The American Baseball Association plays with standard Major League rules, with modifications to enhance youth play. Complete rules for the 2009 season are below.
| 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | 4th Place | All Other Teams |
| 400 Points | 200 Points | 100 Points | 50 Points | 25 Points |
Bonus Points: On top of Placing Points, teams will also receive Bonus Points. Our Bonus Points system is structured to award addition points to teams for achievements on the field, which take out “judgment decisions”.
Least Runs Allowed: 25 Points (If multiple teams are tied, all teams will receive 25 points each)
Strikeouts: 1 Point for each strikeout your pitcher(s) record(s).
Double Plays: 5 Points for each defensive double play your teams records.
Shutout:5 Points if your team does not allow any runs for the game.
Hits: No points will be recorded for hits to eliminate judgment scoring decisions.
3.02 ~ Regional Championships Tournaments The American Baseball Association will host one Regional Championship Tournament in regions across the country; the winners of each Regional Championship Tournament will advance to the ABA Super Regional’s.
3.02A ~ Each team across the country who has the highest point total for the AMERICAN Division in there region will receive an automatic birth to the ABA Super Regional’s.
3.02B ~ In the situation that the winning team of a Regional Championship is also the team with the highest point total for the American Division, then the team played in the Championship will receive the 2nd automatic birth from that region.
3.02C ~ A team once having qualified for the Super Regionals has a roster that is official. No new players can be added. Teams will move forward into the Super Regionals with the official roster as of the Regional Championships.
3.02D ~ In the event a team who qualified for the Super Regionals in unable to attend, the American Baseball Association will extend the team entry to the highest team for that region in the point standings.
3.03 ~ The Super Regional’s The American Baseball Association’s Super Regional’s are the 2nd step along the way of winning the ABA World Series. Each National Region (West, Central, South, & East) will be divided into 2 (16 team) super regional tournaments. Teams will play in 4 (4) team pools. Winners of each Super Regional will play to see who advances to ABA World Series.
3.04 ~ The ABA World Series Winners of each Super Regional will advance to play in the ABA World Series. Final 8 teams play in 2 (4) team pools. Winners of those pools play for the National Championship.
Rule 4.0 ~ Code of Conduct
All players, coaches, umpires, and fans shall exhibit the highest standards of sportsmanship at all ABA tournaments. Derogatory language, unruly behavior or any type of physical abusiveness will result in the offending person(s) being removed from the tournament. Multiple offenses will result in lifetime expulsion from all future ABA tournaments.
4.01 Ejections ~ Any player, coach or fan ejected from any game will result in an automatic 1 game suspension for the following game.
4.02 Ineligible Players ~ Any team found to use an ineligible player will result in an automatic loss for that team. Teams with multiple offensives risk the Penalty of Disbarment.
4.03 Suspensions ~ Any player, coach or fan ejected, also risks the penalty of being suspended from ANY and ALL American Baseball Association events for a time period the ABA deems appropriate.
4.04 Rules of Disbarment ~ Any player, coach or fan, in the event of an offense the American Baseball Association deems to damage the integrity of the game, or any other offense the American Baseball Association deems inappropriate, risks the penalty of disbarment from ANY and ALL American Baseball Association events.
Rule 5.0 ~ Rules of the Roster
5.0A Number of players ~ Teams in all age groups form 8U-14U may
have a roster of up to 20 players.
5.0B Number of Players ~ Teams in all age groups from 15U-18U may have a roster of up to 25 players.
5.01 Tournament Rosters ~ All teams are to provide a tournament roster prior to the start of a tournament.
Rule 6.0 ~ Lineup Rules
6.01 Re-Entry ~ Any starter that is substituted for may re-enter in the line-up one (1) time in their original offensive position in the line-up.
6.02 Courtesy Runners ~ A courtesy runner may be used for the catcher at any time. The courtesy runner must be a player that is not currently in the game.
6.02A ~ In the event a team has no players who are out of the game, the last BATTED player who made an out could be used as a courtesy runner.
Rule 7.0 ~ Base-Running Rules
7.01 Lead Off’s ~ For all American Baseball Association age levels, lead offs are allowed.
7.02 Play at the Plate ~ There is no running over the catcher. A player must slide.
7.03 Slide Rules ~ A player must slide or attempt to avoid contact on all plays at all bases. (An umpire could eject a player if he feels unnecessary contact was made).
