Playing Field & Equipment Rules

BASEBALLS

One (1) dozen baseballs are provided to each registered team. These baseballs are the only acceptable baseballs to be used for league games. Each team is responsible for providing a new ball at the pre-game meeting. The home team also will provide a previously used good game ball at that time. Ages 8U through 12U use Rawlings RNF and 13U through 18U use Rawlings NFHS.

BASES

Base size and placement are governed by MLB Rule 2.03. Bases must be secured to the ground. Breakaway bases are allowed but must be initially secured to an anchored base. Safety/double first bases are allowed. NOTE: Teams may continue to use the old MLB base size of 15".

BATS

Baseball bat performance standards are primarily defined by three major youth sports associations - USSSA, USA Baseball, and NFHS

USSSA

The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) is one of the largest baseball associations in the United States. Non-wood bats must not exceed the 1.15 BPF. BPF stands for Batting Performance Factor and measures how fast a ball comes off the bat. Non-wood bats must be labeled with the USSSA 1.15 BPF stamp to be considered legal. Also, USSSA allows BBCOR certified and wood bats. For details on BBCOR certified bats, see NFHS below. Read USSSA standards for more details.

In 2020, USSSA implemented an additional restriction on bats for 13U. Bats are restricted to a maximum drop of 8 (-8). The "drop" is the difference between the bat weight in ounces and the bat length in inches.

USA Baseball

USA Baseball is another large baseball association which includes Babe Ruth, Cal Ripken, Little League Baseball, and PONY Baseball as members. In 2018, USA Baseball implemented a more restrictive bat standard for youth baseball. This standard results in non-wood bats having wood-like performance. The bats have a USABat stamp. Read USA Bat standards for more details.

NFHS

National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) governs high school sports around the country. NFHS requires non-wood bats to be BBCOR certified. BBCOR stands for Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution and is another measure of how a ball exits when connecting with a bat. No-wood bats must be labeled with the BBCOR Certified .50 stamp to be considered legal. Also, NFHS allows wood bats.

What does KVBSA follow?

For 8U through 14U, KVBSA follows the standards defined by USSSA. For 15U through 18U, KVBSA follows the standards defined by NFHS. Note: For 15U through 18U, USSSA follows NFHS as well so technically, KVBSA follows the USSSA standards for all age groups.)

Can USA Baseball certified bats be used in KVBSA?

Yes. The USA Bat performance standards are more restrictive than USSSA so they meet the USSSA guidelines. Note: If you choose to use these bats, you may find yourself at a competitive disadvantage to a team using the less restrictive USSSA standard.

Which bats are allowed at tournaments?

This will depend on the tournament. If the tournament is sanctioned by USSSA, their standards will be used. If the tournament is sanctioned by one of USA Baseball's members, their standards will be used. For other tournaments, you will need to ask the tournament director what standard they follow.

FIELD DIMENSIONS

Field dimensions are governed by USSSA Rule 7.01 - Playing Field, Equipment & Safety and noted in the KVBSA Game Rules.

For 14U, the expectation is that games will be played at 60' 6" / 90' however due to limited field availability for those dimensions, games may be played at 54' / 80'. Home teams should notify visiting teams of the field dimensions prior to the day of the game.

If the field dimensions are found to be incorrect after play has started, corrections to the field should be made at the end of the current inning.

PITCHER MOUNDS

If a pitcher mound is allowed (as specified below), the dimensions are governed by USSSA Rule 7.01 - Playing Field, Equipment & Safety.

Pitcher mounds are allowed or disallowed as follows:

  • If the mound is a permanent feature of the field and meets measurement requirements, it is allowed. For 8U through 13U age groups, the home team must inform KVBSA so it may be noted on the web site.
  • If the mound is portable and meets measurement requirements, it is only allowed for the Open divisions in age groups up to 13U. The home team must inform KVBSA so it may be noted on the web site.
  • For 14U through 18U, permanent and portable mounds that meet measurement requirements are allowed and no notification is necessary.