OTC Rules

Welcome to OTC Sports! We operate under NFHS rules with some additional guidelines to ensure fair play and sportsmanship. Please read and adhere to the following rules:


 Communication

  • Head Coaches Only: We do not communicate with parents. All matters are handled directly with head coaches.


 Re-Classification of Teams

  • AAA Classification: If your team has 6 or more players who were on a AAA team the prior season, the team must sanction as AAA unless otherwise approved by OTC Sports Admin.
  • Re-Classification Criteria: Teams consistently winning by large margins and those with notable win/loss records will be re-classified after each weekend of play.


 Guest Players

  • Open Events: Up to 2 guest players (AA, AAA, or MAJOR) allowed.
  • AA Events: Up to 2 AA guest players allowed.
  • AAA Events: Up to 2 AAA guest players allowed.
  • Major Events: Up to 2 MAJOR guest players allowed.
  • Roster Removal: All guest players are automatically removed from the roster on Monday and are not re-classified. Failure to remove players may result in reclassification. Players added to a roster and not listed as "guest players" will be glued to that roster and not be removed. 


 No Pets Allowed

  • Pets: Pets are not allowed at any event.


 No Boom Boxes or Music

  • Music Policy: Music is not allowed due to proximity of fields.


 Game Balls

  • Provision: Teams must provide their own baseballs.

 Gate Fees

  • Fees: $10 per person, non-refundable. Ages 10 and under are free. Honesty about age is required.


1. Ensuring Correct Rule Interpretations

  • Adhere strictly to NFHS rules and OTC Sports guidelines for accurate interpretation. An umpire in charge is always on site, if you feel a ruling is wrong stop the game and ask him to report. Do not stop the game on judgement calls only rulings. 


2. Coaches/Parents Conduct

  • Maintain sportsmanship and professionalism. Police on site will be used if needed. 


3. Age Control Date/Grade Based Players

  • Follow age and grade restrictions as specified by OTC Sports.


4. Banned Bats List

  • Use only approved bats as listed below.


5. Player Bat Rules

  • Follow rules regarding bat specifications and usage.


6. Team Removal Deadline/Fines

  • Abide by deadlines for team removal and associated fines for non-compliance.


7. Team Awards

  • Awards will be given based on performance and adherence to rules.


8. Roster Guidelines

  • Ensure rosters are accurate and updated regularly.


9. Field Dimensions

  • Adhere to field dimensions as specified by OTC Sports. All venues vary.


10. Pitching Guidelines

  • Follow specific pitching rules below for each age group.


11. Batting Lineups

  • Maintain proper batting order and lineup rules.


12. Courtesy Runners

  • Allow for courtesy runners as per NFHS guidelines.

13. Run Rules

  • Follow run rules for game completion.


14. Headfirst Slides

  • Follow regulations regarding headfirst slides.


15. Slash Bunts

  • Slash bunts are prohibited.


16. Home Team Determination

  • Home team designation will be determined according to OTC Sports guidelines listed below. 


17. Protest

  • Procedures for filing protests are listed below and are to be followed.


18. Event Uniforms

  • Uniforms must comply with OTC Sports standards.


19. Game Time Lengths

  • Adhere to specified game durations.


20. Official Games

  • Follow rules for what constitutes an official game.


21. Event Baseballs

  • Use only real baseballs.


22. Seedings/Tiebreakers

  • Follow guidelines for team seeding and tiebreakers.


23. Steel Spikes

  • Steel spikes are not allowed on any turf fields.


24. Scored Game Forfeits

  • Follow protocols for handling forfeits.


Coach Pitch Rules Are Listed Below

  • Adhere to specific rules below for coach-pitched games listed below.


1. Ensuring Correct Rule Interpretations

  • Communication Protocol: All OTC Sports umpires use radios to communicate with the Umpire in Charge (UIC). This protocol ensures correct rulings.
  • Judgment Calls: The game will not be stopped for judgment calls. UIC contact is reserved for rule interpretations only.
  • Requesting UIC Consultation: If you believe a rule interpretation is needed, request the umpire to pause the game and call for UIC consultation.
  • Post-Game Interpretation: Failure to follow the protocol will forfeit the opportunity to seek rule interpretation after the game.

2. OTC Sports Coaches/Parents Conduct Policy Guidelines

  • Abuse Policy: Verbal or physical abuse towards umpires or staff will result in immediate police intervention and removal from the event. Abusive individuals will be banned from future OTC events.

3. Age Control Date/Grade-Based Players (2024/2025 Season)

  • Grade-Based Players: Each team may have a maximum of 2 grade-based players.
  • Documentation: Coaches must have valid documentation (report cards or principal’s signed documents) for each grade-based player.
  • Protest Fee: A $300 fee applies for challenging a grade-based player's eligibility. Without proper documentation during a protest, the player will be disqualified from the event. Any games that the illegal player participated in the event will result in a 7-0 forfeit.


4. 2023/2024 Banned Bats List

  • Banned Bats: Any bat withdrawn by the manufacturer or found disallowed by NCAA, NFHS, or USA Baseball will be banned from OTC Sports play.

