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Admin
 
CRESTWOOD FAST PITCH ASSOCIATION
Linda M. Madlener
708-597-1940
Fax: 708-597-1526
Linda M. Madlener
13710 S. Lawler Avenue
Crestwood, Illinois
60445
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 Rules of Fastpitch |
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The Fundamentals & Rules of Fastpitch Softball
If you are a new experience or have very little fastpitch experience, you're questions are probably basic ones. What's interesting is that the answers you first get to these basic questions influence your entire career in fastpitch softball. So, in many ways, the questions you are asking now are the most important questions you will ever ask.
This is the primary reason for this learning aid. All too often, these basics questions are never asked. Many players think they will be showing how little they know about the game by asking questions; or they're too shy; or because they don't have someone to ask.
So, let's start with with one of those basic questions: What position should I play. If you are new to the sport the answer is easy. Play them all. Take your first year or two playing as many positions as you can. Learn softball by playing all the positions. It won't take long before you begin to have favorite positions. As you grow older in the sport, it is likely that you will specialize in one or two positions. The coach will recognize your skills and your position preferences. At some point, the position you work the hardest to master will become your permanent home.
Four important things to remember:
- The pitcher is NOT the most important player on the field. It takes a whole team to win a game. In a game where pitching is about equal, the team that plays the best team defense will probably win.
- Take the time to play every position on the field. You'll find one you love.
- Never be timid about telling your coach what position(s) you would like to learn.
- Likewise, don't be afraid to try a position your coach suggest even if you never considered it before. He may have seen a skill you didn't even know you had.
Rules of the Game
No attempt will be made here to cover all the rules of Fastpitch Softball. There are rules for the game published by ASA, NSA, Little League, and Babe Ruth national organizations. Depending upon the affiliation of the team you are associated with rule books can be purchased for exact details. In reality, many rules for Fastpitch Softball are regional or league specific. National rules are most strictly enforced when the games are national qualifiers. There are, however, many similarities that can be covered here. This generalization is being made to give the first time player and parent some idea of what to expect. Again, the following rules are generalizations. Talk to your coach for the specific rules your team follows.
- Games are normally 7 innings in length
- Extra innings are played to resolve ties occurring at the end of regulation play
- It is not unusual for games to have 90 or 120 minute time limits. No new inning is allowed to start after the time limit has been reached. The team ahead at that time is declared the winner.
- It is common for games to have mercy rules for ending a game (for example it is not unusual for games to be ended after 5 innings if one team has a lead of 10 or more runs.
- "Dropped Third Strike" - If the catcher drops a third strike pitch with no runner on 1st base, the batter can attempt to run to first before being tagged out or before the ball reaches 1st base.
- Pitching must be underhand in motion. Pitcher must begin her motion with both feet touching the pitching rubber. One foot must remain in contact with the rubber when the ball is pitched. Dragging the push off foot in continuous contact with the ground is considered to be in contact with the rubber.
- The pitcher's rubber is 35 feet from Home plate for teams younger that 14-and-under. For all other team ages, the distance from the pitcher's rubber and Home plate is 40 feet.
- Batter takes 1st base when struck by the pitch.
- A runner can leave her base to steal another base once the ball has left the pitcher's hand. (Little League softball requires that the runner wait until the ball has passed the plate.)
- On close plays at any base (except 1st base) the runner MUST slide to avoid collision.
- Bats used must be certified for Softball use.
These are only a brief overview of the rules that are unique to fastpitch softball. ASA, NSA, Little League and Babe Ruth League rules have specific differences. Each organization has an official rule book that you can purchase or view on-line. One such on-line rule book is provided by the National Softball Association at www.nsasoftball.com/rulebook.htm. For those new to the sport, take some time to look at this book to better understand the level of detail the rules cover and to find specific answers to your questions.
It is hoped that the other national organizations will follow the NSA example and place their rule books within easy player, coach and parent reach.
The Field of Play
Again, the Field of Play information below is generalized and may be slightly different than the fields your teams encounter.
- The infield is "skimmed" to eliminate all grass.
- The distance from Home plate to the outfield fences is 200 feet.
- The distance from Home plate to 1st Base is 60 feet.
- The distance from Home plate to the pitcher's rubber is 35 feet or 40 feet depending on team's age bracket.
- Unlike baseball, the pitcher's area in fastpitch softball is at the same level as the rest of the infield (no raised mound).
- The distance between Home plate and the backstop is a 15 feet minimum. This is one of the most abused rules you see during your season. Some fields have as little as 8 feet between home plate and the backstop. This, in essence, becomes a tenth player to nearly eliminate the possibility of stealing.
- Two umpires are usually required for league and national qualifying tournament games. It is not uncommon for only one umpire to be used for scrimmage or local league games.
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Equipment Considerations
You can't play organized fastpitch softball without some basic equipment. You, your coach and your parents all help make decisions in this process. Most teams provide a complete uniform and equipment that's too expensive for all players to afford. Team equipment generally consists of an assortment of helmets, a few official softball bats, catcher's equipment and first aid supplies. In the most basic of cases, the only item left for the player to supply is a glove. Of course, there are other things you can buy, but they are your choice.
