​BASIN BASH TOURNAMENT RULES & REGULATIONS 2025

The tournament will be governed by Official MLB Rules with the following exceptions:
Detailed Rule Link

Field Use Policy

  • Teams playing on the High School Fields (UHS-B and UHS-S) may not eat seeds in the dugout or on the field. A $500.00 fine will be imposed on teams that violate this rule.​
  • Teams playing on the UHS-S High School School-Softball Fields or pitching off of artificial mounds may not wear metal cleats.

​​Roster & Eligibility

  • All teams must have rosters completed and submitted to Tournament Director Derrick Jaramillo prior to the tournament.
  • All teams must bring birth certificates. These will only be checked upon request by the Tournament Director.
    Penalty: If a player is not of legal age and a birth certificate cannot be produced, the player will be ineligible to continue for the remainder of the tournament. This is not retroactive.
  • Age Divisions are determined by the player's age on April 30, 2025.
    • Grade Exception: Players in the corresponding grade will be allowed to play even if not age-eligible by date.
    • Submit a birth certificate and current school report card to the Tournament Director at least 1 week before the tournament for approval.

​Player & Team Rules

  • Players may not play on more than one team in the same age division, but may play up in a higher division.
  • Pitching rules apply across both teams if a player plays in two divisions.
  • Home team is listed first in pool play. Higher seed will be the home team in bracket play.
  • 8–10U: 6 innings, 9-run rule after 4, 15 after 3.
  • 11–14U: 7 innings, 9-run rule after 5, 15 after 4, 20 after 3.
  • Game time limit:
    • 8–10U: 6 innings or no new inning after 1h 40m
    • 11–14U: 7 innings or no new inning after 1h 40m
    • Championship games: 2-hour time limit
  • Tied Pool Play Games end in a tie. No extra innings unless time permits (then use International Tie-Breaker).
  • 4 innings or 1 hour constitutes a complete game if called for any reason.

8U–10U Special Rules

  • 8-run rule per half inning (except for over-the-fence home runs or final inning)
  • Extra innings begin with a runner on 2nd
  • Runners may steal after ball crosses the plate
  • No leadoffs or stealing early; runners must return if they leave early and are not put out
  • No dropped 3rd strike rule for 9U & 10U

Pitching Rules

  • No metal cleats on artificial mounds.
  • No faking pickoffs to 3rd while on rubber.
  • One in-game pitch = 1 inning pitched.
  • If a player throws more than 4 innings in a single day, they must rest 36 hours.
  • Max innings:
    • 7 innings/day
    • 9 innings total for the tournament
  • Starting pitcher may re-enter once.
  • Pitching logs will be recorded by the umpire. Coaches must verify after each game.
  • Pitching eligibility challenges must go through tournament staff—not opposing coaches.
  • To pitch on Championship Day, players must have participated in at least 2 pool play games.

Batting & Lineup Rules

  • Starters may re-enter once, in the same batting spot.
  • No limit to batting lineup length, but minimum 9 batters required.
  • Unlimited defensive substitutions.
  • Cleats: No restrictions except no metal cleats on portable mounds.
  • Bat Rules: Governed by USSSA standards.
    • 14U: Must use -3 BBCOR or wood bats only.
  • Bat boys are not allowed in dugouts or on the field.

Scoring & Scorekeeping

  • Home team is official scorer unless designated otherwise.
  • GameChanger or paper scorebooks are acceptable.
  • Official scorecards are maintained by the umpire and must be confirmed by both coaches.
  • These scorecards determine bracket seeding and must be verified by the coaches immediately after the game.

Conduct, Protests & Safety

  • No protests on judgment calls. Protests on rule interpretation must be accompanied by a $100 non-refundable fee.
  • Any malicious contact = automatic ejection.
  • Runners must slide, avoid contact, or give up.
  • Must-slide rule enforced on double plays.
  • Ejections: Offender must remain out of sight and sound for the remainder of the current and next scheduled game.
  • Only 2 coaches outside the dugout during play (excluding base coaches).
  • Speed-up rule applies for catchers (use last batted out).
  • No infield before games.
  • Pitchers get max 6 warm-up pitches between innings.
  • Clear dugouts immediately post-game. Hold team meetings outside dugouts.

Tiebreaker Rules (Seeding & Advancement)

  1. Best Record
  2. Head-to-Head (only if all tied teams played each other)
  3. Run Differential (max +7 per game)
  4. Fewest Runs Allowed
  5. Coin Flip
  • Awards: Given to 1st and 2nd place teams in both Gold and Silver brackets.

Rainout & Cancellation Policy

  • 60% refund if no games are played
  • 40% refund if 1 game is completed
  • No refund if 2+ games completed

    Cancellation Refunds:
  • 90% refund if cancelled 10+ days before tournament
  • No refund if cancelled 9 days or less before tournament
  • $50 processing fee is non-refundable

Final Notes

  • Show respect to the umpires, your players, your opponents, and most of all--this great game.