New for 2010

11th Edition Rulebook - Printable Version

            MAJOR CHANGES IN 2010

3008: A player’s age on December 31st of the previous calendar year determines the age classification in which the player is eligible to participate. Teams are no longer required to Age-Up in the Fall, however, those teams playing between September 1st and December 31st must re-register in the age classification they will play the following season to receive points toward the following years State and National events.

6007:  Stalling: Umpire has a right to end a conference early if the umpire determines a coach is trying to stall a game. This call will not be questioned or appealed by a coach. Any conference or time out within the last 5 minutes of a timed game will result in the game clock being suspended until play resumes.

Clarification on the Stalling Rule:

Rule 6007: Umpire has a right to end a conference early if the umpire determines a coach is trying to stall a game. This call will not be questioned or appealed by a coach. (This portion of the rule is to help keep play moving throughout the game, from the 1st to the last pitch of the game.)  

Any conference or time out within the last 5 minutes of a timed game will result in the game clock being suspended until play resumes. (This rules applies to any stoppage of play, be it pitching or other position change, coaching conferences, etc.)

We frequently receive feedback from frustrated coaches and parents stating that an opponent jumped out to a lead and then stalled the clock the remainder of the game.  This rule was implemented by USFA in attempt to keep the game moving from start to finish and allow the players to get as much playing time in each game as possible.  

43' PITCHING!! Beginning in the Fall 2009 pitching distance for 16U & 18U will be at 43'.  Those states whose High School's opt to remain at 40' for the 2010 season may remain at 40' through the fall but must play at 43' beginning  Jan 1, 2010.  Metal Cleats are also allowed in the 16U & 18U age divisions.
 

USFA World Series Qualification Guidelines:

1.      Teams must be USFA Sanctioned.

2.      Must do at least one of the following: 
 a. Receive a direct berth at a National Invitational Tournament.  
 b. Attend at least 1 State Qualifier or NIT (any state).
 c. Attend at least 1 State Qualifier and have accumulated at least 100 points.

3.      Attend the USFA State Tournament in your home state or a Regional Qualifier Tournament for your area.

4.      Receive an at-large berth if no USFA events are available within 200 miles of your team’s home.

NOTE: Teams that have received a berth to a “A” classification National event in USFA or another organization must play in the USFA “A” World Series. Furthermore, any team that has been classified as an “A” team or participates in an “A” State Tournament hosted by USFA or another organization may be required to play in the USFA “A” World Series.

Seeding Points and National Qualifying 

Printable 8U Rules Addendum
(included in the 2009 Rulebook)

New for 2009

• - Metal Cleats will now be allowed for all USFA sanctioned events for the 16U / 18U &  HS  Divisions
   

• Extra Players allowed in the line-up increased from 2 EPs  to 3 EPs. You may now bat up to 12 batters.
   

• World Series Qualification - Teams must now earn least 100pts or they must have played in at least 2 USFA events including the State Tournament.
   

• Team MUST play in the State Tournament within their own state and in the classification and age groups they intend to compete at the World Series or National events
   

• Team MUST age-up in the fall and re-register.
   

• REVISED IN 2010
  3003: The season will run from September 1st to August 31st.  Tournaments and leagues played after September 1st will qualify teams for the following summer’s State and World Series Tournaments.  All teams playing between September 1st and December 31st must play by the following year’s eligibility classifications.

 2008 Updates

·     USFA has reduced the cost of hosting a State Qualifying events from $20 to $10 per team. In addition we will now award more points for hosting larger events....the more teams you have, the more points you earn. Teams will receive 50pts for hosting and event, plus an additional 50pts for every 10 teams entered. ex: 1-9= 50pts / 10-19=100pts 20-29= 150pts / 30-39 = 200pts / 40-49 = 250pts, etc. Points will be awarded by the regional offices once the event has been closed out (all results have been entered online) and sanction fees are received at the regional offices

·     The 10U division (“A” & “B”) will be played during the first week of the World Series. There will continue to be two separate and distinct classifications however they will be played during the same week. This was unanimously voted in based on several issues, including coaches input. By combining the 10U “A” and 10U “B” within the same week of the World Series we hope to encourage more parity within the division.

·       18U “A” division will pitch from 43’.  This was also unanimously voted in based on several issues as well as input from college coaches.  

·       The 18U (40’ “B” & 43’ “A”) divisions will be played during the second week of the World Series.  This too was unanimously approved based on several issues, including that of college coaches.  By combining both “A” & “B” we hope to attract a larger number of college scouts by increasing the number of teams (college recruits) within the same timetable.  

·       USFA Registration – Beginning in the Fall 2008-2009 season, the USFA registration season will run from September 1^st to August 31^st.  This is to ensure teams playing in fall events are correctly awarded points and National berths in the age group in which they participate. 

·       USFA has adopted a High School Division. This division is designed to enhance the playing opportunities for 16U & 18U teams in smaller areas and/or during off-season play.  (16U/18U will be combined in this division) Pitching distances for this division may be either 40’ or 43’. The HS division will not be offered at the State or National levels.

·       Beginning in Fall 2007-2008 Season, National berths are no longer awarded for hosting USFA events. Due to the decrease in hosting fees and the increase in hosting points, USFA elected to eliminate the automatic berth allowance.

 ·      The official USFA is Baden. To better serve our teams, the Official USFA ball is also logo stamped and approved for play for NFHS and ASA.

Rule Changes for 2008

The following is not an all inclusive list of changes and revisions; however these are the key points of revision along with comments as needed.

 ·       8U Coach Pitch rules have been added. Local events may continue to use adopted Player pitch or Machine Pitch rules however these Coach Pitch rules will be used at all State & National Tournaments unless otherwise specified.

·       USFA will now offer both 40’ & 43’ in the 18U Division.  Each state may choose to use either or both distance. Contact your State/Area director for details.

·       Age Classification - A player’s age on December 31^st of the previous calendar year determines the age classification in which the player is eligible to participate. 

 ·       Use of an illegal bat will result in an automatic out and ejection of player using the bat.  Blatant offense will lead to team being ejected from the tournament. 

 ·       Leap, Crow Hop or Re plant:  When the pitcher’s pivot foot leaves the ground or is planted more than once during the delivery of a pitch.  The foot can drag   but cannot be “replanted”.  Medical officials have deemed leaping and replanting hazardous to the pitcher’s knees.  (The word leap was added to clarify this rule.)