2018 SUMMER SERIES TOURNAMENT RULES * Teams must be at the field 30 minutes before their game. If the previous game ends early and umpires are available and ready, the next game will start in exactly 15 minutes, if both teams have had the opportunity to properly warm up their players. Teams must be ready to play or they forfeit.

* A regulation game consists of six innings for age divisions 11U and below and seven innings for age divisions 12U and up, unless the game is shortened due to time limit, mercy rule or extended by extra innings due to tie.

* Home team will be determined by coin flip only during the Pool Play games. During the Championship and/or Elimination Rounds, the "Home" team will always be the higher seed. If both teams are the same seed, then a coin flip will take place (unless the teams have previously played and, if so, "head-to-head" tie- breaker shall be used for the "home team") The umpires do not need to be present for the coin flip.

* Games suspended by rain will be handled by the umpire. Each coach will be told how much playing time is remaining and when the game will resume.

* Tie games In Pool Play. If, at the end of regulation in pool play and the game ends in a tie., the game will be recorded as a tie and will count in the final standings. If in Bracket play… We will do a Ohio shoot out with a runner on 2nd and 1ST, LAST TWO recorded outs on base and no count and no outs. And play until a winner is determined. * FOR SCORING/SEEDING PURPOSES: ANY GAME GOING TO EXTRA INNINGS WILL BE SCORED WITH THE WINNING TEAM HAVING 1 MORE RUN THAN THE TIE SCORE AT THE END OF REGULATION, REGARDLESS OF THE ACTUAL FINAL SCORE AFTER EXTRA INNINGS. Example: If the score is tied 3-3 going into extra innings and the final score is 8-6 after extra innings, the score is to be reported as 4-3.

2018 Summer Series Tournaments will follow "American League Rules" with the following exceptions:

* Exception: A two (2) hour time limit will be in effect. The two (2) hour time limit starts on delivery of first pitch. If an inning starts and the home team is behind, the inning will be completed. Umpire will announce official start time for coaches to note.

* ALL RULES WILL BE ENFORCED IN THE PLAYOFF ROUND GAMES, INCLUDING MERCY RULES. NO TIME LIMIT IN CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES.

* Exception: The Summer Series Tournaments are all metal bat tournaments. There are no bat restrictions in the 9U – 13U divisions. 15U thru 18U must use a – minus 3 with a BBCOR Cerification. {14U IS DROP 5 When a USSSA SANCTION TOURNEY. Any bat - non wood - must be stamped BBCOR for use in ages 14U thru 18U. BESR Ceritified Bats are not legal - must be BBCOR Ceritified. Wood Bats: you are not allowed to use Wood Composite.

* Exception: Starting players may re-enter one time into their original batting position if removed during the game. Substitutes may not re-enter if removed from the game. Pitchers removed from the mound may not pitch again in the same game.

* Exception: Mercy rules for all six and seven innings games include:

 15 runs after three innings, or two and one half innings if home team is ahead  10 runs after four innings, or three and one half innings if home team is ahead  8 runs after five innings, or four and one half innings if home team is ahead. At any point after said innings and the home team is behind, you must complete the inning.

* Exception:Sliding Rule, at no time can you knock over the catcher. This call is the umpire's judgement, however be warned that purposeful physical contact WILL NOT be tolerated and players will be automatically ejected, with the possibility of a 1 game suspension by the Tournament Director. *

The 10u division will play Major League Rules with regard to leading off and stealing bases.

* Exception: Ages 14U thru 18U may use a DH and/or EH, and ages 10 thru 13 may bat the entire lineup if they wish. Extra Hitters (EH) are considered defensive positions for substitution purposes.

* Exception: Speed up Rule - A runner can be used for the pitcher and catcher upon reaching base (mandatory with 2 outs). This player must be someone not in the game or the teams last batted out.

* Each team will be required to check the website daily for updates on standings during the tournament. The playoff game schedule will be posted online as soon as possible, upon completion of seeding. Please check the tournament schedule page for up to date schedules and scores.

