RULES
Visit our National Rule Set at PLAYNCS.COM
1.01A Proof of eligibility (age-based)
In divisions 5U – 18U, all players participating in NCS Baseball tournament play shall always have photocopies of their original birth certificate in the possession of their team manager. Upon protest, failure to have a photocopy of the original birth certificate immediately available upon demand shall result in the offending team losing the game(s) and being ejected from the tournament.
Rule 1.01B Proof of eligibility (grade-based)
All grade-based players must have a copy of their birth certificate, current report card, or official school ID with the grade, or any official government document stating the grade. Grade exemptions are eligible for 14-18u only. There are a maximum of two (2) players eligible to play above their designated age.
Rule 1.02 Rosters
Rosters are frozen prior to each event on a predetermined date. Players participating in a team’s lineup that are not listed on the roster are considered ineligible and will be removed from the event and the head coach will be ejected from the event. If the ineligible player has pitched during the event, he will be removed from the mound. Managers & coaches must be listed on team account or roster in order to be eligible to coach on the field during games.
Rule 1.03 Accuracy of roster
When listing a player on your official online roster, team managers are required to use the player's first name, last name. The middle name may be added after the first name & before the last name if the middle name is also listed on the birth certificate. No nicknames, shortened names, slang names, initials, prefixes, or suffixes are allowed. Date of birth (in proper format – mm/dd/yyyy) must be listed EXACTLY as it appears on the player's original birth certificate, as a member on an eligible team’s Official Online Roster. Failure to comply with this rule shall result in your team being prohibited from participating in NCS. Providing a false or edited birth certificate will result in an immediate and permanent ban from all NCS events.
Rule 1.03A Multiple Rosters
Players found to be playing on multiple teams in the same weekend, anytime during an NCS event is prohibited. This includes different age divisions within the event.
Rule 1.04 Roster Classifications/Guidelines
1) Playing up in age - Division 1 teams wishing to play up in age would need to register in Division 1 or Division 2 of the next higher age division of the tournament. If a Division 1 team plays up 2 age divisions, they can play Division 3.
Example – 12u D1 would need to play 13u D2 -or- 12u D1 can play 14u D3
2) Roster restrictions by classification/division
● Division 1 – There are no roster restrictions
● Division 2 – A total of 4 players that have been listed on a team with a higher classification in the same season.
● Division 3 – A total of 4 players that have been listed on a team with a higher classification in the same season. Of the 4 players, only one can be from a Division 1 team.
● (D1 Player cannot pitch in D3 Division in the same age group) Penalty: Remove player from pitching and eject coach from the game.
Teams wishing to lower their classification must contact their Region Director.
Teams with a .500 or better in-class record must register the following season in the same classification if six or more players are returning to the same team, or meet the guidelines in "Roster restrictions by classification/division".
It is the team manager's responsibility to know each player's team history within NCS. You can search for player records within NCS using this link https://playncs.com/baseball/players
4) The parent or legal guardian of the player must be listed as the contact and sign the player waiver.
● If you are a parent or a guardian, you can edit the player's name in your login. Do not add “nicknames” or suffixes (ex: Jr or IV)
● Listing the player's name in any other format could make the player ineligible to play!
Rule 1.05 Illegal Players
A player that is found to be illegal due to an age or grade violation during a league or tournament game shall result in the offending team losing the game(s) team and the player being ejected from the tournament; team being placed last in the standings and forfeiting all awards, points, sponsors travel money and berths that would have been or have been awarded. The illegal player shall be removed from the offending team’s Official Online Roster and additional penalties may be applied.
Rule 1.06 Classifications
• Division 1 is our most competitive division comprised of highly competitive teams from around the Nation. Equals to Major
• Division 2 is for strong regional teams that compete at a high level but are not competitive in Division 1. Equals to AAA
• Division 3 is comprised of local travel teams. Equals to AA
Rule 1.06A
State and National Directors have the authority to change a team’s classification at any time.
Rule 1.07 Participation requirements
· Rule 1.07A All teams participating in National Championship Sports events and leagues must be registered for the current season and sanctioned by NCS.
· Rule 1.07B All teams must have a liability insurance policy that meets the requirements of the NCS Region Director and have National Championship Sports listed as additionally insured.
· Rule 1.07C The team’s manager is responsible for all aspects of the eligibility of the players on his team and that they meet the requirements as set forth by NCS.
