Rules

RULES INFORMATION

2023-24 USSSA National Rules (Click Here)

Guest Player Guidelines & Help Documents (Click Here)

NOTE: Area Directors may elect to impose stricter bat rules at 13U & 14U given it is noted on event website or game schedule

2024 National Rule Changes for Baseball (Effective 8/1/2023)

7.01.N | Forfeits – If a team forfeits for any reason other than pitching, they are removed from the event and placed in last place.
7.01.N.1 If a team forfeits for a pitching violation in pool play, the game is forfeited, and the team will be the last seed based on teams with the same record for bracket play.
7.01.N.2 The violating pitcher will not be allowed to pitch for the remainder of the event
7.01.N.3 If a team forfeits in a winner’s bracket game, they will be moved to the loser’s bracket.
7.01.N.4 If a team forfeits in an elimination game, they will be removed from the event.
7.01.N.5 Anytime a team is discovered to have committed a pitching violation, the team manager will be removed from the complex for the remainder of the event. This penalty is enforced regardless if a protest was made.
7.02.J | Any coach coaching a base must either be 18 years of age or wear a protective helmet. Only adults will be allowed to be pitching coaches in Machine Pitch or Coach Pitch events.
15.02 | The minimum age to umpire tournaments will be 15 years of age or the minimum age mandated by the local state they are calling in. The minimum age to umpire in a league program will be determined by the local league.

2023 National Rule Changes for Baseball (Effective 8/1/2022)

• 3.06.J | From the start of the Fall Season until December 31, teams may use unlimited guest players per weekend or event.
• 4.11 | In qualifiers, any team that forfeits for any reason is removed from the event and put in last place.
• 5.08 | During State tournaments, any team that forfeits for any reason is removed from the event and put in last place.
• 6.10 | In World Series events, any team that forfeits for any reason is removed from the event and put in last place.
• 7.01.C.1(a) | In Elite World Series, 13 Majors must use drop 5 (-5), BBCOR or wood bats only.
• 7.04.B.2 | If Pitcher or Catcher get out prior to an out being recorded in the 1st inning, and there are no substitute players, the courtesy runner shall be the batter furthest from coming back up to bat in the line-up that is not the Pitcher or Catcher of record. In all other innings, the courtesy runner is the last batted out and if no outs have been recorded, it will be the last out from the previous inning.