NCAA Baseball rules will be followed; however, there will be modifications to allow for more playing time per player. Those exceptions will be posted soon, including: lineups, substitutions, speed up rules, and additional adjustments that allow for more player interaction.
Game Day Rules
***Any changes to the Game Day Rules MUST be agreed upon by both coaches AND the
Umpire-in-Chief. Changes must also be reported to the commissioner upon agreement.
- All Regular Season Games will be 7 innings and will follow a 2 hour and 15 minute time limit. Run rules will apply: 10 runs after 5 innings.
- Lineups will Consist of 10 Players. 8 position players and 2 EH Spots. Pitchers will not hit.
- Players listed as EH can rotate freely on defense. Pitchers will never hit, unless they are initially in the lineup as a defender/hitter.
- There is no mandatory courtesy runner for catchers; however, a runner MUST be entered for the catcher with 2 Outs.
- Extra Innings will begin with the last out as a runner at 2B and one out. There will be a maximum of two extra innings played. A tie will be recorded if there is no winner after nine complete innings.
- There is no re-entry rule (players cannot re-enter to play position or hit, but can be the runner for the catcher is courtesy with 2 outs). Position players can be pulled from the lineup to pitch when necessary--but cannot hit–see #7.
- Any position player can be removed to warm up and re-enter on the mound but NOT to hit.
- There is a free standing gentlemen’s agreement during the game that could constitute in-game trades to make sure pitchers get assigned innings and hitters get at bats. Injuries or lack of roster depth could also constitute a game day trade.
- A coach may make an official trip to the mound once per inning. On the second trip in any inning, the coach MUST replace the pitcher. There is only one defensive time out available per inning.
- In case of an ejection, the player will miss the current game +1 on the first offense. On the second offense, the player will miss the current game + 2 games. The third offense, the player will be removed from the league. In case of a coach’s ejection, on the first offense, the coach will pay a $100 fine. The second offense, the coach will pay a $250 fine. The third offense, the coach will pay a $500 fine. The coach will be ejected for the current game with no other missed game time.
***Any changes to the Game Day Rules MUST be agreed upon by both coaches AND the
Umpire-in-Chief. Changes must also be reported to the commissioner upon agreement.
Pitching Rules
The Natural State Collegiate League’s pitching guidelines are in an effort to provide a format for reducing the possible overuse of game day pitching, which include both starting and relief pitchers. These guidelines are based on an eight man pitching staff and have been implemented to help reduce overuse.
Guidelines will limit a Starting Pitcher to no more than 110 pitches in a game. An exception to this guideline would be if that starting pitcher has a “No-Hitter”. In this case, the pitcher may remain in the game until a hit is produced; however, once that pitcher has reached 125 pitches, they MUST immediately be replaced from the game.
Relief pitchers will be limited to a 100 pitch count over a two day span (and 100 pitches in the same day), with no more than 50 pitches in any game.
If a reliever pitches 50 pitches; the next day, he can pitch in a game with no more than 50 pitches. Any pitcher that throws 51+ pitches is done for that day and weekend. So, for a pitcher to throw multiple days, he must throw 50 pitches or under in a day. If a pitcher is to throw in two games in the same day, that pitcher MUST be limited to no more than 100 pitches in a two game total--and no more than 50 pitches in a game.
All pitch counts must be verified after each game by both coaches and umpires.
The Natural State Collegiate League’s pitching guidelines are in an effort to provide a format for reducing the possible overuse of game day pitching, which include both starting and relief pitchers. These guidelines are based on an eight man pitching staff and have been implemented to help reduce overuse.
Guidelines will limit a Starting Pitcher to no more than 110 pitches in a game. An exception to this guideline would be if that starting pitcher has a “No-Hitter”. In this case, the pitcher may remain in the game until a hit is produced; however, once that pitcher has reached 125 pitches, they MUST immediately be replaced from the game.
Relief pitchers will be limited to a 100 pitch count over a two day span (and 100 pitches in the same day), with no more than 50 pitches in any game.
If a reliever pitches 50 pitches; the next day, he can pitch in a game with no more than 50 pitches. Any pitcher that throws 51+ pitches is done for that day and weekend. So, for a pitcher to throw multiple days, he must throw 50 pitches or under in a day. If a pitcher is to throw in two games in the same day, that pitcher MUST be limited to no more than 100 pitches in a two game total--and no more than 50 pitches in a game.
All pitch counts must be verified after each game by both coaches and umpires.
