Baseball Manual Regular Season

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Regular Season

Baseball Game Regulations

Number of Contests allowed 

• 0 Tournaments and 26 Games or
• 1 Tournament and 23 Games or
• 2 Tournaments and 20 Games or
• 3 Tournaments and 17 Games 

Playing Rules - All games will be for seven innings (unless tied). The National Federation Baseball Rules, published by the National Federation of State High School Associations shall govern all games. See UIL calendar for playoff dates. To order a rule book contact NFHS Customer Service, PO Box 361246, Indianapolis, IN 46236-5324; Phone 800-776-3462 or Fax 317-899-7496.

Scrimmages - Teams are limited to two scrimmages (with up to four participating schools) in a calendar week, only one scrimmage is allowed during the school week. Schools may also participate in an additional scrimmage with up to four participating schools at the end of the school week (Friday after school or Saturday). There is not a limit on the number of weeks teams may scrimmage however, no scrimmages are allowed after a team plays their first interschool game.

Games Per Week - Schools are limited to one contest (game or doubleheader) per school week. From Friday after school until Saturday midnight, schools are not limited in the number of games in which they participate.

Tournaments - Tournaments may be held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Two-day tournaments can be held on Thursday/Saturday or Friday/Saturday; one-day tournaments can only be held on Saturday.

Practice/Game Balls - NOCSAE/NFHS certified baseballs are now MANDATORY for all levels of play (Varsity, SubVarsity, Junior High). Each team is responsible for its own practice and game balls for the season. 

Coaching Boxes - Student players and coaches in uniform or coaching attire representing school colors, may occupy the coaching boxes.

Pitching Limitation - See pitch count implementation here.

Pregame Warm-Up - It is recommended that batting practice be eliminated and that each team be given 10 minutes for infield and outfield workouts prior to each game.

Head Protectors - All players must wear head protectors when batting and when on the base paths.

Tie Games - National Federation Baseball Rule 4, Section 3, Article 1, Note 1: A regulation called game where a winner cannot be determined shall be counted as 1/2 game won and 1/2 game lost for each team and the game shall not be replayed, unless district minutes specify otherwise prior to the season. 

Resolving Ties in Win-Loss Percentage - Districts should outline procedures (before the season begins) for determining playoff representatives in their district. Definite procedures should be outlined (in writing) to provide orderly facilitation for teams tied in win-loss percentage. Especially remember to outline a procedure to be used when three teams are tied for second and third place. 

Game Called Before Completion - In district and non-district games if a game is called before completion of the number of innings and conditions as specified in the National Federation Baseball Rule Book, the umpire shall declare the contest “no game.” Unless otherwise specified by district minutes prior to the season, the game will be replayed from the start.

Postponement - District varsity baseball games postponed by weather or public disaster (not including illness) shall be rescheduled on the next date, other than Sunday, on which another district game is not scheduled. In the event weather or public disaster forces the makeup game to be rescheduled it shall be rescheduled on the next date as described earlier. These makeup games may be played as an exception to the school week limitation. District varsity games that are postponed by weather or public disaster, and not played on the next available date, shall be rescheduled and played on a date determined by the district executive committee, but may not be made up as an exception to the school week limitation.

Warm-Up Games - Teams that have advanced to the playoffs may schedule a warm-up game after the District Certification Date that is set by the UIL calendar and before their first playoff game if a team has not reached their allowable season limit. School week limitations still apply. Note: Prior to district certification, games left in a teams allowable season limit may be scheduled like any other regular season game.

• Exception – Warm-up games for teams who have exhausted their season limit are given a UIL exception under the following conditions:
  • Teams that are a district champion and have a first round bye.
  • The one game exception can be played only at the end of your school day on Friday, last day of instruction (with no loss of school time) or anytime on Saturday.
  • Teams having a bye in the bracket may play a warm-up game if team has not reached their allowable season limit. Game can be played at the end of your school day on Friday, last day of instruction (with no loss of school time) or anytime on Saturday.

