Florida USSSA Fastpitch Official Playing Rules
With few exceptions, Florida USSSA Girls Fastpitch will abide by the rules and by-laws governed by the 2010 USSSA Rulebook. The on-line rulebook supersedes any printed edition. Changes
NOTE: The USSSA 8-and-Under Coach Pitch rules for Florida tournament play are here.
Below is a list of exceptions. This is for local Florida tournament play only, including State Championships. These rules do NOT apply when competing in any of the USSSA World Series events.
Courtesy Runner – The team at bat may use a courtesy runner for the pitcher and/or catcher any time after they reach base. The player in the batting order where the last out was recorded or any player with substitution rights not currently in the game may replace the current (the player physically playing the position when the 3rd out was recorded) pitcher or catcher as a courtesy runner at any time. The same runner may not be used for both positions in the same inning. Neither the pitcher nor the catcher will be required to leave under such circumstances Players who have participated in the game in any other capacity are ineligible to serve as a courtesy runner. A player may not run as a courtesy runner and be used as a substitute for another player in that half inning.
USSSA offers odd-age divisions (7U, 9U, 11U, 13U, 15U, and 17U) as well as the common even-age divisions (8U, 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U, and 18U). Although Florida teams may register as an odd-age division team, Florida tournaments will not host "odd" age bracket tournaments. If a team were to register as, for example, a 13U team, then they are eligible to play in 14U events.
18U Division will be played as an "open" division.
The pitching distance for all 18U and
16U shall be 43 feet.
The pitching distance for all 14U and 12U shall be 40 feet.
The pitching distance for all 10U and 8U shall be 35 feet.
Florida tournament game time limits in all games, including championship games, will be as follows:
In all age divisions, except the 8 and Under Division, no new inning will start after 1 hour 15 minutes. Innings in progress after the time limit has expired will be completed. An inning is considered complete after the third out is made. A game can end in a tie in seeding games. In tournament and championship games, ties will be played out using the international tie breaker. All games, including championship games, will be played with the 1 hour 15 minute time limits or 7 innings, which ever comes first.
Every effort will be made to complete every scheduled game at the 1 hour 15 minute time limit. In the event of rain delays, the Tournament Director reserves the right to reduce the time limits of all remaining games and/or change the format of the tournament to reach a conclusion and determine a champion.
USSSA permits the designated hitter to play defense. The role of the designated hitter is terminated for the remainder of the game when the DH enters the game to as a defensive player. Florida will adhere to this rule.
USSSA grants each team, when on defense, no more than three charged conferences without penalty during a seven-inning game to permit coaches or their representatives to confer with a defensive player or players. In any extra inning game, each team shall be permitted one charged conference without penalty each inning while on defense. The number of charged conferences is not cumulative (i.e., a team loses any charged conferences not used in the seven-inning game). Time granted for an obviously incapacitated player shall not constitute a charged conference. A conference is not charged when the pitcher is removed as a pitcher. This defensive team charged conference is effective when the ball first becomes alive at the start of each half inning. Penalty: after three charged conferences in a seven inning game, or for any charged conference in excess of one in each extra inning, the pitcher shall be removed as a pitcher for the duration of the game. Florida will adhere to this rule.
Currently, USSSA does not allow the dropped third strike in the 10-and-Under divisions. This applies to World Series play only. Florida will allow the 10-and-Unders to play under the same rules as all other age divisions (with the exception of pitching distance and ball-size). The dropped third strike and infield fly rule is in effect for all divisions, except the 8-and-Unders.
Download the 2010 USSSA Rulebook and By-Laws (Ninth Edition)
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