Rules

The use of altered, non-approved and illegal bats in high school softball will result in the ejection of both the batter and head coach, beginning with the 2012 season, according to new rules approved in July 2011 by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).

The NFHS rule allowing metal cleats and metal toe plates in high school softball has sparked controversy and has been rejected by the states of Maryland, New Jersey and Massachusetts and in ASA play for safety reasons.

Three rules revisions were made by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Softball Rules Committee regarding the pitcher-batter relationship at its annual meeting June 9-11 in Indianapolis. The rules changes subsequently were approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

Some specific rules for fast-pitch softball vary by age, skill level and organization, but here are the basic rules.