ITEMS OF INTEREST

(WASHINGTON STATE RULES ONLY)

These Rules will not be used in N.I.T.'s, National, or World Tournaments.

1. Men's 'E', Women's 'D' Program Tournaments: Each team will be allowed ONE HOME RUN PER TEAM PER GAME.
2. Dead Ball Out / Home Run (Penalty): In Men's 'D', 'E', and 'REC'; Women's 'C', 'D', and 'E'; Church- All Classes; and Mixed 'E', the penalty for exceeding the allowable home run limits will result in a dead ball out and one run being awarded to the other team, except in the 7th inning or beyond, OR at any time the run awarded would result in the game ending because of the run rule (would result in a dead ball out only in this case). When participating in an equalizer tournament the higher classified team will play to the lower classification rules. This rule is in effect on fields with fence distances of 285 feet or more. If the field distance is less than 285 feet, the tournament director will have the option of modifying this rule, which must be included in the printed rules of the tournament.
3. Courtesy Runner: In Men's, Women's, Church ‘Major+ & Major’, ‘Competitive+ & Competitive’, ‘Recreational+ & Recreational’, and Mixed (all classifications), teams will be allowed one (1) Courtesy Runner. In the Church ‘Novice+ & Novice’ program, two (2) Courtesy Runners will be allowed. In the Mixed Program, one person of each gender may be replaced and the courtesy runner will be the last available player of the same gender. In all other programs, the courtesy runner will be the player who made the 'last out' in the scorebook. In all programs, the person needing the courtesy runner must be identified at the pre-game meeting with the Umpire and must be a part of the starting line-up. The privilege of a courtesy runner cannot be transferred to another player after the start of the game. After announcing that you want the use of a courtesy runner, you must use one every time the identified batter reaches base safely. If you fail to insert the courtesy runner prior to the next pitch, you will lose the privilege for the remainder of the game. However, in an attempt to stop teams from using this rule as an offensive weapon, an opposing coach has the right to insist that the proper courtesy runner take their position on the base at any time prior to the completion of the next batters turn at bat. At any time during the first five innings of play, in the event of an injury to a batter that cannot continue to run the bases and the team has no other substitute available, the last batter in the order at the time of the injury will be allowed to run for the injured player. The coach must agree that for the rest of the game the injured player cannot return to the lineup for any reason, and a substitute will not be allowed to be inserted for the rest of the game. After the time at bat in question, the spot in the lineup will be an automatic out for the remainder of the game and the team must continue to play short that position in the lineup for the duration of the game.
4. Batting the line-up: In all programs and all classifications (with the exception of Church) teams will be allowed to start a game with a maximum of 12 players in the batting rotation.  At any time during the game any 10 of these players may take a defensive position on the field and must maintain their original spot in the batting rotation. (Church Program: All classes may bat the lineup).
5. Profanity: Profanity or unsportsmanlike conduct is subject to ejection and/or suspension from USSSA.
6. Less Than Ten (10) Players In A Tournament: A minimum of nine (9) players can start a game. However, an out shall be declared when the 10th position in the line-up is scheduled to bat. A 10th player may be added in the 10th position anytime before the end of the game. Any team that starts a game with more than ten (10) players may drop down, due to injury OR ejection, to the minimum of nine players to finish the game. All vacant spots in the line-up will be declared an out every time that line-up position is due to bat. If the team starts with nine (9) or ten (10) players, they are not allowed to add an 11th player at a later time. Any player that leaves the game for any reason may not return to the game. EXCEPTION: A player who has left the game under the Blood Rule may return. (This is now a National Rule). Mixed Program: Any team that starts a game with ten (10) or twelve (12) players and is unable to continue to field ten (10) or twelve (12) players due to injury or ejection will be allowed to complete the game with nine (9) or eleven (11) players. The player that is removed due to injury or ejection will be ineligible for the remainder of the game. That players' position in the batting order will then be an automatic out for the remainder of the game.
7. Pitching Rule:In any game, the pitcher will have the option of pitching from the standard 50 foot plate, or from any point up to 6 feet behind the pitching plate that is within the width of the existing pitching plate.  All pitching rules that apply to the pitcher’s actions before and during the release of the pitch (with the exception of the pivot foot being in contact with the pitching plate), along with the restrictions on height, speed, etc. shall remain the same.
8. Berths: Any team that declines or does not pay for a berth on time cannot be awarded a berth at the end of the season on points. The only way for team to advance to postseason play one a berth has been rescinded is to earn it through an Invitational tournament.
9. Ball Rule: In Men's class 'A', 'B', 'C', and ‘D’ tournaments, Men’s Fall D/E tournaments, Church class 'Major+/Major', 'Competitive+/Competitive' tournaments, and Mixed Class 'A', 'B', 'C' tournaments, the Tournament Director will supply one new and one used ball at the start of the game. If any more balls are needed during the game, they will be supplied by the team that hits the ball out of play. The ball supplied by the team must be acceptable by the umpire. The umpire will return two balls to the Tournament Director at the conclusion of the game. In some cases, when teams are hitting too many balls out of the park, a Tournament Director will be permitted to ask teams of a lower classification to provide additional balls.
10. 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). USSSA Washington will enforce the National USSSA By-Laws
11. Tie Breaker Rule / Extra Inning Games: In all programs, the player that makes the last out of the previous inning will be placed on second base for the start of the inning. The game will then proceed under the normal rules governing the tournament. If the last out of the previous inning is unable to take a position on second base, he/she will be done for the remainder of the game and the next to last out will be placed on second base. If a team has a member on its roster that has not played in the game in progress, a substitution may be made. Each team will be allowed three outs each time at bat. (Washington State only).
12. The Draw for all State Tournaments will be held seven days before the event (Except Church).
13. Program Directors, with the approval of the State Director, can deviate from any rules or policies within these or other published or printed rules.