EVENT DETAILS

Senior Rules

Senior Softball Rules Official Senior Softball Rules Adopted, Published and Distributed by 

USSSA LLC 

5800 Stadium Parkway, Melbourne, FL 32940 

Telephone (800) 741-3014 Fax (321) 877-0607 

www.usssa.com 

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 © 2024 USSSA LLC 

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 

USSSA SENIOR SOFTBALL NATIONAL COMMITTEE 

Sean Melvin – National Director of Slow Pitch 

Vic Rivera -West Region National Director 

Clay Dickey -East Region National Director 

TBA -Central Region National Director 

Alfredo DeJesus – Senior National UIC 

PLAYING RULES (UPDATED 1/1/2024 12:00PM PST) 

1. GENERAL 

• 1.1.
  
  These rules are sports specific to USSSA Senior Softball & GSL Senior Championship Series. Any rule not covered in these rules, will be covered in the USSSA Slow Pitch Rule Book. Found at http://www.usssa.com/slowpitch/slowpitch-rules-and-legal-info
  
  
• 1.2.
  
  These General Rules apply to Men’s & Women’s Senior programs. A separate document will be provided with rules regarding the Mixed Senior program (TBA). 
  


• 1.3.
  Current Rules can be found at seniorsp.usssa.com
  
  
• 1.4.
  USSSA Senior Softball Team Registration


• 1.4.1.
• $75 annual team registration fee @ usssa.com/login. 

2. EQUIPMENT 

2.1. Balls 

• 2.1.1.
  MEN'S -Approved brand USSSA or GSL stamped USSSA Senior Softball, Pro-M, Classic-M balls.
  
  
• 2.1.2.
  WOMEN'S -Approved brand USSSA or GSL stamped Classic-W ball. 
  

2.2. Bats 

• 2.2.1.
  Age groups 40+ and Above may use any bat Stamped 1.21 BPF Senior. It does not have to be USSSA stamped until they are available. However, it must be from a USSSA licensed manufacturer. May also use the 220 or 240 USSSA stamped bats. Both 220 & 240 USSSA stamped bats must pass 220 compression. Bats must be on the USSSA Approved Manufacturers List. WITHDRAWN AND/OR NON-COMPLIANT SOFTBALL BAT MODELS will not be allowed.
  
  
• 2.2.2.
  The 35 age group ONLY will be required to use the USSSA 220 or 240 stamped bats including 40+ years old players on a 35 age group roster and 40+ age group teams participating in a 35 age group event. Bats must be on the USSSA Approved Manufacturers List. WITHDRAWN AND/OR NON-COMPLIANT SOFTBALL BAT MODELS will not be allowed. 
  

• 2.3.
  Pitching Screen -If used, any brand I-Screen can be used with dimensions up to 7ft height by 4ft wide at the base. 
  


• 2.4.
  Safety Base (1st Base) -Only if provided by the park/complex..
  
  
• 2.5.
  Home Plate Mat -Mat specs are 36? long x 21? wide and will cover or surround a standard 17-inch home plate. Plate and mat are one unit used for the purposes of balls and strikes and the force out at home. 
  

3. TEAM AGE/CLASSIFICATIONS 

• 3.1.
  Age Divisions -35+, 40+, 50+, 55+, 60+, 65+, 70+
  
  
• 3.2.
  Classifications – Major Plus, Major, AAA, and AA in each age division. No AA division for all Women’s age groups.
  
  

4. PLAYING FIELD 

4.1. Base Distance 

• 4.1.1.
  Bases shall be set at 70 feet. 65 feet is allowed if a park cannot set bases at 70 feet. 

4.2. Commitment Line

• 4.2.1.
  A minimum six (6) foot commitment line shall be marked across and perpendicular to the foul line and placed thirty feet from home plate. Once a runner has crossed the commitment line he/she cannot return to third base and must continue home, can no longer be tagged out by the defensive player, and the defensive player must touch the Home Plate Mat. The ball remains live. 
  