5. Player Bat Rules

  • Bat Specifications:
    • USA bats are allowed.
    • Wood bats that are unaltered and defect-free are permissible.
    • BBCOR certified bats are allowed unless restricted by NFHS.
    • Other bats must bear the "1.15" stamp or certified BESR rating.
  • Age-Specific Rules:
    • 7U-12U: No weight/length ratio restrictions for non-wood bats.
    • 12U Playing Up: Must follow 13U bat rules.
    • 13U: Use -3, -5, or -8 non-wood or authorized wood bats.
    • 13U Playing Up: Must follow 14U bat rules.
    • 14U: Use -3 or -5 non-wood or authorized wood bats.
    • 15U: Use -3 non-wood or authorized wood bats.

6. Team Removal Deadline/Fines

  • Removal and Fines:

* Teams withdrawing from a scheduled event less than seven days prior will incur a $200 fine. These teams will not be allowed to participate further until the fine is settled.

* Teams pulling out after pool play schedules are set will face a fine of $300. This will be accompanied by a suspension of participation rights.

* Teams that fail to appear at a scheduled event will be subjected to a $500 fine. They will also face a temporary suspension from OTC sports until the fine is fully paid.


7. Team Awards

  • Presentation: Awards are not presented during events. Coaches are responsible for distributing awards to their players in their own unique way.
  • Incomplete Pool Play: Awards will not be issued if pool play is incomplete.

8. Roster Guidelines

  • Team Management: Teams must establish an OTC Sports account for complete team management.
  • Birth Certificates: Copies of players' birth certificates must be available at each event.
  • Roster Finalization: Rosters must be finalized online by midnight before the event starts.
  • Roster Adjustments: Adjustments can be made weekly within designated limits.
  • Participation Rules:
    • Players cannot participate for two teams in the same event. Ownership will dictate the penalty case by case. 
    • Players playing up may also play down within their own age group.
  • Roster Compliance:
    • Any games that the unlisted player participated in will be a 7-0 forfeit and the unlisted player is removed from the remainder of the event. Illegal players will be removed from the event unless overridden by the director based on the situation.
    • Player names on rosters must match birth certificates.
    • Numbers on the lineup sheet must match participating players' numbers.

9. Field Dimensions

  • General: Field fence distances vary by venue.
  • Coach Pitch: Uses 60 feet bases.
  • Age-Specific Dimensions:
    • 9U-10U: 46 feet pitching, 65 feet base paths.
    • 11U-12U: 50 feet pitching, 70 feet base paths.
    • 13U: 54 feet pitching, 80 feet base paths.
    • 14U-15U: 60 feet pitching, 90 feet base paths.

10. Pitching Guidelines

  • Daily Innings: No restriction on innings pitched daily for two-day events; coaches are responsible for arm safety.
  • Logging Innings: Pitching innings are logged on signed game cards, available for inspection at team check-in. Once signed, the card is official.
  • Innings Limits:
    • 2-Day Events:
      • 9U-12U: 8 innings total.
      • 13U-15U: 10 innings total.
    • 1-Day Events: All ages allowed 5 innings total.

11. Batting Lineups

  • Options:
    • Bat 9 straight.
    • Bat 9 with a Designated Hitter (DH) and play 9.
    • Bat 10 with an Extra Hitter (EH) and play 10.
    • Bat the entire lineup without DH or EH.
  • Continuous Batting: Continuous batting order with defensive substitutions applies only to the entire lineup.
  • Injury/Sickness: If a player cannot bat due to injury or sickness in a full lineup, an appeal by the opposing coach may result in an automatic out. Severe injuries will lead to lineup adjustments, excluding the player.

12. Courtesy Runners

  • Eligibility: Pitchers or catchers may use a courtesy runner upon reaching base.
  • Substitute: The courtesy runner must be a legal substitute, including reentry-eligible starters.
  • Full Lineup: The last batted out is the courtesy runner.
  • Limitations: A courtesy runner can be used only once per inning. If needed twice, another substitute can replace the last batted out.
  • Coaches Pitch: Courtesy runners for catcher only.

13. Run Rules

  • Rules:
    • 12 runs after 3 innings.
    • 10 runs after 4 innings.
    • 8 runs after 5 innings.

14. Headfirst Slides

  • Prohibition: Headfirst slides are prohibited for ages 8-12 with helmets featuring face guards, C-flaps, or non-breakaway chinstraps.
  • Exception: Allowed when returning to any base.
  • Penalties: Offending teams will receive a warning for the first infraction; subsequent infractions result in a delayed dead ball out.

15. Slash Bunts

  • Ban: Slash bunting is banned in all ages.
  • Penalty: Players attempting a slash bunt are called out, regardless of contact.

16. Home Team Determination

  • Pool Play: The team listed on the right is HOME; the team on the left is AWAY.
  • Elimination Games: The highest-seeded team is the home team.
  • Scorekeeping: The home team provides the official scorekeeper using a written scorebook.An Ipad is NOT an official scorebook.
  • Score: Forfeits result in a 7-0 score in favor of the winning team.score: Forfeits result in a 7-0 score in favor of the winning team.

