Baseball Rule Changes

The following are new rules and rule modifications for 2025: 

1. Jewelry is permissible unless an item is deemed unsafe, unsportsmanlike or distracting by the umpire. See Rule 1.18. 

2. Balks and illegal pitches will now be enforced in Class HH. See Rule 8.5.N. 

3. Leadoffs and stealing are now permitted in Class H. See Rule 7.13. 

4. For 2025, all bats that were legal in 2024 will remain legal however any bat bearing the USA Baseball stamp and has not been decertified will also be legal. In 2026, all non-wood bats must have the USA Baseball stamp and are not on the decertified list. See Rule 1.10 and Rule 10.2.P. 

5. Pitch count revisions. See Rule 8.10: a. Class G: 51-85 pitches require 2 days of rest. b. Class F: Daily pitch limit increased to 100 pitches. 51-85 pitches require 2 days of rest, 86+ pitches require 3 days of rest. c. Classes EE and E: 51-85 pitches require 2 days of rest, 86+ pitches require 3 days of rest. 

6. In double elimination state tournaments, the team representing the winner’s bracket in the first state championship game is considered the higher seed. If the team from the loser’s bracket wins the first state championship game, the team winning the first state championship game is considered to be the higher seed. 

7. Play cards (i.e. play calling wrist bands) are permitted to be worn. If worn, play cards must be on the wrist area and comply with Rule 1.15.C for pitchers. See Rule 1.11.G. 

8. Check in time for managers has been changed from 1 hour to 30 minutes prior to scheduled start for tournament games. Managers are reminded that field warm up times also begin 30 minutes prior to scheduled start time. See Rule 11.5. in Blue Book.