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Rules

Team Registration

  • All Teams must be Youth Baseball Network sanctioned to be eligible to participate in our 2025 Youth Baseball Network Tournaments
  • Youth Baseball Network Sanctioning Fees Are Non Refundable
  • All Teams must submit their team roster online prior to weekend tournament play
  • All Youth Baseball Network Tournaments will follow the Major League Baseball Rulebook (except as noted)
  • All Refunds Take 8 to 10 Weeks To Process

Team Tournament Check-in

  • Check – In is 45 minutes prior to your first game – your team should be ready to play 30 minutes prior to scheduled game time
  • A Youth Baseball Network Representative will be at each ball park to facilitate team checkin
  • Official brackets and game times are posted on our website

Youth Baseball Network Must Have A Copy Of the Following Items Before Play Starts

  1. Online copy of your Youth Baseball Network Tournament Roster with Parent Liability Approvals
  2. Rosters / Waivers can be loaded at www.youthbaseballnetwork.com
  3. Secondary Team Insurance Certificate
  4. Birth Certificates for each player if challenged by opposing team – Youth Baseball Network only collects these if a player is challenged by Official Protest
    • Teams will absolutely not play without the above noted check in items uploaded to their online team profile
    • Some facilities may charge gate/parking fees – Youth Baseball Network reserves the right to charge daily gate fees at any park
    • Any Tournament Fees That Are Paid Less Than One Week Prior To Start Date Will Be Assessed a $100.00 Late Charge Fee and Promotional Discounts Do Not Apply

Tournament Withdrawal Policy

  • Youth Baseball Network will provide a full refund minus a $300 withdrawal fee for any team withdrawing from tournaments up to 28 days prior to scheduled start of the event
  • Tournament Withdrawals Inside of 60 Days From Start Date Forfeit All Tournament Fees
  • Youth Baseball Network Does, If Needed Mix Ages/Divisions To Form Brackets – Tournaments Are 4 Teams

Youth Baseball Network Refund Policies (Withdrawal and Rainout)

  • All Refunds Take 8 to 10 Weeks To Process
  • Youth Baseball Network will provide a full refund minus a $300 withdrawal fee for any team withdrawing from tournaments up to 60 days prior to scheduled start of the event
  • Tournament Withdrawals Inside of 60 Days From Tournament Start Date Forfeit All Tournament Fees
  • Youth Baseball Network Does, If Needed Mix Ages/Divisions To Form Brackets – Tournaments Are 4 Teams
  • No Withdrawal Refunds Are Eligible for the Youth Baseball Network World Series Events, Youth Baseball Network National Events (The Nationals & Music City Nationals) and Youth Baseball Network All Star Events
  • 0 games played= full refund minus $100 of tournament fees
  • 1 game played= 50% refund
  • 2 Games Played = No Refund.
  • All Refunds (Withdrawal and Rainout) Take 8 to 10 Weeks To Process
  • In The Event of Rain and Cancellations, Trophies and Plaques Are Awarded Based On Seeding If Both Championship Game Teams Have Been Established
  • Awards Are Only Awarded at Park

The Following Youth Baseball Rules Apply, All Other Rules Follow Major League Baseball

  • In pool play, a coin flip will determine the home team – teams that forfeit pool play games, regardless of reason, do not advance to bracket play
  • The coin flip will be conducted by the umpiring crew at ground rules 
  • During the bracket play, the higher seeded team will be the home team in all games
  • Pitchers must be removed after 2nd Mound Visit During Same Inning To Same Pitcher – Youth Baseball Network Does Not Follow MLB Total Mound Visit Rule
  • Inclement weather could force Youth Baseball Network to modify tournament game times and/or facilities on any given weekend
  • Four baseballs per game provided – each team should provide two slightly used ball at ground rules – all teams should chase foul balls or provide replacement baseballs
  • Both teams should keep score books and should report the game score to the home plate umpire between innings. Umpires will maintain  game card for all games.
  • Home team will maintain official game book and start time.  Game start time will be announced immediately after ground rules and confirmed with Home Team.
  • Max 3 Coaches and Score Keeper Allowed In Dugout – Head Coach, Two Assistants and Score Keeper
  • Defensive Coaches Are Not Allowed On Playing Field During Your Respective Teams Defensive 1/2 Inning – Defensive Coaches Should Remain In Dugout

