2015 High School
Softball 2015
Rules
PO Box 690 Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 Phone: 317-972-6900 | Fax: 317-822-5700 | www.nfhs.org
High School Softball Rules Simplified & Illustrated
National Federation of State High School Associations
PlayPic®
Simplified &
Illustrated SFSI15
Table of Contents 2015 NFHS Softball Rules Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Part 1 2015 New or Revised NFHS Rules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Part 2 2015 NFHS Points of Emphasis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Part 3 Rule 1 Players – Field and Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Rule 2 Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Rule 3 Substitutions – Coaching – Bench and Field Conduct – Charged Conferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Rule 4 Starting and Ending Game. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Rule 5 Dead Ball – Suspension of Play. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Rule 6 Pitching. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Rule 7 Batting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 Rule 8 Baserunning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Rule 9 & Rule 10 Scoring – Record Keeping and Umpiring ���� 157 Signal Chart. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
When the illustrations and statements do not give the complete answer, check the softball rules book and case book for the technicalities. This book would not be simple if it covered all facets of the rules. Requests for softball rules interpretations or explanations should be directed to the state association responsible for the high school softball program in your state. The NFHS will assist in answering rules questions from state associations whenever called upon.
Part 3 Rule 1 Players – Field and Equipment The most basic of rules in softball is the first in the book. The first section of the rules deals with the field on which the game is played and the equipment that is used by all players. Unlike other sports, softball fields can be different in outfield size, though there are recommended fence distances. The skinned infields are always 60-foot square. The equipment that players use such as batting helmets, catcher’s equipment, gloves and bats, is fairly uniform and must meet certain standards. But the Softball Rules Committee has instituted limits as to the size of equipment to ensure an equal balance between offense and defense. All of that and more is covered in this chapter.
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RECOMMENDED 60 FT. SKINNED INFIELD
(S.P.) 91 FT. 11 IN. 65 FT. BASES 11 IN. BALL (F.P.) 84 FT. 10.25 IN. 3 FT. 5 FT.
8 FT. 15 FT. COACH’S BOX
16 FT. DIA.
60 FT.
25 FT.
30 FT.
5 FT. DIA. ON DECK CIRCLE 25 FT.
1-1-2 A diamond or recommended skinned infield shall be a 60-foot square. Bases shall be 60 feet apart for games using the 12-inch ball and 65 feet for games using the 11-inch ball. The rear tip of home plate and the front edge of the pitcher’s plate shall be 43 feet for females and 46 feet for males fast pitch. A circle 16 feet in diameter shall be drawn with its center at the midpoint of the front edge of the pitcher’s plate.
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RECOMMENDED OUTFIELD FENCE DISTANCES:
FEMALE OR MALE FAST PITCH: 185 – 235 FT. FEMALE SLOW PITCH: 250 – 275 FT. MALE SLOW PITCH: 275 – 300 FT.
1-1-3 Recommended field distances from home plate to the nearest obstruction on fair ground may uniformly range from 185 feet to 235 feet for female or male (F.P.), 250 feet to 275 feet for female (S.P.) and 275 feet to 300 feet for male (S.P.).
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RECOMMENDED DISTANCE: 30 FT.
1-1-3, 6 On-deck circles shall be a safe distance from home plate with a recommended distance of 30 feet. Neither team’s players shall warm up in the other team’s on-deck circle.
DESIGNATED MEDIA AREA
1-1-7 Media shall be prohibited from being in live-ball area, unless marked. The home team or game management shall designate a lined area for the media.
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84 FT. 10 1/4 IN.
1-1-11 The distance from the rear tip of the plate to the center of second base is 84 feet 10Âź inches.
30 IN.
15 IN.
1-2-1 Note By state association adoption, a double first base is permitted. The base shall be a one- or two-piece unit, 15 inches by 30 inches and of equal height. The colored base shall be located entirely in foul territory.
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17 IN. 8.5 IN. 8.5 IN. 12 IN. 1-2-2 Home plate shall be a five-sided slab of whitened rubber or other suitable similar material. One edge is 17 inches long, two are 8½ inches and two are 12 inches. It shall be set flush with the ground in fair territory with the two 12-inch edges coinciding with the foul lines extending from home plate to first base and third base and with the 17-inch edge facing the pitcher’s plate.
24 IN. 6 IN.
1-2-3 The pitcher’s plate shall be a rectangular slab of whitened rubber or suitable material, 24 inches by 6 inches. It shall be set in the ground with the top flush with the playing surface so that the distance between the nearer edge of the pitcher’s plate and the apex of home plate shall be 43 feet for females (F.P.), 46 feet for males (F.P.), 46 feet for females and males (S.P.) and 50 feet for females and males (S.P.) when an 11-inch ball is used. All other distances are for a 12-inch ball.
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