Rules & Gameplay

Four baseball umpires in black uniforms confer during a game.

Starting Count — 1–1

Most youth at‑bats don’t become competitive until the first strike is thrown. Hitters are commonly instructed to “take until you get one,” and pitchers often use the early pitches to settle in. The result is predictable: long at‑bats, slow innings, and very little action.

Starting at 1–1 removes the non‑competitive portion of the at‑bat and puts both the hitter and pitcher into a real decision immediately. This creates faster innings, more balls in play, fewer walks, better defensive reps, and a more competitive environment for every athlete on the field.

The 1–1 count is used in professional development settings for the same reason — it forces meaningful competition right away.

Governing Rules

The 96 follows all applicable NFHS baseball and USA Softball fastpitch rules. All league‑specific modifications listed below apply to both sports and all age divisions. Our structure is built on established rulebooks with targeted enhancements that improve pace, fairness, and development.

Game Play

The 96 runs a 10‑game season built around one consistent weeknight per team, with every roster playing on the same night each week from Opening Night through the Championship. Practices begin immediately after the draft and continue until the season starts, giving each team real time to prepare. The first eight weeks make up the regular season, Week 9 is the playoff round, and the winners from that night advance to the Week 10 Championship Game under the lights. The champion earns the league’s postseason reward — a fully covered team entry into the Five Tool showcase event in Waxahachie on November 8–9 — giving the season a real destination and a true competitive finish.

Game Length

Games are scheduled for 1 hour and 45 minutes to maintain the two‑hour block between start times. Under normal play, games will reach the full 6 innings. The time structure exists for scheduling — not to shorten the game — and the 1–1 count ensures full, competitive innings.

League Modifications

The 96 uses a small set of targeted rule modifications designed to improve pace, fairness, and competitive balance:

Run Rules — 20‑run lead at any time (drop dead) and 8‑run lead after 5 innings.
International Tie Breaker — Bases loaded, one out, no defensive changes.
Pitch Count Limits — 75 pitches (12U) and 60 pitches (10U).
Courtesy Runner — Required for the catcher with two outs.
Bat Standards — USA Baseball, USSSA, BBCOR, and wood allowed.
Conduct Standards — No arguing, no parent interference, no alliances, no coach influence on rosters.
Roster Formation — Teams built strictly from evaluations and notes.