What the best dressed softball players are wearing this year. Most teams supply the basic uniform as part of the yearly fee. Typically the basic uniform includes:
- A shirt, sleeveless or a standard short sleeve shirt. For early spring or fall ball when the weather can be brisk, a long-sleeved tee shirt worn under the basic uniform shirt is recommended.
- Shorts seem to be preferred by most girls. Some teams require full-length, baseball-style pants.
- Socks are generally knee length. These provide some basic protection to the lower legs.
- Sliders. These spandex-type shorts are worn under the uniform short or pants. They have extra padding in them to protect they player's thighs and hips when sliding into a base.
- Sliding Pad. Most teams require and supply sliding pads to protect the girl's sliding-side leg and knee.
The glove and shoes are the responsibility of the player.
The glove and bat are probably the most personal pieces of equipment the player uses. Each player has her own preferences. So we'll just answer some of the questions we've heard most often.
How big should my glove be?
First of all, a softball is bigger than a baseball. It makes sense that it would be easier to catch a softball if the glove was bigger. This is true. However, you must be aware of the size of the player's hand. These two factors determine the glove that's best for you.
Gloves are designated in length inches. Typical softball gloves range from 12 inches to 14 inches. Younger player's smaller hands require a smaller glove (12" to 12.5") As the player gets older, your larger hand will allow you to step up to the larger gloves. When you're looking for a glove try them all on. Find the one that feels the best on your hand. If you have a friend who has a glove like you want to buy, ask to borrow it. This should give you an idea of how the glove will feel after it is broken in.
(Be aware, if you order a glove through mail order or over the Internet, of how gloves for left and right handers are specified. Even though a right-handed player wears the glove on her left hand, when ordering a glove it will be called a glove for "right handed" throwers. Left-handed players order gloves for "left handed" throwers.)
How do I break in my new glove?
Simple. Use it! There are some ways to help speed up the process. The first method is the glove itself. Several glove makers now use material that is softened at the factory. Even new gloves feel as though they've been on the field for several months.
The most common method for breaking in the more traditional leather gloves involves two-fold.
Step One: Rub in some glove oil (available at all sporting goods stores) -- not too much, just cover the inside and outside surface of the glove. Wipe off any excess. Make about 50 catches with the glove. Put a softball inside you glove, and fold the glove tight around the ball. Use a large rubber band to hold the ball and glove together. This will help form the pocket. Leave you glove in this fashion each night, and then catch at least 50 throws each day. So you glove will loosen up and fit your hand. (Note: only use the glove oil a couple of times each season.)
Step Two: Spend you idle time on the field bending and flexing the finger of the glove. You eventually want the finger of the glove to naturally form a cup shape with the palm of the glove. This is just the shape you need to catch ground balls. You want to scoop up ground balls, so you need to form your glove into a scoop shape.
Other "breaking in" tips are located all over the Internet. But the real answer is: USE THE GLOVE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. It will break itself in, and you will have had a lot of practice catching balls.
Your Bat
Virtually all teams supply a set of team bats. Also true: very few girls use them.
Girls play softball for the chance to be "at bat". They want to hit the ball with their own bat.
So, here are a few tips for buying bats.
What length bat should I buy?
Probably the most common fastpitch softball bat lengths are 29", 30", 31", 32", 33", and a few 34". Technically, the batter needs a bat that will cover both sides of home plate when she is in her hitting position. However, that answer is too easy due to individual body and strength differences between players in all age brackets. A place to start is to try a bat that is the same length as the distance between the ground and your hip. Then stand in your normal batting position with your feet at your normal distance from home plate. Take you normal swing and see if the bat has covered the far side of home plate. If it does, you've found the correct length.
What weight bat should I buy?
The misconception here is that it take a heavy bat to hit the ball into the outfield. Wrong. It takes a QUICK bat to hit the ball into the outfield. Modern aluminum softball bats are built to efficiently transfer the energy of your swing directly to the ball. The only weight consideration is: which weight can you swing the fastest. This seems to work our to be about a -10 bat. This means the bat is about 10 ounces lighter that the bat is long. For example, a 31" bat weighing 21 ounces is a good combination. After this -- whether you like a lighter or heavier bat -- it becomes a matter of personal preference.
Try this simple test to make sure the bat you are thinking about buying isn't too heavy. Hold the bat at the far end of the grip end and extend your arm and the bat straight out from your shoulder. If you can hold the bat steady for 15 seconds without the bat drifting down, the bat isn't too heavy.
Batting Accessories
Most teams supply helmets, but some girls still want their own. Make certain the helmet you choose fits well, provide good vision, and is certified for softball play.
Batting gloves are certainly optional and probably won't be supplied by the team. They do help with grip if they fit well. Probably the reason most girl's like batting gloves is to reduce bat sting. If this give your girl more confidence at the plate, it's probably worth the $9 to $19 expense.
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