6U-7U DIVISION RULES

PS Baseball 6U–7U Official Tournament Rules 

NFHS rules apply unless otherwise specified. PS reserves the right to amend these rules at any time.

1. General Eligibility Rules

1.1 Age Requirements

Age-Based Eligibility

• 6U: Player must not turn 7 before May 1 of the current season
• 7U: Player must not turn 8 before May 1 of the current season

Grade-Based Eligibility

• 6U: Currently in Kindergarten
• 7U: Currently in 1st Grade

Grade-Based Exception Maximum Age

• 6U: Must not turn 8 before August 1
• 7U: Must not turn 9 before August 1

Additional Eligibility Notes

• Up to 3 grade exceptions permitted per team
• No age exceptions permitted

1.2 Required Documentation

Birth Certificates

• Every player must have a photocopy of their original birth certificate.
• Failure to immediately produce a certificate during an eligibility protest results in:
• Loss of game(s)
• Ejection from event

Grade-Based Players

Must provide one of the following:

• Birth certificate
• Current report card
• School-issued ID
• Government document showing grade

2. Rosters

2.1 Roster Requirements

• Rosters freeze prior to each event (official published date).
• Only players listed on the Official Online Roster may participate.
• Player names must be listed legally: 
• First and last name required
• Middle name allowed only if it appears on birth certificate
• No nicknames, initials, abbreviations, or suffixes
• DOB must match birth certificate exactly

2.2 Illegal Player Penalties

If a player is found ineligible:

• Player is ejected
• Team forfeits all games played
• Team placed last in standings
• Player removed from roster
• Additional penalties may apply

2.3 Additional Roster Rules

• Players may not appear on multiple teams during the same event.
• Max roster size: 20 players
• Coaching staff (max 4 total) : 
• 1 Head Coach
• Up to 3 Assistant Coaches 

3. Playing Field Specifications

6U: 30 ft pitching distance, 60 ft bases
7U: 35–40 ft pitching distance, 60 ft bases

Pitching Circle

A pitching circle is expected on the field; however, if circle is not visible or properly marked, the umpire will use his best judgment to determine the pitching area.

Runner Advancement Lines

Runner Advancement Lines are used to determine whether a baserunner has reached the halfway point between bases. If the lines are not available or not visible, the umpire will use his best judgment.

• If the runner has passed the line when time is called, they are awarded the next base. 
• If the runner has not passed the line, they return to the previous base.

4. Ejections

Ejection-Level Offenses

• Physical attack, threats, fighting
• Abusive behavior
• Property destruction
• False identity / falsified documents
• Illegal equipment
• Malicious contact
• Non-payment issues

Penalties

• Ejection from current game + next game
• Coach ejected twice = suspended from remainder
• Tournament staff may eject any participant at any time

5. Equipment Rules

5.1 Cleats

• Metal cleats prohibited

5.2 Pitcher & Catcher Safety

• Pitchers must wear protective mask
• Catchers must wear a chest protector and protective mask

6. Time Limit

• No new inning shall start after 1 hour 15 minutes

7. Weather, Suspended, or Rescheduled Games

Games Not Started

• Games that have not started due to weather or acts of God may be rescheduled by tournament staff based on field availability.

Official Game

A game becomes official if:

• One hour OR
• Three full innings completed

Suspended Games

• It resumes from the exact point of suspension
• Score, outs, count, time remaining, runners, and lineup remain locked
• No new players may be added 
• Listed but absent players in lineup = automatic out

8. Bat Rules

8.1 Legal Bats

Must have one:

• 1.15 BPF
• BBCOR
• USA Baseball stamp

8.2 Altered Bats

• Altered bat = 1 year ban from all PS events

8.3 Banned Bat List

See below.

8.4 Illegal Bat Penalties

• During at bat: bat removed, at-bat continues
• After at bat / before next pitch: 
• Batter out
• Batter ejected
• Runners return unless defense takes play
• After next pitch: bat removed, play stands

9. Offensive Rules

9.1 Batting Order & Substitutions

• All present players bat (entire lineup).
• Free defensive substitutions
• Lineup is fixed
• Start with 8 players allowed
• When the 9th and 10th batting spots come up and there is not a player in that spot, an automatic out will be charged.
• Players arriving late are added to the bottom lineup
• Lineup falling below 8 players = forfeit
• Ejected player = automatic out in lineup
• Injury/illness: lineup is reduced with no penalty or automatic out

9.2 Intentional Walks

• A player may be intentionally walked once per game

9.3 Pitch Limits

• Max 6 pitches OR 3 swinging strikes
• At bat cannot end on foul 
• 6th pitch foul = continuation pitch

9.4 Bunting

• Not permitted

9.5 Courtesy Runner for Catcher

• Only with 2 outs
• If no outs have been recorded in the game, the courtesy runner shall be the previous batter not on base, or the last scheduled batter.

10. Baserunning & Live Ball Rules

10.1 Leads & Stealing

• No leading off or stealing
• Leaving early: leaving the base before the ball reaches home plate or is put in play in fair territory
• Penalties
• Ball hit → runner out
• Ball not hit → warning
• Multiple runners early → lead runner out

10.2 Dead Ball Rule

• When any defensive player throws the ball to the pitching coach and the pitching coach catches it, the umpire will immediately call time and award bases according to the runner advancement lines. Players cannot stop play by putting their hands up.

Runner Advancement Lines

• Baserunner reach the line → runner awarded next base
• Baserunner does not reach the line → runner returned to previous base

Intentional Avoidance / Obstruction

• If a pitching coach intentionally avoids or obstructs a throw from a defensive player to manipulate a dead-ball situation:
• First offense → warning→ runner(s) returned to previous base
• Second offense → immediate ejection → runner(s) returned to previous base

11. Defensive Rules

11.1 Defensive Player Alignment

• Up to 10 defensive players
• 4 outfielders must stay on the grass or designated outfield boundary line established by tournament staff
• 4 infielders must stay behind the 30’ arc until ball is hit
• The catcher must stay in the box, engaged, and catch for the pitching coach throughout each pitch.
• Player-pitcher must keep at least ONE foot inside the pitching circle until the ball is hit

Penalties:

• Catcher violation → warning → head coach ejected on second
• Player-pitcher violation → offense may accept play or take “no pitch”

11.2 Defensive Timeouts

• One defensive timeout per inning

11.3 Defensive Coaching Rules

6U:

• Defensive coaches are allowed on the field, with one coach positioned along each foul line.
• Others stay in/near dugout

7U:

• No defensive coaches on field

11.4 Pitching Coach Regulations

• Must stand on or straddle the rubber/pitching line
• Cannot coach verbally or physically while pitching
  Penalties:
  • First offense → warning
  • Second offense → removal (no substitute → forfeit)

Ball Contact Rules:

• Hit by batted ball → dead ball, no pitch
• Hit unintentionally by thrown ball → dead ball, no advancement

12. Run Limits & Run Rule

12.1 Inning Run Limit

• Max 7 runs per inning

12.2 Run Rule

• 15-run lead after 3 innings
• 10-run lead after 4 innings
• 8-run lead after 5 innings
• If opponent is mathematically eliminated when time expires → game ends

13. Infield Fly

• The Infield Fly Rule shall not be in effect at any time. The fly ball must be caught for an out. 

14. Tie-Breakers 

• Pool play may end in a tie
• Bracket play must produce a winner

Texas Tiebreaker

• Last 3 batters on 3rd, 2nd, 1st
• Begin with one out
• Play full extra inning or until winner determined

Banned Bat List: