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Rules | Tournaments | Results | Points | Classification

SPECIAL WASHINGTON STATE RULES: See Items of Interest

NEW FOR 2008:

  1. 7n3 Championship Tournament Series (see below).
  2. Batting - May bat up to 12 players.
  3. Bases - 65' to 70' base paths will be used.
  4. Home Runs - Do not have to run home runs out (over the fence home runs).
  5. New floating rubber - Pitching rule is now 6' maximum behind the pitching rubber. (National Rule).
  6. Illegal/Altered Bat: If a batter hits the ball with an illegal or altered bat, the batter may be suspended from further USSSA play. (See National Rule Book, Rule 7, Section 2B). USSSA Washington will enforce the National USSSA By-Laws.

Rules Menu

SPECIAL RULES:

  1. PITCHING DISTANCE:  (See Items of Interest)
  2. COURTESY RUNNER RULE (See Items of Interest)
  3. LESS THAN TEN (10) PLAYERS RULE (See Items of Interest)
  4. EXCESSIVE HOME RUN RULE: (See Items of Interest)
  5. EQUALIZER RULE: The run spot is four (4) runs per class.
  6. RUN RULE: The run rule is twelve (12) to include the spot for equalizers.

 

CLASSIFICATION:  (Washington State Only -- For National Play, see rule book.)

The Mixed Program will be made up of the following classifications:

Major: (A+/A and B) A teams can consist of male players from a class "A" men's team or below and female players from any level of women's teams. Any team carrying a major mens player will be classified as A+ and must have approval from the program director. B teams can only consist of male players from a class "B" men's team or below and female players from any level of women's teams. No male player allowed whose name appears on the Men's Major Players' list.Four (4) home runs per team allowed.

C: (C+ and C) These teams can only consist of male players from a class "C" men's team or below and are open to female from any level of women's teams. Two (2) home runs allowed.

D: (D+ and D) These teams can only consist of male players from a class "D" men's team or below and are open to female players from class "C" women's teams or below. One (1) + one (1) home run allowed - up to 2 home runs.

E: These teams can only consist of male players from a class "E" men's team or below and are open to female players from class "D" women's teams or below. One (1) home run allowed.

Rec:  These teams can only consist of male players from a class “E” men’s team or below and are open to female players from class “E” women’s teams or below.  No "E+" male players allowed at this level. No home runs allowed. Note: For 2008 all teams will start as “E” and be moved accordingly.

In the case of an equalizer, the teams will play to the UPPER classification rules.

Double Points will be offered to lower classification teams in Equalizer tournaments.

EQUALIZER:

  1. Equalizer means run differential.
  2. The lower classified team will be awarded a run differential when playing a higher classified team.
  3. The twelve (12) run rule will be used, including the run spot.
  4. In all programs the team receiving the run spot will receive the runs at the start of the game, and are not required to score a run prior to receiving their run spot.
  5. The lower classified team that is due to receive a run spot will not be allowed to decline the spot, even if both managers agree prior to the game.
  6. RUN DIFFERENTIAL PER CLASS:

    Men's Program (A thru E) Two (2) runs per 1/2 class
    Men's Program (E to Rec) Three (3) runs
    Women's Program Two (2) runs per 1/2 class
    Mixed Program Two (2) runs per 1/2 class
    Church Program (Major+/Major) Three (3) runs
    Church Program (Competitive+/Competitive) Three (3) runs
    Church Program (Recreational+/Recreational) Three (3) runs
    Church Program (Novice+/Novice) Four (4) runs

EXAMPLE: A Women’s “D” team would receive a 4 run spot from a “C” team, etc. The home run rule of the lower classified team will be used.  The home run rule of the lower classified team will be used. The higher classified team will always have its choice of being the visiting or home team, except when involved in a catch-up procedure where the '1/2' run rule is used.  Any time two teams of the same classification are playing each other, a coin flip will be used.  Neither the Umpire, Tournament Director, or the coaches can alter the above rules.

The USSSA Mixed Program Director has the right to deviate from this policy on a case by case basis.

** (Note: Pick up player rule changed for 2008 season.  Any player may pick up one time for another mixed team at the same level or higher and return to their existing team without penalty. Picking up a second time for the same team will be counted as each player’s one roster move and they may not return to their existing team for the current calendar year.  A player may pick up for up to two teams (twice) in one season.)**

No player shall be allowed to play on more than one team at the same tournament.  The player and manager will be disciplined for such action.

 

QUALIFYING FOR STATE & WORLD TOURNAMENTS:

SUMMER STATE:

  1. Teams must participate in at least three (3) USSSA Mixed events, league counting as one (1) event. Eastern Washington teams must play in at least two (2) events. League will count as event only with no points being awarded for league participants.
  2. Teams will be allowed one male and one female pickup player for their state roster.  All other players must have appeared or played on the team’s regular tournament roster.
  3. Participation in the Summer State Championship does not count as an event.
  4. Teams not earning berths by winning tournaments may be awarded berths by participation points on a space available basis.
  5. Teams that have been awarded a World berth are required to participate in the State Championships or Mixed Championships. Exception: Teams that form after July 20th are required to play in the Mixed Championships.
  6. Seeding awarded at State Tournaments will be determined by “highest points earned”.
  7. The draw for all State Tournaments will be held seven (7) days before the event.

 

MIXED 7 AND 3 PROGRAM RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR TOURNAMENT PLAY

7n3 CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT SERIES:

  1. 7n3 Championship Series teams that played the summer schedule will retain their summer classification unless a reason exists to do otherwise.
  2. QUALIFYING FOR THE 7n3 MIXED CHAMPIONSHIPS: Your team can qualify under either guideline as indicated: OPTION (#1): Your team must compete in three (3) events for the 2008 season. Your team may count a USSSA sanctioned league as one event, you will not be allowed to count two leagues. Your team will also be allowed to count the Summer State Championship as one event. OPTION (#2): Your team must play in one Fall 7n3 Mixed Championship Series events. USSSA Mixed sanctioned leagues or the Mixed Championship will count as an event.
  3. Teams not earning berths to the 7n3 Mixed Championship Series through tournament play will be awarded berths based on points earned through tournament participation.
  4. Participation in the Summer Mixed Championships does not count as an event.
  5. Rosters and monies must be sent to the 7 and 3 Mixed Program Director ten (10) days prior to the event.


7 and 3 RULES of Play

There will be 2 divisions:


UPPER--All Registered A/B/C teams will play this division. No major players allowed. No more than a combination of two (2) 'A' players or two (2) 'B' players allowed to play in the upper division.


LOWER--All D and E teams (your team can have 2 players of D male players all others males must be Rec. or E); female players must be D level or below.


These are guidelines, but upon review your team may be put up or down.


The Line Up

7 and 3

Male-Male-Woman until you run out of females.

Or Woman-Male-Male-Woman until you run out of females.

6 and 4

You can start Male–Male-Woman and alternate the rest of the order.

5 and 5

The same as the regular program.

Females in the field must bat in the top 10 spots of your order. You can bat up to 12 players (after the 10th spot you must have a male and female to bat 12). You can bat 11 if the 11th spot is a female - no "out" for the 12th spot.

Walks
Walking a male batter with a male batter next, the male batter will be awarded only first base. With a female behind a male batter being walked the male batter will go to 2nd and the female will have the choice to walk or hit (the female must be standing in the on-deck area. If the female is not in the on-deck area and the male walks she will have to hit. The defense can appeal after the first legal pitch to contest that the female is not in the on-deck area.)

Home Runs

Upper Division is 2 (two) home runs progressive to 4 (four).
Lower Division is 1 (one) home run progressive to 2 (two).

Spots

A 7 and 3 Team playing a 6 and 4 team will result in a spot of 3.
A 7 and 3 Team Playing a 5 and 5 team will result in a spot of 6.

Females

You must have a minimum of 3 females to play. If you lose a female down to 2, your team will forfeit.

Other

There is a six (6) run spot if an upper team plays against a lower team.
All other rules will follow Washington USSSA rules.

Defense

If your team begins defensive play with "7 & 3" or "6 & 4" or "5 & 5" your team must play defense the same way for the complete game; no switching during the game.

 

 

MIXED PROGRAM DIRECTOR:

Tony Edwards: 206-948-7031; email: tedwards@amfam.com

7 AND 3 MIXED PROGRAM DIRECTOR:

Tom Israelson: 206-841-9955; email: israelsontj@comcast.net