Page 142 - 2023-24 By-Laws

Rule 58 - Softball

c. Players may not change levels of play if games are being played simultaneously. Players
may only change levels of play at the completion of both games.
d. If a player participates in a sub-varsity game as a designated pitcher (covered up by a
designated hitter) then it will not count towards the player’s maximum number of games
played. This designation cannot be used more than Five (5) times per player during any
regulation season (Amended pursuant to an emergency by-law of the Executive Committee
on January 13, 2022).
58-4
Students may play on high school or non-school softball teams during the Summer after their
team has completed their season without jeopardizing their eligibility provided:
a. they do not play under assumed names;
b. they do not accept remuneration, directly or indirectly for their playing; and
c. their school is still not competing for conference awards.
58-5
Students participating on their high school softball team during the Summer while their team
is still competing for conference awards make themselves ineligible by participating on any
other softball team during that time.
58-6 Controlled Scrimmage
A School may participate in One (1) Controlled Scrimmage with another IHSAA Member
School no earlier than the day following the Fifth (5th) day of Practice and prior to the First
(1st) scheduled Season Contest. (see definition of Controlled Scrimmage)
Q & A
Softball - Generally

Q. 58-1 How many licensed offi cials must offi ciate girls softball games?

A. A softball games require Two (2) offi cials, a plate umpire and a base umpire.
(rule 14)
Q. 58-2 May a season softball game be played after the beginning of the sectional and
before the team is eliminated?
A. No, all authorized Season Contests shall be played prior to the beginning of
each respective softball sectional. The Commissioner may permit rescheduling
of un-played conference Contests, etc., after both teams have been eliminated
from the tournament series. (rules 50-2, 50-2.1)
Q. 58-3 May a girl play for her School’s fast-pitch softball team and the slow-pitch park
league team at the same time during the IHSAA authorized season?
A. No, for purposes of the Participation Rule, the IHSAA considers slow-pitch
softball and fast-pitch softball the same sport; therefore, a student must wait
until the School’s fast-pitch season is finished before participating with a Non-
School slow-pitch team. (rule 58-5)
Q. 58-4 May a School which sponsors a team participating in softball as recognized by
the IHSAA, also have a team which participates in a slow-pitch softball game
during the IHSAA authorized Contest Season?
A. Yes, the IHSAA recognizes only fast pitch softball, and therefore, a School
could have a club team which played slow pitch softball. However, a member
of the School’s fast pitch softball team cannot play on the slow pitch team
without losing eligibility.
Maximum Contests
Q.58-5 In how many games may an individual player participate?
A. The maximum number of season games for any individual excluding the IHSAA
tournament series shall be 28 games and no tournament or 26 games and
one tournament. (rule 50-3)
Q.58-6 May a student participate in a Non-School Team tryout prior to the completion
of the high school softball season?
A. No, a student may not participate in any game tryout, competition or inter-squad
scrimmages for a Non-School Team until after the high school softball team
has completed its season by playing its last game.

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