At 24 Sports, we prioritize sportsmanship and expect all participants to uphold the highest standards of conduct. Our sportsmanship policy promotes a positive and respectful environment for everyone involved. The following guidelines outline our expectations:

• Civil Behavior: All participants are expected to act with civility at all times. We understand that the competitive nature of the game can sometimes lead to emotional responses, but it is crucial to maintain composure and avoid behavior that is out of character. Tensions among adults can be distressing for children and undermine the purpose of creating a fun and safe learning environment.

• Ejection Policy: If it is determined that a participant is in violation of the sportsmanship policy, the ejection policy will be enforced accordingly. This ensures that the integrity of the game is upheld and that all athletes and coaches adhere to established rules and guidelines.

• Fair Play: Teams should not seek an unfair competitive advantage over their opponents. This includes any attempt to intimidate, distract, or employ skills that the game was not designed to test. Such actions demonstrate a lack of personal integrity and compromise the integrity of the sport.

• Noisemakers: The use of noisemakers, including but not limited to matracas, thunder sticks, clappers, cowbells, and airhorns, is strictly prohibited. Excessive yelling or distracting sounds from music speakers may also be considered as part of the noisemaker category. Music is welcomed and encouraged, but it should adhere to the sportsmanship policy. All music must have clean lyrics, and it should not be used to taunt or intimidate the opposing team or umpires. Teams should alternate music play between defensive warm-up music and offensive walk-up music, and umpires reserve the right to silence all music if necessary.

• Responsibility and Respect: Sportsmanship requires players and coaches to take responsibility for their performance and actions on the field, including their emotions. Athletes should show respect for teammates, opponents, coaches, and officials. Coaches should demonstrate respect for their players, opponents, and officials. Fans, especially parents, should show respect for other fans, both teams, and officials. Profanity, insults, disparaging remarks, and microaggressions are strictly prohibited. Such behavior may result in immediate ejection or expulsion from the event.

By maintaining a respectful and positive atmosphere, we create an inclusive and supportive environment where all participants can enjoy the game and focus on their personal growth and development.

Player Behavior: All kids are held to the same standards listed above. At the discretion of the 24 Sports staff, the associated adult (coach or parent) may bear the responsibility for the player's behavior and be subject to the consequences imposed. If a player disrespects an umpire by using profanity or making disparaging remarks, the player is subjected to ejection. During gameplay, all players must actively seek to avoid physical contact (No Malicious Contact). The determination of malicious contact is a judgment call made by the umpire and may result in ejection of the player and head coach.

• Consequences for Expulsion: If a participant is expelled from an event based on Level 5 of our ejection policy, they must complete an emotional intelligence course and code of conduct assessment before being allowed to participate in any future 24 Sports events. This requirement is designed to promote personal growth, self-reflection, and ensure a commitment to respectful and sportsmanlike behavior.

By implementing this requirement, we aim to provide an opportunity for individuals to learn from their actions, develop their emotional intelligence, and reaffirm their commitment to upholding the values of respect and sportsmanship in all 24 Sports events.

By adhering to these sportsmanship guidelines, we create an environment where fair play, respect, and personal integrity thrive, fostering a rewarding experience for all involved.

24 Sports Bat List Reference Guide

24 Sports staff will use their best judgment to determine illegal bats and enforce the appropriate penalties. It is important to note that 24 Sports decisions regarding bat violations are final and must be respectfully respected. Failure to comply may result in the application of our ejection policy.

Bats Acceptable by 24 Sports:

All bats must be marked 1.15bpf, BBCOR or USA stamped

• 6U-12U: -10 or -8

• 13U:  -8, -5 or -3
• 14U – 18U: -3

24 Sports adheres to the guidelines outlined in the NFHS rule book. In the event that the NFHS rules have changed at the time the infraction occurs, we will revert to the rules listed below:

NFHS:1-3-2 The bat shall have the following characteristics and components:

Each legal wood, aluminum or composite bat shall:

• Be one piece, multi-pieces and permanently assembled, or two pieces with interchangeable barrel construction.
• Non-wood bats shall not have exposed rivets, pins, rough or sharp edges or any form of exterior fastener or attachment(s) that would present a potential hazard.
• (Non-wood bats shall) Be free of rattles, dents, burrs, cracks and sharp edges.
• Bats that are broken, altered or that deface the ball are illegal.
• Materials inside the bat or treatments/devices used to alter the bat specifications and/or enhance performance are prohibited and render the bat illegal.

