SoNV USSSA Tournament Rules

9U - 12U

GAMES

9u/10u - No new inning after 1:35 or 6 innings whichever comes first. In pool play a game can end in a tie.

11u/12u - No new inning after 1:40 or 6 innings whichever comes first.  In pool play games can end in a tie.

• Mercy rule: 6 inning game - 15 after 3 innings & 8 after 4 innings
  Mercy rule: 7 inning game - 15 after 3 innings & 12 after 4 innings & 8 after 5 innings

• If a game is called due to rain, Weather, light failure, or other acts of Nature and cannot be resumed it is a regulation game if:

• For a six (6) inning game, if three (3) innings have been played or if the home team has scored more runs after two and one half (2 1/2) innings the game shall be declared a complete game.

• For a seven (7) inning game, if four (4) innings have been played or if the home team has scored more runs after three and one half (3 1/2) innings the game shall be declared a complete game.

• All games that for any reason cannot be declared a regulation game pursuant to USSSA Rule 7.03.C shall be a suspended

• game. A suspended game when resumed, shall resume from the exact point of suspension.

• Tie Breakers:  1. Winning Percentage 2. Number of Wins 3.  Number of Loses 4. Tied Teams (vs each other) Winning Percentage (Not valid if all teams have not played each other)   5.  Avg Points Allowed 6.  Avg Run Differential with a max of 8 7.  USSSA Points 8.  Date Team Entered USSSA Database.  (Once advanced past on tie breaker, you don't go back to a previous tie breaker).

• Championship Day:  For all playoff and championship games.  If a game is still tied at the end of regulation innings, or any inning starting after time has expired, the last batter to complete their at-bat, will be placed on second base to start the following inning(s) until there is a winner.  Also, there is no time limit in the championship game.

• There will only be 1 manager and 3 coaches allowed in the dugout at SoNV USSSA games. All assistant coaches must be listed on your team's online roster on USSSA Bylaws under the "Coaches Listing" option. In addition, no one other than official coaches and players are allowed in the dugout at any time.

Mound and Base Distances 

• 9U & 10U

  • Mound - 46'

  • Bases - 65'

PITCHING

• PITCHING LIMITATIONS:

• 7U-12U = 6 innings in a day, including multiple games in same day, and 8 innings total in the tournament

• 13U-14U = 7 innings in a day, including multiple games in same day, and 8 innings total in the tournament.

• One pitch or one play equals 1 inning

• A player that pitches more than three (3) innings in one day MUST rest the next day.

• Once a pitcher is removed from the mound, they may not pitch again in that game.

• Warnings on balks in 9u division.

• On a one weekend tournament, pitching does not recycle for the playoffs. 

• it shall be the responsibility of each team to challenge pitching violations by notifying the Umpire and then filing a protest. A protest may be filed at any point after the pitcher in violation records any out beyond his legal limit AND while the pitcher in violation is in the game as the pitcher of record.  If violation is the last recorded out of the game , the protest MUST be filed prior to the Umpires and the protesting team leaving the field.

• For purposes of pitching limitations rule, a pitcher is in violation of the rule if he, or she, records an inning above the legal pitching rules. 

• PENALTY: for violation of the pitching limitation rule: the pitcher shall be removed from the mound and not allowed to pitch the remainder of the tournament: the manager shall be ejected from the game and also required to sit out the next scheduled game .

• Note: These pitching rules pertain only to Southern Nevada USSSA tournaments.  World Series pitching rules are governed by the USSSA Bylaws.

BATTING

• Teams may play an official game with an eight (8) player line-up.  If a team plays with an eight (8) player line-up, an out shall be declared for the ninth (9th) position in the batting line-up each turn at bat.

• Any player(s) arriving after the start of the game, shall be added to the bottom of the line-up.

• A team that must shorten their line-up do to the lack of eligible players, an out shall be recorded every time that spot in the line-up comes up.

• Teams may bat nine (9) players, or nine (9) players with a DH, or nine (9) players with an EH, or nine (9) players with an EH and DH, or a continuous line-up of all present, eligible, uniformed players.  A continuous line-up must be declared before the start of the game and used the entire game.

