1. Age requirements are defined by "birth year", NOT birth date. For example: a player born on December 31, 1966 is considered a 60-year old in January 2026, even though the player had just turned 59 years old on December 31, 2025.
2. Players under 30 years old are not allowed to play. Players eligible to play in 2026 must have been born any time during or before the year 1996.
3. Each team must have a minimum of one player who is at least 68 years old.
4. Each team must have a minimum of three players who are at least 60 years old.
5. Each team must have a minimum of three players who are at least 50 years old.
6. Each team is allowed a maximum of three players who are under 40 years old, but it is not a requirement to carry any players who are under 40 years old.
7. Players under 40 years of age are not allowed to pitch.
8. To complete a team's roster, players of any age may be carried as long as the seven age requirements in items 3, 4, and 5 above have been met.

The basic rules of baseball apply. Modifications to the rules are used in an effort to promote parity on the playing field and consider the wide range of players' ages.

The Length of the Game

1. The length of a game shall be 7 innings.
2. The game is official after five innings where weather or darkness becomes a factor.
3. If the score is tied after regulation the MLB extra-innings rule will be implemented. The last batter (not necessarily the last out) from the previous inning is placed at 2nd base with no outs. The next batter in the order leads off the inning with a 0-0 count. The MLB extra-innings rule is used until a winner is determined. No games will end in a tie.
4. Mercy Rule: An inning is over when the team batting scores six runs before the 3rd out is made. Note: The mercy rule is "per inning". There is no "10-run" type mercy rule shortening the game.

First Exception: If a batter hits a home run (a ball hit over the wall or fence), his run and any runners on base score, even if it results in more than six runs scoring in the inning.

Second Exception: There is no limit to the number of runs either team can score in the 7th inning or in subsequent extra innings

1. Prior to the start of a game, managers must announce to the opposing team if any known substitute baserunners will be needed. a. After reaching base safely, the batter may request the need for a substitute baserunner due to an injury.
2. The last healthy out or base running out or score may be designated as the substitute baserunner. For example, if a batter has reached first base on a fielder's choice the runner forced out on the play may become the substitute runner. The "last batted out" rule is no longer in effect as a requirement for a substitute baserunner.
3. Any player, 60 years of age or older, who has safely reached base may request a substitute baserunner. This request is voluntary and does not come from the bench.
4. A batter whose hit reaches the outfield grass (grounder or fly ball) cannot be thrown out at first base. However, if an infielder touches a ground ball before it hits the outfield grass and the ball then reaches the grass, the infielder may still attempt to make the play at first base. The intent of the rule is to NOT take away a base hit from a batter due to physical limitations and is unable to reach first base quickly.
5. A substitute baserunner is not allowed for the batter from home plate, since the batter cannot be thrown out at first base on a base hit.
6. The "speed up rule" for catchers is not used at any time.
7. A batter may not advance to first base on a dropped third strike.
8. The stealing of a base or advancing on a wild pitch or passed ball is not allowed.
9. If the catcher makes an errant throw back to the pitcher, the base runners may not advance.
10. The catcher cannot attempt to "pick-off" baserunners.
11. Lead-offs are limited to 12 feet and are usually marked with a chalk line on the field. A baserunner exceeding the length of the lead-off beyond the allowed limit is subject to being called out.
12. Baserunners are allowed a walking or stationary lead-off. Running leads are not allowed.
13. A base runner may begin advancing to the next base only after the pitched ball crosses home plate. a. With two outs, a three and two count, and force-out situations on the base paths, baserunners may begin to advance upon the ball leaving the pitcher's hand.

1. A pitcher may pitch from either the stretch or wind-up position at anytime.
2. The pitcher cannot attempt to "pick off" base runners.
3. If a pitcher hits two batters in the same inning, he is removed from the mound but can pitch the following inning or in any inning thereafter.
4. If a pitcher hits three batters during a game, he is permanently removed from the mound for the game but can play other defensive positions.
5. Former professional baseball players under the WBC age of 53 are not allowed to pitch in Wooden Bat Classic games.
   This includes MLB, MiLB, and professional independent league players.

1. A batter cannot "show bunt" on a pitch and then swing at the same pitch.
   Doing so results in the batter being called out.
2. Bunting is allowed at any time.

1. The batting order must contain all eligible roster players.
2. A team's batting order can be changed after the first game has been played. This allows the manager a chance to evaluate players and establish a lineup to use for the rest of the tournament. Once the batting order for the team's second game has been established no changes are allowed.
3. The term "rubber banded" means the batter who was on deck as a game ends is the leadoff batter for the next game. This allows players to have the same number of plate appearances or be within one plate appearance of their teammates by the end of the tournament. The batting order for each team is "rubber banded" throughout the tournament, including the playoffs.

Line-Sharing Rule for 2026

1. This rule applies only to teams with 14 or more players on the roster.
2. Teams set a batting order of at least 13 in which all age requirements are met. This is the batting order which will follow the 'rubber band' rules through the week.
3. A player not included in the established rubber band batting order may be paired and with a player of their same age group or younger, or with physical limitations.
4. VERY IMPORTANT: line-sharing players are not necessarily paired with each other for every game. However, the rubber-banded batting order must remain intact.
5. Managers must declare line-share players prior to the game, preferably at the home plate meeting.
6. The INTENT of the rule is to keep older or injured players involved in the game. The rule is NOT INTENDED to be exploited, abused or manipulated as a ploy to gain an advantage. Please conduct yourselves accordingly.

1. Hidden ball tricks are not allowed.
2. Faking or "deaking" by a defensive player to make a baserunner alter his course or slide unnecessarily is not allowed. If in the umpire's judgment this occurs, the baserunner and all other current baserunners are awarded an extra base.
3. Beyond applying the tag to a baserunner, a "no-contact" rule between the offensive and defensive players is in effect.
4. Oversliding the base or "taking out" a defensive player is not allowed. If the baserunner violates the "no-contact" rule, the umpire may issue a warning or an ejection.
5. If the catcher is blocking the plate and does not have control of the ball, the baserunner may go around the catcher and not touch home plate yet still be awarded the run if it was to avoid a collision.

1. All teams are included in the playoffs.
2. Four brackets are created after the round-robin games have been completed: Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Ty Cobb and Willie Mays.
3. Brackets are based on a number of factors with the end goal of balance among teams which are similar. For example, the youngest team will not play in the same bracket as the oldest.
4. There are no preset number of teams in any bracket.
5. Playoffs begin on Friday for all teams. However, should it become necessary we reserve the option of playing one or more first-round playoff games on Thursday late afternoon. Teams advancing beyond the Friday games will finish by Saturday.

It is perfectly legitimate for the game to make a fool of a player, but it is not legitimate for a player to make a fool of the game.