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BRLP NCR Regional reference

Know the rules.
Respect the game.

Use this guide for the playing, roster, equipment and conduct rules adopted for the 2026 BRLP NCR Regional Championship.

See division rulesRoster: 12–15 players
How to read this page

These guidelines summarize the playing and roster rules adopted for the BRLP NCR Regional tournament. Babe Ruth League / Cal Ripken rules provide the playing-rule foundation, with NCR Regional provisions noted where applicable. Organizer announcements control event-specific updates.

Important: Tournament format, scheduling, game procedures, and NCR-specific event rules are subject to change when necessary based on final participation, venue or field conditions, scheduling requirements, safety considerations, or other operational circumstances. Any changes or final interpretations will be determined by the NCR Commissioner and tournament organizers, and official tournament announcements will take precedence over information published on this page.
Before game day

Roster & eligibility

Only properly registered and verified players may participate.

Team roster: minimum 12 players and maximum 15 playersThis is an event-specific NCR Regional rule. It is separate from the broader Babe Ruth League / Cal Ripken national roster allowance. Teams may build a roster progressively, but at least 12 valid players are required to complete team registration.
Screening requiredThe BRLP screening committee must screen and approve rostered players.
Supporting documentsPrepare a PSA birth certificate, current school ID or government-issued residence certificate, and signed parental consent as requested by the registration workflow.
Eligibility basisNational eligibility may use school, birthplace or residence evidence. Regional organizers make the final event-specific determination.
Choose the correct format

8U Coach Pitch • 10U Player Pitch • 12U Player Pitch

Division differences are intentional. The 8U format below does not use player pitching.

Local / NCR Regional format

CAL RIPKEN 8U — COACH PITCH

Coach pitch only. There is no player pitching in this tournament format.

NO STEALING
Game6 innings / 1:30Whichever comes first
PitchingCoach pitch40–42 feet, overhand
At batMaximum 4 coach pitchesFoul on fourth continues
Coach pitch setupEstablish the pitching line 40 feet from the apex of home plate. The coach may work along the line from approximately 40–42 feet, standing or on one knee. Pitches are overhand with a reasonably flat trajectory: no lobbing or underhand pitching.
Maximum coach pitches per batterEach batter receives up to four coach pitches. The batter is out on a swinging third strike or when the ball has not been put in play after four pitches. If the fourth pitch is fouled off, keep pitching while the batter keeps fouling pitches. A foul bunt after two strikes is an out.
BuntingBunting is allowed. Fake bunt followed by a swing is not allowed; if the batter squares to bunt, pulls back and swings at that pitch, the batter is out.
Base runningNo stealing in 8U Coach Pitch. Runners may advance only under the applicable live-ball rules.
Defense: 10-player alignmentUse four outfielders. Outfielders must stay in the outfield grass and may not be positioned as extra infielders. The defensive player at pitcher remains in the pitching-circle area behind or to the side of the coach until the ball is hit.
CatcherThe catcher plays in the normal position in full required catcher equipment and returns the ball to the coach-pitcher after pitches, except during live-ball situations.
Optional Extra PlayerThe standard Coach Pitch lineup has 10 batters matching the 10-player defense. An optional Extra Player (EP) may be used as an 11th batter; if elected, use that lineup option consistently. An EP is not an additional roster slot—the NCR Regional roster maximum is 15 players.
Game lengthSix innings or 1 hour 30 minutes, whichever comes first. Tied games continue until a winner is determined. Championship Games have no time limit under the Cal Ripken Coach Pitch base format.
8U special rules and coach-pitch situations
Ball hits the pitching coachIf a fair batted ball hits the pitching coach before touching a defensive player, the ball is dead, the batter is awarded first base, and runners return unless forced by that award. If a defensive player touches the ball first, or a thrown ball hits the coach, the ball remains live.
Walks and hit by pitchNo intentional walks. A batter hit by a coach pitch is not awarded first base.
No infield flyThe infield fly rule does not apply in 8U Coach Pitch.
Run rulesA 15-run lead can end the game after 2½ or 3 innings when teams have had equal at-bats. A 10-run lead can end the game once regulation status is reached at 3½ or 4 innings when the required equal-at-bat condition applies.
Player-pitch divisions

CAL RIPKEN 10U & 12U — PLAYER PITCH

Player-pitch workload guidance below applies only to 10U and 12U.