4.3. Pitching Area 

• 4.3.1.
  The pitching area is the width of the pitcher’s plate up to six (6) feet behind the back edge of the pitcher’s plate. 

• 4.3.2.
  Pitchers using a pitching screen must toe the pitching plate when delivering the pitch. 
  

4.4. Scoring Plate/Line 

• 4.4.1.
  A base runner’s foot down on or down past the scoring line or down on the scoring plate prior to the ball being received by a defensive player touching the Home Plate Mat results in the scoring of a run.
  
  

5. PLAYING RULES 

• 5.1.
  These rules are intended for NIT’s, State Championships and our World Series. Local events (Qualifiers) may have local area specific rules that must be approved by the USSSA Senior Softball National Committee.
  
  
• 5.2.
  Batter Starts with a 1-1 count. After two strikes, the batted ball must be fair. There is no courtesy foul.
• 5.2.1.
  Pitching Screen (only when screen is used) -Any batted ball that hits the pitching screen will be treated as a foul ball. If a batter has one strike and hits a batted ball into the pitching screen, the strike total is now two strikes with no foul ball to waste. If a batter has two strikes and hits a batted ball into the pitching screen, the batter will be declared dead ball out due to the “must be fair after two strikes” rule.
  
  
• 5.2.2.
  Illegal Pitches – Umpires shall verbally and visually call illegal pitches.
  
• 5.3. Game Time Limits 
• 5.3.1.
  
  Pool Games -A 60-minute time limit will be in effect for all pool games. After 60 minutes the teams will complete the inning they are in and play one more inning with the exception of a mercy. If tied, the game will continue until a winner is determined.
  
  
• 5.3.2.
  
  Bracket Games -A 65-minute time limit will be in effect for all bracket games. After 65 minutes the teams will complete the inning they are in and play one more inning with the exception of a mercy. If tied, the game will continue until a winner is determined.
  
  
• 5.3.3.
  Qualifier Championship Games -A 70-minute time limit will be in effect for Championship and IF necessary games. After 70 minutes the teams will complete the inning they are in and play one more inning with the exception of a mercy. If tied, the game will continue until a winner is determined.
  
  
• 5.3.4.
  NIT & World Series Championship Games -The championship games and IF necessary games will not have a time limit. Mercy rule will be in effect.
  
  
• 5.3.5.
  Home Team when Seeding into Bracket Play (NIT, State Championship & World Series ONLY) -When pool play is used to seed teams into bracket play, in each Winner bracket game ONLY, the highest seeded team from pool play will be the home team with the exception of the Championship and IF games. Loser bracket games will determine Home Team with a double coin-toss.
  
  
• 5.3.6.
  Championship Game -In the championship game, the undefeated team from the winner’s bracket will be the home team.
  
  
• 5.3.7.
  IF Game -In an If Game is needed, home team will be determined by a double coin-toss.
  
  

• 5.4.
  Home Plate Mat will be used. It is a strike if the ball lands on the Home Plate Mat. 
  


• 5.5.
  Courtesy Runner (Unlimited) -Any legal player on the team’s roster can be a courtesy runner, but only once per inning. A baserunner using a courtesy runner cannot run for any other players in the same 

• inning. 5.6. Run Limit Per Inning prior to the OPEN Inning 

• 5.6.1.
  Major Plus=7, Major=5, AAA=5, AA=5
  
  
• 5.6.2.
  If divisions are combined, the HR rule will be the higher classification.
  
  
• 5.6.3.
  Last inning after time has expired, unlimited runs are allowed 
  

• 5.7.
  Reentry Rule -A starting player removed from the lineup may reenter the game one time. A substitute may not reenter the game after being removed. 
  


• 5.8.
  Mercy Rule – (ALL DIVISIONS) If a team is behind 20 runs prior to time expiring at the completion of an inning, the game will be declared a mercy/completed game with no open inning and the team in the lead declared the winner. Due to class rule limits per inning (see 5.6), if it’s mathematically impossible for a team to bring a deficit down under 20 runs prior to time expiring and the completion of an inning, the game will be declared a mercy with no open inning and the team in the lead declared the winner.
  
