It is the coaches discretion to play as many or as few of players as they want. Prior to the start of the game, each teams representative must provide to each other their Starting Lineup with their batting order, player names and numbers. Due to issues with uniforms, guest players, and a host of other reasons, it is the representative’s responsibility to notify the opposing teams representative of duplicate numbers, duplicate names, or incorrect names on jerseys. If this is not disclosed at the time of the lineup transfer, it is in the umpires discretion to impose any appropriate penalty for batting out of order. The positions of the players are not required.
Each team may bat as many players as they want. However, if fewer than nine batters are in the lineup the open spots will be recorded as outs. Once the number of batters is determined, it must remain for the entire game except that late-arriving players may be added up to the ninth spot in the lineup. An ineligible player or ejection will result in an out when their spot in the lineup comes up. Once a substitution bats or runs for a player (other than the case of a courtesy runner for a pitcher or catcher), the sub and the original starter are locked into that batting position and either one may bat or run in that position ONLY. If a team is batting ten or more players and has no substitutes, that is, they are batting their entire available roster, a player lost to injury or illness will not result in an automatic out when their spot in the lineup comes up. That spot in the lineup will simply be skipped.
Any player on the roster may play in any defensive position at any time (other than pitching restrictions—explained below), regardless of being in the batting order.
Example: A team may have 18 players: Bat 9 of them and play the other 9 in the field. No one player in a game can assume more than one offensive position.
None. Offensive Rule takes care of the DH.
Starter may re-enter, in their original batting position, for all age divisions.
A courtesy runner can be used for the Pitcher or Catcher at any time. However, it is not required. A courtesy runner must 1st be a player not in the lineup. If everyone is in the lineup, then the courtesy runner must be the last batted out (if last batted out is the pitcher or catcher you may use the next last batted out). A courtesy runner does not count as a substitute and is not married in the lineup with the player they ran for.
Headfirst slides are permitted at all bases. A runner must attempt to avoid contact on all close plays. A player may not run over anyone at any time or place on the field. (Umpire’s Discretion)
Catchers can wear a two-piece mask and hat if preferred. Catcher's equipment must be NFHS/NOCSAE-certified
Base Coaches are not required to wear helmets while coaching the bases.
If the umpire discovers that a batter enters the batter’s box with an illegal bat, the batter will be called out (even if a pitch has not been thrown). If the illegal bat is discovered after the ball is put into play (but before the next pitch is thrown to the next batter), the defensive team will have the choice of the result of play or the batter being called out and all runners returning to the base occupied before the pitch. An appeal on the legality of the bat must be made prior to the next pitch thrown to the next batter or the result of the previous at-bat will stand. SECOND Offense – If a team is found in violation of this rule a second time (either in the same game or in any other game throughout the tournament), in addition to the previous penalty, the manager will be immediately ejected and could face further suspension.
Altered bats (shaved, rolled, or in any other way altered to increase performance) are not permitted in any way. Any player using an altered bat will be ejected from the game and their at bat and subsequent turns in the lineup will be recorded as an out. All runners will go back to the base they occupied when the batter put the ball in play. The player ejected for use of an altered bat may also face further suspension.
Wood bats are permitted in all tournaments. Composite bats are also legal.
In an effort to waste less time, a hitter will be granted first base if the defensive team lets the Home Plate Umpire know that it is their desire to intentionally walk the batter. The pitcher doesn’t need to throw 4 pitches.
Unless the ball is out of play (umpire makes call), the ball is considered live, and runners may advance past their given base at their own risk.
No protest will be allowed for judgment calls. Protests will be allowed for rules only and must be decided before restart of play. A $100.00 payment must accompany protest and will be returned if the protest is upheld. A Protest is only “official” if accompanied with a $100.00 fee and done before the next pitch. The same fee will apply for protests of age and Birth Certificates. The Burden of Proof will lie with the protesting coach.
The act of faking a bunt, then pulling back and swinging (also referred to as a slash bunt) will not be allowed in 9U 10U, 11U and 12U. The result of this act will be a dead ball and the batter being out. Slash bunts are allowed in 13U & 14U.
Although a runner cannot be physically assisted or redirected by a coach or teammate touching them while running the bases, in the case of a home run that has cleared the fence or a ground-rule double the batter and any other runners will not be penalized if either a coach or teammate makes contact with them in an obvious congratulatory handshake, high five, or other gesture.
All Dugout selections are based on a first come first serve basis; any disputes will be determined by the tournament director. All Teams must keep their Dugouts clean. Please do not leave your trash all over the dugout for the next team. Once your game is over, if another game is scheduled on the same field, please do not have a postgame team conference in the dugout or on the field (unless your team is playing in the next game on the same field). Rather, please pack up and leave the dugout and playing field in a timely manner so that the next team can have the dugout and field to warm up and prepare for their game. If you want to have a postgame team conference, please do so outside of the fenced-in area.
Two Minute Rule! We expect teams will take no more than two minutes in-between innings. Pitchers are permitted eight warm-up pitches in their first inning of work or five warm-up pitches every other inning that they pitch in that game. If a catcher needs to put gear on, another player/ coach in gear should be ready to warm up the pitcher.
At no time can coaches on the field intentionally interfere with a player or ball. If, while on defense coaches wish to be just outside of the dugout for any purpose such as calling pitches (including while sitting on a bucket) or communicating with their players this is allowed. However, if, while in play an errant throw hits a coach or their bucket, it will be treated as if the ball went into the dugout, with a dead ball being called and each base runner being entitled to the next base. While on offense, teams should ensure that any buckets are returned to the dugout. If a bucket belonging to an offensive team is left on the field and it is hit by an errant throw the runner(s) will not be entitled to the next base.
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