Youth Baseball Rules Addendum

Coaches, please ensure you are aware of all rules and rule changes. Next Level Baseball reserves the right to amend these rules at any time for specific tournament play. National High School Federation Baseball Rules will be enforced with the following exceptions.

If there is a contradiction with language found in any printed copy of this addendum and the version most recently updated online, the online version shall supersede.

Classification Note

When playing up an age division, AA and AAA teams may play in any classification (AA, AAA, Major, Open). Major teams playing up an age division MUST play at least AAA, Major, or Open. Major teams are NOT eligible to play AA when playing up an age division.

EX: 13 Major may ONLY play 14 AAA, 14 Major, and 14 Open

1. Youth Bat Specifications

Penalties for illegal bats will be assessed as per the NFHS rule book.

• 1st violation: Batter is pronounced out (if discovered before a pitch to next batter) & head coach is restricted to the dugout for the remainder of the game.
• 2nd violation (Same Game): Batter is pronounced out (if discovered before a pitch to next batter) and head coach is ejected.
• Subsequent violations: batter is pronounced out (if discovered before a pitch to next batter) and head coach is ejected.

When a batter is pronounced out for violation of bat rules, the defense may take the penalty or result of the play. The head coach penalties apply in either case.

Red flag events will follow the following rules however event directors reserve the right to modify rules as needed in the best interest of the event. Directors will always rule in the fairest possible way. For White or Blue flag events please check the bat restrictions tab per event.

Updated Bat Rules 10.28.2024

Please see updated highlighted bat rules below. Bats must have the USSSA/NTS Stamp BPF 1.15 Certification to be used in Next Level Baseball and its Affiliate Events. USABat, BBCOR, and Wood Bats are also Allowed.

Allowed Wood Composite Bats

• Rawlings: 5150 Composite Pro Wood WC5150, Big Stick R243CH, Big Stick R243CS, VELO Composite Wood R110CV, VELO Composite Wood R110CH, VELO Composite Wood R110CR, VELO Composite Wood Y151CV, Rawlings Composite 243MBS, Rawlings Composite 243CUS, Rawlings Composite 110CMB, Rawlings CompositeY151CB, Rawlings Maple/Bamboo Composite 271 MBC, Rawlings Maple/Bamboo Composite SL151G
• Baum: AAA Pro Maple Baum Bat (Gold & White editions), AAA Pro Ash Baum Bat (Gold & White editions)
• DeMarini: The Woods 2026 (Model Code: WDC-26P & WDC-26B)
• Louisville Slugger: RA13 Wood Composite (Model Code: RA13N), Models: D243, D271, I13, D110
• MacDougall: PowerWood
• Marucci: AP5 Hybrid Pro Model
• Pinnacle Sports/BamBooBat: All models allowed

Banned Bats

Effective April 8, 2024, the following bats may not be used in Next Level Baseball events:

• 2015 Demarini CF7 (-5)
• 2015 Easton XL1 (-5)
• 2017 Demarini CF Zen SL 2 3/4" (-10)
• 2017 Demarini CF Zen Balanced (-8), SL 2 3/4" (-10), Zero Dark 2 3/4" (-10), Balanced (-5), Insane - Endloaded (-5)
• Louisville Slugger Blue Meta Composite (33/30 model only)
• 2018 Dirty South Kamo BB KA 8 (30/22, 31/21, 32/22, 31/23, 32/24 only)
• (Easton) Ghost X (30/20 only - USA Baseball Marked)
• 2022 Stinger Missile 2 - (33/30 model only)

Re-tooled models of these bats may be used. Additionally, the Easton Hype Fire -5 bat is approved for play outside of a 12U event effective August 15th, 2024.

Altered & Damaged Bats

An altered bat is one changed from its original manufacturer's state. Refusal to allow inspection results in a three-year suspension. Damaged bats (cracked, warped, etc.) or those with worn-off markings or foreign substances are illegal.

2. Youth Pitching Regulations

Balk Rule

The MLB balk rule is enforced and is a LIVE ball. The fake to third, throw to first play is LEGAL.

Daily Limits

• 7U-8U: 15 outs OR 50 pitches.
• 9U-10U: 18 outs OR 75 pitches.
• 11U-12U: 18 outs OR 85 pitches.
• 13U-14U: 21 outs OR 95 pitches.

