USSSA Fast Pitch 2011 Rule Changes January 2011. Major Rule Changes Three Major Rule Changes were...

USSSA Fast Pitch2011 Rule Changes

January 2011

Major Rule Changes

Three Major Rule Changes were adopted for the 2011 Season.

Rule 1.1 Pitching Distances for 13U & 14U is 43 feet.

Rule 5.4 Adopt DP/FLEX to replace DH.

Rule 6.1 Require Two Feet on the pitching plate &No Backward Step.

20112 USSSA Fast Pitch Rule Changes

Pitching Distance

The Pitching Distance is 43 feet for 13U thru 18U.

Increasing the pitching distance from 40 feet to 43 feet for 13U/14U in addition to 15U-18U.

Brings USSSA into line with both college and high school.


Rule 1 Sec 1

Adopt DP/FLEX to replace DH.Change was made to be consistent with high school

and college rules.

This adoption imposes additions to Definitions and Changes to Rules 3.61, 5.1, 5.4, 5.5, and 8.3.

DP/FLEX


Rule 3 Sec 23,29,61

DP/FLEX


Add Definitions

DESIGNATED PLAYER (DP) plays offense

FLEX plays defense

STARTING PLAYER. A starting player is one of the first nine, ten, eleven or twelve (if using the optional DP/FLEX and/or APs) listed on the lineup card that is approved by the Plate Umpire.

Rule 5 Sec 1

DP/FLEX


A team may elect to include a DP/FLEX and/or up to two Additional Players (AP).

The maximum number of players in the lineup is 12;

The maximum number of batters in the lineup is 11.

Rule 5 Sec 4 A,B,C

DP/FLEX


DP/FLEX must be declared before game.

The DP’s name listed where batting.

FLEX listed last.

The DP must remain in the same position in the lineup for the entire game.

Order # Player Position

Substitute

1 4 Amy Adams SS

2 5 Bev Beach AP

3 16 Cat Carr LF

4 39 Debbie Dow 1B

5 6 Eva Evans DP

6 15 Fran Foote CF

7 9 Grace Good 3B

8 3 Heather High 2B

9 7 Izzy Itch C

10 22 Jane Jump RF

FLEX 18 Kris Krouse P


# Player # Player

25 Lacy Luck 8 Olive O’Leary

1 Mary Match 10 Pattie Proud

12 Nancy Note

Substitutes

DP listed where batting

FLEX listed Last

Any 9 in lineup can play defense.

DP/FLEX


Rule 5 Sec 4 F


Substitute

1 4 Amy Adams SS

2 5 Bev Beach AP

3 16 Cat Carr LF

4 39 Debbie Dow 1B

5 6 Eva Evans DP

6 15 Fran Foote CF

7 9 Grace Good 3B

8 3 Heather High 2B

9 7 Izzy Itch C

10 22 Jane Jump RF



# Player # Player



12 Nancy Note

Substitutes

NOT on Defense

NOT on Defense


Substitute

1 4 Amy Adams SS

2 5 Bev Beach AP

3 16 Cat Carr LF

4 39 Debbie Dow 1B

5 6 Eva Evans DP

6 15 Fran Foote CF

7 9 Grace Good 3B

8 3 Heather High 2B

9 7 Izzy Itch C

10 22 Jane Jump RF



# Player # Player



12 Nancy Note

Substitutes

NOT on Defense

NOT on Defense

Any 9 in lineup can play defense.

If FLEX not on defense, FLEX out of game.

Eliminates non-batting position.

Reduces number in lineup.

Must be reported.

DP/FLEX


Rule 5 Sec 4 F


Substitute

1 4 Amy Adams SS

2 5 Bev Beach AP

3 16 Cat Carr LF

4 39 Debbie Dow 1B

5 6 Eva Evans DP

6 15 Fran Foote CF

7 9 Grace Good 3B

8 3 Heather High 2B

9 7 Izzy Itch C

10 22 Jane Jump RF



# Player # Player



12 Nancy Note

Substitutes

NOT on Defense; Out of GameNon Batting Position Eliminated

NOT on Defense

DP/FLEX


Rule 5 Sec 4 D,E

May substitute for DP at any time.

DP may re-enter.

If DP not on offense, DP out of game.

FLEX batting for DP eliminates non-batting position.

