Baseball5 Rules Guide: Complete Official Rules for Beginners and Players

Understanding Baseball5: The Official Rules Explained

Welcome to the complete Baseball5 rules guide! Whether you’re a McLean parent exploring this new sport for your kids, a coach preparing your team, or a player ready to step onto the court, this guide will teach you everything you need to know about Baseball5’s official rules as recognized by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC).

Thanks to Baseball5Nation.com, McLean and DMV communities now have access to organized leagues and proper instruction in this exciting sport. Let’s dive into the rules!

The Fundamentals: How Baseball5 Works

The Playing Field

Baseball5 is played on a compact square field measuring 18 meters x 13 meters (approximately 59 feet x 43 feet). This small footprint means you can play almost anywhere:

• School gymnasiums in McLean
• Community center courts
• Parking lots (marked with chalk or tape)
• Outdoor concrete surfaces
• Indoor sports facilities

Base Layout:

• 4 bases arranged in a diamond formation
• Base distance: 13 meters (42.6 feet) between each base
• Bases can be marked with cones, plates, or tape
• Home plate serves as both starting and scoring position

Team Composition: The Rule of 5

Each Baseball5 team consists of exactly 5 players on the field at all times. Here’s what makes it unique:

• Co-ed requirement: Every team MUST have both male and female players
• Typical configuration: 3 players of one gender, 2 of another
• Roster size: Teams can have 6-10 players total (allowing substitutions)
• No gender batting order: Players bat in any order regardless of gender

This co-ed requirement makes Baseball5 revolutionary in promoting gender equality in sports.

Game Structure and Timing

Innings and Duration

• 5 innings per game (not 9 like traditional baseball)
• Average game time: 15-20 minutes
• Each team bats once per inning
• 3 outs end the inning (just like traditional baseball)

Time Limits (Tournament Play):

• Pool play games: typically 12-15 minute time limits
• Playoff games: full 5 innings, no time limit
• Tied games: extra innings or specific tiebreaker rules apply

Batting Rules: Hitting Without a Bat

How to Hit the Ball

The most unique aspect of Baseball5: you hit with your bare hands!

Legal Hitting Techniques:

• Self-toss: Batter tosses the ball up and hits it with their hand/arm
• Height requirement: Ball must be tossed at least above the batter’s head
• Hitting zone: Can use palm, fist, forearm, or wrist to strike the ball
• One-handed or two-handed: Both techniques are legal
• Swing and miss: Counts as a strike (just like regular baseball)

Illegal Hits (Automatic Outs):

• Hitting the ball below head height
• Throwing the ball instead of hitting it
• Using kicking motion to propel the ball
• Hitting the ball while stepping on or over home plate

Batting Order

• All 5 players bat every inning in a set rotation
• Batting order remains the same throughout the game
• If a substitute enters, they take the batting position of the player they replace
• Every player gets equal at-bats (no benchwarmers!)

Strikes, Balls, and Outs

There are NO called balls or strikes in Baseball5! Here’s how it works:

• Swing and miss: Strike (batter gets multiple attempts)
• Foul balls: Count as strikes, EXCEPT with 2 strikes (foul ball = out!)
• Three strikes: Batter is out
• Fair ball: Ball must land or be touched in fair territory

IMPORTANT: Unlike traditional baseball, a foul ball with 2 strikes results in an out. This speeds up the game significantly!

Fielding and Defense Rules

Defensive Positions

With only 5 fielders, positioning is crucial:

• Pitcher/Middle infielder: Covers center of the infield
• First base defender
• Second base defender
• Third base defender
• Deep fielder/rover: Covers the outfield area

Teams can adjust positioning based on the batter, but all defenders must remain in fair territory until the ball is hit.

How to Record Outs

1. Caught Fly Balls:

• Any ball caught in the air (fair or foul) is an automatic out
• Must be caught with bare hands (no gloves!)
• Runners must tag up before advancing

2. Force Outs:

• Defender with ball touches the base before runner arrives
• Only applies when runner is forced to advance

3. Tag Outs:

• Defender touches runner with ball or ball-hand while runner is off base
• Runner can be tagged between bases or when returning to base

4. Foul Ball with 2 Strikes:

• Automatic out (unique Baseball5 rule!)

Throwing and Fielding

• No gloves: All fielding is done with bare hands
• Unlimited throws: Fielders can throw to any base at any time
• No leading off: Runners must remain in contact with base until ball is hit
• Quick transitions: Fielders can throw immediately after fielding the ball

Base Running Rules

General Base Running

• Runners must touch all bases in order: 1st → 2nd → 3rd → Home
• Multiple runners can occupy the same base simultaneously (temporarily)
• Runner must avoid contact with fielders or be called out for interference
• Running outside the base path to avoid a tag = automatic out

No Leading Off or Stealing

Critical Rule: Runners CANNOT lead off or steal bases in Baseball5!

