2018 IOWA SOFTBALL ADAPTATIONS
The 2017 National Federation Softball Rules Book will be followed, subject to the following adaptations:
1. LEGAL BATS - Rule 1-5 regarding bats will be followed with the following modification to 1-5-1d: Bats must meet the 2004 ASA Bat Performance Standard, bear the 2004 certification mark, and not be listed on the ASA non-approved bat list. Bats made entirely of wood are permitted and need not bear an ASA mark. Bats with the 2000 certification mark are ILLEGAL. Enclosed is a copy of the illegal bats for 2018. Here is a link to the ASA web page with further information: https://www.teamusa.org/usa-softball/play-usa-softball/certified-usa-softball-equipment
2. PITCHING RULE - All levels of play (7-12) will pitch from 43-feet. Follow Rule 6 with one exception: Prior to starting the delivery of the pitch, the non-pivot foot must be in contact with the pitching plate.
3. CHINSTRAPS - Chinstraps are required on all batting helmets and must be snapped and worn properly.
4. FENCE COVERING - Any fence that is less than six feet high and made of metal/steel shall be covered with a protective covering. This includes all fences on the diamond. There is no specific color required
5. UNIFORMS - We will follow Rule 3-2 regarding uniforms with the following exceptions:
- There shall be no advertising or sponsor’s name on the uniform.
- If worn, headbands may be any color or multi-colored, and do not have to match among teammates.
6. PRE-GAME INFIELD - VARSITY ONLY - For regular season dual competition and regional tournament, both teams may take infield practice on the actual playing diamond. There is a seven-minute limit. The timing shall be done by the home management - preferably by the PA Announcer or scoreboard operator. A reminder shall be issued with one minute remaining. A team still has the option of hitting ground balls in front of their dugout in foul territory during their seven-minute warm-up time if they prefer. But both teams must be afforded the opportunity to use the playing diamond for their seven minutes if they
Regular season tournaments and sub-varsity warm-up protocol remains at the discretion of the home management.
7.UMPIRE ATTIRE - A powder blue polo shirt and grey slacks are REQUIRED for varsity contests. A white polo shirt (including those with the blue or red side panels) and grey slacks may be worn for sub-varsity contests. Grey slacks and a powder blue polo shirt with the IGHSAU logo is REQUIRED to be worn in the regional and state tournament.
8. GAME-ENDING PROTOCOL – At the varsity level, it is required to use a 12-run differential rule after 3 or 4 innings (2.5 or 3.5 innings if the home team is leading by 12 or more runs) and a 10-run differential rule after 5 or 6 innings (4.5 or 5.5 innings if the home team is leading by 10 or more runs). At the sub-varsity level, use of the run differential rule is optional.
9. INTERNATIONAL TIE-BREAKER - When used in a regular season game, the international tie-breaker rule starts in the top of the 8th To apply the rule, determine the first legal batter of the inning, and then place the player immediately preceding her in the line-up on second base with no outs. If used during a regular season tournament, it is permissible to begin using the international tie-breaker rule prior to the 8th inning if the time limit has expired. Reminder—the international tie-breaker is NOT used during the regional tournament but is used in the Wednesday and Friday consolation games at the state tournament.
10.SUSPENDED GAME - Apply Rule 4-2-1, 2 to determine if you have a regulation game with a winner decided. If
not, the game shall be suspended, and if made up at a later time, the game shall be resumed from the point of interruption.
11. MEDIA BOX – A media box shall be lined in foul territory down the third base line for all varsity contests. The minimum dimensions of this box shall be 5 feet wide by 3 feet deep. An additional media box down the first base line remains optional.
12. PROTESTED GAMES – Rule 4-4 – The IGHSAU does not recognize protests.