National Wiffle Ball 2026 Houston Open Rules

Contact Info

Name: Marshall Jensen

Phone: (678) 462-6088

Email: nationalwiffleballcircuit@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578155738490

Name: Krew Richter

Phone: (210) 540-5372

Sign Up: https://tinyurl.com/nwc2025houstonopen

General Tournament Rules

• Game Length
• Pool Play: 3 innings / 45min 
• Bracket Play: 5 innings/ 1hr

• Team Roster
• Teams must have at least 3 players and may have up to 5 players on their roster.

• Run Rules
• 5-run limit per inning, except: 
• No run limit in the final inning of bracket play 
• Example: If a team is down by 7 runs entering the last inning, they have the chance to come back to tie, but not win.
• 10-run mercy rule: (game ends immediately if a team leads by 10+ runs after both teams have batted the same number of innings)   

Batting & Pitching Rules

• Pitching Distance: 
• From pitching rubber to the strike zone is 42 feet.

• Pitching Mechanics: 
• Pitchers must have at least one foot touching the rubber while in the process of pitching.

• Pitching Warm-up:
• Each team's starting pitcher is allowed up to 10 warmup pitches in inning 1.
• Innings 2 and beyond the pitcher who starts that inning is allowed up to 5 warmup pitches
• If a relief pitcher comes in mid inning he will be allowed up to 5 pitches to get ready.

• Balks: 
• There are no balks in this format.

• Count:
• Batters start with a 0-1 count.
• 3 strikes = Strikeout
• 4 balls = walk
• Foul balls count as strikes. But, if a batter has two strikes, hits a foul ball into the strike zone, it counts as strike 3 and results in a strikeout.

• Strike Zone:
• A strike is recorded when the ball hits any part of the strike zone target, including: The metal/cardboard plate or PVC pipe frame surrounding the plate.
• Note: the base of the PVC strike zone stand is not considered part of the strike zone.

• Batting Lineup:
• You may choose to have 3, 4 or all 5 players bat in your lineup.
• Fielders must bat. Example: If you have 5 players but only bat 4 one player is sitting out entirely that game (not fielding or batting)
• Designated Hitters are allowed BUT ONLY for the pitcher. Example: If you want your pitcher to rest from batting, you can designate another roster player to hit in their place.

• Pitching:
• Speed Limit: Max speed limit of 72 mph for Division 1 and a max speed limit of 55 mph for Division 2 (enforced by spot checks and by player request with Pocket Radar by a tournament director)
• Wild Pitch: A pitch that misses the backstop will be considered a “Wild Pitch”. A wild pitch moves all runners on base up on base. Example: With a ghost runner on 2nd base and the pitch throws a wild pitch runner will move to 3rd. Example: If ghost runners are on 1st and 3rd base and a wild pitch is thrown runners will move to 2nd and home.
• Pitcher Re-Entry Rule: Once a pitcher is removed from pitching in a game, they cannot re-enter as a pitcher in that same game.

Hit Scoring Zones

• Out = Ball fielded cleanly before infield line
• Single = Ball fielded uncleanly and dropped before the infield line
• Single = Ball hit and stops rolling before fielded and before the infield line
• Single = Ball lands/rolls past infield line
• Double = Ball rolls and hits fence
• Triple = Ball hits fence in air
• Home Run = Ball clears fence

Running Rules

• Ghost Runners:
• Runners move only when forced. Example: Runner on first base, batter hits a single, runner moves to second.
• With 2 outs runners advance an additional base. Example: Runner of first base, batter hits a single – runner moves to third. *If an infield single (field error or ball that stops moving before the infield line) runners advance only one base regardless of outs.*

Double Play Rule

• If a player fields an infield ground ball cleanly before it reaches the outfield, they can attempt a double play by throwing and hitting either the backstop or strike zone target within 3 seconds of fielding the ball
• If successful, two outs are recorded on the play. 
• If unsuccessful, the lead runner is out and one out is recorded

Examples of Completed Double Play Situations:

• Runners on 1st and 2nd - Runners are out at 3rd and 1st
• Runners on 1st and 3rd - Runners are out at 2nd and 1st (*Runner on 3rd scores if no outs before play)
• Bases Loaded - Runners out at Home and 1st 

Examples of Incomplete/Failed Double Play Situations: 

