Tidewater 12U League: League Rules
Sunday, August 31Tidewater 12U USSSA League Rules
- 1 hour 50 minute time limit
- The host team has the option of being the home team for either the first or second game of the double-header. The home team scorebook is the official book for all games. The home team scorekeeper should confirm the score with the visiting team scorekeeper after each inning, and notify the umpire of the score.
- A coin toss will decide home/away team for three-way games unless otherwise ageed upon.
- Each team will provide two new (2) baseballs per game.
- Mercy rule is in effect for official game purposes -(15 runs after 3 innings – 8 runs after 4) – game will continue until time limit or six innings is reached.
- Home team is responsible for scheduling umpires – cost will be split between teams.
- Home team will email final scores to adsaunders@embarqmail.com by COB on Monday following weekend play
- Official USSSA rosters will be used – guest players or players not on the roster cannot play unless opposing manager agrees.
- Pitching limits will be dictated by USSSA rules.
- There is no mandatory play rule. Each team must declare its lineup prior to the start of the game:
a. Bat the entire lineup with free substitutions. If a player leaves the game for any reason, an out will be recorded in their batting position.
b. Straight nine: Re-entry rule below applies to substitutions.
c. Extra hitter (EH): Bat 10 players. Unlimited substitutions allowed for the EH.
- A game may NOT end in a tie. If a game is tied after the completion of six innings, the international tiebreaker rule will be in effect. The rule applies as follows: To start an extra inning, the visiting team places the last batter to complete an at bat in the previous inning at second base. Play resumes until three outs are recorded. To complete the extra inning, the home team places the last batter to complete an at bat in the previous inning at second base. Play resumes until three outs are recorded, or the home team takes the lead.
- Courtesy runners are permitted for pitchers and catchers only with any number of outs. Runner must not be in the game at the time or the last out if team is batting all of their players.
- Head-first sliding shall be allowed when advancing to any base (except when advancing to home plate), or when attempting to return to any base either because of a pickoff attempt or a run-down.
- A team may play if only 8 players are present and able to play, but not with 7. If a team starts a game with only 9 players and one has to leave the game for any reason, the team may continue to play with 8. However, an out will be recorded in the vacated batting position.
- Only players, coaches, and one scorekeeper shall be allowed in the dugout and playing area.
- Anything not covered above will be dictated by USSSA rules found here...