The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) has published the Official Rules of Softball Fast Pitch 2022-2025, the new set of norms that will rule the game of fast pitch softball for the next four years. The new softball playing rules become effective immediately.
- The Fast Pitch Softball Rulebook (PDF version in English) can be found here
- The Fast Pitch Softball Rulebook (PDF version in Spanish) can be found here.
- The Fast Pitch Softball Rulebook (flipping book version in English) can be found here.
- The Fast Pitch Softball Rulebook (flipping book version in Spanish) can be found here.
Among the main changes introduced in the new set of rules is the addition of a penalty for placing an incorrect runner on second base in a tiebreaker inning. On a proper appeal by the defensive team after a pitch, they shall be called out. The appeal may be made at any time they are on base.
The temporary runner rule added the pitcher for whom a temporary runner may be used, if on base with two out. If an incorrect temporary runner is used, on a proper appeal by the defence, the incorrect runner will be called out.
The new rules also provide for a clearer understanding of how to deal with unreported substitutions and re-establishing the FLEX or DP after reducing the line-up to nine (9) players.
A player may also wear one or two warming sleeves (compression sleeves) provided that each is the same solid colour as the team uniform colour and that the colour matches all other undershirts worn by any player on that team.
For female players, caps, visors and headbands are optional and players are free to choose which of these they wish to wear, providing that all players wear the same colour.
The list of rule changes here.
The Official Softball Rulebook was first introduced in 2017. The Spanish version of the Fastpitch Rulebook and the Slowpitch Rulebook will be available in the coming days.
