Please Note: This document is a summary and does not include all official rules. For complete regulations and details, all participants are expected to review the full USSSA Rule Book. 

TIME LIMITS

• 8U: 1 hour 15 minutes

• 10U & 12U: 1 hour 30 minutes

• 14U–18U: 1 hour 45 minutes
  
  

⚠️ No new inning may start with under 5 minutes remaining.

RUN RULE (GAME END)

• 8U (Machine Pitch): No run rule to end the game. 6 runs per inning max.

• 10U: 15 runs after 3 innings, 8 runs after 4 innings.

• 13U & Up:

  • 12 runs after 3 innings

  • 12 runs after 4 innings

  • 8 runs after 5 innings

⚠️All age divisions (excluding 8U) are subject to a max of 6 runs per inning unless otherwise governed by bracket/tournament format.

GENERAL RULES

• Mandatory Cup: All male players 8U and up must wear a protective cup.

• Batting Order: Continuous batting lineup is mandatory for all ages.

• Pitcher Warm-Ups: Catchers must wear a helmet (with mask) during warm-up.

• No Balks: Coaches are responsible for correcting balk-like movements on 10U and younger. Balks will take place in tournament play.

• Courtesy Runners: Allowed for catcher of record using the last batted out.

 8U BASEBALL (Machine Pitch)

• No official umpires. Coaches from both teams will officiate but may not call balls/strikes for their own pitcher.

• One Base on Overthrow Rule: Runners may advance only one base per overthrow.

• Defensive Umpiring: Calls should be made fairly by both sides. Coaches can appeal to the opposing coach for resolution.

• Pitching Speed: 8U: 39–42 mph

• Offense: 6-run limit/inning, max 6 pitches per batter, 3-strike rule in effect.

• Dead ball if the ball hits the machine — batter to 1B, runners advance 1 base.

• 
  

10U BASEBALL SPECIFICS

• Lead-offs. Stealing is allowed once the ball crosses the plate.

  • Runner are allowed to lead off and pitchers can use pickoff skills.

• No stealing home on a passed ball or wild pitch. (e.g. pitch is thrown and the catcher misses the catch, the player on third may not "steal" home.)

• No dropped third strike rule. Batter is out on strike three, caught or not.

• One base on overthrows only.