RULE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN NSA/USSSA/PONY
(last updated 3/1/2003)
NSA (page 86 rule book)
Pitcher shall take a position with both feet on the ground and in contact with the pitching rubber. Hands shall be separated with the ball being held in either the glove or pitching hand. Pitcher shall not take more than one step, which must be FORWARD, toward the batter.
PONY (page 33 rule book)
Pitcher shall take a position with pivot foot on the rubber and non-pivot foot on or behind the rubber (see illustration on page 33). Both feet must be on the ground and within the 24-inch length of the rubber. Hands shall be separated with the ball being held in either the glove or pitching hand. Pitcher shall not take more than one step, which must be FORWARD, toward the batter.
USSSA (see USSSA web page Rule 7)
Prior to the pitch, the pitcher shall take a position with: (1) the pivot foot on or partially on the surface of the pitcher's plate; (2) the non pivot foot in contact with or behind the pitcher's plate. Both feet must be on the ground within or partially within the 24-inch length of the pitcher's plate. The hands must be apart. Pitcher shall not take more than one step, which must be FORWARD, toward the batter.
NSA (page 75), Pony (page 18)
10U 35 Feet
12U-18U 40 Feet
USSSA (web page Rule 2)
10U 34 Feet
12U-18U 40 Feet
NSA (page 80 rule book)
Designated Hitter (DH) may be used for any player in the line up. DH may NOT play defense at any time during the game. If girl is used for the DH she cannot play in the field for that ENTIRE game. DH MUST BE MADE KNOWN prior to the start of the game and name and number MUST be indicated on the line up sheet. On a lineup card, if you’re using a DH, the DH is listed on the 2nd line in the position on the lineup card where the DH is batting. The person for whom the DH is batting is listed on the 1st line. DH can be substituted for by any player that hasn’t already been in the game that player then becomes the DH. If DH is substituted for by the player being DH’ed for then that player is the DH for the remainder of the game and the original DH is lost for the rest of the game. DH has re-entry privileges unless replaced by player that was being DH’ed for.
PONY (page 49-50 or VII rule book)
Designated Hitter (DH) may be used for any player in the line up.
DEFO player that plays defense only. DH MUST BE MADE KNOWN prior to the start of the game and name and number MUST be indicated on the line up sheet. The DH can be listed in any of the nine spots in the batting order. The DEFO (who plays defense only) will be listed in the 10th spot. The DH and any substitutes for the DH must remain in the same spot in the batting order for the entire game. DEFO and any substitute for the DEFO must enter game in the 10th spot in the batting order. They do not bat they are just a defensive replacement. DH MAY BE USED DEFENSIVELY see these sections in the rule book, Rule 8 Section 14 D. page 50 and 14 F. page VII. States in summary that if you use a DH and put her into the game defensively then the DEFO must bat in the spot in the batting order that the DH is replacing defensively. The DH remains in the same spot in the batting order she has been batting in. I know this confusing so ask me any questions if you don’t understand what the rulebook states. DH and DEFO have re-entry privileges unless the DH is batted for by the DEFO.
USSSA (Web page Rule 6 Sec. 4.A)
Designated Hitter (DH) may be used for any player in the line up. DEFO player that plays defense only. DH MUST BE MADE KNOWN prior to the start of the game and name and number MUST be indicated on the line up sheet. The DH and any substitutes for the DH must remain in the same spot in the batting order for the entire game. The DH can be substituted for by any player that hasn’t already been in the game. That player then becomes the DH. The role of the designated hitter is terminated for the remainder of the game when:
1. The defensive player, or any previous defensive player for whom the designated hitter batted, subsequently bats, pinch hits or pinch runs for the designated hitter.
2. The designated hitter or any other previous designated hitter assumes a defensive position.
Note: The starting designated hitter and the starting associated defensive player retain re-entry privileges. The designated hitter and the person the designated hitter is batting for cannot be in the game at the same time.
NSA (page 80-81 rule book)
Two Extra Player’s (EP) maybe used in the same game. If two EP’s are used then you will have 9 position players and two girls batting for a total of 11 girls in the batting order. If one EP is used then 9 position players and 10 girls in the batting order. EP MUST BE MADE KNOWN prior to the start of the game and name and number MUST be indicated on the line up sheet. If an EP (s) is used all players (10 or 11) must bat and any nine can play defense. Defensive positions can be changed but the batting order must remain the same.
PONY
NO EP or AP is used in PONY.
USSSA (web page Rule 6 Sec. 3)
The additional player (AP) can be used as the tenth batter; she can also be used on defense (only 9 defensive players in the field), but must keep same position in the batting order. The AP if used must be selected prior to the start of the game, and her name must be included on the line up card presented to the umpire. Failure to declare the use of the AP prior to the game precludes the use of an AP in that game. If a pinch-hitter or pinch runner is used, that player becomes the new AP. The player who was the original AP may re-enter like any other player under the re-entry rule. If the AP is used, the position must be used the entire game.
NSA (Page 82 rule book)
Courtesy runner is the last player that has made an out may replace ONLY the catcher/pitcher that is on base at anytime during an inning. If in the first inning a courtesy runner is used and there are no outs then the runner shall be the batter furthest removed from the girl being courtesy run for. PONY (page 66 rule book)
Players who have participated in the game in any other capacity are ineligible to serve as a courtesy runner. Courtesy runner maybe used at anytime during the inning for ONLY the catcher/pitcher. A player may not run as a courtesy runner and then be used as a substitute for another player in the same half inning.
USSSA (web page Rule 9 Sec. 4)
Players who have participated in the game in any other capacity are ineligible to serve as a courtesy runner. Courtesy runner maybe used at anytime during the inning for ONLY the catcher/pitcher. A player may not run as a courtesy runner and then be used as a substitute for another player in the same half inning.
NSA (page 93), PONY (page 51), USSSA (web page Rule 8 Sec. 12)
Less than 2 outs and first base is unoccupied or with 2 outs, the batter is not out and may run to first base if the 3rd strike is dropped. NOTE: 10U batter can not run to first on dropped third strike.
NSA (page 81-82)
Any starting players may be withdrawn from the game and re-entered once. This includes the starting (EP) (DH) provided that the players occupy the original position in the batting order whenever in the game. A substitute entering the game does not have re-entry privileges. If a substitute is removed she cannot re-enter the game unless for a player injury or ejection.
PONY (page 25-26)
Any of the starting players including a pitcher mat be withdrawn and re-entered once, PROVIDED players occupy the same batting positions whenever in the lineup. A starting pitcher may return to the mound one time. A relief pitcher once removed from the mound cannot return to the mound. A substitute entering the game does not have re-entry privileges. If a substitute is removed she cannot re-enter the game unless for a player injury or ejection.
USSSA (web page Rule 6 E.)
Re-entry, any player may be withdrawn from the game and re-entered once, provided such player occupies the same batting position whenever in the line-up. A substitute who is withdrawn may re-enter.
NSA (page 89), Pony (page 38)
There shall be only one charged conference between the manager and any other team representative, from the dugout with each and every pitcher in an inning. The second charged conference shall result in the removal of the pitcher from the pitching position for the remainder of the game.
USSSA (web page Rule 6 Sec 5)
Each team when on defense may be granted not more than three charged conferences without penalty during a seven-inning game to permit coaches or their representatives to confer with a defensive player or players. In any extra inning game, each team shall be permitted one charged conference without penalty each inning while on defense. The number of charged conferences is not cumulative. A coach, player, substitute or an attendant may make a request for time for a conference. Time granted for an obviously incapacitated player shall not constitute a charged conference. A conference is not charged when the pitcher is removed as a pitcher. |
