Both managers must report their completed game scores by 5:00pm the day after the game was completed. Teams will be contacted if scores are not reported andcan be assessed a penalty if it occurs more than one time.
Ties will be broken down by the followings procedure:
1)Head to Head competition
2)Best positive run differential in games between the tied teams
3)Best positive run differential in all games played
4)If still tied, a one game playoff will determine the winner
Game Rules
1. There is a maximum of 16 players per team. A roster change may be made through March 31st. Any player add/change afterthat datemust be approved by the League.
2. Players must be 8 years of age or younger onMarch 31st
3. Each participating team is limited to only one (1) Manager,two(3)coaches, and one (1) scorekeeper. NO PARENTS, FANS OR OTHER "COACHES" ARE PERMITTED IN THE DUGOUT OR NEAR THE BACKSTOP.
4. Each team will be the Home team forone game of a double-header.Each team supplies (2) Wilson 1074 baseballs (or similar).
5. There will be a maximum of ten (10) players in the field with four (4)
outfielders positioned in an arc at least twenty (20) feet behind the
baselines. No rover is permitted. Minimum of nine (9) players must be
in the field to start the game—if a team does not have nine (9) players
they will have fifteen (15) minutes after the scheduled start time to
produce a rostered player or a forfeit will result.
6. All players will bat in a continuous order. Players can only be inserted
into the game at the bottom of the batting order if the game has already
started. If the player arrives after the entire order has hit then the player
is not eligible to play in that game.
7. Batters will be given a maximum of seven (7) pitches by their teams
pitching coach. The batter will be declared out if he does not
successfully reach base safely after seven (7) pitches or if the batter is out
on three (3) strikes, whatever comes first. However, the batter may not
be declared out after seven (7) pitches if the seventh pitch is a foul ball,
unless the foul ball is caught on a fly by any fielder. There are unlimited
foul balls on the ‘last” pitch.
8. One (1) team warning will be given for the first player throwing a bat.
On the second occurrence for the violating team any player throwing a
bat will be called out, even after a safe hit. Dead Ball, batter out, runners
do not advance.
9. The pitching coach will pitch from the front of the pitchers circle which is a minimum distance of forty (40) feet from home plate. Pitchers must begin on or behind the front of the pitchers circle. All pitches from the team pitching coach must be overhand to the batter.
10. The pitching coach may not interfere with any ball in play. If the pitching coach interferes with the ball in play the batter will be declared out and all runners will return to the base occupied at the start of the play. If the pitching coach touches a batted ball in self defense a dead ball will be declared and runners will return to their original base and the batter will still be at bat, the pitch will not count.
11.The pitching coach is encouraged to leave the active part of the field during a
“live” play without interfering with the sight-line of any and all players on the field of play.
12. The defensive team must move off the base unless there is a play being made at that base. One (1) team warning will be given for the first player blocking a base when no play is eminent. Any other occurrence for blocking a base when no play is eminent will result in the runner and any runners behind the runner where the blocking occurred being awarded that base and the next base.
13. Play will stop when an infielder has possession, in the dirt, and an the umpire will declare possession. Play will continue so players can make plays where needed (2nd/3rd/home). If an overthrow occurs at a base no extra bases will be rewarded.If the ball never leaves the infield, possession is automatically established, so if any overthrow occurs at any base, runners will only be awarded next base. (ie runner on second would only own 3rd and not be allowed to advance to home etc...) in fair territory and calls time, loudly and/or raises their hands. The umpire will then call time. However, the player may choose to make a play and therefore play will continue until timeout is called. (Time is when the player calls it) Should the infielder make a play and overthrows the base, the runner may advance 1 base only.
14. When play stops, if a base runner has not reached the next base, he must return to the base that he last touched.
15. On infield hits, the maximum all runners can advance is one base. On an overthrow on an infield grounder it is an immediate dead ball. Once the ball touches the grass runners are entitled to as many bases as possible, even if the ball gets to the infielder and they make a play. Therefore the 2/3rd lines do not come into play on infield hits.
16. There will be no infield fly rule. Runners may tag up on any fly ball. In the case of an infield pop out and the defense tries to double up a runner who is off the bag, that runner could tag up, and if the ball is overthrow the runner could try for the next base at risk. Therefore the Tag up rule takes precedence on the overthrow rule for infield pop ups.
17. Runners cannot leave the base before the ball crosses the plate. Only one (1) team warning will be given by the umpire before any violation. There will be only one (1) warning per game per team. On the second occurrence the violating team’s runner or runners will be declared out. This will result in only one (1) additional team out for each violation. Potentially three outs could occur in one swing by a batter where the team has been warned once and bases are loaded and all three runners leave the bases.
18. If a base runner gets hurt and has to leave the game, the prior batter who made the last out replaces the hurt player as a base runner.
19. There is unlimited re-entry for all players. There are to be no fielding substitutions in the middle of a half inning unless for injury.
20. All games are to be at least six (6) innings for a complete official game. Only games ended under adverse weather conditions will be declared official if at least four(4) full innings have been played—a home team with the lead after 3 ½ innings need not bat for official game under weather conditions.
**Unofficial games (games stopped because of rain)will be made up from the exact point of interruption.
21. There will be a ten run rule which will apply after four(4) full innings --a home team with the ten run lead after 4 ½ innings need not bat. This rule applies to all games in tournament. If both managers choose to complete the game the score of the remaining innings will not count for tiebreakers. This is just to play six full innings if they agree.
22. Only six (6) runs will be allowed per inning per team. This rule will apply for the first five (5) innings. The absolute maximum runs per innings 1-5 is six, no continuation. The sixth inning may allow for unlimited runs and the ten-run rule would not apply for the home team to bat if not in the lead. In the case of a true over the fence home run, all runs will count, therefore the max that could be scored in an inning with a walk off grand slam would be 9 runs.
23. Only the team Manager can ask the ruling umpire for an appeal. It is the decision of the ruling umpire to grant the appeal.
24. It is the team manager’s responsibility to control his team and fans, one (1) warning will be given by the umpire, any other warning may result in a forfeit. Absolutely no foul language is permitted. Umpires will immediately tell the manager and the manager must immediately go address the fans. If it occurs again the game will result in a forfeit.
25. It is the responsibility of the umpire to insure both scorebooks match at the completion of each inning.
26. Outfield coaches are allowed on each foul line in the outfield, at least 20 feet behind the bases.
27. Runners should slide into second, third, and home to avoid contact, at all times. It will be the umpire’s discretions to call a runner out for making contact with a defensive player at a base or home plate if he does not slide. NO HEAD-FIRST SLIDING IS ALLOWED, EXCEPT WHEN RETURNING TO A BASE.
28. Bats - The following pertains to the legality of bats. The Maximum diameter at the thickest part: 2 1/4" or less with unlimited weight differential. In length: 36" or less. If the batter is caught at the plate with any unapproved bat they will be out. No warning given.
29. No manager can touch a runner while play is live. One (1) warning will be given by the umpire; any other warning will result in the running being out.
30. Although encouraged, heart guard and face guard for the pitcher is not required
31. “Out of Play”. On a ball hit to the outfield, if the throw goes into the dugouts or past the out of bounds line, the runners will be awarded one extra base. If the runner is past the two-thirds line at the time the ball goes out of play he has gained that base and will therefore get the next base.
32. No bunting is allowed.
33. No stealing is allowed.
34. Every game MUST have at least one umpire, two are preferred.
35. Home team pays the umpire(s).
36. After an injury, all teams must still have at least eight (8) players in the field at all times during a game. Ifa teamdoes not have at least eight (8) players available at any time, that teammust forfeit the game.