2023 rule changes by organization are provided below. Access each tab to see the updates per organization.
View the 2023 NFHS rules changes on the National Federation website.
Equipment
1-4-1: Removes the number of color restrictions on a glove, including laces and seams, and does not allow any panels of the glove to match the color of the ball.
Rationale: Gloves and mitts are manufactured in variety of designs and multiple colors. As long as the color of the ball is not one of the colors used, does not have markings that give the appearance of the ball or are made in a manner that is judged distracting by the umpire it is permitted for use in NFHS Softball.
Jewelry
3-2-12, 3-6-11: Removes language prohibiting the wearing of jewelry.
Rationale: Removing the language prohibiting jewelry places the softball rules in line with other NFHS sports that have removed the restriction. Umpires still have the authority to rule on anything that is considered a distraction or increases risk to any player.
Batting
2-20-1g: A fair ball is a batted ball that while over fair territory, an offensive player interferes with a defensive player attempting to field a batted ball.
Rationale: The ball’s status is determined at the point of interference. If an offensive player interferes with the defensive player while the ball is in fair territory, the ball is dead. Adding this language to the definition section mirrors the foul ball definition in Rule 2-25-1e.
4-2-1: Defines the protocol for when a fair batted ball clears the home run fence to end the game. All runs are allowed to score before the game is terminated.
Rationale: Allows for all runs to be counted when a fair batted ball clears the home run fence to end the game. All runs scored by virtue of the home run will be included in individual and team statistics.
Interference
8-2-7: New language clarifies batter-runner interference on a fly ball over foul territory.
Rationale: This has always been the enforcement but was not listed in the section covering batter-runner. The language is consistent with the rule covering interference on an initial play on a fair-batted ball and aligns with Rule 8-6-10.
Editorial Changes
Editorial changes are written as the new rule reads. Changes to the language from the previous year are in bold.
2-25-1e, 7-1-2 PENALTY 1, 7-4-1, 7-4-11, 8-1-1 EFFECTS 2, 8-4-3d
2023 SOFTBALL POINTS OF EMPHASIS
- Time Between Innings
- Jewelry and Electronic Communication
- Sportsmanship
- Comparable Drying Agents
This is not a rule change, but is an IESA state exception to NFHS rules.
On-Deck Batter Location
- The on-deck batter may use either on-deck circle.
- The on-deck batter may only move to the on-deck circle during a dead ball. The on-deck batter must remain in the on-deck circle unless the batter switches hitting positions at which time the umpire would have the discretion to allow the on-deck batter to change circles.
Equipment
- Rule 3, Section 1D: Delete the sentence; Any attachment such as a molded finger grip, flare cone or choke up device must be attached with grip tape.
Comment: Removes the requirement to use tape to attachments added to the grip.
Rule 3, Section 3A: The 12” Fast Pitch ball will have the following specifications: Size: 11 7/8 – 12 ., Weight: 6.50 oz – 7.00 oz., Compression: 275.0 LBS – 375.0 LBS, COR: . 470 Max, and Dynamic Stiffness: 7500 LBS. Max.
Comment: Creates common specifications for the 12” Fast Pitch ball for USA Softball, NCAA and NFHS. This is effective in 2024.
- Rule 3, Section 1D: Delete the sentence; Any attachment such as a molded finger grip, flare cone or choke up device must be attached with grip tape.
Personnel
Rule 4, Section 1C [1]: Adds a letter D and E. D allows for ONE EP so you can bat 10. E allows you to use the DP/Flex with ONE EP to bat 10 players. In both D and E, any player in the line-up can play defense. Substitutions for the pitcher and catcher must be reported.
Comment: This allows for an EP in Junior Olympic Girls Classification of Play. In E the DP/Flex Rule is in effect so if the Flex is taken out of the defense it is a substitution. Also clarifies substitutions for the pitcher and catcher must be reported.
Rule 4, Section 1C: Change the designation of “Baseman” to “Base player”.
Comment: This change better represents all who participate in our game.
