NCAA

No leadoffs: A base runner may not leave the base until the pitch is released by the pitcher. Leaving early is an out (or the play is otherwise penalized as provided in the rules).; Stealing: Once the pitch is released, runners may attempt to steal.; Look-back rule: When the pitcher has possessio...

Bat certification requirements and championship bat/compression testing keep batted-ball speeds within the intended performance window — a safety measure as much as a competitive one.

Certification: Bats must bear the certification mark recognized by the NCAA and appear in compliance with the approved-bat standards. Aluminum and composite bats are permitted within those standards.; Bat testing: At NCAA championships, and at the discretion of the host, bats are subject to compr...

Batters hit in the order listed on the lineup card. A strikeout, a fly ball caught, or being thrown or tagged out retires the batter; reaching base safely keeps the inning alive.; Bunting and slap hitting are legal offensive techniques and are common in the college game.; A batter must remain wit...

Batting out of order: An appealable violation; the proper penalty (an out and adjustment of the order) depends on when the appeal is made.; Leaving a base early: A runner who leaves before the pitch is released is penalized as provided in the rules.; Interference: When a runner, batter, or coach ...

The NCAA Division I Softball Championship is a bracketed postseason: 16 four-team double-elimination regionals, then best-of-three super regionals, leading to the eight-team Women's College World Series, which is itself a double-elimination tournament followed by a best-of-three championship seri...

The must-avoid-contact and malicious-contact rules, together with the double base at first, are designed to reduce collisions between runners and fielders.; The look-back rule keeps base running orderly once the pitcher controls the ball in the circle.

Unsportsmanlike conduct by players or coaches — abusive language, throwing equipment, contact with an official — results in warnings, ejection, and, where applicable, further disciplinary action by the conference or the NCAA.; An ejected individual must leave the playing area; the head coach is r...

The rules limit the number of charged conferences — both defensive (coach visits to the pitcher) and offensive — a team may take in a game. Exceeding the defensive-conference limit requires the pitcher to be removed from the pitching position.

The team with more runs at the end of a regulation (or extra-innings) game wins.; A game ended early by the run-ahead rule is complete, and the score stands.; Called and suspended games: If a game is stopped for weather or darkness, the rules define when it is a complete game, when it is suspende...