10UMaximum 75 pitches per pitcher in one day under the currently published event guidance.
12UMaximum 85 pitches per pitcher in one day under the currently published event guidance.
Tracking and restCoaches must follow the applicable player-pitch tracking and rest procedure issued by tournament officials. These player-pitch limits do not apply to 8U Coach Pitch.
Finish the batterIf a limit is reached while facing a batter, the pitcher may finish that plate appearance.
Player safety

Player pitching: 10U & 12U only

8U is coach pitch. Nothing in this section applies to the Cal Ripken 8U Coach Pitch format.

Pitching changesA pitcher may leave and return unless removed from the mound because of a second trip.
Hit-by-pitch removalTwo hit batters in one inning removes the pitcher from the mound; three in the game removes the pitcher from the game.
Player-pitch limits10U: 75 pitches per day. 12U: 85 pitches per day. Coaches should confirm official tracking and rest procedures at the regional briefing.
What to bring

Equipment & uniforms

8U / 10U / 12U batsUse a USA Baseball-approved bat with the USA Baseball marking and a maximum 2⅝-inch barrel. BBCOR and USSSA bats are not permitted in these Cal Ripken divisions.
Rubber cleats8U, 10U and 12U players may use rubber cleats; metal cleats are not allowed for these divisions.
Matching uniformsPlayers must wear matching, numbered uniforms and the required Cal Ripken shoulder emblem.
Illegal equipmentRemove any bat that does not meet the applicable standard before play. The umpire applies the event penalty for illegal equipment.
During the game

Gameplay essentials

These rules apply across the listed divisions unless a division-specific rule above says otherwise.

15-minute grace periodA team unable to begin after the grace period forfeits the game. Two forfeits may lead to tournament withdrawal without refund.
Minimum playEach player must have at least one at-bat or three defensive outs per game, subject to the shortened-game provision.
No designated hitterThe NCR Regional format does not use a designated hitter. The 8U EP option is described in the 8U section and is not a roster expansion.
Re-entryA starter may withdraw and re-enter once in the same batting position. A withdrawn substitute may not re-enter.
Extra-inning tiebreakerAt the start of each extra inning, the last recorded batter of the previous inning starts at second base, subject to the applicable substitution rule.
Umpire authorityJudgment calls are final. Only the manager or head coach may discuss plays or rules with umpires.
Delays & pace of play

Weather, timeouts & transitions

30-minute weather waitFor rain or thunderstorms, officials use a 30-minute wait before deciding how the game proceeds.
Suspended or calledIf weather continues, officials announce whether a game resumes later or is called according to its completed-game status.
Six timeoutsThree offensive and three defensive timeouts per game, each limited to 90 seconds.
30-second changeoverTeams must enter and leave the field within 30 seconds between innings.
Organizer updates: Follow organizer-issued game-day notices for weather, field and timing changes.
Results & disputes

Standings, calls & protests

Two-team tieHead-to-head result is the first tiebreaker.
Three-team tieOrder: most total runs scored, then fewest total runs allowed, then coin flip; the remaining two revert to the tied-standing procedure.
ProtestsUse the protest process and fee announced by the regional tournament officials.
Serious infractionsRepeated violations involving equipment, minimum play or misconduct can trigger tournament penalties.
Everyone’s responsibility

Field decorum

No fightingPlayers or adults involved in physical altercations on or off the field may be suspended from the tournament.
No alcohol or harassmentAlcohol is prohibited on tournament grounds. Jeering, bullying and artificial noisemakers are not tolerated.
Keep the dugout clearDugout access is limited to the participating team personnel and scorer. Teams must clean and vacate promptly.
Respect the facilityDamage may be charged to the responsible team manager or head coach.
Questions or event-specific changes?

Ask the tournament organizer. Official organizer announcements control event-specific updates.