Each legal wood, aluminum or composite bat shall have the following components:

• Knob. The bat knob shall protrude from the handle. The knob may be molded, lathed, welded or permanently fastened. Devices, attachments or wrappings are permitted except those that cause the knob to become flush with the handle. A one-piece rubber knob and bat grip combination is illegal.
• Handle. The bat handle is the area of the bat that begins at, but does not include, the knob and ends where the taper begins.
• Barrel. The barrel is the area intended for contact with the pitch. The barrel shall be round, cylindrically symmetric and smooth. The barrel may be aluminum, wood or composite (made of two or more materials). The type of bat (wood, aluminum or composite) shall be determined by the composition of the barrel.
• Taper. The taper is an optional transition area which connects the narrower handle to the wider barrel portion of the bat. Its length and material may vary but may not extend more than 18 inches from the base of the knob.
• End Cap. The end cap is made of rubber, vinyl, plastic or other approved material. It shall be firmly secured and permanently affixed to the end of the bat so that it cannot be removed by anyone other than the manufacturer, without damaging or destroying it. By definition, a one-piece construction bat does not have an end cap.

Each bat not made of a single piece of wood shall:

• Have a safety grip made of cork, tape (no smooth, plastic tape) or commercially manufactured composition material.
• The grip must extend a minimum of 10 inches, but not more than 18 inches, from the base of the knob.
• Slippery tape or similar material shall be prohibited.
• Resin, pine tar or any drying agent to enhance the hold are permitted only on the grip.
• Molded grips are illegal.
• Be 2-5/8” or less in diameter at thickest part and 36 inches or less in length.
  Not weigh, numerically, more than three ounces less than the length of the bat (e.g., a 33-inch-long bat cannot be less than 30 ounces).

Bats that are not made of a single piece of wood shall meet the Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) performance standard, and such bats shall be labeled with a silkscreen or other permanent certification mark. No BBCOR label, sticker or decal will be accepted on any non-wood bat. The certification mark shall be rectangular, a minimum of one inch on each side and located on the barrel of the bat in any contrasting color to read: “BBCOR .50.”
NOTE: The NFHS has been advised that certain manufacturers consider alteration, modification and “doctoring” of their bats to be unlawful and subject to civil and, under certain circumstances, criminal action.

• NFHS 1-3-3 A bat made of a single piece of wood may be roughened or wound with tape not more than 18 inches from the handle end of the bat. No foreign substance may be added to the surface of the bat beyond 18 inches from the end of the handle. Each bat made of a single piece of wood shall be:
• NFHS 2-3/4 inches or less in diameter at the thickest part 36 inches or less in length
• NFHS 1-3-4 Only bats may be used in warming up (including weighted bats used for this purpose) at any location. Only bats and items designed to remain part of the bat, such as weighted bats, batting donuts, and wind-resistant devices are legal at any location.
• NFHS 1-3-5 Bats that are altered from the manufacturer’s original design and production, or that do not meet the rule specifications, are illegal (See 7-4-1a). No foreign substance may be inserted into the bat. Bats that are broken, cracked or dented or that deface the ball, i.e., tear the ball, shall be removed without penalty. A bat that continually discolors the ball may be removed from the game with no penalty at the discretion of the umpire.

Gloves/Mitts

• NFHS 1-3-6 Gloves/mitts made of leather shall be worn by all fielders and not be altered to create an adhesive, sticky, and/or tacky surface. The glove/mitt worn by the catcher may be any size.
• The glove/mitt worn by the pitcher that includes the colors white and/or gray shall be removed from the game upon discovery by either team and/or umpire. 

• NFHS 1-3-7 Loose equipment, such as gloves, bats, helmets or catcher’s gear, of either team may not be on or near the field.

  PENALTY: If loose equipment interferes with play, the umpire may call an out(s), award bases or return runners, based on his/her judgment and the circumstances concerning the play.

Game Duration:

Games have a duration of 1 hour and 15 minutes OR maximum 6 innings.

Games may start up to 30 minutes ahead of schedule. Teams are expected to be warmed up and ready.

During Pool Play, if there are less than 5 minutes remaining in the game, a new inning will not start; however, the home team will have the opportunity to finish the current inning if they are down.

*See the Cancellation Policy for inclimate weather or extenuating circumstances impacting schedule.

