2017TJ Baseball Tournament

Official Little League rules shall govern except as modified by these rules:

General Rules:

  1. Player age eligibility is determined by the player’s age as of April 30, 2016.
  1. Team rosters must be submitted with the name, jersey number and date of birth of each player. No roster changes are allowed once a manager has submitted his tournament roster. If a player’s age is challenged by another team, the manager will have 24 hours to provide a birth certificate. Challenges can only be made before or during a game, and should be addressed to the Tournament Director. Teams found using an ineligible player will forfeit any games played with the player, including any game where a lineup was submitted but the game was not started. Teams found to intentionally use an ineligible player or cheat in any manner will be removed from the tournament with no refund.
  1. Each team will be limited to 13 total players.
  1. Each team will be limited to a Manager and 4 coaches in the dugout during the game.
  1. Teams are permitted to warm-up in the outfield only. There will be no time permitted for infield practice prior to the start of the game
  1. All games will be six (6) innings.
  1. Elimination games will include extra innings as needed to determine the winner.
  1. Pool Play games will end in a tie after 6 innings or time limit as stated below:
  1. A new inning may not begin after 1:45 minutes of play, however, in the event an inning has started prior to the time limit, that inning may be concluded in the event the home team is trailing after completion of the top half of the inning.
  1. Exceptions and Modifications to the 2-hour time limit shall be as follows:
  1. The 2 hour time limit may be waived, by a TJ tournament official, provided there is no conflict with another scheduled tournament game and playing conditions allow for the safe continuation of play, as determined by the game umpire and a TJ tournament official.
  1. It is the goal of the TJ Tournament Staff for all Elimination games to be played in their entirety.
  1. The home team will be determined by a coin flip for all round robin games. For elimination games, the better seeded team will have the choice.
  1. During Pool Play, teams will be awarded 2 points for a win and 1 point for a tie. No points are awarded for a loss.
  1. Forfeits will be scored 8-0.

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  1. Tie Breakers are decided by the following criteria:
  1. Head to head play
  2. Run differential (maximum of +8 runs per game)
  3. Runs allowed
  4. Coin toss
  1. Suspended Play - In the event a game is suspended due to weather or other reason, and needs to be resumed at a later time/date, the game will be resumed from the point of stoppage. At the time of the stoppage, each manager should verify the count on the batter, score, outs, inning, etc. Each manager shall verify that both scorebooks are in agreement with the official tournament scorebook.
  1. Regulation Game - A game is considered regulation, if stopped due to weather or because of unsafe playing conditions, when 3 ½ innings have been completed and the HOME team is leading. A regulation game that is tied after 4 innings and stopped due to weather or unsafe conditions may be resumed in accordance with Rule 10 provided the tournament schedule allows for such continuation. If a game is tied after 6 innings and cannot be extended, the game shall be concluded and a tie awarded to each team. Any game halted prior to 3 ½ innings being completed shall be continued in accordance with Rule 10.
  1. Game continuation in pool playplay is not guaranteed. The TJ Baseball tournament committee or official will determine if a game can be continued based on the tournament schedule or will be ended as an official tie for each team
  1. All elimination games will be played to conclusion.
  1. Late players - In the event a player(s) comes late to a game that is already in progress, that player(s) will be permitted to be added to the end of a team’s batting order provided that team has not batted thru its entire line up. Once the teams lead-off hitter has begun his second at bat, no additional player(s) will be permitted to be added into the batting order or game
  1. Injury/Illness - In the event a player must be taken out of a game due to injury or illness and is unable to bat in his/her spot in the batting order, that team WILL NOT be penalized with an out for each time it is his/her time to bat. That player’s position in the lineup will be skipped for the remainder of the game. Once a player is removed for injury/illness and skips a turn at bat, that player is ineligible to return to bat or play for the remainder of the game. Additionally, in the event a player is out due to injury/illness in a game and is ineligible to return, in the event that that particular game is suspended and resumed at a later date, that player is still ineligible for that game once it is resumed.
  1. Protests and Interpretations
  1. Only a team manager may question an umpire call
  1. Any protest or request for interpretation must be made immediately prior to the next pitch to the umpire and opposing manager
  1. The TJ Tournament Director will make the final decision on all rule(s) interpretation and protests.
  1. THERE WILL BE NO PROTESTS CONSIDERED ON JUDGEMENT CALLS BY THE UMPIRE.
  1. Refund Policy: There will be a $100 administration fee charged for complete rain outs; 1 game played = 50% of entry fee; 2 or more games played = no refund. Adverse Weather: Game format may be changed to include lesser time limits, fewer innings or seed advancement to complete the tournament. Coaches and players accept these conditions when entering the tournament.

