Commitment Line Rule (Senior Softball)
Also known as: commitment line in softball, commitment line rule, passing the commitment line, back to third after the commitment line, senior softball commitment line, what is the commitment line
The commitment line is a mark 20 feet before the second home plate in senior slow pitch. Once a runner passes it, the runner cannot go back to third base. Under USA Softball senior rules, a runner who returns is out. The line works with the second home plate so runners and catchers stay apart at home.
Senior slow pitch uses two plates at home. Under USA Softball rules, a second home plate sits 8 feet from the back tip of the regular plate, on a line extended from first base. A line is drawn from third base to that second plate.
Runners touch only the second plate, and fielders touch only the original plate. A tag does not put the runner out. Instead, the runner is out if a fielder touching the original plate holds the ball before the runner reaches the second plate. A runner who touches the original plate is also out.
The commitment line is a marking 20 feet from the second plate. Once a runner passes it, the runner must keep going. Going back to third is an out, and the ball stays live. A runner past the line who keeps running on the old foul line and gets in the way of a throw home is also out.
Other senior organizations write their own rules. Check your league or tournament rule book before you play.
Tips by skill level
Decide before you reach the line whether you are going home. Once you pass it, keep running.
Coaches at third should send or hold runners before the line, not after.
Example
A senior runner rounds third on a shallow single and passes the commitment line. He sees the throw coming and stops. He cannot go back, so he sprints for the second plate and beats the throw.
Why it matters
The commitment line takes the guesswork and collisions out of plays at home. Knowing it keeps runners from stopping halfway and getting called out.
Common mistakes
- Stopping past the line and trying to return to third
- Touching the original home plate instead of the second plate
- Expecting a tag to get the runner out
- Running down the old foul line into the catcher's throw
Frequently asked questions
Can a runner go back to third after the commitment line?
No, under USA Softball senior rules a runner who has passed the commitment line cannot return to third. A runner who goes back is out.
Can you tag a runner at home in senior softball?
No, a tag does not put the runner out under USA Softball senior rules. The fielder must touch the original plate with the ball before the runner touches the second plate.
Sources
- USA Softball, Official Rules of Softball 2026, Rule 2 Sec. 3G (senior slow pitch: second home plate 8 feet from the back tip of home plate; line drawn from third base to it), p. 26
- USA Softball, Official Rules of Softball 2026, Rule 8 Sec. 9B[2] (senior base running: second home plate, tags, and the commitment line 20 feet from the second home plate), pp. 107-108
Related terms
- Senior SoftballSenior softball is slow pitch for older adults, with age groups starting at 40 in Senior Softball-USA and at 50 in USA Softball. USA Softball's senior rules allow an arc up to 12 feet, call strikes on a mat behind the plate, and add a second home plate so runners and catchers stay apart. Senior bats are certified to their own standard and are legal only in senior play.
- Base RunningBase running in slow pitch means reading the ball off the bat and knowing when to push ahead or hold. Smart choices turn singles into extra-base chances.
- Courtesy RunnerA courtesy runner is a substitute allowed to run the bases for a player who reaches base but is unable to run. That player stays in the game; common reasons include injury, age-based recreational-league eligibility, or a pitcher/catcher who needs rest between innings.
- Field Dimensions (Slow-Pitch)Slow-pitch field dimensions cover base paths (commonly 65 feet), pitching distance, and fence distance, which vary by league and division.
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