  
• 5.9.
  Flip Flop Rule -The flip-flop rule will be invoked in any game when there is a 10-run differential in favor of the visiting team at the start of the "open inning." If the visiting team is ahead by ten or more runs, the home team will remain at bat and start a new at-bats (beginning their seventh or last inning at-bats), meaning all runners on base will return to the dugout. It will be an open inning. If the home team fails to tie or go ahead of the visiting team, the game ends and the visiting team wins. If the home team ties or goes ahead, the visiting team takes its turn at bat. If the game is declared a completed game due to a mercy, flip-flop rule will not apply since there will be no open inning.
  
  
• 5.10.
  1st Base Safety Base will be used when available and provided by the park.


• 5.10.1.
  On a force out the defender is required to tag the white base. The runner is required to tag the Safety Base. 
  


• 5.10.2.
  Blocking the runner’s path to the Safety Base is considered obstruction and the runner is awarded the base.
  
  


• 5.10.3.
  If a ball deflects foul on the 1st base side the Safety Base and Regular Base, the rule will be reversed and previous rules will apply. The runner is required to tag the Regular Base and the defensive player will be required to tag the Safety Base. 
  


• 5.11.
  Sliding or Diving


• 5.11.1.
  
  Players may not slide or dive into 1st base, Home Plate Mat or Scoring Plate/Line. If they do, they are called out. 
  


• 5.11.2.
  Sliding or Diving into 2nd base or 3rd base is NOT an out. 
  


• 5.12.
  Commitment Line will be used. See Rule 4.2.
  
  
• 5.13.
  Scoring Plate or Line will be used. See Rule 4.4.
  
  
• 5.14. 

• Pitching Rules


• 5.14.1.
  Pitching arch will be a minimum of (six) 6 ft and a maximum of ten (10) ft from the ground. No faking of pitch will be allowed.
  
  
• 5.14.2.
  Pitchers may pitch up to 6 ft behind the pitching plate and must keep one foot within the width of the pitching plate, behind the front edge of the plate and within the 6 ft limit behind the plate.
  
  
• 5.14.3.
  A pitcher’s area will be utilized.
  
  
• 5.14.4.
  If no pitching screen is used, pitchers are encouraged to wear a protective face mask that covers, at a minimum, the area of the face from above the eyes to the lower part of the chin while pitching. All pitchers must wear the mask consistent with the manufacturer's intended usage of their product.
  
  
• 5.14.5.
  A pitching screen will be team optional. Team must furnish their own screen only if the event director cannot provide a pitching screen.
  
  
• 5.14.6.
  If a pitching screen is used -Pitchers using a pitching screen must toe the pitching plate when delivering the pitch.
  
  
• 5.14.7.
  If a pitching screen is used – The pitcher can’t touch the batted ball until another defensive player touches the ball first. Once another defensive player touches the batted ball, the pitcher may engage on defense. 
  


• 5.14.8.
  If a pitching screen is used -If the pitcher interferes with the batted ball, dead ball will be called, the batter will be awarded first base and runners will advance to the next base.
  
  
• 5.14.9.
  If pitching screen is used -Any batted ball hitting the screen will be a dead ball foul.
  
  
• 5.14.10.
  If pitching screen is used -Screen placement may not be moved for the entire inning once the first pitch of the inning is thrown with the exception of the screen being moved during a defensive play. Pitching Screen placement may be no more than 4 feet toward Home Plate Mat from the pitcher's plate and must cover at least half the pitcher's plate “left to right” or “right to left”. (EXCEPTION) A new pitcher enters the game.
  
  (EXCEPTION) The screen is hit by a batted ball and it moves and needs to be readjusted.
  
  (EXCEPTION) The screen is moved by a defensive player during a play and needs to be returned to the original placement.
  
