Braves Country Baseball and Softball Rules
Baseball Rules
Disclosure: Rules are subject to vary by park, district, and state dependent on their boards. The rules listed below apply once teams make it to Atlanta. Any rules not covered in this document falls back to NFHS Rules.
Classification System
Park Classification Group
- 1-199: C Classification
- 200-499: B Classification
- 500+: A classification
*Based upon age groups 5-12
Age restrictions
- 5uCP Division: Players born up to April 30, 2017 are eligible
- 6uCP Division: Players born on/after May 1, 2017 are eligible
- 7uCP Division: Players born on/after May 1, 2016 are eligible
- 8uCP Division: Players born on/after May 1, 2015 are eligible
- 9u Division: Players born on/after May 1, 2014 are eligible
- 10u Division: Players born on/after May 1, 2013 are eligible
- 11u Division: Players born on/after May 1, 2012 are eligible
- 12u Division: Players born on/after May 1, 2011 are eligible
5 | -- | 60' |
6 | -- | 60' |
7 | -- | 60' |
8 | -- | 60' |
9 | 46' | 65' |
10 | 46' | 65' |
11 | 50' | 70' |
12 | 50' | 70' |
Home Team
- In pool play, a coin toss determines the home team.
- In bracket play, the higher seed has choice of home or away (same seeds that play each other in bracket play will be a coin toss). The home team keeps the official scorebook.
- The visiting team runs the scoreboard where applicable.
Game Time Limits
Game time limits apply to all games, including Championship games.
- Coach Pitch, 5u-8u: 1:15
- 9u-10u: 1:30
- 11u-12u: 1:45
Innings per Game
All games for 12u and younger are six (6) innings.
Max Runs per Inning
7 runs per inning for 5u, 6u, 7u, & 8u. No run limit for 9u and older
Mercy Rule: 9u and older
- 15 runs after 3 innings
- 12 runs after 4 innings
- 8 runs after 5 innings
- Mathematical elimination for all coach pitch
Forfeits
Forfeits are scored as 7-0
Tiebreakers, Pool Play
- Record
- Head-to-head (only if 2 teams are tied. If 3 or more teams are tied, then the first tiebreaking criteria is run differential, and never reverts to head-to-head).
- Run differential (the maximum run differential is 7 runs per game).
- Runs allowed
- Runs scored
- Coin flip
- Bracket protection:
- B and C Class:
- Will not play a team first round that played in pool play.
- Will not play a team from their park first round of bracket play.
Extra Innings, Bracket Play Games
Start with the last batted out on 2B, and 1 out.
Final Score Confirmation
All managers/head coaches must meet with the umpires immediately after the game to confirm the score and pitching records.
Official Games: If a game is cancelled due to weather…
- For 5u-12u, 3 innings (2.5 with home team leading) is a complete game.
- If an official game is suspended in the middle of an inning, then the score reverts to the last completed inning.
- If a game is cancelled due to weather, the teams must play the next day. (i.e., if a Sunday game gets cancelled, they will play Monday).
Protests
For rule interpretations only, the protesting team must pay $100 in cash. If the protest is successful, the money is refunded.
Umpire Ejections
The ejected party must leave the field area immediately and not be visible to the game and not communicate with the team. The ejected party may not return to the park for the remainder of the tournament. If the ejected party does not leave accordingly, that person’s team will be disqualified.
- Districts hosting the tournament will provide their own umpires.
- Region, state, and championship umpires will be provided.
Zero Tolerance Policy
Any coach/player/parent/fan/spectator who is ejected from a game will be out for the entire tournament. Any egregious offenses or a second offense may result in suspension for the year.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Any aggression towards umpires, tournament officials, the opposing team, fans, or spectators, is subjected to any or all of the following:
- A warning
- A restriction to the bench/dugout for the remainder of the game. A coach may leave the bench/dugout to attend to a player who becomes ill or injured.
- An immediate ejection
- A ban from the remainder of the tournament
- A ban from all future tournaments
Pitching Limits
USA pitch count
| AGE | DAILY MAX PITCHES | REQUIRED REST (PITCHES) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 DAYS | 1 DAY | 2 DAYS | 3 DAYS | 4 DAYS | ||
| 9 -10 | 75 | 1-20 | 21-35 | 36-50 | 51-65 | 66+ |
| 11 - 12 | 85 | 1-20 | 21-35 | 36-50 | 51-65 | 66+ |
Warmup Pitches
8 pitches if the starting pitcher or a new pitcher; 5 pitches if an existing pitcher.
Pitcher Removal
After 3 charged conferences (i.e., mound visits), or for any charged conference in excess of 1 in each extra inning, the pitcher shall be removed as pitcher for the duration of the game.
