Rules in softball govern what players can and cannot do, from fielders to the pitcher, and the catcher is no exception. Most leagues follow Amateur Softball Association rules, or a modified version of these rules, to ensure safety and fair play. The ASA is the governing body for softball in the United States.
Catcher's Box
The catcher must remain in the designated catcher's box until a pitch is released in fast-pitch baseball. The catcher has to stay in the box until the ball is batted, touches the batter, plate or ground, or reaches the catchers box under slow-pitch rules. The box is designated with lines. It is 8.5 feet wide and 10 feet long. Also, the pitcher is not in position until the catcher is in position, according to ASA specifications.
Gear
The catcher, considered defensive position No. 2, wears a set of required gear. This includes masks and throat protectors or extended wire protectors in adult fast pitch. These players are not allowed plastic masks or face guards, and their helmets are optional. In kid's slow pitch, catchers wear a batter's helmet with earflaps, a catcher's helmet with a mask or a plastic guard/face mask, with throat protectors optional. In kid's fast pitch, catchers wear a mask, throat protector, helmet with flaps, shin guards, and a body protector, advises the ASA Official Rules of Softball, Umpire Edition. A catcher is allowed to wear a mitt rather than a glove. The first baseman is the only other player allowed a mitt.
Catches and Pitches
When a catcher catches a fly ball with her mask, the batter is not declared out, according to ASA rules. This is considered an illegally caught ball. A ball is considered a foul tip, and legally caught by the catcher, if it goes from the bat to the catcher's hands or glove. The ball cannot be higher than the batter's head, however. A pitch is deemed wild if it cannot be caught or controlled by a catcher using ordinary effort.
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