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ABA National Championship

May 12–15, 2026 · Lakepoint Complex, Emerson, GA

Quick Reference

ABA Game Rules

The ABA plays by NFHS rules with the modifications below.

1

Time Limits

Varsity/JV
2.5-hour time limit before the tiebreaker starts. Game ends at 7 innings or 2.5 hours, whichever comes first.
Premier & Prospect
No time limit (unless inclement weather).
2

Home Team

The home team will be the higher seed throughout the tournament, except in the championship game(s), where the winner’s bracket team will be the home team.

3

Tiebreakers / Extra Innings

Premier
Straight up.
Prospect & Varsity/JV
Bases loaded, 1 out.
4

Run Rule (All Divisions)

  • 15 runs after 3 innings
  • 12 runs after 4 innings
  • 10 runs after 5 innings
5

Courtesy Runners

Premier
Not permitted.
All other divisions
The last batted out may run for the pitcher or catcher.
6

Batting Lineup Maximum

Premier
10
Prospect
11
Varsity / JV / MS
12
7

Re-entry

Premier
No re-entry.
All other divisions
NFHS rule. Players in the starting lineup may re-enter once. Players who start on the bench may enter the game, but cannot re-enter once subbed out — and once subbed out, they can no longer courtesy run or take any other in-game role.
8

3B to 1B Pickoff Move

Not permitted.

9

Mound Visits

3 per game. You can take all 3 whenever you want — including all 3 in the same inning.

  • A pitching change does NOT count as a mound visit.
  • Catcher and position-player visits do NOT count as mound visits.
  • You do NOT have to remove a pitcher on the 2nd or 3rd visit in the same inning, as long as you still have visits remaining.
10

Hit by Pitch (HBP)

NFHS rules. Essentially: you can roll into a pitch as long as you aren’t over the plate.

11

Balks

Live ball.

12

EH (Extra Hitter)

You can freely substitute any position on the diamond, and the EH can “roam.”

13

Other Teams in the Dugout

Players from other teams in the same organization are permitted in the dugout during games, provided they are in full uniform and follow these rules:

  • Stay in the dugout. No movement onto the field, fence line, or stands during play.
  • Direct all energy at supporting your own team. Cheers, chants, and encouragement must target teammates or be neutral game chants — not opposing players, coaches, or umpires.
  • Keep it in good faith. No obscenities, no taunting, no targeting opposing players with chants or verbiage.

Violations: the entire team is removed from the dugout for the rest of the game. Repeat violations may result in tier-based ejection penalties.

14

Player Ejections — Tier System

Disciplinary action is based on a tier system. Umpires submit post-game ejection reports to the league.

Tier 1 (Red)That game + 2 additional games

Fighting, shoving, or any physical altercation with intent to harm. Umpire deems the player intentionally threw at a batter, or escalation after a warning was issued during a heated game.

Tier 2That game + 1 additional game

Egregious dirty play or ignoring of warnings. Over-the-top collisions, blatant spikes-up sliding, ongoing emotional outbursts longer than a quick shout, conduct embarrassing to the league. A player officially warned to stop a particular action (such as bench jockeying) who continues anyway.

Tier 3That game only

Quick verbal shouts. Heat-of-the-moment F-bombs. Quick umpire triggers without warning. Arguing balls and strikes. Saying something walking back to the dugout. Bench-jockeying ejection without warning.

15

Coach Ejections

  1. 11st ejection in a season: No fine.
  2. 22nd ejection in a season: $100 fine + 1-game suspension. Fine must be paid in full before the next game coached.
  3. 33rd ejection in a season: $500 fine + 3-game suspension. Fine must be paid in full before the next game coached.

Source: ABA Rules Quick Sheet · NFHS rules apply unless noted.