National Federation Courtesy Runner Regulations - 

• The team at bat may use courtesy runners for the pitcher and/or the catcher as soon as they reach base. The same runner may not be used for both positions. Neither the pitcher nor the catcher will be required to leave the game under such circumstances.
• Players who have participated in the game in any other capacity are ineligible to serve as courtesy runners.
• A player may not run as a courtesy runner for the pitcher or the catcher and then be used as a substitute for another player in that half inning. 
• NOTE: An unreported courtesy runner is an illegal substitute. For illegal substitution, such substitute shall be ejected. 

Ten-Run Rule - The ten-run rule will be in effect for all games. After five (5) innings of play, if one team is ten (10) or more runs ahead of its opponent, the game shall be over (or if 4 ½ innings have been completed and the home team is ten or more runs ahead).

Scheduling on Nights Prior to Exams (STAAR) - The Commissioner of Education recommends not scheduling contests on nights prior to exams (STAAR).

Scheduling on Sunday - Schools shall not play or practice on Sunday. Do not begin a game that cannot be completed before midnight Saturday. Do not start an inning that cannot be finished before midnight Saturday. 

Coach Ejection - In addition to the penalty imposed by the local school district on a coach who is ejected from a game, the Automatic Minimum Penalty is discussed in Section 1208: Athletic Regulations of the Constitution & Contest Rules

• The automatic penalty for a coach who is ejected from a contest who is not current on their UIL Coaches Certification Program is suspension in the next contest. 

Player Ejection - Any player ejected from a contest is subject to an automatic penalty. The automatic penalty for such an ejection is as follows:

• Ejected player misses the rest of the game in which they were ejected plus all of the following game.
• Any player ejected from a contest is subject to an automatic penalty as described above. Player ejections cannot be overturned by a game official. If a coach has a question following a contest where a player was ejected, please contact the UIL.

NFHS Baseball Bat Standard - The bat, which may be a wood or non-wood product shall be a smooth cylinder implement with a knob that is permanently and securely fastened. All bats not made of a single piece of wood shall meet the Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) performance standard, and such bats shall be labeled with a silk screen or other permanent certification mark. No BBCOR label, sticker or decal will be accepted on any non-wood bat. The certification mark shall be rectangular, a minimum of one inch on each side and located on the barrel of the bat in any contrasting color to read: "BBCOR .50". There shall be no devices, attachments or wrappings that cause the handle to become flush with the knob. Molded grips are illegal. Only bats may be used in loosening up (including weighted bats for this purpose) at any location. Only bats and devices designed to remain part of the bat, such as weighted bats, batting donuts, and wind-resistant devices are legal at any location. A non-wood bat must have a safety grip of cork, tape, or composition material. The grip must extend a minimum of 10 inches, but not more than 18 inches, from the base of the knob. Slippery tape or similar material shall be prohibited. A bat made of a single piece of wood may be roughened or wound with tape not more than 18 inches from the handle end of the bat. No foreign substance may be added to the surface of the bat beyond 18 inches from the end of the handle. No foreign substance may be inserted into the bat. NOTE: Effective January 1, 2012 shall meet the Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR). 

NOCSAE Standard for Catcher's Headgear - The NOCSAE standard for a catcher's headgear is in effect and MANDATORY for all levels of play (Varsity, Sub-Varsity, Junior High). The NOCSAE standard for a catcher's helmet and mask only applies to products where the helmet and face guard (mask) are attached together by some means, either permanent means or something as simple a Velcro. It is not possible for a catcher's face guard (mask) or a catcher's helmet to be NOCSAE tested and certified as individual units. If however these individual units are used together in a combination intended by the manufacturer(s), they have to be tested together to the NOCSAE standard in that combination in order to be legal. Remember the face guard (mask) portion must attach to the helmet, and only the helmets will have the NOCSAE stamp. This means that it will be virtually impossible for umpires on the field to determine if different manufactured components have been tested and certified together. If the umpires have any doubt regarding the legality of any combination, then the umpires shall require the head coach to provide written documentation verifying the legality of that combination in question. The written verification shall include a statement indicating that the individually manufactured components of the combination have been tested and certified together as called for in the standard. Any helmet and mask combination that has been manufactured together as a single unit (hockey style helmets) and has been certified to meet the NOCSAE standard will have their stamp on it. Umpires can then tell if it is a legal helmet by the identifying stamp. The stamp is depicted in the NFHS Baseball Rules Book and the NFHS Web site. 

