General

• A team may play with as few as seven (7) players. However, if a team cannot field the minimum, the coaches must agree to keep playing by either borrowing players from the opposing team or changing the player minimum for that game.

• Players must play in half of the team's games in order to be eligible for the tournament.

• Coaches may only put players who are present in their scorebook. Coaches must be diligent in making sure they note players who have played in the game.

• Each team is allowed a maximum of two coaches on the playing field. One coach shall be behind the catcher at all times.

Batting

• The batting order will include all players and stays the same throughout the game. There are no offensive substitutes.

• If a player cannot take their turn at bat due to illness, injury, ejection, etc., their spot will be skipped and the next batter in the lineup will bat. No automatic outs will be assessed in this situation.

• The pitching machine will pitch 5 balls to the batter. There is no penalty for swinging at all 5 balls. If the player does not put the ball into play in the 5 pitches, the batter will be out.

  • If the player hits the ball foul on the 5th pitch then they will receive one additional pitch from the machine to put the ball in play. If the player fouls the extra pitch (6th pitch), they will be ruled out.

• Bunting is not allowed.

• Batting is complete at 5 runs or 3 outs – whichever comes first.

Base Running

• Base runners are not allowed to lead off or to steal bases. Runners must stay on base until the ball is batted into play by the batter.

• Once the ball is thrown to the “pitcher” and they are in the pitcher's circle, the play is complete and no runners may advance.

  • Runners who are past halfway between two bases are allowed the base they are attempting to reach.

    • Runners who are less than halfway must go back to the previously occupied base.

Defense

• Number of Defensive Players: 10 (4 outfielders)

• Every defensive half inning, all players who did not participate defensively in the previous half inning must enter the game defensively for this half inning.

• Defensive players may not be stationed in front of the pitching machine in their respective positions. Players may not move in front of the pitching machine until the batter has put the ball into play.

Time Limit / End of Game

• 5 innings played / 55 minute time limit. No new inning shall begin with 5 minutes or less remaining in the 55 minute time limit.

• Games may end in a tie.

• Mercy Rule: 15 runs after 3 innings / 10 runs after 4 innings

Playing Field

• The diamond shall have 60 foot base lines.

• The distance from home plate to second base shall be 84 feet 10 inches.

• The pitching distance shall be 46 feet.

  • The front leg of the pitching machine will be set at 46'.

    • The pitching speed on the machine will be set between 38-42 mph. Exact speeds may vary, where all efforts will be made to ensure consistency.