USSSA National Rules & By-Laws
The Official Rules of Baseball
Bat Standards
SWLA USSSA BASEBALL
RULES AND GUIDELINES
Revised 3/17/2017 – Amended 6/4/2020
***These local rules and guidelines are intended to be used in conjunction with
USSSA Official Baseball National Bylaws and Rules. See www.swlausssa.com ***
1. AGE QUALIFICATION
a. 16/u - 13 – 16 years: A player turning 17 years of age before January 1 of current
year is ineligible.
b. 12/u - 9-12 years: A player turning 13 years of age before January 1 of current
year must move up to the 16 & under league.
c. 8/u - 7 & 8 years: A player turning 9 years of age before January 1 of current year
must move up to the 11 & under league.
f. 5 & 6 years: A player turning 7 years of age before January 1 of current year
must move up to the 8 & under league.
g. 4 years: A player turning 5 years of age before January 1 of current year must
move up to the 6 & under league. A player must be 4 before December 1 of
current year to be eligible to play. If a parent coaches, then a younger child will
be considered.
2. Official USSSA rules will be used along with the following local rules. The official local
rules will be the most current as listed at www.swlausssa.com.
3. REGISTRATION AND ELIGIBILITY
a. All team players must be registered with Southwest Louisiana USSSA Baseball. A
player may compete with only one team.
b. The player fee is $75.00 (6u & 4u) and $80.00 (8u and above) per player and must
be submitted by the date established yearly. Increased fees may be accepted after
the deadline. Make checks payable to “SWLA USSSA Baseball.”
c. Players are allowed to play in tournaments with other teams.
d. Any team found playing an ineligible player in any of the above situations will
forfeit all games already played whether or not the ineligible player participated in
the game, and the entire coaching staff will be suspended from the league and the
team placed on probation if the board so chooses.
e. Sponsor fee shall be $350 per team.
4. GAME SCHEDULES
a. The schedule will be made and distributed to each head coach in time for the first
league game.
b. Games can only be postponed for rain. If possible, games may be made up in
openings during the week and on Saturdays if necessary.
5. FINAL STANDINGS
In ages 8/u and higher a playoff comprised of all teams will be used to determine the
league champion. In the event that the playoffs are not completed, league standings will
decide championship. If teams are tied during regular season play, a tie breaker system
will be used until a champion is determined:
- Head to head competition
- Run differential in head to head competition
- Overall run differential
- Total runs scored
- Run differential vs. next team in standings
- In the event the tie has still not been broken, co-champions shall be declared
6. GENERAL GAME RULES
a. You must bat every team member present.
BATTING ORDER: In all leagues, every player present must be listed on line-up
card given to the official scorer prior to game and must bat in that order.
(Example: 13 players present, 13 listed on line-up card, all 13 players will bat
before starting over at top of lineup.) Late players will be added to the bottom of
the line-up. Any 9 (10) of the 13 may play defense at any time.
b. One minute will be allowed between innings.
c. No player will sit out on defense more than one inning until all players
present have sat out at least one inning. No player may sit out on defense
more than one inning in a row. Exception in 11U-18U, if the starting pitcher
or starting catcher is still in their respective positions when all other players
have sat out, then his sit-out inning will come if and when he is removed from
the pitching position. All teams must submit a line-up to the umpires before
the game. The umpire will mark players on the bench until all players have
sat out.
d. Ten players must be used in the field if they are available at game time. Nine
players constitute a legal team; ten in 11U and below. Teams may and must start
if 8 players are available at game time. In case of injury, ejection, etc., a coach
may continue with eight players. No league can play with less than 7 players. A
spot occupied by a player that leaves the game for any reason will be declared an
out when that spot comes up in the batting order. THIS RULE HAS BEEN
SUSPENDED FOR THE 2020 SEASON.
e. PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR: In all ages, protective headgear shall be worn
while at bat and while base running during practice and all games. Such headgear
must cover the top of the head and have extended ear flaps which cover both ears
and properly fit the player wearing it. In addition, all bat boys/girls must wear a
helmet while out of the dugout. PENALTY: if a player refuses to wear headgear,
he shall be removed from the game.
f. SHOES: 12u and below, shoes with metal cleats or spikes are not permitted by
any player, coach, or manager.
g. TIE GAME: Games tied after 6/7 complete innings, or the expiration of time, will
remain tied.
