Children’s sports are supposed to be fun – for the children. Unfortunately, many parents, fans and coaches don’t realize that their actions, whether verbal or nonverbal, can have a lasting emotional effect on children. Too many children are leaving sports activities because the fun is unfairly taken away by adults.
That is why the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation (NYSSF), a non-profit educational organization, is dedicated to promoting the healthy development of youth in sports, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Governors Committee on Physical Fitness and Sports, convened a consensus meeting with representatives from more than thirty sports, medical, educational and professional organizations to create the following Code of Conduct for parents and spectators to abide by at every game.
Parents, fans and coaches who follow this simple code can help reinforce what sports are all about... BEING FUN FOR EVERYONE.
12U & Younger: Barrel size must be between 2-1/4" and 2-5/8". Players may use USSSA BPF 1.15, BBCOR, or USA Baseball designations.
13U: Bat weight may not exceed -8. Players may use USSSA BPF 1.15, BBCOR, or USA Baseball designations.
14U: Bat weight may not exceed -5. Players may use USSSA BPF 1.15, BBCOR, or USA Baseball designations.
15U & Older: Bat weight may not exceed -3. Players may use BBCOR.50 designation or wood bat licensed by USSSA.
FBSA takes our athletes' arm health seriously. In order to limit potential injury due to overuse, all pitchers are held to strict guidelines (outlined in the table below) and it is the coach's responsibility to ensure they are followed at all times. There are three components: 1) Age, 2) a daily pitch count max, and 3) minimum required rest days (full calendar days).
Exception: If a pitcher reaches the pitch limit for their age or the rest day cutoff while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until: 1) the batter reaches base, 2) the batter is out, or 3) the half-inning ends; whichever comes first. With this exception, the pitch count reverts to the previous rest day requirement.
It is the responsibility of both the Home and Away scorekeepers to keep track of pitches and reconcile between innings. The Home team must record the score and pitch counts for all pitchers (including Name, Jersey #, and Number of Pitches) within 24 hours of the game ending. Failure to do so will result in the maximum daily pitch count applied to all Home team pitchers.
Use of an ineligible pitcher will result in game forfeiture and a mandatory 1-game suspension for the head coach.