1RULE
Run Rule
Mercy
6-Inning Games
15 after 3 · 8 after 4
7-Inning Games
15 after 3 · 12 after 4 · 8 after 5
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Age Determination
All players' baseball age is determined by how old they are on April 30. After August 15, the next year's April 30 is used. California USSSA does not use grade in school — only birthdates.
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Final Authority
Once ruled on, Tournament Directors' decisions are final. USSSA rules apply for anything not covered below.
Equipment Standards
Bat Rules UPDATED 8/15/24
12U & UNDER USSSA
USSSA 1.15 Stamp
Bats must carry the official USSSA 1.15 BPF mark.
13U AAA / AA -8 OR LOWER
−8 Drop or Lower
Required to use −8 or lower numbered bats.
13U MAJORS -5 OR LOWER
−5 Drop or Lower
Any team playing in the 13U Majors division must use −5 or lower.
14U & UP BBCOR
−3 BBCOR / Wood
High School approved BBCOR, wood, or wood composite required.
See the official USSSA Banned Bat List below for non-compliant models.
The Rule Book
Playing Rules 10 RULES
2RULE
Pitching Limit
Penalty Risk
Applies to One-Day, Two-Day, and Three-Day events. 1 out = ⅓ inning · 2 outs = ⅔ inning · 0 outs = 0. No penalty for going over on a double or triple play.
8U – 12U
3 / day to pitch next · 6 max single day · 8 max weekend
13U – 14U
3 / day to pitch next · 7 max single day · 8 max weekend
15U – 18U
No limits — coaches use proper judgment
3RULE
Courtesy Runner
Reference
Allowed for the pitcher or catcher anytime. If a team does not have a sub, the last batted out is used.
The same runner may only be used once per inning. Penalty: correct it when brought to attention.
4RULE
Batting Order
Reference
Teams may bat 9, 10, or their whole lineup. A DH may bat for any defensive player.
A team may use both a DH and an EH in the same game, as long as they are not batting the entire lineup.
5RULE
Player Minimums
Forfeit Risk
Teams may start a game with 8 players, but may not finish with less than 8. Teams may start with 9 and finish with 8 without a forfeit.
Teams may submit 9 hitters with only 8 players — the vacant spot is an out when his turn comes up. If the 9th player arrives, the second time through the lineup he takes his regular turn at bat.
With 2 outs, teams cannot Walk or HBP the previous batter to force the automatic out. The automatic out is skipped if the previous batter walks with two outs, and the following batter takes his turn at bat.
All subs must be listed on the lineup card.
6RULE
Innings & Time Limits
Game Length
8U – 12U
6 innings · No new inning after 1:50
13U & Above
7 innings · No new inning after 1:50
Game times may be reduced to 1:45 or 1:40 if announced before the event begins or following weather, fog, or light delays.
7RULE
Tie Games — Pool Play
Reference
If tied after 6 or 7 innings with time left, one extra inning will be played. If still tied, the game ends in a tie. Pool play games may end in a tie.
8RULE
Tie Games — Playoffs
IBAF Rule
If tied after 6 or 7 innings or after time expires, the IBAF International Tie-Breaker rule is used:
Teams may start anywhere they want in their order and runners are placed on 1st and 2nd. Play continues in that fashion until there is a winner.
9RULE
Ejections
Discipline
Players
1 game · possible 2nd
Coaches / Fans / Parents
2 games automatic
10RULE
Seeding Tie-Breakers
Standings
Pool standings are sorted in this order:
- Winning Percentage — Descending
- Number of Wins — Descending
- Number of Losses — Ascending
- Head-to-Head Win % (only valid if all tied teams have played each other) — Descending
- Average Points Allowed — Ascending
- Average Run Differential, capped at 8 — Descending
- USSSA Points — Descending
- Date Team Entered USSSA Database
Official References