Fall & Spring Baseball League Rules
Gatorball Academy ● 2025-2026 events ● Leagues ●
Age Divisions
Rookie Division: Ages 4–6 (Pre-K, Kindergarten)
A Division: Ages 7–8 (1st Grade, 2nd Grade)
AA Division: Ages 9–10 (3rd Grade, 4th Grade)
AAA Division: Ages 11–12 (5th Grade, 6th Grade)
League Age Determination
Cut-Off Date: May 1, 2027
Example: If a player is 8 years old but turns 9 prior to May 1, 2027, the player is considered league age 9 unless a grade exemption applies. Grade level should be used when determining the appropriate division.
General Rules
Game Administration
No new inning may start after the allotted time has expired.
If time expires during an inning, that inning must be completed unless the home team is ahead. In this case, the bottom half of the inning shall not be played.Weather
Three (3) full innings must be completed for a game to be considered official.
If three innings are not completed, the game will be suspended and rescheduled to be finished at a later date.Mercy Rule
15-run lead after 3 innings
10-run lead after 4 innings
8-run lead after 5 inningsTied Games
Regular Season
Games may end in a tie if the score is even after the allotted innings, the time limit expires, or weather forces the game to end after three innings.
Playoffs & Championships
Games will not end in a tie and will continue until a winner is determined.
Pitching Restrictions
Applies to both regular season and playoffs.
Maximum of 3 innings per pitcher per game.
No re-entry once a pitcher is removed.General Game Rules
Free substitutions are allowed.
A minimum of 8 players is required to start a game.
Every player must play in the game, receive at least one at-bat, and play 6 defensive outs.Lineups
Teams may start with 8 players; the 9th batting position is an automatic out.
Late players are added to the bottom of the lineup upon arrival.
Rookie Division
Game Format
5 innings
1-hour time limitBat Restrictions
All 2 5/8-inch big barrel bats must have a USA Baseball stamp.
All 2 1/4-inch barrel bats may be USSSA or USA Baseball-stamped.
Any 2 5/8-inch bat without a USA Baseball stamp is illegal and must be removed from play.Offensive Rules
The entire roster bats every inning.
Maximum of 5 swings per batter; coaches use best judgment.Defensive Rules
The entire roster plays defense.
Defensive positions are rotated each inning.Coaches & Field Setup
No designated umpire; coaches make calls.
Two offensive and two defensive coaches may be on the field.Additional Rules
Runners may not advance when the pitcher has possession in the circle.
Tee adjustments are handled by coaches.
The tee must be removed when a runner advances home.
A Division
Game Format
6 innings
1 hour 15 minutesBat Restrictions
All 2 5/8-inch big barrel bats must have a USA Baseball stamp.
All 2 1/4-inch barrel bats may be USSSA or USA Baseball-stamped.
Any 2 5/8-inch bat without a USA Baseball stamp is illegal and must be removed from play.Pitching Machine
Distance: 42 feet from the rear point of home plate.
Recommended speed: 39–42 mph.Batting Rules
Each batter receives 5 pitches to put the ball in play.
If the 5th pitch is fouled off, the batter receives another pitch.
The entire roster bats.
No walks or bunting.
No hit-by-pitch awards.
Errant pitches may be disregarded at umpire discretion.
If the ball hits the machine, it is a dead ball; the batter is awarded first base.Base Running
No leading off or stealing.
One-base maximum on overthrows (live ball).
Overthrow out of play: one base plus one.Defensive Alignment
Up to 10 defensive players (1 extra outfielder).
Maximum of 5 infielders.
Pitcher must stand to the right (3rd base side) of the machine.
Catcher must be in standard position.Half Inning Ends When
5 runs are scored.
3 outs are recorded.
10 batters have batted.
AA Division
Game Format
6 innings
1 hour 30 minutesBat Restrictions
Bats must be stamped USSSA 1.15 or USA Baseball.
No restrictions on weight or length beyond stamp requirements.Pitching
Kid Pitch (46 feet)
Batting Rules
Batters are automatically out on a dropped third strike.
Base Running
No leadoffs.
Runners may steal once the ball crosses the plate.Leaving Early Penalty
If a runner leaves early and is safe, the runner returns to the last legally occupied base.
If the runner is called out, the out stands.
If the ball is hit, the defensive team may choose the result of the play or a no-pitch.Defensive Alignment
9 defensive players.
Additional Rules
No balks will be called.
AAA Division
Game Format
6 innings
1 hour 30 minutesBat Restrictions
Bats must be stamped USSSA 1.15 or USA Baseball.
No restrictions on weight or length beyond stamp requirements.Pitching
Kid Pitch (50 feet)
Batting Rules
Batters are automatically out on a dropped third strike.
Base Running
No leadoffs.
Runners may steal once the ball crosses the plate.Leaving Early Penalty
If a runner leaves early and is safe, the runner returns to the last legally occupied base.
If the runner is called out, the out stands.
If the ball is hit, the defensive team may choose the result of the play or a no-pitch.Defensive Alignment
9 defensive players.
Additional Rules
No balks will be called.
Middle School- JV division
Bat Restrictions
-5 bats must be stamped USSSA 1.15 or USA Baseball.
JV players must use -5 bats with a USSSA 1.15 or USA Baseball stamp.
If a 6th grade player does not want to swing a -5, they should play in the AAA Fall League Division.
Middle School- Varsity division
Bat Restrictions
-3 bats must be stamped BBCOR.