PITCHING DISTANCES:

• 8 & Under 30 Feet
• 10 & Under 35 Feet
• 12 & Under 40 Feet
• 14 & Under 43 Feet
• 16 & Under 43 Feet
• 18 & Under 43 Feet
• Women’s Open 43 Feet

CATCHER’S EQUIPMENT:

• The catcher shall wear a NOCSAE approved head protector (with dual earflaps), an approved mask with throat protector, a body chest protector and shin guards.
• If a hockey style NOCSAE approved catcher’s helmet is used, a separate throat protector is not needed.

THE BALL:

• 8 & Under Division, 10-inch RIF-1 softball
• 10 & Under, 11-inch softball
• 12 & Under, 11-inch softball
• All other divisions, 12-inch softball

UNIFORMS:

• There will be no uniform protests
• Non-duplicating numbers will be required
• The numbers must be a minimum of three inches in size and clearly visible

THE OFFICIAL BAT:

• The performance standard for all non-wooden bats will be a Bat Performance Factor (BPF) of 1.20, or less under the ASTM BPF test as applied under the standard USSSA Bat License Agreement
• Only bats made by those bat manufacturers listed on the USSSA website as USSSA Licensed Softball Bat Manufacturers and that have the new 2020 USSSA Fastpitch Only Certification Mark OR
• the previous 2014 USSSA Certification Mark on the taper of the bat will be legal in USSSA sanctioned play

TIME LIMITS:

• Tournament Directors and League Officials may establish time limits such that a game will consist of seven (7) innings or the amount of time specified, whichever comes first.
• No new inning will begin once the time limit has expired.
• Any inning which has been started prior to the time limit expiring will be completed.
• The time begins when the pre-game conference ends and the home team is allowed to take the field.
• A new inning begins as soon as the third out is recorded in the previous inning.
• During bracket play, if the game is still tied after the time limit has expired, the tie breaker rule shall be in effect at the start of the next inning.

TIEBREAKER:

• After the completion of 7- innings, or when time limits have expired, and the score is still tied, the tiebreaker procedure will begin.
• The player, who had the last completed at bat, assumes a position on 2nd base.
• A substitute may be inserted. A courtesy runner may be used for the pitcher or catcher.
• This procedure would be done at the beginning of each half inning; until a winner is determined.
• If the absent player is scheduled to begin the half inning at second base, no out is declared.
• The player whose name precedes the absent player in the line-up is placed on second base.
• If the wrong player is placed on second base, the correct runner should be inserted immediately even if a pitch has been thrown, or the runner has advanced a base.
• All plays made while the incorrect runner was on base stands.
• It is the responsibility of the Umpire and scorekeeper to notify the teams involved as to which player starts the half inning at second base.

RUN RULE (MERCY RULE):

• 12-run lead after 3 completed innings or 2 1/2 innings if the home team is ahead
• 10 runs after 4 completed innings or 3 1/2 innings if the home team is ahead
• 8 runs lead after 5 completed innings or 4 1/2 innings if the home team is ahead