What do I need to know to umpire a high school (grades 9-12) fastpitch softball game? Pregame, substitutions, pitching, conferences, look-back, obstruction, equipment, ejections and ending a game.
The 2027 NFHS softball rule changes:
The 2027 points of emphasis are taking or simulating a signal from the catcher, one-way electronic communication, and the NFHS Authenticating Mark, which must be on every game ball. Report balls without it to your state association.
Lineup cards (4-1-2b, 3-1-3): the home team, then the visiting team, gives you lineup cards in duplicate, and both coaches may inspect them. Each card lists players by first initial and last name.
Head coach verification (3-4-1): each head coach must confirm to you that the lineup card is correct, that all players are legally equipped, and that players and equipment comply with NFHS rules. You may inspect equipment, but a pregame inspection is no longer required (4-1-2d).
Changes after you've verified the card: if a player's or substitute's name or number is changed, or a player is added, issue a team warning to that head coach. Any further change restricts the head coach to the dugout for the rest of the game.
Field check (Rule 1):
| Item | NFHS fastpitch |
|---|---|
| Bases | 60 feet |
| Pitching distance | 43 feet (female) |
| First base | Single base, or a 15 x 30 inch double first base if your state adopts it, with the colored half in foul territory |
| Media | Dead-ball territory only |
Substitutions (3-2-2): a substitute may replace a player when the ball is dead. The coach reports the change to the plate umpire, who records it on the lineup card and tells the opposing head coach. Projected substitutes, entered without first removing the player from that lineup spot, aren't permitted.
Re-entry (3-2-5): a player who has been replaced may re-enter once, in the same spot in the batting order.
Unreported substitute (3-5-7): issue a team warning to the coach, and the next offender on that team is restricted to the dugout. On a second violation, the head coach is also restricted.
Illegal player (3-3): once discovered, she's restricted to the dugout for the rest of the game, and is called out if discovered on offense.
Courtesy runners (8-10): may be used for the pitcher and catcher. For 2027, the old requirement that the pitcher and catcher on the starting lineup must face the first batter before a courtesy runner can be used for them has been removed.
Number of players (3-1-1, 4-3-1): each team must start with nine players, and may use the DP/FLEX option. A team needs nine to start and at least eight to continue.
Key NFHS fastpitch pitching requirements (Rule 6):
Before the pitch
The delivery
Pace and substances
At the start of each half-inning, or when a pitcher relieves another, she gets no more than one minute to deliver no more than five pitches to the catcher or another teammate (6-2-5).
Under Rules 3-6-1 and 3-6-2:
| Team | Charged conferences allowed |
|---|---|
| Offense | One per inning, between a team representative and the batter, a runner or another team member. Don't permit a second in the same inning. |
| Defense | Three in a seven-inning game between a coach or other team representative from the dugout and any defensive players. In extra innings, one per inning. |
The look-back rule (8-8-1) is in effect when:
Possession includes holding the ball in her hand or glove, under her arm or chin, or between her legs.
While it's in effect, a runner who is legitimately off her base may stop once, then must immediately return to her base or advance to the next one. Once a runner stops at a base for any reason, she's out if she leaves that base.
Obstruction (8-5-2) is when a fielder who doesn't have the ball and isn't making an initial play on a batted ball impedes a batter-runner or runner who is legally running the bases.
Initial play (2-46-3a, new for 2027): once a fair batted ball has touched any fielder, including the pitcher, it's a deflected ball. A second fielder going after it is no longer making an initial play.
Leaving too soon (8-7-18): a runner must keep contact with her base until the ball leaves the pitcher's hand. If she leaves early, the ball is dead, "no pitch" is declared and the runner is out.
Running lane (8-2-6): the batter-runner is out for interference if she's outside the three-foot lane and interferes with the fielder taking the throw at first. She's outside the lane if either foot last contacted the ground completely outside it.
Crashing (8-7-14): a runner who remains on her feet and crashes into a defensive player is out. Malicious contact supersedes obstruction.
Running the bases in reverse (8-3-6): a runner who runs the bases in reverse order to confuse the fielders or make a travesty of the game is out, and the ball is dead.
Hit by pitch (8-1-7, 8-1-8):
Intentional walk (2-65-2, 8-1-3): the defensive coach, pitcher or catcher may ask you to award the batter first base, before or during the at-bat. The ball is dead, and runners advance only if forced.
Hitting the ball out of the box (7-4-8): the batter is out if an entire foot is touching the ground completely outside the box lines when the bat contacts the ball.
Delay (7-3-1): the batter must take her position with both feet completely inside the box within 10 seconds after the ball is returned to the pitcher, and can't delay by stepping out while the pitcher is on the plate.
Bats (1-5-1): must carry a USA Softball certification mark and must not be on the USA Softball non-approved bat list. There's no approved list to check against. The grip must run at least 10 and no more than 15 inches from the handle end; choke-up devices aren't permitted.
| Bat problem | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Damaged (dents, cracks, rattles, sharp edges) | Removed with no penalty. Using it again after removal: batter out, and the player and head coach restricted to the dugout. |
| Altered or non-approved, detected before the next pitch | Batter out, batter and head coach ejected; runners return to the bases held at the time of the pitch (7-4-2). |
Batting helmets (1-7): required for the batter, on-deck batter, runners, retired runners and players or students in the coach's boxes. They need a permanent NOCSAE stamp, a legible exterior warning label, a non-glare surface and a NOCSAE-approved face mask.
Catchers (1-8-1): NOCSAE helmet and mask combination with a throat protector.
Other: metal cleats and metal toe plates are legal. NFHS softball has no jewelry ban, but you can rule on any item that's distracting or increases risk. The head coach is responsible for verifying players are legally equipped; you may inspect equipment and penalize violations.
Restricted (2-48, 3-4-2): the player or coach must stay in the dugout or bench area for the rest of the game. Many penalties start with a team warning to the head coach, and the next offender is restricted.
Ejected (3-5-20, 10-1-2):
Arguing balls and strikes (3-5-15): the offender is ejected, unless the offense is judged minor, in which case they're warned and ejected if it's repeated.
Your jurisdiction starts when one umpire arrives within the confines of the field and ends when the umpires leave the field after the game.
Starting the game: the home coach decides whether the grounds and other conditions are suitable for starting the game (4-1-1).
Calling the game (4-2-7, 10-2-3): the umpire may call (end) a game for weather, or if playing conditions in or around the facility become unacceptable for continuing safely.
Lightning (NFHS guidelines): suspend play as soon as thunder is heard or lightning is seen, and send everyone to a safer place: a substantial building with plumbing and wiring, or a fully enclosed metal car or bus. Wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder or lightning before resuming; any new thunder or lightning restarts the count.
Possible concussion: a player showing signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion must be removed immediately and can't return until cleared by an appropriate health care professional. You don't diagnose: remove the player and tell the coach.
These are largely state association decisions under NFHS rules: