Frequently asked questions about rules

Baseball has many, many, many rules and procedures, and all can be found in the official Baseball Quebec rulebook, available here: BASEBALL QUEBEC RULEBOOK 2024

The Ligue féminin de baseball du Québec goes by the Baseball Quebec rulebook, with some exceptions, detailed here: LFBQ RULES 2024

However, certain rules questions come up daily or weekly during a season. This page is a quick reference tool for the most common rules questions. These rules come directly from BQ and are not interpretations.

General rules

Length of games

9U-A, 11U-A, 13U-A: Any inning which begins 90 minutes (1h30) after the official start of a game is declared "last inning" and this inning is open. The game is over after this inning.

Ex: For a game starting at 6:30 pm, whichever inning starts as of 8:00 pm is the last inning. It does not matter if the previous inning goes past 8:00 pm - the inning that starts at or after 8:00 pm is the last inning.

9U-B, 11U-B, 13U-B: Any inning which begins 75 minutes (1h15) after the official start of a game is declared "last inning" and this inning is open. The game is over after this inning.

Ex: For a game starting at 6:30 pm, whichever inning starts as of 7:45 pm is the last inning. It does not matter if the previous inning goes past 7:45 pm - the inning that starts at or after 7:45 pm is the last inning.

15U-A, 18U-A: Any inning which begins 105 minutes (1h45) after the official start of a game is declared "last inning" and this inning is open. The game is over after this inning.

Ex: For a game starting at 6:30 pm, whichever inning starts as of 8:15 pm is the last inning. It does not matter if the previous inning goes past 8:15 pm - the inning that starts at or after 8:15 pm is the last inning.

15U-B, 18U-B: Any inning which begins 90 minutes (1h30) after the official start of a game is declared "last inning" and this inning is open. The game is over after this inning.

Mound & base distances

9U: Mound 44', Bases 60'

11U: Mound 44', Bases 60'

13U: Mound 48', Bases '70

15U/16U: Mound 54', Bases 80'

18U: Mound 60.6', Bases 90'

22U: Mound 60.6', Bases 90'

Where to find age-specific rules in the Baseball Quebec 2024 Rulebook

9U: Page 51, Section 105 - Playing rules for the 9U division

11U: Page 56, Section 106 - Playing rules for the 11U division

13U: Page 58, Section 107 - Playing rules for the 13U division

15U/16UF: Page 60, Section 108 - Playing rules for the 15U/16UF division

18U/21UF: Page 61, Section 109 - Playing rules for the 18U/21UF division

Rules specific to age groups

9U

Pitch speed/setting for 9U A & B:

*Important note: The machine is placed at 44' from the point of home plate to the back of the pitching rubber.

*Important tip: If you don't have a measuring tape in your team bag, you can use the measuring app on your phone.

See Page 51, Rule 105.2.2 - Pitching machine’s speed of the Baseball Quebec 2024 Rulebook.

11U

11U-B: Hitting off the tee

There are no bases on balls in 11U-B. Rather than walking to 1st after 4 balls, batters in the 11U-B category will hit off a tee. This rule was conceived to ensure the ball is put into play more often than not, so as to avoid the parade of walks that was common prior to this rule being put into place.

Players may NOT take a practice swing. This is a frequently-debated rule and is often circumvented by coaches at the field, either by negotiating it before the game with the other coach and umpire, or by violating the rule and then arguing about it. The BQ rule is clear: There are no practice swings allowed, full stop.

More FAQ answers to come. If you would like to request a specific rule be added here, please email us.