The Amateur Softball Association of America oversees competitive softball at the youth and adult level throughout the United States. The ASA establishes the size of the field, oversees the implementation of rules and makes sure qualified umpires are on hand to make decisions in games. The ASA also addresses rule changes annually.
Pitching
Pitchers in adult fastpitch softball must throw from the pitching rubber, which is in the middle of the pitcher's circle. There is no mound in ASA softball. The pitch may be delivered with a windmill motion, which allows the ball to make a full circle over the pitcher's head before the ball is delivered towards home plate. The pitcher cannot make any deceptive movement when pitching. That means she cannot step backwards or to the side while delivering the pitch. She may not make a second revolution with her arm after releasing the ball. These actions are considered deceptive, and trying to fool the batter with deception is prohibited.
Field Distance and Bases
The pitcher's rubber should be 46 feet from the back edge of home plate. All bases should be 60 feet apart. Home-run fences are not required but if they are in place, they should not be less than 200 feet down either the left or right field lines, nor should they be more than 225 feet down either line. A safety base, orange in color, shall be attached to first base in an effort to avoid collisions. With the safety base in place, the first baseman will make plays on the standard white base, while the runner will step on the orange base.
Number of Players
In ASA softball, 10 players may be used on the field. The extra fielder is almost always used in the outfield, and teams play four outfielders across to prevent the ball from splitting the gap and rolling to the outfield wall. However, a team may play its extra player in the infield or anywhere it chooses as long as the fielder is in fair territory. The catcher is the only player who is allowed to be in foul territory. Teams also use 10 batters. The coach of the team may choose to use a designated hitter for one of the fielders. The designated hitter may bat for any of the fielders, not just the pitcher as is the case in professional baseball. The team may eschew the designated hitter if it prefers to let all the fielders bat.
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