Rules

PITCHING

Pitchers must begin their delivery with both feet in contact with the rubber with the ball held with both hands in front of their body. The pitch begins when one hand is taken off the ball, or the pitcher makes any motion that is part of the wind-up.

The pivot foot may remain in contact with the rubber or may push off and drag away prior to the front foot touching the ground as long as the pivot foot remains in contact with the ground.

Pushing off with the pivot foot from any place other than the rubber is not allowed.

Pitchers are also not allowed to raise their pivot foot off the rubber and then return it prior to the delivery of the pitch.

BATTING

A designated hitter (DH) may be used as long as the player's name is included in the official lineup sheet. DH must remain in the same batting order during the game. The defensive player for whom the DH is batting cannot play offense during the game, and a DH may not play defense.

All starting players (except the DH) are allowed to re-enter the game one time if they have been substituted for, but the re-entry must be in their original batting order.

Any player bleeding during the game will be withdrawn until all bleeding ceases, the area cleaned and covered and the uniform replaced (if stained). The player can then re-enter without it being considered a substitution.

INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONTROL RULE

A player, coach or official who is bleeding or who has blood on their uniform shall be from participating until appropriate treatment has been administered.

CASUAL PROFANITY RULE/FAMILY ATMOSPHERE RULE

Pertains to expletives not directed at umpires or opposing players, but uttered by a player manager/coach frustrated with themselves, a teammate or a fan.

CASUAL PROFANITY PENALTY

If the offending team is at bat and profanity is used, the player is out unless the result of the play is an out in which case the next batter will be declared out. If the offending team is in the field, the first player(s) to bat in their half of the inning will be declared out. It is possible for a team to come to bat with one or more outs already recorded or lose their at bat altogether.

WEBSITES FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SOFTBALL RULES

Southern Minny League Administration

http://www.ci.austin.mn.us/Parkandrec/sminny/

Minnesota Sports Federation

http://www.msf1.org

National ASA

http://asasoftball.com

Owatonna Youth Fastpitch Softball Association