Coaches Have The Following Lineup Batting Options

  1. Bat the Roster and be allowed free defensive substitutions
  2. Play 9 Bat 9 or Play 9 Bat 10 with Free Defensive Rotations with these 9/10 Players
  3. Play 9 with DH for any Defensive Player Position
  • Starters  in Options 2 and 3 may re-enter one time in their ORIGINAL batting position. Substitutes removed from a game are ineligible to return. Teams should report all substitutions to the home plate umpire and opposing score keeper.
  • If At Anytime A Player Does Not Make His Turn At Bat Due To Injury, Sickness and No Sub Is Available, That Turn At Bat is Recorded As An Out. Opposing Coach May Waive This Rule If Approached Prior To That At Bat
  • Teams May Play A Game With 7 Players – The 8th and 9th Batters In The Order Would Be Recorded As An Out With Each Flip Of The Lineup
  • Courtesy Runner at anytime for Pitcher and Catcher. Runner must be last out if batting roster and sub if batting 9 or 10 or last batted out if batting roster. Courtesy Runner can only run once per inning and only for pitcher or catcher.

Game Time Limits

  • 2025 Fall Ball Time Limits
    • 9U – 12U | 1 Hour and 30 Minutes | 1 Hour and 45 Minute Championship Games
    • 13U – 18U | 1 Hour and 40 Minutes | 2 Hour Championship Games
  • 2026 Spring / Summer Time Limits
    • Nashville:
      • 9U – 12U | 1 Hour and 30 Minutes | 1 Hour and 45 Minute Championship Games
      • 13U – 18U | 1 Hour and 40 Minutes | 2 Hour Championship Games
    • All Other Markets
      • 9U – 10U | 1 Hour and 30 Minutes | 1 Hour and 45 Minute Championship Games
      • 11U – 18U| 1 Hour and 40 Minutes | 2 Hour Championship Games
  • Youth Baseball Network Hard Stop Time Limit Rules
    • All games will revert back to the previous completed inning (once time has expired).
    • UNLESS the home team has TIED or Taken The Lead
  • At times and at certain parks, Youth Baseball Network will adjust base distances to adapt to park setups and field constraints
  • In rain shortened timed games, Youth Baseball Network does run hard stop time limits – game is stopped at designated game length (determined at ground rules), at that time score reverts to previous finished inning’s score. If you have entered the bottom half of an inning and the home team moves ahead in the game, that score will be recorded as official score

Game Procedures—Pool and Championship Play

  • Pool games will end in ties after allotted time has expired or full innings have been completed
  • If elimination games are tied after time expires, Youth Baseball Network Tie-Breaker Rules Are Played – Each team will start with the previous innings last batted on 2nd base with one out
  • The following Pool Play Tie Breakers will be used for seeding in the championship rounds
    1. Head to Head Play
      (If Only Two Teams With Same Record)
    2. Total Runs Allowed
      (Used When More Than 2 Teams Have Same Record)
      (There Is No Head To Head At This Point)
    3. Total Runs Scored
    4. Coin Flip – Done Virtually With The Youth Baseball Network Scoring System.
  • ½ Point Rule Established For Ties In Pool Play Games
  • All Forfeits, All Ages Will Be Recorded As 6 – 0 – Any Team That Forfeits A Pool Game Is Not Eligible For Bracket Play
  • Game Umpires do not have the authority to call a game forfeit.
  • Team Managers are required to verify Game Scores and Game Cards of all games immediately following completion of game. Signed game cards are the official scoring for each game played. Failure to sign Completed Game Card assumes acceptance @ 10 minutes after completion of game.

