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Pitching distance moved back to 43 feet (from 40 feet)
Outfield fences moved back to 220 feet (from 200 feet)
The tiebreaker now takes effect at the top of the eighth inning (instead of the top of the 10th)
A yellow optic, red-stitch ball is now used (instead of white cover and white-stitch)
An intentional walk can now be done via communication with the home plate umpire (instead of throwing four ˇ°ballˇ± pitches)
The number of warm-up pitches has been reduced
NOT A RULE CHANGE, but a noticeable presence in the game, are the clocks implemented by the International Softball Federation (ISF) to complement Rule 6, Section 3 (LEGAL DELIVERY), which states The pitcher has 20 seconds to release the next pitch after receiving the ball, or after the umpire indicates, ˇ°Play Ball.ˇ± The rule goes on to state that if the pitch is not released within the 20 seconds the result would be a ˇ°ballˇ± called by the umpire. Implementing a physical clock assists the umpires in their enforcement of this one of many rules, and aids the pitcher in ensuring that her release occurs within the allotted time. The batters too are required to shorten their time in seeking signals from the coaches.
www.internationalsoftball.com
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