SoNV USSSA Tournament Rules

7U - 8U

Game

No new inning after 1:30 or 6 innings whichever comes first. Exception: In pool play, if the game is tied at the end of 6 innings and there is still time on the clock, extra innings are played until time expires.

Nine (9) defensive players shall play in the field

Mercy rule: 15 runs after 3 innings, 8 runs after 4 innings

• 7U ONLY: 5 Run max per inning thru 3 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.

• 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 (Desc)  2. Number of Wins (Desc)   3.  Number of Loses (Asc)   4. Tied Teams (vs each other) Winning Percentage (Desc) (Not valid if all teams have not played each other)   5.  Avg Points Allowed (Asc)   6.  Avg Run Differential with a max of 8 (Desc)   7.  USSSA Points Desc)   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 3 coaches allowed in the dugout at USSSA games. All assistant coaches must be listed on your team's online roster on www.usssa.com under the "Coaches Listing" option. In addition, no one other than official coaches and players are allowed in the dugout at any time.

PITCHING

Pitching distance shall be 40’ and the bases shall be 60’

PITCHING LIMITATIONS: 6 innings in a day and 8 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

** NOTE:  These pitching rules pertain only to regular season tournaments.  World Series pitching rules are goveren by the USSSA Bylaws.

BATTER

Bunting is allowed

To intentionally walk a batter, a coach or fielder just needs to inform the umpire and point to first base before a pitch is thrown to the batter.

A batter may only be intentionally walked once per game.  NOTE:  A player intentionally walked more than once in a game is not protestable.

A batter is automatically out on a dropped/missed third strike by the catcher.

RUNNERS

No lead-offs. Players cannot leave a base until after the ball crosses home plate

A runner may steal after the ball crosses the plate. If a runner leaves early and is thrown out, they are out. If the runner is safe: 1st offense, they must return to the previous base: 2nd offense in the same inning the runner is called out. If the ball is hit, the defensive team has the option of the result of the play or it is considered a no pitch and runner(s) must return to previous base and the batter hits againdead ball and runner returns and hitter hits again.

Once the ball is thrown back to the pitcher by the catcher or any fielder at the conclusion of a play, at the umpire's judgment, all base runners must return to their previous base if they are not at least halfway to next base.

Stealing home is not allowed. Runners may only score on a hit or when forced to score by a walk, HBP, or award from the umpire. Runners shall not advance from third base to home on apass ball, a wild pitch, a dropped/missed third strike or any attempt to throw out a runner by the catcher.

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 the 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 contact is made on either side of the bag or behind the bag, the ball is immediately dead.  The runner is out, interference is called and the batter runner is also called out.

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 base.