Click here for the link to the USSSA rulebook
USSSA now allows pitchers to "leap."
"REPLANTING" IS STILL ILLEGAL.
This is intended as quick summary of areas of significant differences in USSSA Fast Pitch rules. It is recommended to read the rulebook in its entirety.
- Pitching Distance 35 ft (10U); 40 ft (12U); 43 ft (14U and above) USSSA 1.1
- Players shall not use other teams on deck circle. USSSA 1.2.J
- Bat must have 2014 USSSA 1.20 BPF Thumbprint Mark or 2020 Stamp USSSA 2.10. If the batter ENTERS the batters box with an illegal bat, or has completed their at bat (but before the next pitch), the ball is dead. Any runner not put out goes back. Wild pitch, stolen base, passed balls, runners that are out all stand. Coach and players are both ejected.
- Team may bat 9, 10, 11 or all players present (Roster Batting). By using No, One, Two or more Additional Player(s). USSSA 5.1.D; 5.3 {9 defensive fielders}
- The Designated Player (DP) / FLEX is optional but must be declared before the game starts. USSSA 5.4.
- No DP/Flex when Roster Batting 5.1.D
- Unreported Substitution Penalty: team warning; 2nd offense coach ejected. USSSA 5.5
- May be removed as a pitcher and returned as pitcher only once per inning. USSSA 5.5
- All Starters & Substitutes may re-enter USSSA 5.6. This includes the DP and FLEX.
- A team may use 3 defensive conferences per game; 1 per extra inning; pitcher removed as a pitcher for game. USSSA 4.8.A
- The pitcher can step back with non-pivot foot USSSA 6.1.E.2
- The pitcher is not required to drag the pivot foot (i.e. Leap is legal) USSSA 6.1.E.3 (see example above)
- Batter is out if ENTIRE foot outside box when contacting the pitch. USSSA 7.14.G; Dead Ball
- A team may use a courtesy runner for the pitcher or catcher. If available, it must be a player who has not been in game (except as a courtesy runner). The player may not be used for both positions in same inning. If there is no such eligible player, the Last Completed At Bat (LCAB) may be used as a courtesy runner. If the courtesy runner is injured, another courtesy runner or the pitcher or catcher may run for her. USSSA 8.3.E
- Runner off base early is Dead Ball USSSA 8.18.K
- After reaching First, may use either white or orange portion of the double first base. 8.17.K.3