New Regulations for 2024: For all NDHSAA State Tournament games, a maximum of 18 players may dress and play in a game.

North Dakota Rules Experiment:

One-Way Communication Devices

1. Only allowed to be used by defensive players to call a pitch or a play
2. Digital signal devices (e.g., wristband) may be used by any defensive player
3. In-ear/hat/helmet audio devices may only be used by the catcher

1. An exclusively one-way electronic communication device from the dugout to the field for the purpose of relaying the pitch or play call is permitted.  The use of an in-ear communication device shall be limited to the defensive position of the catcher.

Opening day of practice:  March 18, 2024

First Game: March 29, 2024

State Tournament: May 30, 31, June 1  – Class A – Dickinson, Class B – Jamestown

1. The softball season is determined by the NDHSAA Board of Directors and is published in the NDHSAA Calendar. The season length shall be 11 weeks.
2. Each player must have 9 daily practices (counting only one per day) prior to the first interscholastic competition.
3. Members of high school softball teams may not participate on independent or town teams until after the high school season is over or high school eligibility in softball will be lost for six contests for each game played outside of the high school team or the remainder of the season, whichever is less.
4. Teams may play a maximum of 36 games in 23 dates prior to the state tournament.
5. An individual may play in a maximum 252 innings prior to the state tournament.
6. For all NDHSAA State Tournament games, a maximum of 18 players may dress and play in a game.
7. All state tournament games will be 7 innings unless the score is tied (extra innings will be played) or is terminated by the 10-run rule (Rule 4-2-2) as provided in the current Federation Softball Rules Book. Suspended games will be played to completion from the point of interruption.
8. Protective equipment for the batter, base runner and catcher shall be required as provided in the current National Federation Softball Rules Book. (Please note the warning and ejection rule pertaining to failure of base runner to wear a helmet.)
9. The use of a double first base will be required for all regular and post season games
10. All bats shall meet the 2004 ASA Bat Performance Standard, bear either the 2000 or 2004 ASA certification mark, and not be on the ASA non-approved list as found on www.asasoftball.com.
11. The substitution rule permitting re-entry into the game will be in effect as provided in Rule 3-1-3 in the current Federation Softball Rules Book. Likewise, the designated hitter rule as provided in Article 4 of the same rule will be in effect.
12. Anytime a coach is in live-ball area to confer with players or an umpire, or to occupy a coach's box, the coach shall be attired in school uniform or jersey/coaching shirt with coaching shorts/slacks or warm-up suit in school colors or colors of khaki, black, white or gray. Cutoffs or any type of jeans are prohibited. Jackets are not considered part of the coach's uniform.
13. The team at bat may use courtesy runners for the pitcher and/or the catcher. The same runner may not be used for both positions. Neither the pitcher nor the catcher will be required to leave the game under such circumstances.

1. Players who have participated in the game in any other capacity are ineligible to serve as courtesy runners.
2. A player may not run as a courtesy runner for the pitcher or the catcher and then be used as a substitute for another player in that half inning.
3. NOTE: An unreported courtesy runner is an illegal substitute.

14. No protests will be permitted relative to any NDHSAA tournament game and the decisions of the officials will be accepted as final.
15. All umpires (must be registered) and coaches are required to complete an online NDHSAA rules clinic annually.  All umpires must also attend an NDHSAA sponsored workshop annually.
16. State Awards: Individual awards will be presented to 18 rostered players and 1 coach (plaques will be given to members of 1st and 2nd place teams, 18 & 1 as above).

The NDHSAA Board of Directors has approved two divisions of softball, Class A and Class B.

Class B (Two teams from each region advance to the State Tournament):

Region 1 - Region Rep - Travis Lemar - Central Cass, Enderlin, Hankinson/Fairmount/Campbell-Tintah/Lidgerwood, Hillsboro/Central Valley, Kindred/Richland, Maple River, Northern Cass.

Region 2 - Region Rep - Brady Schwab - Carrington, Dakota Prairie, Grafton, Langdon Area/Edmore/Munich, Larimore, May Port-CG, Northern Lights, Pembina County North (North Border/Cavalier), Thompson.

Region 3 - Region Rep - Scott Grochow - Bottineau, Bishop Ryan, Des Lacs-Burlington/Lewis & Clark Berthold, Divide County, Glenburn, Kenmare-Bowbells-MLS, New Town, Ray, Rugby, Stanley, Tioga, Westhope/Newburg.

Region 4 - Region Rep - Jason Simpfenderfer -  Beulah, Central McLean (Turtle Lake-Mercer/Underwood/McClusky), Garrison, Max, Nedrose/Surrey, Harvey/Wells County, Hazen, Heart River, Velva/Drake-Anamoose, Solen/Standing Rock, Washburn, Wilton/Wing.

Class A:

East:  Devils Lake, Fargo Davies, Fargo North, Fargo South, Grand Forks Central, Grand Forks Red River, Shanley, Valley City, West Fargo, West Fargo Sheyenne

West:  Bismarck, Bismarck Century, Bismarck Legacy, Dickinson, Jamestown, Mandan, Minot, Minot North, Turtle Mountain, Watford City, Williston

Teams declaring after January 1, 2023 are not eligible for post-season until 2024.

In both Class A and Class B, eight teams will qualify for the state tournament, four from each region.  Each region will be responsible to determine the teams that will advance to the state tournament.   In the event a region schedules a season end region tournament, it shall count toward the regular season limitations (#4, #5 and #6 above).

State Tournament:

Class A:

The nearest town to the tournament site will play in Game 4 and the bracket will be set as listed below.  If there are multiple teams from the nearest town, the highest seed will play in Game 4.

                            Bracket #1           Bracket #2           Bracket #3           Bracket #4

Game 1               W1 vs. E4            E1 vs. W4            W1 vs. E4            E1 vs. W4

Game 2               E2 vs. W3            W2 vs. E3            E2 vs. W3            W2 vs. E3

Game 3               W2 vs. E3            W1 vs. E4            E1 vs. W4            E2 vs. W3

Game 4               E1 vs. W4            E2 vs. W3            W2 vs. E3            W1 vs. E4

Class B:
The head coaches of the eight qualifying teams will use an electronic process to seed the top four teams for the state tournament.  An NDHSAA-approved designee will randomly draw the opponents for the top four seeded teams. In the State Tournament, the higher seeded team is the home team (#1 is highest seed).  If both teams are unseeded, a coin flip will determine home team.  NDHSAA staff is allowed to adjust order of quarterfinal games to avoid conflicts with schools that also have a baseball team competing in the state tournament.

The quarterfinal pairings are:

#2 seed vs. Second Random Draw

#3 seed vs. Third Random Draw

#1 seed vs. First Random Draw

#4 seed vs. #5 seed

                                                                                                                            Updated 9/28/23