Officials

Please refer to the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules, Section 1204 on the UIL website, for the latest information regarding officials (fee schedule, tournament fees, travel reimbursement, mileage calculator, scrimmage fees, other allowable expenses, scratch form, evaluation form, FAQs, etc.)

Assignment of Officials Out of The UIL Office

• Member schools shall use registered officials in all varsity contests.
• Neutral Officials. In all contests, schools should always attempt to secure neutral officials who have no affiliation with either school. 

• The two schools have the right to “scratch” any chapters or officials they wish. However, the UIL office urges the use of discretion in scratching entire chapters or areas.
  • NOTIFICATION: When names of officials are received by the visiting school, the visiting school shall immediately notify the host school if officials are not satisfactory. Failure of the visiting school to solicit names of officials from the home school within four days of the contest constitutes agreement.
• To request officials from the UIL office, utilize the Baseball Officials Assignment Request Form. This form will go directly to the UIL office, and all correspondence will be via email. 

• After the schools have indicated officials and/or chapters they do not want, the UIL office then contacts a chapter not scratched and requests officials. Schools are not permitted to talk with representatives of the chapter once they have agreed for the League to assign officials. 

• Once the officials have been assigned out of the UIL office, the schools may not request a change in the assignment and must pay the assigned officials if they are not used, unless:

  • a. The UIL office makes a mistake by contacting a chapter which the schools have indicated they do not want.
  • b. Communication problems between the school which contacted the UIL and the opponent results in officials being assigned from a chapter which one school had scratched. 

• The UIL recommends that officials or chapters not acceptable be written down at the meeting, reviewed by each school to see if the list is complete and accurate, and signed by school authorities from both schools. This should be a part of the contract procedure and a copy retained by each school. 

• Once a game has begun there shall be no protest based on the selection of game officials. Beginning a contest constitutes agreement. 

• Payment of officials (for all games other than tournament games) shall be according to Section 1204 in the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules. 
 https://www.uiltexas.org/athletics/officials-fee-schedule

Allowable Contests

According to State Board of Education mandates, students may only participate on one day per activity during the school week.

• **Exception: District varsity contests postponed due to weather or public disaster may also be scheduled during the school week, but must be rescheduled and played on the next available date following the postponement in order to be played as an exception. 

Post-season competition may also be scheduled as an exception to the one contest during the school week. School week means the week beginning at 12:01 am on the first instructional day of a calendar week (defined as 12:01 am on Sunday through midnight on Saturday) and ends at the close of instruction on the last instructional day of the calendar week, excluding holidays. Post-district play means competition in UIL playoff series or contests such as bi-district, area, regional, etc.

Scrimmages and Games - The school is limited to one scrimmage (with up to four participating schools) during the school week. Schools may also participate in an additional scrimmage with up to four participating schools at the end of the school week (Friday after school or Saturday). 

Schools are limited to one contest (game or doubleheader) per school week. From Friday after school until Saturday midnight, schools are not limited in the number of games in which they participate. A school could play on Tuesday and after school on Friday, in addition to a Thursday/Friday/Saturday tournament during the same calendar week. 

UIL/TEA Side-by-Side - UIL limits participation in contests per calendar week in some sports. For UIL, participation is defined as a student actually entering a contest. Example: On Tuesday night, the student's name is on the scorebook, but the student remains on the bench and does not actually enter the game. This does not count as participation in a UIL contest according to UIL (but does count according to state law. The student cannot participate again until Friday after school). The Tuesday game does not as one of the games UIL permits the student to participate in for that calendar week or for the season because the student did not enter the game. 

