Coach's Guide to USA Softball 14U Girls Fastpitch 2026

Under Rule 3, Section 1, a legal bat must:

• be no longer than 34 inches, no heavier than 38 ounces, and no more than 2.25 inches in diameter at its largest part,
• carry the USA Softball certification mark that is allowed in all games. The other mark is only legal in slow pitch, men's and boys' fastpitch and men's modified, so it can't be used in girls fastpitch,
• appear on USA Softball's list of approved bat models, and not on its Non-Approved Bat List,
• have a safety grip 6 to 15 inches from the knob, a knob at least 1.6 inches across, and no dents, cracks, burrs or rattles.

Altered bats are illegal: rolled, shaved, repainted, weighted, heated, cooled or otherwise modified. A name or number laser-marked or painted on the bat is fine. Since 2026, a bat sensor is allowed if it's properly attached.

Penalties (Rule 7, Section 6):

• Batter caught with an altered or non-approved bat: out and ejected.
• Batter caught with an otherwise illegal bat (for example, damaged): out.
• If it's discovered after her at-bat but before the next pitch, she's out, any outs on the play stand, and other runners go back to their bases.

Under Rule 3, Section 5, for Junior Olympic fastpitch:

Offense:

• Batters, the on-deck batter, runners, and players coaching a base must wear a double ear flap NOCSAE-approved batting helmet.
• Every JO fastpitch batting helmet must have a securely fastened NOCSAE-approved face mask. Check the mask is approved for that helmet model.
• Chin straps are allowed. Broken, cracked, dented or altered helmets are illegal.
• A player who won't wear a helmet when the umpire orders it is removed from the game. Deliberately taking a helmet off during a live ball makes that player out.

Catchers must wear a mask with throat protector, a helmet with ear flaps, shin guards that protect the kneecaps, and a body protector. A plastic fielder's face guard isn't enough. Anyone warming up a pitcher must wear a mask with throat protector and a helmet with ear flaps.

Fielders may wear a face mask or a helmet (with a bill, similar in color to the team caps), and any player may wear extra protective gear. Cracked or deformed masks, or masks with missing padding, are prohibited.

Before JO games, put all equipment outside the dugout for the umpire's pregame inspection.

Under Rule 3, Section 6:

Shoes:

• Metal cleats are allowed in 14U fastpitch. The no-metal rule applies only to JO fastpitch 10U and 12U, JO slow pitch, and coed and senior slow pitch.
• Cleats on metal sole or heel plates can't stick out more than 3/4 inch. Round metal spikes are illegal.
• Detachable cleats that screw into the shoe are legal. Screw-on cleats are not.

Jewelry: exposed jewelry the umpire judges dangerous must come off. Medical alert bracelets or necklaces aren't jewelry, but must be taped to the body with the information still visible.

Uniforms:

• Players' uniforms must match in color and style, with a whole number from 0 to 99, at least 3 inches high, in a contrasting color. No two players may wear the same number, and a player without a number can't play.
• Caps, visors and headbands are optional for girls and may be mixed. Handkerchiefs and plastic visors aren't allowed.
• Pants may be long or short. If more than one player wears undershirts or sliding pants showing, they must match.
• Casts, splints and braces with hard surfaces must be padded.

A player who refuses to remove jewelry, illegal shoes or illegal uniform parts can't play.

Your lineup options in JO fastpitch (Rule 4, Sections 1, 3 and 4):

DP/FLEX:

• Declare it before the game. In JO play, the DP can be anywhere in the batting order and the FLEX (defense only) is listed last.
• The DP stays in the same batting spot all game and may play defense. If she plays defense for the FLEX, the FLEX has left the game and you're down to nine.
• The FLEX may bat in the DP's spot. That also takes you down to nine.
• Both the DP and the FLEX may re-enter once. Putting the FLEX into the batting order for anyone other than the DP makes her an illegal player.

EP: declare her before the game. She bats in a fixed spot all game, can play defense, and can be substituted for. If you start with an EP, you must use one all game.

Batting more than nine in pool play: extra batters are listed as EPs. If a player leaves for any reason other than injury or ejection, an out is recorded in her spot. If she leaves injured, her spot is skipped with no out. You can't play with fewer than eight.

Re-entry (Rule 4, Section 5):

• Any player, starter or substitute, may be replaced and re-enter once, in the same spot in the batting order.
• A starter and her substitute can't be in the lineup at the same time.
• Re-entering a second time, or in a different batting spot, is an illegal re-entry. That player is disqualified once the other team brings it to the umpire's attention.

Reporting substitutes (Rule 4, Section 6):

• Report every substitute to the plate umpire when she enters. Also report any defensive change involving the pitcher or catcher.
• An unreported substitute is only penalized if the other team protests. Depending on when it's discovered, the penalty can include the player being called out or the play being replayed.
• You can add eligible roster players to the substitute list at any time during the game.

Injured runner: if an injury stops a runner from reaching an awarded base, a substitute may take her place. In JO pool play, any player may replace the injured player.

Under Rule 8, Section 10, you may use a courtesy runner for your pitcher and/or catcher once she bats and reaches base safely. She doesn't leave the game.

• The same courtesy runner can't run for both the pitcher and the catcher in the same game.
• In the top of the first inning, the pitcher and catcher are the players listed at those positions. After that, they're the last players who actually played those positions on defense, so report defensive changes at pitcher and catcher to the umpire.
• Normally, a player who is in the game or has already played can't be a courtesy runner. In JO fastpitch pool play, any eligible player can be.
• If the courtesy runner's own turn at bat comes while she's on base, the player she's running for is called out and the courtesy runner goes to bat.
• A courtesy runner who isn't reported, or isn't eligible, is an illegal runner.

