2007 USHSL Tournament Rules

Cheat Sheet

· The team with the higher seed (1 being highest) will be home team for all games.

· Games have no time limit. All games will be 7 innings, except for a ten run rule, and twenty run rule. The losing team must bat four times with a ten run rule in effect. Under the twenty run rule, at least one full inning must be completed (NEW).

· Three female positions must be designated in the batting order at the start of the game and three females must be in the field defensively at all times.

· An extra hitter is a starting position. Starters may reenter the game only once and must bat in original spot in order when reentering. All substitutions should be reported to umpire or official scorekeeper.

· Teams must declare at the pre-game conference with the umpire how their outfield will be aligned defensively (3-outfielders who must remain outside the cones at least 120 feet or twice the length of the basepath from homeplate until the ball is hit, and a short fielder-who must remain inside the cones until the ball is hit or 4 across-all of whom remain outside the cones until the ball is hit) and must keep that alignment for all batters during the game.

· Pitcher/catcher battery must be one male and one female. The pitcher must pitch from a stopped position on the rubber and may use a backhanded delivery.

· If a male batter walks in front of female batter, the male batter is awarded second base in all cases. However, when there are two outs, the female batter is given the option by the umpire of taking first base or hitting away.

· Batters start with a 1-1 count. There is one courtesy foul after two strikes. A subsequent foul is considered a strikeout.

· There is no home run limit

· Baserunners must avoid fielders who are fielding batted or thrown balls at all times. If the fielder blocks the base, a runner may collide with open palms or body only.

· No overthrow is automatic. As long as the ball is within the fence, the ball is live and players may advance at their own risk.