EVENT DETAILS

League Rules

USSSA Washington – Kasch Park, Hogan Park, Celebration Park

2026 Adult Slow Pitch Softball

Rules & Regulations

Introduction

USSSA Washington reserves the right to change any rule or regulation when due cause warrants (e.g., USSSA rule changes, safety concerns, cost changes, or facility limitations). Should any change occur, all managers will be notified by the League Director.

Rules not contained in this document will follow the current USSSA Rule Book. It is the responsibility of each team manager to understand and communicate all rules and requirements to their team.

RULE 1 — TEAM REGISTRATION

A. All league business is conducted through team managers and/or coaches only.
B. Teams are registered upon receipt of league fees, roster submission, and verification of eligibility.
C. League fees cover: roster processing, umpire fees, field maintenance, lights, game balls, association dues, and administration costs.

RULE 2 — PLAYER REGISTRATION & ELIGIBILITY

A. All roster changes must be processed through the Washington USSSA State Office.
B. All players must be registered online with complete legal name, date of birth, cell number, and email.
C. Players must complete all roster information and sign the online waiver before becoming eligible.
D. Managers are responsible for providing proof of roster status upon request.
E. Maximum roster size: 20 players.
F. Players must be 18 years old to play

G. A player may participate on only one USSSA team per night.
H. Females are not permitted on Men’s teams.
I. Players may transfer teams only once, with approval from the USSSA office.
J. Hardship Rule: The State Office may authorize additions to prevent forfeits (team must have played two games with 9 or fewer players OR forfeited one game OR have 11 or fewer available players).
K. All players must carry photo ID. Failure to present ID before game completion results in a forfeit.
L. Falsified roster information or use of illegal players may result in immediate team suspension with no refund.
M. Beginning in 2025, all players must have an Individual Player Registration ($25).

RULE 3 — GAME REGULATIONS

A. Schedules, results, and standings are available online (USSSA event page).
B. Game Times (Mon–Fri):

• 6:00 p.m. (grace period allowed)
• 7:00 p.m.
• 8:00 p.m.
• 9:00 p.m.
  
  

C. Game Length & Time Limits

D. Grace Period:

• Only for 6:00 p.m. games, a 10-minute grace period is allowed if either team has fewer than 8 players.
• Once both teams have 8, the game must start immediately.
• Time limit adjusts accordingly (55 minutes from actual start time).

E. Injury Time:

• Clock continues for up to 2 minutes; stops thereafter if needed.
• Serious injuries may result in immediate clock stoppage.

F. 30-Minute Rule for Doubleheaders:
If Game 1 is forfeited due to lack of players, Game 2 starts 30 minutes after Game 1’s scheduled start.

G. Playoff Tie Games:
International Tie Breaker begins after time expires or in the 8th inning.

H. Flip-Flop Rule:
If the home team is losing and the run rule is reached in or after the 3rd inning, the home team bats immediately as visitors.

I. Teams must hustle on/off the field.

RULE 4 — PLAYERS & SUBSTITUTES

Dugout Rule: Only managers, coaches, eligible players, and scorekeepers allowed.

A. Minimum to start/finish a game: 8 players.
B. Teams starting with 8 or 9 may add players until they reach 10. After the first pitch of the 3rd inning, additions must follow substitution rules.

Coed Defensive Requirements

Courtesy Runners

Coed Courtesy Runners

RULE 5 — PITCHING REGULATIONS

A. Arc must be 3 ft minimum from the point of release to 10 ft maximum from the ground.
B. Pitcher may pitch from the plate or up to 6 ft behind it, within its width.
C. Warm-ups:

• 3 pitches to start game
• 1 pitch thereafter
• New pitchers receive 3 pitches
  D. Pitcher has 5 seconds to deliver the ball.
  E. No “illegal pitch” verbal call in USSSA-umpired games.
  F. See USSSA rulebook for full details.

RULE 6 — BATTING

A. Lineups exchanged before game start.
B. Teams may bat up to 20 players.

Coed Batting Rules
C.

D. If a male batter walks, he is awarded 2nd base. The following female must bat unless there are 2 outs (then she may choose to walk).

E. Arriving after first pitch of 3rd inning requires standard substitution rules unless shorthanded.

F. Teams may drop to 8 players.

• If starting with 8 ? 1 automatic out in 9th spot
• If starting with 9 ? no automatic out in 10th spot
• Ejection with no sub = automatic out each cycle

G. Batters must enter the box within 10 seconds or receive a strike; continued delay results in an out.

H. On-Deck:

I. 3–2 Count Rule:

• 3 balls / 2 strikes
• No courtesy foul

J. Bat Throwing:

• Unintentional: warning or removal
• Intentional: ejection

K. Run Rule:

• 7 runs per half-inning limit
• Last inning = open

RULE 7 — HOME RUN LIMITS

A. Home Run Limits (untouched, over fence):

• Men’s: 3 per game ? then inning-ending out
• Coed: 3 per gender ? then inning-ending out
• Coed Low Level: 1 per gender ? then inning-ending out
• Cross-division games use lower-level limits.