* Coaches are required to wear team shirt or jersey with logo, along with tennis shoes or cleats. * Keep the games moving; on deck batters must retrieve all balls.

*PLEASE QUICKLY CLEAN YOUR DUGOUT AFTER GAMES

* In the event of rain or other matters beyond the control of the Tournament Director, the Tournament Director reserves the right to change the tournament format as he sees fit in order to complete the tournament in the scheduled time period.

REFUND POLICY IN CASE OF RAIN (3 GAME MINIMUM EVENTS = Games Played: 0 Games 75% refund / 1 game 50% refund / 2 Games no refund, no refund will be given if team with drawl’s in 45 days before tourney date, but May be given a entry of equal value for another Summer Series.

*** Added If Cap Series Events: Fee of 15 Customized Caps of $200 will be deducted from refund given.

Note: Refund/rebate policy regarding forfeit games-No refund or rebate will be made to any team receiving a forfeit game, either in pool games or championship play. The Summer Series staff will make every effort to provide all teams with

maximum games, however we cannot control the commitment of your opponent.

* Baseballs- All teams must provide two(2) NEW baseballs to the home plate umpire prior to the start of the game. The baseballs should be of high school baseball quality. Each team must provide used baseballs as needed during the course of the game. Coaches please see that each team retrieves foul balls on their respective sides.

* Physical confrontation- This tournament has"zero -tolerance"for any physical confrontations by players, coaches, fans or anyone else. Upon the first violation, the violating party shall be removed from the facility and the tournament. Once again, absolutely no physical confrontations will be permitted, tolerated and/or found to be acceptable. * All decisions made by the umpire are final. Any player or coach who abuses an umpire may be ejected from the game. A second ejection of a player or coach means removal from the remainder of the tournament! Team forfeiture will result in the event an ejection is made and the ejected party refuses to leave the playing facility. Furthermore, the Tournament Director, at his sole discretion, may elect to declare a forfeiture of the game and/or tournament for any team found to be unruly or causing continued problems. The tournament director shall have final decision on all tournament ejections.

* Winning Team must report score to an Event Staffperson at the facility within 15 minutes of finishing game. Failure to report score will result in a forfeit for the winning team. All forfeits scored 7-0. The official score book is to be kept by the Home Team. It is the responsibility of both teams to verify game score at the end of each inning. If a discrepancy occurs, bring it to the attention of the umpire immediately.

* Pool Play will be completed on various days and times in the different Summer Series Tournaments. After pool play has been completed, teams will be seeded and advance to Championship play. Check tie breaking rules in the event of a tie in pool play.

Note: all teams are required to check the web site after pool game completion for their Championship Round schedule of play.

* EACH INDIVIDUAL AGE GROUP AND/OR DIVISION MAY HAVE SPECIFIC RULES REGARDING HOW PLAYOFF ROUND TEAMS AND FINAL SEEDING WILL BE DETERMINED. PLEASE VIEW THE SCHEDULES PAGE FOR EACH SPECIFIC AGE GROUP FOR COMPLETE DETAILS. THESE RULES WILL BE BASED ON THE NUMBER OF

PARTICIPATING TEAMS IN EACH AGE GROUP/ DIVISION.

* In the event of a tie in pool play to determine a pool winner or wild card team, (1st) tie-breaker is head to head (2nd) lowest runs allowed (3rd) run differential, maximum +8, -8 per game (4th) Flip of a coin. If 3 OR MORE TEAMS ARE TIED RECORDWISE, then runs allowed will determine which Team/Teams advance, unless ALL TIED TEAMS have played head to head during the pool play round *Any team that forfeits a game before or once a game has started WILL NOT be permitted to advance to the playoff rounds. Teams that forfeit any games will not receive their tournament minimum game guarantee * We do not have any pitching rules, but we will monitor a pitcher’s innings for safety, if questions on a specific coach overusing that player. We will not discipline the team, but we will let the coach aware it is in the best interest of the coach to have safety first for his players.

We will answer any questions or concerns you may have at any time, we would appreciate you make sure all your coaches are aware of our rules and policies.

Ken Wilson

Tournament Director.