17U Tournament
July 6-9, 2017
Tournament Rules
1. We will be adhering to SWOL League Rules with the following exceptions:
a. 1:50 time limit (no new inning can start after 1:50 though the current inning can be completed)
b. If a game is tied at the time limit, teams will play ONE extra inning using California tiebreaker rules to try to break the tie. California tiebreaker: the last batted out will be placed on second base with one out to start the next new inning.If that inning ends in a tie, the game will be counted as a tie in pool play. In the event that extra innings are needed before the time limit, they will be played as normal extra innings until the time limit is hit, at which point the one inning California tiebreaker will take effect. The time limit and tiebreaker will also apply in single elimination play, with those games being played until a winner is decided.
c. 60.5’ Pitching. Bases will be placed at 90 feet. Leadoffs are allowed.
d. Nations Baseball pitching rules: Pitchers may not throw more than 7 innings (21 outs) in a single day and no more than 10 innings (30 outs) over three days
e. Run rules: 15 after 3, 10 after 4 & 8 after 5
f. Roster batting and courtesy runners (pitchers & catchers only) will be allowed.
g. The games will be 7 innings long.
2. Coin toss prior to each game will determine home team in pool play. In the championship game, home team will be decided by best record. The first tiebreaker after that will be run differential, and the second tiebreaker will be a coin flip.
3. The umpires are in charge of the game. Excessive arguing or abuse will not be tolerated. The umpire’s decision on any judgment call is final. Rule interpretation can be discussed with the tournament director. There will be one umpire during pool play and two umpires for elimination games.
4. Ejection of a player will result in suspension, meaning removal from the stadium, for the remainder of that game. Typically, ejected players will be eligible to resume play at the next scheduled game unless the reason for ejection is flagrant. In that case, the coach’s ejection rule will apply resulting in suspension both that game and their team’s next scheduled game. Note: While we want the kids to play, should the offense be serious, so too must be the punishment. Any second offense will result in being banned from the complex for the remainder of the tournament. NO EXCEPTIONS. Ejection of a coach or parent will result in suspension for the remainder of that game and their teams next scheduled game. This means removal from the game site. Any second offense will result in being banned from the complex for the remainder of the tournament. NO EXCEPTIONS.
5. All team warm-ups will only be allowed in designated warm-up areas or in the outfield. No pre-game practice on any mound or plates. No pre-game infield practice.
6. Weather Policy: Games will not be played in heavy rain or nearby lightning. The umpire will have the final say on when to delay a game if there is inclement weather. A game cancellation or suspension and subsequent tourney re-formatting that results will be announced by the tournament director following these rules:
a. In the event of a delay, teams should not leave the premises as the field drains quickly (unless granted permission by a tournament official)
b. Any game experiencingmore than a one hour delay will be canceled such that the remaining gamesthat day are unaffected. In that case, thenext games may begin up to 30 minutes earlier than scheduled weather permitting. Games that are delayed for more than an hour that are official (the trailing team has had at least four complete at bats) will be declared final.
c. Unfortunately, we do not have any room in the schedule to make up many rained out games. If a game is rained out, the rainout slots no longer available and it is not an official game, those teams will simply play one less game.
d. Final decision on all rainouts and rescheduling will be made by tournament director.
7. The tournament entry fee is non-refundable. NO EXCEPTIONS
8. Any team may schedule time to hit in the Freedom Baseball Academy at a discounted rate of $35 for a half hour or $65 for an hour. All requests for the academy must go through the tournament director and reservations are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Payment must be made by cash or check at the time of using the academy. Teams may also warm up before their game in the bullpens as well as the outfield beyond the portable fence.
Pool Tie-breaker procedures
1. Head-to Head
2. Run Differential (There will be a cap of 8 runs when calculating run differential: if a team wins 15-3, the run differential would still be calculated as 8)
3. Runs Allowed (Same cap of 8)
4. Coin Toss
In the event of a 3 way tie the tie breakers will be used to eliminate one team. Once a team is eliminated, the tie breakers will be used again to decide which team advances.
EX:
Team A 1-2 run differential +5
Team B 1-2 run differential 0
Team C 1-2 run differential -2
Team C would be eliminated since head to head can’t settle the tie break and record against common opponent can’t settle it either. Run differential can and Team C has the lowest therefore they are eliminated.
Team A and Team B remain tied. Since Team B beat Team A in Pool play Team B advances even though their run differential is lower that Team A.
Note that the Wild Card teams will most likely be selected from among one loss teams and the tie-breaker will be Run Differential first followed by Runs Allowed as described above.
Ground Rules and Stadium Information
1. NO steel cleats.Molded plastic cleats, turf shoes or sneakers only.
2. NO outside food and beverage, no coolers will be allowed in the ballpark. Concessions will be available throughout the tournament, so any fan entering the ballpark with ANY outside food or beverage will be asked to remove it from the stadium. Fans who do not follow the policy will be asked to leave. NO EXCEPTIONS
3. Freedom will provide water coolers in the dugouts. Gatorade and bottled water will be served at discounted rates for this tournament
4. NO sunflower seeds, peanuts, gum or tobacco products will be allowed on the field. Peanuts and sunflower seeds are not allowed in the stadium at all. Seeds get stuck in the fibers of the FieldTurf and are very difficult to clean up. UC Health Stadium is an “allergy friendly” venue and the use of peanuts would be dangerous to some fans . Fans who violate the peanut and sunflower seeds rule will be asked to leave the ballpark. Players seen spitting sunflower seeds will be ejected from the game.
5. NO smoking is permitted in the stadium, the only exception is the bar area on the first base side of the concourse
6. NO players, coaches or fans are allowed on the balcony level of the stadium without permission from the Tournament Director. Those who don’t follow this rule may be asked to leave.
7. Teams enter through Main Entrance
8. Gates open 60 minutes before the first game of the day
9. Teams must arrive an hour prior to their game time in case of a run rule
10. Electronic scoreboard utilized
11. Public Address Announcer provided
12. Please make an extra copy of your starting lineup to give to announcer each game that has the players’ first and last names and uniform numbers
13. Please provide Freedom with pronunciations so that player names that might be difficult to pronounce are announced correctly
Waiver
All coaches and teams must sign Florence Freedom waiver to be eligible to play in tournament
Freedom Provides:
Baseballs
Umpires
Water coolers in both dugouts
Admission
$5 for adults (will only need to pay once per day, the gate fee includes a free drink voucher)
Free admission for teams, coaches and kids 12 and under
NO Refunds for gate admission
Concessions open (including beer!)