9U Pitch Rules

  • Dropped 3rd Strike Rule Does Not Apply
  • No Stealing Or Advancing To Home On Past Ball By Catcher
  • 3rd Base Runner Can Advance To Home If Play Is Made At Any Base
  • 5 Runs / Inning – Unlimited In 6th Inning Only
  • 10U Rules Apply in Nashville, TN

6U, 7U and 8U Machine

  • Max 5 Runs / Inning / Innings 1 thru 5
  • Max 10 Runs / 6th Inning
  • 1:10 Game Times Finish The Inning
  • 5 Pitches max to each batter unless umpire deems pitch as not hittable – 3 strikes and out
  • No stealing and no lead offs until ball is hit by batter into play – the runner can leave the base once the ball is hit by the batter
  • Runners can advance on live ball until one infielder has control of baseball inside of dirt infield area within the playing field. Runners Awarded Closet Base On Umpires Judgment
  • Pitchers must start to side of machine or coach prior to pitch
  • 9 or 10 Fielders Including Pitcher – Teams Have The Option To Play 4 Outfielders
  • Batted balls that hit machine OR COACH are ruled as a dead ball with each runner, including batter, advancing one base
  • No Dropped 3rd Strike / No Infield Fly Rule / No Bunting Allowed
  • Bases 60 ft – Mound 40 ft / 6 Inning Game / 1 Hour 10 Minute Time Limit
  • Innings Will Still Be Played If Time Allows  Even If One Team Can Not Match Runs Allowed
  • Run Rule – 20 After 4 Innings / 15 After 5 Innings
  • Pitching Machine Speed

7U and 8U Coach Pitch

  • Max 5 Runs/Inning – 6th Inning Unlimited
  • 5 Pitches max to each batter unless umpire deems 5th pitch as not hittable
  • 3 Strikes and Out
  • No stealing and no lead offs until ball is hit by batter into play – the runner can leave the base once the ball is hit by the batter
  • Runners can advance on live ball until one infielder has control of baseball inside of dirt infield area within the playing field. Runners Awarded Closet Base On Umpires Judgment
  • Pitchers must start to side of coach and prior to pitch
  • 7U and 8U Coach Pitch 9 or 10 Fielders – Coaches Choice
  • No Dropped 3rd Strike / No Infield Fly Rule / No Bunting Allowed
  • Bases 60 ft – Mound 40 ft / 6 Inning Game / 1 Hour 20 Minute Time Limit
  • Coach must maintain 1 foot inside pitchers circle (12 ft around rubber) and must leave field of play once ball is hit by batter
  • Innings Will Still Be Played If Time Allows  Even If One Team Can Not Match Runs Allowed
  • Run Rule – 20 After 4 Innings / 15 After 5 Innings
  • Rawlings R-100 or Equivalent

8U Kid Pitch Rules

  • Maximum of 5 runs scored per inning – all innings
    Innings Will Still Be Played If Time Allows  Even If One Team Can Not Match Runs Allowed
  • No Stealing 3rd Base or Home – Stealing Only To 2nd Base (Can Advance Only On a Defensive Play)
  • No Dropped 3rd Strike / No Infield Fly Rule / No Bat Restrictions
  • Bases 60 ft – Mound 40 ft / 6 Inning Game / 1 Hour 30 Minute Time Limit

Balks and Intentional Walks

  • In  8U and  9U, one warning per pitcher will be given before a balk is called.
  • In 10U-18U all balks will be called. All balks will be called according to Major League Rules.
  • Intentional Walk’s Will Follow MLB Rules and Policies
  • Youth Baseball Network will not use a pitch clock to track time between pitches – this major league rule will not apply

Schedule Game Time Starts

  • All Teams Should Be Prepared To Start Games 30 Minutes Prior To Scheduled Start Time As This Allows Youth Baseball Network To Keep Pace With The Over All Scheduled Tournament

Mercy Game Run Rules

  • 20 After 1 Inning
  • 15 After 2 Innings
  • 12 After 3 Innings
  • 10 After 4 Innings
  • 8 After 5 Innings

