Fall 2025 Banana Bash Series
This is a PAP (Pay at the plate) event. Each team will pay one umpire at the plate meeting before each game begins. Coach pitch is $40, 9U-12U is $55, 13U & up is $60.
Entry fees
Coach pitch – $100
9U-12U – $125
13U & up – $150
The following Banana rules supplement the USSSA rules of normal tournament play.
For this unique event created after the “bananas” style of play, any scenario not covered directly in the following white sheet, the umpire crew on the field has the authority to make any ruling they believe best aligns with the spirit of the game.
Spectators
Spectators will sit behind their team’s dugout or immediately behind home plate only. Spectators should not mix with the spectators from the opposing team.
Umpires may immediately eject aggressive and/or unsafe spectators or move the spectator beyond the outfield fences. The game will not resume until the spectator has moved to the umpire’s designated location. If they refuse to move in a timely manner, the game will be recorded as a forfeit.
RULE ONE: Win the inning, get the point
Every inning is worth one point. The team that gets the most runs in an inning gets a point for that inning. In the final inning, where every run counts.
As soon as the home team scores an inning-winning run, the inning ends immediately. There is no need to get all 3 outs.
Final inning must be declared by the umpire prior to the inning. If FINAL INNING is not declared, there is NO every run count inning.
POOL Play: Games may end in a tie.
RULE TWO: Time Limits
Game times for 7u – 8u: 1 hour
Game times for 9u – 12u: 1 hour 15 minutes
Games times for 13u – 14u: 1 hour 30 minutes
During Bracket play: Once time has expired, the tiebreaker rules will take effect.
RULE THREE: No Stepping Out
If a hitter steps out of the batter’s box, a strike will be called.
Umpires may call timeout for issues such as injuries, fixing safety gear or equipment, etc. Timeouts are at the umpire’s discretion. Falling off-balance and out of the box or stepping out of the box to clear for a play at the plate does not count as stepping out.
7u – 12u: 1 warning will be issued per team
13u-14u: No warning will be issued
RULE FOUR: No Bunting
If a hitter bunts, it will be declared an out.
RULE FIVE: Batters can steal first base
A batter can attempt to steal first base on any pitch, including a passed ball or wild pitch.
When a batter steps out of the batter’s box toward first base, they have declared their intent to steal, making the play live. Once the ball is considered live, traditional baseball rules apply in regard to force vs tag out plays on batters and all runners.
RULE SIX: No walks allowed
If a pitcher throws ball four, it becomes a sprint. The hitter will take off running while the following defensive players must touch the ball before it becomes “live”. The hitter can try to advance as many bases as they want.
Once the ball is considered “live”, traditional baseball rules apply in regard to force vs tag plays on batters and all runners.
There is no requirement for a fielder to possess the ball, only to touch.
13u – 14u: After the umpire calls Ball Four, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, LF, CF and RF must touch the ball before it becomes “live”. Runners already on base may advance at their own risk.
9u – 12u: After the umpire calls Ball Four, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B must touch the ball before it becomes “live”. Runners already on base may advance at their own risk.
7u – 8u: On the 6th pitch ONLY, any pitch that the batter makes contact with is considered a live, fair ball and is in play – no matter what direction the ball goes or how far it travels. If the ball goes into dead ball territory, it is a single and all runners advance one base. If the ball is fouled over the fence and is caught by a spectator, it is an out. If it is fouled over the fence and is not caught, it is a home run. This is ONLY on the 6th pitch.
RULE SEVEN: No Mound Visits
No mound visits from the coach, catcher or any other player.
Umpires can approve a mound visit for injury or in the interest of player safety.
If a coach visits the mound (unless signaled by the umpire for injury), the pitcher must be removed from the pitching position.
RULE EIGHT: If a fan catches a foul ball, it’s a recorded out
Ball must be caught in the air, not off trees, safety nets, fences, sheds or dugout structures.
Coaches are not considered fans.
Fans using unsafe or unsportsmanlike means to catch foul balls will be moved to the outfield or ejected from the game at the umpire’s discretion.
RULE NINE: Golden Batter
One time per game, a team may send any hitter in the lineup to bat, in any spot. The Golden Batter is inserted into the lineup (does not replace the scheduled hitter), and the lineup order will resume following the at-bat.
The last batted out will be sent as a pinch runner to accommodate (1) a baserunner that you want to take a golden at bat, and/or (2) a golden batter that’s on base when his scheduled at bat is to occur.
RULE 10: Showdown Tiebreaker (Bracket Only)
If the game is tied, (1) when time expires or (2) the game has completed the necessary innings, the game will go into showdown tiebreaker. The tiebreaker will only move to the next round if the previous round ends in a tie.
Round One: Pitcher, catcher and one fielder vs One hitter
Round Two: Pitcher, catcher vs One Hitter
Round Three: Pitcher, catcher and one fielder vs One hitter with the bases loaded. (Every run counts)
In rounds one and two, the hitter must score. If the hitter scores, it’s worth 1 point. If they get out, it’s worth no points. A player may only hit in one round of the showdown.
If a pitcher throws 4 balls before an out is recorded, the count will be reset. The hitter will remain at bat. If a pitcher throws 4 balls for the second time, the at bat is over and the offense will earn one point. In the third round, this will result in all FOUR runs scoring (preventing intentional walks to limit runs scored).
If a home run is hit over the outfield fence during any round of the showdown tiebreaker, it’s a walk-off win and the game is over. Both teams are NOT guaranteed an offensive opportunity.