  (EXCEPTION) If the screen leg interferes with pitching (some brands have long legs), the pitcher may adjust the screen away from the pitching plate towards home plate. Umpire will determine how far is acceptable.
  
  

5.15. Safety Equipment 

• 5.15.1.
  All players, including pitchers, are encouraged to wear the recommended additional protective safety gear, consisting of head gear (NOCSAE approved), heart/chest protection and shin guards. Players are not required to wear the recommended protective gear.
  
  
• 5.15.2.
  USSSA makes NO warranty/guarantee as to the protective qualities of any mandated or recommended safety equipment when used in softball, which may have inherent risks as an impact sport. USSSA does not make any specific claims as to any safety equipment's performance and will not accept any liability for personal injury. Players can still suffer serious injury while wearing any type of protective gear. 
  

5.16. Defensive Players 

• 5.16.1.
  Age 70+ will be allowed to have eleven (11) players on defense. 
  

5.17. Extra Players in Batting Lineup 

• 5.17.1.
  Teams may have unlimited batters, but cannot drop below the number on the starting batting order. All players must be listed on the lineup sheet/card before the game begins including substitute players.
  
  
• 5.17.2.
  Should an offensive player become injured, causing the team to drop below the original batting lineup and there is no substitute player available, the team will not be forced to forfeit the game, and an out will be declared only the first time the spot in the lineup comes to bat.
  
  
• 5.17.3.
  If a player is ejected and there is no substitute player available, an out will be recorded each time the spot in the lineup comes to bat. 
  

6. HOME RUN RULES 

• 6.1.
  Major Plus=DHH+10 HR’s, Major=DHH+8 HR’s, AAA=DHH+6 HR’s, AA=DHH+2 HR’s
  
  
• 6.2.
  If divisions are combined, the HR rule will be the higher classification.
  
  
• 6.3.
  Homeruns over the limit are an out.
  
  

7. DESIGNATED HOME RUN HITTER RULE 

• 7.1.
  A team has the right to designate a batter in the lineup that can hit as many home runs as they can without any of his home runs counting towards the team limit allowed. If the HR batter is walked intentionally or unintentionally, the next batter that hits a home run will not count against the team's total until the HR batter comes up to bat again. 
  


• 7.2.
  If a DHH is substituted or removed from the game for any reason, the team loses the DHH. The DHH spot will be reinstated for the game if the DHH returns to the lineup.
  
  

8. EQUALIZER RULES 

• 8.1.
  When a lower-class or older age group team is playing a higher-class or younger age group team, lower or older team will have one of two options:

• 8.1.1.
  OPTION 1 -Five (5) runs per game (Awarded one (1) run an inning for the first 5 innings)
  
  
• 8.1.2.
  OPTION 2 -11th defensive player
  
  
• 8.1.3.
  There is no automatic Home team for teams giving up an equalizer. When teams are equalized after granting an equalizer, a double coin-toss will determine Home team advantage with the exception of the Championship game. 
  


• 8.1.4.
  When there is a 2 (or more) classification or age group difference in the opposing teams, the tournament director reserves the right to implement both Option 1 and Option 2 to make the game competitive.
  
  
• 8.2.
  Director reserves the right to not grant an equalizer when the older age group team is classified higher than the younger lower classified team.
  
  
• 8.3.
  Points Awarded -All lower-class teams playing up in class, will be placed in the order they finish with all similar class teams in the event. (example: The highest finishing team in each class will receive first (1st) place points for the event regardless of their actual finish.)
  
  

9. TEAM & PLAYER CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINES 

9.1. TEAM CLASSIFICATIONS: 

• 9.1.1.
  Most players have at one point participated in USSSA during their softball playing history. We have a database of players and their playing history, so we will leverage the information to assist us with classifying teams appropriately following our guidelines below. 
  


