VAL Softball Rules
NFHS Rules shall be followed with the following modifications/clarifications:
1. All jewelry must be removed, except small, secured studs or posts worn above the chin. No jewelry is permitted below the chin. Exceptions are made for religious and medical alert medals, but must be taped and worn under the uniform, with medical alert medals potentially being visible.
2. Game time is 4:00pm, provided the visiting has at least a 10-minute warm-up. The latest a game should start is 4:15pm with or without a 10-minute warm-up. Please try to get to away games by 3:45pm. Ten-minute warm-up periods should be shortened if visitors are late. Every effort should be made to start the game by 4pm.
3. The strike zone is from the armpits to the bottom of the knee.
4. Batters begin with a 1 ball and 1 strike count.
5. A dropped third strike is an out. The hitter may not try to advance to first base. Baserunners may advance, except toward home.
6. Runners MAY NOT advance home on a wild pitch or passed ball. A runner may advance home on an overthrow to the pitcher if the ball leaves the circle or a play at another base.
7. A wild pitch, passed ball and wild throw back to the pitcher are all live situations.
8. Pitchers are not restricted on innings allowed to pitch.
9. All softball teams may use "windmill" style to pitch.
10. An illegal pitch will be ruled a dead ball, and called a ball on the batter, with no advancement of the runners.
11. Sliding is allowed.
12. Umpires judgment:
- If a player throws a bat, she is declared out.
- A runner turning into the field of play after touching first can be tagged out.
- A player may steal as soon as the ball leaves the pitcher's hand.
13. Games shall be 6 innings, with no inning STARTING after 1 hour and 30 minutes of play.
14. A seven run per inning rule will be used, except for the last inning, which is unlimited runs.
15. Three+ innings will count as a regulation game. IF THE VISITING TEAM IS DOWN BY 15+ RUNS AFTER 3 AND ½ INNINGS OR THE HOME TEAM IS DOWN BY 15+ RUNS AT THE END OF 4 INNINGS, THE GAME IS CALLED.
16. Once a game has started, the judgment to halt play will be at the umpire’s discretion (rain or darkness). The home school prior to the start may call a rainout. Regular season games can end with a tie.
17. If a play-off game is tied at the end of regulation, the international Tiebreaker will be used. The final batter in the previous inning will start at second base with 0 outs.
18. If a game is called in the middle of an inning, the score reverts back to the previous inning.
19. Please establish ground rules for your facilities and inform the umpire prior to the game of said ground rules. Both coaches and the umpire should meet prior to the game to exchange line up cards and cover ground rules for understanding.
20. Coaches inform umpire and other coach/scorekeeper of substitutions
21. Ten starters on a team (may start and finish with 8). Teams may bat a continuous line up with any 8-10 players on defense. If a team uses a regular 10 line up, the re-entry rule will be enforced.
22. 60-foot base paths and a 40-foot pitching rubber (bases and rubber secured to the ground).
23. Baselines and pitching circle (8’ Radius) will be marked in chalk.
24. Game will use an ASA approved 12” leather ball.
25. All-purpose shoes (rubber cleats) are recommended. No metal cleats.
26. Catchers must be equipped with a face-mask, chest protector, shin guards, a helmet and a throat guard. Face masks attached to batting helmets are suggested but not required.
27. All bats must be official softball bats with "approved by ASA" markings.
28. Helmets must be worn by base runners, batters, student base coaches, and on deck hitters.
29. A softball helmet is allowed to contain up to three stickers, with each a maximum size of 4” x 4”, as long as each sticker is deemed non-offensive (school appropriate) by the officiating umpire and school administrators.
30. Each school will field one Softball team.
31. Games should be officiated by ASA qualified umpires. The Championship game should have two umpires.
32. As per NFHS rules, on game days, equal use of facilities for both teams is required (ex. Batting Cages).