Tournament Rules

The official rules of Major League Baseball are followed, except as noted below

1. The primary objective of this tournament is to teach good sportsmanship and the game of baseball.

2. Managers control of players and player parents is essential. The umpire has the authority to eject any unruly players, managers, coaches, or fans, and/or to call a forfeit because of unruly behavior. Any player or coach ejected from a game will be suspended for the following game.

3. The tournament will provide game balls to the umpire prior to each game.

4. Dugouts - Since there is no designated home team prior to the coin toss (except championship game) the first team to arrive may pick the dugout.

5. Team bench is for the coaches and players in uniform. No batboy or batgirl.

6. Forfeiture time is ten (10) minutes after game time and is the decision of the umpire. Agame may start and/or end with eight (8) players. Games may start thirty (30) minutes early due to mercy or other factors, so please arrive to the fields at least thirty (30) minutes before start of game. Teams must exchange batting lines ups.

7. A regulation game consists of six (6) innings for 10U unless extended by a tie score.

8. There is a two-hour time limit and pool play games can end in a tie. No inning can start after the two-hour time limit, but once an inning starts the home team (if behind) will get to bat in the bottom of the inning regardless of how long that inning takes. An extra inning may be played if there is additional time, but ties are allowed.

9. A game called by the umpire because of rain, darkness, etc. is a regulation game if four (4) complete innings have been played or three and one-half (3-1/2) innings fi the home team is ahead. If fewer than four (4) complete innings have been played, the game will be rescheduled and pick up where it is at.

10. The mercy rule shall be enforced after three and one-half (3 -1/2) innings if the home team is ahead or after four (4) innings if the visiting team is ahead by fifteen (15) runs or more. Mercy rule is 10 runs after 5. Losing team may elect to continue if the game has not lasted a full hour. The official game score will be the score at the time of the mercy.

11. Free substitution is allowed with the following exception: The pitcher cannot be removed and returned as a pitcher.

12. Only one base is allowed on a walk (base on balls) - the base runner may not continue to second base.

13. All players present at game time will bat. Aplayer who shows up after the game started will be used or not used at the discretion of the manager.

14. fI a player leaves a game for any reason (except injury), his spot is vacated in the batting lineup and is an automatic out for subsequent at bats unless both coaches

agree to waive this rule.

15. If there are two outs and the catcher for the team at bat or is on base, a courtesy runner is required. This is for the purpose of saving time. The courtesy runner will be the player who made the last out. Please work hard to get your catcher ready prior to the end of the inning. Let your kids know who is catching the next inning. The goal is to decrease the amount of wasted time between innings.

16. Pitchers are allowed up to 4 pitches between innings.

17. Base runners must slide or avoid contact with defensive players on close plays. Failure to follow this rule the first time in a game will result in the baserunner being called out and a warning being issued to the base runner by the umpire. Failure to follow this rule a second time in a game by the same base runner will result in the base runner being called out and ejected from the game (see Rule 2).

18. The home team is required to keep the official score book and should check their scorebookwiththeopposingteameveryinning. Ifadiscrepancyisfound,itmustbe brought to the umpire's attention before the next inning.

19. After each game, the coach of the winning team must report the final score to the tournament director.

20. Players must be in the team uniform to play.

21. Catchers must be in full gear - catcher's helmet, chest protector, and shin guards. The catcher's mask must always include a throat guard.

22. Bats with barrels up to and including 2-5/8" are allowed. All bats must be USA Bat certified with the USA Bat licensing stamp on the bat to be used for league play. No USSSA Bats are allowed. If there is a violation of this rule the batter will change bats. If an illegal bat is used by the same player a second time, the player will be ejected (see rule #2). Coaches are strongly encouraged to check everyone's bat prior to the game. Wood bats are allowed.

23. Bats with excessive dings or any modifications, whatsoever, are not allowed. This is primarily a safety issue.

24. Al boys are strongly encouraged to wear a protective cup.

25. No jewelry. Please have players remove prior to the game.

26. Tiebreaker rules Overall record, Head-to-head, run differential, runs allowed, runs scored, coin flip. In situations where there are three teams tied, head-to-head still can play a role fi there is a clear way to determine the 3 teams' placement via head-head. Many times, in a three-way tie or more, runs will factor into the equation. A forfeit will have a tournament score recorded as 7- 0 and will be included ni tie- breaker score situations.

27. We appreciate your team's assistance ni keeping the parks clean. Please pick up your dugout and spectator areas after your games are completed.

10U Division

1 Mound 44 feet. Bases 60 feet.

2. Infield Fly- No

3 Courtesy Runner- If there are two (2) outs a courtesy runner shall be used for the catcher. The player who made the last out.

4. Intentional Walk- None. Must pitch to batter.

5. Leadoffs and Steals- No leadoffs. May steal after the ball crosses home plate to second and third only. Note: home plate must be earned by either a continuous play from a batted ball or a walk. Penalty for leaving a base early: 1st time is a "warning" and anything after is an "out".

6. Balks - No balks will be called.

7. Scoring - Maximum of 7 per inning, except last at bat.

8. Pitching- a player can pitch a maximum of 9 consecutive outs per game. Once removed from the mound, he/she may not return ot the mound.

9. Dropped 3rd Strike- Is an out.

10. Game is played with 4 outfielders.