• 9.1.2.
  Even though teams are allowed to register a team at their desired team classification, the team classification is not official until all players are entered to the online roster, ONLINE ROSTER is reviewed by a director and the team is approved at their registered classification prior to an event. It’s the manager’s responsibility to confirm your director has approved your ONLINE ROSTER at the current classification prior to an event.
  
  
• 9.1.3.
  Players with no USSSA player history will be added to our database. A picture of the player ID, cell number, and email address is required for new players added to our database and must be sent to the State Director.
  
  
• 9.1.4.
  DIRECTORS: Review USSSA Senior Softball playing history using the Player Classification Guidelines below. (use our competitor’s team/player class as a reference only)
  
  
• 9.1.5.
  DIRECTORS: If a new team’s players have ZERO USSSA Senior Softball playing history, classify the team based on player PRV(s). Must reference Player Classification Guidelines below to ensure established USSSA Senior Softball player classifications are accounted for prior to assigning a classification.
  
  


• 9.1.6.
  DIRECTORS: Teams should never start at AA, with the exception of a team reclass due to bad performance in AAA.
  
  
• 9.1.7.
  DIRECTORS: Must play a minimum of FOUR events to be considered for a team reclass.
  
  
• 9.1.8.
  DIRECTORS: Directors reserve the right to adjust a team’s classification based on skill set, performance, and playing history information at any point of the season. Team reclassifications and exceptions must have the approval of the USSSA Senior Softball National Committee. 
  


• 9.1.9.
  DIRECTORS: If a Director does not feel comfortable classifying a team, please ask our USSSA Senior Softball National Committee for help. 
  


• 9.1.10.
  USSSA Senior Softball National Committee reserves the right to reclassify a team/player at any point of the season if misclassification is identified. The committee will consult with the State Director prior to adjusting a misclassified team.
  
  
• 9.1.11.
  DIRECTORS: Teams requesting a division drop must show sub .500 winning %, sub 1000 power rating, and -5 average run differential in the current team class (must meet ALL three criteria). All team reclassifications must be approved by the USSSA Senior Softball National Committee. 
  

9.2. PLAYER CLASSIFICATIONS: 

• 9.2.1.
  DIRECTORS: Please review USSSA Senior Softball playing history FIRST.
  
  
• 9.2.2.
  DIRECTORS: Please review the player’s current PRV and playing history if they have no PRV. If the player has playing history but no PRV due to years of inactivity, assign an appropriate PRV based on past history and current skill set.
  
  
• 9.2.3.
  DIRECTORS: Players with a USSSA Slow Pitch PRV of Major, AA, and A will be classified a Senior Major Plus player.
  
  
• 9.2.4.
  DIRECTORS: Senior Major Plus – no player rating limitations.
  
  
• 9.2.5.
  DIRECTORS: Senior Major – a maximum of three established Senior Major Plus players allowed.
  
  
• 9.2.6.
  DIRECTORS: Senior AAA – a maximum of three established Senior Major players allowed. No players with a PRV of B or higher allowed on the roster.
  
  
• 9.2.7.
  DIRECTORS: Senior AA – a maximum of three established Senior AAA players allowed. No players with a PRV of C or higher allowed on the roster. (AA is reserved for teams that have proven they cannot compete at the AAA class.) 
  


• 9.2.8.
  DIRECTORS: How to ESTABLISH a player’s USSSA Senior Softball classification.
• ? Player has been established in other Senior National organizations. May use information if the player has no USSSA Senior Softball history. 

• Player was rostered THREE or more events on a USSSA Senior Softball roster. Higher class rosters will take precedence.
  
  
• Player was rostered for THREE or more months on a USSSA Senior Softball roster. Higher class rosters will take precedence.
  
  
• Player was actively playing USSSA Senior Softball within a THREE year period.on a USSSA Senior Softball roster. Higher class rosters will take precedence.
  
  
• 9.2.9.
  DIRECTORS: If a player was inactive for more than THREE years, reassess the player and designate a USSSA Senior Softball class.
  
