Tournament Rules

1. Conduct

Zero Tolerance Policy

There is a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY for any abusive behavior toward umpires by anyone — including managers, coaches, players, parents, or spectators.

• Any violation will result in immediate ejection from the complex (including parking lots).
• The team manager is ultimately responsible for the behavior of their coaches, players, and fans.

Discussions with Umpires

• Only the team manager may discuss rules or plays with the umpires.
• Any issues with umpire conduct must be reported to the Tournament Director, who will review the matter with the UIC (Umpire-in-Chief).

Prohibited Substances

The use of alcohol or illegal substances is prohibited during games, including in parking areas.

Unruly Fans

Fans using abusive or inappropriate language toward players, umpires, coaches, officials, or other fans will be removed from the premises and may face suspension. Coaches are responsible for assisting in the enforcement of this rule.

2. Rosters

• Each manager must submit a team roster to the Tournament Director before the first game.
• All players must be age-eligible for the division.
• Each team (7U–12U) may have one grade-exemption player. This must be declared to the Tournament Director prior to the first game.
• A player may appear on two rosters only if they are in different age divisions and age-eligible for both.

Roster Challenges

• Roster or age challenges must be submitted to the Tournament Director with a $100 fee.
• If the challenge is upheld, the fee is refunded. If not, the fee is forfeited.

Roster Submission

• Failure to submit a roster before the first game will result in your seeding roster (players who appeared in seeding games) becoming your official roster for bracket play.
• No additional players may be added after seeding play begins.

3. Pitching Rules

Balks

• 9U Division: One warning per pitcher, per game. Subsequent balks will be enforced.
• 10U–14U Divisions: No balk warnings; balks will be enforced immediately.

Pitch Counts – Seeding Games

• 9U–10U: Maximum 70 pitches per game.
• 11U–14U: Maximum 85 pitches per game.
• If a pitcher reaches their pitch limit during an at-bat, they may finish that batter.
• Violations will result in the manager’s suspension for the next game.

Pitch Counts – Bracket Games

Pitch count management is left to the manager’s discretion. While the tournament does not enforce a strict limit, coaches are expected to act responsibly. We strongly encourage all teams to follow the MLB Pitch Smart Guidelines: https://www.mlb.com/pitch-smart

4. Game Play

Home Team Determination

• Pool Play: Determined by coin flip at the plate meeting.
• Elimination Games: Higher seed is the home team.

Lineups

• Lineup cards must be exchanged before the plate meeting.
• Lineups become official at the conclusion of the plate meeting.
• Any lineup change must be reported to the umpire, opposing manager, and scorekeeper.

Courtesy Runners

• Courtesy runners are allowed for the pitcher and catcher of record.
• The runner must be a substitute. If no substitutes are available, use the last batted out.

Bunting and Sliding

• Bunting: Allowed in all divisions.
• Butcher Boy: Not allowed in any division.
• Sliding into Home: No headfirst slides into home plate for all ages (7U–14U). Violations result in an automatic out.

5. Batting and Defense with Substitutes

• Teams must bat at least the minimum number of players required for the field of play.
• Teams may include extra hitters (EHs) in the lineup.
• Players not in the batting lineup are considered substitutes.
• Free defensive substitutions are permitted — all players may play defense regardless of lineup position.
• Substitutes may start defensively even if not batting.
• Pitchers must be in the lineup or have a Designated Hitter (DH).
• Once a substitute enters the batting lineup and is later removed, they are burned per standard substitution rules.

6. Coach / Machine Pitch Division

• Maximum 5 runs may be scored per inning.
• Teams may use their own baseballs.
• The pitcher must start each play with at least one foot inside the pitcher’s circle.
• If the coach or machine is hit by the ball, it is ruled a dead ball (no pitch).
• No bunting is allowed with a runner on third base.
• Minimum machine speeds: 36 MPH (7U) and 38 MPH (8U).
• No base stealing permitted.
• Bunting is ALLOWED, maximum 2 bunts per inning (Rule 9.13). Fake bunts shall not be permitted (Rule 9.13.A).

7. Game Time Limits

Mercy Rules

• 6-inning games: 15 after 3, 8 after 4
• 7-inning games: 15 after 3, 12 after 4, 8 after 5
• No extra innings will be played in seeding games.

8. Bracket Seeding

After seeding games, all teams will be placed into brackets. Teams should be prepared to play later on Saturday if needed.

Tiebreakers:

1. Head-to-Head (only applies if two teams are tied)
2. Runs Allowed
3. Runs Scored
4. Coin Toss

9. Umpire Fees