Pitching Violation
A protest may be filed at any point after the pitcher in violation records an out past his/her legal limit but must be filed prior to the game card being signed and/or the umpires leaving the field after the game. The penalty for a successful protest includes forfeiting the game and the manager is ejected (see Umpire Ejections).
No re-entering the pitcher on the mound.
Dropped 3rd Strike
Hitters can advance for 11u and older.
Lead offs
Closed through 10u.
Infield Fly Rule
Only for 9u and older.
Slashing (Fake Bunt, Pull Back, Full Swing)
Not allowed
Missing Batter or Injured Batter
Automatic out unless a legal substitution occurs.
Slung Bat
Player is called out after a warning to that player.
Courtesy Runner
- A courtesy runner is allowed for the catcher. All other subs must be an eligible substitute.
- Use of DH is allowed. The DH is connected to the fielding player, if the fielding player hits, the DH can re-enter once.
Max Runs per Inning
7 runs per inning.
Mercy Rule
Mathematical Elimination
Fair Ball Arc
There shall be a 20-foot arc drawn from the 1st baseline to the 3rd baseline in front of home plate. A batted ball must go past this line to be a fair ball.
Pitching Circle
There shall be a 10-foot diameter circle with the center of the circle at 42 feet from the rear point of home plate.
Bunts
Limit 1 successful bunt per inning
Pitching Coach
The pitching coach shall be an adult at least 18 years of age.
The pitching coach must pitch at least 20 feet from the batter. The coach can pitch anywhere behind the 20-foot line.
Ball must be thrown overhand and from a standing position.
The pitching coach shall not verbally or physically coach while in the pitching position with the ball in hand. First offense of the game- warning.
Second offense of the game- The pitching coach will be removed from the game.
The pitching coach shall position himself as not to be an obstruction to the defensive team on any possible play once the ball has been hit.
- Penalty: If a coach violates this rule after the ball is pitched, obstruction shall be called.
- Additional penalty: If a coach violates this rule before the ball is pitched: First offense: Warning, Second offense: Removal of coach as the pitcher for the remainder of the game
Pitching Coach Interference
When a batted ball hits the Pitching Coach, the following shall apply:
If in the umpire’s judgment, the coach did not make a legitimate attempt to avoid contract, the batter is declared out and no runners shall advance. If in the umpire’s judgment, the coach did make a legitimate attempt to avoid contact, the ball becomes dead, and a no-pitch is declared.
Defensive Positions
- 10 defensive players shall play in the field with 4 outfielders.
- The 4th outfielder shall not assume an infield position.
- All outfielders shall stay behind the baseline.
- The defensive player listed as pitcher shall not leave the pitching circle until the ball is hit.
- Penalty: The play continues. After the play has ended, the offensive team has the option of taking the result of the play or no-pitch.
- Additional Penalty:
- First offense: Warning
- Second offense: Removal of player from the pitching position for the remainder of the game.
- “No rolling the ball intentionally will be allowed”.
- No player can sit more than two consecutive innings on defense.
Infield Fly
The infield fly rule shall not be in effect at any time.
Batting Order
- The batting order shall constitute all present players on the team roster at the beginning of the game.
- Late arrivals shall be inserted at the bottom of the batting order.
- Once the hitters cycle through once, players cannot be added to batting order but they are able to play defense.
- All players on the roster shall bat before returning to the top of the batting order.
- Teams may use free substitution on defense, but the batting order shall remain the same.
- The team roster will remain the same from May 15th until after the Championship.
Pitches per Batter
The batter shall receive a maximum of 5 pitches with unlimited foul balls or 3 swinging strikes. The batter cannot be out on a foul ball unless it is caught by a fielder.
Intentional Walks
There are no intentional walks.
Leads and Stealing
Runners shall not lead-off or steal bases. A runner is out for leaving the base before the ball is hit or reaches home plate.
Courtesy Runner
A courtesy runner for catcher of record only the previous inning may be used. The courtesy runner shall be the player that made the previous out. If no outs have been recorded in the game, the courtesy runner shall be the previous batter not on base. If the team batting has not played defense yet and a courtesy runner is used for a player, the player that was run for must assume the catching position the next inning. This scenario only applies in the first inning for the visiting team.
Time Outs
Umpires shall call “Time” after every play and declare the ball dead. “Time” shall be called by the umpire ONLY as soon as all runners are not attempting to advance. “Time” cannot be called by the defense for the purpose of this rule. When a runner stands off a base and “jukes” or “feints” back and forth, this is to be interpreted as “not attempting to advance” and “Time” shall be called.
