Baseball

Secondary Competition Rules

• Tournament and Match Format

  Expand Tournament and Match Format

  Competition Structure

  • Match Format: For Regions and Division match format, please consult the relevant page on the SSV website or contact the relevant Coordinator.
  • State Format: Split Round Robin, Final.

  State Match Length

  Duration of Round Robin matches will be:

  • Year 7, Year 8, Intermediate & Senior: 80 minutes or up to 7 equal innings.
  • All Finals will be played as a minimum of 4 complete innings with no time limit.

  State Match Schedule

  • There will be a Pre-Championships Briefing for all teams prior to the first round of matches.
  • Refer to the Baseball Draw, on the SSV website, for the Match Schedule.

  Results Determination

  State Round Robin Winner

  • Points will be allocated for Round Robin matches as follows: 4 points for a win, 2 point for a draw and 0 for a loss.
  • The winner will be determined on matches won.
  • If, at the end of the round-robin, two teams are equal on matches won then the winner of their face to face match will be declared the winner. If their face to face match was a draw, then their total percentage will be used to determine a winner.
  • If more than two teams are tied on matches won, then percentage of the matches between the tied teams only will be used to determine places.

  State Final Winner

  • If the final is tied at the end of time, or 7 innings, extra innings will be played using the 'tie breaker' rule until one team scores more than the other in an equal number of innings.
  • Tie Breaker: The eighth inning and any subsequent innings will start with the 8th & 9th batters in the line-up on 2nd and 1st base respectively.

• General Rules and Conditions

  Expand General Rules and Conditions

  Conditions

  • See the School Sport Victoria's 'General Conditions of Competition'. All players, teachers, spectators and officials are bound by the 'SSV Codes of Conduct' and the 'Participant Behaviour Policy'.
  • A girl cannot play in a girls' team and a boys/mixed team in the same sport.
  • The level of competition chosen by a student at District level remains binding through to Region and State levels.

  Team Size

  • A maximum of fifteen (15) players may be used in one day.
  • Nine (9) players are only permitted to field with up to six (6) substitutes to be named for each game.
  • Re-entry and designated hitter (DH) rules are not applicable.
  • Only fifteen (15) SSV medallions plus one (1) for the team coach will be awarded to placegetters.
  • Extra medallions will not be available.

• Pitching, Batting and In-Game Rules

  Expand Pitching, Batting and In-Game Rules

  Rules

  Baseball is conducted under the Australian Baseball Federation Rules unless otherwise stated.

  Pitching Rules

  • Pitching restrictions - maximum of 40 pitches per day (Senior, Intermediate, Year 8, Year 7). Pitchers must finish the batter once they reach 40 pitches.
  • Pitchers may pitch in more than one game per day but must NOT exceed the maximum daily pitch count of 40 pitches.
  • Once a pitcher is removed from the pitching position, they cannot pitch again on that day.
  • A player who has played in the position of Catcher for four (4) or more innings in a game IS NOT ELIGIBLE to pitch in that game.
  • Curve balls are not permitted in Year 7 and Year 8 competitions.
  • Illegal pitches will be called balls (balks).

  Batting / In-Game Rules

  • All teams must bat 9 players. Batted-through line-ups are not permitted.
  • Substitution/Re-entry rules: A starting player who has been substituted may re-enter the game once, but must return to the same position in the batting order. A substitute who leaves the game cannot re-enter.
  • Sliding: Any runner is out when the runner does not slide or attempt to get around a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make the tag. Headfirst sliding into a base is permitted for all age groups, but players are strongly encouraged to slide feet first to avoid injury.
  • Intentional Walks: An intentional walk can be issued by the defensive team by notifying the plate umpire prior to or during the turn at bat. No pitches need to be thrown.
  • Base Running / Mercy Rule: Ten (10) Run Rule - A match will be terminated if a team is leading by 10 or more runs after 4 complete innings (or 3 and 1/2 (half) innings if the home team is leading).
  • Maximum runs per inning: In Round Robin play, a maximum of 7 runs may be scored by a team in any single inning. Once the 7th run is scored, the inning ends immediately, regardless of the number of outs. This rule does not apply in Finals.

• Dress Code, Penalties and Equipment

  Expand Dress Code, Penalties and Equipment

  Dress Code

  • All players must wear full matching baseball uniform or matching school physical education uniform (track pants or baseball pants are acceptable).
  • Cleats: Metal cleats are not permitted in Year 7 and Year 8 competitions. Plastic or rubber cleats are allowed for all age groups. Metal cleats are permitted in Intermediate and Senior competitions.
  • Catcher's Equipment: Catchers must wear a proper catcher's mask with throat protector, helmet, chest protector, and leg guards.
  • Helmets: Batters, base runners, and student base coaches must wear double-earflap protective helmets at all times when on the field.

  Lateness Penalty

  • If a team is late for the start of their match for reasons beyond their control and the team communicates with the convener, then the convener will try to accommodate the team as best he/she can.
  • If a team is more than 10 minutes late without notice or communication or in the convener's opinion their lateness makes the draw impracticable, then they will be penalised one run for each completed 10 minutes of lateness.

  Equipment to Bring

  Each competing team is to supply:

  • Match Balls: Two (2) new match balls per game. Match balls must be one of the following approved balls:
  • A. Diamond D1-HS or D1-SL
  • B. Easton (Fielders Choice), or
  • C. Wilson A1010 Blem (available at K2)
  • (Match balls will be supplied for State Finals, teams will need to bring their own practice balls).
  • Scorer: A competent scorer and a score book.
  • First Aid Kit: A first aid kit - Competing schools are responsible for ensuring that reasonable provision is made for the treatment of injuries. All schools participating in SSV Team Sports final are required to bring their own applicable first aid kit (appropriate to the location as there is potential for sporting activities to be some distance away from emergency services) - For more detailed information: First Aid for Students & Staff & First Aid Kit Contents Checklist.
  • Sports Tape: Sports Tape must be supplied by the student/competing team. Strapping for injury prevention as required must be performed by the student/competing team. NB. The First Aid Responder attending the state finals are not permitted to perform strapping.

• Field Dimensions

  Expand Field Dimensions

  Playing dimensions	Yr. 7/8	Inter/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 L/R from Senior Pitching Plate	64.00m (210')	64.00m (210')
  Coaches box	4.88 x 2.44 m 16' x 8'	4.88 x 2.44 m 16' x 8'
  Next batter's box	1.52m (5') diameter	1.52m (5') diameter