Playing Rules:

  1. 1 adult patchumpire will be assigned for each game. 2patch umpires will be provided for semis and championship games.
  1. The TJ Tournament Director and the game umpire(s)are responsible for determining if the playing surface is in safe and satisfactory condition for start up or continuance of the game.
  1. Prior to the start of the game, the TJ representative and the game umpire(s) shall clearly define the field ground rules with each team manager.
  1. A team may field a maximum of9 players, with 3 outfielders. No rover is permitted.
  1. Teams must field a minimum of 9 players to start or forfeit the game. It is permissible to finish a game with only 8 players.
  1. Teams must be on time for their assigned game time and ready to play 20 minutes before the scheduled start time, or forfeit the game. The Tournament Director reserves the right to institute a reasonable grace period if it is deemed to be necessary.
  1. If both teams do not have the minimum required number of player to start the game, each team shall be assessed a loss in the standings.
  1. A continuous batting order shall be used. All uniformed players must bat except as noted in Rule 13 of the General Rules section.
  1. Free substitution of defensive players is permitted, with the exception of the pitcher. Once a pitcher has been removed from the game, he may not re-enter the game in the pitcher’s position. He may re-enter the game in another defensive position.
  1. TO EXPEDIATE THINGS, MANAGERS SHOULD HAVE TWO COPIES OF THEIR LINEUP CARD, ONE FOR THE OPPOSING TEAM AND ONE FOR THE OFFICIAL SCOREKEEPER, TO SUBMIT 20 MINUTES BEFORE THE GAME’S SCHEDULED START. THIS IS A SEPARATE PIECE OF PAPER WITH YOUR LINEUP THAT INCLUDES THE PLAYER’S FIRST NAME, LAST NAME, AND JERSEY NUMBER. HANDING SOMEONE YOUR SCOREBOOK TO COPY DOWN THE LINEUP IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
  1. A 5 run limit per inning is in effect WITH CONTINUATION, except for the last inning where the defense must record 3 outs. Therefore, a team could theoretically score 8 runs during one of the first 5 innings, if they have 4 runs in and the bases loaded and the next batter hits a home run.
  1. A 10 run “mercy rule will be in effect after 3-1/2 innings if the home team is leading and after 4 innings if the visiting team is leading.
  1. Catchers must wear protective gear at all times, including protective cup, chest protector, face mask and shin guards.
  1. Metal Spikes are not permitted at any time.
  1. All bats must be 2 ¼ inch, NO Big Barrel Bats
  1. Bunting is permitted.
  1. The “dropped third strike” rule IS NOT in effect
  1. The “infield fly rule” isin effect.
  1. All batters and base runners must wear batting helmets at all times while on the field. Players are not permitted to remove batting helmets until back in the dugout area.
  1. Stealing
  1. Leading is permitted
  1. A lead line shall be placed at five (5) feet from 1st, 2nd and 3rd base.
  1. Base runners are permitted to take leads up to and straddle the lead line. One foot must remain behind the lead line at all times.
  1. Runners are permitted to steal once the pitcher has started his/her motion.
  1. Each team will receive one (1) TEAM WARNING for a base runner stealing / crossing the lead line with both feet before the pitcher has started his/her motion. This is a judgment call made by the umpire, there will be no protests considered on these calls
  1. Any subsequent infractions of this rule will result in the runner being called out.
  1. In the event that the base runner crosses the lead line early, and the ball is put into play by the batter, the ball shall be ruled dead and all runners shall return to their original positions prior to the play
  1. Subsequent infractions of this rule shall result in the base runner being called out, and the pitch being considered a strike on the batter. In the event the batter had two (2) strikes on him/her, the pitch will be considered to be a foul ball.
  1. Stealing home is permitted once the ball is released by the pitcher.
  1. Balls thrown back to the pitcher are live and runners may advance at their own risk.
  1. You must slide to avoid contact and may be called out at the umpire’s discretion. Head first slides are not permitted unless diving back to a base or you are in a run down.
  1. Pitching Rules
  1. Pitchers may pitch a maximum of 3 consecutive innings per game
  1. Pitchers may pitch a maximum of 4 innings per day
  1. There is no tournament Max.
  1. 1 pitch thrown to a batter in an inning is considered a full inning pitched.
  1. A pitcher that hits 2 batters in the same inningor 3 batters in a game must be removed from the pitcher’s position, but may remain in the game in another defensive position.
  1. A pitcher may not receive the ball on the rubber. The umpire shall issue a warning for the first infraction, and any subsequent infractions shall result in a ball called on the current or next batter.
  1. Balks will be warned and not called. Offensive players will not be penalized as a result of a balk.
  1. Runners must avoid contact while running the bases. Base runners should slide at any base, (except 1st), to avoid contact. In the event there is a play on a runner that does not slide and no contact occurs between the runner and the fielder, the runner will not automatically be determined to be out for not sliding. This is a judgment call made by the umpires, there will be no protests considered on these calls
  1. A runner NOT attempting to avoid contact will be called out if there is a play at a base and they make no attempt to slide to avoid contact with the defensive player. This is a judgment call made by the umpires, there will be no protests considered on these calls
  1. Foul balls caught by the catcher will be an out only if the ball travels above the batters head and does not come in contact with the back stop.
  1. Foul tips on the 3rd strike will be an out regardless of the location provided the ball is caught cleanly by the catcher.
  1. Any batter that throws a bat that does not come in contact with the catcher or umpire will receive a PLAYER WARNING.
  1. Any subsequent infractions of this rule by the same player shall result in the player being called out. The ball will be dead and no runners will advance.

