Slowpitch Softball Rules by Organization

By Patrick Poulin · Updated October 29, 2026

Adult slowpitch rules differ by sanctioning body. USA Softball and NSA start the batter at a 1-1 count with a 6 to 10 foot arc; USSSA starts at 0-0 (three balls walk, two strikes out) and only requires the pitch to rise 3 feet and stay under 10. NSA pitches from 53 feet where the others use 50, and every organization sets home run limits by division. Your local league can change any of it.

The short version#

• Pitch arc: USA Softball and NSA: 6 to 10 feet from the ground. USSSA: must rise at least 3 feet after release and stay under 10 feet. Senior Softball-USA: 6 to 12 feet.
• The count: USA Softball and NSA start every batter at 1-1, and a foul with two strikes is strike three. USSSA starts at 0-0; the batter walks on 3 balls and is out on 2 strikes.
• Bases and pitching: 70-foot bases nearly everywhere (USSSA allows 65 or 70, preferring 70). Pitching is 50 feet, except NSA adult play at 53 feet.
• Fielders: 10 on defense, with optional extra hitters.
• Home run limits: set per division, and very different between organizations.

USA Softball (formerly ASA)#

From the 2026 Official Rules of Softball:

• Arc: 6 feet minimum, 10 feet maximum, measured from the ground. Senior slowpitch allows up to 12 feet.
• Count: batters start at 1-1 in adult slowpitch (except seniors). A foul ball with two strikes is strike three; there's no courtesy foul.
• Distances: 70-foot bases and a 50-foot pitching distance for men's, women's, coed and senior slowpitch.
• Players: 10 on defense. An optional extra player makes 11 batters; coed teams can use two, for 12 batters (6 men, 6 women).
• Home run limits per team, per game: AA 12, A 10, Coed Open 8, Men's B 7, Industrial 6, C divisions 5, Church 4, D divisions 3, E and recreational 1. A home run over the limit is a dead ball and the batter is out.
• Balls: 12-inch for men and 11-inch for women, both .52 COR and 300 lb compression in adult slowpitch. Seniors may use a 12-inch .44 COR, 375 lb ball.
• Bats: must carry a USA Softball certification mark and not appear on the non-approved list.

USSSA#

From the 2026 Official Slow Pitch Rule Book:

• Arc: the pitch must rise at least 3 feet after it leaves the pitcher's hand and must not go above 10 feet from the ground. There's no minimum height from the ground.
• Count: batters start at 0-0, walk on 3 balls and are out on 2 strikes.
• Distances: bases at 65 or 70 feet, with 70 preferred. Pitching is 50 feet.
• Players: 10 on defense, including a short fielder, plus up to two additional hitters (one in Men's Major, AA and A).
• Home run limits: Men's Major 16, AA and A 12, B 8, C 5, D 3, E 1. Women's Major is unlimited, then A 6, B 4, C 2, D 1, E 0. Home runs over the limit are outs.
• Bats: must carry the USSSA certification mark.

NSA (National Softball Association)#

From the 2026 NSA Slowpitch Rulebook:

• Arc: 6 feet minimum, 10 feet maximum.
• Count: batters start at 1-1, and every foul is a strike, including strike three.
• Distances: 70-foot bases. Adult men and women pitch from 53 feet.
• Players: up to 10 on defense (a minimum of 8 to play), plus one or two extra players.
• Home run limits: A 8, B 6, C 4, D 2, each with a "one-up" allowance, and E 1. Home runs over the limit are outs.

Senior Softball-USA#

Senior play has its own rules, including a 6 to 12 foot arc, 70-foot bases with a 50-foot pitching distance, and a .44 COR, 375 lb ball for both men and women. Older age divisions put 11 or more players on defense. See the Senior Softball-USA rulebook for the full list.

Coed rules compared#

• Lineup and defense: USSSA and NSA play 5 men and 5 women. NSA and USA Softball require two of each in the infield and two of each in the outfield, and a man and a woman as pitcher and catcher. USSSA's book sets no pitcher-catcher rule.
• Batting order: alternates by gender.
• The walk rule: a man walked ahead of a woman is awarded second base in USSSA and NSA, and two bases in USA Softball. In USSSA, the woman who follows may always choose to walk or bat. In USA Softball and NSA she has that choice only with two outs; otherwise she must bat.

Our guide to coed softball rules explains these rules in plain language.

Your league's rules come first#

City and rec leagues often play "USA Softball rules" or "USSSA rules" with local changes: a different home run limit, a courtesy foul, a time limit. The rulebook sets the default, and the league's rule sheet is what counts on game day. For run-ahead limits, see our guide to the softball mercy rule by organization.

About the author. Patrick Poulin founded Softball.love and manages adult rec softball teams. More about Patrick →