Rule Exceptions
Article X
Section 6. Rules – The current edition of USSSA Rules shall apply except as noted in exceptions for each age group.
- Refer to the GSLJC “Mini Midget Rules” rule book for TB/CP Divisions
B. The following exceptions apply to the MODIFIED KID PITCH (8U) and (9U) DIVISIONS
1. Bases shall be 50 feet apart.
2. Pitching shall be 30 feet.
3. A time limit of one hour and 15 minutes shall apply.
4. Five innings constitute a game except in case of unfavorable field conditions when three innings
constitute a game.
5. Third called or missed strike is out.
6. The infield fly rule shall not apply.
7. There shall be no base stealing.
8. Pitching exception:
a) NO WALKS SHALL BE ALLOWED
b) When a batter reaches a 4-ball count, the offensive coach will step into the pitching circle
and pitch to his batter (who will retain her count) a MAXIMUM of 2 pitches (exception
allows additional pitches if the batter hits foul balls). If the batter fails to hit the ball into fair
territory from coach/ pitcher pitches, the batter is out and retired.
c) A coach, or someone designated, shall pitch underhand to his or her own players.
Coach pitcher shall pitch from inside the pitching circle.
d) If the coach/pitcher is struck with a hit ball, the ball is dead. All runners on base return to
their bases. Replay the pitch.
e) If, in the judgment of the umpire, the coach/pitcher intentionally interferes with a batted or
thrown ball, the batter shall be called out and runners returned to their original bases.
f) The pitcher (youth player) must play even with or behind the coach/pitcher who will not
interfere with defensive play. The pitcher (youth player) must have both feet within the pitching circle
until the ball is hit.
g) Quick pitches shall not be allowed. The coach/pitcher shall signify beginning of play by raising the ball with
an out- stretched arm before each pitch. If, in the judgment of the umpire, a quick pitch is made, a “dead ball”
shall be called immediately and play restarted.
h) If the coach/pitcher hits the batter with a pitched ball, it will be counted as one of the pitches. If the player/pitcher
hits a batter, the batter is awarded 1st base.
- Coach-pitchers may communicate with their batters without leaving the pitching circle, however, should keep
it at a minimum to avoid delay of the game.
j) If the batter hits off the coach, no one (including the batter) can advance more than one base.
9. A base runner is allowed to lead off after the pitcher releases the ball. The catcher can throw to the base and attempt to
get the runner out after the pitch. If the catcher throws the ball to the base occupied by the runner, the runner may
advance from first to second base as long as a runner was not on second prior to the pitch being released; or from second
to third base as long as a runner is not on third prior to the pitch being released. The runner is only allowed to advance
one base on the play. No runner may advance to home.
10. For each half inning, the team at bat may only score a maximum of seven (7) runs. Once the
maximum number of runs is reached, the half inning shall be considered complete and teams
shall switch sides. If the team at bat has more than seven (7) runs cross the plate in the last at
bat, only seven (7) runs shall be counted for that half inning
11. Run Rule: If a team is ahead by 15 runs or more at the end of 2 complete innings, 12 runs or
more at the end of 3 complete innings, or 10 runs or more at the end of 4 complete innings, the
game shall be terminated and shall constitute a legal game even if the time limit has expired.
12. There shall be no ties. The universal tie-breaker shall be played. If it remains a tie after one tie-breaker,
then it shall be a tie in the standings.
C. The following exceptions apply to the 10U DIVISION
1. Bases shall be 60 feet apart.
2. Pitching shall be 35 feet.
3. A time limit of one hour and 15 minutes shall apply.
4. Five innings constitute a game except in case of unfavorable field conditions when three innings constitute a game.
5. Third called or missed strike is out.
6. The infield fly rule shall not apply.
7. Base stealing shall be limited to one base (even on an overthrow) and no stealing of home.
8. A base runner is allowed to lead off after the pitcher releases the ball. The catcher can throw to the base and
attempt to get the runner out after the pitch. If the catcher throws the ball to the base occupied by the runner,
the runner may advance from first to second base as long as a runner was not on second prior to the pitch being
released; or from second to third base as long as a runner is not on third prior to the pitch being released.
The runner is only allowed to advance one base on the play. No runner may advance to home.
9. For each half inning, the team at bat may only score a maximum of seven (7) runs. Once the maximum number of runs
is reached, the half inning shall be considered complete and teams shall switch sides. If the team at bat has more than
seven (7) runs cross the plate in the last as bat, only seven (7) runs shall be counted for that half inning
10. Run Rule: If a team is ahead by 15 runs or more at the end of 2 complete innings, 12 runs or more at the end of
3 complete innings, or 10 runs or more at the end of 4 complete innings, the game shall be terminated and shall
constitute a legal game whether or not the time limit has expired.
11. There shall be no ties. The universal tie-breaker shall be played. If it remains a tie after one tie-breaker,
then it shall be a tie in the standings.
