Youth Fastpitch Rules

USSSA rules (except rules listed below) govern play unless modified by this document, or by the Tournament Director. 6 inning games in 10u, 7 innings 12u and above or no new inning after 70 minutes, the inning will be completed.  Ties will be permitted in pool play only.

Age Requirements and Age Verification: Each team must present an official 643team roster with parent/guardian signatures and be prepared to present birth certificates (or valid documentation) to the tournament director if requested. If a player does not have acceptable identification proving a date of birth, they will not be able to participate in the tournament until the player's age can be verified by the Tournament Director. Valid proof of age will be determined at the discretion of the Tournament Director.

Official book: Home team is responsible for keeping an “official” scorebook. The home team may elect to have a representative of the visiting team keep the “official” book. If a team chooses to not keep a scorebook of the game that is being played, that team has no right to debate the results that the other teams’ scorebook states. If neither team keeps a scorebook, the scorecard that the umpires keep will be the only official document for that game.

GAMES MAY START UP TO 20 MINUTES EARLY

Pre-game meetings between team representatives and umpires will take place prior to the start of each game.

Time begins after the pre-game meeting.

No organized infield practice before games.

BATTING LINEUPS:

1. Traditional Lineup

  • 9 hitters only.

  • No DP/Flex, no EH.

  • Straightforward — mirrors standard baseball batting order.

2. Lineup with DP/Flex

  • DP (Designated Player) bats in the order (not necessarily for the pitcher).

  • Flex is defense-only and does not bat unless she replaces the DP.

  • Optimizes offense/defense by pairing a strong bat with a defensive specialist.

3. Lineup with Extra Hitters (EH)

  • Add up to two Extra Hitters for a lineup of 10 or 11 batters.

  • EHs may play defense freely; defensive positions can rotate without changing the batting order.

4. Batting the Entire Roster

  • All players in uniform may be placed in the batting order.


Key Notes

  • Re-entry rule: A starter who is substituted may re-enter once in the same lineup spot.

  • Declare your lineup choice at the pregame plate meeting, and it remains all game.

SEEDING RULES:

1. Best Record

2. Head to Head if (3 or more) teams are tied head to head will not be used

3. Runs Allowed

4. Runs Scored

5. Run Differential (maximum of 10 runs per game will count)

6. Coin toss

If a team is playing an extra pool game (4th game), a predetermined game will be removed. That game won’t be revealed until completion of pool play.

International Tie Breaker rule in effect (last batter out on 2nd and NO outs)

Championship Game is no new inning after 90 minutes, the 10U Championship is 80 minutes.

RUN RULES: 12 runs after 3 innings; 10 runs after 4 innings; 8 runs after 5 innings. 10U ONLY: 5 up rule will be in effect EXCEPT if ITB applies.

Courtesy runners for pitchers and catchers will be last batted out OR any player off the bench.

Teams may begin a game with 8 players, without penalty. If a team takes an out, you can save a spot for a 9th player only to arrive after the start of the game. Any additional players will be substitutes. THESE PLAYERS MUST BE ON THE LINEUP CARD PRIOR TO THE GAME.

INJURY RULE: If a player is removed from the game for any reason other than injury, a substitute player is required to avoid an out.

WEATHER: In case of weather shortened tournaments, pool play games can be deemed official after the 2 ½ innings of play (if the home team is winning) or 40 minutes elapsed game time.

Verbal Intentional walks are allowed.

Jewelry is allowed at the umpire discretion.

BALLS, STRIKES, AND OTHER JUDGEMENT CALLS MAY NOT BE ARGUED


Protests: All on-field complaints, questions, or protests must first be handled by the field umpire, or the Umpire-in-Chief. The Tournament Director does not override, adjust, or change umpire judgment calls. Protests involving player eligibility must be presented to the field umpire or Umpire-in-Chief and Tournament Director. Once a game has ended and umpires have stepped off of the field of play, protests will not be considered.