Miscellaneous
- Catchers must be in full gear when they are in the box.
- Slide rule:
- No sliding head-first with face gear on, including a c flap.
- Any player with a cast must be padded with closed cell, slow recovery foam padding no less than ½” thick.
- There may be two defensive coaches on the sideline that must remain in foul territory until the play is over.
Anything not covered in these rules revert to NFHS rules.
Softball Rules
Disclosure: Rules are subject to vary by park, district, and state dependent on their boards. The rules listed below apply once teams make it to Atlanta. Any rules not covered in this document falls back to NFHS Rules.
Classification System
Park Classification Group
- 0-149: B Classification
- 150+: A classification
*Based upon age groups 5-12
Age restrictions
- 6uCP Division: Players born on/after January 1st, 2017 are eligible
- 8uCP Division: Players born on/after January 1st, 2015 are eligible
- 10u Division: Players born on/after January 1st, 2013 are eligible
- 12u Division: Players born on/after January 1st, 2011 are eligible
6 | 30’ | 55' |
8 | 35’ | 60' |
10 | 35' | 60' |
12 | 40' | 60' |
USA Softball approved base.
Bats
Approved bats only. USSSA BPF 1.15 allowed. USA Bat Standard allowed. Banned Bats: If a bat is on any tournament provider's banned bat list, then it is banned for use in *Braves Country Softball.***
- You will be provided with a list of banned bats.
- No composite bats: 6u only
Balls
- 6u-10u: 11” ball
- 12u: 12” ball
Facemasks
- 6u-8u: Facemasks required
- 10u-12u: Facemasks highly recommended
- Chest protectors: Recommended
Home Team:
- In pool play, a coin toss determines the home team.
- In bracket play, the higher seed has choice of home or away (same seeds that play each other in bracket play will be a coin toss). The home team keeps the official scorebook.
- The visiting team runs the scoreboard where applicable.
Game Time Limits
Game time limits apply to all games, including Championship games.
- Coach Pitch, 6u: 60 minutes
- 10u: 1:15
- 12u: 1:15
Innings per Game
All games for 12u and younger are six (6) innings.
Max Runs per Inning
- 5 runs per inning for 6u-12u up through regionals
- No run limit for 10u-12u in championship tournament
Mercy Rule: 9u and older
- 12 runs after 3 innings
- 10 runs after 4 innings
- 8 runs after 5 innings
- Mathematical elimination for all coach pitch
Forfeits
Forfeits are scored as 7-0
Tiebreakers, Pool Play on Saturday, bracket on Sunday. 5 game guarantee for championship, 3 game guarantee for everything else.
Record
Head-to-head (only if 2 teams are tied. If 3 or more teams are tied, then the first tiebreaking criteria is run differential, and never reverts to head-to-head).
Runs allowed
Runs scored
Coin flip
Bracket protection:
Will not play a team first round that played in pool play.
Will not play a team from their park first round of bracket play.
Extra Innings, Bracket Play Games
Start with the last batted out on 2B, and 1 out.
Final Score Confirmation
All managers/head coaches must meet with the umpires immediately after the game to confirm the score and pitching records.
Official Games: If a game is cancelled due to weather…
- For 6u-12u, 3 innings (2.5 with home team leading) is a complete game.
- If an official game is suspended in the middle of an inning, then the score reverts to the last completed inning.
- If a game is cancelled due to weather, the teams must play the next day. (i.e., if a Sunday game gets cancelled, they will play Monday).
Protests
For rule interpretations only, the protesting team must pay $100 in cash. If the protest is successful, the money is refunded.
Umpire Ejections
The ejected party must leave the field area immediately and not be visible to the game and not communicate with the team. The ejected party may not return to the park for the remainder of the tournament. If the ejected party does not leave accordingly, that person’s team will be disqualified.
- Districts hosting the tournament will provide their own umpires.
- Region, state, and championship umpires will be provided.
Zero Tolerance Policy
Any coach/player/parent/fan/spectator who is ejected from a game will be out for the entire tournament. Any egregious offenses or a second offense may result in suspension for the year.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Any aggression towards umpires, tournament officials, the opposing team, fans, or spectators, is subjected to any or all of the following:
- A warning
- A restriction to the bench/dugout for the remainder of the game. A coach may leave the bench/dugout to attend to a player who becomes ill or injured.
- An immediate ejection
- A ban from the remainder of the tournament
- A ban from all future tournaments
Warmup Pitches
8 pitches if the starting pitcher or a new pitcher; 5 pitches if an existing pitcher.