D. The following exceptions apply to 11U DIVISION and 12U DIVISION
1. Bases shall be 60 feet apart.
2. Pitching shall be 40 feet.
3. A time limit of one hour and 15 minutes shall apply.
4. Five innings constitute a game except in case of unfavorable field conditions when three innings constitute a game.
5. Drop third strike rulings shall apply.
6. Infield fly rule: 11U: infield fly rule shall not apply. 12U: infield fly rule shall apply.
7. Base stealing is allowed with no limitations.
8. For each half inning, the team at bat may only score a maximum of seven (7) runs. Once the maximum number of runs
is reached, the half inning shall be considered complete and teams shall switch sides. If the team at bat has more than
seven (7) runs cross the plate in the last as bat, only seven (7) runs shall be counted for that half inning.
9. Run Rule: If a team is ahead by 12 runs or more at the end of 3 complete Innings or 10 runs or more at the end of
4 complete innings, the game shall be terminated and shall constitute a legal game whether or not the time limit
has expired.
10. There shall be no ties. The universal tie-breaker shall be played. If it remains a tie after one tie-breaker,
then it shall be a tie in the standings.
E. The following exceptions apply to the 14U DIVISION
1. Bases shall be 60 feet apart.
2. Pitching distance shall be 40 feet. If 14U & 16U age groups are combined in bracketing, pitching distance could be
adjusted.
3. A time limit of one hour and 15 minutes shall apply.
4. Six innings constitute a game except in case of unfavorable field conditions when four innings constitute a game.
5. Dropped third strike and infield file rulings apply in 14U division.
6. For each half inning, the team at bat may only score a maximum of seven (7) runs. Once the maximum number of
runs is reached, the half inning shall be considered complete and teams shall switch sides. If the team at bat has
more than seven (7) runs cross the plate in the last as bat, only seven (7) runs shall be counted for that half inning.
7. Run Rule: If a team is ahead by 12 runs or more at the end of 3 complete innings or 10 runs or more at the end of
4 complete innings, the game shall be terminated and shall constitute a legal game whether or not the time limit
has expired.
8. There shall be no ties. The universal tie-breaker shall be played. If it remains a tie after one tie-breaker,
then it shall be a tie in the standings.
F. The following exceptions apply to the 16U DIVISION
1. Bases shall be 60 feet apart.
2. Pitching distance shall be 43 feet. If 14U & 16U age groups are combined in bracketing, pitching distance could be
adjusted.
3. A time limit of one hour and 15 minutes shall apply.
4. Six innings constitute a game except in case of unfavorable field conditions when four innings constitute a game.
5. Dropped third strike and infield file rulings apply in 16U division.
6. For each half inning, the team at bat may only score a maximum of seven (7) runs. Once the maximum number of
runs is reached, the half inning shall be considered complete and teams shall switch sides. If the team at bat has
more than seven (7) runs cross the plate in the last as bat, only seven (7) runs shall be counted for that half inning.
7. Run Rule: If a team is ahead by 12 runs or more at the end of 3 complete innings or 10 runs or more at the end of
4 complete innings, the game shall be terminated and shall constitute a legal game whether or not the time limit
has expired.
8. There shall be no ties. The universal tie-breaker shall be played. If it remains a tie after one tie-breaker,
then it shall be a tie in the standings.
G. The following exceptions apply to the 19U DIVISION -- SENIOR
- Bases shall be 60 feet apart.
- Pitching distance shall be 43 feet.
- A time limit of one hour and 15 minutes shall apply.
- Seven innings constitute a game except in case of unfavorable field conditions when four innings constitute a game.
- Dropped third strike and infield fly rulings apply.
- Run Rule: If a team is ahead by 12 runs or more at the end of 3 complete innings or 10 runs or more at the end of
4 complete innings, the game shall be terminated and shall constitute a legal game whether or not the time limit
has expired.
- There shall be no ties. The universal tie-breaker shall be played. If it remains a tie after one tie-breaker,
then it shall be a tie in the standings.
GSLJC PITCHING AND BASE DISTANCES
DIVISION PITCHING BASES
Mini-Midget TB & CP 27 ft. 50 ft.
8U Modified Kid Pitch 30 ft. 50 ft.
9U Modified Kid Pitch 30 ft. 50 ft.
10U Recreational 35 ft. 60 ft.
11U Recreational 40 ft. 60 ft.
12U Recreational 40 ft. 60 ft.
14U Intermediate 40 ft.* 60 ft.
16U Intermediate 43 ft.* 60 ft.
19U Senior 43 ft. 60 ft.
- If 14U and 16U recreational age groups are combined
in a season, pitching distance could be adjusted.
Competitive
DIVISION PITCHING BASES
10U Competitive 35 ft. 60 ft.
12U Competitive 40 ft. 60 ft.
14U Competitive 43 ft. 60 ft.
16U/18U Competitive 43 ft. 60 ft.
******************************************
BALL SIZES
T-Ball & Coach Pitch 11 inch Flexi
Modified Kid Pitch (8U & 9U) 11 inch
10U 11 inch
11U & 12U 12 inch
14U & 16U 12 inch
19U Senior 12 inch
10U competitive 11 inch
12U, 14U, 16/18U competitive 12 inch
