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New for 2012 |
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Rules changes/clarifications (Effective
Immediately)
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Rule 5004: add 14U to the age groups
allowed to wear metal cleats
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14U - USFA will continue to allow each
state to decide on the 40ft & 43ft
pitching distance, however the vast
majority of states have opted to follow
suit with the High Schools and offer
only 43ft events. Both distances will be
offered at the 2012 World Series
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Online rosters will be mandated for the
2012 season. All teams must enter and
submit rosters online prior to the USFA
State Tournament / National Qualifier /
World Series.
There were no other major rule changes.
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11th Edition Rulebook - Printable
Version
The USFA 12th Edition Rulebook will be
posted online in November and any additional
corrections/clarifications/updates will be
highlighted on the USFA website.
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2011 - 8U Rule
updates:
1. No intentional
walks
2. Pitcher player must
have at least one foot within the pitcher's circle until the
ball is pitched.
3. If Coach-Pitcher is
hit by ball it is considered a live ball unless in the
umpire's judgment it was intentional. Then it is
interference and the batter is out and base runners must
remain on base they occupied. They cannot advance.
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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.
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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.
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Seeding Points and
National Qualifying |
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Printable
8U Rules Addendum
(included in the 2009 Rulebook)
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New for 2009 |
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- Metal Cleats will now be allowed for all USFA sanctioned
events for the 16U / 18U & HS Divisions
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Extra Players allowed in the line-up increased from 2
EPs to 3 EPs. You may now bat up to 12 batters.
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World Series Qualification - Teams must now
earn
least 100pts or they must have played in at least 2 USFA
events including the State Tournament.
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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
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Team MUST age-up in the fall and re-register.
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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.
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2008 Updates |
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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.
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18U “A”
division will pitch from 43’. This
was also unanimously voted in based on
several issues as well as input from college
coaches.
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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.
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USFA
Registration
– Beginning in the Fall 2008-2009 season,
the USFA registration season will run from
September 1st to August 31st.
This is to ensure teams playing in fall
events are correctly awarded points and
National berths in the age group in which
they participate.
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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.
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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.
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Rule
Changes for 2008 |
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Age
Classification - A player’s age on December
31st of the previous calendar
year determines the age classification in
which the player is eligible to
participate.
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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.
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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.)
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