High School Baseball Rules (NFHS)
High school baseball in the US follows National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) rules. This is full-size baseball.
| Rule | Details |
|---|
| Basepaths | 90 feet |
| Pitching distance | 60 feet, 6 inches |
| Game length | 7 innings |
| Mercy rule | 10 runs after 5 innings (varies by state) |
| Bats | BBCOR certified (-3 drop weight only) |
| Designated hitter | Allowed (varies by state association) |
Key NFHS-specific rules
| Rule | Details |
|---|
| Courtesy runner | Allowed for pitcher and catcher (speeds up the game) |
| Re-entry | A starter who is substituted can re-enter once in the same position |
| Pitch count | Tracked by state — most states have adopted limits similar to Pitch Smart |
| Ejection | Thrown out = cannot play the next game |
| Metal cleats | Allowed (check with your state) |
What changes from middle school
| Change | Impact |
|---|
| 90-foot bases | Significantly longer throws, bigger field to cover |
| 60’6″ mound | Standard pitching distance — the ball gets there faster |
| BBCOR bats | Much less pop than youth bats — hitting is harder |
| Speed of play | Everything is faster — decisions happen quicker |
BBCOR bats are mandatory. Your kid's youth bat is illegal at the HS level. Budget $150–350 for a quality BBCOR bat — see our
bat guide.
