| Coach Pitch Only | Kid Pitch Only | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rule | 6U | 8U | 10U | 12U | 14U | 16U | 18U |
| Mound | Coach Pitch | 35 | 40 | 43 | |||
| Total Pitches | 5 or 3 Swings | No Limit | |||||
| Pitcher | Must Pitch Underhand | Pitcher Can be Removed and Return to Mound Only Once per Inning | |||||
| CP Coach hit by Batted Ball | Dead Ball/No Runners Advance (No Pitch) | ||||||
| Time Limit | 75 | 80 | 75 | ||||
| There is NO DROP DEAD. All games will complete the inning when time expires unless the home team is ahead. | |||||||
| Innings | 6 | 7 | |||||
| Max Runs per Inning | 6 | 5 | No Limit | ||||
| Mercy Rule | Mathematical Elimination applies. | 12 runs after 3, 10 after 4, 8 after 5 | |||||
| Mathematical Elimination and Game End | Game is over immediately when a team is mathematically eliminated. Game is immediately over when the winning run scores. Runners behind the winning run cannot score, and don't count in final score. Home team does not bat if they are ahead going into the final inning. | ||||||
| Dropped 3rd Strike | No | Yes | |||||
| Infield Fly | No | Yes | |||||
| Advancing on Passed Ball | No | Yes | |||||
| Leading Off | No | Yes | |||||
| Illegal Pitch | No | An illegal pitch counts as a ball to the batter. No runner advancment. | |||||
| Absent/Injured Hitter | If a Team Falls Below 9 Players Then a Out Will be Recorded, If Not the Position will be Skipped | ||||||
| Walk | Dead Ball | Live Ball | |||||
| Intentional Walk | No | Coach/Player can Verbally Intentional Walk without throwing Pitches | |||||
| Steel Cleats | No | Yes | |||||
| Time Called During Play | Lead Runner/Possession | Time is Called When Pitcher has Control | |||||
| Face Mask | Infielders and Pitchers for 6u-12u Optional for Infielders | Optional | |||||
| Fighting | Immediate Removal from the Game | ||||||
| Fake Bunt/Slashing | No | Yes | |||||
| Bunt | No | Yes | |||||
| Bats | Official USSSA 1.20 BPF Thumbprint Stamp, maximum 2¼-inch barrel, No Bigger than 34/31 | ||||||
| Illegal Bat Procedure | If a batter enters the box or is discovered using an illegal bat, they are immediately out | ||||||
| Slung Bat | 1 Warning per Player, Player is Out on 2nd Offense | ||||||
| Head First Slide | No | Yes | |||||
| Pitching Limit | There is No Limit to the Number of Pitches That can be Thrown | ||||||
| Remove Pitcher | Pitcher is Removed After 2nd Visit of Inning or on 4th Visit of the Game | ||||||
| Defensive Visits | 3 Conferences per 7-Inning Game | ||||||
| Defensive Coaches | 2 Coaches in the Outfield Foul Territory | One on a bucket in the vicinity of the dugout door | |||||
| Courtesy Runner | A courtesy runner may only be used for the catcher of record. | A Courtesy Runner May be Used for the Pitcher or Catcher at Any Time They Reach Base | |||||
| Batting Order | Continuous Batting Order When Not Batting all Players Substitution Rules Apply | ||||||
| # of Players Start/Finish | Can Play with 9 But must Bat 10 Spots | Can Play with 8 but Must Bat 9 Spots | |||||
| # of Outfield Positions | 4 | 3 | |||||
| Tie Breaker (Pool) | Max Run Differential is 7 runs/ NO Head to Head if Three or More Teams are Tied | ||||||
| Tie Breaker (Bracket) | After Completion of Regulation or Time Expires International Rules Apply(Last Batted Out) | ||||||
| Warm-Up Pitches | 5 Warm Up Pitches to Start the Game or a New Pitcher/ Returning Pitchers Get 3 Warm Up Pitches | ||||||
| Rule Interpretation Protest | $100 Cash | ||||||
| Home Team Designation | In Pool Play Home Team Will be Designated by a Coin Flip and Bracket Will be Based Off Seeding | ||||||
| Required Softballs for Play | 11" | 12" | |||||
| Final Score Confirmation | All Coaches Must Review and Sign Score Cards Immediately Following Conclusion of Game | ||||||
| Rain-Out Policy | Typically Deem Games Official After 2.5 to 3 Innings (or 45-60 Minutes) of Play | ||||||
| Umpire Ejections | Ejected Individuals Must Immediately Leave the Vicinity and Miss the Next Scheduled Game | ||||||
| Forfeits | Forfeits are Recorded as 7-0 for All Age Divisions | ||||||
| Base Set of Rules | If a Rule is Not Listed Refer to the National Federation of State High School Associations(NFHS) | ||||||
Training Legends Pitcher Re-Entry Rules
- Starters: Any starting player, including the pitcher, may leave the game and re-enter one time in their original batting position.
- Substitutes: Any substitute player who is removed from the game may not re-enter.
- Position Switching: A STARTING Pitcher ONLY may be moved to another defensive position and later return to pitch during the same game.
- Limitations: A STARTING pitcher may leave and return to the mound provided the return does not violate defensive conference limits or any applicable pitching restrictions.
- Illegal Return: If a pitcher is removed due to injury and the replacement pitcher requires more than the permitted warm-up pitches, the injured pitcher may not return to the game as a pitcher.
- Re-Entry: Starters may re-enter the game one time, provided they return to their original spot in the batting order.
- Reporting: All substitutions must be immediately reported to the plate umpire. Unreported substitutes may result in penalties, though play stands.
- Lineup Flexibility: Teams may bat as many players as they want in both pool and bracket play.
- Open Defensive Substitution: Any rostered player may play in the field without being reported, except for the pitcher and catcher positions.
- Courtesy Runners: A courtesy runner for the pitcher or catcher of record may be used. If not using a player not currently in the lineup, it must be the last batted out.
- Injury/Short-Handed: If no substitute is available, a team may play with 8 players, taking an out for the missing 9th player.
- Returning Pitcher: A STARTING pitcher may be removed from the pitching position and returned to the pitching position ONLY NOT in the same inning.
- Starting Pitcher: If a starting pitcher is replaced before the first opposing batter has been put out or advanced to first base, they may play another position but cannot return to pitch.
- Warm-ups: New pitchers are generally allowed up to 5 warm-up pitches (or 1 minute).
- Illegal Action: If a pitcher holds the ball for more than 5 seconds with the batter in the box, the umpire will call a dead ball and award a ball to the batter.