Identify if you are using the continuous batting order
Lineup card exchange
Confirm start time for each game with opposing coach & umpires
All teams are playing Major League Baseball rules accept where amended by NEAAU
Innings
9-12U - 6 innings
13U and above - 7 innings
Time Limit
9-12U – 2 hours
13U and above – 2:15 hours
Start time officially begins after home plate meeting is complete
There is NO drop dead time limit
Complete any inning started before the time limit. If the home team is ahead after the time limit the home team does not bat.
No new inning can begin after the time limit (unless game is tied. See the next few bullet points)
(1) extra inning can be played if the score is still tied after the time limit is reached
If the score remains tied after the (1) extra inning the game will be recorded as a tie
All coaches and umpires should agree to the official start time to avoid any confusion
It is the responsible of the coaches to make sure the umpires fully understand this rule
Mercy Rules
12U and Under - 10 runs after 4 innings, 15 runs after 3 innings
13U and Older - 10 runs after 5 innings, 15 runs after 3 innings
If an inning is started, it must be completed. In other words, if the away team goes ahead by the mercy rule total in the top half of the inning, then the home team still gets to bat in the bottom half of the inning.
Suspended Game/Official Status
9u – 12u: Four (4) innings (3 1/2 innings if home team is ahead).
13u & Older - Five (5) innings (4 1/2 innings if home team is ahead)
Suspended game having reached official status - If the game is suspended when the teams have not had an equal number of completed times at bat, the score shall be the same as it was at the end of the last completed inning; except that if the home team in its half of the incomplete inning, scores a run (or runs) which equals or exceeds the opponent's score, the final score shall be as recorded when the game is called.
Suspended game without reaching official status – If a regular season game is suspended before reaching official status the game must be resumed from the point of suspension at a date and time agreed upon by both teams.
Rain
See Schedule page for detailed rules regarding rained out regular season games
Bat Rules
13u and Younger - no restrictions
14u and Older - BBCOR -3
Batting Order
Teams can bat 10 and use the EP (Extra Player)
No free substitution if batting 10
Team can use a continuous batting order - must declare before game starts
Free substitution allowed when using continuous batting order
If a team is using a continuous batting order must use it for the entire game
If a player is injured and is removed from the game while using a continuous batting order their spot in the lineup will be recorded as an out
Allowed to start game with 8 players. 9th spot in the lineup will be recorded as an out
Pitching Rules
There are NO Pitching rules for league play
We encourage and trust the club directors, coaches and team administrators will make their player’s health is their first priority
Extra Player (EP) & Designated Hitter (DH)
At the beginning of a game, either the EP and and/or the DH may be elected
Designated Hitter (DH) provision as covered in the rulebook published by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) applies
The Extra Player (EP) is listed in the batting order and may assume any of the nine defensive positions (including pitcher) without being counted as a substitution
Under all of the following options, there are never more than the standard nine defensive positions
If use neither DH nor EP: Nine (9) players in the batting order and the same nine (9) players on defense
If use only the DH, and not the EP: Nine (9) players in the batting order, one of which is replaced by another line up player on defense
If use only the EP, and not the DH: Ten (10) players in the batting order, of which nine play on defense
If use both the DH and EP: Ten players in the batting order. One of the nine (9) defensive players is replaced by the DH in that batting order. The DH can be removed during the game. The EP position may not be removed during the game
The same number of players that are listed in the batting order to begin the game will continue throughout the game. If the game is started using an EP, the game must be finished using an EP
Players not listed in the starting line-up may serve as substitutes
In case of injury, the NFHS rule book applies except that if an EP is being used and injury prevents that slot in the batting order from being filled, an automatic “out” applies in that slot
SUBSTituTIONS/RE-ENTRY
Teams are using the High School reentry rules of the State they are playing in
Teams can use a DH and EH/EP
In the case of injury the DH can enter the game as a player but the team loses the DH
EH/EP can enter the game but must stay in the same spot in the batting order.
EH/EP can enter the game like any other starter, but can only enter the game once, just like any other starter
Courtesy Runner (Updated for 2024)
Last batted out
Only for pitcher & catcher
Only with 2 outs
Ejections
If a player or coach is ejected from a game. They must leave the complex and must sit out the next league game on that day (if the ejection occurred during the first game of a league doubleheader)
The ejected individual must leave the complex and not be at the complex for the next game of the league doubleheader.
If a player or coach is ejected for fighting they are removed from league.