FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2003

20-SECOND CLOCKS TO BE IMPLEMENTED
IN INTERNATIONAL SOFTBALL
Latest Advancement In Softball Part of Efforts
to Keep Game Lengths TV-friendly

It’s not a rule change, but it will certainly be noticeable to players, umpires, and fans at international softball games. International Softball Federation (ISF) President Don Porter has announced that the Federation will be implementing a 20-second clock that will provide for a countdown visible to the pitcher, coaches, umpires, and the fans.

On page 86 of the ISF’s official rulebook, Rule 6, Section 3 (LEGAL DELIVERY), Item m states, The pitcher has 20 seconds to release the next pitch after receiving the ball, or after the umpire indicates, “Play Ball.” As the rule goes on to state, if the pitch is not released within the 20 seconds the result would be a “ball” called by the umpire. Implementing a physical clock will assist the umpires in their enforcement of this one of many rules as well as aid the pitcher in ensuring that his/her release occurs within the allotted time. The batters too will be required to shorten their time in seeking signals from the coaches. The third base umpire will be responsible for starting the 20-second clock after the plate umpire indicates “Play Ball.”

Mr. Porter noted another benefit from having such a display. “This is yet another way that we can ensure ourselves that we’re making the necessary efforts to keep our game moving, so that there’s not significant down time. By keeping the action going, our game becomes not only more enjoyable for the spectators, but more compatible with a TV broadcast. Our games at last summer’s Women’s World Championship averaged 1:52 (one hour, 52 minutes), and a 20-second clock will help keep games at that length, if not a little shorter, keeping them in line with what television networks are looking for to fit their time slots.”

That same Women’s World Championship saw the debut of significant rule changes that the ISF had previously adopted, also with an eye toward speeding up the game. For instance, the tiebreaker rule was changed to begin after seven complete innings instead of nine, four balls were no longer needed for an intentional walk, and warm-up pitches were changed from five to three between innings, so as not to drag on.

The 20-second clock will be implemented in time to use at the ISF’s VI Junior Women’s World Championship (19-and-under), to be held in Nanjing, China in September.

The International Softball Federation is the world governing body of the sport as recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF). Softball (women's fast pitch) made its Olympic debut at the 1996 Games in Atlanta. There are 124 affiliated countries in the ISF and millions of participants in the sport worldwide.

For more information, please contact ISF Director of Communications Bruce Wawrzyniak at brucew@internationalsoftball.com or (813) 864-0100, ext. 229.