A pitcher may finish the current batter upon reaching the pitch count limit.

Event Limits

• 7U-14U: 24 outs over a 3-day period.
• Required 2 days rest if more than 9 outs are recorded in a day.
• 100 pitch maximum for 2-4 day events; 140 for 5+ day events.
• No pitcher shall appear in a game for three consecutive days or in three games in the same day.

3. Pitching Violations

The pitcher must be replaced immediately upon notice of a violation. This is not a forfeit.

4. Game Procedure

Field Dimensions

• 9U-10U: 46x65 fields.
• 11U-12U: 50x70 fields.
• 13U: 54x80 or 60x90 as specified.
• 14U: 60x90 for Core events.

Pool Play

• 14u: 1 hour 45 minutes
• 11-13u: 1 hour 40 minutes
• 9-10u: 1 hour 30 minutes
• 6-8u: 70 minutes.

No new inning after time limit. A tie is a ½ win and ½ loss.

Championship Round/Playoffs

Higher seed is home team. No time limit for championship games if time allows. Semi-finals will have time limits.

Extra Innings

Texas Tie Breaker: Last 3 hitters on base with 1 out.

5. Forfeits

Games can begin/end with 8 players (9th spot is an out). Intentional forfeits may lead to elimination. Forfeit score is the average runs for the winner to 0 for the loser.

6. Taking Infield

No infield will be allowed during tournaments.

7. Mercy Rules

• 9U-12U: 15 after 2, 12 after 3, 8 after 4.
• 13U-14U: 15 after 3, 12 after 4, 8 after 5.

8. Equipment

Metal cleats are not allowed for 12U and younger. Catchers must wear all protective gear. One-way electronic communication devices are permitted from the dugout; in-ear devices with live audio are restricted to the catcher.

9. Trips to the mound

One visit per pitcher per inning. A second visit requires the pitcher to be removed.

10. Lineups

You may bat 9, 10, 11, or your entire roster. Lineup is locked after the first pitch. Courtesy runner for roster batting is the player who made the last batted out.

11. Legal Slide

A legal slide can be feet first or head first. Specific body parts must be on the ground prior to contact.

12. Jumping Over A Fielder

Jumping over a fielder is illegal. The ball is dead, and the runner is out.

13. Officials

Next Level Baseball utilizes registered officials who administer contests according to rules and expectations.

14. Seeding and Tie Breaker Rules

1. Overall record (winning percentage)
2. Head to Head winner (if two teams tied)
3. If three teams tied, see rules for advancement.
4. Least total runs allowed in pool play.
5. Total runs scored in pool play.
6. ...and so on.

15. Not covered in the Rules

The tournament committee will make the fairest possible ruling on any item not covered. The ruling will be final.

8U Machine Pitch Tournament Rules

Field Set up

• Pitching Machine: Front leg at 42 feet. Recommended speed: 38-44 MPH.
• Bases: 60 feet.
• Safety Arc: 30-foot arc.

Playing Rules

• Time limit: 1 hour 20 minutes.
• Run spreads: 12 after 3, 8 after 4.
• Roster batting required.
• Max 6 pitches or 3 swinging strikes per batter.
• Max 7 runs per inning.
• No infield fly or dropped third strike.
• 10 defensive players allowed.
• No leading off or stealing.
• Max 2 bunts per inning.

8U Kid-Pitch Tournament Rules

• No leadoffs.
• No stealing home (can advance on batted ball or force play).
• Walks are a dead ball.
• Runner stealing from 2nd to 3rd may not advance home on an overthrow.
• No running on dropped 3rd strike.
• One successful bunt per inning.
• No balks or infield fly rule.
• 7 run limit per inning until the last inning.

6U/7U/8U Coach Pitch Specific Rules

Field Set up

• Fair Ball Arc: 20 feet.
• Safety Arc: 30 feet.
• Pitching Circle: 10-foot diameter at 42 feet.
• Pitching coach must keep one foot on or straddle the pitcher's line. The Coach can pitch anywhere in-between the 30' Safety Arc and the 42' Pitching Circle.

Playing Rules

• Pitching coach must be an adult.
• Catcher must receive the pitch in a normal baseball manner.
• 10 defensive players allowed.