Rule 2.00 Participation in NCS Division 1 Super Series™ National Tournament
•(coming soon)
Rule 3.00 NCS Rankings and Seeding procedures
Rule 3.01 Calculations of rankings
• Division 3 – 50 points per win, 100 points per semifinal win, 150 points per championship win.
• Division 2 - 75 points per win, 150 points per semifinal win, 225 points per championship win. If brackets are split, the top bracket will receive D2 points, the second and successive bracket(s) will receive D3 points.
• Division 1 - 100 points per win, 200 points per semifinal win, 300 points per championship win. If brackets are split, the top bracket will receive D1 points, the second bracket will receive D2 points, and the third and successive brackets will receive D3 points.
Rule 3.02 Points awarded at events will be increased by the stature of the event.
· Leagues (X1 Points)
Qualifiers (X1 Points)
Double Points Qualifier (X2 Points)
· State or Zone tournaments (X3 Points)
· NCS Super Qualifiers (X4 Points)
Region World Series (X4 Points)
· NCS World Series (X5 Points)·
Rule 3.03 NCS Bracket Seeding Procedure
• Record
• Head to head with only 2 teams tied
• Runs allowed
• Runs scored
• NCS points ranking
• Automated coin flip
Rule 4.00 National Championship Sports Baseball and Governance
Rule 4.02 National Championship Sports is governed by the Board of Directors.
The National Championship Sports Baseball National Board of Directors
Rick Melendrez Sr - President of Youth Baseball (Southern California)
Domingo Castaneda (Texas)
Rick Melendrez Jr (Southern California)
Ed Feldman (Northern California)
Rule 4.03
Each State/Zone of National Championship Sports is governed by the State Director under the advice of the National Board of Directors. All-Tournament directors are governed by the State or Zone Director.
Rule 4.04
Appeals to any rulings or decisions can be escalated to the State level. There are no appeals past the State Director. The State Director’s ruling is final.
Rule 5.00 Ejections
Ejection offenses include but are not limited to:
Rule 5.01
Physical attack on an umpire, tournament official, associate director, team staff, and/or any player or fan prior, during, or immediately following a game played under the authority of National Championship Sports.
Rule 5.02
Players, coaches, managers, or sponsors threatening an umpire, tournament official, associate director, or associate officer with physical harm.
Rule 5.03
Any player, coach, manager, sponsor, director or officer who engages in physical fighting.
Rule 5.04
Using unsportsmanlike conduct or abusive language, symbol tactics, or derogatory or unbecoming acts.
Rule 5.05
Destruction of property, abuse, or failure to pay.
Rule 5.06
Receiving money directly or indirectly for playing on a team and/or based on athletic performance.
Rule 5.07
Competing under an assumed, false and/or altered name.
Rule 5.08
Use of any illegal equipment, substance, or falsification of any kind.
Rule 5.09
Tournament hosts have the authority to eject a player, fans or team anytime during a tournament of committing any of the above, but not limited to, listed offenses.
Rule 5.10
A player or coach ejection carries removal from that game and 1 additional game.
Rule 5.11
Coach or manager who is ejected for the second time in a specific tournament is suspended for the rest of the event and subject to further penalties.
Rule 5.12
Malicious contact, players must seek to avoid contact.
Rule 6.00 Batting, Line-Up & Offense Rules
6.01 Teams may elect to bat the following in a lineup
• Straight 9 with a least 1 substitute
• 9 with a DH with at least 1 substitute
• 10 with an EH with at least 1 substitute
• Entire rostered players present at the field (entire lineup)
6.02 NFHS substitute rules apply
The team must field a minimum of 8 players to start the game. If a team has less than 8 players at game time is forfeit time. Teams electing to bat their entire roster should note that in case of a player not being able to continue due to injury will only be an out the first time that player's spot comes up in the batting order, however, in the case of a player ejection, the ejected player's spot will be an out every time that player's spot comes up in the batting order. A minimum of 8 players shall be required to start a game and teams cannot finish with less than 8 players with the 9th spot being an automatic out every time up. The 9th player can be added to line up in the 9th spot in the batting order at any time during the game as long as that player is legally rostered on the team. Starters may re-enter one time only in their original batting order. NOTE: In the event of a player being injured during the course of a game and an injured player cannot continue and the team has no more players with eligibility (subs have been used) the last declared substitute used by the respective team then will be allowed to sub for the injured player. No outs are declared at this point. This exception is used to promote player safety and in the spirit of fair play.
