De Pere Youth Baseball Tournament (9U/11U)

June 15 – 17, 2018

Kelly Danen Park – De Pere, Wisconsin

Tournament Format:

  • Pool Play (Individual Trophies for 1st 2nd)

Tournament Rules: Little League Rules Apply With the Following Exceptions

Player Eligibility

  • Team Roster may consist of 15 players. All rosters must be turned in before your first game.
  • A player cannot reach his/her disqualifying birthday for each division prior to April 30, 2017. Birth certificates may be required for proof of age.
  • Players must have a unique identifiable number large enough to read in the score booth.

Game Rules

  • Home team to be determined by a coin toss. Team traveling the farthest calls it.
  • In bracket play the home team is the higher seed.
  • Home team will be the official scorekeeper and must sign and turn in a game report immediately following the game to the tournament coordinator in charge of your field. Both teams need to sign the report.
  • Please be ready to play earlier than your scheduled time. We will start games early if the field is available.
  • 6 Inning games – there is a 10-run rule after 3 ½ innings for the home team or 4 innings for the visiting team. Due to the number of games, a game tied after 6 innings in pool play will be considered complete. Each team will be awarded ½ win and ½ loss. Extra innings (if game is tied after 6 innings) will be played in bracketgames.
  • Games will be 6 innings in length; 9 players on the field. A time limit of 1 hour and 30 minutes will be in effect. No new inning will start after 80 minutes. For the semi-finals, third place and championship game, a time limit of 2 hours will be in effect. Official time will be kept on the scoreboard.
  • In case of rain, 4 innings constitutes a complete game.
  • The tournament coordinator reserves the right to shorten, alter, or cancel games if weather or time, do not permit completion in a timely manner.
  • Teams must bat their entire roster with unlimited defensive substitutions.
  • Teams will play 9 in the field with 3 players playing on the outfield grass when the ball crosses the plate.
  • Infield fly WILL be in affect.
  • In case of an injury and the player cannot return to the game, his spot in the batting order will be skipped without penalty

Arm Health and Recommended Pitching Limitations

De Pere Baseball will not be involved in counting pitches or regulating pitching during tournament events. The ultimate responsibility of managing pitch counts rests with each team’s Head Coach. De Pere Baseball endorses the Pitch Smart program, developed by USA Baseball and Major League Baseball. This program is a series of practical, age appropriate guidelines to help parents, players and coaches avoid overuse injuries and foster long, healthy careers for youth pitchers. This program is also endorsed and used by the WIAA for high school programs.

About Pitch Smart: USA Baseball and MLB team up to help young players reduce arm injuries by providing a comprehensive resource for safe pitching practices. Baseball is a safe game to play at all ages, but research has shown that pitching too much – particularly at a young age – can increase a pitcher’s risk of injury.

Risk Factors: Some factors that increase the risk of arm injury include:

 Pitching while fatigued

 Not taking enough time off from baseball every year

 Throwing too many pitches and not getting enough rest

 Pitching on consecutive days

 Playing for multiple teams at the same time

 Throwing breaking pitches at a young age

Recommended Pitch Count Limits and Recommended Rest:

  • Once a pitcher is removed that pitcher cannot re-enter as a pitcher in the same game.
  • A manager or coach is allowed one trip to the mound per inning per pitcher. A second trip shall automatically result in the removal of that pitcher for that game. Injury situation does not count as a trip to the mound.
  • The fielding team will have one minute to warm up in between innings. This will allow enough time for (5) warm up pitches in between innings and (8) warm up pitches for a new pitcher. Coaches, please have someone ready to warm up your pitcher if your catcher is putting on the equipment. No throwing around the horn after a strikeout.
  • Intentional walks may be issued by informing the umpire.
  • Games in which an ineligible pitcher has been used shall be declared a forfeit.
  • Pitchers are not allowed to wear sunglasses unless they are prescription glasses.

Batting and Base Running Rules

  • Base runners must slideor avoid contact on close plays. Failure to do so will result in the runner being called out. Intentionally running into a fielder will result in disqualification for the game.
  • Base runners must slide feet first into a base, but can dive head first back into a base.
  • You can have a courtesy runner (optional) for the catcher at any time. This must be the player who made the last out.
  • You can bunt. However, you cannot swing after squaring to bunt. If this is done the batter will be called out.
  • All players must wear a batting helmet while batting and running the bases.
  • On-deck hitters must stand behind the batter, near the fence.
  • Leading off the base is not allowed until the ball crosses home plate. Leaving early will result in the runner being called out.
  • Runners may advance on their own risk. Runners may come home on passed ball, wild pitch or throw back, at their own risk. (Please see the sliding rule above in this process)
  • Batter who swung and missed on a third strike will be called out even if the catcher doesn’t catch the ball. However, other base runners can advance on a missed third strike.
  • If a runner misses a base a player or coach can appeal it during a dead ball situation and the umpire will make a safe/out call based on the appeal.

General Rules

  • All coaches must be an adult (18 years or older) to be in the dugout or coaching on the field.
  • There are NO protests. Umpire’s decisions are final. One coach may discuss the rules with the umpire, keeping in mind the intent and spirit of the tournament. Coaches are also responsible for their own parents and fans also keeping the positive spirit of the tournament.
  • For the 2018 season, De Pere Baseball will allow players to use either 1.15BPF small barrel (2-1/4”) bats OR the new USA Baseball bats (2-5/8”) barrel, during tournament play.NO other big barrel bats will be allowed.
  • Steel spikes are not allowed.
  • A manager or a coach may not leave the dugout area except to confer with one of his players, or the umpire. This must be done by calling time-out that is granted by the umpire.
  • A complete rain-out of the tournament will result in a 50% entry fee refund.
  • A partial rain-out of the tournament will result in the champion being determined by the tournament committee.
  • De Pere Youth Baseball and tournament sponsors are not liable for injuries occurring during or as result of this tournament.

Administrative Rules

  • A strict ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY is in force at all times for coaches, players, and fans.
  • Any coach, player or fan ejected from a game will automatically be suspended for the next tournament game.
  • The De Pere Tournament coordinator reserves the right to expel a coach, player, or fan from the tournament if extraordinary behavior occurs.
  • There is a NO CARRY-IN policy at Kelly Danen Park and the use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited by city ordinance and will be enforced.
  • THE FOCUS OF THE TOURNAMENT IS ON SPORTSMANSHIP AND TEAMWOK IN A COMPETITIVE BASEBALL ENVIRONMENT. HAVE FUN!!

TIE BREAKERS:

1. Wins

2. Runs Allowed

3. Runs Scored

4. Coin Flip

REMINDERS:

Managers and coaches are responsible for the conduct of themselves, their team and their

fans. No harassing of umpires, other teams or fans will be tolerated.

1st Offense: Team Warning

2nd Offense: Individual(s) will be asked to leave the ballpark.

3rd Offense: Team forfeits game(s)