2020 USA Softball Rule Changes with Comments as of November 15, 2019
NOTE: All changes below are EFFECTIVE January 1, 2020 unless otherwise noted.
Rule 2, Section 1 Table: The maximum fence distance for Men’s Slow Pitch will be 325 feet.
Comment: Changes the maximum fence distance for Men’s Slow Pitch from 315 feet to 325
feet.
Rule 3, Section 1A [1]: The official bat must bear either the ASA 2000, ASA 2004, ASA 2013
or the new approved USA Softball Certification Marks.
Comment: Adds two additional USA Softball Certification Marks to the list of Certification
Marks allowed on approved bats.
Rule 3, Section 3A: The official softball must bear either the ASA Certification Marks, or the new
USA Softball Certification Marks allowed on approved softballs.
Comment: Adds USA Softball Certification Marks to the list of approved Certification Marks
allowed on softballs.
Rule 3, Section 5E: Helmets shall have a non-glare (not mirror-like) surface.
Comment: Specifies that helmets cannot have a surface that has a mirror-like finish.
Rule 5, Section 6A: Men’s Adult Slow Pitch Classification of Play adds a AA Division; home run
limit will be 12
Comment: This adds Men’s Adult Slow Pitch AA division with a home run limit of 12
Rule 6A, Section 1C: Both feet must be on the ground within the 24-inch length of the pitcher’s
plate. The shoulders shall be in line with first and third bases. The pitcher shall take a position
with their pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate and their non-pivot foot in contact with or
behind the pitcher’s plate.
Comment: Allows female pitchers to start with one or two feet on the pitcher’s plate. This
aligns the male and female pitching rule as it relates to foot placement.
Rule 6A, Section 1E: The pitcher shall bring their hands together for not less than one second
and not more than 10 seconds before releasing the ball. A backward step may be taken
before, simultaneous with or after the hands are brought together. The pivot foot must remain
in contact with the pitcher’s plate at all times prior to the forward step.
Comment: Allows female pitchers to take a backward step from the pitcher’s plate,
before, during or after the hands are brought together. This aligns the male and female
pitching rule as it relates to stepping back from the pitcher’s plate.
Rule 6A, Section 11B&C, Rule 7, Section 5D: (Junior Olympic Fast Pitch Only) Eliminates the
penalty of advancing a runner one base without liability to be put out from the effect of
committing an illegal pitch.
Comment: In Junior Olympic Fast Pitch ONLY, when an illegal pitch is declared, the
penalty is only a ball on the batter. We no longer advance runners in Junior Olympic Fast
Pitch as part of the penalty.
Rule 7, Section 6C: Add Effect: 5. All other runners return to the base occupied at the time of
the pitch.
Comment: Aligns the penalty for Altered and Non-Approved bats with the penalty for an Illegal
bat. Better defines where runners who are not out should be placed.
Rule 8, Section 9B [2]: Allows one courtesy runner for each gender in each inning in Adult
Coed Slow Pitch Classification of Play.
Comment: Allows for two courtesy runners in Adult Coed Slow Pitch Classification of Play
one for each gender in each inning.
Rule 8, Section 9C [1]: Adult Slow Pitch: A courtesy runner is officially in the game
after a pitch, legal or illegal or a play made.
Comment: Defines when a courtesy runner is officially in the game in Adult Slow Pitch
Classification of Play.
