How to Know the Rules for Slow Pitch Softball

In the United States, softball is governed by four associations: Amateur Softball Association, the National Softball Association, the United States Sports Specialty Association and the Independent Softball Association. The rules for slow pitch softball are different than baseball in a few areas. Read on to learn how to know the rules for slow pitch football.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Play seven innings. A game that is postponed due to rain, time limit, darkness or run rule will begin where it was stopped. However, five innings (or four and one-half if the home team has the lead) is considered a game in these cases. A coin toss determines home team.
2. End the game at a time limit of 60 minutes, but finish the inning. The only exception is if the game is postponed as mentioned in Step 1. Also, a team wins if they are at least 15 runs ahead anytime after the third inning or at least 10 after five innings. The rules for slow pitch softball don't allow for extra innings.
3. Place no more than 11 (12 if coed) and no less than eight players in the batting order. The tenth position is an out if a team has only nine players. However, a team can add players at the bottom if they start with eight until everybody has batted and not have the ninth or tenth position considered an out.
4. Count one ball and one strike for the batter as an out, with the exception of the first foul ball.
5. Allow unlimited defensive changes for slow pitch softball.
6. Allow a substitute or replacement for a starting player. The starter may re-enter one time in his original position in the line-up.
7. Permit the last person out as a courtesy runner for an injured player. The rules for slow pitch softball also state that a courtesy runner must be the same gender if playing coed.
8. Consider a pitch a strike if it is thrown over the plate and between the batter's front knee and back shoulder. A pitch with an arc that is between 6 and 12 feet from the ground and thrown underhand is acceptable. The pitch will be a ball if the catcher blocks the umpire from seeing.

Tips & Warnings

• If a team is not ready at game time, they will forfeit.
• Only tennis shoes or rubber cleats are allowed.