Reduces number in lineup.

Must be reported.


Substitute

1 4 Amy Adams SS

2 5 Bev Beach AP

3 16 Cat Carr LF

4 39 Debbie Dow 1B

5 6 Eva Evans DP #18

6 15 Fran Foote CF

7 9 Grace Good 3B

8 3 Heather High 2B

9 7 Izzy Itch C

10 22 Jane Jump RF



# Player # Player



12 Nancy Note

Substitutes

Batting for DPNon Batting Position Eliminated

NOT on Defense

Evans NOT on Offense; Evans Out of Game

May substitute for FLEX at any time.

FLEX may re-enter.

The DP or an AP may play defense for the FLEX. In either case, the FLEX will leave the game.

DP/FLEX


Rule 5 Sec 4 G

The Non Batting Position can be Re-established.

If FLEX re-enters into non batting position.

If DP re-enters and FLEX moves backinto non batting position.

DP/FLEX


Rule 5 Sec 4 G

FLEX can only bat/run for DP.

The FLEX is ejected for batting/running for someone other than the DP.

DP/FLEX


Rule 5 Sec 4 H


Substitute

1 4 Amy Adams SS

2 5 Bev Beach AP

3 16 Cat Carr LF

4 39 Debbie Dow 1B

5 6 Eva Evans DP 18

6 15 Fran Foote CF

7 9 Grace Good 3B

8 3 Heather High 2B

9 7 Izzy Itch C

10 22 Jane Jump RF



# Player # Player



12 Nancy Note

Substitutes

FLEX can only go Here

Batting for DP in DP spotNon Batting Position Eliminated

The DP may play any defensive position, any time and any number of times. Does not count as a substitution for anyone except the FLEX. Must be reported.

The FLEX may play offense in DP’s position any time and any number of times. This is a substitution for the DP. Must be reported.

The DP & FLEX can both be on defense at the same time.

The DP & FLEX can NOT be on offense at the same.

DP/FLEX


Rule 5 Sec 5

No courtesy runner for DP.Unless DP is the pitcher or catcher of record.

DP/FLEX


Rule 8 Sec 3


Substitute

1 4 Amy Adams SS

2 5 Bev Beach AP

3 16 Cat Carr LF

4 39 Debbie Dow 1B

5 6 Eva Evans DP

6 15 Fran Foote CF

7 9 Grace Good 3B

8 3 Heather High 2B

9 7 Izzy Itch C

10 22 Jane Jump RF



# Player # Player



12 Nancy Note

Substitutes

Courtesy Runner Only if Evans pitcher or catcher,

NOT on Defense

NOT on Defense

Must have Two feet on the pitching plate.Can NOT have one foot behind the pitching plate.

Change was made to be consistent with college pitching rules.

Pitching Prerequisites


Rule 6 Sec 1

Part of the pivot foot must be on top of the pitcher’s plate.

The non-pivot foot must be in contact with the pitcher’s plate.

Both feet must be within the 24-inch length of the pitcher’s plate.



Rule 6 Sec 1

Legal


Pivot foot on top; non-pivot foot touching.

PF PF

Pivot Foot NOT on top of Pitcher’s Plate

Illegal


PFPF

Illegal


No part of foot may be outside 24”.

PF PF

Must take one step Forward.Can NOT take a step Backward.



Rule 6 Sec 1

Additional Rule Changes

Further Rule Changes adopted for 2011 Season

Rules 3.10 and 5.1.B Lineup – Require first and last names on lineup

Rule 6.1.D Pitcher removing them self from pitching position

Rule 9.6.A Retouch on awarded bases Rule 17.13.a and Rule 18.18.a Pitching Coach

Restrictions Rule 17 Coach Pitch Rule rewritten


First & Last Names

Require first and last names on lineup

Resolve inconsistency in Rules 3.10 and 5.1.B.


Rules 3 Sec 10 and 5 Sec 1

Withdraw from Pitching Position

The Pitcher may stop the pitchwhen in the pitching position but before the pitch starts.

She may step back or

Request time.

Explicit language as to how a pitcher who is on the rubber can remove them self from pitching position.

.


Rule 6 Sec 1 D

Retouch on awarded bases

It should be explicitly stated that a runner may complete their advance or return.