(4U – 6U DIVISION ONLY)
a. 4U games will consist of two (2) innings. No score will be kept.
6U games will consist of three (3) innings. Score will be kept.
b. All players will bat per a team’s at-bat.
c. All players present will play on defense. The infield will be set as normal and the
remainder of the team will play outfield.
d. Score will not be kept.
e. 4/u ONLY - Outs will not be recorded, players may continue to run the bases
f. 6U, if a player is out, he/she must return to team bench. 3 outs rule does not
apply, all players on lineup will bat each inning.
g. A player may only play in the pitching position for one inning per game.
h. Three coaches may be on the field while on defense: one behind second base, one
in foul territory beyond first base, and one in foul territory beyond third base.
i. 6U only – runners can advance up to 2 bases but cannot advance once the ball is
in the infield;
4U only – runners can only advance one base at a time.
(8U COACH PITCH DIVISION ONLY)
a. THE PLAYING FIELD:
i. Bases shall be placed at a distance of sixty (60) feet apart.
ii. Fair Ball Arc: There shall be a ten (10) foot arc drawn from first base line
to third base line in front of home plate. A batted ball must go past this
line to be a fair ball. If this line is not visible or is not present, the umpire
shall make any and all determinations as it pertains to a fair or foul ball.
The umpire’s decision shall be a judgment call and is final.
iii. Safety Arc: There shall be a thirty (30) foot arc drawn from first base line
to third base line in front of home plate. Infielders must stay behind this
line until the ball is hit. If this line is not visible or is not present, the
umpire shall make any and all determinations regarding the above. The
umpire’s decision shall be a judgment call and is final.
iv. Pitching Circle: There shall be a ten (10) foot diameter circle with the
front edge set at forty-two (42) feet from the rear point of home plate. If
this line is not visible or not present, the umpire shall make any and all
determinations regarding the above. The umpire’s decision shall be a
judgment call and is final.
v. Pitcher’s Line: There shall be a line drawn from the pitcher’s circle to the
fair ball arc. If this line is not visible or is not present, the umpire shall
make any and all determinations regarding the above. The umpire’s
decision shall be a judgment call and is final.
b. THE PITCHING COACH:
i. The pitching coach shall keep one foot on or straddle the pitcher’s line. If
this line is not visible or is not present, the umpire shall make any and all
determinations regarding the above. The umpire’s decision shall be a
judgment call and is final.
ii. The pitching coach shall not verbally or physically coach while in the
pitching position.
iii. The pitching coach shall position himself so 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 will 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 remainder of the
game.
c. GENERAL PLAYING RULES:
i. The catcher shall receive the pitch in the catcher’s box in a normal
baseball manner. If in the umpire’s judgment the catcher is not receiving
the ball in a normal baseball manner, there will be a warning issued. If the
act continues after the warning, the catcher will be moved to another
position on the field for the remainder of the game.
ii. Ten defensive players shall play in the field with four outfielders. The
fourth outfielder shall not assume an infield position. All outfielders shall
stay behind the baselines.
iii. The defensive player listed as pitcher shall not leave the pitching circle
until the ball is hit. If this line is not visible or is not present, the umpire
shall make any and all determinations regarding the above. The umpire’s
decision shall be a judgment call and is final. If there is a 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 penalties are treated as
follows:
first offense: warning;
second offense: removal of player from the pitching position for the
remainder of the game.
iv. Two defensive coaches are allowed on the field of play as long as they are
behind the first and third base coaches respectively and in foul territory.
Any other coaches shall coach from the dugout.
v. The infield fly rule shall not be in effect at any time.
vi. 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. All players on the roster shall bat before returning to the
top of the batting order.
vii. Teams may start a game with eight players. The ninth and tenth positions
in the batting order will be declared an out each turn at bat.
viii. Approved ruling: a ninth and tenth player and all subsequent players may
be added to the bottom of the batting line-up as soon as they become
available.
ix. Teams may use free substitution on defense but the batting order shall
remain the same.
x. Bunting shall not be allowed.
xi. Prior to the start of the game, coaches must declare to the umpire
whether they will utilize a 6th pitch or use the tee for one swing after
the 5th pitch. This cannot be changed during the game and the
decision is a teamwide decision and not only for individual batters.