• Runners must keep contact with the base until the ball is hit
• Leaving early = automatic out
• Once ball is hit, runners can advance at will

Tagging Up on Fly Balls

• On caught fly balls, runners must return to their base (tag up)
• After tagging up, they can attempt to advance to the next base
• Leaving base before catch = runner can be doubled off for an out

Overrunning Bases

• First base only: Runners can overrun without being tagged out
• All other bases: Runners must maintain contact or risk being tagged
• If runner overruns 1st and attempts to advance to 2nd, they can be tagged out

Scoring Rules

• 1 run: Each time a runner safely touches home plate
• No home runs: All runs must be earned by running the bases
• Runs count: Even if third out is made, runs score if runner crossed home before the out
• Force out at home: Runner is out, run does NOT count

Winning the Game:

• Team with most runs after 5 innings wins
• Tied after 5 innings: Extra innings until a winner is determined
• Mercy rule (tournament dependent): Game can end early if team leads by 15+ runs

Special Situations and Advanced Rules

Interference and Obstruction

Offensive Interference:

• Runner intentionally interferes with fielder attempting to make a play = runner is out
• Batter interferes with catcher = batter is out

Defensive Obstruction:

• Fielder blocks base path without the ball = runner awarded base
• Intentional obstruction = runner advances one base

Fair vs. Foul Territory

Fair Ball:

• Lands in the infield between the baselines
• Passes 1st or 3rd base in fair territory
• Is touched by a fielder in fair territory

Foul Ball:

• Lands outside the baselines
• Goes out of bounds before reaching a base
• Remember: Foul with 2 strikes = OUT!

Substitutions

• Unlimited substitutions allowed during the game
• Substitutes must maintain co-ed requirements
• Player who is substituted out can re-enter the game later
• Substitute takes the batting order position of player they replace

Equipment Rules

The Ball

• Official Baseball5 ball: Soft rubber ball
• Size: Approximately 70mm diameter (similar to tennis ball)
• Weight: Light enough for hand-hitting but heavy enough to travel
• Color: Typically bright colors for visibility

Player Attire

• Athletic shoes required (no cleats needed!)
• Comfortable athletic clothing
• Team jerseys (for league/tournament play)
• No gloves, bats, helmets, or protective gear needed

Common Rule Misconceptions

New Baseball5 players from McLean often make these mistakes:

❌ WRONG: You can steal bases
✅ CORRECT: No leading off or stealing allowed

❌ WRONG: Foul balls don’t count as outs
✅ CORRECT: Foul ball with 2 strikes = automatic out

❌ WRONG: You need 9 players per team
✅ CORRECT: Only 5 players per team, must be co-ed

❌ WRONG: Games last an hour like baseball
✅ CORRECT: Games are 15-20 minutes (5 innings)

❌ WRONG: You can throw the ball to hit
✅ CORRECT: Must toss ball up and HIT it with hand/arm

Rules for Different Age Groups

Baseball5Nation.com offers programs for various ages in McLean and the DMV. Rules may have slight modifications:

Youth Division (8-12 years)

• Smaller field dimensions (can be adjusted to 15m x 11m)
• Softer balls for safety
• Emphasis on learning fundamentals
• More lenient on technical violations

Teen Division (13-18 years)

• Full-size regulation field
• Standard official ball
• Strict rule enforcement
• Competitive tournament format

Adult Recreation

• Full official rules apply
• Optional modifications for safety/fun
• Co-ed requirement strictly enforced
• League-specific rules may vary

Getting Started with Baseball5 in McLean

Now that you understand the rules, ready to play? Here’s how McLean families can get started:

• Visit Baseball5Nation.com for local leagues and programs
• Practice the basics: Start with self-toss hitting and catching drills
• Form a team: Gather 5+ friends (remember: co-ed!)
• Join a winter league: Perfect for staying active during cold months
• Attend clinics: Learn from experienced Baseball5 coaches

Quick Reference: Baseball5 Rules Cheat Sheet

Field: 18m x 13m
Players: 5 per team (co-ed required)
Innings: 5 total
Outs per inning: 3
Hitting: Self-toss with bare hands
Foul with 2 strikes: OUT
Leading off: NOT allowed
Stealing: NOT allowed
Game time: 15-20 minutes
Equipment: 1 rubber ball + athletic shoes

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Ready to Play Baseball5 in McLean?

Understanding the rules is just the beginning! Baseball5 is easy to learn but challenging to master. The fast-paced action, constant involvement, and strategic depth make it addictive for players of all skill levels.

The DMV Baseball5 community is growing rapidly, and McLean is at the center of this exciting movement. Whether you’re looking for winter training, year-round competition, or just a fun new sport to try, Baseball5Nation has programs ready for you.

Learn more about Baseball5:

• Baseball5 is Coming to McLean
• Benefits for Youth Athletes
• Getting Started in the DMV
• Equipment Guide

Visit Baseball5Nation.com today and join the revolution! 🎉