Utrip Softball Rules

The U.S. Specialty Sports Association was founded in 1968 in Wisconsin as a slow-pitch softball organization. Throughout the years the league has expanded to 13 sports and has a membership base of over 3.7 million as of 2010. Softball is still one of the flagship sports of the USSSA, and it has its own widely used set of rules and regulations.

Game Rules

Base paths will be 60 feet between bases. The distance between home plate and the pitcher's mound will vary from 35 to 46 feet depending on the division. Games will end at the completion of seven innings unless the home team is winning at the completion of the first half of the seventh inning. If a game you are playing in is tied after seven full innings, the game will continue on an inning by inning basis until one team has scored more runs than the other team at the completion of one full inning. If you are a pitcher, the pitch begins when you are standing on the pitcher's mound and you remove your glove hand from the ball. You must keep at least one foot on the pitcher's mound at any given time during a pitch and all pitches must be thrown underhand. When you are at bat, three strikes in a single at bat shall constitute as an out. If you foul tip a ball into the catcher's mitt with two strikes, that will also constitute as an out. Four balls in a single at bat shall constitute as a walk. Stealing bases is permitted in some divisions. If a live ball goes into out of bounds territory during a play, every baserunner may advance one base from the last base they touched.

Player and Team Regulations

A team should consist of at least nine players. If you are an additional player you may be added as a tenth batter, however there are still only nine fielders allowed at any given time. Designated hitters are also allowed. All players and coaches are expected to behave with sportsmanship at all times. An umpire may eject a person at their discretion if they feel this rule has been broken. If you have been ejected you must leave the vicinity entirely and sit out the remainder of that game and the entire next game.

Equipment

If you are in the batter's box, the on deck batter or running the bases, you must wear a protective helmet at all times. The official ball used should have raised seams, a spherical design and a smooth surface. If you are in a league with players 18 years or older, you may not wear metal cleats. Gloves or mitts should be worn by all fielders. Your bat should not measure longer than 34 inches or 2 1/4 inches wide, or weigh more than 31 1/4 oz. It must also have an "official softball" label from the manufacturer.