BSAA Game Rules
Youth Recreational Baseball & Softball
General Rules for All Divisions
- USA bats required in all age groups.
- We follow these official rule books:
No run rule to end the game early. If the losing team wants to continue, play until the hard time limit (listed per division).
4u Tee Ball
- 2 innings.
- Batters hit off the tee. Bat through the entire lineup each half-inning.
- Away team bats lineup, then switches to field. Game ends after home team's second at-bat.
- No outs.
6u
6u Softball
- Starts season with tee only, transitions to outs halfway through season.
- 2 innings.
- Batters hit off the tee. Bat through lineup.
- Away team bats lineup, then field. Game ends after home team's second at-bat.
- No outs.
6u Baseball
- 3 innings.
- Bat through lineup.
- 7 runs or 3 outs ends half-inning. Outs only on base path.
- Batters: 5 coach pitches, then tee. Ball on tee must cross 15' line to be fair.
- Runners: 1 base on balls stopped in infield; 2 bases on balls hit to outfield.
- Only 6 fielders in infield; rest in outfield grass.
- All batters must bat at least once. If not, non-counted 4th inning (if home team can win in 3rd) or extend 3rd if no catch-up possible.
8u
- No lobbing. Machine 37–43 mph (coaches match approx.).
- 5 runs per inning. 1 extra base on each overthrow.
- Baseball: Pitches from base of mound (~40 ft).
- Softball: Front foot toes on circle; 5 pitches or 3 swings (foul 5th/3rd continues until miss/no swing).
- No new inning after 75 minutes (both baseball/softball).
- Play dead: Ball controlled in infield and lead runner stops forward progress, or pitcher has ball in circle (softball). Players not halfway return to previous base.
- 6 innings max (both).
- 10 fielders (4 outfielders). Bat through lineup.
- No infield fly.
10u
- 5 runs per inning. No drop 3rd strike.
- Baseball: No new inning after 80 minutes. Runners lead off/steal after ball crosses plate. Infield fly in effect, no balks. Pitch 46 ft, bases 60 ft.
- Softball: No new inning after 75 minutes. Runners lead off/steal after ball reaches plate. Runners on/moving to base when pitcher in circle (overrun = out if in circle). Pitch 35 ft. Infield fly in effect.
- 6 innings (both). Baseball: 9 fielders; Softball: 10 fielders. Bat through lineup.
12u
- Baseball: No new inning after 90 minutes. 7 runs per inning. Runners lead off. Drop 3rd strike, infield fly, balks. Pitch 50 ft, bases 70 ft. BBCOR(-3) bats allowed in league play (USA for All-Stars).
- Softball: No new inning after 75 minutes. 5 runs per inning. Drop 3rd strike, infield fly. Pitch 40 ft.
- 6 innings (both). Bat through lineup.
14u/16u
- Baseball: No new inning after 105 minutes. 7 runs per inning. BBCOR(-3) bats allowed.
- Softball: No new inning after 75 minutes. 5 runs per inning. Pitch 43 ft.
- Softball: 6 innings; Baseball: 7 innings.
Softball Pitcher's Circle Rules (10u–18u)
- When player-pitcher has control of ball inside circle and does not attempt play on runner, all runners must stay on base. Any throw/fake throw = making a play.
- Runner off base when pitcher in circle must advance or return without hesitation. Stop/change direction = out (umpire judgment, no protest).
- Batter-runner rounding 1st (heading to 2nd): Allowed one stop between 1st–2nd, then must immediately return or advance without stop/change.
- If batter-runner overruns 1st toward right field:
- Turns left/stops: Must immediately return to 1st or advance to 2nd. If not (tagged), out (umpire opinion).
- Turns right: Committed to 1st; forfeits advance to 2nd unless returns and retouches 1st.
Play safe, have fun, and good luck this season!