the ground or having both feet in the air is allowed.
Comment: Allows for Women and Junior Olympic Girls Classification of Play to have both feet in the air at the same time but must still stay within the 24” pitching plate. Rule 6C, Section 3J: The pitcher has 5 seconds to release the next pitch after receiving the ball or after the umpire indicates “play ball”.
Comment: Reduces the time to release a pitch from 10 to 5 seconds.
This rule change does not apply to adult slow pitch softball.
Rule 7, Section 3B: (All JO Girls Slow Pitch, JO Boys 14U, 16U, 18U Slow Pitch, and all Adult Slow Pitch, Except Seniors) The batter shall assume a one ball, one strike count upon entering the batter’s box.
Comment: Adds All JO Girls to the Classifications of Slow Pitch to start with a one ball and one strike count.
This rule change does not apply to adult slow pitch softball.
NOTE: All changes below are EFFECTIVE January 1, 2022 unless otherwise noted
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Rule 3, Section 1D: Delete the sentence; Any attachment such as a molded finger grip, flare cone or choke up device must be attached with grip tape.
Comment: Removes the requirement to use tape to attachments added to the grip.
Self explanatory.
Rule 3, Section 3A: The 12” Fast Pitch ball will have the following specifications: Size: 1 1 7/8 – 12 ¼, Weight: 6.50 oz – 7.00 oz., Compression: 275.0 LBS – 375.0 LBS, COR: . 470 Max, and Dynamic Stiffness: 7500 LBS. Max.
Comment: Creates common specifications for the 12” Fast Pitch ball for USA Softball,
NCAA and NFHS. This is effective in 2024.
This rule change does not apply to slow pitch softball.
Rule 4, Section 1C [1]: Adds a letter D and E. D allows for ONE EP so you can bat 10. E allows you to use the DP/Flex with ONE EP to bat 10 players. In both D and E, any player in the line-up can play defense. Substitutions for the pitcher and catcher must be
reported.
Comment: This allows for an EP in Junior Olympic Girls Classification of Play. In E the DP/Flex Rule is in effect so if the Flex is taken out of the defense it is a substitution. Also clarifies substitutions for the pitcher and catcher must be reported.
This rule change does not apply to adult slow pitch softball.
Rule 4, Section 1C: Change the designation of “Baseman” to “Base player”.
Comment: This change better represents all who participate in our game.
This rule change must be a result of the gender equality movement.
Rule 4, Section 2L: Creates an additional section in the ADA Rule which allows a player with a disability, who needs to come out of the game due to the disability, to have a replacement player until the disability subsides.
Comment: This allows players who have certain conditions such as a diabetic event, to leave the game and be replaced until they can return, without requiring a substitution.
This rule change stems from amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Rule 5, Section 10A: (10U) Changes the time limit to one hour and forty minutes and finish the inning and removes the requirement to play one additional inning.
Comment: Removes the need to play one additional inning once the time portion of the time limit has expired. Also changes the time portion to one hour forty minutes and finish the inning. All other parts of the Rule remain the same.
This rule change does not apply to adult slow pitch softball.
Rule 5, Section 10B: (12U-18U) Changes the time limit to one hour and forty minute and finish the inning and removes the requirement to play one additional inning.
Comment: Removes the need to play one additional inning once the time portion of the time limit has expired. Also changes the time portion to one hour forty minutes and finish the inning. All other parts of the Rule remain the same.
This rule change does not apply to adult slow pitch softball.
Rule 5, Section 10C: (16U GOLD and 18U GOLD Pool Play) Changes the time limit to one hour and forty minutes and finish the inning and removes the requirement to play one additional inning.
Comment: Removes the need to play one additional inning once the time portion of the time limit has expired. Also changes the time portion to one hour forty minutes and finish the inning. All other parts of the Rule remain the same.
This rule change does not apply to adult slow pitch softball.
Rule 6A, Section 3K: (Women's and JO Girls) Pushing off and dragging the pivot foot in contact with the ground or having both feet in the air is allowed.
Comment: Allows for Women and Junior Olympic Girls Classification of Play to have both feet in the air at the same time but must still stay within the 24” pitching plate. Rule 6C, Section 3J: The pitcher has 5 seconds to release the next pitch after receiving the ball or after the umpire indicates “play ball”.
Comment: Reduces the time to release a pitch from 10 to 5 seconds.
This rule change does not apply to adult slow pitch softball.
Rule 7, Section 3B: (All JO Girls Slow Pitch, JO Boys 14U, 16U, 18U Slow Pitch, and all Adult Slow Pitch, Except Seniors) The batter shall assume a one ball, one strike count upon entering the batter’s box.
Comment: Adds All JO Girls to the Classifications of Slow Pitch to start with a one ball and one strike count.
This rule change does not apply to adult slow pitch softball.