NSGA Report: National Organization Rule Changes for 2025

By Marty Maciaszek 
NSGA Team Dealer Division Director 

DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS (November 25, 2024) – The National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) is conducting its annual check of rule changes for 2025 with sports organizations across the country.

Here are some of the important rule changes reported to NSGA, which focus primarily on equipment and uniforms, and this document will be updated as more information becomes available. If you have any questions please contact Marty Maciaszek, NSGA Team Dealer Director, at mmaciaszek@nsga.org.

Little League Baseball and Softball

One-Way Electronic Devices to the Catcher: Little League has adjusted its Rule 3.17 in both baseball and softball to add an exception that permits a coach or manager to use one-way communication to the catcher while the team is on defense for the purpose of calling pitches. However, a manager or coach is prohibited from using the device to communicate with any other team member while on defense or any team member (including a manager or coach) while on offense, and a manager or coach shall not use the device outside the dugout/bench area.

Equipment Checks: With adjustments made to both Rule 3.01 and Tournament Rule 3, the requirement for umpires to check equipment prior to the start of the game has been removed, placing responsibility for legal and proper equipment on the manager.  

Apparel and Equipment Regulations  

Along with the changes to team rules and regulations as outlined above, additional adjustments and clarifications have been made for individual player apparel and equipment, including:  

• Bat Modifications/Alterations: Clarifies that products, such as, but not limited to, choke-knobs, choke-up assists, or thumb protectors are considered alterations to the bat and are not permitted. 
• Pitcher’s Undershirt (Softball Only): Clarifies that any part of the pitcher’s undershirt or T-Shirt exposed to view cannot be the same color of the ball being used in the game. 
• Neoprene Sleeves (Baseball Only): Permits neoprene sleeves to be worn without being covered by an undershirt, provided the neoprene sleeve is a solid color and not white or gray. 
• Jewelry: Removes Rule 1.11(j) to remove the requirement that jewelry, other than medical alert, should be removed, permitting jewelry to be worn. 
• Items Worn on Hands/Wrists: Clarifies that a pitcher may wear items on the glove hand, wrist, or arm (non-pitching arm) of a solid single color, provided it is not the same color as the ball being used in the game. 
• Helmet Stickers: Permits the use of helmet stickers or decals, provided that such usage is not excessive, is not offensive, and does not make inappropriate references, such as that to drugs or alcohol. 
• Approved Substances on Pitching Hand/Fingers (Softball Only): Clarifies non-approved substances on the pitching hand or fingers versus the use of approved substances under the judgement of the umpire.
  

Dixie Youth Softball 

• Choke-up rings on bats are allowed for use in 6U, 8U, 10U and 12U age divisions. 

• No metal cleats are allowed in any age group (molded or plastic cleats only). 

Dixie Softball

Pressurized batting/base running helmets are approved for use. However, the pressurized helmet must fit properly and if the helmet has snaps for chin straps, the chin straps must be used. If the pressurized helmet does not fit properly, the player must use the common helmet with a chin strap. Face guards are required on the pressurized helmets.

NOTE: Dixie Youth Softball and Dixie Softball are two separate organizations.

PONY Softball 

• Electronic devices are allowed for the manager and coaches in regular-season play. 

National Amateur Baseball Federation (NABF) 

• Wood bats are no longer required for the 15U, 16U, 17U and 18U divisions. NABF has transitioned back to using metal bats.

USA Softball 

• The offense and defense can use communication devices during games. 

USA Lacrosse 

• Compliance with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) jersey rules with numbers clearly contrasting from the color of the body of jersey goes into effect in 2027. 

USA Swimming 

• The rules surrounding the wearing of wetsuits were amended to give more flexibility to Meet Directors to allow the use of wetsuits in Open Water competition. 

Organizations Reporting No Changes 

• AAU Baseball  

• AAU Track and Field 

• American Amateur Baseball Congress 
  
• Pop Warner Football

• USA Gymnastics