(West Des Moines, IA) – The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union has released its official softball rules adaptations for the upcoming 2024-25 season. Some rules carry over into the 2024 season but have minor changes that have been approved by the IGHSAU.
Coaches can now use a one-way electronic communication device to communicate with their catcher. This device can only be used for calling pitches and cannot be used to communicate with other team members or even be used with the catcher while they are on offense. While using the device, the coach must remain inside the dugout or bench area and will not step out of the restricted area.
All softball bats must meet the 2004 USA Softball Bat Performance Standard. This indicates that the bats have 2004 certification or can have the USA Softball certification. Wooden bats are also permitted for use and do not need to obtain the USA Softball mark. If the bat has 2000 certification, that bat has been labeled illegal. Click here to see the full list of approved bats by the IGHSAU.
In terms of uniforms, players can wear eye black but it must be worn in a straight line underneath the eye with no decorations or markings that would distract an opposing player. The uniform itself should not have any advertising whatsoever. Players are permitted to wear headbands of any color and do not have to match, but they must have only a single logo on the face of the headband.
At the varsity level, it is required to use a 12-run differential rule after 3-4 innings (2.5 or 3.5 innings if the home team is leading by 12 or more). You use the 10-run differential rule after 5-6 innings (4.5 or 5.5 innings if the home team is up by ten or more runs). In regular season games, the international tiebreaker rule starts at the top of the 8th inning. In order to apply the rule, you must determine the first legal batter of the inning and then place the player immediately preceding her to go to second base with no outs.
Pitchers will see a different look on the mound this season with pitching chutes. These will be chalked in the pitchers’ circle before every game. This is chalked to help umpires to accurately call illegal pitches better. You can find the image below to help with identifying what a pitching chute will look like this season.