6.03 Designated Hitter
(DH), may be used in the 9U-14U divisions. Normal substitution rules apply for the Designated Hitter (DH).
6.04 Extra Hitter
A team may use the EH, (extra hitter) if desired in any (Ages 9 thru 14) game. The manager must declare the use of an EH prior to the start of the game. The EH position shall be considered the same as any other position. Normal substitution rules apply. However, any team that begins play using an EH, must maintain a 10-player line-up throughout the game. If, due to injury, a team shall fail to field nine players, an out shall be recorded each time the EH was to have come to bat. Note: The extra hitter listed on the original line-up is considered the extra hitter for the entire game no matter what defensive position he assumes during the game. The extra hitter may occupy any position in the batting order. Once the game has commenced, the position of the EH in the batting line-up cannot change during the game.
6.05 Slash Bunts
Not allowed in ages 09U-13U. Penalty for slash bunt will result in an out & head coach ejection. No contact with the ball is required for an out to be called. 14U may use slash bunt on 60/90 field only. **This rule varies by region that the event is hosted in & is not illegal in all regions of play.
6.06 Courtesy Runners
For the pitcher & catcher once they reach first base.
A courtesy runner will not be allowed if a pitch has been made to the next batter.
The courtesy runner must be a legal substitute currently not in the game, which includes starters that have been substituted for, but are eligible for re-entry.
If you are batting your entire roster, the courtesy runner must be the last batted out.
If a team only has one substitute or only 1-out has been recorded, the courtesy runner will revert back to the last batted out if the substitute is on base or the last batter in the lineup that batted out is on base.
Rule 7.00 Playing Field and Equipment
Rule 7.01 The playing field should be laid out according to age-specific dimensions. The field must have a protected player dugout. NCS will be played at the following distances:
• 5U - 8U 40x60
• 9U - 10U: 46x65
• 11U-12U: 50x70
• 13U: 60x90 or 54x80
• 14U-18U: 60x90
Rule 7.02 Banned metal bats
2020 Louisville Slugger META 33/30 (-3)
MarucciCat5 MCB2 33/30 BBCORNikeBT0636 CX2light grey
2015 DeMarini CF7 (-5)
2015 Easton XL1 (-5)
2016 DeMarini CF8 (-5)
2016 Demarini CF8 (-8)
2016 DeMarini CF8 (-10)
2017 Demarini CF Zen Balanced (-5)
**2017 DeMarini CF Zen Balanced (-8)WTDXCBR 2129-1729?/21 oz
**2017 DeMarini CF Zen Balanced (-8)WTDXCBR 2230-1730?/22 oz
**2017 DeMarini CF Zen Balanced (-8)WTDXCBR 2331-1731?/23 oz
**2017 DeMarini CF Zen Balanced (-8)WTDXCBR 2432-1732?/24 oz
**2017 DeMarini CF Zen SL 2 3/4 (-10)WTDXCBZ 1828-1728? /18 oz
**2017 DeMarini CF Zen SL 2 3/4 (-10)WTDXCBZ 1929-1729? /19 oz
**2017 DeMarini CF Zen SL 2 3/4 (-10)WTDXCBZ 2030-1730?/20 oz
**2017 DeMarini CF Zen SL 2 3/4 (-10)WTDXCBZ 2131-1731?/21 oz
**2017 DeMarini CF Zen SL 2 3/4 (-10)WTDXCBZ 2232-1732?/22 oz
**2017 DeMarini CF Zen Zero Dark 2 3/4 (-10)WTDXCBZ 1929-17F129?/19 oz
**2017 DeMarini CF Zen Zero Dark 2 3/4 (-10)WTDXCBZ 2030-17F130?/20 oz
DeMariniCustom 2017 CF Zen 2 3/4 (-10)WTDCCBZ17V
DeMariniCustom 2017 CF Zen Balanced (-8)WTDCCBR17V
Dirty SouthKamo BB KA 8 (30/22, 31/21, 32/22, 31/23, 32/24 only)
EastonGhost X (30/20 only) – (USA BASEBALL MARKED)YBB18GX10 30/20 LL18GHX 30/20 Japanese
*National Championship Sports reserves the right to amend these rules at any time for specific tournament play.
