Pitching Machine: The distance from the rear point of home plate to the front leg of the pitching machine should be forty-two (42) feet. This will result in the machine being positioned at 44 feet.
Machine Pitch Speed: Pitching machine speeds should be between 38 and 44 MPH.
Bases: The distance between bases will be 60 feet.
Safety Arc: A 30-foot arc will be drawn from the first baseline to the third baseline in front of home plate. Infielders are required to stay behind this arc until the ball is pitched.
Time Limits: All games have a time limit of 1 hour and 20 minutes, beginning after the first pitch. Please note that the time limit may be adjusted in the event of unforeseen tournament interruptions. To help maintain the tournament schedule, all teams should be prepared to begin their game up to 10 minutes earlier than their scheduled start time if the tournament is running ahead of schedule.
Run Spreads: Run spreads apply -12 runs after 3 innings, 8 runs after 4 innings.
Roster Batting: Roster Batting is mandatory for all games throughout the entire tournament, regardless of the number of players on your team.
Roster Minimum: Teams are permitted to start and conclude a game with a minimum of eight players. For each absent player in the ninth and tenth positions of the batting order, the team will be recorded as having made an out during their respective turns at bat.
Pool Play Games: In Pool Play games, the home team will be determined by a coin flip. For Bracket Play games, the higher seeded team will be designated as the home team. In the event that both teams in a Bracket Play game have the same seed, the home team will be determined by a coin flip. Dugouts will not be assigned to specific teams.
Batters: Each batter will receive a maximum of six pitches or be called out on three swinging strikes. Pitches deemed unhittable by the umpire will not be counted towards the pitch limit. If a batter fouls off the sixth pitch, it will be recorded as an out.
Run Limit: Teams can score no more than 7 runs per inning, including the final inning, or the inning ends after 3 outs.
Dropped Third Strike: The batter is not permitted to run to first base on a dropped third strike.
Infield Fly Rule: There is no infield fly rule.
Outfielders: Teams may play with 10 players on defense, 4 outfielders. The outfielders must remain behind the baseline until the ball is put into play.
Umpires Time: Umpires are required to call "Time" and declare the ball dead after every play. "Time" shall be called as soon as the lead runner ceases to attempt to advance. This rule applies regardless of whether the defense requests a timeout. If a runner stands off a base and engages in "juking" or "faking" movements without attempting to advance, this shall be interpreted as not attempting to advance, and "Time" shall be called.
Intentional Walks: A batter may only be intentionally walked once per game. This must be announced by the defensive team.
Runners: Runners are not permitted to leave their base until the ball has been pitched. Stealing bases is prohibited. A runner who leaves their base before the ball is hit or before it reaches home plate will be called out.
Bunt: Teams are permitted a maximum of two successful bunts per inning. Fake bunts are strictly prohibited. If a batter initiates a bunting motion (shows bunt), they are committed to either attempting to bunt or taking the pitch. If a batter swings after showing a bunt, they will be called out, and no runners may advance.
Courtesy Runner: A courtesy runner may be used for the catcher. The courtesy runner shall be the player who recorded the previous out. If no outs have been recorded in the game, the courtesy runner shall be the player who batted immediately prior to the catcher and is not currently on base.
Batted Balls: If a batted ball strikes the pitching machine, the ball is declared dead. The batter is awarded first base, and all runners are permitted to advance one base.
Defensive Player: The defensive player designated as the pitcher shall not leave the pitching circle until the ball is pitched. First Offense: A warning will be issued. Second Offense: The player will be removed from the pitching position for the remainder of the game.