Softball is one of America's favorite sports, with leagues for boys and girls, kids and adults. Because a softball is larger than a baseball and is pitched underhand, pitches are slower, allowing even unskilled players to get a hit at most levels. This means that different rules need to be made for softball than baseball. One of the organizations that promotes softball leagues is the American Softball Association. While ASA games use many of the same rules as baseball and other softball leagues, it has its own rules, as well, and knowing some of the basic ASA rules will help you play fairly and legally.
Equipment
The ASA has a variety of rules covering equipment, to ensure everyone plays with approved bats and balls and shoes. Balls can be 10, 11, 12, 14 and 16 inches. The first three sizes are used in fast-pitch leagues and requires players to use a glove. Sixteen-inch softballs are about the size of a grapefruit and after a game or two begin to become very soft, slowing them down even more. The ASA requires a safety knob at the end of the bat, which is a permanent piece of material attached to the thin end of the bat to help keep the bat from flying out of the player's hands and into the stands or toward infielders. The ASA also requires a safety grip on the bat, between the knob and the barrel of the bat. The grip can't be less than 10 inches or longer than 15 inches. Metal cleats are not allowed in youth games.
Uniforms
Players on teams in ASA leagues must wear uniforms which are the same for each player on a particular team. In boys fast-pitch leagues, players must wear a hat. Hats are optional for girls.
Electronics
To prevent distractions, cheating and unfair advantages, the ASA does not allow the use of electronic devices on the field or in the dugout. This includes not having a cell phone, pager or video equipment.
Number of Players
In fast-pitch games, there are nine players on the field for the defensive team (the team that is not batting). In slow-pitch games, a tenth player is added, called a short-center fielder. In some leagues, a flex player, or designated hitter, can bat for the pitcher.
Pitching
In fast-pitch games, the pitcher must rotate her arms twice, underhand, before pitching the ball. In slow-pitch games, the pitcher must throw the ball at least 6 feet in the air before it reaches the plate. This 6-foot arc rule helps keep the pitches slow during a slow-pitch game. While adult males can have both feet leave the ground during a pitch, youth players must have the pivot foot, which pushes off the pitcher's mound, in contact with the ground during the pitch.
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