• Runner on 1st only - Runner is out at 2nd (lead forced runner)
• Runners on 1st and 2nd - Runner is out at 3rd 
• Runners on 1st and 3rd - Runner is out at 2nd (*Runner on 3rd scores)
• Bases Loaded - Runner is out at Home

Tag-Up Scoring Rule

• With a runner on third base, if a fly ball is caught, the offense may attempt to tag up and score by yelling “Tagging” or “Tag” while the ball is in the air. The defense then has two steps to throw and hit the backstop or strike zone to record an out and prevent the run from scoring.
• If the throw misses, the run counts and the out recorded on the catch is recorded

General Gameplay Rules

• Game Start:
• The 1st round of pool play times will be set the night before. Teams need to start play at the specified time.
• If your team is 15min late you will start the game with 3 outs.
• If your team is 25min late it will be considered a forfeit.

• Game Balls:
• Each team will receive three (3) brand new official wiffle balls at the beginning of the tournament.
• Teams will keep these balls for all their games throughout the tournament.
• Balls are theirs to keep after the event.
• Sandpaper will be provided to scuff balls as desired.
• No cuts, punctures, or heat modifications allowed. Balls can be inspected at any time by tournament officials.
• If a ball becomes too cut or damaged to use, tournament officials will provide a new ball.

• Bats:
• Bats must have a barrel diameter of 3 inches or less. Example for comparison: Louisville wiffleball bats or blitzball bat.
• Bats must be plastic only. No metal bats allowed.
• Normal tape or grip around the handle is allowed for comfort and control.
• No barrel modifications or enhancements beyond manufacturer design.
• Other bat brands or types are allowed as long as they meet the 3-inch barrel diameter limit.
• If you are unsure whether your bat is legal, please reach out to the tournament director for approval before game day.

Field Setup & Dimensions

• Playing Surface:
• The field should be laid out on a level, open surface (grass or turf). The foul lines should create an angle from home plate between 60 and 90 degrees, depending on space available. This gives flexibility for tighter setups or wider, more open fields.

• The Infield:
• The infield is a 45-foot square laid out in standard baseball fashion (home, first, second, and third base).
• A fair play line will be marked 8 feet from home plate, stretching out to each foul line.
• This creates a triangle in front of home plate known as the “Fair Play Zone” balls must pass this line to be fair.
• Balls that don’t reach the Fair Play Line are considered foul—even if they’re in the field of the play.

• The Outfield:
• Foul poles should be set between 75 to 100 feet from home plate.
• Center field should be between 85 to 120 feet.
• Outfield walls must be at least 4 feet tall and void of sharp edges.

• Pitching Mound:
• Pitching mound will be level with the ground
• 42 feet from the strike zone
• 39 feet from mound to home plate

• Batter’s Box:
• Batter’s boxes must be between 3x4ft and 4x6ft
• Homeplate is the standard 17 inches wide.

• Strike Zone:
• The strike zone target should be: 23 inches wide, 27 inches tall, mounted 13 inches off the ground, and positioned 3 feet behind the plate

• Backstop:
• The backstop should be 8X8 feet and placed 4 feet behind home plate.
• What counts as the backstop: Any part of the frame, netting, mesh, or materials that form the vertical 8X8 area. Any vertical supports connected to the 8X8 frame. Footing or supports that stretch outward (not vertical) are not considered part of the backstop.

• Foul Territory & Out-of-Play:
• The area around the field must be kept clear–no players, bags, gear, or obstacles.
• If playing next to another field, the adjacent field’s fair territory is out of play.

• Ground Rules:
• Before games begin, any park-specific or custom ground rules will be explained at the Manager’s Meeting or right before first pitch.

Sportsmanship Rules

• Basic Expectations:
• All Players must respect themselves, their teammates, competitors and tournament staff at all times.
• Getting excited is great and encouraged!
• Celebrate big plays, cheer on teammates, and enjoy the game’s competitive spirit.
• Know the difference between positive hype and negative behavior.
• Trash talk that crosses into insults, threats or personal attacks is not acceptable.
• Team names are encouraged to be expressive but please no explicit language.
• No physical contact or fighting of any kind is allowed.
• Excitement is welcome- abuse is not.

• Consequences:
• Breaking these sportsmanship rules can result in: Immediate ejection of the player involved. Possible removal of the entire team from the tournament. No refunds will be issued for ejections or removals due to poor sportsmanship.