1. League Structure & Organization
1.1 Divisions
The Travel Baseball Alliance shall offer Alliance competition for age groups 9U through 12U. The number of participating organizations within each age group shall be determined by seasonal registration numbers.
Within each age group, multiple divisions may be created based on participation numbers. TBA reserves the right to combine, split, realign, or otherwise modify divisions when necessary to promote competitive balance, scheduling feasibility, and the overall success of Alliance operations.
1.2 Alliance Season Format
The target structure for each season shall include approximately ten (10) regular season Alliance Games, playoff competition, and a Travel Baseball Alliance World Series Championship.
1.3 Independent Organizations
Participating organizations shall remain independent entities operating under their own ownership, management, and control. Teams are responsible for providing their own facilities, umpires, uniforms, equipment, insurance, and team administration.
2. Registration & Communication Requirements
2.1 Registration Fees
All registration fees must be paid in full prior to the official start date of the Travel Baseball Alliance season as published by TBA.
Organizations with outstanding balances after the official start date may be subject to schedule removal, suspension from Alliance participation, postseason ineligibility, or additional action as determined by the TBA Board.
2.2 Coach Communication Requirements
Each participating organization shall designate either the Head Coach or one Primary Assistant Coach to participate in the official TBA Coach TeamReach communication channel.
This representative shall be responsible for receiving Alliance communications, distributing information to their organization, responding to Alliance requests, and coordinating scheduling or administrative matters.
2.3 Team Ambassador Requirement
Each participating organization shall designate one independent Team Ambassador to participate in the official TBA Ambassador communication channel within TeamReach. The Team Ambassador may not be the Head Coach.
The Ambassador shall serve as an independent communication liaison, feedback representative, conflict resolution contact, and accountability representative.
3. Alliance Scheduling & Game Reporting
Participating organizations are responsible for scheduling their own Alliance Games directly with opposing organizations.
Once an Alliance Game has been scheduled, the game information shall be submitted to the appropriate TBA Age Group Director for entry into the official TBA GameChanger Alliance Schedule.
Required Game Information
- Participating organizations
- Date of competition
- Game time
- Location
- Home team designation
Only games entered into the official TBA Alliance Schedule shall be recognized as official Alliance Games for purposes of Alliance Standings, statistics, Alliance Awards, postseason eligibility, and playoff seeding.
Failure to report scheduled Alliance Games in a timely manner may result in those contests not being recognized as official Alliance Games.
Final scores shall be entered into GameChanger promptly following completion of competition. Failure to report scores or maintain accurate GameChanger records may result in seeding penalties, forfeits, loss of award eligibility, or additional disciplinary action.
The TBA Board shall determine responsibility for uncompleted Alliance Games. Board determinations shall be final.
3.1 TBA Days
TBA Days are non-tournament gathering events designed to promote competition, fellowship, and community among participating organizations through exhibition games and Alliance activities.
Alliance Games played during TBA Days may count toward regular season scheduling requirements provided they are properly entered into the official Alliance Schedule.
While participation is not mandatory, organizations are strongly encouraged to participate in at least one TBA Day event each season.
4. Rosters & Player Eligibility
4.1 Insurance Requirements
All participating organizations must maintain their own insurance coverage. Proof of insurance shall be submitted to TBA prior to participation in Alliance activities.
4.2 Roster Size
The Travel Baseball Alliance places no restrictions on roster size.
4.3 Age Eligibility
All players must meet current USSSA age requirements using the applicable USSSA age cutoff date. Any player exceeding the age limitation of their division must receive written TBA approval prior to participation.
Failure to obtain an approved exemption shall render the player ineligible. Organizations using ineligible players may face game forfeiture, postseason disqualification, or additional disciplinary action.
5. Postseason Eligibility & Roster Regulations
5.1 Minimum Participation Requirement
To be eligible for TBA Playoff and World Series competition, a player must have participated in a minimum of three (3) regular season Alliance Games with the organization they intend to represent during postseason competition.
Participation shall be determined through official GameChanger records maintained under the Travel Baseball Alliance organization.
5.2 Postseason Roster Freeze
Postseason rosters shall become frozen seven (7) days prior to the start of playoff competition. Players added after the roster freeze deadline shall be ineligible unless approved by the TBA Board under emergency hardship provisions.
5.3 Emergency Hardship Exceptions
Organizations unable to field sufficient players due to injury, illness, player departure, or unforeseen circumstances may petition the TBA Board for emergency roster relief.
5.4 Single Team Postseason Participation
Once a player participates in a TBA playoff or World Series game for an organization, that player shall become permanently tied to that postseason roster for the remainder of postseason competition within that age division.
A player may not participate for multiple organizations during postseason competition within the same age division.
5.5 Board Authority
The TBA Board reserves the right to grant eligibility exceptions when extraordinary circumstances exist and competitive integrity is not compromised.
6. Playing Rules
6.1 Governing Rules
Unless specifically modified by TBA regulations, all Alliance Games shall be governed by current USSSA Baseball rules.
6.2 Game Time Limits
The standard time limit for regular season Alliance Games shall be no new inning after one (1) hour and fifty (50) minutes. This may be reduced to one (1) hour and forty-five (45) minutes if agreed upon by both coaches prior to the game.
Playoff games shall utilize the standard 1 hour and 50 minute time limit. World Series Championship Finals shall be a best-of-three series with no new inning after two (2) hours and thirty (30) minutes and a six-inning expectation.
6.3 Run Rules
There shall be no maximum runs per inning. The only mercy rules shall be fifteen (15) runs after four (4) innings and twelve (12) runs after five (5) innings.
6.4 Game Format
All age groups shall be kid pitch and open bases. Standard USSSA rules apply unless specifically modified by TBA.
6.5 Extra Innings
Regular season Alliance Games may end in a tie if the applicable time limit expires. All postseason contests, including Playoff and World Series competition, shall continue until a winner is determined.
6.6 Home Team
Teams are expected to play each other twice when possible, with each team designated as the home team once regardless of physical location. If only one matchup is played, the hosting team shall be the home team unless both organizations agree otherwise.
6.7 Lineups, Participation, and Substitutions
Organizations may begin and complete an Alliance Game with a minimum of eight (8) eligible players. There shall be no maximum roster size.
All players listed in the starting lineup and participating at the start of the game must be included in the batting order. Players not included in the starting lineup shall begin the game as substitutes.
Players included in the active batting lineup may freely rotate defensive positions throughout the game. Bench players may only enter as direct substitutions for a player currently participating in the active lineup and shall assume that player's batting position.
Defensive substitutions involving substitute players shall occur only between innings. Partial-inning defensive substitutions are not permitted except for injury, illness, ejection, or emergency situations.
6.8 Official and Complete Alliance Games
An Alliance Game shall not be considered official or complete unless a minimum of four (4) complete innings have been played. If the home team is leading after three and one-half (3.5) innings, the game shall be considered official and complete.
6.9 Baseballs
The home team should provide two new game baseballs and the visiting team should provide one new game baseball. Additional baseballs shall be provided by either organization as necessary throughout the game.
7. Umpires
The designated home organization shall be responsible for securing game officials for all Alliance Games.
Unless otherwise agreed upon by participating organizations, umpire compensation shall be divided equally between both teams at the plate meeting prior to the start of competition.
TBA strongly recommends that all officials working Alliance Games receive access to the current TBA Rules and Regulations and the TBA Umpire Expectations & Philosophy Guide prior to officiating competition.