Rules & Guidelines

Rules & Guidelines

πŸ₯Ž 2026 Utah USSSA/GSL Rules & Guidelines

Applies to Men’s & Women’s E, D & C Divisions


πŸ•’ Game Time Limits

  • Qualifiers: 55-minute time limit

  • USSSA State, GSL State, Super Regional NIT:
    ➀ 7 innings or 75 minutes, whichever comes first


πŸ’£ Home Run Rules

USSSA Events:

  • E Division: 1 HR per team β†’ Excess = IEO (Inning Ending Out)

  • D Division: 3 HR per team β†’ Excess = IEO

  • C Division: 5 HR per team β†’ Excess = DBO (Dead Ball Out)

GSL Events:

  • E Division: 1 HR + 1 DHH β†’ Excess = IEO

  • D Division: 3 HR + 1 DHH β†’ Excess = IEO

  • C Division: 5 HR + 1 DHH β†’ Excess = DBO


πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ Courtesy Runners

  • 1 courtesy runner allowed per inning, per team


πŸ₯Ž Bat & Ball Rules

Bat Rule

  • Only 240-stamp bats allowed

  • ❌ Unstamped bat = player out + ejected

  • ❌ Altered bat = player ejected from entire tournament

Ball Rule

  • 3 Game Balls provided per team, per tournament

  • Approved Balls:

    • Classic M/W

    • Pro M/W

    • Hard-Core (with USSSA/GSL stamp)

  • ❌ NO Onyx balls or anything rated above 44-375


πŸ‘₯ Roster/Game Rules

10-Player Rule

  • Teams may start with 9 players
    ➀ Must take an out in the 10th spot
    ➀ 10th player may be added at any time

Game Start

  • No grace period β€” games may start up to 30 mins early

  • Lineups must be submitted and teams must be ready 30 mins before game time

  • ⚠️ If not ready = FORFEIT

  • First game of the day starts on time (not early)


🚫 Disciplinary Rules

  • Fighting/Physical Contact = 30-day to 1-year suspension

  • All incidents reviewed by:

    • Tournament Director

    • State UIC

    • Umpire involved

    • State Director


πŸͺͺ Player Cards Required

  • ❌ Any player caught playing without a 2026 USSSA Player Card
    ➀ Will be suspended until card is purchased and activated


πŸ“– Official Rules

  • All events follow USSSA/GSL Rules unless specifically modified by Utah State By-Laws


βš–οΈ Equalizer Runs (When Needed)

Matchup Equalizer
E vs. D E chooses: Home team OR 4 runs (2/inning for 2 innings)
E vs. C E gets Home team AND 6 runs (2/inning for 3 innings)
D vs. C D chooses: Home team OR 4 runs (2/inning for 2 innings)
D vs. B/Above D gets Home team AND 6 runs (2/inning for 3 innings)
C vs. B/Above C chooses: Home team OR 4 runs (2/inning for 2 innings)

πŸ”Ί Division Placement for Non-State Events

Men’s Division

  • Teams with any C players = Upper Division

  • Lower Division = D Elite and below only

Coed Division

  • Teams with any C players (male or female) = Upper Division

  • Lower Division = D Elite and below only

Combined Brackets

  • If Uppers and Lowers play together:
    ➀ Lower team gets home team + 5 runs (2 per inning for 3 innings)

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