Rule 8.0 ~ Playing Dimensions
8U: Pitching Mound 40 Feet; Base Paths 60 Feet
9U: Pitching Mound 44 Feet, Base Paths 65 Feet
10U: Pitching Mound 46 Feet, Base Paths 65 Feet
11U: Pitching Mound 48 Feet, Base Baths 70 Feet
12U: Pitching Mound 50 Feet, Base Paths 70 Feet
13U: Pitching Mound: 54 Feet, Base Paths 80 Feet
14U: Pitching Mound: 60ft., 6 inches, Bases Paths 90 Feet
15U: Pitching Mound: 60ft., 6 inches, Bases Paths 90 Feet
16U: Pitching Mound: 60ft., 6 inches, Bases Paths 90 Feet
17U: Pitching Mound: 60ft., 6 inches, Bases Paths 90 Feet
18U: Pitching Mound: 60ft., 6 inches, Bases Paths 90 Feet
8.0A ~ The 14U Division also could play with dimensions of: Pitching Mound 54 Feet, Base Paths 80 Feet
Rule 9.0 ~ Equipment Rules
9.01 Bats ~ There are not bat rules for the (8U-14U) age divisions. The ABA will enforce (-3) rules for the (15U-18U) age divisions.
9.02 Helmets ~ All teams are required to bring there own helmets for each tournament event.
9.02A ~ Players coaching the bases are required to wear a helmet.
9.03 Metal Spikes ~ There are no metal spikes for the (8U-12U) age divisions.
9.03A ~ Metal spikes are allowed for (13U-18U) age divisions
9.03B ~ Pitchers if throwing off a portable mound could be required to wear “turfs” or tennis shoes.
9.04 Jewelry ~ No earrings or rings are allowed for all age divisions.
9.05 Pitchers undershirt ~ Pitchers may not wear a white undershirt while they are pitching. If they are wearing a white undershirt, the umpire will require them to change, or a pitching change will be required.
9.06 Pitchers wristband or bracelet ~ No wristbands or bracelets will be allowed to be worn by any pitcher while they are on the mound.
Rule 10.0 ~ Pre-Game Rules
10.01 Team Warm-Up’s ~ The ABA suggests all teams arrive at the field at least one hour prior to their scheduled game time to allow for warm-up for their team. We anticipate and expect starting every game as close to the scheduled game time as possible.
10.02 Pre-Game Infield/Outfield ~ There will be no pre-game Infield/outfield on the field prior to the game.
10.03 Home Team ~ Home team will be determined by coin flip for all pool play games. In playoff rounds, home team will be determined by the higher seed from pool play.
Rule 11.0 ~ Pitching Rules
11.01 Innings Pitched (3 Game Guaranteed Tournament) ~ For the 8U thru 14U Divisions, Pitchers may pitch a maximum of 7 innings during tournament play.
11.01A ~ For the 8U thru 14U Divisions, if a Pitcher pitches more than 3 innings in a day they may not pitch the following day.
Example of Rule 11.01A ~ If a player pitches 3 complete innings or less, that player is eligible to pitch the following day. If any player pitches 3 complete innings and comes out for a 4th inning and throws one (1) pitch, that player will not be allowed to pitch the next day.
11.01B ~ For the 8U thru 14U Division players are not to pitch on 3 consecutive days.
Example of Rule 11.01B ~ If a player pitches on 2 consecutive days, regardless of innings pitched, that player is not allowed to pitch on a 3 straight day.
11.01C ~ For the 15U thru 18U Divisions there is no pitching limitations.
11.02 Innings Pitched (4 Game Guaranteed Tournament) ~ For the 8U thru 14U Divisions, Pitchers may pitch a maximum of 9 innings during tournament play.
11.02A ~ For the 8U thru 14U Divisions, if a Pitcher pitches more than 3 innings in a day they may not pitch the following day.
Example of Rule 11.02A ~ If a player pitches 3 complete innings or less, that player is eligible to pitch the following day. If any player pitches 3 complete innings and comes out for a 4th inning and throws one pitch, that player will not be allowed to pitch the next day.
11.02B ~ For the 8U thru 14U Division players are not to pitch on 3 consecutive days.
Example of Rule 11.02B ~ If a player pitches on 2 consecutive days, regardless of innings pitched, that player is not allowed to pitch on a 3 straight day.
11.02C ~ For the 15U thru 18U Divisions there is no pitching limitations.
