What makes a pitch illegal, and what's the penalty in 14U?
Rule- USA
- USA Softball
- Junior Olympic Fast Pitch
- 14U
- Girls
- Championship play
- 2026 rules
- Coaches
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.
Added 21 Oct 2026