• Baseball/Softball:
  • a single game: or
  • a double header (a student could play two back-to-back varsity games or in a varsity and junior varsity game, at the same site same night)

Each game counts as one of the student's total games for the season. Students may play additional games at the conclusion of that school week because UIL does not limit the number of games per calendar week in these two team sports.

District Certification

• The DEC shall determine the place and/or time of matches in case of disagreement between two schools.
• If not previously scheduled, a district executive committee may authorize a single elimination match or tournament to resolve district ties. A one-match play-off could break a two-way tie. A single elimination tournament could resolve a tie between three or more schools.
  • NOTE: These matches must be completed by the district certification deadline and will not count against the allowable matches if not previously scheduled. Tie-breakers must be held in compliance with calendar week and school week restrictions. If the district executive committee schedules any other matches or tournaments as part of their method for determining play-off representatives, the matches played must count in the match or tournament limitation.
• The district executive committee may permit district varsity baseball matches postponed by weather or public disaster (not including illness), to be played as an exception to the two-matched-contests per-week rule, provided that they are rescheduled and played on the next available date, other than Sunday, on which another district match is not scheduled. Junior varsity, freshman and junior high teams may not play postponed matches as an exception.
• The State Executive Committee shall have jurisdiction in all disputes arising between districts. 

Guarantees for Contests

 

• In district and non-district games/matches, unless there is mutual agreement or a district executive committee ruling, the home team is entitled to 100% of the gate receipts.
• In play-off games, the visiting team shall have a sufficient guarantee to cover expenses and also 50% of the net gate receipts unless mutually agreed upon by both schools.
• A demand of a flat guarantee, which is clearly in excess of expenses, shall upon action of the district or State Executive Committee, disqualify the offending team from further participation. A flat guarantee for a visiting team’s expenses shall be in lieu of expenses and shall be calculated as expenses of the game, prior to division of the net gate receipts.
• Expenses of visiting team, officials, advertising, labor, services, and printing incidental to the contest, shall be considered as expenses of the game. The number of persons allowed upon expense accounts shall be agreed upon by school administrators of teams involved. Unless mutually agreeable otherwise, the home team shall furnish a playing field or court without cost to the visiting school.

 

Videotaping/Filming

Non-Conference and District Contests

• Videotaping/Filming by Schools
  • It is a violation to film or videotape a non-conference or district athletic contest in which your school or team is not competing unless prior consent of the two schools involved has been obtained.
  • A school does not have to obtain permission to film or tape a NON-CONFERENCE OR DISTRICT contest in which it is competing. However, the film or videotape shall not be utilized until after the contest has been completed.
• Films and videotapes become the property of the school doing the filming unless by district rule or by consent of the schools involved in the contest.
• Videotaping/Filming by Individuals - Any individual (other than the officially designated school camera) taping or filming must have prior permission from the schools involved in the contest and may not obstruct the view of other spectators of the contest.
• Commercial Uses. The use of the films or tapes for commercial purposes must be approved by all schools involved in the contest.

 

Pep Bands

• The UIL does allow “pep” bands to play at baseball games during pre-game, time-outs, in between innings, and post-game. Musical instruments may not be used as noisemakers during the contest. The “pep” band shall not be located behind or near the opposition’s dugout.
• If a “pep” band does perform the following guidelines should be followed to ensure a full appreciation of the group’s performance. Band directors are reminded that as a courtesy to the teams and cheerleaders of both schools, performances by the band should be limited to appropriate times.
• Guidelines listed below indicate appropriate playing times for the band:
  • The band may play before the game begins. The director should coordinate the schedule so that the host school may introduce team members.
  • The band may play during time outs and in between sets of the contest.
  • The band may play at the end of the contest if desired. 

 

Baseball Tournament Regulations

Baseball Tournament Regulations