9U Specific Rules

  • Dropped 3rd Strike Rule Does Not Apply
  • No Stealing Or Advancing To Home On Past Ball By Catcher
  • 3rd Base Runner Can Advance To Home If Play Is Made At Any Base
  • 5 Runs / Inning – Unlimited In 6th Inning Only

Mercy Game Run Rules

  • All Games, All Ages—2 ½ Innings If Home Team In Lead
    or
  • 1 Hour In Time Limit Played—Score Reverts To Previous Finished Inning
  • In the event rain and if games are incomplete—games will be started over if moved to the next day due to rain and weather
  • No new inning may start after the time limit has elapsed. A new inning automatically begins after the 3rd out is recorded in the bottom half of the previous inning.
  • The official game time starts after Ground Rules Are Completed—Umpires Will Confirm Official Game Start Time With Home Book ScoreKeeper
  • Championship games have a 2 Hour time if last game of day—run rules are still in effect

Complete Game Rain Rules, All Games Complete After

  • All Games, All Ages – 2 ½ Innings If Home Team In Lead
    or
  • 1 Hour In Time Limit Played – Score Reverts To Previous Finished Inning
  • In the event rain and if games are incomplete – games will be started over if moved to the next day due to rain and weather
  • No new inning may start after the time limit has elapsed. A new inning automatically begins after the 3rd out is recorded in the bottom half of the previous inning.
  • The official game time starts after Ground Rules Are Completed – Umpires Will Confirm Official Game Start Time With Home Book ScoreKeeper

Youth Baseball Network Pitch Limits and Recommendations

Youth Baseball Tournament Directors will not be involved in counting pitches or innings pitched during Youth Baseball Network Tournaments and Events.

The responsibility of managing pitch counts and innings rests with each team’s Head Coach.

Youth Baseball Network endorses the Pitch Smart program, developed by USA Baseball and Major League Baseball. This program is a series of practical, age appropriate guidelines to help parents, players and coaches avoid overuse.

Pitch Smart

“Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the coach, parent and the athlete to ensure that the player follows the guidelines for his age group over the course of a year”

Cleats

  • Metal cleats are allowed in the 13U-18U divisions – No metal cleats on portable mounds or Turf Fields. Will result in Ejection.
  • No Metal Cleats, Gum or Seeds are to be used on Turf Fields or Turf – Portable Mounds – Zero Tolerance – Players Will Be Ejected For That Game if Caught Using Metal Cleats and/or Chewing Gum or Seeds on Turf Fields

Line-Up Cards

  • Each team should prepare a written line-up, listing first and last names and numbers of all players/subs prior to each game. Line-ups must be given to the plate umpire at ground rules. Line-up cards will be provided to each team at check-in.
  • Subs not listed on Youth Baseball Network Game Card are not eligible for that game

Slide Rules

  • Youth Baseball Network does not enforce a Mandatory Slide Rule at any base. If a player does not slide to avoid contact and if it is determined by an umpire that the play is ruled malicious with the intent to hurt, the player will be ruled out and ejected for the game in progress

Bat Restrictions

  • 13U & Under must be stamped USSSA 1.15 BPF Stamped or USA Stamped or BBCOR or WOOD
  • 14U Must Use -5  1.15 Stamped Bats or USA Stamped – BBCOR Bats  Are Allowed
  • 15U and Above Must Use BBCOR or Wood Bats with -3 Drop Ratio
  • 14U Teams Must Use BBCOR  -3 when playing up at 14U/15U Mixed Brackets
  • Wood Bat Tournaments Are Wood Only – No Composite Bats

