$5 2022 - USSSA

1 $5. 2022. slow pitch . Rule book & By-Laws 2021 USSSA Women's Major World Series Champions SENIOR. SOFTBALL. | 2022 official slow pitch Rule book and National By-laws official slow pitch Softball rules Adopted, Published and Distributed by USSSA LLC. 5800 Stadium Parkway, Viera, FL 32940. Telephone 800-741-3014 Fax 321-877-0607. All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher. Copyright 2022. USSSA LLC. 1. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. USSSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS. Executive Director & CEO. Don DeDonatis III.

2 Chairman of the Board Rick Fortuna Board Members Bob Egr Craig Scriven Angie Swint Andy Wisk USSSA slow pitch NATIONAL COMMITTEE. Sean Melvin, National Director of slow pitch Eric Rice, slow pitch National Umpire-in-Chief Strojan Kennison, Director of Conference USSSA . Clay Dickey, Director of Women's Conference USSSA . Gary Godden John Hickey Kelly O'Bryan Andy Purcell Vic Rivera 2. USSSA AND GSL slow pitch SOFTBALL. The slow pitch Softball Game Official Playing rules 11 Inch and 12 Inch Games Copyright USSSA 1968-2022. USSSA 's online slow pitch Rule book is located at The online rule book supersedes the printed edition and will contain any updated rule or by-law changes.

3 NOTE: all new rule changes are screened in gray throughout the rule book . This marking means change in wording or numbering for clarification only. NOTE: Use of the word he in this publication is intended to include all genders unless otherwise noted. FOR ALL INQUIRIES PERTAINING TO PLAYING. RULE INTERPRETATIONS. Contact: David Maury 6797 River Road Harrison, Ohio 45030. Email: IF AN UNUSUAL OR DISPUTED PLAY OCCURS IN A GAME. describe the incident in detail and email David Maury at for an answer or interpretation. Should you wish to have an OFFICIAL RULE book , contact USSSA at 800-741-3014 to order.

4 Rule Books are $ each plus shipping. 3. Changes to the 2022 Edition USSSA /GSL Playing rules 2022 RULE CHANGES. RULE 8 BASERUNNER Sec 13, page 52 Clarifies when a courtesy runner designation becomes irrevocable RULE 12 MEN'S CLASS B , C , D and E PROGRAMS Sec 2, page 64 Modifies baserunning rules on over the fence home runs ( , hit-and-sit ) to apply consistently in all classes of USSSA play 4. Changes to the 2022 Edition USSSA /GSL Playing rules 2022 BY-LAW CHANGES. ARTICLE II TEAM ELIGIBILITY, Sec 3, page 71 Creates a mechanism for roster expansion (with National slow pitch Committee approval) to 25 players ARTICLE IV INDIVIDUAL PLAYER ELIGIBILITY, Sec NOTE, page 75 Deletes requirement for National slow pitch committee approval of roster additions for players released AFTER National Tournament play ARTICLE IV INDIVIDUAL PLAYER ELIGIBILITY, Sec , page 76 Modifies window for ALL player appeals to January 1 through January 31 (11:59 EST).

5 ARTICLE VI NATIONAL, NATIONAL INVITATIONAL OR WORLD. TOURNAMENTS, Sec , page 79 Stipulates all World Tournaments (Men's and Women's). Class B and above will follow the rules and procedures of Conference USSSA . 5. PLAYING rules TABLE OF CONTENTS. RULE 1. THE PLAYING RULE 2. RULE 3. RULE 4. THE RULE 5. THE PLAYERS AND RULE 6. RULE 7. RULE 8. RULE 9. BALL IN PLAY AND BALL RULE 10. RULE 11. GSL- USSSA RULE RULE 12. MEN'S B, C, D, AND RULE 13. WOMEN' RULE 14. INDEX TO Note: Additional rules and information can be found on (Policy & Procedures) for the following programs as well as under Additional Playing rules Not Found In USSSA Rule book .

6 Men's Major/Conference USSSA Youth Men's A Native American Black American Indoor Corporate slow pitch Overhand Softball Hispanic Law Enforcement/Fire Sixteen Inch rules Masters One pitch rules Military Scoring rules 6. OFFICIAL USSSA AND GSL. STANDARD PLAYING FIELD DIMENSIONS. HOME PLATE AREA. 3'. 6" 17" 6". 5 1/2'. 8 1/2". ". 2 1/2'. 12. 3' 3'. 91' 11". 65' 65'. *. 24" x 6". 65'. 3' 3'. 7'. '. X. 50'. 10. O. 65'. B. ES. H. C. A. ". '6. O. '. C. 10. 32. 10. '. Commitment Line 10'. 8'. Scoring Plate 8' 5". * The pitching area is not physically marked on the field, but is depicted above to support the definition on page 24.

7 7. RULE 1. THE PLAYING FIELD. Sec. 1. THE PLAYING FIELD is the area where the ball may be legally played or fielded. The field shall be an area within an established minimum radius from home plate to the far boundaries between the foul lines. Sec. 2. SPECIAL GROUND rules may be made by Tournament Directors when the field is less than the official minimum dimensions, which are: A. In 12 inch the radius distance is 300 feet for men. B. In Women's Class A and B, the radius distance will be a minimum of 275 feet to a maximum of 325 feet distance for National or World Tournament play. Temporary fences cannot be used if a permanent outfield fence is present.

8 C. In Women's Class C and D, the radius distance will be a minimum of 250 feet to a maximum of 325 feet fence distance for Regional, National, or World Tournament play. EFFECT Sec. 2 A-C. It is optional at the state program level that when an outfield fence or obstruction less than legal radius is of such height to warrant consideration, a Tournament Director may determine whether or not to award the batter fewer than 4 bases on a fair batted ball that goes over the fence. Sec. 3. THE OFFICIAL DIAMONDS of the field shall be established for 11 inch and 12 inch with: A. 65 or 70 foot baselines shall be used in all adult programs.

9 70 foot baselines are the preferred distance. Exception: Special playing rules may be adopted by the USSSA Board of Directors in selected CUSSSA, Men's Major, AA and A . events. Example: To figure the distance from home plate to 2nd base for 70 foot bases, multiply 70x70x2 (which equals 9800) and then compute the square root of 9800 ( ) which equals 98 feet, 11 inches. B. Pitcher's distances of 50 feet for both men and women along with a pitching area the width of the pitcher's plate up to six (6) feet behind the back edge of the pitcher's plate. Sec. 4. THE LAYOUT OF THE FIELD is shown in the accompanying diagram.

10 First, select the desired location of home plate (preferably toward Southwest) and drive a stake in the ground. This will establish the rear corner of home plate. Fasten a cord to this stake and tie knots at distances of 50, 65, 92 and 130 feet. Place this cord along a line desired and at the 50 foot marker place a stake. This will be the middle of the front edge of the pitcher's plate. Further along this cord, drive a stake at the 91 foot 11 inch mark. This will be the outside corner of second base. Place the 130 foot marker at the second base stake. Next, take the cord at the 65 foot marker and walk to the right until the cord it taut, both from home to first and from second to first, then drive a stake.