B. Runners and batter do not need to touch any bases on HRs.

C. “You hit ’em, you get ’em” rule:
Teams must retrieve HR/foul balls.
Failure = out on next batter.

RULE 8 — CASUAL PROFANITY

A. Casual profanity = frustration language not directed at officials or opponents.
Penalty progression:

• Warning ? outs assessed as appropriate

Outs may be applied to:

B. Profanity directed at officials or opponents = ejection.

RULE 9 — ATHLETIC CODE OF CONDUCT

(This section has been fully cleaned, organized, and formatted for readability. All rules and penalties remain unchanged.)

Summary of Responsibilities

Participants must:

• Demonstrate courtesy and self-discipline
• Respect staff, officials, facilities, and opponents
• Follow all safety rules and facility regulations

Prohibited Conduct

Includes profanity, insubordination, harassment, damaging property, physical/verbal abuse, intoxication, drugs/alcohol on premises, weapons, gambling, and any action jeopardizing safety or sportsmanship.

Penalty Levels

• Level I: Warning ? ejection + 1-game suspension
• Level II: Ejection + 1-game minimum ? up to 1-year suspension
• Level III: 1-year ban possible
• Level IV: Up to life suspension

Team penalties apply when multiple players violate rules.

Suspended Participants

• Must leave premises within 2 minutes
• Failure results in forfeit
• Suspensions apply to all teams the individual plays for

Manager Responsibilities

Managers must ensure players and spectators follow all rules, provide names upon request, and represent the team in rule discussions.

RULE 10 — FORFEITS

A team forfeits when:
A. Unable to take the field at game time
B. Fewer than 8 players present
C. Violation of league/USSSA rules
D. Manager lacks control of team
E. Harassment of staff/officials
F. Three forfeits = removal from league
G. Teams may use the field after a forfeit until 10 minutes prior to next game
H. Forfeit score recorded as 7–0
I. Other USSSA forfeit rules apply

Note: A team that forfeits automatically loses all tiebreakers.

RULE 11 — PROTESTS: RULE INTERPRETATION

A protest must be announced before the next pitch.
Officials complete an Incident Report; both managers sign.
Formal written protest must be filed within 24 hours with $25 fee.

Valid protests result in a refund.
Judgment calls (safe/out, fair/foul, etc.) cannot be protested.

RULE 12 — PROTESTS: PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

• Must be announced before first pitch of 3rd inning or immediately upon player entering game
• Player must present ID
• Failure ? game becomes a forfeit
• If ID is valid but player is not on roster ? forfeit
• Illegal player protests apply only to that game

RULE 13 — PLAYING FIELD

A. Games played at Kasch Park Fields 1–4; Hogan Park Fields 2-4; Service Club Fields 1&2
B. Double First Base Rule enforced for safety.
C. Coed leagues use Commitment Line and Scoring Line.

RULE 14 — EQUIPMENT

Game Balls:

• Home team provides new ball
• Home provides backup; if not, visiting team becomes home
• Official ball types:
• Men: Baden Classic M SB .40 COR / 325 PSI
• Women: Baden Classic W SB .44 COR / 400 PSI

Bats:

• Only USSSA 240-stamped legal bats allowed starting 2025
• Penalties include outs and possible ejection

Uniforms:

• Uniforms not required
• Metal cleats prohibited

RULE 15 — INCLEMENT WEATHER

• Determined by staff, supervisors, and umpires
• Decision made by 4:00 p.m. via email
• Teams may not practice on wet fields
• Canceled games will be rescheduled

Lightning Policy:

• Suspend play immediately
• 30-minute wait after last thunder/flash
• Reset clock for each new event

RULE 16 — LEAGUE STANDINGS

Standings updated daily.
Tiebreakers, in order:

RULE 17 — GAME OFFICIALS

Washington USSSA provides umpires.
Comments/concerns must be submitted in writing.
If umpire does not arrive, contact the USSA WA UIC.

RULE 18 — SCOREKEEPING

A. Home team provides official scorebook.
B. Lineups exchanged 10 minutes before start.
C. Both teams must report game scores by email or text.

RULE 19 — MISCELLANEOUS RULES

A. Open Alcohol container laws strictly enforced.
B. USSSA assumes no liability for injury or theft.
C. No smoking on field; tobacco prohibited during youth activities.
D. Music allowed if appropriate and not disruptive.
E. Blood Rule enforced.
F. Avoid Contact practices enforced; sliding is optional.
G. Park at your own risk; secure valuables.
H. Teams should carry a first aid kit.
I. Pre-game BP allowed only under specific conditions (infield dirt only).
J. Rule revisions must be submitted to USSSA office.
L. USSSA State Office retains authority for all final decisions.

Non-Discrimination Notice

The City of Everett prohibits discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, or disability.

League Contacts

Strojan Kennison — USSSA State Director
Matt Gregory — USSSA WA UIC
Paul Schukar — WA USSSA State League Director

Phone: (206) 789-9133
Email: [email protected]