Travel Tournament Rules
Training Legends tournament rules are based on the official National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Baseball Rules Book, with minor modifications for age divisions younger than high school.
| Coach Pitch Only | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rule | 5U | 6U | 7U | 8U CP | 8U KP | 9U | 10U | 11U | 12U | 13U | 14U | 15+ |
| Base Distance | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60*/65 | 60*/65 | 70 | 70 | 80 | 90 | 90 |
| Mound | 40 | 46 | 46 | 50 | 50 | 54 | 60 | 60 | ||||
| Pitching coach shall keep one foot on or straddle the pitcher's line and can pitch anywhere in-between the 20' Foul Arc and the 46' Pitching Circle. | ||||||||||||
| Total Pitches | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | Refer to the rules at https://traininglegends.com/pitching-policy/ | |||||||
| Pitcher | A pitcher can not return to the mound in the same game once removed. | |||||||||||
| Time Limit | 1:15 | 1:15 | 1:15 | 1:15 | 1:30 | 1:30 | 1:30 | 1:45 | 1:45 | 1:45 | 1:45 | 1:45 |
| Championship Time | Time limits are dependant on the time of year. Please see Site Director for time limit information | |||||||||||
| Innings | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Max Runs per Inning | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Extra Inning Run Limit | There is no run limit in extra innings | |||||||||||
| Mercy Rule | Mathematical Elimination | 20 runs after 2 innings, 15 runs after 3 innings; 10 runs after 4 innings; 8 runs after 5 innings | ||||||||||
| Mathematical Elimination | Mathematical Elimination applies. 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. | |||||||||||
| Dropped 3rd Strike | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Infield Fly | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Leading Off | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open |
| *No Leading Off Divisions | Closed | |||||||||||
| 8UKP No stealing home | 8UPK no stealing home. In 8UKP a runner must be batted home or forced on a walk. Runners attempting to score are still at risk of being put out. | |||||||||||
| Balk | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| For 9U - 12U: Fakes to 3rd are Balks (including fake to 3rd, throw to 1st). No balk if pitcher first disengages with back foot. This is a judgement call. All balks are immediate dead balls 8uKP - Balk is only for a Start and Stop in Motion (Umpire Discretion) | 13u+ Fake to 3rd is NOT a Balk | |||||||||||
| Absent/Injured Hitter | Out | Out | Out | Out | Out | Out | Out | Out | Out | Out | Out | Out |
| Walk | Doesn't Apply | Dead Ball | Live Ball | |||||||||
| Intentional Walk | No | No | No | No | Verbal at anytime during at bat | |||||||
| Metal Cleats | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | |
| Time Called During Play | Coach Pitch lead runner stops, and back runner retreats (Umpire Discretion) | |||||||||||
| Pitcher ONLY Face Mask | Recommended, but not Required | No Requirement | ||||||||||
| Foul Ball to the Catcher (CP) | Foul ball back to the catcher must have a clear arc (umpire judgement) if it is to result in an out, and catcher must be within 10 foot line to be eligible to make catch. | |||||||||||
| Fake Bunt (Slashing) | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Bunt | Coach Pitch and 8uKP Only: Limit 1 Successful bunt per inning (Coach pitch 20' foul ball arc, 30' line for defenders) (2nd successful bunt = out) | |||||||||||
| Bats | Approved bats only; USSSA BPF 1.15 or USA Bat Standard or legal wood bat. (See tournament listing for details) 13u players must use bat no lighter than drop 5 (-5). If a team is playing up an age group, they must comply with older divisions rules. | BBCOR -3 or Wood | ||||||||||
| Illegal Bat Procedure | In the event an illegal bat is found during the game, the bat is removed from the game and play moves on. If a play occurs using an illegal bat, defensive team has the option to accept play. If the bat is brought back into the game, the player and coach will be ejected immediately. | |||||||||||
| Slung Bat | 1 warning per player, player is out on 2nd offense. No team warnings. | |||||||||||
| Head First Slide | Illegal Coach Pitch only (can slide head first if returning to a base) | |||||||||||
