EMPIRE CUP 5

Structure

  • 16U & 18U 12-16 teams first complete in pool play then in single elimination/consolation play on Sunday.
  • Teams play each team in their pool once. (Max. 2 games Saturday, 3 gamesSunday) Coin-flip determines home team in pool play. W-L record determines pool winners. The tie breaker is head to head record.
  • Pool winners will meet in a single elimination semifinal, with the winners advancing to the Empire Cup. Seeding for the semifinals will be determined by W-L record, then lowest number of runs allowed, and then the number of defensive shutout innings in pool play. The #1 seed will play the #4 seed, and the #2 seed will playthe #3 seed in the semis. The higher seededteam willbe the home team throughout single elimination.
  • The teams that don’t advance to single eliminationwill be matched up for a consolation game Sunday based on comparative W-L records and travel distance. Travel to an alternate pool site may be required.
  • $995per teamcovers field costs, umpires, and baseballs for the entirety of the tournament. Teams that pay their entry fee in full before March 1st will receive a $100 discount on their entry fee.
  • Generally speaking, teams should be prepared to play at 9AM on Saturday. Please notify us as early as possible about any schedule accommodations your team may need to help facilitate your participation.

Rules

  • AABC tournament rules will govern play with the exception that the high school re-entry rule will be allowed. ( then click on “Official Handbook”, tournament rules begin on page 14)
  • In general, MLB playing rules apply, unless noted as different in AABC handbook.
  • American League DH Rule (optional, for Pitcher only, page 27)
  • Wood Bats only (page 25)
  • Players/Coaches ejected from a game must leave field complex for remainder of the game and are also ineligible for the team’s next game. (page 15)
  • Mercy Rule- 8 runs after 4 ½ or 5 inn, except in championship game.
  • Slide Rule (page 23-24)
  • Game protests must be accompanied by $100 cash and ruled upon by the Site director at the time of the protest. If protest is upheld, $100 will be returned, if denied $100 will be lost. (page 24)
  • Pitching Rule- no player may pitch more than 12 inns within a period of 2 consecutive days, unless game goes into extra innings in which case he may continue to pitch until the conclusion of the game or he is relieved. (page 28-29)
  • Rosters have a 21 player limit, and arelocked when play begins. Players born on after May 1, 1999 are eligible for 18U. Those born on after May 1, 2001 are eligible for 16U.
  • Weather Cancellation Policy
  • 3 Games Played: No Credit/Refund
  • 2 Games Played: 50% Credit
  • 1 Game Played: 25% Credit & 25% Refund OR 75% Credit
  • 0 Games Played: 50% Credit & 50% Refund OR 100% Credit
  • Teams will submit rosters, proof of insurance naming Eastern NY Connie Mack/Mickey Mantle League:

66 Blue Jay Way, Rexford, NY 12148as additional insured to officials before their first game.

Accommodations/College Coach Presence

  • We recommend the Holiday Inn Express & Suites at 400 Old Loudon Rd in Latham, NY 12110. Their phone number is 518-783-6161. Hotels in the Latham area are fairly central to all of the tournament locations.
  • We cannot guarantee that any college coaches will attend, but our league is very well known within the local baseball community and our partnership w/Prep Baseball Report NY only increases our visibility. Since 1971 the best young baseball players in the Capital Region have all played here. Our history and alumni speak for themselves. Instruct your players to reach out to the schools in our region that they’re interested in; chances are they already have the Empire Cup on their calendars.