Men’s E

USSSA/GSL Rules Update

Batter’s Box

Entry Time: The batter has 10 seconds to enter the batter’s box after the pitcher receives the ball and the umpire signals “PLAY BALL.”
- Warning: The umpire may issue a warning for excessive delays before calling a strike.
Strikes for Delays: A strike will be called for:
- Delays exceeding 10 seconds.
- Refusing to enter the batter’s box.
- Leaving the batter’s box without justification.
- Two strikes for excessive delays result in an out.
Exceptions:
- Ball batted fair or foul.
- Forced out of the box by a pitch.
- Wild pitch or passed ball.
- Play or appeal in progress.
- Weather conditions or play warranting an exception (at the umpire’s discretion).
- Time called or a substitution made.
Penalties for Unjustified Leaving of the Box:
- A strike is called.
- Any number of strikes can be called per batter.

Pitchers

Pitching Rubber: Pitchers must toe the rubber (part of their foot must touch the rubber).

Substitutions

Announcing Substitutions: All substitutions must be announced to the home plate umpire and recorded.
Unannounced Substitutions:
- Unannounced substitutions are illegal.
- Penalty: Ejection of the illegal player. A new substitute may then be allowed.
- Appeals for illegal substitutions must be made before the next pitch.

Bat Testing

Bat Compliance: All bats must comply with the current USSSA 240 Bat Standards.
Check-in Procedure:
- Teams’ check-in 20 bats prior to their first game in Qualifiers, Regionals, and State events.
- The manager is responsible for ensuring all bats meet the USSSA 240 standard (indicated by the new USSSA stamp).
- Manager’s signature may be required upon bat inspection.
Failed Bats:
- Failed bats are retained by the tournament director until the team’s elimination.
Penalties:
- Bat without USSSA 240 Stamp:
  - Removal of the bat.
  - Ejection of the user/owner of the bat and the team manager for the duration of the tournament. If the owner cannot be identified, the manager is ejected.
  - Ejection penalties apply (see below).
- Failed Bat Used in Subsequent Tournaments:
  - Player suspension for the remainder of the year.
  - Option to surrender the bat to the Georgia USSSA office.

Code of Conduct

Unsportsmanlike Conduct:
- Inappropriate gestures, taunting, or excessive profanity may result in immediate removal from the game.
- Umpires will set parameters for acceptable language.
- Team coaches will be warned for initial offenses.
- Further violations will result in removal from the game.
Foul Language:
- Foul language is unacceptable.
- Immediate action will be taken.
- Further penalties from the USSSA National Office may apply.
Threatening Remarks:
- Threats towards players, coaches, sponsors, umpires, fans, or any individual connected to USSSA will result in immediate ejection.
- Further penalties from the USSSA National Office may apply.
Damaging Equipment:
- Damaging equipment, water coolers, bat buckets, or displaying uncontrolled anger will result in immediate ejection.
- The offending player/team is responsible for any damages.
Fighting:
- Fighting is strictly prohibited.
- Severe penalties will be assessed by the Tournament Director, UIC, and a USSSA National Representative.
- Further sanctions from the USSSA National Office may apply.

Ejections and Disqualifications

Ejected Individuals: Must leave the playing field immediately.
Penalty Determination: The Tournament Director, UIC, and Umpires involved will determine the length of the ejection.
Ejection Review: All ejections will be reported to the Georgia State Director for review and potential suspension or probation.

Important Notes:

Game Length:

Important Notes:

No grace period before game start. Be ready 30 minutes prior.
Rosters due online at usssa.com by Thursday before the event. Pending players removed after 9 pm on Friday. Rosters locked until Monday following the event.
State Director/Tournament Director can request player ID at any time.
Forfeit rule: Games start with 9 players. Less than 10 players result in automatic outs for missing players.
Protest fee: $150 per protest (refundable if upheld). Protests handled on the spot; game paused until settled.
Player ID verification: Valid ID required within 5 minutes of request or player is ruled illegal.
Spectator behavior: Teams responsible for spectators. Coaches/teams may be ejected for poor behavior.

Men’s C Division and Higher Run Rules: USSSA only – No Flip Flop for GSL

Ball Rules:

Player Rules:

One courtesy runner per inning (USSSA)
Re-entry (GSL only): Double allowed, substitute all players max 2 times per game into the same batting position.

Pitching Rules:

Home Run Rules:

Spotted Runs:

Example: REC team plays E team. The E team hits the home run limit of REC team, they spot the REC team 4 runs. E team is also the home team.

Lineup Cards:

Scoring:

Umpire keeps score.
Home team keeps scorebook. If unavailable, visiting team’s book or TD/umpire decision is used.

Ball Retrieval:

The batting team is responsible for retrieving balls out of play, including home runs and foul balls.