Rule 4, Section 2L: Creates an additional section in the ADA Rule which allows a player with a disability, who needs to come out of the game due to the disability, to have a replacement player until the disability subsides.
Comment: This allows players who have certain conditions such as a diabetic event, to leave the game and be replaced until they can return, without requiring a substitution.
Time Limits
Rule 5, Section 10A: (10U) Changes the time limit to one hour and forty minutes and finish the inning and removes the requirement to play one additional inning.
Comment: Removes the need to play one additional inning once the time portion of the time limit has expired. Also changes the time portion to one hour forty minutes and finish the inning. All other parts of the Rule remain the same.
Rule 5, Section 10B: (12U-18U) Changes the time limit to one hour and forty minute and finish the inning and removes the requirement to play one additional inning.
Comment: Removes the need to play one additional inning once the time portion of the time limit has expired. Also changes the time portion to one hour forty minutes and finish the inning. All other parts of the Rule remain the same.
Rule 5, Section 10C: (16U GOLD and 18U GOLD Pool Play) Changes the time limit to one hour and forty minutes and finish the inning and removes the requirement to play one additional inning.
Comment: Removes the need to play one additional inning once the time portion of the time limit has expired. Also changes the time portion to one hour forty minutes and finish the inning. All other parts of the Rule remain the same.
Pitching
Rule 6A, Section 3K: (Women’s and JO Girls) Pushing off and dragging the pivot foot in contact with the ground or having both feet in the air is allowed.
Comment: Allows for Women and Junior Olympic Girls Classification of Play to have both feet in the air at the same time but must still stay within the 24” pitching plate.
PGF uses the National Federation of High School’s rules. For rules updates please visit the IHSA section of this page.
Legal Bats
(2.10.D.1, pg 12) – Adds the 2020 USSSA Certification Mark (in addition to the 2014 mark). A bat having either the 2014 OR 2020 Certification Mark is legal in USSSA sanctioned softball games.
- View the USSSA 2014 and 2020 Certification Marks
Pitching – Leaping
(6.1.E.3, pg. 24) – The pivot foot must remain in contact with the pitcher’s plate or push off and drag away from the pitcher’s plate or be airborne to the non-pivot foot touching the ground. The pitcher may leap from the pitcher’s plate, land with the non-pivot foot and with a continuous motion deliver the ball to the batter.
Base Running – Courtesy Runner
- (8.3.B-Penalty, pg. 42) – the ineligible or incorrect courtesy runner is liable for discovery once they physically replace the pitcher/catcher on the occupied base.
Sporting Behavior
- (11.2.C, pg. 58) – A coach, player, substitute, attendant, or other bench personnel shall not fail to wear or deliberately remove equipment when it is required to be worn.
- The rule was changed to be inclusive of all equipment.
Review detailed 2022-2023 rules changes
Review 2023 rules changes and experimental rule
Experimental Rule
Double First Base
The base shall be a one- or two-piece unit, 15 inches by 30 inches and manufactured to be of equal height between 11⁄2 to 31⁄2 inches thick. The base is bisected by the first base foul line, with half in fair territory and the other half in foul territory. The fair portion shall be white and the foul portion shall be a contrasting color, typically orange. The fair portion of the base shall be located in accordance with Rule 2.7 (first base).
Future Impacting Changes
Recommended Fence Distance (Rule 2.15.2.1)
- For all new construction, fences must be at least 6′ high and a minimum of 190′ in left and right fields, and 220 feet in center field.
Recommended Foul Pole Height (Rule 216.2)
- The pole shall extend a minimum of 10′, or the recommended height of 40′.
Ball Specifications (Rule 3.2.1)
- Game balls must meet NFHS and USA specifications (max compression of 275-375 pounds) by January 1, 2024.
Sideline and Home Run Fences
- By January 1, 2027, sideline and home run fences constructed or wood, concrete, or brick to be padded. Padding must not begin more than 1 foot off the ground and extend to the top of the wood, concrete or brick or 6 feet from the ground, whichever is shorter. This is required for any field hosting NCAA softball competition.