COOPERSTOWN LEGACY

HITTRAX LEAGUE

OFFICIAL RULES & REGULATIONS | WINTER 2026–2027

Cooperstown Legacy staff have final authority on rules, calls, and facility safety.

     1. GAME FORMAT

1.1 Games consist of 7 innings or 30 minutes, whichever comes first. No new inning may begin after 25 minutes.

1.2 Each scheduled one-hour block is a doubleheader consisting of two 30-minute games.

1.3 If a regulation game is tied and time remains, one extra inning will be played. If still tied, the game ends in a tie during the regular season.

1.4 Mercy rule: 15 runs at any time or 10 runs after 4 completed innings. There is no per-inning run limit.

1.5 The team designated as home in HitTrax will bat last in Game 1. Home and away teams will switch for Game 2.

     2. PLAYERS, SUBSTITUTES & FORFEITS

2.1 Teams must have at least 3 players and may use no more than 5 players in a game.

2.2 Teams receive a 10-minute grace period to reach the 3-player minimum.

2.3 Substitute players are permitted provided they are not rostered on another Cooperstown Legacy team within the same division and the 5-player game maximum is not exceeded.

2.4 Players must meet the age and eligibility requirements for their registered division.

2.5 Forfeits will be recorded without fabricated player statistics whenever possible. If a score is required, the official forfeit score is 1–0.

     3. PITCHING, HITTING & LINEUPS

3.1 Teams may use a pitching machine or coach pitch, as approved for their division. The chosen pitching method must remain consistent throughout the game.

3.2 Any adult pitching or throwing to players must have a completed Cooperstown Legacy waiver on file.

3.3 Pitching machine: no walks. 

3.4 Hit-by-pitch: Pitching machine HBP will result in a re-pitch. Coach pitch HBP will result in a warning for the first occurrence to either team; any additional HBP will be recorded as an out.

3.5 No bunting. Any bat is permitted, subject to facility safety approval. Batting helmets are required while hitting.

3.6 Teams use a continuous batting order of 3–5 players. The lineup is locked after the first pitch. A missed turn or batting out of order is an out.
3.7  Baseball Machine will be set at 65 mph for adults, and 50 mph for youth at a distance of 50 feet. Softball machine will be set at 50 mph for adult, and 40 mph for youth.      *Speeds can be adjusted as long as both teams agree. 

     4. HITTRAX & OFFICIATING

4.1 HitTrax results are final on properly tracked batted balls.

4.2 If HitTrax clearly fails to register a pitch or batted ball, the operator may order a re-pitch or replay of the play as appropriate.

4.3 Cooperstown Legacy staff and official rulings are final. Arguing calls is not permitted.

4.4 Only designated staff members may operate or adjust HitTrax equipment during league games unless otherwise authorized.

     5. CONDUCT & FACILITY RULES

5.1 Everyone entering the HitTrax training area, including players, coaches, and participating adults, must have a completed Cooperstown Legacy waiver on file before participating.

5.2 Players should arrive at least 15 minutes before their scheduled games. Warm-ups may take place in another cage when available and authorized.

5.3 A maximum of 2 coaches per team may be inside the designated HitTrax playing area.

5.4 No food is permitted in the HitTrax playing area. Drinks are allowed only in containers with secure lids.

5.5 No profanity, taunting, throwing equipment, or unsportsmanlike behavior.

5.6 Players and families are responsible for damage caused by intentional or reckless behavior. Cooperstown Legacy may remove participants for the day or remainder of the season for serious or repeated violations.

     6. SEASON FORMAT, STANDINGS & PLAYOFFS

6.1 The regular season consists of 6 weeks of scheduled league play.

6.2 Each team will play a scheduled doubleheader each regular-season week, unless otherwise announced by league administration.

6.3 Week 7 is designated for postseason playoffs and championship games.

6.4 Regular-season standings will be determined by winning percentage. Tiebreakers are head-to-head result, run differential among tied teams, then total runs scored.

6.5 The top two teams from each division advance to postseason play, unless an expanded playoff format is announced after the number of teams per group is determined.

6.6 Postseason games are full 7-inning games, subject to scheduled time limits established by league administration.

6.7 Playoff games cannot end in a tie. Extra innings will be played until a winner is determined, subject to league administration's scheduling and safety decisions.

6.8 The league may conclude with a Home Run Derby or additional skills competition at Cooperstown Legacy's discretion.

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Train. Compete. Build Your Legacy.

All league rules are subject to reasonable adjustments by Cooperstown Legacy administration to ensure competitive fairness, safety, and efficient scheduling.