Arkansas USSSA State Rules/Guidelines
Arkansas USSSA State Rules & Regional Exceptions
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1. Managing Your Roster
Online rosters are the official rosters. Coaches must be logged in to manage players.
- Requirement: ALL players must be on the online roster as a permanent or guest player before the event.
- Minimum: Teams must have (9) players to participate. No exceptions.
- Roster Limit: Standard USSSA allow 19 players; USA Elite Select has no cap.
2. Regional Exceptions: Ineligible Players
Player protests must occur while the game is in progress. The following penalties apply:
Scenario A: Player is Age/Class eligible, but NOT on the roster:
- The Player is ejected and cannot participate for the rest of the tournament.
- All previous play stands. The Head Coach is ejected for the game in progress.
- The game continues if the team has enough players. If no substitute is available, the “Short Handed Rule” (Rule 5 Sec 2) applies.
Scenario B: Player is NOT Age/Class eligible or using an alias:
- The game in progress is an immediate FORFEIT.
- The Team is EJECTED from the tournament and placed last in standings.
- Post-Tournament: If discovered after the event, the team is moved to last place and standings adjusted.
3. Protests & Ejections
COACH EJECTION RULE:
All ejected coaches serve a mandatory (1) game suspension. The suspension is not served until the team completes one full game following the ejection.
All ejected coaches serve a mandatory (1) game suspension. The suspension is not served until the team completes one full game following the ejection.
Protest Fees:
- Must be made by the Head Coach ONLY.
- Requires $100 cash. Refunded only if the protest is won.
4. Insurance & Withdrawals
- Insurance: All teams must have a policy equal to USSSA standards.
- Withdrawal: No refunds once brackets are posted.
- 10-Day Window: Withdrawals inside 10 days receive a 75% refund.
5. Weather Refund Policy
| 0 Games Played | 80% Refund (20% Admin Fee) |
| 1 Game Played | 50% Refund |
| 2+ Games Played | No Refund |
6. Classifications & Re-Classing
To move to “C” (REC), email [email protected].
Performance Benchmarks:
- Moving C to B: Power Ranking ~1200 | Win % ~.750 | 5-7 games played.
- Moving B to A: Power Ranking ~1350 | Win % ~.850.
Age Bracket Starting Criteria:
Staying in same bracket (e.g., 9U to 10U, 11U to 12U, 13U to 14U, 15U to 16U):
- If you were a C team previous year: Must begin in B or higher.
- If you were a B team previous year: Must begin in Class A.
Moving UP an age bracket:
- If you were a C team previous year: May begin in Class C.
- If you were a B team previous year: Must begin in Class B.
- If you were an A team previous year: Must begin in Class A.
Team Turnover & Intact Status:
- 6+ Returning Players: You are subject to the classification dictated by the criteria above.
- 5 or Fewer Returning Players: Classification will be determined based upon the players’ previous team history.
7. Arkansas 8U Coach Pitch Exceptions
Effective Date: 3/25/2025
- Pitching: 5 pitches total thrown by pitching coach or 3 swinging strikes. If the ball is fouled off on the 3rd strike or last pitch, the batter continues to bat.
- Baserunning: Runners may lead off when the ball leaves the Coach’s hand. No advancement on non-batted balls. Runners must return to their base if the ball is not hit. If a runner is tagged or advances on a defensive play during a lead-off, they are OUT.
- Defense: 10 players allowed (4 outfielders). Outfielders must stay 20′ behind the base path until the ball leaves the coach’s hand. The player-pitcher must have one foot in the 8′ circle and be even or behind the coach until the ball crosses the plate.
- Lineups: Minimum of 9 players required. Standard USSSA lineup rules apply.
- Coaches: Two coaches allowed in foul territory (outfield lines) only. They may not enter the playing field while the ball is live.
- Bunting/Slapping: Allowed, but NO SMASH HITTING (fake bunt then swing). If a batter squares to bunt, they must bunt or pull back. Penalty: 1st offense = Head Coach warning + Batter Out. 2nd offense = Head Coach ejection.
- Stopping Play: Time is called when the ball is controlled by a fielder in the pitcher’s circle or the lead runner has stopped. Umpires use the “halfway point” discretion for advancing runners.
- Stealing: No stealing or delayed stealing allowed.
- Dead Ball: If a batted or thrown ball hits the pitching coach, it is a dead ball (no pitch). Runners do not advance.
- Run Limit: 6 runs per half-inning maximum.
- Coach Positioning: The pitching coach must be in contact with the pitching rubber during delivery.
- Infield Positioning: Player-pitchers and infielders must remain behind the front of the pitching circle until contact is made.
