Rules/Guidelines for BALTIMORE PIKE SOFTBALL LEAGUE 2025 PLAYOFFS

BELOW IS PLAYOFF SPECIFIC RULES. FOR ANYTHING NOT COVERED IN THIS DOCUMENT REFER BACK TO THE 2025 SPRING SEASON RULES.

 

1. 2025 PLAYOFF STRUCTURE

  • All brackets will be single elimination.
  • All game results MUST be entered in TeamSnap immediately at the conclusion of each playoff game to keep accurate standings. Winning team will enter the score.
  • Higher seed will be the home team. NO MATTER THE LOCATION OF THE GAME! For 8u coin flip prior to the game will determine the home team.
  • NO CALL UP PLAYERS or PLAYERS FROM OTHER TEAMS CAN PLAY IN THE PLAYOFFS! All players must be officially rostered to that specific team / age group. If you do not have enough players to play, it will be a forfeit.
  • Umpires will be provided at all levels. Fees are split between the two teams. 8u umpires are paid $50 ($25 each team); 10u and 12u umpires are paid $75 ($37.50 each team)
  • Awards will be presented to 1st and 2nd place teams.

 

2. GENERAL PLAYOFF RULES

  • All playoff games will be 6 inning games.
  • All Playoff games will have a 1 hour 45 minute time limit (no new inning)
  • 10u and 12u playoff games will have a 5 run per inning max with the exception of the last inning which will be unlimited runs (The last inning is either the 6th inning or the last inning as determined by the umpires in relation to time. Once the last inning is determined that is the last inning of the game NO MATTER WHAT)
  • 8u games will be 5 runs per inning, including the last inning.
  • Playoff game mercy rules – 15 runs after 3 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings
  • International tiebreaker will be used for all extra innings. In the case that last inning is called due to time restrictions. All innings after last inning is called will revert to ITB.

 

3. 8U SPECIFIC PLAYOFF RULES

  • All 8u playoff games will be COACH PITCH ONLY! No player or machine pitch in the playoffs.
  • 6 pitches or 3 SWINGING strikes will be an out, which ever comes first. There are NO called strikes. There is also no altering the rule to allow all players to swing at all 6 pitches for the playoffs.
  • There is no hit by pitch at 8u. Since it is coach pitch, unfortunately if a batter is hit, that counts, as a pitch and no base will be awarded.
  • Outfielders MUST play in the OUTFIELD. They are not permitted to play in the infield. No more then 6 players can play in the infield (Pitcher, Catcher, 1b, 2b, SS 3b)
  • Game times will be 1 hour 45 minutes no new inning. All games must have a winner. In the event of a tie International Tie Breaker will be used after the completion of the 6th inning or determined last inning due to time limits. Last batter from the previous inning will be placed on second base to start extra innings.

 

4. 10U SPECIFIC PLAYOFF RULES

  • 3 walk, 4-ball rule from the regular season is still in play. If a player walks 3 batters in a specific inning, a coach will come in to pitch after any additional players are “walked”.
  • A pitcher may re enter the game at pitcher 1 time during the game.
  • If a player/pitcher hits a batter the batter is awarded first base. If a coach/pitcher hits a batter the ball is immediately dead but the batter does not take a base. Any runners who are stealing on a coach pitch hit batter are to be returned to the base they occupied prior to the pitch.
  • A pitcher must be removed from the game if they hit 3 batters in a single inning or 5 batters in a game.
  • Pitchers are allowed to throw a max of 3 innings per game.
  • Game times will be 1 hour 45 minutes no new inning. All games must have a winner. In the event of a tie International Tie Breaker will be used after the completion of the 6th inning or determined last inning due to time limits. Last batter from the previous inning will be placed on second base to start extra innings.

 

5. 12U SPECIFIC PLAYOFF RULES

  • A pitcher may re enter the game at pitcher 1 time during the game.
  • A pitcher must be removed from the game if they hit 3 batters in a single inning or 5 batters in a game.
  • Pitchers are allowed to throw a max of 4 innings per game.
  • Game times will be 1 hour 45 minutes no new inning. All games must have a winner. In the event of a tie International Tie Breaker will be used after the completion of the 6th inning or determined last inning due to time limits. Last batter from the previous inning will be placed on second base to start extra innings.

 

6. LINE UP RULES

  • Continuous batting order MUST BE USED!
  • If a player leaves the game early and their spot in the line up has to be skipped this will result in an out for the batting team.
  • If a player is ejected from the game and their spot in the line has to be skipped this will result in an out for the batting team.
  • A player showing up late to the game can be added to the bottom of the line up.
  • Batting out of order results in an out for all players that batted out of order. If batting out of order is discovered in the middle of an at bat, the correct batter can be put in during the at bat but they inherit the count.

 

7. OTHER INFO

  • Any game that is protested due to a RULE discrepancy must be done before the next pitch of the game. Remember judgment calls CANNOT BE PROTESTED!
  • Any questions on rule interpretations please contact Sean Fullerton 610-247-1113 – SFULLERTON2187@GMAIL.COM