OFFICIAL RULES

Pacific Baseball follows Major League Baseball rules with the exceptions and modifications listed below.

Local rules may vary by field and age division. Please contact your Tournament Director with any questions.

A baseball player running on the field while holding a red helmet, with teammates in the background near the dugout.

#1. Courtesy Runner

May be used at any time for the pitcher or catcher of record from the previous defensive inning

Courtesy runner must be a player not currently in the lineup

If no non-lineup players are available, the courtesy runner will be the last batted out

Baseball players sitting on a team bench, wearing striped uniforms and blue helmets, with some drinking water and holding bats, under a wooden sheltered area.

#2. Battling Lineup Options

Teams may bat 9, 10, 11 players, or the entire roster

Games may begin with 8 players

The 9th batting position is an automatic out until a player becomes available

Designated Hitter (DH) is allowed

A young baseball player wearing a blue helmet, striped jersey, and white pants stands at home plate with a bat, ready to hit, on a baseball field during sunset.

#3. Extra Hitters

  • 10th hitter: Extra Hitter (EH)

  • 11th hitter: Extra-Extra Hitter (XH)

  • EH/XH may bat in any spot in the order

  • EH/XH are treated like any other position for substitutions

Youth baseball team in uniform huddles on the field during a game, with some players embracing and raising a glove.

#4. Player Minimum

An official game may be played with 8 players

With 8 players:

An out is recorded for the 9th batting spot each time through the order

Additional players may be added to the bottom of the lineup once available

A pair of blue and white athletic cleats on a grassy field.

#5. Cleats Policy

Steel cleats are NOT allowed for ages 8U–12U

A young baseball pitcher in a blue and white uniform throws a pitch on the mound at a baseball field.

#6. Pitching Limits

(2- or 3-Day Events)

9U–12U

3 innings max in a day to pitch the next day

6 innings max per day

8 innings max total over 2–3 days

13U–14U

3 innings max in a day to pitch the next day

7 innings max per day

8 innings max total over 2–3 days