2023 Rulebook

Premier Sporting Events of Virginia will follow the Official Major League Baseball (MLB) Rules of Baseball – National League with the following exceptions:
  • All teams are expected to be prepared to play 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time
  • All entry fees will be used to pay the umpires and awards.
  • Each team provides baseballs for each game

Catchers
No catcher may wear the two-piece mask.  All masks must be the hockey style.

Pitching and Base Distances
  1. 7u-8u:  Coach Pitch/60’
  2. 9u-10u:  46’/65’
  3. 11u-12u: 50’/70’
  4. 13u-14u: 60’/90’

Dropped 3rd Strikes
  1. 7u-8u: Not playing dropped 3rd strikes
  2. 10u-14u: Playing dropped 3rd strikes

In our 9u division, we will play the following:
  • spring/summer season (March-July) - playing dropped 3rd strikes
  • fall season (August-November) - not playing dropped 3rd strikes

Leads and Steals
  1. 7u-8u: No leads or stealing is allowed
  2. 10u-14u:  No restrictions on leads and steals

In our 9u division, we will play the following:
  • spring/summer season (March-July) - No restrictions on leads and steals
  • fall season (August-November) - using a 10' lead line at all bases.  No player can cross the line until the pitch crosses the plate.

Pitching Limits
  1. 7u-8u:  No pitching limits due to coach pitch
  2. 9u-12u:   
    1. 1 day maximum to pitch the next day – 9 outs
    2. 1 day maximum – 18 outs
    3. 3 day maximum – 24 outs
  3. 13u-14u:
    1. 1 day maximum to pitch the next day – 9 outs
    2. 1 day maximum – 21 outs
    3. 3 day maximum – 24 outs

Balks
  1. 7u-8u:  No balks due to coach pitch
  2. 9u:  Warnings only will be given for a balk
  3. 10u:  Balks will be called after 1 warning
  4. 11u-14u: Balks will be called without a warning
     Note:  When a balk is called, it becomes a dead ball.

Pickoff Attempts
No pitcher may attempt the 3rd to 1st pickoff attempt.  A balk shall be called.

Infield Fly
  1. 7u-9u:  No infield fly rule
  2. 10u-14u:  Infield fly rule is in effect

Official Game (If not using time limits)
  1. Official game for 6 inning games:  3 ½ or 4 innings (losing team must bat 4 times)
  2. Official game for 7 inning games:  4 ½ or 5 innings (losing team must bat 5 times)

Official Game (If using time limits)
If a time limit is used, the official game will be declared if one of the following occurs:
  1. Time expires and a winner has been determined
  2. If a game is decided by the mercy rule
  3. A complete game has been played with a winner determined

Mercy Rule
  1. Length of Game: 6 innings – 15 run differential after 3rd inning; 8 run differential after 4th inning
  2. Length of Game: 7 innings – 15 run differential after 3rd inning; 12 run differential after 4th inning;
                                                             8 run differential after 5th inning
  3. For 7u-8u games, a team can only score 7 runs per inning.  Once the losing team can’t score enough runs to tie or take the lead, then the game is over.

Flip Flop Rule
When the visiting team is ahead by 8 runs or more after the 3rd inning, the home team will remain at bat and become the visiting team.  If the team (new visiting team) does not score enough runs to reduce the run difference below the run rule the game is over.  If they reduce the run difference to below the run rule, then the new home team will bat.  If they subsequently score enough runs to exceed the run rule the game will be over.  If they do not, the game will continue under that format.  If the situation reverses, the teams would flip/flop again.

Courtesy Runners
Courtesy runners are allowed for the pitcher and catcher only.  The courtesy runner must be a player from the bench.  If the team is batting all players, then the courtesy runner shall be the last batted out.

Substitutions
Free substitutions are allowed if a team is using their entire lineup.  If a team is using a 9 or 10 player lineup, then when a substitution is made the starter may re-enter once in the same position of the batting order.  Non-starters may not re-enter the game once removed.

Time Limits
  1. 7u-8u:  all games will have a 1 hour 15-minute time limit
  2. 9u-14u:  all games will have a 1 hour 45-minute time limit

Ties
Ties are allowed in pool play after the time limit has expired

International Run Rule
In single elimination portion of the tournament only, if a game is tied at the end of the time limit, the international run rule will apply.  Last out in the previous inning will be placed on 2nd base to start the inning.  This will be applied as such until a winner is determined

Bats
All bats must be permanently stamped with the USA Baseball mark, USSSA mark, be a legal BBCOR bat or be made of wood.
For 13u division, no bat may exceed the -8 drop.  For 14u division, no bat may exceed the -5 drop.

Line Ups
A team may play 9 players, 10 players (with EH) or entire lineup.
  1. If a team plays 9 or 10 players, substitution rules will apply
  2. If a team plays the entire lineup, all players must finish the game.  If a player is injured or leaves the game, an out will be given during his at bats
No player can play within our events on more than 1 team within the same event.  Example:  If a player plays a game in our event on a 10u team, that player may not drop down and play for a 9u team in the same event.