**Re-tooled models of these bats may be used in NCS. When returned from the manufacturer, these bats will have a new orange end cap, updated model number, and stickers indicating the corrected performance standards
Rule 7.02 A Permitted Wood Composite Bats
Rawlings:
5150 Composite Pro Wood WC5150
Big Stick R243CH
Big Stick R243CS
VELO Composite Wood R110CV
VELO Composite Wood R110CH
VELO Composite Wood R110CR
VELO Composite Wood Y151CV
Rawlings Composite 243MBS
Rawlings Composite 243CUS
Rawlings Composite 110CMB
Rawlings CompositeY151CB
Rawlings Maple/Bamboo Composite 271 MBC
Rawlings Maple/Bamboo Composite SL151G
Baum:
AAA Pro Maple Baum Bat (Gold & White editions)
AAA Pro Ash Baum Bat (Gold & White editions)
DeMarini:
Models: D243, D271, I13, D110
MacDougall:
PowerWood
Marucci:
AP5 Hybrid Pro Model
7.02B
Any bat that has been altered from its original factory specifications is an illegal bat. Any NCS listed staff member at any time can request to inspect any bat that has been brought onto the property that an NCS governed event is being held. The owner may either:
7.02B(1)
Withhold the bat and accept an immediate 5-year ban from all NCS sanctioned events, or:
7.02B(2)
Allow the Staff member to inspect the bat and reach a conclusion as to whether the bat might be altered.
(Penalty: If the bat is found to be altered, the owner will receive a lifetime ban from all NCS sanctioned events)
Rule 7.03 Bat limitations
All bats must be marked 1.15bpf, BBCOR or USA stamped
5U-12U no weight restriction
13U no bats lighter than (-8)
14U – 18U bats must meet NFHS rule requirements (BBCOR ONLY)
(Penalty: prior to the first pitch the bat will be removed from the game. Once a pitch has been thrown to the batter with the illegal bat, the batter is out. Once the next batter receives a pitch, the previous batter that used the illegal bat cannot be protested.)
7.03 A
Teams playing 14U D2 & 14U D3 may use up to (-5) bats. Teams playing 14U D1 or Open Divisions must use BBCOR (-3) bats.
Rule 7.04
Metal spiked cleats are allowed only in 13U – 18U
Rule 7.05
Catchers must use a full “hockey-style” helmet.
Rule 8.00 Pitching Rules
Note: Pitching limit rules only apply when the event/league has pitch tracking enabled or when it specifies on the "Event Info" section of the tournament/league that pitching rules will be used. Tournament/league director may set their own pitching rule limit standards other than seen below if listed on the "Event Info" of the tournament/league. 12U Under once a pitcher is removed from the game they are not eligible to return to pitch in the same game for any circumstance.
Rule 8.00A
12U and Under: Once a pitcher is removed from the game they are not eligible to return to pitch in the same game for any circumstance.
Rule 8.01 Pitching Limits
12U and under 24 outs for the weekend. No more than 6 outs on Saturday to pitch the next day.
13U and 14U 27 outs for the weekend. No more than 6 outs on Saturday to pitch the next day.
15U and up no pitching limitations. **This rule varies by the event is hosted in. Double-check with your Tournament Director
Rule 8.02 Pitching Limit Violation Penalty
First offense: The coach will be removed from the game. The pitcher will be removed from the pitching position but is still eligible for other positions for the remainder of the game.
Second offense: Tournament/League director discretion.
Rule 8.03 Pitching Mound Visits
Visits will remain 2 per inning, with a second visit to the same pitcher in the same inning resulting in a pitching change.
Rule 9.00 Coach Pitch 7u - 8u
Rule 9.01
Pitching & Base Distances. 7U/8U uses 40' pitching and 60' bases.
Rule 9.02
Game Times & Innings. Games will consist of 6 innings or 1 hour and 15 minutes (whichever comes first).
Rule 9.03
Roster Size, Coaches, and Game Play Parameters. Teams will consist of no more than 20 players. There will be a Head Coach and a maximum of 3 assistant coaches (the Max Allowed is 4 Coaches). All teams must bat the roster, with free substitution. The batting order never changes. A team can begin a game with 8 or more players. If you are playing with 8 or 9 players, when the 9th and 10th batting spots come up and there is not a player in that spot, an automatic out will be charged. Any player that arrives after the game begins will be added to the bottom of the batting order. If at any time the lineup falls below 8, either by ejection, injury or illness, the game results in a forfeit. If a player is ejected, then each subsequent scheduled plate appearance by the ejected player results in an out. If a player is lost due to injury or illness, during the game, then the lineup is compressed without an out being recorded (no penalty). When Batting the Roster there is free defensive substitution.