Batters will be thrown a maximum of five pitches from the coach. The
player may swing at all pitches until the five pitch limit is exhausted or
one is put in play. If the player does not hit a fair ball, the player will have
one chance to hit from a tee or if declared prior to the game, receive a
6th pitch. Utilizing a tee shall not be used as a strategy, but rather an aid.
xii. A player may only be intentionally walked once per game by
announcement from the defensive team.
xiii. 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.
xiv. 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.
xv. A team may score a maximum of five runs per inning, including the last
inning or record three outs.
xvi. Umpires shall call “time” after every play and declare the ball dead.
“Time” shall be called as soon as the lead runner is ot attempting to
advance. “Time” does not have to be called by the defense for the purpose
of this rule.
Comment: 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.
xvii. 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 contact, 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.
(12U DIVISION ONLY)
a. Batters MAY advance on dropped/past-ball 3rd strike.
b. There will be a seven run limit in effect for the first two innings.
c. Runners may advance as many bases as they wish on steal attempts but may
not steal home in the same period that they stole 3rd base in.
Situation: Runner A1 is stealing 3rd base, Catcher B2 attempts to throw the runner
out at 3rd. The ball goes into the outfield.
Ruling: Since the runner stole 3rd base, he/she must remain at 3rd base. Runner is
not permitted to go home until the next pitch begins.)
7. TIME LIMITS
a. 4U – 6U: by innings.
b. 8U: one hour, fifteen minutes. Umpire shall announce the starting time of the
game and play continues for 75 minutes. NOTE: If the time limit has been
reached during an inning already in progress, the game shall continue until the
inning has concluded. A new inning shall ALWAYS be started if there is any
time on the clock unless by mutual agreement with both head coaches. Anyone
thought to be attempting to use this rule to their advantage will forfeit the game
and face suspension.
c. 12U: one hour, thirty minutes. Umpire shall announce the starting time of the
game and play continues for 90 minutes. NOTE: If the time limit has been
reached during an inning already in progress, the game shall continue until the
inning has concluded. A new inning shall ALWAYS be started if there is any
time on the clock unless by mutual agreement with both head coaches. Anyone
thought to be attempting to use this rule to their advantage will forfeit the game
and face suspension.
d. 16U: one hour, forty-five minutes. Umpire shall announce the starting time of
the game and play continues for 105 minutes. NOTE: If the time limit has been
reached during an inning already in progress, the game shall continue until the
inning has concluded. A new inning shall ALWAYS be started if there is any
time on the clock unless by mutual agreement with both head coaches. Anyone
thought to be attempting to use this rule to their advantage will forfeit the game
and face suspension.
e. The PLATE UMPIRE shall be the OFFICIAL TIME KEEPER and shall notify
each coach and score keeper for the time(s). Prior to the start of the first game,
each team shall be allowed a 5 minute warm-up. No warm up time allowed
between games. The Park Director may shorten or eliminate in-field warm-up if
unusual circumstances warrant. The time limit is still in effect for a game started
before the regular scheduled starting time. A game officially begins when the
pitcher takes his first warm-up pitch. The Umpire-in-Chief has the authority to
stop the clock during a game for any of the following three reasons: lights which
are too defective to continue to play; lightning, rain; serious injury in which the
injured player can no longer play in the game.
8. PROTESTING GAMES
No protest shall ever be permitted on judgment decisions by the umpire. For a protest to
be legal, it must be made at the point the protest occurred. Coach must report protest to
umpire and scorekeeper, who will then record protest in score book. Both coaches and
umpires must sign the score book. The coach will then have forty-eight (48) hours after
the scheduled time of the game to submit protest in writing along with a $25 protest fee
to the league director. If protest is upheld, the fee will be refunded. If protest is not
allowed, the fee will be forfeited.
9. PITCHING LIMITATIONS
Column A represents the most innings a player can pitch and still be eligible in the same
week.
Column B represents the most innings a player can pitch in a game.
Column C represents the most innings a player can pitch in a week.
Ages A B C
12U 4 6 10
16U 4 7 12
Games in which an ineligible pitcher has been used shall be declared forfeited as per the
USSSA by-laws.