Rules of Conduct

  1. Team managers are responsible for the conduct of their coaches and players at all times during pre-game warm-ups, games, and post –game handshakes.
  1. Only the team manager is permitted to question the umpire regarding a call.
  1. There will be no discussion, questioning or protests regarding judgment calls on the part of the umpires.
  1. Anyone manger or coach who in any way attempts to harass or intimidate an umpire shall be ejected from the game.
  1. Anyone ejected from a game shall be required to leave the immediate area. Failure to comply with this rule will result in his/her team forfeiting the game.
  1. Team Managers are responsible for the conduct of their coaches and their team parents/fans. Managers are required to ensure that his/her coaches and team parents conduct themselves properly at ALL TIMES.
  1. Throwing or kicking of equipment at any time in anger is prohibited and the guilty person(s) may be subject to removal from the game.
  1. Verbal abuse, or use of inappropriate language and/or gestures of any kind towards an Umpire, Manager, Coach or Player is strictly prohibited and the guilty person(s) shall be ejected from the game.
  1. Any person(s) threatening physical abuse harm or retaliation against an Umpire, Manager, Coach, or Player shall be ejected from the game.
  1. Any Manager, Coach or Player that is ejected from a game shall be subject to whatever punishment is deemed necessary by the Tournament Director, up to a potential suspension from the remainder of the tournament.
  1. During games, only Managers, Coaches, and Players are permitted in the dugout area.

10/11/20181