Game and Roster Protest

  • Protests shall follow major league procedures on the field and stop play to file a protest
  • No protest of a judgment call or game outcome, and only an incorrect rule interpretation can be protested that impacts the natural course of the game. 
  • Umpire must sign both scorebooks and site the game situation. The manager then has 5 minutes to present his protest, citing the specific baseball or Youth Baseball Network rule to justify his protest to the Tournament Director along with submission of a $400  forfeit fee – cash.  If the manager does not file his protest within the 5 Minute time frame, the protest will be considered as dropped and no action will be taken by Youth Baseball Network or the Youth Baseball Network Site Director.
  • If the protest is won, the Protest Fee is returned. 
  • If the protest is lost, the fee will be forfeited.
  • Game clock does not stop during protest situations

2026 Youth Baseball Network Online Rosters

Your team was required to sanction when registering for your Youth Baseball Network 2026 Tournament(s).

You will need to add your 2026 Players to our Youth Baseball Network Online Roster System and follow all roster instructions from that point. All player parents will need to complete the roster registration form and will need to agree to the liability waiver before you can complete and submit your 2026 Youth Baseball Network Roster.  Completed rosters are required in order to play and will be transparent on the Youth Baseball Network site. 

  • Each Team Should Maintain A 2026 Youth Baseball Network Roster – all 2026 Youth Baseball Network Team Rosters are Maintained Online. Teams must  first present a online copy of their team roster and hard copy player birth certificates prior to protesting a opponent’s roster.
  • Non rostered (online) players are considered ineligible. Any team using an ineligible player will be assessed a 6-0 forfeit for game in question when roster is protested and protest awarded.
  • Youth Baseball Network 2026 Youth Baseball Network Online Roster Protest must be made in game within 30 minutes of official start time. Roster protest are not valid after completion of game.
  • All protests are not valid after completion of game.

Age Chart: Proof of Age

Youth Baseball Network Does Not Collect Birth Certificates Prior To Tournament Events

  • It is the Managers responsibility to have his players birth certificates or accepted proof of age identification in the case of any question regarding the age of his players – failure to produce birth certificates and sanctioned Youth Baseball Network Roster will result in a forfeit if roster is protested by opposing team
Age Birth Date Field Innings Max Runs Per Inning
18U Born On or After May 1st, 2007 60′-6″ x 90′ 7 Innings Unlimited
17U Born On or After May 1st, 2008 60′-6″ x 90′ 7 Innings Unlimited
16U Born On or After May 1st, 2009 60′-6″ x 90′ 7 Innings Unlimited
15U Born On or After May 1st, 2010 60′-6″ x 90′ 7 Innings Unlimited
14U Born On or After May 1st, 2011 60′-6″ x 90′ 7 Innings Unlimited
13U Born On or After May 1st, 2012 54′ x 80′ 7 Innings Unlimited
12U Born On or After May 1st, 2013 50′ x 70′ 6 Innings Unlimited
11U Born On or After May 1st, 2014 50′ x 70′ 6 Innings Unlimited
10U Born On or After May 1st, 2015 46′ x 65′ 6 Innings Unlimited
9U Born On or After May 1st, 2016 46′ x 65′ 6 Innings See Rules Section
8U Born On or After May 1st, 2017 40′ x 60′ 6 Innings See Rules Section
7U Born On or After May 1st, 2018 40′ x 60′ 6 Innings See Rules Section

Youth Baseball Network Grade Exception Rules

  • 9U Division – Players who turn 10 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 3rd grade. Also, any player turning 12 prior to September 1st will not be eligible.
  • 10U Division – Players who turn 11 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 4th grade. Also, any player turning 12 prior to September 1st will not be eligible.
  • 11U Division – Players who turn 12 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 5th grade. Also, any player turning 13 prior to September 1st will not be eligible.
  • 12U Division – Players who turn 13 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 6th grade. Also, any player turning 14 prior to September 1st will not be eligible.
  • 13U Division – Players who turn 14 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 7th grade. Also, any player turning 15 prior to September 1st will not be eligible.
  • 14U Division – Players who turn 15 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 8th grade. Also, any player turning 16 prior to September 1st will not be eligible.
  • 15U Division – Players who turn 16 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 9th grade. Also, any player turning 17 prior to September 1st will not be eligible.
  • 16U Division – Players who turn 17 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 10th grade. Also, any player turning 18 prior to September 1st will not be eligible.
  • 17U Division – Players who turn 18 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 11th grade. Also, any player turning 19 prior to September 1st will not be eligible.
  • 18U Division – Players who turn 19 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 12th grade. Also, any player turning 20 prior to September 1st will not be eligible.
All grade level exception players must have a photocopy of their birth certificate and their current report card, or official school ID with grade, or an official government document stating their grade.