Defense:

• 6 infielders (1 pitcher, 1 catcher) and 4 outfielders.
• Outfielders must stand in the grass outside of the infield line.
• Only two Outfield coaches. Coaches must stay behind the outfielders or in the grass-foul territory. One additional coach may stand directly outside the dugout area.
• The fielding pitcher cannot advance towards home plate until the ball is hit. If the pitcher moves toward home plate before the ball is hit, the offensive team gets the choice of the play or a walk.
• The fielding pitcher must stand with 1 foot of the pitching rubber when the Coach Pitcher is pitching. (To ensure clarity and consistency across different venues, the positioning of the player pitcher and coach pitcher will be addressed and mutually agreed upon by both coaches and umpires during the plate meeting. If there are any uncertainties or concerns regarding the placement of the coach or player, it is required that they be initially discussed with the head coach of record. Subsequently, the head coach of record must report any unresolved issues or discrepancies to the plate umpire for further resolution.)
• Time is called when the ball (at the umpires discretion) is thrown or run to the pitcher position or Pitching Coach. All runners already halfway to the next base will get that base. If runners are not yet half-way, then they will return to the previously touched base.
• Overthrows to first base: batter may advance to second at his/her own risk. Batter may not advance past second base. Only one extra base maximum is allowed and its at the runner's own risk.
• If a coach is hit with a thrown ball, the ball is dead, and runners cannot advance. If in the umpire's judgment, the coach did not make a legitimate attempt to avoid a thrown ball, the batter is declared out and no runners shall advance. In this case, the baserunners would be returned to their last occupied base. 

Offense:

•  5 run cap per half inning.
• There will be a continuous batting order. The entire roster must be batted through, in order without substitution.
• Each batter is allowed 5 coach pitches and 1 chance off the tee. The first 5 will be pitched by one of the coaches. The 6th will be hit off the tee. If a batter has not reached base after six attempts, the batter is out.
• Foul balls and foul tips will be counted as a pitch. 
• Fouls from the tee are considered an out.
• Each team is allowed one warning if a batter throws the bat, after which any batter who throws a bat will be declared out. 
•  Player running the bases who deliberately removes his headgear is out.
• Balls hit from the tee will result in advance to first base for the batter runner. No other runners may advance unless it is a force.  If it is a force, runners may advance a max of 1 base at their own risk. It is important to note that the defense still has the opportunity to make a play on the base runners, and the advancement is not guaranteed.
• Offensive Coach: 
  • The coach pitcher must pitch over handed.
  • Any batted ball that hits the pitching coach will be a dead ball and a no pitch. If the pitching coach intentionally (in the umpire’s judgment) allows the ball to hit him/her, the batter will be out and a dead ball called. No runner may advance.
  •  The coach pitcher must attempt to leave the field and try to pick up the batter’s bat. The coach pitcher that does not attempt to get off the field and (at the umpire's judgement) interferes with the defensive player to keep him/her from making a play will cause the batter to be out. No runners advance.
    • After a coach pitch is batted into play, the coach pitcher may not remain on the field in an attempt to coach base runners.
    • If a ball is put in play off the tee, the offensive coach must move the tee immediately and pick up the bat to allow for safe base running to home.
    • Pitching Coaches are allowed to verbally communicate to the batter 
    • If the pitching coach gets hit with a batted ball, the ball becomes dead and a no-pitch is declared. 
• Run Rule:
  • 15 runs after 3 completed innings
  • 10 runs after 4 completed innings
  • 8 runs after 5 completed innings. 

All other rules, not explicitly covered within our guidelines, will be subject to the umpire's discretion and will follow the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) guidelines.

Game Duration:

Games have a duration of 1 hour and 15 minutes OR maximum 6 innings.

Games may start up to 30 minutes ahead of schedule. Teams are expected to be warmed up and ready.

During Pool Play, if there are less than 5 minutes remaining in the game, a new inning will not start; however, the home team will have the opportunity to finish the current inning if they are down.

*See the Cancellation Policy for inclimate weather or extenuating circumstances impacting schedule.

General Rules (Applies to all classifications):

• Maximum of 4 coaches
• Run Rule:
  • 15 runs after 3 completed innings
  • 10 runs after 4 completed innings
  • 8 runs after 5 completed innings.
• There will be a continuous batting order.The entire roster must be batted through, in order without substitution.

• A team is required to start the game with a minimum of 8 players. For each spot in the lineup that falls short of 10, an automatic out will be charged. For instance, if a team starts the game with 9 players, an out will be charged once the lineup reaches the 10th spot.

• If a player arrives after the game has begun, they must be added to the bottom of the batting order. However, if at any point during the game the lineup falls below 8 players due to ejection, injury, or illness, the game will result in a forfeit for the team with the insufficient number of players.