  
• 9.2.10.
  DIRECTORS: If a Director does not feel comfortable classifying a player, please ask our committee for help. 
  

10. ROSTER GUIDELINES 

• 10.1.
  The age a player attains on his birthday in any particular year is considered to be his age for that entire calendar year.
  
  
• 10.2.
  A player must meet the minimum age of the group in which he competes, but may play in any younger age group(s). 
  


• 10.3.
  All players participating in an event must be listed as ELIGIBLE on the team’s online roster. A penalty can be imposed for not complying by the event director.
  
  
• 10.4.
  Teams with less than 10 players listed online (ELIGIBLE & PENDING combined count) prior to the event game schedule being released will be either removed or placed in the highest division for the event.
  
  
• 10.5.
  The player and team manager are responsible to ensure that a player's name does not appear on more than one qualifying tournament team roster per age group. Maximum two age groups.
  
  
• 10.6.
  Players participating in two age groups in the same event can only participate in the same division AND both age groups CANNOT be combined in the same pool or bracket. (example: 55 Major and 50 Major are approved. 55 Major Plus and 50 Major is not approved. 55 Major and 50 Major in the same combined pool or bracket is not approved.)
  
  
• 10.7.
  There are no Bordering or Out of State player restrictions.
  
  
• 10.8.
  Teams are restricted to THREE drop down players with an established USSSA Senior Softball playing history participating on teams one level higher. State Directors are allowed to make roster exceptions with approval from the USSSA Senior Softball National Committee.
  
  
• 10.9.
  After the USSSA Senior Softball World Series, a team may use players that qualify for an age group the next calendar year. 
  

11. USSSA SENIOR SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES INFORMATION 

• 11.1.
  Teams can find USSSA Senior Softball World Series information @ seniorsp.usssa.com
  
  
• 11.2.
  We do not offer a AA World Series. AA Men’s teams must play as a AAA team if they want to participate in our USSSA Senior Softball World Series.
  
  
• 11.3.
  We will do everything possible to run age groups and classes separately. There will be instances we can’t avoid combining with an equalizer.
  
  

Rules 2024

MIXED Alumni

All rules will be enforced.

There will be no leeway for payment and lineups prior to games. GAMES WILL BE FORFEITED, if your team is not present and line-ups have not been turned in. Only an act of God will we deviate from a game time.

Tournament Rules - Outside of the RULEBOOK AND GUIDELINES for all Divisions unless specified otherwise.

Tied game - international rule and 1 pitch.

• GAME TIMES: No new inning after 55 minutes.
• DISPUTES OR PROBLEMS: Only team COACHES can talk to the umpire or the director regarding issues during a game.
• Face masks for pitchers are recommended but not required.

Mixed Division

• Batting Line Up: 3 males in a row is not allowed. Effect: Batter will be an out every time he comes up to bat until correction can be made.
• Count begins at 1 ball and 1 strike. When a male is batting in front of a female and walks, the male will stay on 1st Base. Female has the option to hit.
• No Female pitchers
• 4 Female and 4 Male to play 8 players
• 4 Female and 5 Male to play 9 players
• 4 Female and 6 Male to play 10 players
• 5 Female and 7 Male to bat 11 players
• 5 Female and 7 Male to bat 12 players
• 7 players is a forfeit, forfeit fees apply.
• You can always have more females than males-ie 7 females and 3 males if short handed. But not more males allotted than females.
• Fielding
• 4 females must be on the field at all times (defensively).
• NO FEMALE PITCHERS.
• Base running
• There is a safety base attached to first base on all fields. A ball hit over the base in fair territory it is a fair ball. If the ball is hit over the safety base it is a foul ball. When there is a play at the bag on a batter/runner, defense must use the bag in fair territory. If a play is made at first, batter/runner may use either base. If there is a play back into first after the batter/runner has passed first base, they must use the fair territory base. 

