SUPPLEMENTAL GAME RULES for MVP Games May 23-24, 2026

Pool Games and Bracket Games Rules

• Pool games may end in a tie
• Bracket and Championship Games will be played out to declare a winner
• If a bracket game is tied after time limit has been reached, a California tie breaker will be used. Each additional inning will begin with a runner on 2nd base (must be the player that made the last out from the previous inning) and 0 outs.
• Each team will be scheduled a home game and visitor game during pool play. Home team for Pool Games will be the team listed 2nd on the website (app may differ, so please look on the actual site). Home jersey will be the Sand jersey. Visitor jersey will be the Green jersey.
• Home team for Bracket and Championship games will be determined by higher seed (higher seed will be home team)
• In the 9U-12U age divisions, pool, bracket, and Championship games are six (6) innings with no new inning starting after 2 hours (2:00)
• 9U/10U Division: Pitching distance = 46’/Base distance = 65’
• 11/12U Division: Pitching distance = 50’/Base distance = 70’
• In the 13/14U Divisions, pool, bracket, and Championship games are seven (7) innings with no new inning starting after 2 hours and fifteen minutes (2:15)
• 13U Divisions: Pitching distance = 54’/Base distance = 80’
• 14U Divisions: Pitching distance = 60’/Base distance = 90’
• Bat rules: 9u-12u: Must have USSSA thumb print
  13u: Maximum drop 8 (-8), BBCOR or wood
  14u: Maximum drop 5(-3), BBCOR or wood
• Catcher’s helmet: Must be 1 piece hockey style helmet
• Cleats: 9u-12U molded cleats, turfs or sneakers. 13u-14u – Metal cleats allowed EXCEPT for on the pitcher’s mound. Pitchers must use molded cleats, turfs or sneakers while pitching.
• Pool play format: All teams will play two (2) pool games
• Bracket play format: all teams will go into a championship bracket (single elimination).
• Pitching for all games will be counted
• A forfeit will not result in a team’s removal from the remainder of the event. A forfeit may result in the removal of the player or manager (head coach) from the event
• Items not covered here shall be governed by the USSSA Baseball National Rules

Pool Games and Bracket Games Rules

• Teams must use a Continuous Batting Order with free defensive substitutions
• Coaches will set a batting line-up prior to the beginning of the first pool play game, then can re-set the batting line up once again before the first bracket play game. Coaches may also reset their line-up one more time before the Championship Game, if needed.
• Nine players shall be the defensive starters (Ages 9u-14u)
• Non-starters in game #1 MUST be starters in game #2
• No player shall be a starter in a third (3rd) game until all players have been a starter in two (2) games, etc. Starters “rotate” each game
• NO player shall sit two (2) consecutive innings and NO player shall sit twice until all players have sat once
• Every player MUST play a minimum of 3 defensive innings EVERY game
• Team managers (head coaches) will fill out the play time report for each game. They will hold on to the play time report and must have it available at any time it is requested by tournament staff. This will allow tournament staff to help managers follow the format and help to ensure that all athletes receive an equitable amount of playing time
• Failure to follow the playing rules will result in the following penalties
  1st offense: Manager (head coach) of team ejected for the remainder of the game
  2nd offense and all subsequent offenses: Manager (head coach) of team removed for the remainder of the event

Run Rules

• 8 run rule after 5 innings in 9U-12U, 8 run rule after 6 innings in 13U-14U

Pitching Regulations

• Max of 5 innings Pitched in all Ages and Divisions for the tournament. If a pitcher exceeds more than 3 innings Saturday, they are not eligible to pitch on Sunday.

Ejections and Player Injuries

Ejections

• A player ejection while roster batting will result in the team losing that player for the entire game. His/her spot in the batting order WILL be an automatic out

Injuries

• • Batter: If a batter cannot fulfill his/her time at bat due to injury or illness, that player will be eliminated from that entire game. That spot will be skipped in the batting order. Teams will not be required to take an automatic out UNTIL they drop below 9 players.
  • Runner: If a runner cannot continue their time on the bases, that player will be substituted with the last batter not on base. That athlete will not be allowed to participate in the remainder of the game. The line-up will compress when that spot comes to bat. That spot will not be an automatic out.