Key Rule 6A requirements for girls fastpitch:

• Start: both feet on the ground within the 24-inch length of the pitcher's plate, pivot foot touching it, shoulders in line with first and third. Take (or appear to take) the signal with hands apart.
• Pause: bring the hands together for at least 1 and no more than 10 seconds.
• Delivery: underhand, hand below the hip, no more than one revolution of the arm, no stop or reversal after the hands separate, and release on the throwing-arm side.
• Step: one step with the non-pivot foot, forward toward the batter and within the 24-inch width of the plate. A leap or drag is legal for girls. Lifting the pivot foot and putting it back down (rocking) is illegal.
• Pace: release the pitch within 20 seconds of getting the ball (otherwise a ball is called).
• Warm-ups: up to 5 pitches in one minute at the start of each half-inning or for a new pitcher.
• Don't throw to a base with a foot on the pitcher's plate. Step back off it first.

Junior Olympic illegal pitch penalty:

• If the batter reaches first safely and every runner advances at least one base, the play stands.
• Otherwise the offensive coach chooses between the result of the play and a ball on the batter. Runners are not awarded bases, unlike in adult fastpitch.
• A batter hit by an illegal pitch she didn't swing at gets first base.

Under Rule 5, Section 7:

Defensive conferences (a coach from the dugout meeting any defensive players):

• Three charged conferences without penalty in a seven-inning game.
• In extra innings, one per inning.
• The 4th conference in seven innings, or a second in any extra inning, means the pitcher must be removed from pitching for the rest of the game. She can play another position but can't pitch again.

Offensive conferences (a coach meeting the batter or runners):

• Only one charged conference per inning. The umpire won't allow a second, and a coach who insists is ejected.

Under Rule 4, Section 7, a base coach in the first or third base coach's box may have:

• a scorebook (paper or electronic), pen or pencil and an indicator, used only for scorekeeping or record keeping, and
• an exclusively one-way electronic device to relay signals to the offense.

No two-way devices (including cell phones) may be worn or carried on the field. The penalty is disqualification or ejection after a warning. The defense may also use a one-way device to relay pitch or play calls from the dugout.

Other rules:

• Keep both feet in the box. You may leave it to signal a runner to slide, advance or return, or to get out of a fielder's way, but not to talk to or signal the batter (after a warning, that's charged as an offensive conference).
• Talk only to your own team, and don't use language that reflects badly on players, umpires or spectators.
• Coaches must be neatly dressed or in team uniform. A player coaching a base must wear a batting helmet.

Regulation game (Rule 5, Section 3): seven innings. A game called early counts once five innings are complete, or once the home team leads after four or more innings against the visitors' five.

Run-ahead rule (Rule 5, Section 9), JO fastpitch:

If the visitors reach the lead in the top half, the home team still bats.

Time limit (Rule 5, Section 10): in JO fastpitch Class A and B pool and elimination play, the limit is 1 hour 30 minutes or 1 hour 40 minutes (set before the event), and you finish the inning. Time starts with the first warm-up pitch. Championship and "if" games have a 1 hour 40 minute limit.

Tie-breaker (Rule 5, Section 11): from the 8th inning, or the next inning after time expires, each half-inning starts with the player due to bat last in that half-inning placed on second base. You may put a substitute in for that runner.

These rules govern USA Softball championship play. Other tournaments and leagues can set their own limits.

Under Rule 4, Section 8, an umpire can eject a participant at any point from when the umpire crew enters the field until they leave it (a 2026 change). An ejected participant:

• must leave the grounds and have no contact with the umpires, the team or anyone in the game,
• is suspended for one additional game, and can't sit in the stands, dugout or nearby during that game,
• may appeal the one-game suspension to the Championship Protest Committee.

If the ejection isn't obeyed within one minute, or an ejected participant is found taking part, the game is forfeited.

Arguing balls and strikes brings a team warning. Any repeat offense means ejection of that team member. A disqualified player (for example, an illegal re-entry) can't play but may stay in the team area or coach.

For USA Softball Junior Olympic (youth) play:

• Background check: every adult with regular contact with or authority over athletes must pass a USA Softball background check before starting the role, and again at least every year. In championship play, adults must show proof of a current-year check.
• SafeSport training: adults with regular contact with or authority over minor athletes must complete the SafeSport Trained Core Course within 45 days of joining or before regular contact begins, whichever comes first. After that, they must take a refresher every 12 months and repeat the Core Course every four years.
• ACE coach: each team in championship play must have at least one current-year ACE-certified coach on the field or in the dugout during games.
• Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP): coaches must follow USA Softball's mandatory policies on one-on-one interactions, electronic communications, locker rooms, massages and rubdowns, and local and team travel.

Under federal law, coaches must report suspected child abuse to law enforcement or child protective services within 24 hours.

USA Softball's Safety Awareness Guide (in the rule book) follows CDC HEADS UP and recommends:

Possible concussion (a bump, blow or jolt to the head or body, then any change in behavior, thinking or physical functioning):

1. Remove the player from play. When in doubt, sit them out.
2. Have a health care professional experienced in evaluating concussion assess the player. Don't judge severity yourself.
3. Tell the parents or guardians and give them the CDC concussion fact sheet.
4. Keep the player out for the rest of that day, and until a health care professional says they're symptom-free and can return.

Get immediate medical help for danger signs such as one pupil larger than the other, a worsening headache, repeated vomiting, slurred speech, seizures or any loss of consciousness. State laws on concussion may add requirements.

Lightning: if a thunderstorm looks imminent, suspend play and get everyone to a substantial building or a closed vehicle. Dugouts, open shelters, metal bleachers and fences are not safe shelter. Wait at least 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder, and restart the 30 minutes each time it happens again (unless an advanced lightning detection system is in use).