How do I rule on hit batters, intentional walks and batters out of the box?
Rule- USA
- NFHS
- High school softball
- High school (grades 9-12)
- Fastpitch
- NFHS rules
- 2027 season
- Umpires
Hit by pitch (8-1-7, 8-1-8):
- A pitch entirely within the batter's box that hits the batter or her clothing: award first base. She doesn't have to try to avoid it, but she can't obviously try to get hit.
- A pitch not entirely in the box, not swung at and not called a strike, that touches the batter: award first only if she tried to avoid it, unless it's ball four. It doesn't matter if the pitch bounced first. Her hands aren't part of the bat.
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.
Added 21 Oct 2026