When USA Softball entered the picture in 1933, the sport was in a state of confusion with no unified set of playing rules and no National Governing Body to provide guidance and stability. USA Softball changed all that by adopting softball’s first universally accepted rules of play and by organizing consistent and fair competition across the nation. Since its inception, USA Softball has continued to establish uniform softball rules and regulations for the sport across the country.
USA Softball began providing digital copies of its Official Rulebook in 2020. Below are downloadable files.
Playing Rule Changes
Amendments to the USA Softball Playing Rules are proposed and open for voting on an annual basis. All amendments are voted on by a Playing Rules Committee and USA Softball Council Members at the USA Softball Annual Council Meeting.
Below are archives of approved Playing Rule Changes.