USSSSA Baseball Rules – What You Need to Know

As a youth baseball coach, you need to be aware of the differences in the rules between the various sanctioning organizations. The three most popular youth baseball organizations are AAU (Amateur Athletic Union), USSSA (United States Specialty Sports Association) and PONY (Protection of Our Nations’ Youth). While all three organizations share some similarities, there are also some important differences that you need to be aware of as a coach. Below is a side-by-side comparison of the three organizations’ rules.

AAU
– Must have 2 coaches in the dugout
– 9 players on the field
– No restriction on pick-off throws to first base
– Lead-offs are allowed
– stealing home is allowed
– Infield Fly Rule is in effect
USSSA
– Must have 1 coach in the dugout
– 10 players on the field
– Pick-off throws to first base are restricted
– Lead-offs are not allowed
– Stealing home is not allowed
PONY -Must have 2 adults present at all times (1 in the dugout, 1 in the bullpen) -9 players on the field -Pick off throws to first base are restricted -Lead offs and stealing home are not allowed – infield fly rule is NOT in effect

Basic Rules of USSSSA Baseball

Every game of USSSSA baseball begins with a coin toss. The away team gets to call the coin toss. The winner of the coin toss gets to choose whether they want to be the home team or the away team. If they choose to be the home team they get to bat first. If they choose to be the away team, they get to field first.

The object of the game is for one team to score more runs than the other team. A run is scored when a player on one team safely reaches home plate after touching all four bases in order. Bases are located at first, second, third, and home plate First base is located to the right of home plate as you stand facing the pitcher’s mound. Second base is located in front of home plate directly between first and third base. Third base is located to the left of home plate as you stand facing the pitcher’s mound.

Players on one team try to score by hitting a ball with a bat and then running around all four bases before being tags out by a player on the other team. A player can also score by hitting a ball over the fence in fair territory without being tagged out. This is called a home run and allows all players on base to score automatically.

Players on the fielding team try to Top Players on the batting team from scoring by catching any balls that are hit in fair territory and tagging runners with the ball when they are not touching a base. The fielding team can also force runners out by throwing them out when they are between bases, or by tagging them with the ball when they are not touching a base.

A game of USSSSA baseball consists of innings. Each inning consists of both teams getting a turn at bat, until three outs are made for each team per inning. An out is made when:
-A batter hits a fly ball that is caught by a fielder before it hits ground
-A batter strikes out
-A runner gets tagged with the ball while not touching a base
-A runner gets thrown out by being touched with the ball while between bases

The batting order for each team is typically arranged so that their best hitters come up first in each inning followed by their weaker hitters (save for pinch hitters). The Batting Order remains constant throughout an entire game unless substitutes are made for players that have already batted during that game or left the game for another reason. Once all nine batters have batted in an inning, that inning is over and both teams switch roles: The fielding team becomes the batting side and vice versa until three outs are made and another inning begins

Hitting Rules in USSSSA Baseball

Hitting rules in USSSSA baseball are mostly the same as regular baseball, but there are a few key differences that players and coaches need to be aware of. Let’s take a look at some of the key hitting rules in USSSSA baseball so you can be prepared for your next game.

First, let’s talk about the batting order In USSSSA baseball, the batting order must be submitted to the umpire before the start of the game. This order cannot be changed during the game unless there is an injury or other extenuating circumstance. Each team must have nine batters in their lineup, and they can bat any player they want in any spot in the order.

Next, let’s talk about Base running In regular baseball, base runners can only advance one base per hit, but in USSSSA baseball, base runners can advance two bases on singles and three bases on doubles and triples. This rule makes it easier for teams to score runs so Base running is a key part of the game.

Finally, let’s talk about home runs In regular baseball, home runs are worth four points, but in USSSSA baseball, home runs are only worth three points. This rule ensures that games are not decided by one big play and that teams have to work for their runs.

Overall, hitting rules in USSSSA baseball are mostly the same as regular baseball, but there are a few key differences that players and coaches need to be aware of. Make sure you understand all of the rules before you play so you can be prepared and play your best.

Pitching Rules in USSSSA Baseball

One of the main differences between USSSSA baseball and other youth baseball organizations is that USSSSA uses a “pitch clock.” The pitch clock is 30 seconds in duration, and the batter has 10 seconds to get into the batter’s box once the pitcher has possession of the ball. If the batter does not get into the box within 10 seconds, he will be called out.

Another key difference is that there is no “lead off” in USSSSA baseball – meaning that runners cannot leave their base until the ball is hit. For those not familiar with youth baseball this can be confusing because it seems like the runner would just be stranded on their base until the ball is hit. However, what typically happens is that the runners will start “walking off” their lead once the pitcher has possession of the ball (and they think he’s going to throw a strike). If the pitcher throws a ball, they can just jog back to their lead.