Old: A runner may not return to touch a missed base or one left too soon on a caught fly ball if:he has reached a base beyond the base missed or left too soon and the ball becomes dead.

New : he has advanced, touched and remains beyond the base missed or left too soon and the ball becomes dead.


Rule 9 Sec 6 A

Coach Pitch Changes

Rule 17 Coach Pitch Rule rewritten

Made restriction for coach pitching in Rule 17 Coach Pitch or feeding machine in Rule 18 Machine Pitch the same – Can only coach batter prior to pitch.


Rule 17

Editorial Changes

Editorial Changes were made – No intent to change current interpretation

Rule 2 Equipment – Bat warmers Rule 3 Definitions – Base on Balls - Intentional Walk Rule 3 Definitions - Catch. Rule 3 Definition - Coach’s Box - NEW Rule 3 Definition - Trap - NEW Rule 7 Sec 4. Clarify Batter’s feet in box. Rule 8.17 and 8.18.I - tagging runner resolve inconsistent

wording


Bat Warmers

Bat Warmers approved by USSSA are permitted.

Explicitly state current policy


Rule 2 Sec 11

Intentional Walk

Old statement: “There is no intentional walk in Fast Pitch.” produced misinterpretation

New statement “The defense may not notify the umpire nor cause illegal pitch(es) to intentionally walk a batter. A team may intentionally walk a batter. However they must throw four pitches. They cannot simply declare to put the batter on base nor can the pitcher commit repeated illegal pitches.

No change to current interpretation; Clarify meaning.


Rule 3 Sec 3

Catch – Definition Rewritten

Rewrite/Rearrange Section; Move definition of trap to separate definition

A catch is the act of a fielder getting secure possession in a hand or glove of a live ball in flight and firmly holding it.

In establishing a valid catch, the fielder shall hold the ball long enough to prove complete control of it and that the release of the ball is voluntary and intentional.

Conditions for Valid Catch.

Conditions when a Catch shall not be credited.


Rule 3 Sec 15

Trap – Separate Definition

Move definition of Trap from Catch to separate definition

Establishes existing criteria in its own definition.

Rule 3 Definition - Trap - NEW

A batted fly ball or line drive is considered trapped if it hits the ground or a fence on a short hop before being caught. A thrown ball is considered trapped if it is caught but the ball is on the ground and the glove/mitt/hand is over, rather than under, it and the fielder does not have secure possession. A pitched ball is considered trapped if it is a strike but touches the ground on a short hop before being caught by the catcher.


Rule 3 Sec 69

Coach’s Box

NEW Definition The coach’s box is the area to which the two base

coaches (one per box) are restricted prior to release of the pitch.

Inserts Standard Definition


Rule 3 Sec 17

Apparently Unconscious

Under Injured Player,

Change “unconscious” to “Apparently unconscious”.

Easier definition to apply. Consistent with other associations.


Rule 5 Sec 9

Time to Release Pitch

Modify Rule: Once the ball has been returned to the pitcher to prepare for the

next pitch or after the Umpire calls “Play”, the pitcher has 20 seconds to release the next pitch. Penalty: Dead ball; a ball on the batter

Added “to prepare for the next pitch” and Reworded for Clarification


Rule 6 Sec 1 K

Batter’s Feet in Box

Current Rule: Prior to the pitch, the batter must have both feet completely within the lines of the batter’s box. The batter may touch the lines, but no part of the foot may be outside the lines prior to the pitch.

Change to: Prior to the pitch, the batter must have both feet completely in the batter’s box. The batter may touch the lines, but no part of the foot may be outside the lines prior to the pitch.

Reworded for Clarification


Rule 7 Sec 4 A

Tagging Runner

Make Rules 8.17.D and 8.18.I consistent regarding tagging runner

Current Rule 8 Sec 17.D - The batter-runner is out: If, after a third strike or a fair hit, any fielder, while holding the ball, touches the

batter-runner before the batter-runner touches first base;

Modification If, after a third strike or a fair hit, any fielder tags out the batter-runner before

the batter-runner touches first base;

Current Rule 8.18.I Any runner is out when: Touched by a live ball securely held by a fielder or is touched by a fielder’s

glove or hand with the live ball held therein while the runner is not touching base.

Modification Tagged out.


Rules 8 Sec 17 D & Sec 18 I

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