Pitcher Removal
After 3 charged conferences (i.e., mound visits), or for any charged conference in excess of 1 in each extra inning, the pitcher shall be removed as pitcher for the duration of the game.
No re-entering the pitcher on the mound.
Dropped 3rd Strike
Hitters can advance for 10u and older.
Infield Fly Rule
Only for 10u and older.
Fake Bunt, Pull Back, Full Swing
Not allowed
Missing Batter or Injured Batter
Automatic out unless a legal substitution occurs.
Slung Bat
Player is called out after a warning to that player.
Courtesy Runner
- A courtesy runner is allowed for the pitcher and catcher. All other subs must be an eligible substitute.
- Can play continuous batting order (CBO) with free substitution
- Must have a minimum of 8
Max Runs per Inning
5 runs per inning.
Mercy Rule
Mathematical Elimination
Pitching Circle
There shall be a 8-foot diameter circle with the center of the circle at 42 feet from the rear point of home plate.
Pitching Coach
The pitching coach shall be an adult at least 18 years of age.
The pitching coach must pitch with at least one foot touching the rubber (35ft). The coach can pitch anywhere behind the 30-foot line. 6u can pitch from anywhere in the circle.
The pitching coach shall not verbally or physically coach while in the pitching position with the ball in hand. First offense of the game- warning.
Second offense of the game - The pitching coach will be removed from the game.
The pitching coach shall position himself as not to be an obstruction to the defensive team on any possible play once the ball has been hit.
- Penalty: If a coach violates this rule after the ball is pitched, obstruction shall be called.
- Additional penalty: If a coach violates this rule before the ball is pitched: First offense: Warning, Second offense: Removal of coach as the pitcher for the remainder of the game
Pitching Coach Interference: When a batted ball hits the Pitching Coach, the following shall apply:
If in the umpire’s judgment, the coach did not make a legitimate attempt to avoid contract, the batter is declared out and no runners shall advance. If in the umpire’s judgment, the coach did make a legitimate attempt to avoid contact, the ball becomes dead, and a no-pitch is declared.
Defensive Positions
- 10 defensive players shall play in the field with 4 outfielders.
- The 4th outfielder shall not assume an infield position.
- All outfielders shall stay behind the baseline.
- The defensive player listed as pitcher shall not leave the pitching circle until the ball is hit.
- Penalty: The play continues. After the play has ended, the offensive team has the option of taking the result of the play or no-pitch.
- Additional Penalty: First offense: Warning
- Second offense: Removal of player from the pitching position for the remainder of the game.
- “No rolling the ball intentionally will be allowed”.
- No player can sit more than two consecutive innings on defense.
Infield Fly
The infield fly rule shall not be in effect at any time.
Batting Order
- The batting order shall constitute all present players on the team roster at the beginning of the game.
- Late arrivals shall be inserted at the bottom of the batting order.
- Once the hitters cycle through once, players cannot be added to batting order but they are able to play defense.
- All players on the roster shall bat before returning to the top of the batting order.
- Teams may use free substitution on defense, but the batting order shall remain the same.
- The team roster will remain the same from May 15th until after the Championship.
Pitches per Batter
The batter shall receive a maximum of 5 pitches with unlimited foul balls or 3 swinging strikes. The batter cannot be out on a foul ball unless it is caught by a fielder.
Intentional Walks
There are no intentional walks.
Courtesy Runner
A courtesy runner for catcher of record only the previous inning may be used. The courtesy runner shall be the player that made the previous out. If no outs have been recorded in the game, the courtesy runner shall be the previous batter not on base. If the team batting has not played defense yet and a courtesy runner is used for a player, the player that was run for must assume the catching position the next inning. This scenario only applies in the first inning for the visiting team.
Time Outs
- Defense must stop the lead runner.
Miscellaneous
- Catchers must be in full gear when they are in the box.
- Any player with a cast must be padded with closed cell, slow recovery foam padding no less than ½” thick.
- There may be two defensive coaches on the sideline that must remain in foul territory until the play is over.
- 6u-8u: look back rule is in effect. The rule states that when the pitcher has possession of the ball within the 8’ radius circle and is not making a play on a runner, a runner must immediately return to her base or proceed to the next base without hesitation or be liable to be called out by the umpires. No runner may leave a base when the pitcher has possession of the ball in the circle and is not making a play on a runner. If the circle is not marked, the Umpire will approximate the circle radius when making this judgment call. Exception: when a batter receives a walk, runners on 2nd or 3rd can remain off their bases until the batter-runner reaches 1st As soon as the batter-runner reaches 1st base and the pitcher has the ball in the circle, the other runners must return to their base or commit to the next base.
Anything not covered in these rules revert to NFHS rules.