Here are some other notable pitching differences in USSSSA baseball:
-There is no balk rule
-You can pick off as many times as you want
-Pitchers can throw from anywhere on the rubber
-There is no “must slide” rule – meaning that runners do not have to slide into bases if they think they will be safe

Fielding Rules in USSSSA Baseball

There are important differences between USSSSA baseball and the rules used in the MLB. One key difference is the way outs are recorded. In USSSSA baseball, an out is recorded when the defensive team gets the ball to the batter-runner before he reaches first base,

regardless of whether he is hit by a pitch, walks, or is put out by some other method. This includes when a batter hits a fly ball that is caught by a member of the defense. Other differences include the number of innings in a game (9 in USSSSA vs. 7 in MLB) and base sizes (60 feet vs. 90 feet).

Perhaps most importantly for infielders, in USSSSA baseball, there is no “infield fly” rule. This means that if a fair fly ball is hit with less than two outs and there are runners on first and second or the bases are loaded, the infielder does not have to catch the ball for an out to be recorded. Instead, an out will be recorded as long as the defensive team gets the ball to first base before the runner reaches it.

Baserunning Rules in USSSSA Baseball

Baserunning in USSSSA baseball is governed by the same basic rules as in other Types of Baseball but there are a few key USSSSA-specific regulations that players need to be aware of. Here is a quick overview of what you need to know about baserunning in USSSSA baseball:

First and foremost, remember that the batter is not out until he is tagged with the ball or he touches first base. This means that if a batted ball hits a runner while he is still in fair territory, he is not out – but he may be called out if he is then tagged by a fielder.

runners may not lead off their bases until the pitch reaches the batter. If they do so, they will be called out. Additionally, runners must attempt to avoid contact with fielders who are attempting to make a play on them – if they do not make an effort to avoid contact, they may be called out even if they are not tagged with the ball.

Finally, note that runners may not steal bases in USSSSA baseball. If a runner attempts to steal a base, he will be called out and the batter will be awarded first base.

Gameplay Rules in USSSSA Baseball

In USSSSA baseball, the object of the game is to score more runs than your opponent. A run is scored when a player on your team completes a full circuit of the bases, touching first, second, third, and home plate in order. A Player Score a run for their team by:

--Hitting the ball with a bat and running around all four bases before being tagged out by an opponent
-Reaching base by any means (including being hit by a pitch or walks) and then touching all four bases before being tagged out
-Forcing an opponent to commit an error that allows another player to advance around the bases
-Drawing a base on balls (a walk)

USSSSA Baseball Tournament Rules

The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSSA) is a national governing body for youth baseball USSSSA hosts both local and national tournaments for teams of all ages and levels of play.

If you’re considering participating in a USSSSA Baseball Tournament it’s important to be familiar with the organization’s rules and regulations. This guide will provide an overview of the key points you need to know.

Eligibility Requirements
In order to participate in a USSSSA Baseball Tournament players must meet the following eligibility requirements:
-Be enrolled in an accredited school (public or private)
-Be between the ages of 7 and 18 (as of May 1st of the current year)
-Be a resident of the United States or Canada

USSSSA Baseball World Series Rules

The USSSSA Baseball World Series is a double-elimination tournament. The top team from each age group and region in the US qualified to play in the World Series The teams were placed into brackets and played until there was only one team left from each bracket, which then went on to play in the Championship game

The following rules were in place for the USSSSA Baseball World Series
-Each team was allowed to have up to 22 players on their roster.
-A maximum of 15 players could be on the field at one time.
-The games were seven innings long, with a 10-run mercy rule in place.
-The tournament was pool play, meaning that each team played every other team in their age group and region.
-The top four teams from each region then advanced to the single-elimination playoff round.
-In the event of a tie,Extra Innings were played until a winner was determined.

USSSSA baseball rule Changes for 2018

The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), the governing body for USSSA baseball has announced several rule changes for the 2018 season. Here’s a rundown of what you need to know:

-Pitchers will now be required to pitch to at least three batters in an inning, unless the inning is ended beforehand. This rule change is similar to the one used in Major League Baseball

-The “mercy rule” has been amended so that if a team is ahead by 10 or more runs after five innings (or four innings if the home team is ahead), the game will be considered official. Previously, the mercy rule was only in effect after six innings (or five innings if the home team was ahead).

-balk rules have been amended so that a balk will be called if a pitcher makes any motion during his windup or delivery that is designed to deceive a runner or batter. Previously, a balk could only be called if the pitcher made an illegal pitch

USSSSA Baseball Rules – What You Need to Know