11.03 Trips to the Mound ~ For each Pitcher, upon the third (3rd) trip in a game, or the second (2nd) trip in an inning, a pitcher is to be removed.
11.04 Balk Rule ~ (10U- 12U) 1 courtesy warning per pitcher during pool play where the umpire will let the player know what he did wrong so he could correct his balk.
11.04A ~ (10U-12U) Managers before the game while exchanging line-up’s with the umpires have the option of waving the courtesy warning and calling balks straight up from the first pitch of the game. If this decision is agreed upon prior to the game, it will be used the entire game.
11.04B ~ (10U-12U) There will be no warning and balks will be called straight
up in Elimination or Championship Play.
11.04 C ~ (13U- 18U Age Divisions) (No Warnings) Balks will be called straight up the entire tournament.
Rule 12.0 ~ Hitting Rules
12.01 Bat Sizes and Dimensions ~ There are not bat rules for the (8U-14U) age divisions.
12.01A ~ The ABA will enforce (-3) rules for the (15U-18U) age divisions.
12.01B ~ Big Barrel Bats are allowed for every division.
12.02 The EH “Extra Hitter” ~ An EXTRA HITTER may be used and will be considered as a position on the field.
12.02A ~ An Extra Hitter for all ages may enter the field at any time.
12.02B ~ If a team elects to use an EXTRA HITTER, that player must be listed in the starting lineup.
Example of 12.02 ~ A player is placed in the starting lineup as an “EH”. That player could be the EH in the first inning, play centerfield the second inning, move back as an EH in the third inning… and so on.
12.03 ~ The DH “Designated Hitter” ~ The American Baseball Association does NOT allow a Designated Hitter for the (8U-14U) age divisions.
12.03A ~ For the (15U thru 18U) age divisions a designated hitter is allowed for the pitcher only.
Rule 13.0 ~ Game Time Rule
13.0A ~ Games are (6) innings in length or a 2-hour time limit, for the (8U thru 12U) age divisions.
13.0B ~ Games are (7) innings in length or a 2-hour time limit, for the (13U thru 14U) age divisions.
13.0C ~ Games are (7) innings in length for the (15U thru 18U) age division. Time limits could be put in place on a tournament by tournament basic by the Regional Director of Baseball Operations if needed.
13.0D ~ No new innings are to start 10 minutes before the 2-hour time limit is up.
13.0E ~ Once an inning starts, that inning is to be completed. There is no “Drop Dead” time.
13.0F ~ In the event a game is shortened due to time, the final score will revert back to the last completed inning.
13.0G ~ A game will be considered an “Official” game after 3 ½ innings.
Rule 14.0 ~ Run Rule
The "10 Rule" will be used if a team leads another by (10) runs or more after (4) innings of play only.
Rule 15.0 ~ Tie Breakers
Pool Play tiebreakers, will be determined by the following criteria in this specific order:
1) Head-to Head competition
2) Least Runs Allowed
3) Coin Flip
Rule 16.0 ~ Tournament Field Rules
While at the field, the American baseball Association expects all players, coaches and fans to always demonstrate the best of sportsmanship and behavior.
16.01~ There is no smoking on or near the fields at any location.
16.02 ~ Only the following are to be on the field, coaches, umpires players.
16.02A ~ In the event of an injury a parent is allowed to enter the field.
16.03 ~ No alcohol is allowed at or near any field at any location. This includes the parking lot.
Rule 17.0 ~ Protests
All protests must be made at the game, to the umpire and the official scorekeeper, before the next pitch is thrown. A tournament director must be called to the field to handle the situation before the game is resumed. A decision will be reached from consulting the Umpire In-Chief at the ballpark and that decision will be the final decision.
17.0A ~ A $200.00 CASH protest fee must be paid prior to perusing a protest. In the event the protest is upheld the protest fee will be returned.
Rule 18.0 ~ When a Players Age Changes
Age cut-off for each group will be: May 1st.
Rule 19.0 ~ Team Insurance Requirements
All teams are required to have team insurance prior to playing in any ABA tournament event. Teams will be required to show proof of insurance prior to playing.
Rule 20.0 ~ Refund Policy
In the event of rain or inclement weather the American Baseball Association awards a refund via the following policy:
0 games played (100% refund)
1 game played (66.7 % refund)
2 games played (33.3 % refund)
3 games played (no refund)
20.0A ~ In the event a team signs up for an tournament and does not attend, no refund will be awarded.