From the USSSA RULE BOOK AND BY-LAWS (Sections are listed next to specified rules)

SPORTSMANSHIP CONDUCT (5.10-11)

• NO profanity (5.10.B)
• NO throwing the bat (5.10.F)
• NO taunting (5.10.B)

(any violations to these rules result in immediate ejection from the game) (5.10.B also noted on page 42 - profanity Rule)

EFFECT: 1st warning at the plate prior to the game.

2nd warning - automatic ejection. If there is no substitute to fill that players spot-the team will forfeit.

Flip/Flop Rule: In the inning when the run rule is exceeded and the home team is losing, the home team will remain at bat and become the visiting team. If the team (new visiting team) does not score enough runs to reduce the run difference below the run rule, the game is over. If they reduce the run difference to below the run rule then the new home team will bat. If they subsequently score enough runs to exceed the run rule, the game will be over; if they do not, the game will continue under that format. If the situation reverses, the teams would flip/flop again. (4.3.F)

RUN RULE

25 

After 3

20

After 4

15

After 5

Home Run Rules

8 Home runs for both genders EACH - any homerun hit after will be a dead ball out.

ADDITIONAL HITTER (A.H.) (5.6)

• A team may insert an additional hitter (1) or hitters (2) into its lineup. The batting order must remain constant; however, any 10 of the 11 or 12 players may take a defensive position throughout the game. As long as it falls into the guidelines of the male/female ration.

BALLS

• 3 balls will be provided for each gender: Classic M or Pro M (men) (1.3.b or 1.3.e) and Classic W (Women) (1.3.f).

EACH TEAM WILL HIT AND ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIER OWN BALLS. Teams may purchase their own with the following rules provided.

PITCHING RULES (Rule 6 starting on page 35)

• Pitchers have 5 seconds to release the ball after presenting (6.4.F)
• 1 BALL and 1 STRIKE TO START - NO COURTESY FOUL
• *A caught foul ball on the 3rd strike is a live ball. The play is not dead, and runners can try and advance.
• At the start of a game or when a pitcher relieves another pitcher, not more than one minute may be used to deliver not more than (3) practice pitches to the catcher or some other teammate. Only one practice pitch will be permitted at the start of each inning. (6.6.B)
• Any ball thrown around after the warmup pitches will be 1 ball awarded to the batter per throw if not returned promptly to the pitcher. (EFFECT 6.6.B)

LEGAL POSITIONS OF THE PITCHER’S FEET. (6.3.A)

The pitcher must have one foot in contact with the pitching rubber (6.3A)

• The pitched ball must arc at least 3 feet after leaving the pitcher’s hand and before it passes any part of home plate. (6.5.B)
• The pitched ball shall not rise higher than 10 feet above the ground. (6.5.C)

COURTESY RUNNERS (8.13)

• Mixed Open
• 1 courtesy runner per gender of the same gender per inning may be used. (Male for male; female for female) The courtesy runner can be any player in the lineup. If the courtesy runner is still on base on at the time his turn at bat comes up, that spot in the batting order will be an out.
• Courtesy runners for pitchers are optional - if used, runner will not count as a used courtesy for the inning. 

DUGOUT RULES(5.10.D)

• 2 on deck hitters to be out of the dugout.

BAT GUIDELINES

• All bats must be 240 stamped and must pass compression. Testing will be open 1 hour prior to the start of games. 

FOOTWEAR (2.9)

• Metal spikes of any kind are prohibited in USSSA play.

Forfeited games (4.9.A)

7-0 score will be recorded

***Please look USSSA Rulebook and By-Laws for answers with a section numbers provided. Everything not covered in these rules, the USSSA RULEBOOK AND BY-LAWS will cover the rest***

https://usssa.com/docs/2021/SP_RuleBook_21.pdf

• All teams must be prepared to play 20 minutes prior to their scheduled game time.

• Lineups must be turned in 20 minutes prior to your scheduled game time.

Any questions please ask, and will clarify it. 

Thanks!

Chanel Chikazawa

USSSA State Director, Hawai’i 

8086901022

[email protected]