Youth Baseball Network Roster Rules

  • Teams Should Keep A Copy Of Their Youth Baseball Network Roster and Be Prepared To Present During Game If Opposing Coach Questions A Player. Opposing Coach Should File Official Roster Protest With Youth Baseball Network Prior To Observing Roster. Game Clock Will Not Be Stopped During Protests Of Any Type
  • Failure To Produce A Youth Baseball Network Roster and Player Birth Certificates During Game, if protested, Will Result In Immediate Forfeit Of Game In Play
    • See Protest Rules for Roster Protest
  • Players Can Be Added and Dropped From Teams Until Thursday 11:59pm of Tournament Weekend
  • A Player Can Not Reside on Two Different Rosters – Players Can Be Released and Added To Rosters At Coaches Discretion
  • A Player Can Not Play On Two Different Teams In Same Tournament Regardless Of Age
  • Teams That Win Youth Baseball Network Tournaments After 6/12/2025 Will Play Under A Frozen Roster Scenario. At That Time  Winning Roster  Players Are Frozen To That Winning Team. These Winning Teams May Still Add Players But Said Players  Are Ineligible For Other Teams
  • Teams Found Using Ineligible Players Will Immediately Forfeit The Game Being Protested. Score Will Result In 6-0 Loss

Rules of Conduct—Disruptive Behavior

  • Youth Baseball Network strives to provide a great baseball and family atmosphere for its tournament participants and guests.  No unsportsmanlike conduct by participants or fans will be tolerated, and penalty for such behavior will be removal from the grounds for the remainder of the tournament.
  • Coaches are responsible for themselves, their players, and families at all times.  Any suspension/ejection  imposed by umpires or Youth Baseball Network officials will be served during the game in progress and the next tournament game and/or  tournament weekend. Applies for Coaches and Parents. Players are eligible for next game. Ejected Coaches or Parents will need to be outside the park or near the foul line and foul poles during the game of which they are suspended.
  • Ejected coaches and players should leave playing field and report to Tournament Check In. At the time the Tournament Site Director will escort Player or Coach Outside the Park and Playing Area. Game clock continues during ejections and all time associated with the ejection. Failure to leave the field and park in a timely manner could result in a Game Forfeit. Forfeit would result in a 6 – 0 loss.

Park Rules

  • Please remove all items, including trash, from your dugout promptly at the completion of your game.  Tournament schedules are always tight, so we ask that you clear the dugout first before talking with your team after the game.
  • Food and beverages cannot to be brought into any ballparks.  Water coolers may be brought for your team’s consumption during your game, but we ask that all other items be left at home. Coolers must be placed in team dugout.
  • Failure to comply with park Food and Beverage rules may lead to games being forfeited and subject to ejection.
  • Some parks at their discretion to charge gate fees and/or parking fees
  • No pets of any kind are allowed in any ballpark leased by Youth Baseball Network regardless of park rules.  Please help us insure the safety of our participants and the cleanliness of our facility by leaving your pets at home.
  • No Metal Spikes – No Seeds – No Gum @ Turf Facilities – Players and Coaches can be ejected for using these items

Youth Baseball Network Photo Policy

Youth Baseball Network may use film, voice or photographic records of Youth Baseball Network Tournament Participation in the activities for its promotional and/or commercial purposes. This includes (but is not limited to) social, media, and other means of marketing via photography, video, live stream, etc. 

To nominate a player for the Youth Baseball Network Elite Games, please complete the form below.

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