• The fielding pitcher must stand within 1 foot of the pitching rubber when the Coach Pitcher is pitching. (To ensure clarity and consistency across different venues, the positioning of the player pitcher and coach pitcher will be addressed and mutually agreed upon by both coaches and umpires during the plate meeting. If there are any uncertainties or concerns regarding the placement of the coach or player, it is required that they be initially discussed with the head coach of record. Subsequently, the head coach of record must report any unresolved issues or discrepancies to the plate umpire for further resolution.)
• Pitching Coaches are allowed to verbally communicate to the batter
•  If the pitching coach gets hit with a batted ball, the ball becomes dead and a no-pitch is declared.
• If a coach is hit with a thrown ball, the ball is dead, and runners cannot advance. If in the umpire's judgment, the coach did not make a legitimate attempt to avoid a thrown ball, the batter is declared out and no runners shall advance. In this case, the baserunners would be returned to their last occupied base.
•  When a team is on defense, they will play with 10 players on the field. The four outfielders must remain in the grass. The four infielders must stay behind the pitching coach until the ball is hit.
• No infield fly rule for Coach Pitch.
• The batter shall receive a maximum of six (6) pitches or three (3) swinging strikes. However, the at-bat may not end on a foul ball. For example, if the 6th pitch is fouled, then a 7th pitch is awarded, otherwise known as a continuation of the at-bat. An at-bat will not end on a foul ball. Bunting is not allowed. 
• Intentional Walks are not allowed in Coach Pitch.
•  Runners cannot lead off or steal bases. A runner is out if they leave the base before the ball is hit or reaches home plate and the ball is contacted. If the ball is not contacted the umpire will warn the baserunner. If the ball is put in play the runner will be declared out. If two or more runners leave the base early the lead runner will be declared out.
• A courtesy runner for the catcher of record in the previous inning may be used. The courtesy runner shall be the player that made the previous out. If no outs have been recorded in the game, the courtesy runner shall be the previous batter not on base, or the last scheduled batter.
• Time is called when the ball (at the umpires discretion) is thrown or run to the pitcher position or Pitching Coach. All runners already halfway to the next base will get that base. If runners are not yet half-way, then they will return to the previously touched base.
• Defensive coaches shall not be allowed on the field of play along the foul lines (i.e., no outfield coaches) and shall coach from the dugout, or area immediately in front of the dugout as long as not to interfere with the offensive team’s base coaches or live play.
• Offensive coaches will be allowed at 1st and 3rd base only. All other coaches remain in the dugout, or in the area immediately in front of the dugout as long as NOT to interfere with defensive teams’ ability to make plays.
• 7 max runs per inning

All other rules, not explicitly covered within our guidelines, will be subject to the umpire's discretion and will follow the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) guidelines. 

Game Duration:

Games have a duration of:

• 9U-12U: 1hr 30 min

• 13U: 1hr 40 min
• 14U: 1hr 45 min

OR maximum 6 innings.

Games may start up to 30 minutes ahead of schedule. Teams are expected to be warmed up and ready.

During Pool Play, if there are less than 5 minutes remaining in the game, a new inning will not start; however, the home team will have the opportunity to finish the current inning if they are down.

*See the Cancellation Policy for inclimate weather or extenuating circumstances impacting schedule. 

General Rules:

• A team is required to start the game with a minimum of 8 players. For each spot in the lineup that falls short of 9, an automatic out will be charged. For instance, if a team starts the game with 8 players, an out will be charged once the lineup reaches the 9th spot.

• If a player arrives after the game has begun, they must be added to the bottom of the batting order. However, if at any point during the game the lineup falls below 8 players due to ejection, injury, or illness, the game will result in a forfeit for the team with the insufficient number of players.

Offense: 

• You have the following 4 choices for your lineup:

  1. Bat 9 straight

  2. Bat 9 with DH

  3. Bat 10/play with 9 with EH

  4. Bat the entire lineup

  When using options 1-3, all eligible subs must be listed on the lineup card. Your official lineup must be presented to the opposing coach and plate umpire prior to the start of each game.  When using option 4 and a player is injured or unable to play, the team must take an out for that spot in the lineup.  A player that has not batted or played in the field, and is injured, will be skipped and taken out of the lineup.  You cannot use both a DH and an EH.

•  Runners may lead off and steal.
• Infiled fly is in effect. Up to the umpire's discretion. May not be protested or challenged.
• No max runs

Defense:

• Pitching: 

  • Pitching limit - 9U -12U:

    • 24 Outs total for the weekend
    • Pool Play: Max 6 outs in order to pitch in bracket play. 
  • Pitching limit - 13U & Up
    • 27 Outs total for the weekend
    • Pool Play: Max 6 outs in order to pitch in bracket play.  
  • Balks: There will be one balk warning given to pitchers during pool play. No warnings during bracket play. Coaches and parents are expected to have a comprehensive understanding of balk rules and to demonstrate trust and respect for the umpires' judgment and expertise.

• Run Rule:
  • 15 runs after 3 completed innings
  • 10 runs after 4 completed innings
  • 8 runs after 5 completed innings.

All other rules, not explicitly covered within our guidelines, will be subject to the umpire's discretion and will follow the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) guidelines.