• Starters may re-enter one time only in their original spot.

• The DH may bat for any defensive player.

• A starting defensive player cannot be listed as the DH.

• A DH for said player shall be selected prior to the start of the game, and his name shall be included on the line-up card presented to the umpire-in-chief and the official scorer.

• The DH may only bat for one player or any of that player's substitutes on defense.

• The DH that bats for a defensive player or any of that player's substitutes is locked into that battting slot.  No multiple substitutions may be made that will alter the batting order.

• If a pinch hitter or pinch runner for the DH is used, that player becomes the new DH.

• The DH may only bat for one player or any of that player's substitutes on defense.

• A starting DH can re-enter the game one time since he was considered a starter.  The starting defensive player being hit for can also re-enter the game one time if subbed for.  Both must always stay in the same batting spot.

• The DH role for a team is terminated for the rest of the game if:  (1) The defensive player, or any previous defensive player for whom the DH batted, subsequently bats, pinch-hits, or runs for the DH,  (2) The DH or any previous designated DH assumes a defensive position.

RUNNER

• A runner who jumps over a player will called out whether or not contact is made with the defensive player.

• The Force Play Slide Rule:  A runner may legally slide directly into a base or in any direction away from the fielder to avoid contact or altering the play of the fielder or avoid by peeling off away from the player making the play.  Runners are never required to slide, but if a runner elects to slide, the slide must be legal.  Legal Slide means a head first slide or a slide with one leg and buttock on the ground before the base.  If interference is called the batter/runner shall also called out.

• Illegal slide: a slide is illegal if it includes: raising a foot higher than the fielders knee, sliding past a base,  making an intentional act while sliding such as throwing arms, kicking, slashing, or a roll block.

• Interference: if a runner makes an illegal slide and makes contact with a fielder, or alters the play, it is considered interference. Ball is dead, runner is out. On a force slide play the batter/runner shall also be called out.

• Malicious contact: runner called out and EJECTED.

• Courtesy Runner - At any time, the offensive team may use a courtesy runner for the pitcher and catcher of record from the previous inning on defense.  The courtesy runner must be a player not presently in the line-up.  If no players not presently in the line-up are available, the courtesy runner shall be the player making the last batted out.  The re-entry status of the courtesy runner, pitcher, and catcher shall not be affected by this rule.  If at any time, a courtesy runner is determined to be ineligible, a proper replacement pursuant to these rules (if available) shall be used without penalty.

• A.R. - If the bases are loaded with no outs, a double-play attempt is made, and interference is called, all other runners must return to their original bases.

EQUIPMENT

• NO METAL CLEATS will be allowed in divisions 12u, artificial mounds, and fields designated by SN USSSA baseball.

• The catcher shall wear all appropriate protective gear including a catcher’s helmet with face mask and either a built-in extended throat guard or a separately attached throat guard, chest protector, shin and / or leg guards, and protective cup. In age divisions 9u – 12u, the catcher’s helmet shall fully cover both ears (1 piece helmet).

• Max barrel in ages 9u-14u is 2 3/4.

• All regular 14u tournaments the only bats allowed will be BBCOR or wood bats.  This will not apply to Super NIT'S or World Series events.  If you are traveling to an out of state tournament, you should check with the tournament director to see what bats are allowed.

• The max drop allowed in all 13u tournaments is -8.

SPORTSMANSHIP and EJECTIONS

• All players, coaches, managers, sponsors and spectators are expected to conduct themselves in a sportsmanship manner at all times. The Tournament Director/Staff has the authority to remove anyone from the event at any time for unsportsmanship conduct.

• Additional penalties may be assessed at the discretion of the Tournament Director/Staff.

• ITEMS NOT SPECIFICALLY COVERED IN POLICY'S OR TOURNAMENT RULES SHALL BE REFERRED TO THE  TOURNAMENT  DIRECTOR/STAFF FOR RESOLUTION.

Version - V11425