Stars of Tomorrow League Rules 2026

Revised 3/13/26
Stars of Tomorrow Rules (printable version)

Important Note

The Stars of Tomorrow League follows NFHS rules unless otherwise noted below. Any league-specific rules listed here take precedence.

Programs, Teams, and Players

• The Stars of Tomorrow league includes teams from Belvidere, Pecatonica, Poplar Grove, Roy Gayle, and Stateline Shamrocks.
• Teams are intended for strictly recreational players so athletes can learn and compete with players of similar skill.
• If a team plays in more than three tournaments outside of the league, it is classified as a tournament team and is not eligible for league play.
• Travel players rostered on a travel team are not allowed to play in the league.
• Rec players may sub for travel teams.
• Games will not be moved to accommodate travel players’ schedules.
• Independent teams must be approved by the Stars of Tomorrow board before being accepted into the league.

Rosters

• All players must be registered on the official Stars of Tomorrow website roster page.
• All rosters lock at midnight prior to the start of league play.
• If a team adds a player after the deadline, the league director must be contacted for access.
• Using a player not listed on the official roster, or a borrowed player who does not qualify under borrowing rules, results in a forfeit.

Scores

• The home team by coin flip keeps the official book.
• Scores may be entered through the Stateline Sports Group app.
• The home team by venue must submit scores within one week or the visiting team receives a 1-0 win.
• The visiting team may correct an incorrect score within two weeks of the game.

Pregame Meeting

• Before the game, both managers meet the umpire at home plate with completed lineup cards.
• Lineup cards must include each player’s first and last name, uniform number, and the pitcher and catcher for the first inning.
• Borrowed players must be marked with a B next to their name.
• Any time changes or drop dead rules should be clarified at this meeting.

Home Team and Innings

• The home team is decided by coin flip at all venues. The winner chooses home or away.
• 8U and 10U games are 6 innings.
• 12U and 14U games are 7 innings.

Run Rules and Mercy Rules

Division	Runs Per Inning	Pitching Distance
8U	4	35 ft
10U	4	35 ft
12U	5	40 ft
14U	7	43 ft

Mercy rule: 12 runs after 3 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings, and 8 runs after 5 innings.

Defensive Players

• 8U and 10U use 10 defensive players with a minimum of 7.
• 12U and 14U use 9 defensive players with a minimum of 7.
• The opposing team may loan a player to bring a team to 7, with no automatic out imposed.
• In 8U and 10U, the defensive team must provide a parent or coach to back up the catcher.
• No more than 6 defensive players may be on the infield before the pitch.
• No player may sit out on defense for two consecutive innings.

Pitching Rules

• Any pitcher who throws at least one pitch in an inning is charged with an inning pitched.
• In 8U, coaches pitch the first two innings. Players pitch the remainder of the game while still following coach pitch rules.
• In 8U and 10U, an individual pitcher may pitch 2 innings per game, and innings do not need to be consecutive.
• In 12U and 14U, pitchers may pitch 4 innings per game but no more than 2 consecutive innings.

Coach Pitch for 8U and 10U

• After the 4th ball or a maximum of 6 pitches, the offensive coach enters to pitch.
• The batter gets 2 coach pitches, plus 1 additional pitch only if the 2nd coach pitch is fouled off.
• If the batter does not put the ball into play by the 3rd coach pitch, the batter is out.
• The coach must pitch with at least one foot on the rubber.
• The player pitcher must have one foot in the pitcher’s circle and one foot out.
• The pitching coach may not coach while the ball is live and must stay in the circle until play ends.
• There is no stealing during coach pitch.

Hit by Pitch and Trips to the Mound

• A pitcher must be removed from the inning if, in the umpire’s judgment, two batters are hit with significant force in the same inning.
• If removed a second time in the same game, that player may not return as pitcher.
• A batter may continue after being hit once unless significant force warrants first base.
• If hit a second time in the same at-bat, the batter must take first base.
• Coaches are allowed one trip to the mound per inning.
• On the second trip, 8U and 10U pitchers must be removed. In 12U and 14U, they are removed for the rest of that inning.

Offensive Rules

• All divisions use a continuous batting order with all players batting.
• On-deck batters stand behind the current batter.
• Courtesy runners are the last out, or the last player in the lineup if the game has just started.
• Courtesy runners may be used for the pitcher and catcher only.
• Bunting is allowed at all ages, including during 8U and 10U coach pitch.
• Dropped 3rd strike does not apply in 8U and 10U. It is in effect for 12U and 14U.

Leading Off, Stealing, and Overthrows

• Leading off is allowed in all age divisions once the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand.
• 8U does not allow stealing.
• 10U allows steals of 2nd and 3rd only. No stealing home.
• 12U and 14U allow full stealing.
• 8U and 10U runners may advance one base in jeopardy on overthrows when the ball is put in play.
• 12U and 14U runners may advance as many bases as possible in jeopardy on overthrows.
• 8U may not advance additional bases on overthrows out of play.
• 10U, 12U, and 14U advance according to USSSA overthrow out-of-play rules.

Safety and Sportsmanship

• First accidental bat throw results in a warning.
• A second bat throw results in the batter being called out and the ball being dead.
• Runners must avoid collisions when a defensive player has possession of the ball and is making a play.
• Sliding is not required, but strongly recommended.
• If a manager or coach is ejected, they must leave the playing area and may not coach the next scheduled game.
• If ejected from the park after being sent to the viewing area, they may not coach the next two scheduled games.

Warm-Ups and Start Time

• No pregame warm-up on the official diamond unless time allows for both teams to finish by the scheduled start time.
• No batting practice is allowed on the field before games.
• No soft toss against fences with hard balls.
• Pitchers get 5 warm-up pitches before the first inning and 3 before each inning after, unless entering new.
• Games begin exactly at game time or 5 minutes after the last recorded out of the previous game.
• The one-minute rule between innings will be enforced.

Time Limits, Weather, and Official Games

• Games are 90 minutes, then finish the inning. League games may end in a tie.
• Venues may modify time limits and use drop dead rules if necessary.
• If drop dead is reached, the score reverts to the last completed inning.
• If thunder is heard or lightning is seen, play stops immediately and all players and fans must move to safety.
• Play may not resume until 30 minutes after the last thunder or lightning.
• A game called due to weather is official after 4 innings, or 3 1/2 if the home team is leading.
• If called before that point, the home venue is responsible for rescheduling completion from the point of suspension.

Playing Short and Borrowing Players

• A team may continue with 7 players. No automatic out applies unless a player has been ejected.
• A team may start with 7 players. Late arrivals are added to the end of the lineup without an automatic out.
• If an eligible player arrives, they must enter immediately.
• Teams may borrow players only if fewer than 10 rostered players are available.
• Borrowed players must come from the same age division or younger.
• Same-age borrowed players may not pitch or catch and must bat after original rostered players.
• Teams must have at least 6 rostered players or they forfeit.
• Using a player not registered in a Stars of Tomorrow program results in a forfeit.

Tournament Roster Rules

• Rosters freeze at the start of each tournament.
• Once a tournament begins, teams may not borrow players from other teams participating in that same tournament.
• If a team is not participating, its players may be borrowed if officially cleared for that tournament.
• Borrowed same-age players may not pitch or catch and must bat at the end of the lineup.
• Teams may not use players from another roster if they have 10 or more of their own rostered players available.

League Disclaimer

This document serves as the official guideline for the Stars of Tomorrow League and is subject to change at the league director’s discretion.