Tournament Rules

 The following Banana Ball white sheet rules supplement the NFHS rules for “normal” tournament play. The superseding rule book is NFHS.

For any unique scenario created by the “banana ball” style of play that is not directly covered in the following white sheet, the umpire crew on the field has the authority to make any ruling they believe best aligns with the spirit of the game. Their decisions will be final and may not be appealed.

Spectators

Spectators will sit behind their team’s dugout or immediately behind home plate only. Spectators should not mix with the spectators from the other team (unless for field accessibility issues, such as those who may require the use of a wheelchair or walking aid)

Umpires may immediately eject aggressive and/or unsafe spectators, or move the spectator beyond the outfield fences. Game will not resume until the spectator has moved to the umpire’s designated location. If they refuse to move in a timely manner (umpire judgment), the game will be forfeited and recorded as a 6-0 loss.

Dugouts

Pool Play: Home team will use the 1st base dugout. Away team will use the 3rd base dugout.

Consolation game: First-come first serve.

Semi-Finals: Higher seed will have their choice of dugout.

Championship: The winner of the semi-final game immediately preceding the championship game will remain in the same dugout. They will not be forced to move between games.

Scorekeeping

Coaches should not vacate the field without completing the official score submission sheet.

Rule One: Win the inning, get the point

Every inning is worth one point. The team that gets the most runs in an inning gets the point for that inning, EXCEPT in the final inning, where every run counts. 

As soon as the home team scores an inning-winning run, the inning ends immediately. There is no need to get all 3 outs.

“Final Inning” must be declared by the umpire prior to the first pitch of the inning. If “Final Inning” is not declared, there is NO every-run-counts inning.

Pool Play: Games may end in a tie.

Seeding Tie-Breakers: “Final innings,” regardless of runs/points scored, will only be recorded as a single inning won/lost.

Rule Two: Time limits

No new inning can start after 1 hour and 45 minutes. Two-hour drop-dead time limit. 

If the 2-hour drop dead time limit is reached mid-inning, the inning will be scored 0-0. 

Sunday: If there is no winner at the two-hour mark, the game will go into a Showdown Tie-Breaker (Rule 10).

Rule Three: No stepping out

If the hitter steps out of the box, it's a strike. 

Umpires may call timeout for issues such as injuries, fixing safety gear or equipment, etc. Timeouts are at the umpire’s discretion. Falling off-balance and out of the box, or stepping out of the box to clear for a play at the plate, does not count as “stepping out.”

9U-12U: 1 warning per team.

Rule Four: No bunting

If a hitter bunts, they are ejected from the game.

Rule Five: Batters can steal first base

On any pitch of an at bat, the batter can try to steal first base. This can happen on a passed ball, wild pitch, or any time the hitter chooses. 

As soon as a batter steps out of the box (in the direction of 1B) in an attempt to steal first base, they have declared their intent to steal first base and the play is “live.” Once the ball is considered “live,” traditional baseball rules apply in regards to force vs tag out plays on batters and all runners.

Rule Six: No walks allowed

If a pitcher throws ball four, it becomes a sprint. The hitter will take off running while the following defensive players on the field must touch the ball before it becomes "live." The hitter can try to advance as many bases as they want.

Once the ball is considered “live,” traditional baseball rules apply in regards to force vs tag out plays on batters and all runners. 

There is no requirement for the fielders to “possess” the ball, only to touch.

13U-14U: After the umpire calls “Ball Four,” 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, LF, CF, RF must touch the ball.

13U-14U: Runners already on base may advance at their own risk. 

9U-12U: After the umpire calls “Ball Four,” 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, Pitcher must touch the ball.

9U-12U: Runners already on base may advance at their own risk. Lead runners may only advance as far as 3B. Only when bases are loaded may a runner on 3B advance to score.

Rule Seven: No mound visits allowed

No mound visits from the coach, the catcher, or any other player.

Umpires can approve a mound visit in case of injury or in the interest of player safety.

If a coach visits the mound (unless signaled by the umpire for injury), the pitcher must be removed from the game.

Rule Eight: If a fan catches a foul ball, it’s an out

Ball must be caught in the air, not off trees, safety nets, fences, sheds, or dugout structures. 

Coaches are not considered fans. 

Fans using unsafe or unsportsmanlike means to catch foul balls will be moved to the outfield or ejected from the game at the umpire's discretion.

Rule Nine: Golden Batter

One time a game, a team may send any hitter in the lineup to bat, in any spot. The Golden Batter is inserted into the lineup (does not replace the scheduled hitter), and lineup order will resume following the at bat.

The last batted out will be sent as a pinch runner to accommodate (1) a baserunner that you want to take a golden at bat, and (2) a golden batter that's on base when his scheduled at bat is to occur. 

Rule Ten: Showdown Tie-Breaker (Sunday Only)

If the game is tied at the end of the two hour time limit, the game will go into a showdown tie-breaker. Tie-Breaker is sudden death. The tie-breaker will only move to the next round if the previous round ends in a tie.

Round One: Pitcher, catcher and one fielder vs. One hitter

Round Two: Pitcher and catcher vs. One hitter

Round Three: Pitcher, catcher and one fielder vs. One hitter with bases loaded. (Every run counts)

In rounds one and two, the hitter must score. If they do, it's worth 1 point. If they get out, it's worth no points. A player may only hit in one round of the showdown.

If a pitcher throws 4 balls before an out is recorded, the count will be reset. The hitter will remain at bat. If a pitcher throws 4 balls for the second time, the at bat is over and the offense will earn one point. In the third round, this will result in all FOUR runs scoring  (preventing intentional walks to limit runs scored).

If a home run is hit over the outfield fence during any round of the showdown tie-breaker, it's a walk off win and the game is over. Both teams are NOT guaranteed an offensive opportunity.

Seeding: Tie-Breakers

1) Most wins
2) Head-to-Head Result (2-team ties only)
3) Most innings won
4) Fewest innings lost
5) Coin Toss