Each team when on offense may be granted not more than one charged conference per
inning to permit the coach to confer with base runner and for the batter. The umpire shall
deny any subsequent offensive team request for charged conferences.
A coach may instruct the umpire to issue a batter an intentional walk.
Balks: In ages 12/u and below, pitchers will be allowed some leniency in regards to
balks. Umpires will issue 1 warning per pitcher prior to enforcing the violation.
Pitchers will be called for major violations and warned for minor violations that do not
affect the outcome of the game.
10. MANAGERS AND COACHES CERTIFICATION: Beginning the 2006 season, all
managers and coaches will be required to be certified by a program recognized by the
league. This means anyone who expects to be on the field or in the dugout during games
will fall under this requirement.
11. GENERAL CONDUCT GUIDELINES - SPORTSMANSHIP AND EJECTIONS
a. All players, coaches, managers, sponsors, and spectators are expected to conduct
themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times.
b. Any player, coach, manager, sponsor, or spectator whose conduct is unbecoming
or abusive shall at a minimum be reprimanded with a warning. If warranted, the
offending party shall be ejected from the game at the discretion of the umpires
and/or the league director.
c. Any player, coach, manager, sponsor, or spectator leaving their position or base,
in the field, on the bench, in the dugout area, or grandstands to participate in a
fight, brawl, or altercation shall be immediately ejected from the game and may
be disbarred/suspended pursuant to USSSA Rule 13.00.
d. Any coach, manager, sponsor, or spectator ejected from a game shall immediately
remove himself from the vicinity of the playing field and/or grandstands for the
remainder of the game. Additional penalties may be assessed at the discretion of
the league director.
e. Any player ejected from a game shall either immediately remove himself from the
vicinity of the playing field for the remainder of the game or be confined to the
dugout area for the remainder of the game at the discretion of the league director.
f. All persons ejected may be asked to leave the park and/or venue at the discretion
of the league director.
g. Abusive language or cursing shall not be tolerated under any circumstances and
shall result in an automatic ejection.
h. Throwing of equipment shall result in an automatic ejection.
i. If necessary, a team may be forced to forfeit a game and/or be removed from the
league.
j. As these rules indicate, the matter of disorderly conduct shall be taken seriously.
Because of this, please remind all players, coaches, managers, sponsors, and
spectators to be extra aware of good sportsmanship.
k. No player or coach shall ride, abuse, heckle, intimidate, or make unsportsmanlike
remarks whatsoever to any opposing player, team, or official. Any individual
violating this rule shall be ejected immediately from the game by the umpire.
l. Fighting is not allowed. Fighting is any attempt by an individual to strike/hit
another individual with any body part. Result will be immediate ejection for that
game and possibly from the league.
m. Smoking is only allowed in the parking lot during games and practices.
n. Use of any tobacco products is not allowed on the playing field, dugout area, and
around the dugout area. This is during practice and games.
o. The team manager is responsible for the conduct of his fans.
p. Heckling the umpires will result in ejection from the facility.
q. Anyone ejected will be required to sit out the next played games. Anyone ejected
a second time will be out for the remainder of the season and maybe more for the
following season.
r. All players and coaches shall shake hands after each game. Failure to do so will
result in a sportsmanship hearing. CHANGE FOR 2020: No team handshakes
after games. Teams will line up on their respective foul lines and tip their hat to
the other team at the conclusion of each game. Failure to participate in this will
be considered a violation of the Unsportsmanlike Conduct procedures.
s. Home team is the official score keeper of the game and must provide their
own scorebook. It is recommended that the visiting team also keep a book
and confirm score at every half inning to alleviate any discrepancies.
t. In age groups 6/u and higher, umpire shall sign score book at conclusion of each
game.
u. In age groups 12/u and above, official scorebook must include # of innings
pitched by pitcher. When coaches report scores to league website it must include
pitching information by player name, number and number of innings pitched.
v. Home team is responsible for keeping the official scorebook in each game and for
entering score on league website in a timely manner, preferably within 24 hours of
conclusion of contest.
12. The current rules posted on the website at www.swlausssa.com are the current rules.
13. All rules are subject to change and interpretation by the Board of Directors and the
President.
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- 3/17/2017 – Amended 6/4/20