Rosters
Teams are not required to submit a roster; however, you are asked to keep roster and any documentation on hand during games in case an issue arises.
No player may be on more than 1 roster in our events

Tie Breaking Format
  1. Head to Head
  2. Runs Allowed
  3. Runs Scored
  4. Coin Toss
Please Note:  When 3 or more teams are tied, head to head is not used as a tie breaker.  In these instances, runs allowed will become the first tie breaker.  Once you the tie broken and get to 2 teams, head to head can be used as tie breaker.

Refunds
The following will be used for refunding teams any portion of their entry fee:
  1. For one day tournaments, no refunds will be issued after the schedules have been posted
  2. For leagues, no refunds will be issued to any team who cannot play all weekends nor will a team receive a prorated refund if they can’t play make-up games when scheduled.  Make-up games can be played during the week, on Saturdays and on off Sundays.

In the event rain or any condition that deems the fields not playable, the following will be used as policy for refunds:
For One, Two- or Three-Day Events
  1. 0 games played – entire entry fee will be refunded minus $25 administrative fee
  2. 1 game played – 50% of entry fee will be refunded
  3. 2 games played – 0% of entry fee will be refunded
For Leagues
  1. 0 games played – entire entry fee will be refunded minus $25 administrative fee
  2. 1 or 2 games played - 75% of entry fee will be refunded
  3. 3 or 4 games played - 50% of entry fee will be refunded
  4. 5 or 6 games played - 25% of entry fee will be refunded
  5. 7 or more games played – 0% of entry fee will be refunded

Inclement Weather
In the event of inclement weather that forces the cancellation of the single elimination tournament before the conclusion, the following will be adhered to in order to declare winners:
  1. If inclement weather cancels the tournament during the single elimination portion of the tournament, the highest seed remaining will be declared the winner
  2. If inclement weather cancels the tournament during the championship games but before the championship game is an “official” game, co-champions will be awarded
    1. If the silver championship is canceled before an “official” game, the National seed #2 and the American seed #2 will be declared co-champions.
    2. If the gold championship is canceled before an “official” game, the National seed #1 and the American seed #1 will be declared co-champions.
    3. In the event of inclement weather that forces the cancellation of the tournament before the single elimination portion begins, tournament champions will be decided based on the following:
      1. Head to Head (if applicable)
      2. Runs Allowed
      3. Runs Scored
      4. Coin Toss
 
Sportsmanship/Ejections
  1. All players, coaches, managers, sponsors and spectators are expected to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times.  The tournament director has the authority to remove anyone from the event at any time for unsportsmanlike conduct.  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 league/tournament directors.
  2. 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.
  3. Any coach, manager, sponsor or spectator ejected from a game shall immediately remove themselves from the vicinity of the playing field and/or grandstands for the remainder of the game.  Any player ejected from a game shall either immediately remove themselves 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/tournament directors.  Additional penalties may be assessed at the discretion of the league/tournament directors.
  4. If necessary, a team may be forced to forfeit a game and/or be removed from the league/tournament.
  5. All team managers are responsible for controlling the behavior of their coaches, players and fans.  If it is deemed by tournament officials and/or umpires that the team manager is not controlling their coaches, players or fans, then they can be ejected.

Photography & Social Media
By registering for a Premier Sporting Events of Virginia event, you agree to have your child photographed where those photos could be used on all social media platforms as well as the PSE website.

For 7u-8u divisions only
  1. Pitching Circle – there shall be a 10’ diameter circle with the front edge at 42’ from the rear point of home plate
  2. Pitcher’s Line – There shall be a line drawn from the pitching circle out 5’ towards home plate
    1. The pitching coach shall keep one foot on or straddle the pitcher’s line
    2. The pitching coach shall not verbally or physically coach while in the pitching position
    3. 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
    4. Penalty:  If any coach violates this rule after the ball is pitched, obstruction shall be called
    5. Additional Penalty:  If a coach violates this rule before the ball is pitched
      1. First offense:  Warning
      2. Second offense: Removal of the coach as the pitcher for the remainder of the game
  3. The pitching coach shall be an adult at least 18 years of age
  4. The catcher shall receive the pitch in the catcher’s box in a normal baseball manner
  5. Ten (10) defensive players shall play in the field with four (4) outfielders.  The fourth (4th) outfielder shall not assume an infield position.  All outfielders must stay behind the baselines
  6. The defensive player listed as pitcher shall not leave the pitching circle until the ball is hit
    1. Penalty:  The play continues.  After the play has ended, the offensive team has the option of taking the results of the play or no-pitch
    2. Additional Penalty: 
      1. First offense:  Warning
      2. Second offense:  Removal of player from the pitching position for the remainder of the game
  7. No bunting will be allowed
  8. Defensive coaches shall not be allowed on the field of play and shall coach from the dugout
  9. 7 run maximum will be allowed per inning.  
  10. If a team has less than 10 players, then the following shall be used:
    1. A team can play with 9 players.  No penalty will be incurred when the 10th player comes to bat.
    2. A team can play with 8 players; however, they will incur an out every time the 9th players comes to bat.
  11. Each batter will receive up to 6 pitches per at bat.  If the batter swings and misses at 3 pitches, then the batter is out.  If the batter fouls off the last pitch, then the batter continues hitting until a strike out or ball is put in play.

​