Rule 9.04
The Pitching Coach. The pitching coach must either straddle the rubber or stand on the rubber. The pitching coach shall not verbally or physically coach at any time while in the pitching position. If the pitching coach violates this rule the Head Coach will be warned. In the second violation, the pitching coach will be removed. If no coach is left to pitch, that team will forfeit the game. The pitching coach shall position himself as not to be an obstruction to the defensive team on any possible play once the ball has been hit. If the pitching coach intentionally obstructs a play, obstruction will be called, and the pitching coach shall be ejected. If no coach is left to pitch, that team will forfeit the game. If the pitching coach gets hit with a batted ball, the ball becomes dead and a no-pitch is declared.
Rule 9.05
If any coach is hit with a thrown ball unintentionally, 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 (baserunners would be returned to their last legally occupied base).
Rule 9.06
Defensive Player Positions. When a team is on defense, they will play with 10 players on the field. Four outfielders (they must be in the outfield grass). There will be four infielders (they must stay behind a 30-foot arc until the ball is hit). There will be a catcher who must be in a catching position in the catcher's box. If in the umpire's judgment the catcher does not stay in a catching position, he and the Head Coach will be warned. The second time this happens the Head Coach will be ejected from the game. If a new catcher comes into the game, they will be given a warning first, ejection on the second occurrence. There will be a player pitcher (they must stay in the pitching circle until the ball is hit - the pitching circle is defined as being with 3 feet of the rubber to either side). If there is a violation of this rule, play continues and after the end of the play, the batting team has the option of keeping the play or taking a no pitch.
Rule 9.07
Infield Fly. There is no infield fly rule.
Rule 9.08
Bunting. Bunting is not allowed.
Rule 9.09
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.
Rule 9.10
Intentional Walks. A player may only be Intentionally Walked once per game by an announcement from the defensive team.
Rule 9.11
Lead-offs and Stealing Base. 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.
Rule 9.12
Courtesy Runners. 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.
Rule 9.13
Max Runs Per Inning and Run Rule.
● Max Runs Per Inning = 7.
● Run Rule = 15 AFTER 3 COMPLETE INNINGS, 10 AFTER 4 COMPLETE INNINGS, 8 AFTER 5 COMPLETE INNINGS
● The game is over when the opposing team is mathematically eliminated from scoring enough runs to win or tie the game after time expires. Run Rules still apply.
Rule 9.14
Umpires shall call time after every play and declare the ball dead. Time shall be called as soon as the lead runner is not attempting to advance.
Rule 9.15
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 teams’ base coaches or live play. Umpire can restrict to 2 field coaches and 2 dugout coaches as needed.
Rule 9.16
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. Umpire can restrict to 2 field coaches and 2 dugout coaches as needed.
Rule 10.0 8U Kid Pitch Rules
● No lead offs
● No stealing home. A runner starting a play at 3rd base may ONLY advance home on a batted ball or when forced home by a walk, hit batter, or another force play.
● Walks are a dead ball situation
● No dropped 3rd strike rule
● No balks
● No infield fly rule
● 7 run limit per inning
Rule 11.0 5U - 6U T-Ball Rules
● 3 swings per plate appearance
● The batter may not size up after it has been placed on the tee
● The batter must wait for the verbal batter bat to swing
● Any batter ball must leave the ten-foot semi-circle to be declared a fair ball
● Any batter who does not put a ball in play after 3 swings will be declared out
● No infield fly rule
● The pitcher must maintain contact with rubber until batter swings
● 5 runs per inning
12- Refund Policy
A. All refunds will be issued back to the credit/debit card used to register for the particular event.
B. There is no refund if pulling out within 5 days (Monday preceding) of the event. Age groups/divisions that do not make will get a full refund.
C. Once an online payment has been made for an event the right to dispute the charge has been waived by the payee.
D. RAINOUT REFUNDS (Entry Fee Only):
3 Game Guarantee Tournament
● 0 games played = Full Refund
● 1 game played = 1/2 Refund
● 2-3 games played = No Refund
● A game is considered “played” once it has started.
2 Game Guarantee Tournament
● 0 games played = Full Refund
● 1 game played = 1/2 refund
● 2 games played = No refund
● A game is considered “played” once it has started.
E. No individual gate fees will be refunded at any time.
F. NO SHOW/ SURRENDER REFUNDS
● Any team that no shows to a scheduled event/tournament will be responsible for full payment of registration fee and gate fee. NO REFUNDS, NO EXCEPTIONS!