Official Baseball Tournament Rules
(Modified February 3, 2010)
Any rule not covered will convert to American League Major League Rule Book.
Time Limit: We have a 2-Hour time limit (unless altered by weather) on all games except the Championship Game during weekend tournaments. No new inning may start after two hours; for the purpose of determining if a new inning may start, the time is determined at the time of the last out in the bottom of the inning. All games should stop in the bottom of the inning if the Home Team is winning when the time runs out, meaning that the visiting team will not be able to bat. In the event that for some reason (umpire is unaware of score or time) play continues, all runs added to the score will count.
We DO NOT have time limits during our weeklong tournaments.
Age Field & Inning Determinations:
Age |
Mound |
Bases |
Bat |
Innings |
8 |
35’ |
70’ |
No Restriction |
6 |
9 |
44’ |
70’ |
No Restriction |
6 |
10 |
47’ |
70’ |
No Restriction |
6 |
11 |
50’ |
70’ |
No Restriction |
6 |
12 |
50’ |
70’ |
No Restriction |
6 |
13 |
54’ |
80’ |
No Restriction |
7 |
14 |
60’ 6” |
90’ |
No Restriction |
7 |
15/16 |
60’ 6” |
90’ |
Wood Only |
7 |
18/19 |
60’ 6” |
90’ |
Wood Only |
7 |
Open |
60’ 6” |
90’ |
Wood Only |
7 |
Mercy Rule: Regardless of age, 15 run after 3 innings, 10 runs after 4 innings and 8 runs after 5 innings. Home team does not bat if ahead by Mercy. Home team will bat if visiting team goes ahead in top of Mercy inning.
Dugout: All dugout selection is based upon a first come first serve basis; any disputes will be determined by tournament director.
Official Roster: All team rosters are weekend to weekend rosters and may be changed from week to week at the discretion of the organization. Once a team has started a tournament, players may be added to their roster provided the player is of legal age (Legal Age is based on age as of April 30th) and has not played for another team of the same age bracket during said tournament. PENALTY: An ineligible player, due to roster rules, shall be removed from the game at the time of notification. There will be NO FORFEITS because of an ineligible player. A sub may replace the ineligible player if one is available, otherwise an automatic out will take place in the same manner as an injured player. No new players can be added to the roster once Pool Play has been completed.
Age Determination: In determining the appropriate age for a player, the easiest way is to determine the age of the player on April 30 of the year that he/she is playing. The age of the player on April 30 is the age of the player for that year.
Start of Game: Coin Flip determines Home and Visitors for all Pool Games. Once Seed is determined, Top Seed will have choice of Visitor or Home. A team may start with 6 players and add the remaining players at any time. The spot(s) missing in the batting order will be an out(s).
Determining Starting Line-up: We want to let the Coach play as many players as he/she wants. The only information needed regarding a "Starting Lineup" is the number of batters. We do not care who plays in the field.
Offensive: Team may bat 9 players, the entire lineup or in-between. Once the number of batters is determined, it must remain for the entire game. An injury or ejection may result in an out if a substitute is not available. A substitute is anyone not placed in the batting order. Once a substitution bats or runs for a player, the sub and the original starter are locked into that batting position and either one may bat or run in that position ONLY.
Defensive: Any player on the roster may play in any defensive position at any time, 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.
Pitching Restrictions: NONE (coaches discretion) 2nd visit to the mound per inning will result in removal of pitcher. Once a pitcher is removed from the mound, they may re-enter and pitch after one batter is pitched to regardless of whether they left the field or not.
Balks: Dead Ball - No Warnings (Umpire Discretion MAY be used on younger ages)
Cleat Restrictions:
- 9U -12U divisions: Rubber Cleats only
- 13U and over: No restrictions
Bat Restrictions:
- 8 thru 14U division: No Restrictions
- 15/16U division: Wood Bats only (wood composite bats are acceptable)
- 18/19U division: Wood Bats only (wood composite bats are acceptable)
In the 15/16U and 18/19U divisions, wood bats only; however, wood composite bats are acceptable. Wood composite bats are considered to be a composite handle and wood barrel. All composite bats must be inspected and approved by the Tournament Director. If you have any suspicion that your bat does not meet this requirement, please leave it at home.
Altered or illegal bats will be removed and player may be ejected.
Designated Hitter: NONE, Offensive rule takes care of Designated Hitter.
Courtesy Runner: NONE
Avoid Contact Rule: Normally referred to as Must Slide Rule; a runner must Avoid Contact on all close plays. A player may not run over anyone at anytime or place on the field. (Umpires discretion)
Head First Slide: Permitted at all bases.
Intentional Walk: All ages must throw 4 balls for an Intentional Walk
Official Game: All Pool Play games played at Sports at the Beach are Official at the end of 1 complete inning (same rules as if it were a 4-inning complete game) regardless of age or reason for the stoppage (weather, darkness, etc) This ruling is in place due to weather or darkness and to determine standings for Single-Elimination. All Single-Elimination games including Championship are complete after 3 innings.
Protests: 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 protest is upheld. A Protest is only “Official” if accompanied with a $100.00 fee and done before the next pitch. The $100.00 fee will be donated to the Special Olympics if protest is denied. This same fee will apply for protests of age and Birth Certificates; the BURDEN OF PROOF will lie with the protesting coach.
Have questions? Please e-mail us at any time or call (800) 969-9008.
