SOFTBALL RULES

BATTING ORDER The batting order is the official listing of offensive players in the order in which
members of that team must come to bat.

CATCH A catch is a legally caught ball which occurs when the fielder catches a batted or thrown ball
with his hands or glove.

FAIR BALL A fair ball is a batted ball that settles on fair territory between home and first base or home
and third base; or that is on or over fair territory including any part of first and third base when bounding to
the outfield; or that touches first, second, or third bases; or that while over fair territory passes out of the
playing field beyond the outfield fence.

FORCE OUT A force out is an out which can be made only when a base-runner loses the right to the
base which he is occupying.

FOUL TIP A ball which goes directly from the bat, not higher than the batters head, to the catcher’s
hands and is legally caught. The ball is dead.

FOUL BALL A foul ball is any batted ball that settles on foul territory; or which does not conform to the
requirements of a fair ball.

TAG OUT This occurs when a runner or batter-base-runner who is not touching a base is touched by the
ball while it is securely held in the fielders hand.

OVER RUN OR OVER SLIDE The batter-runner may over-run first base, but not second or third. If he
does, he may be tagged out.

STRIKE ZONE Is that space over home plate which is between the batters highest shoulder and the
knees when the batter assumes his natural batting stance.

THE GAME
A regulation game shall consist of seven innings

One run shall be scored each time a base-runner legally touches first, second, third and home plate
before the third out of an inning.
A run shall NOT be scored if the third out of the inning is a result of:
1. The batter being put out before legally touching first base.
2 A base-runner being forced out.
3. Not in contact with the base until a legally pitched ball has reached home plate.
4. A preceding base-runner being put out for failure to touch base if the base missed was one to
which the runner was forced to advance.

PITCHING REGULATIONS
The pitcher shall take a position with both feet firmly on the ground and in contact with the pitchers plate.
The pitcher may use any wind-up desired providing:
1. He does not make any motion to pitch the ball without immediately delivering the ball to the
batter.
2. He does not use a wind-up that requires a stop or reversal of the forward swing.
3. He does not continue to wind-up after taking the forward step which is simultaneous with the
release of the ball.
4. The ball must be delivered at moderate speed-underhand-below the hip with an arch of at
least 6 feet and not higher than 12 feet from the ground.
BATTING
1. The batter shall take his position within the lines of the batter’s box (not on the plate itself).
2. Members of the team at bat shall not interfere with a player attempting to field a ball.
3. A fair ball is a legally batted ball which:
A. Settles or is touched on fair ground between home and first or between home and third base.
B. Touches first or third base.
C. First falls on fair ground beyond first or third base, a fair fly ball must be judged accordingly to
the relative position of the ball and the foul line, regardless of whether the fielder is on fair or
foul ground at the same time he touches the ball.
4. A bunted ball is a legally batted ball not swung at but intentionally met with the bat and tapped slowly
within the infield. A batter who bunts is declared out.
5. A batter-runner who reaches first base safely then over-runs or over slides may immediately return
without liability of being put out provided he does not feint (act like) or attempt an advance to second.

THE BATTER IS OUT UNDER THE FOLLOWING CIRCUMSTANCES:

1. On the third strike
2. If he bunts the ball or chops the ball downward.
3. When a foul fly is legally caught
4. On an infield fly- an infield fly is a fair fly which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary
effort when runners occupy at least 1st and 2nd bases before two are out.

INFIELD FLY RULE

The batter is out immediately when he hits an infield fly with base runners on at least 1st and 2nd with
less than two out. The ball remains alive and runners may advance in the hope the fly may not be caught
or they may retouch and advance after the ball is touched.

DEAD BALL
The ball becomes dead immediately when:
1. A pitch touches a batter or the batter’s clothing.
2. The ball is illegally batted or comes in contact with the bat a second time.
3. There is interference by a runner or a retired runner.
4. A fair ball which is on or over fair ground touches a runner before touching any fielder or
passing any fielder other than the pitcher.
5. A strike or ball is called (Can’t steal bases)
6. Runner interferes with a fielder attempting to catch a foul fly.

THE RUNNER IS OUT UNDER THE FOLLOWING CIRCUMSTANCES

1. When he interferes with a fielder trying to field a ball (thrown or batted).
2. Running out of the base-line to avoid being touched by the ball in the fielder’s hand.
3. When touched by the ball in the fielder’s hand, while not in contact with the base.
4. Not in contact with the base until a legally pitched ball has reached home plate.
5. When a runner fails to tag up after a fly ball has been caught.
6. When a runner fails to touch a base and the ball is being held on that base.
7. When a runner is struck by a fair ball before it touches a fielder or passes a fielder other than
the pitcher.

PLAYER POSITIONS
1. The first baseman stands 3 to 6 feet to the right of his base.
2. The second and third baseman stands 3 to 6 feet to the left of his base.
3. The shortstop plays between second and third bases.
4. The left fielder plays between second and third and out in the field.
5. The center fielder plays behind second base and out in the field.
6. The right fielder plays between first and second base and out in the field.