| Pitching Limit | Refer to the rules at https://traininglegends.com/pitching-policy/ | |||||||||||
| Mound Visits (Remove Pitcher) | Federation (3) official defensive conferences, then the pitcher must be removed per visit after that | |||||||||||
| Defensive Visits (CP only) | 3 visits per game | |||||||||||
| Defensive Coaches | 1 defensive coach within proximity of dugout | |||||||||||
| Defensive Coaches (CP) | 5U/6U/7U: (1) Coach in OF down each foul line. 8U: Not Permitted | |||||||||||
| Courtesy Runner | A courtesy runner is allowed for pitcher & catcher of record. Last Batted Out if CBO (Continuous Batting Order); eligible subs if traditional | |||||||||||
| Batting Order | Coaches can use DH and/or unlimited EHs, Continuous Batting order will allow free substitutions, if not batting all players substitution rules apply | |||||||||||
| # of Players to Start/Finish | Coach Pitch: Can start with 9 on defense, but must have a batting order of 10. The absent spot in order will be an out if player isn't present. Can add the 10th player anytime after the game begins. Kid Pitch: Must start with 9, can finish with 8. The absent spot still results in an out. | |||||||||||
| Tie Breaker (Pool) | Record, Head-to-Head, Runs Allowed, Runs Scored, Run Differential, Coin Flip Max run differential in any game is 7 Head-to-head tie-breaker is for TWO TEAM ties only. If 3 or more teams are tied, then the first tie-breaking criteria jumps to runs allowed, ..., and never reverts back to head-to-head. | |||||||||||
| Tie Breaker (Bracket) | After completion of regulation or time expiration International Rules Apply - No outs, runner on 2nd (Last batted out) | |||||||||||
| Warm-up Pitches | New Pitcher - 8 pitches, Returning Pitcher - 5 pitches | |||||||||||
| Rule Interpretation Protest | $100 Cash | |||||||||||
| Home Team Designation | In pool play, a coin toss determines the home team. In bracket play, the higher seed is home. In a double elimination championship game, the team coming out of the winner's bracket is the home team. Home team keeps the Official Scorebook. If in bracket play teams are equal seeds a coin toss will determine home team. | |||||||||||
| Required baseballs for play | Each team will provide 2 new baseballs for each game. If additional balls are required due to balls going out of play, the team at bat must supply the additional balls. | |||||||||||
| Final Score Confirmation | All Managers/Head Coaches must meet with the Base Umpire immediately after the game to confirm the scores/pitch counts and sign game card. | |||||||||||
| Rain-Out Policy | If a pool game is cancelled prior to starting due to weather the final score is 0-0, If unable to complete all pool games awards will not be given. 5U-12U, 3 innings (2.5 with home team leading) is an official game. 13u-14U, 4 innings (3.5 with home team leading) is an official game If a tournament is rained out during bracket play, the highest remaining seed will be named champion. If bracket play doesn't begin awards will only be given to the gold bracket. | |||||||||||
| Rain Delay Policy | Once a game is an Official Game, there is a 45 minute window to resume the game. After 45 minutes, the game is Final. If games are not yet official it will be determined by the tournament director how these games will proceed after the delay. | |||||||||||
| Umpire Ejections | The ejected party must become out of sight and out of sound at the park immediatly. The ejected party will miss the rest of the ejected game and their team's following game in that tournament. For player ejections, Training Legends will use discretion in determining if the player must sit out the following game. | |||||||||||
| Fighting | Fighting will result in immediate ejection. | |||||||||||
| Forfeits | Forfeits are scored as 7-0. | |||||||||||
| Base Set of Rules | If not listed above refer to National Federation of State High School Associatiobs (NFHS) - www.nfhs.org/ebooks | |||||||||||
List of Banned Bats
Black Emerald Bats:
All Black Emerald bats with the exception of BBCOR certified are not legal in Training Legends Tournaments.
The only Black Emerald bat this is allowed in Training Legends Tournaments is the -3 BBCOR certified version.
Roster Rules:
- A player can NOT play on two different teams in the same tournament.
