Baseball

Secondary Competition Rules

• Match Format and Length

  Expand Match Format and Length

  Match Format For Region and Division formats, consult the SSV website or contact the relevant Coordinator. State Format: Split Round Robin and State Final.

  Match Length Round Robin (Year 7, Year 8, Intermediate, and Senior): 80 minutes or up to 7 equal innings. Finals: Minimum of 4 complete innings with no time limit.

• State Match Format

  Expand State Match Format

  State Match Schedule A Pre-Championships Briefing for all teams occurs before the first round. Refer to the Baseball Draw on the SSV website for the schedule.

  State Round Robin Winner Points: 4 for a win, 2 for a draw, 0 for a loss. The winner is determined by matches won. If two teams are tied, the winner of their head-to-head match is declared the winner. If that match was a draw, total percentage determines the winner.

  If more than two teams are tied, percentage from matches involving only the tied teams is compared (total runs ‘for’ divided by total runs ‘scored’ [for + against]).

  State Final Winner If the final is tied after 4 innings, extra innings are played until one team outscores the other in an equal number of innings.

  Conditions Competitions adhere to the SSV ‘General Conditions of Competition’, ‘Codes of Conduct’, and ‘Participant Behaviour Policy’.

  • Students cannot play in both a girls’ team and a boys/mixed team in the same sport.
  • Competition levels chosen at Division level remain binding through to State levels.

• Team Size and Player Rules

  Expand Team Size and Player Rules

  Team Size

  • Maximum of 16 players per day.
  • 12 players named per game.
  • Teams may use an extended line-up (maximum 12) which remains constant; this allows players to swap on and off the field without formal substitution.
  • Injured players may be removed and the line-up shortened without penalty; removed players cannot return to that game.
  • 16 SSV medallions and 1 coach medallion are awarded to placegetters.

  Player Restrictions

  • Pitchers: Maximum 6 innings per day; maximum 3 innings per game.
  • One pitch constitutes an appearance.
  • Once the maximum is reached, the player must be removed from the mound but may play other positions (except catcher).
  • A player cannot pitch and catch in the same game.
  • Year 7 pitchers cannot throw curve balls.

  Dress 

  Players must wear matching tops, same-colored long pants, and socks.

  • All batters, base-runners, and base coaches must wear approved helmets.
  • Metal cleats are prohibited for Year 7, Year 8, and Intermediate players.
  • Incorrectly dressed players cannot compete.

  Lateness Penalty 

  Teams over 10 minutes late without notice may be penalized one run for every 10 minutes late. The convener may accommodate late teams if the delay was beyond their control and communicated.

  Note: An up-to-date team sheet with uniform numbers must be handed to the convener on match day.

• Rules

  Expand Rules

  Baseball Australia rules apply unless otherwise stated.

  • The ‘5 run rule’ applies.
  • Time and game are declared if, at the end of the 5th innings, one team leads by more than 5 runs.
  • Catchers must use a designated runner and gear up immediately upon returning to the bench.
  • Relief pitchers should enter from the bench rather than the field if the team has more than 9 players.

• Equipment

  Expand Equipment

   Teams must provide:

  • Canvas bases with pegs and plates (supplied for State Finals).
  • One new and one spare genuine leather (winter) baseball: X-Plate 2000W, Easton 850W, or Wilson A1010 Blem (Match balls supplied for State Finals).
  • Competent scorer and scorebook.
  • First aid kit and sports tape. (SSV First Aid Responders do not perform preventative strapping).

• Field Dimensions

  Expand Field Dimensions

  Feature	Year 7 & 8	Intermediate & Senior
  Pitching Distance	16.46m (54’)	18.44m (60’6”)
  Base Paths	24.38m (80’)	27.43m (90’)
  Passed Ball Line	9.14m (30’)	12.19m (40’)
  Home Run Fence	64.00m	64.00m
  Coaches Box	4.88m x 2.44m	6.10m x 3.05m
  Batting Box	1.83m x 1.22m	1.83m x 1.22m