Rules & Player Safety

WBL rules govern league and postseason play. The summaries below help you find the rules for your player’s division. Use the complete rulebook for full definitions, exceptions, and penalties.

For 8U through 18U, no new inning starts after 1 hour and 40 minutes. At Herriman's southeast and southwest fields, no new inning starts after 1 hour and 20 minutes, and the game stops at 1 hour and 30 minutes.

• Games are limited to six innings for 7U through 12U and seven innings for 13U through 18U.

• Regular-season games may end in a tie after the final completed inning when time has expired.

• A weather-affected game is considered complete after three innings or 60 minutes. Earlier stoppages may be rescheduled if field space is available.

• The mercy rule ends a game at a lead of 15 runs after three innings, or 10 runs after four or more complete innings.

• 8U (PeeWee): Daily maximum 50 pitches. 1–19 pitches: 0 days rest; 20–35 pitches: 1 day rest; 36+ pitches: 2 days rest.

• 9U (Minors): Daily maximum 65 pitches. 1–29 pitches: 0 days rest; 30–45 pitches: 1 day rest; 46+ pitches: 2 days rest.

• 10U (Minors): Daily maximum 65 pitches. 1–29 pitches: 0 days rest; 30–45 pitches: 1 day rest; 46+ pitches: 2 days rest.

• 11U (Majors): Daily maximum 75 pitches. 1–34 pitches: 0 days rest; 35–55 pitches: 1 day rest; 56+ pitches: 2 days rest.

• 12U (Majors): Daily maximum 75 pitches. 1–34 pitches: 0 days rest; 35–55 pitches: 1 day rest; 56+ pitches: 2 days rest.

• 13U: Daily maximum 80 pitches. 1–44 pitches: 0 days rest; 45–59 pitches: 1 day rest; 60+ pitches: 2 days rest.

• 14U: Daily maximum 95 pitches. 1–49 pitches: 0 days rest; 50–65 pitches: 1 day rest; 66+ pitches: 2 days rest.

• 15U: Daily maximum 95 pitches. 1–49 pitches: 0 days rest; 50–65 pitches: 1 day rest; 66+ pitches: 2 days rest.

• 18U: Daily maximum 95 pitches. 1–49 pitches: 0 days rest; 50–65 pitches: 1 day rest; 66+ pitches: 2 days rest.

• A pitcher may not pitch on three consecutive days.

• Required rest is measured in calendar days, not rolling 24-hour periods.

• A pitcher who reaches the daily limit during an at-bat may finish that batter.

• Pitching violations can lead to player and coaching suspensions. See WBL Rule 4.1 for the complete enforcement policy.

Runs per half-inning

• Single A division: 7U–10U; Run limit: 6

• Single A division: 11U–15U; Run limit: 7

• Single A division: 18U; Run limit: No limit

• AAA division: 7U–8U; Run limit: 6

• AAA division: 9U; Run limit: 8

• AAA division: 10U–14U; Run limit: No limit

Caps apply in every half-inning, including the final inning. Runs above the cap on the final play do not count.

Tournament ties

In bracket play, the first extra inning begins with the last batter to make an out on second base and one out. Each additional extra inning begins with the last two batters to make outs on second and third, with one out.

• Each session lasts one hour: 30 minutes of practice followed by 30 minutes of play.

• Tee-Ball players hit from a tee. Every player bats each inning, then the teams switch. No score is kept.

• Rookie uses coach pitch. After six pitches without a hit, the batter uses a tee. Every player bats before the teams switch.

• The goal is for each team to bat twice during the 30 minutes of play.

• No stealing, including on passed balls or overthrows.

• When the ball reaches the infield, a runner may advance only to the next available base. The ball remains live, and the defense may attempt an out.

• The player in the pitching position stays behind the pitching machine until the ball is hit.

• A batter receives up to five pitches, with an extension for a foul ball on the fifth pitch. There are no walks. The batter is out after the fifth pitch unless the foul-ball extension applies.

• A team needs at least seven players at game time.

• Defensive coaches may be on the field but must stay behind the outfielders. One defensive team conference is allowed per inning.

• If a batted ball hits the machine, the ball is dead. The batter receives first base. Other runners may advance only to the base they were going toward.

• No new inning starts after one hour and 20 minutes. Finish an inning already in progress, including the home team's turn, unless the home team is already ahead.

• Every player bats and plays in the field.

• No leading off.

• Before the first full week of May, runners cannot steal home on a passed ball or an overthrow to the pitcher. An attempted play on a runner keeps the ball live, and runners may advance to any base, including home.

• An overthrow outside the field of play, described in the published rules as outside the foul line, allows one base of advancement.

• Coach rescue: after four balls, the batter's coach pitches up to three pitches. The batter must hit or strike out. There are no walks.

Stealing home is allowed beginning the first full week of May. On 60-foot fields, runners must remain on base until the pitch reaches home plate. Read WBL Rule 5.2 for live-ball advancement and early-departure penalties.

Minors (9U/10U), Single A

No leading off and no dropped-third-strike rule.

9U AAA

The dropped-third-strike rule applies.

10U AAA

• Bases are 65 feet apart.

• Leading off and the dropped-third-strike rule apply.

• Balks are enforced from the start of the season.

Use the Game timing section for time limits at your game’s field.

• Leading off is allowed. The dropped-third-strike rule is used.

• Balks are called. Before the first full week of May, runners do not advance on a pitcher's first balk in a game. Each pitcher may receive one warning.

Use the Game timing section for time limits at your game’s field.

13U and 15U, Single A

Teams are formed by a draft. WBL allows a team to freeze up to six players from the previous year.

18U, Single A

Teams may be formed through a local league draft, as a preformed team organized by coaches and players, or through a combination of those methods.

Use the Game timing section for time limits.

Metal cleats are not permitted below 13U and must not be worn on temporary pitching mounds. Catchers must wear the required protective equipment, including a helmet and mask, throat protection, chest protector, leg protection, and protective cup. Catcher helmets must cover both ears through 13U.

Bat requirements vary by division. Check the current WBL bat table before buying or using a bat. Slash bunting, squaring to bunt and then swinging, is prohibited in divisions 12U and younger.

Recognize possible concussion signs and know when to act. CDC HEADS UP provides training and resources for coaches, parents, and players.

Use the CDC resources below for training. The links after this rules guide cover what to do if a concussion is suspected and the Herriman Baseball Code of Conduct.