17. Protest

  • Fee: A $300 cash fee is required to file a protest.
  • Scope: Protests are limited to player eligibility issues only.
  • Outcome: Losing a protest results in forfeiture of the protest fee.


18. Event Uniforms

  • Uniform Requirements: Uniforms must be of the same color and style for all team players.
  • Fall Baseball: There is leniency regarding uniforms for fall baseball.


19. Official Game Times

  • General: No drop-dead time; all games must be completed.
  • One-Day Events: All ages have 1-hour game times.
  • Coach Pitch Two-Day Events: 1-hour games, 6 innings, with run rules.
  • 9U-12U Two-Day Events: 1:30 game duration, 6 innings, with run rules.
  • 13U-15U Two-Day Events: 1:30 game duration, 7 innings, with run rules.
  • Elimination Games: Must be played to completion; ties resolved via international tiebreaker.
  • Minimum Players: A minimum of 9 players is required to start and finish a game. 


20. Official Games

  • Cancellation: Games are official if both teams complete 3.5 innings with the home team leading, or 4 complete innings.
  • Tie Resolution: Ties are resolved by evaluating the last completed inning for both teams.
  • Bracket Play Winners: Determined by least runs allowed, run differential (max 7), most runs scored (max 7), points, and coin flip (viewed on video).


21. Game Baseballs

  • Provision: Teams provide their own official baseballs due to preference.


22. Seeding/Tiebreakers

  • Determination Order:
    • Least runs allowed
    • Run differential (max 7 runs)
    • Most runs scored (max 7 runs)
    • Points
    • Coin flip (video available for both teams to view)


23. Steel Spikes

  • Allowance: Steel spikes are allowed only for ages 13U and 14U.
  • Restrictions: Prohibited on all turf fields and portable mounts.


24. Game Forfeits

  • Score: Forfeits result in a 7-0 score in favor of the winning team.





OTC Sports Rules Page: Coach Pitch 

Welcome to OTC Sports! Below are the rules specific to Coach Pitch games to ensure fair play and a positive experience for all participants.


Pool Play Games

  • Run Rule: In pool play games, if the home team is ahead by more than 7 runs when time expires, the away team has the opportunity to score up to the 7-run maximum for seeding purposes.
  • Bracket Games: If time expires in the top of the inning and the home team is ahead, the game ends if the visiting team cannot potentially win or tie by scoring 7 runs.
  • Home Team Batting: If time expires in the top of the inning, the home team will only bat if they are losing or the game is tied.
  • Infield Fly Rule: The infield fly rule does not apply in Coach Pitch.
  • Intentional Walks: Intentional walks are not allowed.
  • Base Running: Runners cannot leave the base until the hitter makes contact with the ball.

Team Composition

  • Regulation Team: Consists of 9 to 10 players.
  • Coach Pitch Requirements: Not all players are required to play.
  • Lineup Guidelines: Refer to section #10.
  • Defensive Positions: Teams can have either 9 or 10 defensive players:
    • Minimum Requirements: One player must pitch, and one must catch.
    • 10 Defensive Players: At least 2 must be in outfield positions.
  • Umpire Monitoring: Umpires will monitor outfielders in infield positions and notify coaches if necessary.

Game Start/Finish

  • Minimum Players: A minimum of 9 players is required to start and finish a game. 
  • Forfeit: Dropping below 8 players results in a forfeit, with the score at the time of forfeit unless the forfeiting team is leading (scored 7-0).
  • Fair Balls: Determined by a 10-foot arc.
  • Player Movement: Restricted by a 30-foot arc until the ball is contacted.

Pitching

  • Pitching Mark: The pitching mark is 40 feet from home plate within the safety circle.
  • Pitching Position: Coaches may pitch from the front of the safety circle.
  • Pitching Foot Position: The pitcher must have one foot in the safety circle until ball contact.
  • Early Leaving: If the pitcher leaves early, the offensive team may choose to continue play or enforce a no-pitch.

Batting

  • Pitch Count: Each batter receives six pitches or three strikes.
  • Sixth Pitch Continuation: Fouling off the sixth pitch allows continuation until no contact or an in-play hit occurs.
  • No-Swing on Sixth Pitch: Results in an out.
  • Inning Limits: Max of 7 runs or 3 outs per inning.
  • Pitching Coach Impact: A baseball hitting the pitching coach is a foul ball, with intent judged by the umpire.
  • Bunting: Bunting is not permitted.

Coaches

  • Offensive Coaches: 1st base, 3rd base, and pitching coaches are allowed on the field during play.
  • Defensive Coaches: Limited to the area in front of their dugout during play.
  • Umpire Calls Time: After each play when:
    • All runners have stopped attempting to advance.
    • The ball is controlled by an infielder.
    • No imminent defensive play is pending.


Thank you for adhering to these guidelines. We appreciate your cooperation in creating a controlled and enjoyable environment for players, coaches, and spectators.