NSCL WEATHER & CONTINGENCY COMMUNICATION RULES
RULE 1 —WEATHER DECISION AUTHORITY & TIMELINE
1.01 Authority: The safety of players, staff, and spectators will always be the primary factor.
The authority to delay, postpone, suspend, or cancel games due to weather rests with:
1.02 Pre-Game Weather Evaluation Timeline
The league will follow this standard timeline on game days:
4 Hours Before First Pitch
1.03 In-Game Weather Suspension
A game will be suspended immediately if:
RULE 2 — SOCIAL MEDIA WEATHER COMMUNICATION
2.01 Official Communication Channels
Weather updates will be distributed through:
2.02 Communication Standards
The league will communicate:
Pre-Game Delays/Postponements
2.03 Team Responsibility: Teams are expected to:
RULE 3 — TEXT ALERT SYSTEM (IF UTILIZED)
3.01 Purpose
The league may utilize a text alert system to communicate urgent weather updates to all parties involved.
3.02 Use of Text Alerts
Text alerts are intended for supplemental alerts, but do not replace, official social media announcements. Each coach will be texted in a group text to send out to their players.
RULE 4 — MAKEUP GAME SCHEDULING PROTOCOL
4.01 General Philosophy
The league will make every reasonable effort to complete the full scheduled season.
Makeup games are scheduled based on:
4.02 Makeup Game Priority Order
Makeup games will be scheduled in the following order:
4.03 Official Game Definition/ League Authority
A game is considered official after:
RULE 1 —WEATHER DECISION AUTHORITY & TIMELINE
1.01 Authority: The safety of players, staff, and spectators will always be the primary factor.
The authority to delay, postpone, suspend, or cancel games due to weather rests with:
- Pre-Game: League Commissioner or League Operations Director
- After Lineups Are Exchanged: Home Plate Umpire has final authority to pause play.
- During Weather Delays: League + Umpire in Chief + Site Supervisor jointly
1.02 Pre-Game Weather Evaluation Timeline
The league will follow this standard timeline on game days:
4 Hours Before First Pitch
- League reviews radar, forecast, lightning risk, and weather conditions.
- Initial communication may be sent to coaches if concern exists.
- Preliminary decision window.
- League communicates likelihood of delay/postponement to coaches and host site.
- Final pre-game decision target whenever possible.
If weather is unstable, the league may delay the decision until closer to game time.
1.03 In-Game Weather Suspension
A game will be suspended immediately if:
- Lightning is detected within 8 miles
- Heavy rain prevents safe play
- Play suspended immediately.
- Minimum 30-minute delay after last lightning strike within 8 miles.
- Each new strike resets the 30-minute clock.
RULE 2 — SOCIAL MEDIA WEATHER COMMUNICATION
2.01 Official Communication Channels
Weather updates will be distributed through:
- League Twitter/X
- League Facebook
- League Band App
2.02 Communication Standards
The league will communicate:
Pre-Game Delays/Postponements
- Posted as soon as decision is made
- Game status (Delayed / Postponed / Cancelled)
- Expected update time (if delayed)
- Makeup game information (if available)
- Game status (Delayed / Postponed / Cancelled)
- Posted within 10 minutes of delay decision
- Include next update window (typically every 15-30 minutes)
- Posted immediately once confirmed
2.03 Team Responsibility: Teams are expected to:
- Share league weather posts
- Avoid posting unofficial or speculative updates
- Direct fans to official league communication
RULE 3 — TEXT ALERT SYSTEM (IF UTILIZED)
3.01 Purpose
The league may utilize a text alert system to communicate urgent weather updates to all parties involved.
3.02 Use of Text Alerts
Text alerts are intended for supplemental alerts, but do not replace, official social media announcements. Each coach will be texted in a group text to send out to their players.
RULE 4 — MAKEUP GAME SCHEDULING PROTOCOL
4.01 General Philosophy
The league will make every reasonable effort to complete the full scheduled season.
Makeup games are scheduled based on:
- Field availability
- Team travel considerations
- Competitive balance
- Remaining calendar availability
4.02 Makeup Game Priority Order
Makeup games will be scheduled in the following order:
- Doubleheader on next meeting date
- Added to end of regular season
- Cancelled if no viable option exists
4.03 Official Game Definition/ League Authority
A game is considered official after:
- 5 innings completed–4½ innings if home team is leading
- Declare the game final or Resume from point of suspension if standings require