Tournament Rules

Rules

Everything coaches and parents need to know before stepping on the field — by age division.

24 Sports tournaments generally follow National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) guidelines. The rules below are our explicit exceptions and additions — where something isn't specifically covered here, NFHS guidelines apply.

Checking whether a bat is tournament-legal? See the Bat Reference Guide →

Division

6U – 8U Coach Pitch

Player Age Eligibility

6UPlayers who do not turn 7 before May 1, 2027.
7UPlayers who do not turn 8 before May 1, 2027.
8UPlayers who do not turn 9 before May 1, 2027.

Game Duration

Games have a duration of 1 hour and 15 minutes OR a maximum of 6 innings. Games may start up to 30 minutes ahead of schedule — teams are expected to be warmed up and ready.

During Pool Play, if there are less than 5 minutes remaining in the game, a new inning will not start; however, the home team will have the opportunity to finish the current inning if they are down.

See the Cancellation Policy for inclement weather or extenuating circumstances impacting schedule.

General Rules

  • Maximum of 4 coaches.
  • Run Rule: 15 runs after 3 completed innings · 10 runs after 4 completed innings · 8 runs after 5 completed innings.
  • There will be a continuous batting order. The entire roster must be batted through, in order, without substitution.
  • A team is required to start the game with a minimum of 8 players. For each spot in the lineup that falls short of 10, an automatic out will be charged. For example, if a team starts with 9 players, an out will be charged once the lineup reaches the 10th spot.
  • If a player arrives after the game has begun, they must be added to the bottom of the batting order. However, if at any point the lineup falls below 8 players due to ejection, injury, or illness, the game will result in a forfeit for the team with the insufficient number of players.
  • The fielding pitcher must stand within 1 foot of the pitching rubber when the Coach Pitcher is pitching. Positioning of the player pitcher and coach pitcher will be addressed and mutually agreed upon by both coaches and umpires during the plate meeting. Any uncertainties should first be discussed with the head coach of record, who must then report unresolved issues to the plate umpire for resolution.
  • Pitching coaches are allowed to verbally communicate to the batter.
  • If the pitching coach gets hit with a batted ball, the ball becomes dead and a no-pitch is declared.
  • If a coach is hit with a thrown ball, the ball is dead and runners cannot advance. If, in the umpire's judgment, the coach did not make a legitimate attempt to avoid a thrown ball, the batter is declared out, no runners advance, and baserunners return to their last occupied base.
  • When a team is on defense, they play with 10 players on the field. The four outfielders must remain in the grass; the four infielders must stay behind the pitching coach until the ball is hit.
  • No infield fly rule for Coach Pitch.
  • (7U & 8U only) The batter shall receive a maximum of six (6) pitches or three (3) swinging strikes. The at-bat may not end on a foul ball — if the 6th pitch is fouled, a 7th pitch (continuation) is awarded. Bunting is not allowed.
  • Intentional walks are not allowed in Coach Pitch.
  • Runners cannot lead off or steal bases. A runner is out if they leave the base before the ball is hit or before it's contacted after reaching home plate. If the ball is not contacted, the umpire will warn the baserunner; if the ball is put in play, the runner will be declared out. If two or more runners leave early, the lead runner is declared out.
  • A courtesy runner for the catcher of record in the previous inning may be used — the player who made the previous out. If no outs have been recorded, the courtesy runner shall be the previous batter not on base, or the last scheduled batter.
  • Time is called when the ball (at the umpire's discretion) is thrown or run to the pitcher position or Pitching Coach. Runners already halfway to the next base get that base; runners not yet halfway return to the previously touched base.
  • Defensive coaches are not allowed on the field of play along the foul lines (no outfield coaches) and must coach from the dugout, or the area immediately in front of it, without interfering with the offensive team's base coaches or live play.
  • Offensive coaches are allowed at 1st and 3rd base only. All other coaches remain in the dugout, or the area immediately in front of it, without interfering with the defensive team's ability to make plays.
  • 7 max runs per inning.

Modified 6U (Tee Ball) — Specific Rules

Everything above applies to 6U, 7U, and 8U. Modified 6U adds the following:

75 min or 6 innings Bases set at 60 ft 5 pitches + 1 tee swing
  • Game duration: maximum of 75 minutes or 6 innings.
  • Bases: set at 60 ft.
  • At-bats: coach pitch batters receive five (5) pitches from the coach. If the ball is not put into play, the batter has one (1) attempt to put the ball into play off the tee. The batter is out if the ball is not placed in fair play after that one swing on the tee.
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Division

9U – 14U

Player Age Eligibility

9UPlayers who do not turn 10 before May 1, 2027.
10UPlayers who do not turn 11 before May 1, 2027.
11UPlayers who do not turn 12 before May 1, 2027.
12UPlayers who do not turn 13 before May 1, 2027.
13UPlayers who do not turn 14 before May 1, 2027.
14UPlayers who do not turn 15 before May 1, 2027.

Game Duration

9U–12U: 1 hr 30 min or 6 innings 13U–14U: 1 hr 45 min or 6 innings

Games may start up to 30 minutes ahead of schedule — teams are expected to be warmed up and ready.

During Pool Play, if there are less than 5 minutes remaining in the game, a new inning will not start; however, the home team will have the opportunity to finish the current inning if they are down.

See the Cancellation Policy for inclement weather or extenuating circumstances impacting schedule.

General Rules

  • A team is required to start the game with a minimum of 8 players. For each spot in the lineup that falls short of 9, an automatic out will be charged. For example, if a team starts with 8 players, an out will be charged once the lineup reaches the 9th spot.
  • If a player arrives after the game has begun, they must be added to the bottom of the batting order. However, if at any point the lineup falls below 8 players due to ejection, injury, or illness, the game will result in a forfeit for the team with the insufficient number of players.

Offense

Teams have four choices for their lineup:

  1. Bat 9 straight
  2. Bat 9 with DH
  3. Bat 10 / play with 9 with EH
  4. Bat the entire lineup

When using options 1–3, all eligible subs must be listed on the lineup card. Your official lineup must be presented to the opposing coach and plate umpire prior to the start of each game.

When using option 4 and a player is injured or unable to play, the team must take an out for that spot in the lineup. A player who has not batted or played in the field, and is injured, will be skipped and removed from the lineup. You cannot use both a DH and an EH.

  • Runners may lead off and steal.
  • Infield fly is in effect, at the umpire's discretion, and may not be protested or challenged.
  • No max runs.

Defense — Pitching Limits (Outs Per Weekend)

  • 9U–12U: 24 outs max per pitcher for the weekend
  • 13U–14U: 27 outs max per pitcher for the weekend
  • Pitching Sunday? Pitchers planning to pitch on Sunday are limited to 6 outs max during Saturday/pool play

Balks

Each pitcher will receive one balk warning during pool play. However, during bracket play, no warnings will be given. Coaches and parents are required to refrain from yelling "balk" or attempting to impose their own judgment during the game — it's important to maintain a respectful and sportsmanlike environment. Anyone in violation of this rule will be subject to the ejection policy. We encourage everyone to trust the umpires' expertise and allow them to officiate without interference.

All other rules, not explicitly covered within our guidelines, will be subject to the umpire's discretion and will follow the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) guidelines. In cases where there is no specific rule in the NFHS guidelines, the Official Baseball Rules will be referenced.

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