- Different age divisions within a tournament are NOT considered to be the same tournament.
- Separate Allstar & Travel tournaments are NOT considered to be the same tournament.
- Players playing in different Training Legends tournaments on the same weekend are still subject to pitch count rules.
Player Age Rules:
- Please see player age chart with date of birth requirements.
- Starting in the 2022 season, Training Legends will allow two grade exemptions per team.
- Teams must have birth certificate and previous year's report card to show proof of age and/or grade exemption.
- If a player's age or grade exemption can't be proven, they will be ruled ineligible.
- Click here for Full Age & Grade Exemption Guide
Player Age Protests
- If a players age is protested the player in question must produce a valid birth certificate in order to confirm age.
- Age protests must be filed and brought to tournament director’s attention. If during a game, protest must be filed before umpires leave the field area.
- The amount of time allowed to provide proof of age is at the discretion of the tournament director.
- Training Legends recommends having birth certificates on-hand at all times during tournament play
- If a team is NOT able to provide proof of age in an appropriate amount of time they can be penalized to include forfeit of game(s)
- Tournament Director will make final determination on all eligibility protests
IMPORTANT: If a rule is not covered in the Training Legends Travel Baseball Rules document, the situation will be governed by the NFHS Rules Book.
Coach Pitch Specific Rules:
- Outfield: There will be four outfielders.
- Pitches: There are five pitches. The batter is out if there are three strikes before the fifth pitch. No foul outs. If a batter fouls off the fifth pitch, the batter continues to hit until he swings and misses or puts the ball into play.
- Play Stoppage: Time is called when the runners have stopped. No player can call “Time”. Only the umpire can call "Time".
- Catchers: All teams must have a catcher in gear (this includes shin guards, chest protector, mask, and helmet). The catcher can stand at the backstop or squat behind the plate.
- Face Guards: Batters do not have to wear face guards. The pitcher does not have to wear a face guard.
- Foul/Bunt Arc: There shall be a twenty (20) foot arc drawn from first (1st) baseline to third (3rd) baseline in front of home plate. The ball must be on or past this line to be fair: if not, it is a foul ball.
- Pitching Circle: There shall be a ten (10) foot in diameter circle, and the center will be forty-six (46) feet from the back of home plate.
- Pitcher’s Line: There shall be a line drawn from the pitcher’s circle to the safety arc.
- The Pitching Coach shall keep one foot on or straddle the pitcher’s line. The Pitching Coach can pitch anywhere in-between the 20’ Foul Ball Arc and the Pitching Circle.
- The Penalty for not obeying the Pitcher's line is a “no pitch”.
- There shall be a 30' Safety Line (hash mark) down both the 1st and 3rd baselines. No defensive play may be in front of this hash at the time of the pitch.
8U Kid Pitch Rules:
- No leadoffs
- No stealing home. A runner starting a play at 3rd base may ONLY advance home on a batted ball or when forced home by a walk, hit batter, or another force play (bases loaded).
- Walks are considered a "Dead Ball" situation, meaning the batter may only take Ist base and any forced runners may only advance one base.
- A runner starting from Ist or 2nd Base may advance home as a batted ball continuation of a play (there is not a mandatory "''red light"" at 3rd Base for a play in motion).
- A RUNNER STEALING FROM 2ND TO THIRD BASE MAY NOT ADVANCE TO HOME ON AN OVERTHROW BY THE CATCHER. HE MUST STAY AT 3RD BASE.
- A RUNNER ATTEMPTING TO GO HOME ON A NON-BATTED BALL IS STILL AT RISK OF BEING PUT OUT.
- IF A RUNNER CROSSES HOME PLATE ON A NON-BATTED BALL, HE/SHE WILL BE SENT BACK TO THIRD BASE. RUNNERS BEHIND THEM WILL BE SENT BACK TO THE PRECEDING BASE.
- Runner may leave base only after ball
crosses plate: 1st Offense = Dead Ball / warning; 2nd
Offense = Dead Ball / offending runner is called out,
other runners return to previously occupied bases, no ball/strike charged to batter). - Batter may not run on dropped 3rd strike.
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